It’s amazing how many of those annoying people God put in your life. Their habits, words, and behavior seem to be aimed at making your life miserable.
God has a special purpose for strategically placing them there in your life. This is an opportunity for you to give grace to others – the same grace God gave you. Actually he not only gave it to you at salvation but he continues to give it. Daily.
Grace received – to be given.
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It’s not common, but it does happen. Friendship turns long-term. It goes beyond usefulness and conveniences. Something deeper gets transferred between the two in a healthy manner.
No apparent need is fulfilled except for that deep inner sense of connection. It’s a God connection that’s hard to explain but a sure reality. Yet it needs to be cultivated and nurtured just like any other relationship.
Proverbs has words of a similar tone:“Better a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.” (Proverbs 27:10c)
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It’s often the lingering trainee and the one who stays till the end who are the best prospects. They come early too. In fact, they may arrived before the person with the key arrives. Somehow, they’ve caught the vision. They realize that it’s not about the program or the meeting. The vision is much broader and deeper.
As Moses faced one of the greatest leadership struggles of his life, he asked God and “argued” with him regarding who would accompany him in leadership. In his distress, Moses didn’t recognize the young man who was lingering and enjoying the presence of God (Exo 33:11). Moses may not have recognized the leadership potential in Joshua, but God had his own plan for him and made him a great leader.
So go ahead and look around for the lingering people and make significant investments into their lives. They’ll become some of your best leaders.
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Each one of the disciples followed Jesus with many expectations. It wasn’t just 12, there were more than 500 followers at the time of the ascension of Jesus. They were all alive when Corinthians was written (1 Cor 15:6).
Some began following Jesus because of the healing they received. Others had demons cast out of them, found meaning in life, found acceptance, received forgiveness of sins, and numerous other needs were met by Jesus.
But one day, their hopes were dashed as their master hung on that cross like a criminal after a cruel beating worse than an animal. His flesh was torn, as his body suffered extreme torture that was unheard of for any human. As he hung on that cross, it was more like flesh hanging on to bones as his appearance was almost inhuman.
As many were astonished at you — his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind (Isa 52:14).
Then the dead, lifeless body of Jesus flopped down from that cross. Someone thought it was a good idea to bury him. Otherwise, his body would have been left to decay on the cross or flung somewhere for the animals (such was the end of men’s bodies after crucifixion).
But this was Jesus. He was their healer, deliverer, miracle worker, and a host of other adjectives that were incapable of describing him. But all hope was now gone. Maybe it was just a dream, a fleeting wish. So, it’s time to return to the daily routine of mundane tasks. After all, who was I to believe that life could have any meaning?
Then on the third day, Jesus rose from the grave, defeating death itself. It had to be done. He had to do it. He had to be the one to do it. He was the only one who could. Death had to be defeated.
The ultimate end of hopelessness is death. It is also the ultimate end of all sickness, abuse, rejection, hatred, violence, and any other form of inhuman act of injustice on this earth. Thus death had to be defeated. And Jesus defeated death.
The next time you suffer anything, think of the ultimate end of all suffering: Death. Then repeat these words:
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?” (1 Cor 15:55)
Then keep your eyes on Jesus.
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We may overcome some limitations during childhood by making adjustments. Those adjustments continue even after the limitations have been overcome. Eventually, those adjustments become further limitations that hinder our performance even after the initial limitations are gone.
Why do you do what you do? Why do you do it that way? Often, we simply don’t know. We need to challenge ourselves with new thinking about the same things we have been doing for many years. Don’t allow old habits caused by old limitations to become new limitations for the present.
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Multiplying two groups is easier than multiplying one. Having two groups sets you in an entirely different paradigm. It’s a paradigm of multiples and it changes your perception. Multiples become the expected norm. You begin to think in multiples.
If you begin with one group, that also puts you in a paradigm. It’s a paradigm that’s singular and constricts your thinking. Your focus is limited and expansion is much more difficult. It’s not just you, but every person in the group thinks with a restricted, limited perspective.
Begin with a broader perspective. This may mean you begin at a later date. Take time to envision more people. Train more leaders. Build a broader foundation. Invite God into your planning process. Allow his Spirit to broaden your thinking.
Start with multiples, think in multiples, and then launch in multiples. You’ll grow and multiply more quickly than otherwise.
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You wouldn’t even think of it. Just the thought is ludicrous. The man’s job is done as soon as he delivers the package. “Drop it here and go!”
When God was about to “dwell” in the midst of his people, he asked for a contribution only from those whose hearts moved them to contribute (Exodus 25:2b). The contribution would be used to construct a dwelling place for God to “move in” and dwell with the people. This was not a tax that was demanded from all the people. It was to be received only “from every man whose heart moved him.”
For many, God was just like a “delivery man” who brings a package. The people get what they needed and they let the person go since he is no longer needed. But God wanted to dwell with his people. That’s why the contribution was asked only if those whose hearts were moved.
When Jesus came he wanted a deeper relationship. He said “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him” (John 6:56). For many, Jesus was like a delivery man who delivers things you order. But Jesus wants a deeper relationship.
Do you want him? Or, do you just want the package? Your choice.- Click here for more resources.
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If the cause is compelling, it drives you to take risks that seem ridiculous. But how ridiculous can one get? How much can you sacrifice? If you are going to take such a huge risk, the venture has to be of great significance.
While the Israelites traveled through the wilderness, they were asked to donate various supplies for the construction of the Tabernacle. They only had a limited supply from what they brought with them as they fled slavery in Egypt. Who would give that up? It depends on the value. Such a donation is too risky. But the Tabernacle represented God’s presence. They surely valued the presence of God who dwelt among them in the Tabernacle.
Are you one of those risk takers? God says he wants to dwell in the hearts of people. As we plant more churches, more hearts are opened up for God to dwell. Are you a risk taker? Would you be willing to risk everything for God? -
Retaliation is the first thought in our minds when we think of this phrase. We think of getting back at others for what they’ve done to us. Our society has inserted its own meaning into it as well. But the original meaning and purpose were far from it.
The people of Israel were coming out of 400 years of slavery. They were treated brutally without any human value. After several generations of this, imagine their condition. Consider how they would have treated each other.
In such violent conditions and generations of brutal oppression, their behavior towards each other would not be pleasant. They would become angry, revengeful, and violent towards each other as well.
This law was intended to limit punishment to a value equal to the crime. For example, someone who steals bread should not lose his hand as punishment. The punishment should be equivalent to a loaf of bread rather than something extreme.“But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” (Exodus 21:23-25)
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For short term purposes, it may work. After a while, the effect of the fear wears off and you’re back to where you started. In the long run, fear is useless.
God effectively used fear for short term communication of his plan for their way of life (Exodus 20:19-21). But the ultimate purpose was that their hearts would be transformed.
Use fear sparingly. Rather aim for heart transformation and changing of values. You’ll get better long term results.
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