"Then Esau said, “Let us take our journey; let us go, and I will go before you.” But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me. And if the men should drive them hard one day, all the flock will die. Please let my lord go on ahead before his servant. I will lead on slowly at a pace which the livestock that go before me, and the children, are able to endure, until I come to my lord in Seir.” (Gen 33:13-14)
There is a story I read about a 19th century explorer who was leading a group of Africans in an expedition to another part of the continent. On the first three days of the expedition, they walked briskly and made very great progress at a rate faster than usual, putting them ahead of their schedule. The explorer was very happy.
On the fourth day, however, he woke up in the morning to discover that his African companions wouldn't start out. They told him they were not moving - that they had being moving so fast and it was time to rest, so their souls could catch up with their bodies.
Yesterday, we learned from our text that leaders should lead with knowledge. Today we see another leadership lesson from the text
2. Leaders should lead gently and with compassion.
Sometimes we outrun our souls and drive others to do so too. One of the characteristics of leaders is that they are people of vision. They often see farther than the people they are leading. They have the capacity to see so far into the future that their followers have to catch up with them. This is good. However, if this ability is not properly handled, it could often lead the leader to drive the followers beyond their capacity to endure. This leads to disastrous consequences such as burning out, discouragement and stress, first for the followers, and eventually for the leader.
Gordon McDonalds in his great book, "Ordering Your Private Life" distinguishes between a drive and a call. Being driven is usually linked to some external pull such as a need to fit in, to be accepted by peers or to be regarded as successful. Driven people find it difficult to say no. Being called on the other hand is having an internal sense of purpose. It is not being motivated by external accolades but by divine direction. Driven people find it difficult to say no while called people say no to things that look good but are detrimental to the health of their souls.
Driven leaders drive others. Called leaders lead gently. They are not lazy but they understand that busyness and activity are not the measure of progress but progressively following God. Jesus often stopped all activities, spa rating His followers into a deserted place in other or them to be refreshed. Jacob refused to drive the sheep. He chose to lead slowly, demonstrating his compassion for them.
In your leadership, you will be tempted sometimes to become driven and to drive. Resolve to lead your followers at a pace they can handle. Break down your huge vision into phases. Rather than dump everything you have to say on your followers at once, give information in chunks they can handle without becoming overwhelmed. Show compassion to the weak and faltering. Always remember that excessive drive leads to a crash and the eventual loss of the fulfillment of your vision. Lead gently like the savior who "... tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." (Isa 40:11). He is our example of great leadership.
Decision of the Day
I refuse to be a driven person but a called one. I will allow my soul to be in step with my schedule. I will not outrun my spirit. I will lead gently and with compassion like the savior.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
April 23: Lead with Knowledge
"Then Esau said, “Let us take our journey; let us go, and I will go before you.” But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me. And if the men should drive them hard one day, all the flock will die. Please let my lord go on ahead before his servant. I will lead on slowly at a pace which the livestock that go before me, and the children, are able to endure, until I come to my lord in Seir.” (Gen 33:13-14)
The subject of leadership is on that should be of interest to everyone since we all lead in one way or the other. Parents lead their children. Teachers lead students. Pastors lead their flock. We occupy certain roles at work that require us to lead. Now, even if you occupy no leadership position in terms of leading others, you are still expected to lead yourself, which can be the hardest of all.
There are a few leadership lessons In our text today that leaders of every stripe should add to their leadership arsenal in other to be more effective as leaders. Jacob, the master shepherd, when Esau asked him to join him in the journey, responded with the true heart of a shepherd and leader. In the next few day, we will be identifying the various leadership lessons in this text. Today we look at the first lesson which is that,
1. Leaders should know the states of their followers.
"Jacob said, "My lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me" Proverbs 27:23 says, "Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;"
Leaders should do all they can to keep up with the events in the lives of those they lead. They should know the capacity, uniqueness, strength, weakness, gifts, talents and other important identification metrics of each person the lead. Parents should endeavor to know the unique personalities of each of their children, the friends they keep, their aspirations etc.
