Category: Reflective Focus

Reflective Focus

The Life, Death and Resurrection of Christ: The Pivotal Point in History

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Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).

History is the story of God’s love expressed through His Son, Jesus Christ. It is really His Story. Everything preceding His arrival looks forward to it. Each event after His resurrection reflects back on His time on earth.

The Gregorian calendar: The most widely used calendar in the world today marks two periods of time: before Christ – B.C. – and Anno Domini (the year of our Lord) or A.D. The division may not be exactly the occasion of Christ’s birth (many scholars believe Jesus was born between 6 and 4 B.C.), but the intent is clear. The coming of Jesus Christ marked the most important event in history.

The Bible: The sixty-six books of the Bible are divided into two sections. The Old Testament chronicles the journeys of faithful men and women of God who looked for the Messiah. Many prophesied about that day.

The New Testament begins with the birth of Jesus, gives the story of His life, building His church, the activities of the first century church and promises His final appearance.

Of all the events in the life of Jesus that marked the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament that was fleshed out in His person in the New Testament, His resurrection is the culmination of all that had come before.

Easter: The resurrection of Jesus Christ marks the pivotal point in history where reconciliation between God and man became possible. His birth was miraculous. His life was pure and without sin. Jesus revealed God in the flesh. His death was the sacrifice for our sin. It was the resurrection that put the period on all that had come before. With the resurrection of Jesus, His mission was completed.

Jesus was always looking to the cross. Even when as a young boy of twelve He told His mother that He must be about His Father’s business, He knew that would lead Him to the cross. …looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross…(Hebrews 12:2).

Mary and Joseph knew the prophecies about Jesus. The angel told Joseph that he was to call the child Jesus and that He would save His people from their sins. When Simeon saw Him in the temple when He was just a few days old, he warned Mary that her heart would be pierced. Although she and Joseph may not have known all the details of the horrors that lay ahead for Jesus, they were aware of how sin was paid for – a sacrifice. Even the wise man who brought myrrh as a gift to the Christ child knew that it was used for anointing the dead.

The Lord’s Supper: Just before His crucifixion, Jesus took His disciples aside and had a special supper with bread and wine: the bread symbolizing His body which He was about to offer as a sacrifice and the wine representing His shed blood. Christians around the world still practice this ordinance in memory of Him.

Lent: Observed by many worldwide, Lent is a forty day period leading up to Easter marked by self-denial and reflection on the sacrifice Christ made.

Many who observe Lent in the West start on Ash Wednesday. Those in the East often begin their observation on Clean Monday – the Monday before Ash Wednesday. Clean Monday is a reminder for them to begin the period of Lent with good intentions and a desire to clean their spiritual house. Even non-Christians are aware of pre-Lent festivals, such as Mardi Gras – also called Fat Tuesday – as times of feasting before Lent officially arrives.

According to the early church historian Eusebius, the earliest Christians fasted and prayed for one or two days, some for forty hours continually before Easter. When Eusebius’ History of the Church was translated from Greek into Latin, the translator put a punctuation mark between forty and hours, thus leading some people reading the document to believe that the fast was for 40-24 hour days instead of 40 hours. By 300 A.D., a 40-day celebration leading up to Easter was widespread.

Nevertheless, when Easter approaches, every Christian is reminded that Christ’s virgin birth, perfect life and love for mankind led Him to the cross. The cause for celebration is the resurrection. So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” (Matthew 28:8-9).

Without the first Easter – the resurrection – all of the prophecies, calendars and celebrations marking the coming of Christ would be meaningless. For it is with the resurrection that Jesus conquered the grave and defeated Satan. It is with the resurrection that He proved what He had been saying all along – that He is the Son of God. It is the resurrection that made it possible for us to live with Him eternally.

And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!…If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead… (1 Corinthians 15:17,19,20).

© Stephanie B. Blake

April 2012

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Reflective Focus

The Proper Place for Anger

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Everyone knows you can sin by being angry. Anger is a very strong emotion that can lead to some horrible consequences. Consider Cain whose anger resulted in the very first murder. Scripture tells us that being quick tempered is not only foolish, but it can give Satan a place in your life. He feeds on unrighteous anger.

Much of human anger comes from pride and selfishness. Daniel Webster said, “Keep cool. Anger is not an argument.” Someone with a short fuse is not only unpleasant to be around, but the stress his anger produces can backfire. It can make him ill.

