The Key to Success

August 8, 2015

Scripture 

Ezra 7: 6, 9, 29; 8: 18

This Ezra was a scribe who was well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given to the people of Israel. He came up to Jerusalem from Babylon, and the king gave him everything he asked for, because the gracious hand of the LORD his God was on him. 

( NLT)

He had arranged to leave Babylon on April 8, the first day of the new year, and he arrived at Jerusalem on August 4, for the gracious hand of his God was on him.

And praise him for demonstrating such unfailing love to me by honoring me before the king, his council, and all his mighty nobles! I felt encouraged because the gracious hand of the LORD my God was on me. And I gathered some of the leaders of Israel to return with me to Jerusalem.

 ( NLT)

Since the gracious hand of our God was on us, they sent us a man named Sherebiah, along with eighteen of his sons and brothers. He was a very astute man and a descendant of Mahli, who was a descendant of Levi son of Israel. 

(NLT)

Observation

Ezra gave glory and credit to God.  Four times in two chapters he said "the gracious hand of our God was on us.

Gracious- pleasantly kind, benevolent, and courteous.

1. The key to Ezra's ministry was the favor of God.  God's hand of blessing was upon him.  Favor, blessing, grace, approval was on Ezra which made him successful.

2. The prayer of Jabez expresses this same sentiment:

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested. (I Chronicles 4:10 NKJV)

Application

1. I must seek and ask for the favor and blessing of God.

2. Daily ask for his blessing

3. Believe in faith I have it.  

It is an act of grace not merit.  I do not earn God's favor, it is given as a gift.

Prayer

Bless me and bless me much.

I ask for your favor, blessing be upon me.  Bless and keep me.  Make your face shine upon me and be gracious to me.  Turn your face towards me and give me peace.  I will not let go until you bless me.

Enlarge my territory

Increase my influence in your kingdom.  Empower me to bring you glory and enlarge your kingdom.  May I live for your glory and your kingdom not my glory or my kingdom.  Enable me to make an impact on this earth for you. May I lift up and exalt Jesus.

May your hand be with me

I ask for a fresh filling of your Spirit, fill me afresh and anew.  Increase my anointing.  Do not promote me beyond my competence or capacity.  Empower me to accomplish the tasks you set before me.

Keep me from evil

Lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil.  Enable me to resist the devil and to flee temptation.  Purify me,  make me pleasing to you. I desire to be holy righteous, a man of integrity. Remove any and all offensive ways within me.  Examine me, search me, purify me.  

Partnership

August 7, 2015

Scripture 

1 Corinthians 3:6-9

I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. (NLT)

Observation

1. Some people plant, others water, but God gives the increase.

2. It is not important what role I play, what is important is that God makes the seed grow.

3. The sower and water work together with the same purpose.

4. Will be rewarded for their hard work.

5. We are both God's workers

What is important is God's blessing and favor.  He is the only one who can give the increase.

I am to work hard, will be rewarded for my labor, am in partnership with others.

Appication

1. Accept the role God has given me.

My role is not the traditional role a worker plays and at times it is hard to explain and some times I demur.  I have to believe what I do is important and significant. 

2. Work hard. 

3. Don't compare myself to others

4. Be content

Contentment is a choice

5. Be passionate 

What enables longevity and productivity?  How do we equip people to stay longer and be more fruitful?   Not just called to live overseas, not putting that down, because it takes a skill set.  But we are called and sent to complete a task.  People are not giving their hard earned money so we can live overseas but to fulfill the great commission.  

6. Grow

Learn how to do what I do better.  

Prayer

Do a work in me.  Make me satisfied, content, passionate, and a learner.

God directs your steps

August 6, 2015

Scripture 

Proverbs 20:24

The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? (NLT)

Man’s goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way? 

(MEV)

Observation

1. God directs my steps, my goings are of the Lord

A.  God is sovereign

a person who has supreme power or authority.

B. This is comforting

I am not in control, God is.

He will get me exactly where I need to be when I need to be there.

