Leadership: blessing the Lord

That the leaders took the lead in Israel, that the people offered themselves willingly, bless the Lord!
– Judges 5:2

When leadership takes their place and leads, the name of the Lord is exalted. Likewise, when people are obedient to the authority placed above them, the Lord is blessed. Blessed then are the leaders who take courage, and blessed are the obedient…those who willingly submit to the order set from above. For in this they serve their purpose, that God may be glorified by the actions of His children.

I was reminded this morning of the words spoken to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous do not be terrified for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” True leadership is able to boldly step forward and take the lead, not because of a cocky head, but from a submitted heart to the presence and will of God.

So, May that I take the lead, and may I also submit willingly to the leadership placed above me…that the Lord may be blessed.

The divine setup

His body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God.
– Deuteronomy 21:23

So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
– Galatians 3:9

This is the Divine setup…a prop for the stage of salvation and promise. The God of heaven set the curse of which he would bear…the wrath of God against the love of God, for not only one moment in time, but once for all. Faith is then the timeless vehicle pointed towards the catylist of all history. Ages past look toward a messiah. The current age, looks back at Christ. That all who have faith in him may be blessed.

I am paradox…
Am I Jew or gentile? This question has irritated me for a good five years now. Very much tied to my identity is the history of my forefathers. But sadly, a majority of this history is a mysterious shadow to me. I am thankful however when I come across verses like these…regardless of my background or ancestry I am considered a child of Abraham because of Faith. Faith in Christ then transforms my identity. No longer my father’s son, a son born into sin…I find my identity in the righteousness of Christ. Now, a son of the most high God.

Father, I thank you for this new freedom in you.
Amen

More blessed to give

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of The Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘it is more blessed to give than to receive.’ – Acts 20:35

It is not recorded in scripture when Jesus said this, yet this most quotable portion of wisdom is found on the tounges of many. These words are eternally true.

In this season I find it hard for me to give…it is difficult for me to give…it is difficult to give what you feel like you do not have. Recently the thoughts plaguing my mind have been, “what do I have to offer?” I have not come upon one who can give me an answer…perhaps because they cannot answer this question if asked of them.

Lord reveal to me what You have given me; that I may freely give to others; that I may spread blessing in this place.
Amen

The Balances of Unity

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down the collar of his robes!
It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forever more.
– Psalms 133

Illustrated here we see two things as results of brotherly unity
1) Anointing Oil: Brotherly unity separates itself for purpose and calling. In order to fulfill the command of Christ, we must love one another with the love found in Him.
2) Mountain Dew: As dew provides water for valleys, mountaintops, and maintains plant life and a myriad of beautiful wild flowers; so also is unity critical for life and beauty within the body of Christ. It spurs one another, encouraging good works.
By living in unity we achieve the command of blessing from on high, an “open heaven” as some have put it.

I must remember that unity is not people pleasing, or trying to make everyone happy…as controversial as that may sound within myself (and perhaps to others), I must remember the divisive words spoken by my Savior, “I have come to divide.” Living a life of familial appeasement and “obligation” to others is “me-centered”…by doing so I manufacture my own peace by making others happy. Doing favors to attain friendships is not the unity Christ longs for. Living in the right path of God leads us to love others the right way. It reveals motives of my own heart as I look upon the love, the unity, the righteousness of Christ. Fulfilling one of the most well known Psalms, Christ dined in the presence of his adversary, yet knowing His calling, He had His peace. Christ found His peace, the fuel of unity, within His Father.

Father, my love is flawed and riddled with motive. Help me to love with the love that Christ loved, to live out true unity with this family that You have provided.
Amen

Selfishness: Lacking a view of generation

Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of The Lord: Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up to this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says The Lord. And some of your own sons, who shall be born to you, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”
Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, “The word of The Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?”

Hezekiah clearly lacked a view of generation or big picture thinking. He was characterized by selfishness, both in his prayers and in his actions as a result of his heart. Though scripture credits him as being like David, when his future descendants are threatened, he accepts the decree as fact. Just prior, Hezekiah pleads against the word of death that Isaiah spoke, and even receives a sign of his healing, plus 15 years added to his life…but when faced with a word for the future generation, instead of petition he only holds his comfort in mind.

I realize it is easy to criticize in retrospect; but the fact that I can so easily judge this kings actions means selfishness may have root in my heart somewhere. Everyone has a darkside, that is understood. But I must grasp a bigger generational picture, one that will probably never effect me directly. I must put aside any notion of “healthy” pride, in order to see with greater vision. In alignment with this vision comes times of righteous prayers; again, knowing it is not my own doing that provides me a platform before my King…it is because of Christ. So much greater then is my petition before the Father. May my prayers span across many generations, my selfish askings to decrease as my vision of legacy widens.

Lord I ask that you bless my children, and my spiritual children as well. May they not see the bondage or experience the pains of my person or burdens of my fathers before me. Bless them, make them a blessing. Speak of your kindness to them, open their ears to hear you, their eyes to see you, their hearts to be obedient to your perfect will. Amen

Achieving true favor

And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
-Luke 2:52

Jesus from child to man continued down a path set before Him; a path given Him of wisdom and favor. More importantly I think is where He found His favor: “with God and men”. This passage also notes an increase in “stature” (reputation, importance, success & achievement). These things follow a man after the heart of God. It is simply not the goal but expression of. Many men set their sights upon success or achievement but forsake the favor of God in order to “win the favor of men”. This kind of man ends his life in foolishness, loosing the opportunity at understanding the true wisdom of God. The man who follows the right path however gains the benefit of all prior (wisdom, stature, favor of God AND men) and it is very evident. These are truly real men who lack the need to cover mistakes because their sights are set on God…The One who’s way is perfect.

