Crowds look good. Crowds can be massive. Impressive! But they are of all types. Jesus meticulously filtered them out. 

Some are easily prone to Satan’s attacks. Their hearts and minds are already in his evil custody. The seeds of the Kingdom have no chance here. Nor are they open to the kingdom of God. 

Others are shallow. Or hollow. They just can’t handle any pressure. They respond quickly, to the gospel, but their response is short lived. Like a balloon with a tiny hole in it. 

Then there are those who love the glamor and the glitter. Riches and the false security of wealth has gripped them. The Word of God simply gets choked out of such people. Their hearts are already full of other desires. 

Jesus was looking for those whose hearts are open to the gospel of the kingdom. They are receptive. Open. Obedient. Such people receive the gospel with delight. It bears fruit. Much fruit. Lasting fruit. 

Look for open hearts. 

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Success implies independence, excellence, power, wealth, and a host of other things we enjoy. Your success is good for your economic stability, and indirectly, it’s good for the nation.
But can we acknowledge our creator who is the author of all good things, including success? Reaching success implies independence. But dependence on God is the ultimate success. The words of king David shows how he understood his success.

“O Lord, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults!” (Psalm 21:1)

 

“For the king trusts the Lord and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.” (Psalm 21:7)

The kings of Israel learned that trust in the Lord is vital for success. Their efforts, hard work, long hours, and the ongoing strategizing found its fulfilment in God alone.

Do what you need to do, but trust in the Lord to bring you success. Let God’s love for you sustain you.
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Not much. Unless it’s the name of God, the Lord, Yahweh! Then you’re onto something significant. There is authority, power, and protection. The name of God implies so much more than any other name. 

David expressed that several times in Psalm 20.

“May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you.” (v.1)

 

“May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions! (v.5)

 

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (v.7)

David was quite clear about the name of the Lord (Yahweh). From his own personal experience, he was firmly established in his trust. 

What does the name of the Lord mean to you? Look back. Remember every conflict, struggle, failure, and victory. Where have you seen God at work?

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The young man wanted his baptism photo deleted from the Facebook page as his friends had picked up on it and were posting negative comments. Of course, according to his request, I took it down. I understand the young man’s sentiments. But I remembered Jesus’ words. 

For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the father and of the holy angels (Luke 9:26).

Jesus was making a clear distinction between those who follow him only for the perks (healing, miracles, food, and other benefits) and those who become his disciples. This may sound a bit harsh. Why does Jesus have to make such a distinction? 

He was loving and generous. He helped a countless number of people. But if you want to enter heaven, if you want to be a part of the kingdom, you’ve got to deny yourself and be ready to follow Jesus even if you have to give up life itself. 

Please don’t delete my photo!

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The word of God continues to speak to us as the Holy Spirit does his work within us. Think of God’s word like this: It revives the soul; it makes the simple wise; it rejoices the heart; it enlightens the eyes; it endures forever; it’s righteous altogether; it’s more valuable than gold; it’s sweeter than honey; in keeping them there is great reward. (Psalm 19:7-11)

The Holy Spirit takes God’s word and does his work in us that transforms us into the image of Jesus. Our role is to allow or make way for that process to happen. He does the work. We simply step on that track by yielding our lives, and through prayer and meditation on God’s word. Maybe you yourself don’t know what needs to be done within you. But God looks deep within and knows exactly what to do. He’s at work right now. Allow him that access and space to do as he pleases.

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It was just a moment of weakness. It really wasn’t a big deal. Just a few words about birthright won’t hurt any. Who would have thought his words would have further significance? Thus he set his priorities. His momentary need had to be met. Esau “sold” his birthright to his younger brother Jacob. 

What he didn’t consider to be a big deal turned out to alter his entire future. Meeting his momentary need redefined the course of history — for generations. He didn’t know it then, but the value of his words extended much further than a bowl of stew. 

He didn’t have to succumb to his physical needs. He could have taken the road of suffering. Could have endured the hunger a bit longer. But he didn’t think further than the moment. 

What are your “stew” moments? Look for areas of weaknesses such as food, entertainment, pleasure, recognition, or other weaknesses. Sacrifice the momentary for the permanent.

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They’re just part of the system. Can’t do away with them. They’ll always be there. They will oppose your ideas. They’ll dislike what you do. They’ll speak hurtful words. They’ll set traps for you. They might even verbally or physically attack you. 

