I’ve been a teacher for a long time now. But I’m realizing the Holy Spirit is the best teacher.
My teaching provides training to make appropriate decisions in life. But the Holy Spirit transforms the individual from within. Both are important, but the Spirit knows what’s within the heart of each person. Thus his work begins from the heart of the individual.
So we can trust the Holy Spirit as a great teacher like no other. He will lead people into the truth, and he’ll do that according to the needs of each person. I could never reach such depths with my teaching.
But is it enough to leave the people with the Holy Spirit and the Word? Won’t they go off on tangents and false teachings? Do we need to give more directions for their study of the word? If so, am I not doubting the Holy Spirit?
Although we trust the Holy Spirit, we don’t always trust people. People are the ones who come up with false teachings. They do this because of selfishness, alternate agendas, insecurity, and lack of knowledge.
This puts fear in many people when it comes to small group Bible studies. Yet if you allow fear to rule, you miss out on all that the Holy Spirit can do. Let the Spirit rule, and let Him be the teacher. He is the best teacher. 
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We all do. Science has allowed us to go beyond the basic and simple lives that our ancestors lived. We’ve made great leaps in technology and thought.
Science is an ongoing discovery. It’s a discovery of nature that is unending. The more we do research and discover, the more there is to discover. In fact, there won’t be a time when scientists declare that they are done with their task. They will not go to the place of completion where they claim that they have discovered all there is to discover.
God asked Job a simple question: “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me if you have understanding” (Job 38:4). Human beings have been on a quest to gain such an understanding. We’ll have that full understanding once we become exactly like God. Or, once we gain a full understanding, we’ll become like God. Yet both of these statements are highly suspicious.
Allow Science to Glorify God through its never-ending quest for knowledge.
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Maybe it’s time. Calling you to go, calling you to leave the 99. It’s time to go after the one that’s lost.
But can’t you go after the lost one while staying with the 99? Maybe. But the 99 will take up so much of your time and effort that you won’t have much energy left.
That Good shepherd felt it was necessary to leave the 99. He left the 99 in the care of others and felt it was important to give his full effort to seek after the one lost sheep.
Has God been calling you to leave the 99? What would that look like for you?
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It’s in their own eyes, in their own heart. They have built up a great body of knowledge, but it’s within limits. It’s within their sphere of existence here in this physical world.
God understands their limitations and continues to be merciful to them. But God isn’t challenged by their greatness. Sometimes their great knowledge creates a sense of arrogance against God. But God isn’t moved. Here’s what the book of Job says:
“The Almighty – we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate. Therefore men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit [heart]” (Job 37:23-24).
By all means, gain knowledge and be wise. But recognize that you haven’t scratched the surface of God’s knowledge. As the creator, he exists in a different realm.
Maybe as we gain knowledge, we need to look to God for wisdom beyond our age and beyond our realm.
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It’s never too much. You can never give too much encouragement. In fact, there are so many people who never live up to their full potential because they’ve received more discouragement than encouragement.
This doesn’t mean that we should never correct people. But that correction can be enveloped in a deep desire to encourage them to do even better. Let them clearly see that you wish to see the best in their lives.
During times of difficulty, encouragement is critical. Your words of encouragement may be the lifeline that keeps them afloat, rather than sinking them into further depths.
While going through the day to day tasks of leadership, your encouragement is strategic. It sustains them. It provides that extra sense of hope and faith that they can move forward. No, encouragement can never be too much.
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Those who have experienced God and his love surely have things to say on his behalf. There are others who’ve enjoyed the benefits of his power and might in their lives. Surely they also have something to say.
Then there are those who speak in defense of God using a systematic method often called Apologetics. They use a blend of tools such as Philosophy, Theology, Logic, and Science. Apologetics is quite a thorough systematic approach that has been used for a long time.
Job’s neighbor Elihu said: “Bear with me a little, and I will show you, for I have something to say on God’s behalf. I will get my knowledge from afar and ascribe righteousness to my maker (Job 36:2-3). Elihu spoke extensively in defense of God.
Finally, I wonder if God needs our help at all. Now I do acknowledge the value of those who defend the faith. But has he asked for help? Just a thought.
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To establish a certain culture, you need to teach it, practice it, and maintain it. Culture works better than a written rule book or position paper.
Without teaching it, no one will have a clue about why you do things the way you do. Teach it with clarity, teach it with substance, and teach it with passion.
Make sure you practice what you teach. If it’s culture, you do it. If you do it, then it becomes culture. By doing it, you enjoy all the benefits of what that culture produces within your organization.
If the culture you create is good enough to teach and practice, then you’ve got to maintain it. If you are not consistently focusing on it and maintaining it, then it will “slip” out of your hands quickly. You’ve got to keep the entire team focused on that culture you’ve created, teach it, practice it, and maintain it.
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Sometimes we can’t help it. We’ve got to use words to express the turmoil we feel inside. For some, this is more prevalent during the younger years. But for others, this runs into the later years as well.
Elihu was probably Job’s neighbor who spoke these words: “Job opens his mouth in empty talk; he multiplies words without knowledge” (Job 35:16). But we know of Job as a man of wisdom and with a great reputation.
Internal turmoil certainly has an impact on our thoughts and words. The older ones may have better control of words, but if the suffering is so extreme, words may be plenty.
Yet the next step is crucial. It is vital that we hold on to God and continue to trust him. That is one of the greatest challenges you’ll ever face in life: trust.
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It seems to be some part of a group dynamic. Someone makes an observation that results in an assumption. They share it with others – often with passion and a sense of conviction. The force of this, coupled with the group dynamic causes this idea to spread.
Once it goes beyond the initial group and individual who had the assumption in the first place, it somewhat becomes “fact” in the minds of the listeners. No one knows where it started, but everyone seems to believe it. Everyone seems to accept it.
Now, don’t you dare try to change it. Because who can change facts? Who will question the age old, accepted, tried and tested “facts”?
The assumption has become “fact.”
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But I’m too impatient to wait. I am too busy to wait. I just don’t want to wait. So why should I wait?
Sometimes our lives are put on “hold” for a season. For some people, that period of time is meant for growth and learning. For others, God is developing character within. But for others, God is testing them.
Job went through such a time of testing (Job 35:13). His suffering was so extreme that we cannot imagine it. The testing was meant to reaffirm and strengthen his commitment to God. This was a painful waiting time for him.
Maybe your waiting time extends for several years. Remember: Waiting is not wasting.  God is building you in ways you may not grasp. Trust in his wisdom and faithfulness.
Even when the pain continues – wait. You may be confused – but wait. Wait on God’s plan for your life.
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