Not all anger is sin. Some anger is justifiable. Jesus, God in the flesh, had occasions when He was angry and yet He never sinned. Righteous anger is never rooted in selfishness or revenge. It is directed at a real injustice that dishonors God.

You’ve probably heard that you should stay away from a bear cub if you see one, for the mother bear would not be far off and would attack if she believes her young one is threatened. The protection instincts in a human are somewhat similar. Imagine how you would feel if someone threatened to torture your child. That spontaneous anger might give you the strength to fight the attacker.

Unlike wild animals, however, we have the resources to control our anger.  We are capable of making a judgment between true injustice and our selfish desires. God knows anger that produces sin is an emotion that is dwelt on, so He led the apostle Paul to say, “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger and do not give the devil an opportunity” (Ephesians 4:26-27).

Although God is slow to anger and has abundant love for His people, His holiness cannot overlook sin. We shouldn’t either.

There were many times God was justifiably angry with His chosen people. They provoked Him time and time again. Their abominations, idols, rebellion, unbelief and evil deeds made Him so angry that He was ready to destroy the offenders. He, however, heard the prayers of men like Moses and Nehemiah and stayed His hand of judgment.

In an unexplainable act of love for those of us who disappoint Him, God presented the only solution possible. He sent His Son Jesus to bear our sin. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life (Romans 5:8-10 NAS).

Since Jesus saved us from the wrath of God’s judgment, it would be good for us to know what made Him angry while He was on earth and avoid those things.

Defending the Holiness of God’s House (John 2:14-16)

Every gospel records Jesus’ purging the temple of the moneychangers. In John’s gospel, he helps us form a vivid picture of just how angry Jesus was. He made a scourge of cords with which to drive out the merchants and He used it.

Twisting God’s commandments  (Mark 3:4-5)

When Jesus saw a man with a withered hand and healed Him on the Sabbath, the Pharisees’ lack of compassion made Him angry. The Pharisees had so twisted the law that practically any thing done on the Sabbath was considered a sin.

Jesus’ anger at the Pharisees was evident many times as He called them by their real names: hypocrites.

Keeping Others from Coming to Him (Mark 10:14)

Jesus became angry with His own disciples when they tried to keep the children from coming to Him. Jesus came for all. No one is denied access to Him.

Unbelief (Mark 9:19)

Satan has always attempted to blind the eyes of people so they don’t see Jesus for who He really is. The most remarkable instances are the people who lived when Jesus did. They saw His miracles with their very own eyes and heard His words with their very own ears. Many of them still did not believe. Jesus was grieved and angry with that unbelieving generation.

Our Response

Jesus always loved the sinner, but hated the sin. He demonstrated his love for sinners by dying for them. He bore the hideousness of hateful sin on His cross.

Many people are angry with God. Help them to direct their anger toward Satan who deceives them. Satan is the one who wants to make God’s house unholy, the one who fills it with hypocrites, the one who tries to keep people from Jesus and he is the one who wants to prevent every one he can from believing in Jesus.

Jesus’ followers should conform to His image and be holy as He is holy. Challenge Satan’s influence in the church. Rebuke hypocrisy. Work to make sure everyone has access to Jesus. Unbelievers are still everywhere, but when God gives you opportunity, share the Truth. Defend the defenseless.

Be angry with Satan. He deserves it.

© Stephanie B. Blake

March 2012

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Reflective Focus

The Ultimate Word Picture

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Of all the senses, sight is the one we most rely on. Sound, touch, smell and taste add another dimension to our reality check, but we give more credibility to what we see.

Other senses are magnified for those who were born blind or have lost their sight. For them, sound, touch, smell and taste become their eyes. However, for the rest of us, sight is the number one checkpoint for verification.

For instance, a low battery warning in a fire alarm can be mistaken for a cricket, so sound can confuse us. Forced to identify something by touch alone (as in a popular game) can be very difficult. What smells like a flower may actually be perfume. Chefs are expert in making food taste like something else, to please our palate. However, unless we are watching an illusionist perform, what we see, we believe.

This tendency to only believe what we see presents a problem for some people as far as a relationship with God. That may be the reason some people are comfortable with an idol.  People often state that they cannot believe in a God they cannot see.