There are various ways this can be done formally or informally. Examples include having regular feedback meetings, being generally observant, praying or those you lead, using surveys and evaluations etc. As believers, we also have access to supernatural information by the Holy Spirit which He readily gives when we ask. Whatever tool you use, it is the goal that is paramount which to be acquainted with the current states of those you lead.
Knowledge empowers you to make the right decisions in leading your followers appropriate for the time. You will know the right words to say to them and the right tools to give them. Without the knowledge of their state, you will be in the dark. Granted, you can not possibly know everything going on, but make attempts to keep yourself updated often on their current conditions.
Have you been given charge over some people as a leader? How familiar are you with what is going on in their lives? Take some time to update yourself on the state of each of them. Get into their worlds and feel the temperature. Do this often. You will become a more effective leader. If you are a follower, cooperate with your leaders and empower them to do this by being open and sincere. When leaders and followers work together, great things get achieved.
Decision of the Day
I will not lead in the dark. I will be diligent to know the states of those I lead. I will be open and sincere in dealing with my leaders.
The subject of leadership is on that should be of interest to everyone since we all lead in one way or the other. Parents lead their children. Teachers lead students. Pastors lead their flock. We occupy certain roles at work that require us to lead. Now, even if you occupy no leadership position in terms of leading others, you are still expected to lead yourself, which can be the hardest of all.
There are a few leadership lessons In our text today that leaders of every stripe should add to their leadership arsenal in other to be more effective as leaders. Jacob, the master shepherd, when Esau asked him to join him in the journey, responded with the true heart of a shepherd and leader. In the next few day, we will be identifying the various leadership lessons in this text. Today we look at the first lesson which is that,
1. Leaders should know the states of their followers.
"Jacob said, "My lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me" Proverbs 27:23 says, "Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;"
Leaders should do all they can to keep up with the events in the lives of those they lead. They should know the capacity, uniqueness, strength, weakness, gifts, talents and other important identification metrics of each person the lead. Parents should endeavor to know the unique personalities of each of their children, the friends they keep, their aspirations etc.
There are various ways this can be done formally or informally. Examples include having regular feedback meetings, being generally observant, praying or those you lead, using surveys and evaluations etc. As believers, we also have access to supernatural information by the Holy Spirit which He readily gives when we ask. Whatever tool you use, it is the goal that is paramount which to be acquainted with the current states of those you lead.
Knowledge empowers you to make the right decisions in leading your followers appropriate for the time. You will know the right words to say to them and the right tools to give them. Without the knowledge of their state, you will be in the dark. Granted, you can not possibly know everything going on, but make attempts to keep yourself updated often on their current conditions.
Have you been given charge over some people as a leader? How familiar are you with what is going on in their lives? Take some time to update yourself on the state of each of them. Get into their worlds and feel the temperature. Do this often. You will become a more effective leader. If you are a follower, cooperate with your leaders and empower them to do this by being open and sincere. When leaders and followers work together, great things get achieved.
Decision of the Day
I will not lead in the dark. I will be diligent to know the states of those I lead. I will be open and sincere in dealing with my leaders.
Friday, April 22, 2011
April 22: If the Man is Right, His World Will be Right
Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him."(Gen 32:24,25)
There is the story of a minister who was trying to prepare his sermon one Saturday morning with difficulty. His wife had gone out to shop and he was left with his young son who was restless. To occupy his son for a while and free himself to finish his sermon, he had an idea. He picked up an old magazine that had the map of the world on a page and tore that page into several little bits. He then scattered the little pieces all over the floor and told his little son to pick the pieces up and reassemble the map of the world. He figured it would take the boy a long while, buying him enough time to finish preparing his sermon.
To his surprise, the boy came into his study within a few minutes with the puzzle reassembled. He asked his son, "how did you figure it out so quickly?" the boy replied, "It was easy. There was the picture of a man at the back of the map. I just put the picture of the man together and turned the paper around. I figured that if I got the man right, the world will be right"
The preacher smiled a gave the boy a quarter. "You have given me my sermon tomorrow, " he said. "If a man is right, his world will be right"
Sometimes we pray to change things outside us but the real change that needs to happen is within. Something in us must break before we see our desire fulfilled. We are the ones that need righting before our world could be righted.
