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I am still behind - I confess - but pay attention to these passages:

Luke 9:1-17 - Jesus tells his disciples that are sent out on mission  - you have power and authority.  Are you ministering with power and authority? 

Jesus also tells never to let their dependence control their reception.  In other words, as a leader, we all experience dependence - we have to have followers to support, work, and invest.  But never let the followers dictate the purpose or the message.

Colossians 4:1-9 - one of my favorite passages on prayer.  Pray for open doors for the gospel!

Let me admit I behind in reading my Bible.  I have been following the Bible reading plan (www.navpress.com/Magazines/DiscipleshipJournal/BibleReadingPlans/), but because of some missed days, I am about 7 days off from where I should be.

HOWEVER, I was reading 1 Chronicles 6-9 and there were two amazing insights I couldn’t ignore.

First, as Chronicles traces out geneaologies, it makes no attempt to present perfect families.  People married outside their faith, they divorced, they lost children, and of course, they sinned.  This re-enforces my conviction that there are no perfect families!!! God gives us this revelation to remind us that all of us need His grace - the very people He chose to work through were a messed up bunch.

Second, chapter 9 tells us about the manpower and organization it took to run the Temple on a daily basis.  This was a complex place!  The temple required someone to bake holy bread, watch over the gates, keep an eye on the treasure, organize the music, and create an environment for people to worship.

Today, you hear voices telling us that organization and structure are not really what Jesus wants.  This thought is often coupled with the idea that small is more godly.  Both are WRONG! 

God calls some to be in small environment, but calls others to be in larger environments that require multiple roles, assignment of tasks, and leadership to make it all run.  One is not inherently better than the other.

I will try to catch up - but just had to get this off my chest!

Reading the David stories and now moving into the Solomon stories I am intrigued by the lists of names that appear, as in 1 Kings 4.  Why are these included?  Here’s my thoughts:  God knows that nothing is accomplished without leadership.  Moreover, it is the quality of the leaders under the top leader that makes a difference.  David’s struggles in his kingdom really begin when Joab takes over more of the leadership of the army and Joab - corrupt, opportunistic Joab - is allowed to set more of the values.  Solomon assembles as a solid team - but I love how the end of 1 Kings 4 characterizes him - he was a man that had breadth and depth in his wisdom. 

Solomon is also wise enough to make an ally of King Hiram of Tyre (Lebanon).  Hiram is able to trade with Solomon to get what Solomon doesn’t have.  No leader has everything he needs.  He needs strong, resourced allies to help.

Pslam 119: 17-24 - over and over this Psalm extols the one who is in the word of God.  I love verse 18 - open my eyes that I may see the wonderful things in your law.  A great prayer to pray before you read the Bible.

Luke 1:39-56 - This song of Mary’s - known to some as the Magnificat - Praises God.  But notice the first part of the passage - Mary went immediately to find someone who had a similar experience to her, to Elizabeth, who also was experiencing a super natural pregnancy.  When God calls you, find a mentor as soon as possible.

Ephesians 2:1-10 - I really felt led to change the pronouns in this passage.  It helped it come alive to me:

I by nature was an object of the wrath.  But God has great love and mercy and made me alive in Christ Jesus even though I was dead in treaspasses.  By grace I have been saved.  I will be raised up to sit with him in heaven, so I will see the incomparable riches of His grace.  By grace I have been saved - not by works, so I cannot boast.  God prepared good works in advance for me to do

2 Samuel 11-12 - these passages are some the richest in the entire Old Testment.  There is king who says the rules don’t apply to me.  David makes the same mistakes as Saul.  Then he believes because of his positin he is entitled to cover up his actions - and you thought Nixon and Clinton were the first! 

Here is something I had never paid attention to before.  David arranges Uriah’s death - but other also die needlessly.  Anyone knows this is a stupid strategy - fight the enemy where he is strong.  What happens when leaders deliberately chose poor strategies to cover up their mistakes?  Many people die.

This action of David’s is the first thing God disapproves of.

Nathan the prophet confront David in a masterful way.  A word to everyone who must teach, preach, or confront - a story opens the heart to receive the confrontation. 

David does confess the sin, but he must still deal with the judgement.  Would you fast and pray seven days for your child?

Notice that the Lord loves the second child given to David and Bathsheba.  Even through David’s failure, he trusts God gives second chances. 