Then there are those part-time enemies. When things go bad for them, you become their enemy. It’s all your fault. Whatever you’ve done for them in the past is forgotten. In their eyes, you’ve grown horns. 

Others hold you at a distance and hold you in suspicion. They don’t see it, but they’ve sure you’ve got horns. But they seem to hang around. They get some benefit from what you do. Once in a while, they let you know that there are others elsewhere who do a much better job than you. All through these experiences. I remember David’s words as he dealt with disgruntled people:

You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great.” (Psalm 18:35)

I’ve heard of self-made success stories, rags to riches, and “pull yourself up by your own bootstraps” scenarios. But a young teenager who chases lions and bears – and live to tell about it? 

Sure I can chase a lion or a bear too. But I won’t be around to tell about it. But David’s situation was different. He said it was the Lord who delivered him from the lion and the bear. 

What leadership challenge stares you in the face like  a lion or a bear? Maybe it’s too simplistic to say “trust the Lord.” So we strive, struggle, and fight it our own way. After we fail completely, we come back and trust the Lord. 

Instead, like David, let’s start with the Lord. He will be our strength against the “lion and the bear.” He is there with you the entire time. 

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It seems quite surprising that one would even attempt such a statement about God. “With the Crooked you make yourself seem torturous” [crooked] (Psalm 18:26b). This passage, when read by itself, would seem to indicate that God has a “crooked” side that we’re unaware of. 

But the passage is expressing the fact that God knows how to handle all types of people. None are beyond him. With the merciful, he shows himself merciful. With the blameless, he shows himself blameless. With the purified, he shows himself pure. And with the crooked, he makes himself seem torturous or crooked. 

God knows how to handle people of all natures. None are beyond God. No one can fool God either – Thinking of God as some weak innocent being. Some think they’ve got him wrapped around their fingers. They think they can be treacherous and crooked with God. No chance, he’s got your number.

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* Today we have a guest post by Ruth Khanna (you can see information on Ruth at the bottom of this post). 

His mother came to Him and said, “They have no more wine.” It was a simple statement of fact. She didn’t say anything more, even when He countered her statement with one of His own – “My hour has not yet come.” Mary turned to the servants on that famous occasion when the wine ran out at a wedding in Cana, and said, “Do whatever He tells you.” (John 2:1-11)

Our eyes are drawn to the six stone water jars that were used, quite simply, for water. They weren’t fancy. They were simple stone jars. They were probably not even embellished. Yet they were made for a purpose. And the servants were instructed to do with them as Jesus told them to. 

He told them to fill the jars to the brim, then draw some of the ‘water’ out and take it to the Master of Ceremonies. The text says, “They did so.” They were obedient. And we are told that the Master of Ceremonies took a sip of the ‘water’ that had been turned into wine, and was awe-struck at the quality. 

How often, when we come to the end of our resources, and the wine is running out…when we have nothing more to give, and there are still so many “guests” whose cups need to be filled  – do we come, like Mary did, to Jesus, and ask for direction on how to use whatever little we have to accomplish the impossible? Or do we throw up our hands and let the situation take control of us…while the wedding guests remain waiting for their cups to be filled? 

These words strike home with great emphasis – “Do whatever He tells you to.” But are we prepared to? It seems like we are yielding control to someone else when we’re meant to be in charge.  It’s like driving blind. We’re following instructions even when we cannot predict the results. It might not seem to make sense at first – using people and resources that do not look promising enough, to accomplish an important objective that will impact the very course of people’s lives…until we do as He commands and “fill them to the brim” with whatever we have. At the wedding it was water. Maybe in our own situation it’s faith. 

Pour faith into those inadequate looking vessels and see what God brings out of them. Because where we see inadequacy (even when it comes to ourselves), He sees a miracle. 

To lead is to be obedient… to follow His instructions and, “Do whatever He tells you.” What if the servants hadn’t done so? 

So was the miracle worked in the water, or was it worked in the jars? Or was it worked through that simple obedience to an even simpler instruction? 

How many times, as leaders, have we missed out on a miracle? Rejoice when the wine runs out, because it’s time for one! Of course, we will first have to “Do whatever He tells us”!

* Ruth Khanna is pastor of Grace Vineyard Church, Hyderabad. 

https://www.facebook.com/ruth.khanna  

https://www.facebook.com/Grace-Vineyard-Church-387132524955716/ 

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