Ever been there? Maybe it was through words or actions others planned out deep in the confines of their tactful minds. 

What’s so amazing is that at that time, you didn’t get it. They did it with such finesse that they left you speechless. It’s only later that you realize what “hit” you. About such people, David said:

“For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated” (Psalm 36:2). 

You’ve got to give them credit. They’re slick! Their words are so smooth that they flatter themselves. And you, you’re just too naïve to realize their plot. Maybe it’s just me. I’m just too dumb to detect evil amidst such skillful finesse and sweet talk. By the time I realize it, it’s too late. 

“The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good. He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil.” (Psalm 36:3–4)

But even people like me have a refuge, a shelter. You’ll not be so easily destroyed by the plots of those who scheme such things against you. In the midst of talking about such evil plots, David reflects on God’s love for us. 

“How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 36:7). 

If you have experienced the terrible effects of evil, you can take refuge in the shadow of God’s love. You are not like fresh meat thrown to the dogs. God’s love will be your refuge. You can rest in the shadow of his wings. 

But in the midst of suffering from the effects of the evil plots of your enemies, it’s difficult to see God. Yet his hand is there. Things may be falling apart all around you, but you’re not falling apart. It is God’s hand that sustains you. He is your refuge, keeping you under the shadow of his wings. 

– – –➤

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I also don’t want to ignore and be silent when I see a friend headed towards trouble. I suppose that’s decency, or maybe just faithfulness to our friendship. 

But not everyone appreciates correction. Maybe the word correction is a bit too much. It’s often a “nudge” in the direction that might be a better choice for them. 

Or, shall I say that It’s none of my business. I just need to mind my own business and stay out of other people’s business. Let them figure out their own issues. 

But then there are many other scriptures that highlight the value of correction. Several of these are words of Paul the Apostle to Timothy, a young pastor leading a congregation with people older than him. Here are some of those instructions. 

“Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity” (1 Timothy 5:1-2).

And then that instruction to the Lord’s servants.

“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:23-26). 

The classic text on correction and instruction: 

“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2).

The primary focus I’d like to point out of these verses is the attitude of the person doing the correcting. There is a clear focus on encouragement, respect, kindness, patience, endurance, gentleness, and carefulness.

No, I don’t want to judge, but maybe I can be a nudging voice in the right direction — with some gentleness, kindness, patience, and most of all love. 

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Pursuers? What pursuers? No one’s chasing me. But when David wrote this he had a history of being on the run. There were people who were literally out to get him. They wanted to see his dead body down in the dirt. 

But me? Pursuers? Maybe there are things from the past that won’t leave? Failures, addictions, guilt of past sins, inability to forgive and just about anything that “seeps” into your today. 

God says, “I am your salvation!” (Psalm 35:3) He will pursue your pursuers. David stood strong “with the angel of the Lord pursuing them!” (Psalm 35:6) Now that only happens when God is your salvation. 

But often, we’re trying to be our own savior. You had failures in your past and now you are trying to overcome all those feelings with lots of success. In business, your job, or ministry, you’re trying to prove to yourself and to others that you’re not a failure. Yet God has promised that he will be your savior. Your past failures have been pursuing you. Let God pursue your pursuers. 

Some struggle with addictions that seem to never leave. In fact it seems that your addictions are chasing you wherever you go. You’ve tried to get away but they seem to never depart. 

Then it’s those past sins and the resulting guilt that sticks to you. You’ve stopped that sin and confessed to the Lord, but the guilty feeling just won’t go away. It’s following you. It goes with you wherever you go. Then you begin to doubt. Did I really confess? Was my confession good enough? Did God really forgive me? 

Now, going beyond your own actions, it’s the actions of others that trouble you the most. Others have wronged you. But you just can’t forgive. That inability to forgive seems to grip you beyond anything. Their offense has a hold on you and won’t let you go. 

Each of these and more are like the pursuers of David. They’re coming after you with a vengeance. You’ve tried so many ways to get away, with no results. 

But God wants to be your salvation. If you allow him, he will turn and pursue your pursuers. On your own, it hasn’t worked. Now let him take over. 

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David turned away from his detractors and turned to his vision. That was a difficult decision that he had to make, but that decision became a turning point in his life. Without that, the trajectory of his life and that of the nation of Israel might have been quite different. 

“It can’t be done. It won’t work. You’re wasting your time. It’s been tried before. It’s not your job, stay out of it.” Sounds familiar? These are the voices of detractors. 

They’ll oppose every plan you have and get in the way of progress every time. Before you even take that first step, they’ll tell you that your journey will be fruitless. 

As a young man, David heard the taunts of the mighty, powerful Goliath who opposed his nation. While the soldiers’ hearts filled with fear, David’s heart was ignited with vision and purpose. He said:

“What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? (1 Samuel 17:26) 

David’s heart erupted with this clear, distinct vision to step out and move forward with boldness while everyone else cowered under fear. 