God, our creator, knows this is a human characteristic and addressed it in several ways. He knows that people want to see Him.

God’s creation is a visible witness of an invisible God. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse (Romans 1:20 NIV).

God expects that those who are looking for Him will find Him in His creation. He also created us with spiritual eyes, with an inner sight that recognizes His presence. Jesus observed that some have eyes, but do not see as well as ears that do not hear. He is referring to spiritual sight and hearing.

God told Moses that He could not see Him face to face Jesus is the ultimate Word picture. For those who lived during His lifetime, many of them had the privilege of seeing Him face to face. Some in Old Testament times saw Him in a pre-incarnate form, sometimes as an Angel of the Lord. Those of us who were born after His death and resurrection can see Him through His involvement in history and time as a real, literal historical figure. No accurate pictures of Him exist and that is probably a good thing. He has provided what we need the most: an accurate Word picture of what God looks like.

It is God’s love that caused Him to give us the ultimate Word picture. He did not have to involve Himself in the lives of those He created, but He did.

© Stephanie B. Blake

February 2012

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Reflective Focus

Living in the Land of Beginning Again

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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

In the early 20th century, Louisa Fletcher wrote a poem entitled “The Land of Beginning Again.” Since then, others have added to it and even made it into songs. One version was sung by Bing Crosby in The Bells of Saint Mary. Now in public domain, Louisa’s original poem is as follows.

 

I wish that there were some wonderful place

In the Land of Beginning Again

Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches

And all of our poor selfish grief

Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door

And never put on again.

I wish we could come on it all unaware

Like the hunter who finds a lost trail

And I wish that the one whom our blindness had done

The greatest injustice of all

Could be there at the gates like an old friend that waits

For the comrade he’s gladdest to hail.

We would find all the things we intended to do

But forgot, and remembered too late.

Little praises unspoken, little promises broken,

And all the thousand and one

Little duties neglected that might have perfected

The day for one less fortunate.

It wouldn’t be possible not to be kind

In the Land of Beginning Again.

And the ones we misjudged

And the ones whom we grudged

Their moments of victory here,

Would find in the grasp of our loving hand-clasp

More than penitent lips could explain.

For what had been hardest we’d know had been best

And what had seemed loss would be gain

For there isn’t a sting that will not take a wing

When we’ve faced it and laughed it away.

And I think that the laughter is most what we’re after

In the Land of Beginning Again.

So I wish that there were some wonderful place

Called the Land of Beginning Again

Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches,

And all of our poor selfish grief

Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door

And never put on again.

 

Most of us at some point in our lives share Louisa’s sentiment. We would like to go “where all our mistakes and all our heartaches and all of our poor selfish grief could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door and never put on again.” We agree with Neal Morse whose lyrics to his song, The Land of Beginning Again include, “I wish there was a way to start again, to wake up among friends in the land of beginning again and I love my brother more than my own life and no one feels mean. All things are new. Behold, the slate is clean.”

It is uncertain whether the authors of the songs or poems about the land of beginning again knew they were talking about spiritual truths, but they were.

Decisions of our past, both good and bad, have a bearing on where we are today. We may be pleased with where we are or wish things were radically different. There may be scores of things that we wish we could change about our past.

Sometimes it is circumstances beyond our control that have put us in a place of sorrow, heartache or persecution. Perhaps the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, a natural disaster, ill health or any other sad events in our lives have been ever too present.

For a Christian, the desire to begin again is a reality. When we come face to face with sin in our lives, we wish we could begin again. In Christ, we can. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12 NIV). True repentance is more than regret. It is seeing ourselves as God sees us – sinners in need of salvation. His love in sending Christ to bear those sins on His cross makes it possible for us to start life anew. Once we repent of our sins, because of Jesus, our slate is clean. Now God sees His Son in us. Our sinfulness has been replaced with His righteousness. And the promise of eternity is that when we enter the gates of heaven, we will drop all of our sorrows at the door and never put them on again.

There is, however, the challenge of living day by day. Between the time we accept the gift of salvation through Christ and we go to heaven where there is no sin present, we must still live in a world full of sin. The Christian life is hard. Satan delights in attacking believers and tempting them in our most vulnerable points.

We must remember, then, because of Christ, we truly live in the land of beginning again.

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of God in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13). God’s promises are true. In the good times and the bad times, trust in the God who gives us a chance to begin again.