Often times I concern myself with the things that go wrong (lost relationships, decisions *or lack thereof*, times where I have not spoken out) and instead of allowing God into my world of weariness I grasp onto these things like a greedy child saying “MINE!” I need to let go of my offenses to really gain the opportunity to learn from them. If I continue to stare at this past of mine it becomes a compass to my life instead of the right path of God’s word. These misdeeds will always lead me in a path of fear, pushing me to achieve the horrid harmony of my self-approval. I must constantly seek the favor of God, setting my feet on the path of righteousness.

Lord I give you my wrongs, my mishaps and “straight up rebellions” and let me live in the favor of Your Son. Teach me Your ways Lord, Teach me Your paths, guide me in Your truth. For You are God MY SAVIOR. My hope is in You. Amen

Blueprints of the blessed

Like valleys that stretch out, Like gardens beside the river, Like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters. -Numbers 24:6

Though Balaam the Oracle tried opposing the nation of Israel, he simply could not curse them but instead ended up blessing them. This part of the blessing spoken included the following: Expansion, Beauty and Vivid Life, Peace and Healing, Strength and Establishment. “Like valleys that stretch out” vast expansion and increase in a good land. “Like gardens beside the river” an increase in the nations fruitfulness and abundance in many areas of this nations existence. That there would be an attractive beauty about its growing life and commerce. “Like aloes planted by the LORD” you have the healing properties of the aloe plant but also the environment that it grows in as well. Peace tranquility and healing founded upon the place where it is planted (and is furthermore planted by the LORD) “Like cedars beside the waters” cedars are quite strong and were even used for warships because of its aforementioned strength. Again we see where it is planted, “beside the waters”…you can picture the root structure growing deep and strong in its established place.

These are the blueprints of what God wants to pour out upon His children as His kingdom is established. Upon entering new land under the Father’s instruction, He promises to bless and expand growing life among His people. As I go about the will of my Father I must grow deeply rooted in the place He calls me to. Coincidentally He calls for a rootedness in His words. Circumstances and landscape may change around me but where I am planted will not. For I will be securely planted in all that He is, listening to His voice and growing in obedience.

Lord, show me where I am to grow roots next and further me in a life of obedience. Cause me to find peace, healing, and growth in this new land you have called upon me. Amen

Victory in Movement

Scripture)

And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went.

-2 Samuel 8:6

Observation)

The continual crescendo of victory in David’s life and rulership is not based out of his skill (though he was skilled) but it emanates out of the blessing of God.

Application)

I felt God speak to me and question, “What if you let me give you creative ideas rather than relying on yourself?” What great victories do I hinder myself from because of creative control? In the past my greatest artwork has been inspired by His greater creativity. In this next season I choose to let go.

Prayer)

Lord be my driver, inspiration, creative vision. Guide my hands to your great works.

Amen

Heartfelt Prayer

Scripture)

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me, and enlarge my territory, and that your hand be with me, and that you would keep me from so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.

-1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Observation)

Jabez asks God to change the purpose of his name (meaning pain) He asks for renewed purpose. The power of a name is a great thing, this Jabez understood, but what interests me is that he does not ask for a new one (nor does he receive a new name like many of the patriarchs) rather his life course is altered because of a heartfelt prayer.

Application)

For some strange reason I have had a large dislike of this “Jabez prayer” and have almost avoided it altogether under the guise of what I will call “Christian Hipsterism”…”This passage is just to mainstream for me” this verse almost seemed like a sissy prayer to be honest. But God is doing a new work…The old is made new and God builds a soft teachable heart in me everyday. “You learn something old every day.” -Fred Rogers

Well apparently my middle name isn’t as nice of a meaning as I would hope…James is a derivative of Jacob meaning “supplanter, cheat, underminer” certainly in times past this has been painfully true. But “Bryan” is strong, true, virtuous, noble. These are the two worlds I live in. Needless to say I look forward to a new name.

Returning to heartfelt prayer…God asks that I come before him with a humble and repenting heart, pliable and real with what is within me, the desires, dreams, lusts and nightmares…he wants it all. He does not ask for “Airy” prayers or even for ones that sound good or pious. He asks for my heart. To the point, direct, not playing games. Why do I fear asking God for anything really good? Am I afraid that he can disappoint me? Or do I fear that he does not care…that I do not matter. Why do I feel this way?

Prayer)

Lord would you bless me, cause me to be a blessing to others. May your hand always be with me. Let my life be favorable before you and men. Would you cause all that I put hand on to prosper. I ask that you would give me the wife of my youth, that you would bless us greatly. Grow great love in our hearts Lord. I ask strong foundations and a home that I can call my own. Establish me according to your purpose. I ask for children who would grow to know and love you and would follow after your footsteps. Make me fruitful, help me to multiply. Protect my family and keep my heart pure and my ways true. Make me honorable, honest, noble, strong.

Amen

A great name

Scripture)
Go from your country and your kindred and your fathers house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
-Genesis 12:1-2

Observation)
Abraham’s obedience to God echoes of the purpose God had set for man. Notice the parallels: “Be fruitful and multiply” and “I will make of you a great nation”. Also: “fill the earth” and “go from your fathers house to the land that I will show you”. On top of this Abram receives that which the people of Babel lusted after…A great name. Babel’s rally cry “Let us make a name for ourselves” is made a mockery of when God speaks to one man “I will bless you and make your name great”. Abram’s greatness was not founded upon his self sufficiency or any great work of his hands, rather it was found in obedience to the purposes of God, so that he ultimately lived out this promise: “you will be a blessing”.