But his vision quickly met with detractors who said it couldn’t be done. These were his elder brothers who were sure it couldn’t be done. They knew. They were experienced. They were warriors. They were recognized. They were the king’s men. They said NO! 

But David . . . he turned away. And turned toward his vision. He knew that if he listened to the voices of his detractors he’d never accomplish the vision God put in his heart. The vision goes against reality. Even common sense would oppose it. But a God given vision has a sense of bypassing all the detractors if you’re willing to turn away from them. 

For sure you want to turn away from your detractors, but there are often inhibitions within that hold us back. Fear, doubt, and confusion are some of the most common inhibitions that detract us. Learn to identify what’s within that holds you back from the vision that God gave you. Turn away from those inhibitions and turn toward your vision. 

– – –➤

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People usually want to stay away from those who are broken. They’re just too messy. Sometimes it feels like you’re walking on eggshells when you’re around such people. Why bother?

But “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). He likes to stay close to such people. Maybe because they realize their true need of God to save them. They know there is no other way but to trust God.

Then there are those who think they make things happen. To them, everything is up to them to accomplish their purpose. God is somewhere in the mix, but he’s not that significant. They don’t see their own sinfulness nor their need for God, much less their need to be kind to the poor and the broken ones all around us. 

This also lines up with the mission of Jesus. He clearly stated that he came to seek and to save the lost. Obviously this isn’t anything new that Jesus came up with. It was clearly the heart of God the father that was reflected in Jesus. All along, it was the Father’s heart reflected in Jesus. 

There’s been this misunderstanding that God was different in the Old Testament. The idea was that of an angry God full of vengeance. He was always upset, uptight, and clearly disturbed. It was this notion that people had to be very careful not to get on his wrong side. But all these were incorrect notions of God. 

God has always been kind to the brokenhearted. His mercy is beyond our understanding. It’s new every morning. It flows like a river. His mercy is near to you. 

Along with enjoying God’s kindness, will you give it away? Will you choose to be “near” to the brokenhearted? Will you be kind to those who are crushed in spirit? By doing so, you will be acting more like your heavenly father. 

– – –➤

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I’m constantly reflecting on living well and leading well. As I write and speak, I’m thinking out loud about life and leadership. I believe you can live well with purpose and courage as you navigate each day. This will in turn help you lead well and make an impact wherever you are. 

If we’re not clear on our purpose, we’ll vacillate. We will go in so many directions that we’ll end up accomplishing little. And when our purpose is not clear, we won’t have courage. The lack of courage will further make us ineffective. 

Leading well is a calling, skill and an art as well. It’s a calling because God calls us to lead. In the garden of Eden, God instructed Adam and Eve to provide care and to have dominion over the earth. Thus all of God’s children can operate in roles of leadership. We can move forward to lead because God has appointed us to do so. 

The skill of leadership is developed with years of learning and experience. Learn from seasoned leaders by being an apprentice and by reading. Spend several years working with a competent leader. Read constantly on leadership to expand your understanding. 

The art of leadership also develops with years of experience. You learn to juggle numerous roles and tasks – ultimately with finesse. It’s not as simple as performing roles and tasks, but you do this before and with a group of people. And you’ve got to take these people with you as you lead. But if they won’t come with you, you’re simply not the leader. Thus leadership is also an art. 

My writing and speaking are ways I give to others. I’m not in competition with others. What I do complements (in a small way) what others are doing for God all over the world. This is my way of reaching out to younger generations and to lift them to another level in life and leadership. 

Through reading and listening, you can have many mentors. Make sure to also read books by people you don’t agree with. It may aggravate and trouble you, but it will help to sharpen who you are. So read widely and keep your mind open. But make sure to always keep your Bible open. 

I hope you benefit from reading and listening. When you’re impacted by something I produce, please share it with others. You are the one person who can help me help more people. 

– – –➤

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Not the “evil eye” that seeks to do harm or to bring a curse. It’s the eye of the Lord. Not looking for someone to punish or to destroy. But to show his love and mercy. “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine” (Psalm 33:18-19).

What an amazing perspective. It’s the watchful eye of the Lord that’s ever vigilant. And the purpose is so clearly given here: “That he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.” 

That reminds me of the words of Hagar in the book of Genesis. The angel of the Lord met her while she was running away and gave her some promises that were unbelievable. It was clearly a gesture of God’s mercy. Now, see her response.

“She called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “truly here I have seen him who looks after me” (Gen 16:13). 

When you’re in distress, the worst predicament is to be “invisible” or unseen. But you may not want everyone to know the state you’re in, but you certainly want to be seen by those who care, by those who matter, and by those who can make a difference. 

Later, when she was finally driven out from the home, Hagar was in distress again. God continued to show her mercy and kindness. This time, God opened her eyes to the life-giving opportunities that were before her (Genesis 21:19). 