© Stephanie B. Blake

January 2012

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Reflective Focus

The Coming of the Lamb and the Shepherd

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Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth between Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken your might, come and save us. Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved (Psalm 80:1-3 NIV).

Picture the nativity scene. That’s easy for most of us. Displayed in illustrated Bibles and Bible storybooks and set up in homes and churches during December, the characters are always the same. Mary and Joseph with shepherds and wise men and animals in the stall surround a baby in a manger – the Son of God who had just become the Son of Man.

The most striking elements in this picture are its simplicity and its majesty. No one seems to think it strange that rich wise men from the east are facing humble shepherds from the fields  – standing or kneeling on a carpet of straw with singing angels above joining sounds of animals below and the sweet coos of the baby who planned it all.

This scene had been foretold by many but understood by few. Unable to grasp the possibility that God’s Son would make His entrance with such humility, most were expecting the Savior to come with the only kind of majesty they were accustomed to – to reign and to rule.

Amidst the many prophecies about His coming, the two that capture our attention in the nativity are symbolically sitting at the feet of the child or standing at His side: the lamb and the shepherd.

The baby lying in this manger would someday hang on a cross. Naked, He would die there. His humble beginnings would lead to an even more humiliating climax.

Submitting Himself to be led like a lamb to the slaughter, the Good Shepherd did for His flock what they could not do for themselves. All His sheep having gone astray, the Lord laid on Him the sins of them all. He bore those sins on the cross and left them there.

The one announced as the Lamb of God also revealed Himself as the Resurrection and the Life.  Having shed His blood and redeemed His flock, the Good Shepherd walked out of the tomb.

There is no longer any need for a sacrificial lamb. Now, the church, the Bride of Christ, is being made ready for the Bridegroom, the Lamb who sits upon the throne.

The tranquil scene of the nativity makes perfect sense to those who worship the Son of God who came in humility in order that we might reign with Him.

“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb . . . for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes (Revelation 7:10, 17).

© Stephanie B. Blake

December 2011

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Reflective Focus

Relating to God as Father

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“What is a Christian? The question can be answered in many ways, but the richest answer I know is that a Christian is one who has God for His Father.” – J.I. Packer

What are your thoughts about God as your Heavenly Father?

People often form their opinion of God the Father based on their experiences with their own earthly fathers. If a person is fortunate enough to have a good Christian father, those experiences bear some resemblance to God as Father. There are many, though, who had very bad models of fatherhood. Their perception of God as Father may be quite different. However, all comparisons fall short of God, our Heavenly Father.

Backward Thinking

When we apply our father’s attributes to God, we get it backwards. God created our fathers. God came first. Everything that a father should be God is.

Every limitation our fathers had, every mistake they made is because they were born into sin, just like the rest of us. The standard of measurement as a father is God whose love and ways are perfect.

Our error in thinking about the family of God, and God as our Father, comes from our perspective. When we view God as Father through the filter of family as we know it, there will always be faulty thinking.

If we are reluctant to take responsibility for disciplining our children, we may judge His commandments as harsh and resent His discipline in our own lives.

If we were never able to have a good conversation with our own fathers, we may have difficulty praying and approaching God intimately as “Abba, Father.”

If our father was selfish and did not work to provide adequately for his family, we may be hesitant to believe that our Father can and will provide for our needs.

If we had an absentee father, we may have difficulty knowing that God the Father will give us protection and guidance and be there when we need Him.

If we had a father who did not keep his promises, we may have problems believing God means what He says.

If we had a father whose comments tore us down instead of building us up, we may not see God as trustworthy and loving.

If we had a godly Christian father, we may still limit God in our thinking because our father had limitations simply because He was human. God is able to do far more than our earthly fathers were capable of doing.

God the Father loves us so much that He paid the price for adoption

Adoption is never accidental. It is an expensive and enormously time-consuming process. Parents who adopt a child reveal  – through their sacrifices – that they really want that child. Most parents adopt because they cannot have children any other way. God has a Son, but He and His Son desired to add to their family. The cost of our adoption was the sacrificial death of God’s Son on the cross. God is Creator of all, but only Father to those who believe in His Son.

“Adoption is a family idea, conceived in terms of love, and viewing God as father. In adoption, God takes us into His family and fellowship, and establishes us as His children and heirs. Closeness, affection and generosity are at the heart of the relationship. To be right with God the judge is a great thing, but to be loved and cared for by God the father is greater” (Knowing God, J.I. Packer).