Jacob was praying for the blessing. He wanted a change in the circumstances of his life. He needed intervention concerning his brother Esau who was seeking to kill him. God never addressed all that. Instead God focused on changing Jacob himself. He changed his name and broke his hip! His name represented his identity, the scar was a permanent reminder of that night.
What are you praying for God to change in your life? Your spouse, children, your boss or finances. The answer to the change you. When you change, your situation will follow suit. You are the one enforcing the prevailing situations in your life now. God doesn't want to deal with symptoms. He wants to deal with the root cause. Something might need to be broken in you: a habit, a pattern of thinking, an attitude, pride, selfishness, self-sufficiency etc. This usually take time and during those times, you will feel your answer is delayed or not coming. God is not withholding your answer from you but before He can pour the new wine of you life, your wineskin must change, else the wineskin would tear and the wine be spilled. God doesn't waste resources. That's why He will change you first because when you are right, your world will be right.
Decision of the Day
I will submit to God's dealing with me. I will let Him change my attitude and any other thing in my life that needs to change. I will cooperate with Him to transform me. Then my circumstances will be transformed.
There is the story of a minister who was trying to prepare his sermon one Saturday morning with difficulty. His wife had gone out to shop and he was left with his young son who was restless. To occupy his son for a while and free himself to finish his sermon, he had an idea. He picked up an old magazine that had the map of the world on a page and tore that page into several little bits. He then scattered the little pieces all over the floor and told his little son to pick the pieces up and reassemble the map of the world. He figured it would take the boy a long while, buying him enough time to finish preparing his sermon.
To his surprise, the boy came into his study within a few minutes with the puzzle reassembled. He asked his son, "how did you figure it out so quickly?" the boy replied, "It was easy. There was the picture of a man at the back of the map. I just put the picture of the man together and turned the paper around. I figured that if I got the man right, the world will be right"
The preacher smiled a gave the boy a quarter. "You have given me my sermon tomorrow, " he said. "If a man is right, his world will be right"
Sometimes we pray to change things outside us but the real change that needs to happen is within. Something in us must break before we see our desire fulfilled. We are the ones that need righting before our world could be righted.
Jacob was praying for the blessing. He wanted a change in the circumstances of his life. He needed intervention concerning his brother Esau who was seeking to kill him. God never addressed all that. Instead God focused on changing Jacob himself. He changed his name and broke his hip! His name represented his identity, the scar was a permanent reminder of that night.
What are you praying for God to change in your life? Your spouse, children, your boss or finances. The answer to the change you. When you change, your situation will follow suit. You are the one enforcing the prevailing situations in your life now. God doesn't want to deal with symptoms. He wants to deal with the root cause. Something might need to be broken in you: a habit, a pattern of thinking, an attitude, pride, selfishness, self-sufficiency etc. This usually take time and during those times, you will feel your answer is delayed or not coming. God is not withholding your answer from you but before He can pour the new wine of you life, your wineskin must change, else the wineskin would tear and the wine be spilled. God doesn't waste resources. That's why He will change you first because when you are right, your world will be right.
Decision of the Day
I will submit to God's dealing with me. I will let Him change my attitude and any other thing in my life that needs to change. I will cooperate with Him to transform me. Then my circumstances will be transformed.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
April 21: Wrestling with God
"Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” (Genesis 32:25-30)
We know of worshipping God. It is comfortable to think of praising God. We are familiar with humbly beseeching God. But to wrestle with Him. That sounds a little weird. Yet that's what our text says Jacob did. He had a wrestling match with God all night and won. Granted, He wan't wrestling with God per se. He was wrestling with with an angel who was on a tag team with God. You remember those tag team wrestling matches. When you wrestle with your opponent's team mate, you are wrestling with your opponent and if you prevail before the opponent could touch his partner, you won them both.