For Hagar as well as David, death  and famine were realities. At any moment, they were just a few steps away from both of those conditions. In both of their situations, God saw them and that made all the difference! Why not? God was the only one who could make a significant impact on their lives. And he was the one who truly cared. 

The eye of the Lord is on you today. He wants to deliver your soul from death and to keep you alive in famine. This is not the end.God is with you. He favors you. He will set your path straight. He’s got plans for you. So he is looking. He sees you. Life and abundance is the way as death and famine depart. 

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But it’s often the other way around. We are wondering why God doesn’t care about our issues. After all, they are so important. Certainly my concerns are more crucial than those of others. 

The first sign of God having a broken heart is in the garden of Eden. After Adam and Eve sinned, God walked through the garden to meet them as usual, but they hid themselves. Then God called out to them, “Where are you?” Up to that time, they walked together – all three of them (Genesis 3:9). 

But now there’s a separation. Where there was community, now there is division, fear, distrust, and heartbreak. It’s the broken heart of God. It’s broken due to their lack of trust leading to disobedience. But God comes and brings correction and shows mercy (Genesis 3:15). 

Later, Moses reflects God’s heart as he intercedes for the people due to their rebellion. He asked God to forgive their sin. Then he said, “If not, blot me out of your book that you have written” (Exodus 33:32). This extreme form of intercession reveals the heart of a man who has taken on the heart of God for himself. Who would ever give up his life (or afterlife) for someone else?

God’s heart was further revealed as Jonah complained to God and questioned him about showing mercy to the people of Nineveh. But God said “should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and so much cattle?” (Jonah 4:11). God’s mercy supersedes racial, political, and personal barriers. 

It was the broken heart of God that prompted Jesus to give up his life for those who are lost and without hope. That defined the purpose of his life. His heart was expressed in his own words: “even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Such a response and purpose in life is foreign to us in our own state of selfishness. 

But God is inviting us to share the burden of his heart for the lost. It’s in his character to show mercy and kindness. Our’s just don’t seem to match up with his heart. Thus we’re prompted to say “break my heart with the things that break yours. 

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It’s easy to believe it but harder to accept it. The forgiveness we have received from God is to be accepted and acted upon. We can live in the confidence that we are not under condemnation but that we are forgiven. 

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit” (Psalm 32:1-2). 

The status of being forgiven is such a blessing that it has the potential of impacting every part of our lives. The guilt and weight of sin is real and heavy. And the forgiveness that God gives is real as any sin that we’ve committed. But we must allow this reality to sink into us and to impact us. 

We can respond to forgiveness in three ways. First, we respond with thankfulness. Nowhere else will we find true forgiveness. When God forgives, he removes it from us as far as the east is from the west. 

The second response is to forgive others. This ought to be with the same level of forgiveness that has been applied to us. We are prompted to forgive as we have been forgiven. Only the forgiven can forgive at such a deep and genuine level. 

The third response is to live with freedom as one who has been completely forgiven by God. That freedom allows you to dream again. It allows you to risk and to take chances. This freedom also allows you to see your failures as a step toward the success that God has for you. 

David experienced God’s forgiveness and gave it to others when it was not customary to do so. He also pushed forward to accomplish what God destined for him. 

It’s not easy to believe or to accept it, but God’s forgiveness is for us. Accept it, give it away, and live it. 

– – –➤

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Through the centuries, theologians have faithfully labored at the task of interpreting the scriptures. In a small way, for the last few decades, I’ve been involved in such a process too. It’s rewarding, exhilarating, and excruciating at the same time. 

But I sometimes wonder about the way we’ve handled the scriptures. Because when Jesus taught the Scriptures, there was something different. His audience also experienced the difference, “and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority” (Luke 4:32). 

We focus more on interpreting the text to find the original, intended meaning. Or we may study it to determine the appropriate application for our day. All these are vitally important and we need to continue approaching the Bible in such a way. 

But Jesus had a different approach. He used the scriptures to teach and to illustrate and moved along to demonstrating God’s power in a practical way. 

In Luke 4:31-37, the people recognized that his words possessed authority. This statement is mentioned before he performed the healing. Sure, their response could be due to the previous miracles they’ve seen. But when power is demonstrated in your ministry on a regular basis, you’ll communicate the message with a different slant/flavor. The words you speak will be with genuine boldness and authority. 

So Jesus taught with authority. His authority came from who he was and what he did (the miracles). According to Jesus, all these were evidence of the kingdom of God that has come to earth. For him, the aim in teaching the scriptures and demonstrating God’s power was to present the Kingdom of God and invite people to enter the kingdom through a relationship with him. 

Through the centuries, theologians and the church have been rightly concerned with correct interpretation. But maybe we ought to take Jesus’ view and give priority to presenting and demonstrating the kingdom and inviting people to the kingdom of our Lord. 

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