God the Father shares His heart and searches for those who share their hearts with Him

The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His (2 Chronicles 16:9 NAS).

God’s children can grieve and pierce His heart by disobeying Him and doubting Him. They can, however, please Him greatly with their trust and faith in Him.

A small child may be tempted to touch a hot stove. If he trusts his father, he will save himself a lot of misery by obeying his father when he is told not to touch the stove. He doesn’t have to understand what a burn feels like to trust his father. His father knows, though, and wants to save him from pain.

A child of God never understands everything God tells him to do. If he trusts and obeys Him, he will not only please His father, but protect himself. God reserves a secret place for those who trust Him. You can trust the heart of your Father.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust” (Psalm 91:1-2).

© Stephanie B. Blake

November 2011

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Reflective Focus

The Father of Mercies and God of All Comfort

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Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

The Father of mercies and God of all comfort is the Father in the story of the prodigal son. When the wayward son came to himself in the far land, he came back to his father hoping for mercy. He never expected comfort, but that is what he received from his loving father. Even though our sin breaks the heart of God and put Jesus on the cross, our Father wraps us in his loving, forgiving, comforting arms when we come to Him in repentance. In His eyes, our sins were washed away by the blood of Jesus and He sees them no more. What amazing grace!

God is the Father of mercy and comfort. Consider the ways an earthly father might respond to a son’s transgression.

Suppose a father has a treasured collection of beautiful model airplanes. These airplanes are not made from a kit, but from the tools that the father has himself put together. He designs the airplane model, cuts the pieces himself, and puts the pieces together very carefully so that the result is evidence of a gift of creative genius. He autographs each one of them upon completion. Even though other models of the airplane type do exist, his is truly one of a kind.

While this father makes his models, he invites his son to watch him in his workshop. The son, too young to be trusted with actually working with the model, is just an observer. It brings delight to the father to have his son in the workshop and the son is so impressed with his father’s ability to create the model.

Upon completion of the model, the father places it carefully on the shelf reserved for it in the house and carefully instructs his son, “Now, remember how delicate this is and how much work went into it.  It is not a toy to play with. It is a piece of art to admire. Please don’t touch.”

There comes a day when the little boy, now ten years old, cannot resist the temptation to play with the model. He takes it down from the shelf when his father is not at home and in the process of playing with it, he drops it and shatters it into pieces.

When the father comes home, he finds his son uncontrollably sobbing with the broken pieces of the airplane model in his hands. “Father,” he says, “I know you told me not to play with it. You warned me what would happen. Look, I disobeyed you and it is broken beyond repair. Can you forgive me?”

The father has a choice.  He might respond like this:

“You are right. I did warn you. Now you see what has happened. It cannot be fixed. I can forgive you, but not only are you forbidden to touch the models, you cannot go into the room that contains the models any longer, and I don’t believe that I want you to work with me in my workshop anymore.”

You can just visualize how the son walks out of the room after his father has said these words. Not only is the model beyond repair, but the relationship between the two of them will never be the same. Crushed, this ten-year-old boy tries to figure out how he can right the relationship; but he comes up empty.

Or the father might respond like this:

Reaching out his arms, he says, “Come here, son, sit on my lap. You are right. I did warn you that the model was very delicate, but I want you to know that you are more important to me than any model could ever be. You see, I created this model for you. Someday the entire collection is going to be yours. I always wanted you to have something that I created that you could enjoy even when I was gone. You are also right about the fact that this model cannot be repaired. However, you know that I have the tools and the workshop and the supplies and we can make another one. Yes, son, I said, ‘we.’ I believe you are now old enough and wise enough to help me in the workshop. You now know the value of the work and I know you will be careful. I love you, son, more than I can say.”  As the father put his loving, comforting arms around his son, they walked together out to the workshop.

This time imagine the reflections of this ten-year-old boy. Yes, he disobeyed. Yes, he destroyed the model. However, he learned more than the reality that the model would break and that he was capable of breaking it. He learned that his father loved him more than he ever imagined or dreamed. His relationship with his father would never be the same. It was better.

That is what it is like to feel the mercy and comfort of a God who forgives, the Father of mercies and all comfort.