Psalm 111 - We praise God to remember the differentiation that exists between God and us.  This is the real place the fear of the LORD arises.

Galatians 2 - Paul embraces freedom in Christ - no longer is he tied to keeping the rules to make himself right.  THIS IS A DISTINCTION MANY CHRIST FOLLOWERS MISS!  Freedom in Christ does not mean we are free to whatever we feel.  Rather, we are free from needing to be perfect.  We follow the rules of God because of love.

Notice that Paul leads up to Peter - confronting your mentors and senior leaders is a scary task. 

Live by vv. 20-21 - what does it mean for you to be crucified with Christ?  What does it mean for Christ to live in you?  What does it mean to by faith live in your body knowing that Christ loved you and gave himself for you?

2 Samuel 8-10 - David is in his sweet spot - everytime he goes into battle he wins.  Why?  He was doing what as just and right.  I know it bothers people when we see a store like the David’s defeat of the Moabites, and 2/3rds of the population was killed.  Remember that God used David as instrument of judgement - what he did was right and just.  We aren’t comfortable with it, but then again, we often second guess God’s judgements.

2 Samuel 9 - If you have power, use it to show kindness.

Psalm 110 - Ask God grant you victory!

Mark 14:32-43 - Something that troubles my spirit - Jesus had never asked the disciples to pray with him like this.  It was a time they could show their love for Jesus - but fatigue or lack of empathy caused them to check out - and they don’t even know what to say.

But Jesus has the spirit - not my will, but your be done.

Galatians 1 - Paul has to confront the modification of the core message of Christian.  This is a constant tension within the church - when do we fight for a belief and when do we let it go?  I like where Paul begins - with his own story - this is how he meet Jesus, how he discovered his mission, and how began to learn about his new faith.  More to come!

Great leadership lessons in 1 and 2 Samuel - but rarely the focus of sermons or lessons:

2 Samuel 5 - Every leader needs an early, unifying win, like conquering Jerusalem.   Every leader needs the confidence that they are in the right place - David knew he was the king because God made him so, for God’s glory.  And every leader needs to remember that God has a purpose for him being a leader - it’s not about the leader’s own needs.

2 Samuel 6 - The death of Uzzah always bothers us.  Why does he die - it seems like he was trying to do a good thing.  Here is the best answer - Take God seriously when He gives a command not to touch something.

When David dances his way into Jerusalem, his wife Micah (Saul’s daughter) condemns him for making a fool of himself.  There will always be joy robbers.  David correctly stays focused on his joy in the Lord.

2 Samuel 7 - CHURCHES - never let a building define what can be done for God. Instead, find out what God wants to build!  Sometimes it is a leadership culture - in this case, the Davidic line.  Other times, it is a building.  Sometimes it is the body of Christ.  Ask God what he wants to build!

Psalm 109:4 - when they accuse you, pray!

Mark 14:12-31 - I’m preaching on some of these verses Sunday - If Jesus wanted to use your room, would you say yes?  And learn from the lesson of Peter:  If God tells you are going to be tempted, don’t over-estimate your capacity or your spiritual strength.

2 Corinthians 13 - Don’t focus on your weakness, but on God’s power.

2 Samuel 1 - If you lie to get an advantage, it might cost you your life.

2 Samuel 2 - If you fail to recognize God’s chosen leader, there will be chaos.

2 Samuel 3 - Ishobosheth continues the insecurties of his father, Saul.  A leader needs a good touch and sensitivity, like David’s reaction to Abner’s murder.

2 Samuel 4 - The ends do not justify the means - David drives this point home as a leader - even though he will miss it later in chapter 11.

Psalm 107 - Remember to thank God when:  He rescues you from trouble; He gets you out of the mess you made; He delivers you from the consequences of your own rebellion; He rescues you from unforeseen circumstances; and He makes the bad, good.

Mark 14:1-11 - Once in your life, give God something lavish.

2 Corinthians 12:11-22 - Paul has a passionate love for the Corinthians - love enough to get mad at them and to protect them from bad leadership.

Judges 1-3- God gave His people a test - He left a job unfinished.  Presumably, God wanted them to keep relying on Him.  They failed the test, and were enticed by the gods of the people they had conquered.  How stupid is that?  But we are like this too.  Even when we know stuff doesn’t work, we still turn to it, seeking answers and living frustrated lives.  Don’t fail the test

Psalm 82 - Don’t follow people who have no knowledge or understanding.