A wrestling match is always about something. For example, a contest for a prize, a score to settle, or a prearranged fight for entertainment. This was no entertainment. No one was there to watch. Jacob had a goal. He was going to hang on to the angel until something changes in his life. He was willing to fight for it. He was ready to lose his sleep over it. He was ready to hang on even if the fight extended for days. He had made up His mind. His reasoning must have been something like this, "If I can't find my answer with God, where else could I go? Who else could I ask? Now that I have an opportunity to have His presence, to see Him face to face, I won't let go until He changes me"
Jacob once again demonstrated the intense hunger that pleases and moves God. He first demonstrated it from the womb, struggling with his twin brother, then when he was born, holding to his brother's legs. Then later, in obtaining the blessing and in working to marry Rachel. This man's intensity and hunger pushed him beyond limits and helped him lay hold on God's plans for him.
There are times in life when you must demonstrate this type of desperation for God. Times when you will separate from everyone to seek His face. Times when you set your goal and let Him know, that except things change, you are not leaving His presence. It may take a whole night. It may take weeks, months or years but you relentlessly appear in His presence with the same cry in your heart. God honors such persistence with His blessing.
You too can prevail with God and then with men. Set yourself to seek Him with no intention of quitting until your change comes. God will come through for you.
Decision of the Day
I understand that there are times when I must separate myself and seek God consistently with no intention of quitting until the circumstances of my life change or until something changes in my character. I will be sensitive to God to recognize these seasons. I will respond by praying until something happens.
We know of worshipping God. It is comfortable to think of praising God. We are familiar with humbly beseeching God. But to wrestle with Him. That sounds a little weird. Yet that's what our text says Jacob did. He had a wrestling match with God all night and won. Granted, He wan't wrestling with God per se. He was wrestling with with an angel who was on a tag team with God. You remember those tag team wrestling matches. When you wrestle with your opponent's team mate, you are wrestling with your opponent and if you prevail before the opponent could touch his partner, you won them both.
A wrestling match is always about something. For example, a contest for a prize, a score to settle, or a prearranged fight for entertainment. This was no entertainment. No one was there to watch. Jacob had a goal. He was going to hang on to the angel until something changes in his life. He was willing to fight for it. He was ready to lose his sleep over it. He was ready to hang on even if the fight extended for days. He had made up His mind. His reasoning must have been something like this, "If I can't find my answer with God, where else could I go? Who else could I ask? Now that I have an opportunity to have His presence, to see Him face to face, I won't let go until He changes me"
Jacob once again demonstrated the intense hunger that pleases and moves God. He first demonstrated it from the womb, struggling with his twin brother, then when he was born, holding to his brother's legs. Then later, in obtaining the blessing and in working to marry Rachel. This man's intensity and hunger pushed him beyond limits and helped him lay hold on God's plans for him.
There are times in life when you must demonstrate this type of desperation for God. Times when you will separate from everyone to seek His face. Times when you set your goal and let Him know, that except things change, you are not leaving His presence. It may take a whole night. It may take weeks, months or years but you relentlessly appear in His presence with the same cry in your heart. God honors such persistence with His blessing.
You too can prevail with God and then with men. Set yourself to seek Him with no intention of quitting until your change comes. God will come through for you.
Decision of the Day
I understand that there are times when I must separate myself and seek God consistently with no intention of quitting until the circumstances of my life change or until something changes in my character. I will be sensitive to God to recognize these seasons. I will respond by praying until something happens.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
April 19: Sometimes the Only Way Forward is To Be Left Alone
"That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak." (Gen 32:22-24)
Sometimes life can seem like a whirlwind. Bustles of activities, demands and responsibilities consume the hours of the day like Pacman eats up all the dots. Finding time alone can sometimes seem like a fight. Yet the fight of life can never be won if we spend all our time with people.
Imagine Jacob with two contentious wives, eleven sons, several servants and possessions- an unsettled nomad moving back home after decades of absence. He wasn't marching joyfully and victoriously back home either, but was in almost debilitating fear of his brother Esau's wrath. There was much to attend to, but Jacob knew somehow, that if he didn't leave all the demands, separating himself to be alone with God, all he had would soon mean nothing. He desperately needed to make contact with God. He needed a change in his circumstances. His desperation drove him to be alone with God. He met God when he separated from all to seek His face.