© Stephanie B. Blake

October 2011

* An excerpt from The Prayer Driven Life

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Reflective Focus

Public Figures, Leadership and the Best Example

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For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you (John 13:15).

Public figures are normally evaluated on whether what they do matches what they say.  This is especially true in politics.  Candidates promise a lot when they are trying to get elected.  They can pull the wool over the eyes of their constituents for a period of time, but if they get elected, everything they said beforehand is quoted back to them on a regular basis.  Did they tell the truth when they promised to deliver on a certain issue?  Are they telling the truth while in office?

Observing interviews with politicians, it seems that a politician never answers a direct question.  They have an agenda they want to present.  They have a reputation they want to protect. They don’t want to be quoted later on a controversial issue.  Since I also believe that reporters often also have an agenda of their own, interviews are definitely a tricky situation for the politician.

Leaders who serve in every public field  – politics, business, academics, sports, religion – have a similar challenge.  Their actions define how their words are received.  The ultimate criteria for judgment is being able to trust the leader.

Leadership Styles

School years and working in the business world exposed me to different leadership styles.  Some were good.  Some were terrible. I remember the challenges of working with some leaders and the joy of learning from others.

Some leaders take their position seriously and care about those in their charge.  They are available. They have come through the ranks and know how the business works. They understand the assignments given to their subordinates first hand. They have been there, done that.

Some leaders are not involved.  Some presidents and CEOs choose to separate themselves from the common worker in their company.  They only see those in upper management.

These leaders don’t trust others. They micromanage. Their decisions are sometimes made without understanding the intricate workings of the business. They are known for stepping on or over those underneath them in order to get ahead.  Often these leaders do whatever it takes to make their position look good.

The Perfect Example

Jesus is just the opposite of these ivory tower managers. He did not separate Himself from those He was trying to lead. On the contrary, He lived among them.  He used various teaching methods, but one teaching style. He led by example.

Jesus led by the example of His life.  He demonstrated how to follow God’s commandments by obeying every one of them perfectly. He never avoided anyone. He showed how to relate to everyone – no matter how different they may be. He showed His disciples how to be a servant leader by washing their feet. He showed them how to endure hardship through His sacrificial suffering.

Jesus led by the example of His words. He told stories to illustrate spiritual truth. He is Truth and He told the truth. He exposed hypocrites. He offered compassion to those who trusted Him. He offered truth and allowed His hearers to make the choice of trusting Him or not.  He called many to follow Him.  Some did. Some turned away.

Jesus led by the example of His pure heart.  He is God, but His life was an example of humility. He never sinned and never needed forgiveness, but as He bore our sin on the cross, He demonstrated the ultimate example of forgiveness.

Jesus led by demonstrating how we should live. He asked for love, loyalty and service, but He did not demand it. He demonstrated it.

Jesus was perfect in every way. He was the ultimate example of a good leader and teacher. He was not a manager. Everything He said and did was related to leading others to understand the truth He offered and showing them the Truth.

If someone is a good example, he is sometimes referred to as a shining example. Jesus led by shining. He is Light. He shares His light with His brothers and sisters.  When He calls you, He equips you to bear fruit to bring glory to the Father.

You Are a Leader

Jesus, our brother, loves us so much that He gave His life for ours. His is the example we should follow as the model for leadership. Paul understood this when he told others to imitate him just as he imitated Christ.

Even if you don’t have a leadership role in the church, you are a leader.  Someone is watching you. You are an example to your spouse, your children, grandchildren, other relatives and friends who know you. You do have an influence on others.

Not all leaders are good leaders. Some have a negative influence.  However, lessons can be learned from both good and bad leaders. Bad leaders evidence the consequences of selfishness and influencing others for evil.

Jesus’ words and actions matched. His is the best example to follow.

© Stephanie B. Blake

September 2011

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Reflective Focus

Disappearing Riches and Riches That Last

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“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy                        (1 Timothy 6:17).

 Disappearing Riches 

Riches are uncertain. They can’t be trusted. They can be lost through carelessness, mismanagement or unfortunate circumstances.

Some people do it to themselves.  Michael Jackson died owing millions of dollars. He was the King of Pop, made a fortune, but somehow couldn’t hold onto it.

Bernie Madoff did not earn his riches. He stole them. In the end, his schemes caught up with him and he lost his ill-gotten money, his family, and his freedom.