Mark 5:1-20 - One of my favorite stories about Jesus and one of the funniest moments in the gospel.  Highlights:  Legion is what evil looks like when it runs amuck.  You are out of control and out of your mind.  Jesus can order evil around - and out of your life.  Evil is always looking for a place to go.  This is the funny part - Pigs would rather die than have evil inhabit them (Is this a different version of “If your right eye leads you to sin, pluck it out…?).  And when Jesus delivers you, tell people.

1 Corithians 9:1-12:  The servants of God - ministers - have some rights - the right to be paid, the right to have a family, the right to be respected.  But, like Paul, they should never insist on these rights, but have the mind of servant.

Mark 3:20-35 - this is what scholars call an inclusio - meaning a story within a story.

The story that is the outside bracket is how Jesus’ family thought he was crazy.  Sometimes even those closest to you don’t understand you, especially when it comes to doing God’s will.  Jesus then re-defines the family for us - closer than blood kin are the ones who do God’s will.  Bottow line, never let your family or your fear of your family’s disapproval keep you from doing God’s will.

The inner story is Jesus telling us that it is ridiculous to think he is on Satan’s team. But he gives us an important principle - if you want to defeat evil in your life - greed, gluttony, lust, anger, pride, envy, and sloth - you need to tie up evil. 

                                                                                                                     How do you tie up evil? Be strong in Christ.  Eliminate temptation.  Throw it out of your life.  Don’t be afraid.  Think through your decisions and their consequences.  Claim the victory God wants you to have.

I Corintians 7:1-16 - great teaching about sex, marriage and divorce.  Bottom lines:  Healthy sex is part of God’s design for marriage.  Headaches are no excuse - only prayer.  If we lived by this passage what would it to for intimacy in our marriages?  Not to menion what it would do for our prayer lives!

It is better to marry than to burn with passion - but if you have the gift of being able to be unmarried, stay that way.  If your spouse is not a believer, then be a holy influence on them!

Been behind in sharing some thoughts.  Here are some observations as we read through the Bible.

Joshua 3 - God validates Joshua as a leader.  God will give a leader success through a gift or a win to validate him. 

Joshua 4 - They made a monument to remember what God had done.  I have in my office a shell that I picked up on the beach after a very moving retreat day.  I still remember that day - I would encourage you to write your reflections, get some spiritual sovenirs to help you remember the great things God does!

Joshua 5 - Ever wonder why God choose circumcision as a sign?  The Bible never explictly says, but here’s a thought - It is very personal. 

I love the story at the end of this chapter - the angel appearing to Joshua.  My NIV study Bible has a great quote about verse 14:  It is not that God was on their side; rahter, they must fight God’s battles!  Exactly!  That mentality is missing in the church today!

Joshua 6 - You and I would never think about fighting a battle in this way - that’s why we lose so often.  If God tells you to fight a battle, He has a plan about how you are to win it!

Joshua 7 - When they got beat, they turned to God to ask “why?”  Do you?  If it seems like a Achan and his family pay too high a price for a little thievery, remember allowing the sin of coveting into your life always has a higher price than you think.  It will effect every thing you own and every member of your family.  When your wants cause you to disobey God, there is a high price to pay.

Pslam 73 - I love this psalm!  I too almost slip - I can envy the arrogant who don’t think about their impact on the others, and those who prosper.  I can lose sight of what a great God I have that out weighs any human possession.

Psalm 74 - I wonder if churches need to pray Psalms like this against our enemies?

Mark 1:9-34 - Look how Jesus moves through these verses.  He sets an example by being baptized; he faces temptations; He boldly preaches and calls disciples; he confronts evil (interesting that Mark makes this Jesus’ first miracle - a clue that Jesus’ ultimate mission is to destroy evil); he heals.  Jesus was purposeful about his life (now I owe Rick Warren a dollar).  If we are to be like Jesus, shouldn’t we move boldly and purposefully too?

1 Corinthians 1:8ff - Never forget that being a follower of Christ, being blest by God has more to do with Him, and less to do with you.

1 Corinthians 2 - The church’s message needs to be about the power of God.  So how much of our time and energy do we spend seeking God’s power?  Do we pray for it?  Do you ask God to annoint worship and teaching and activity?  What is our ratio of prayer to preparation?