If you lead others--read this over a few times and consider these words in your own context:
Deuteronomy 17:18-20 (sections)
"...he (the King) must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests."
- The instruction he copied for himself was the law of the Lord handed down to Moses for the people. (the Word of God!)
- When is the last time you wrote out scripture for yourself?
"He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives..."
- read it daily as long as he lives...Do you daily seek the Living Word of God through reading Scripture? Why should you?...read on...
"This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens."
- Remember that Christ said that we are to be "servants of all"! This is how you are to lead!
- Have you become proud in your position? Take time to humble yourself before Jesus and remember he told us to serve just as He served us!
"It will prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way."
- Jesus said all these commands hang on the one command to LOVE. So Paul in Romans 13 says if we love our neighbour we will do no wrong and therefore love is the fulfilling of the law!
- But how do we love when someone wrongs us, or hurts us or simply seems unlovable? By daily letting the word of God speak to us, and dwell in us! As the Psalmist says -- it will be "a light to our path and a lamp to our feet" step by step.
- Have you excused "small things" in your life that you need to confess? (Small things always grow to bigger problems if left untreated!)
How do you view "daily devotions"? Do you see it as a duty you ought to fulfill, or do you see it as an opportunity to come and hear the voice of Jesus? (the Living Word)
If you lead others--it is vital that you lead out of what Jesus provides through His Word or else who are any of us to presume to lead another?
Next time you open your Bible -- Ask Jesus to speak to you personally through His Spirit; enjoy your time with Him!
"So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offence. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic all-purpose garment. Never be without it." Colossians 3:12 MSG
ReplyDeleteIn this world we have issues with being in second place, and we encourage people to be "out there". We strive to be noticed, heard and in first place. I am realizing more and more in my own life that if I am obedient to God's instructs and live a life serving and loving, there is far less striving and far more thriving. I also find that there is an increasing awareness to love others who are never going to make the qualifying rounds in this world, let alone be heard, and I need to tell them they are first in God's eyes, and they are most definitely heard in the heavenly realms.
Thanks Pastor Kellen for your support in our leadership.
Love the quote from Colossians...don't think I've read that in the Message before. Great to see more thriving and less striving in the way you are leading lately Ellen! God's love is so evident in and through you.
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