Most people, though, are not rich and famous.  They don’t have millions to lose.  They work hard.  They do what they can to provide a decent living for their family.

A lot of people can tell you how uncertain middle class is. One day you’re there. The next day you’re not. A bad economy can take your job away from you. A dishonest banker can repossess your house. Circumstances can result in the loss of your car, boat, motorcycle, or furniture.

Many others have never seen the day when they could afford the luxuries the middle class had.  For whatever reason, making ends meet has always been a struggle.  No matter how hard they tried, adequate monetary resources have never been available to them.

Riches That Last

Yes, worldly riches are uncertain. They can be lost.  The good news is that eternal riches cannot be lost. No one can take them away from you.  They do require a spiritual investment: faith and trust in God. Those riches start with two things you have total control over: your thoughts and your heart.The Bible combines the two. For as a man thinks in his heart so is he (Proverbs 23:7).  Your attitude, your perspective, your state of mind determines how you handle any given circumstance. 

Paul: A Man Rich in Faith

The apostle Paul was a man with many advantages in his life.  For a long time, he persecuted followers of Christ because he did not understand who Jesus was.  When he finally met Jesus and accepted His offer of salvation, he made an about face and never looked back.

Paul gave up the advantages of status and worldly riches when he became a disciple of Christ. What he gained was greater than what he lost.

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:7-8). 

Paul’s heart and his mind, given to God, enabled him to be content no matter what his circumstances.

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:12-13). 

Poverty

Poverty is a harsh reality. It does not discriminate. It touches old and young, male and female and people of every nationality. 

Jesus said the poor would always be with us. The Bible gives many guidelines about helping the poor.

In times like these, many who used to help those in poverty now find themselves in dire circumstances and in need of help themselves. This is a time of a severe reality check.

The “health and wealth” philosophy that has taken charge of churches and television has missed a vital point. Monetary riches are not guaranteed to anyone. Having riches is not proof that God has blessed you. 

Some blessed by God with riches have been given the spiritual gift of generosity.  I have known some of them.  Jesus said, “you cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24).  Part of the way these believers serve God is through sharing the monetary resources He has provided.

Indeed, God does not forbid riches.  He created all things for us to enjoy. Some biblical men of faith had great riches. Others did not have the benefit of material resources. Jesus, rather than condemning the poor or accusing them of little faith, joined them.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich     

(2 Corinthians 8:9). 

© Stephanie B. Blake

August 2011

Download Disappearing Riches and Riches That Last

 

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy                        (1 Timothy 6:17).

 

Disappearing Riches

 

Riches are uncertain. They can’t be trusted. They can be lost through carelessness, mismanagement or unfortunate circumstances.

 

Some people do it to themselves.  Michael Jackson died owing millions of dollars. He was the King of Pop, made a fortune, but somehow couldn’t hold onto it.

 

Bernie Madoff did not earn his riches. He stole them. In the end, his schemes caught up with him and he lost his ill-gotten money, his family, and his freedom.

 

Most people, though, are not rich and famous.  They don’t have millions to lose.  They work hard.  They do what they can to provide a decent living for their family.

 

A lot of people can tell you how uncertain middle class is. One day you’re there. The next day you’re not. A bad economy can take your job away from you. A dishonest banker can repossess your house. Circumstances can result in the loss of your car, boat, motorcycle, or furniture.

 

Many others have never seen the day when they could afford the luxuries the middle class had.  For whatever reason, making ends meet has always been a struggle.  No matter how hard they tried, adequate monetary resources have never been available to them.

Riches That Last

 

Yes, worldly riches are uncertain. They can be lost.  The good news is that eternal riches cannot be lost. No one can take them away from you.  They do require a spiritual investment: faith and trust in God. Those riches start with two things you have total control over: your thoughts and your heart.The Bible combines the two. For as a man thinks in his heart so is he (Proverbs 23:7).  Your attitude, your perspective, your state of mind determines how you handle any given circumstance.

 

Paul: A Man Rich in Faith

 

The apostle Paul was a man with many advantages in his life.  For a long time, he persecuted followers of Christ because he did not understand who Jesus was.  When he finally met Jesus and accepted His offer of salvation, he made an about face and never looked back.

 

Paul gave up the advantages of status and worldly riches when he became a disciple of Christ. What he gained was greater than what he lost.