3. It is faith building

I trust God.  I can take risks, not fear mistakes, go for it

4. It takes the pressure off

I don't have to figure everything out or have all the answers

5.  It is liberating

I am free of the demands and expectations of others

Application

1. Trust that God brought me here for this time and in this ministry.  Believe that I am in the center of the will of God.  

2. Don't try to figure everything out.

Don't worry about who holds what position, what others are thinking about me, what is going to happen

3. Find fulfillment in what I am presently doing.

Don't look into the past, don't try to figure out the future, live in the moment.

4. Learn, grow in my professional development.

God has placed me here right now in member care. It is not leadership but it is a field.  Become an expert in my field.

5. Do it with all my heart.

Work hard, passionately, diligently

6.  I can even trust God with my purity.

Question: is this my place?  Am I going to do this for the rest of my life?  Truth is I don't know, can't know.  God directs my steps, I cannot understand my own way.  So live in the present.  Take steps towards what I am doing now. Don't hesitate because of what might or might not happen.  

Prayer

What do I do?  For now?

You are free

August 5, 2015

Scripture 

1 Corinthians 1:30

God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.  (NLV)

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— (NKJV)

Observation

1. I am in Christ

United with him in his death and in his resurrection 

2. Jesus is wisdom from God.

Jesus is the evidence, proof, wisdom, knowledge about life, how to live life, everything.

3. Jesus made me right with God

4. Jesus made me pure and holy

5. Jesus set me free from sin

This is a powerful verse that represents a powerful truth.  Jesus made my salvation possible.  He set me free from the penalty of sin.  I am no longer on my way to hell but am on my way to heaven.  That would be enough but it is not all.  He also set me free from the power of sin, made me pure and holy.  How can I live this God-pleasing life? By being in Christ, being united with the him in his death on a cross and in his resurrection from the dead.  Water baptism is a great illustration of this:  when I was submerged into the water it symbolized my death, when I came out of the water, it symbolized my resurrection.  My old man, nature has died, I am a new creation, a new man.  

Application

1. Count myself as dead to sin and alive in Christ.

It begins with my thinking, my beliefs.  I have to believe I am dead to sin and alive in Christ.  My behavior will never surpass my beliefs because belief systems determine behaviors.  I am transformed by the renewing of my mind.  

2. Abide in Christ.

Time in his presence will transform and empower me.  The Holy Spirit empowers me to be: to progressively become the man God has called me to be.

3. Spend time in the Word.

The Bible is my guidebook in life, it gives me the principles to live by but it is also a living book that gives life.  I receive life, strength by allowing the Bible transform me.

4. Spend time with other believers

The fellowship and accountability with other believers strengthens me.  I receive life, strength, when I spend time with like minded, same hearted people.

Prayer

I am right with God, pure, holy, free from sin.

How to stay strong till the end

August 3, 2015

Scripture 

1 Corinthians 1: 8-9

He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (NLT)

who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. ( NKJV)

Observation 

1. Jesus will keep me strong to he end

Confirm me to the end

Confirm-to make firm or more firm; add strength to; settle or establish firmly: Their support confirmed my determination to run for mayor.

2. I will be free from all blame on the day Jesus returns

3. God is faithful. 

He will do what he says.

4.  He has invited me into partnership, fellowship, communion with Jesus.

Application

1. Trust in God, he is faithful

2. Depend on Jesus who will keep me strong and blameless in the end.

3. Rely on and ente in my partnership, fellowship, communion with Jesus.

Prayer

I depend upon you.  I desire for you to be my partner.  I desire communion with you.  Come near to me, please.  Make me strong and keep me blameless till the end.

Your one thing, only thing, everything

August 3, 2015

Scripture

2 Chronicles 34: 3, 31-32

During the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David. Then in the twelfth year he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the pagan shrines, the Asherah poles, and the carved idols and cast images.

