Victory?

Is God a winner? Joshua 5:13-15 is a great lesson about victory for us today. In this true event, Joshua, as the General of the army of Israel, is about to put his strategic plans for conquering Jericho into effect. The night before the battle, the Lord Jesus Christ (in a pre-incarnate appearance) meets with him and instructs him to do things a little differently, in Joshua chapter 6. Instead of Joshua's plan, God has a rather unusual plan for gaining victory. Now, if it were me I would have had to seriously question God's strategy, and maybe give Him some advice. However, instead of doing that, Joshua "bends his will" to God (by the way, this is the true meaning of worship) and follows the plan to the letter. Of course, we know the result and there was a great victory.
Now, if Joshua had not been open to listening to God, he might still have gotten a victory. But, it would be said that "God got a great victory because I worked hard, had a good plan, and acheived." This sounds a lot more like an achievement for Joshua, but not a victory for God.
As if God is ever less than victorious! We think He somehow needs our help, and so we do what we think is right instead of asking Him what to do. He has given us His Word to direct us, yet we constantly question Him, change what He said for our own purposes, or we ignore it altogether. Imagine what could happen if we always asked Him about our plans, looked into His Word, and let Him direct us?
Truth be told, it is we who are in need of victory, not God. Victory is not found in the outcome of a situation, but in our obedience and trust in what God has said already. He has not one time promised a life free of difficulty or pain, but He has promised a resurrection life that cannot be taken away. He is not interested in giving us health and wealth, but peace and freedom to serve Him in righteousness. Read His Word and put His plan into practice and you will know what victory is all about.

Servant-Leadership

In Luke 22:24-27 there is an interesting story about the disciples of Jesus. They are arguing amongst themselves about greatness, authority. Jesus explains to them that they are not to be as those in the business world, but as He is: a servant-leader.
What exactly is a "servant-leader"? Many times this phrase is used to express anxiety and dislike toward one who is in a position of or asserting authority, as though there should be no actual authority among church-goers. This is not the full teaching of the New Testament, nor is it even practical. The Apostle Paul declared the need for spiritual authority, 2 Corinthains 10:8; Titus 2:15. Further, Hebrews 13:7 requires people to submit to the spiritual authority of those called by God to lead. The letters of 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus are written specifically to provide order to the local church. So, authority is not really the issue, humility is.
To be a servant-leader as spoken by Jesus means to be serving and leading at the same time. A sevant-leader does not direct others while telling or watching. Rather they lead others by doing and inviting. 1 Peter 5:1-5 teaches about being a servant-leader and about being a follower.
Christ's Church needs order, and this comes from leaders being called, equipped, and qualified. It is not a director-ship only, but an example-ship. Leaders do and invite others to do with them.

Pilot blog

This is the pilot day of my blog. My reason for wanting to have a blog is so that I might be able to share truths from the Word of God that will lead to sanctification. Notice that I have chosen John 17:17 as my directing verse for this blog. This is from the prayer of Jesus as He was preparing to go to the cross. As He addresses His Father in heaven, He is praying for people who would believe in Him through the true Gospel message, most of who were not born yet. In this verse He makes a tremendous statement. He asks His father to "sanctify" people. Sanctify comes from ther Greek word "hagiadzo" which simply means to be consecrated, or made holy. While we have a plethora of ways in which we think we are made holy, Jesus gives us the one way that God uses - His written Word. As we read and study His written Word, and put it into practice, we are being sanctified.
This is not simply a one time proposition. Rather it is a life-long pursuit of study and practice of the truth of God's written Word. This blog is meant to be a place for looking at various aspects of the Word of God, the Bible, and gleaning the truth God has revealed. I trust this will be a good place for finding truth and being "sacntified".