 

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:7-8). 

 

Paul’s heart and his mind, given to God, enabled him to be content no matter what his circumstances.

 

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:12-13).

 

Poverty

 

Poverty is a harsh reality. It does not discriminate. It touches old and young, male and female and people of every nationality. 

 

Jesus said the poor would always be with us. The Bible gives many guidelines about helping the poor.

 

In times like these, many who used to help those in poverty now find themselves in dire circumstances and in need of help themselves. This is a time of a severe reality check.

 

The “health and wealth” philosophy that has taken charge of churches and television has missed a vital point. Monetary riches are not guaranteed to anyone. Having riches is not proof that God has blessed you.

 

Some blessed by God with riches have been given the spiritual gift of generosity.  I have known some of them.  Jesus said, “you cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24).  Part of the way these believers serve God is through sharing the monetary resources He has provided.

 

Indeed, God does not forbid riches.  He created all things for us to enjoy. Some biblical men of faith had great riches. Others did not have the benefit of material resources. Jesus, rather than condemning the poor or accusing them of little faith, joined them.

 

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich     

(2 Corinthians 8:9).

 

© Stephanie B. Blake

August 2011

 

Reflective Focus

What Was So Special About David?

by  • 

Shepherd Boy

From his very beginning, David held a special place in God’s heart.  He was the shepherd boy who killed Goliath with only a slingshot and his faith in God. Perhaps his relationship with God was developed while he was taking care of the sheep in the field.  Certainly, we know that his experience as a shepherd gave him the background knowledge for the most familiar psalm in the Bible: Psalm 23. He knew the Lord was his shepherd. He had seen His hand in his life as a young boy.

King of Israel

Saul, the first king of Israel, was a great disappointment to God.  He did not follow through on his faithfulness. He took matters into his own hands.  God told Samuel that He would replace Saul with a man after His own heart.

When Samuel started examining the sons of Jesse for the one God was calling to be Saul’s replacement, God told him not to judge by their appearance. He was looking on the heart. The heart He was looking for was David’s heart.

God sought for a man after His own heart and He found that man in David.  He is still searching for someone like David.  He is looking for those whose hearts are completely His.  Will He find you like He found David – to be a person after His own heart?

Faithful Friend

The story of David and Jonathan (Saul’s son) is a familiar account of friendship. They were closer than brothers, but because Saul intended to kill David, they were forced to separate.  David never forgot his relationship with Jonathan.  After Saul and Jonathan had been killed and David gained the throne, David sought out his surviving son, Mephibosheth, so that he could show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake.

Musician and Song Writer

David’s music soothed King Saul’s troubled spirit until Saul’s jealousy drove him away.  Perhaps the biggest clues we have about David being a man after God’s own heart are contained in the songs he wrote.

What are those clues? What made David so special? What was so different about this shepherd boy called to be king?  How did David earn the distinction of being a man after God’s own heart?

Most important, what can we learn from his life that can help us have a closer relationship with God?

David’s Predetermined Choices

In the many Psalms that David wrote, he declared his trust in God, he prayed to God, he declared God’s glory and he asked God questions. It seems, many times, that we are privy to a private conversation.  David seems to be thinking out loud.  His prayers are intimate.  He is seeking God’s heart.  He knows that God is responding to his.

These psalms, written at different stages of David’s life, give clues to where he is and what he is doing at the time.  In examining them, you will discover many references to what David plans to do.  He declares his predetermined choices.  He states the things that he will do.  Among these “I will” statements are the following (many of these are repeated throughout the psalms):

  •  I will praise God
  •  I will sing praises to your name
  •  I will pray
  •  I will worship
  •  I will bless the Lord
  •  I will tell of Your marvelous works
  •  I will give thanks
  •  I will trust in God
  •  I will rejoice
  •  I will wash my hands in innocence
  •  I will restrain my mouth
  •  I will teach others the fear of the Lord
  •  I will wait for God
  •  I will meditate on God’s wondrous works
  •  I will lie down in peace
  •  I will hope continually
  •  I will go in the strength of the Lord

Like David, we have the ability to start anew each day.  Whatever is in the past or whatever is going on today, we can make the same choices David did and be a person after God’s own heart.

© Stephanie B. Blake

July 2011

(for a Bible study on this subject, see “Will You Be a Person After God’s Own Heart”)