The king took his place of authority beside the pillar and renewed the covenant in the LORD’s presence. He pledged to obey the LORD by keeping all his commands, laws, and decrees with all his heart and soul. He promised to obey all the terms of the covenant that were written in the scroll. And he required everyone in Jerusalem and the people of Benjamin to make a similar pledge. The people of Jerusalem did so, renewing their covenant with God, the God of their ancestors. (NLT)

Observation

1. When Josiah began to seek God, his desire for purity increased.

Seeking God with all my heart, soul, mind, and body will increase my desire for purity.

2. When leaders take their place of authority, the people's desire for purity will increase.

The people began to cleanse their lives when Josiah took his place.

Speed of the leader equals speed of the team.  The people will never surpass their leaders.  My desire for Jesus, my desire for purity will set the pace.

Application

1. Abiding has to be my first priority.  Seeking Jesus, abiding in his presence is everything, my one thing, the only thing.

2. I have to set the pace, leaders set the bar for the rest of the team.

Pace of the leader, pace of the team.  

Prayer

Holy Spirit, increase my desire for the Father.  May I burn inside for Jesus.  May he my number one priority, my one thing, my only thing. I want more of Jesus.

Spiritual Warfare

August 2, 2015

Scripture 

2 Chronicles 32: 2-8

When Hezekiah realized that Sennacherib also intended to attack Jerusalem, he consulted with his officials and military advisers, and they decided to stop the flow of the springs outside the city. They organized a huge work crew to stop the flow of the springs, cutting off the brook that ran through the fields. For they said, “Why should the kings of Assyria come here and find plenty of water?” Then Hezekiah worked hard at repairing all the broken sections of the wall, erecting towers, and constructing a second wall outside the first. He also reinforced the supporting terraces in the City of David and manufactured large numbers of weapons and shields. He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate. Then Hezekiah encouraged them by saying: “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people. (NLT)

Obaervation

Hezekiah found himself under attack by the Assyrians.  How did he respond?

This is a great example of how to respond to spiritual warfare.

1.  He consulted with advisors.

A. He was not a Lone Ranger.

We are a part of the body of Christ.

B. Sought wisdom

Trusted friends and advisors.

2. Hezekiah worked hard

A. The Bible teaches to work out your own salvation

We depend upon the Holy Spirit and work out our salvation. It is and/both not either/or.  I am to be 100 percent defendant on Jesus and I am to work hard

B. Work ethic

The men and women who have made the biggest difference for the kingdom of God worked hard, sacrificed greatly, left it all on the field of battle.

3. He had faith that God would bring the victory.

Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” 

A. He worked hard while believing God would fight the battle fkor him.

B.  He believed in the power and greatness of God.

4. As a leader Hezikiah encouraged the  people.

A. Then Hezekiah encouraged them by saying: “Be strong and courageous! Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people

B. One the greatest gifts a leader can give his followers is encouragement.

To have heart.

Human beings need to be motivated, encouraged.

They need to be challenged to be brave, strong, and courageous 

Application

1. Have a strong work ethic

2. Remember theology tends to be both/and not either/or

3. Be 100 percent dependent on Jesus

4. Have wise advisors and seek out their counsel

Have them before you need them

Consult them even when you think you got this

5. Be an encourager

Anyone can suck the life out of others, but you be a person that speaks life into others.

Prayer 

May I work out my own salvation and depend 100 percent on you.

Show me the right path

August 1, 2015

Scripture

Psalm 25:4-5

Show me the right path, O LORD ; point out the road for me to follow. 5 Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.

 (NLV)

Make me to know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day. 

( MEV)

Observation

1. Make me to know your ways.

Do not give me a choice. 

2. Show me the right path

I am limited in my knowledge, you are unlimited, all knowing.  Show me the right path 

3. Lead me in your truth, teach me

I want go beyond knowing the truth but be lead into the truth.  Teach me

4. You are the God who saves me.

Application

1. God reveals the right path, he points out the way.

2. He leads me into his truth and teaches me.

3. He saves me from harm and pain.  Leads me to the right destination 

Prayer

Make me to know your ways.  Point out the right path.