There are some things that can only be accomplished in your life when you are alone with God. Many great things you will never enjoy until you learn to spend time with Him in solitude. Paul's greatest legacies where his writings, most of which were written while he was confined alone in prison. Jesus began his ministry with forty days alone in the wilderness. Moses saw the burning bush and got his call while alone. Later he spent forty days alone on the mountain with God and his face shone with glory afterward. David developed intimacy and strength for his purpose while alone tending his Father's sheep. There are many wonderful things that happen when you are in community with other believers but there is a depth in God and His purpose for your life that you will never reach until you have private, intimate moments with Him alone. You can never find yourself in the midst of the crowd. You find yourself alone with Him.
Sometimes the best thing that God can do for you is to allow issues in your life that will drive you to Him. Sometimes, He will allow everyone to abandon you. A lover may jilt you, parents may forsake you, friends, betray you. Children may leave home and never call enough. Sometimes, he will allow the rejection of people to break your unhealthy dependence on them and to lead you to His own ever accepting heart. Sometimes, you will be the one who will separate yourself deliberately from people like Jacob did in order to meet with God.
He wants intimacy with you, but intimacy is never developed in the public view. It takes privacy. There are issues that you can never resolve in your life until God gets you alone and begins to work on them in the crucible of solitude. Jesus said, "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matt 6:6).
Don't live the whole of your Christian life in the open. Let it not be that the worship and prayers people see you offering in the open are all there is to your devotional life. Let it not be that your bible is only opened when you are among other believers, but gathers dust when you are alone. Let it not be that the preacher's voice is all you hear, because there is no time of personal study and meditation with God. There should be some secrets between God and you. Intimate people have secrets known only to them. Do you have secrets with God? Juicy things He's shared with you meant only for your ears, or experiences and revelations unlawful to share.
H.L Hastings said, "Souls often grow lonely in a crowd, and starve in the midst of temples, worshipers and ordinances. God would have us alone with Him sometimes. Coming to church is not coming to Christ. "Enter into thy closet, and, shut thy door." Shut out nonsense, business, care and pleasure. Shut out flatteries and frowns. Shut out strangers and acquaintances. Shut out friends and foes. Shut out this world and open the window that looks out upon the next. Give the mind rest. Give the ear quiet. Give the tongue silence. Give the heart meditation. Give the soul communion with God; look up, there are blessings waiting for you. Listen: God speaks in His still small voice. Ask: God waits to hear. See that your soul is at peace with God. See that no shade of sin hides from your sight the Heavenly Father's face."
So in the midst of your hectic schedule, take time to be alone with God. Shut the world out and have holy times with Him. The greatest times of your life will be these moments, for in them you will dine with the divine and make your greatest spiritual progress.
Decision of the Day
I understand that being alone with God is not optional. It is required. I desire to develop intimacy with God, so regularly, I will take a break from the demands of life. I will shut my doors, separate myself from all and fellowship with my God- my maker and lover.
Sometimes life can seem like a whirlwind. Bustles of activities, demands and responsibilities consume the hours of the day like Pacman eats up all the dots. Finding time alone can sometimes seem like a fight. Yet the fight of life can never be won if we spend all our time with people.
Imagine Jacob with two contentious wives, eleven sons, several servants and possessions- an unsettled nomad moving back home after decades of absence. He wasn't marching joyfully and victoriously back home either, but was in almost debilitating fear of his brother Esau's wrath. There was much to attend to, but Jacob knew somehow, that if he didn't leave all the demands, separating himself to be alone with God, all he had would soon mean nothing. He desperately needed to make contact with God. He needed a change in his circumstances. His desperation drove him to be alone with God. He met God when he separated from all to seek His face.
There are some things that can only be accomplished in your life when you are alone with God. Many great things you will never enjoy until you learn to spend time with Him in solitude. Paul's greatest legacies where his writings, most of which were written while he was confined alone in prison. Jesus began his ministry with forty days alone in the wilderness. Moses saw the burning bush and got his call while alone. Later he spent forty days alone on the mountain with God and his face shone with glory afterward. David developed intimacy and strength for his purpose while alone tending his Father's sheep. There are many wonderful things that happen when you are in community with other believers but there is a depth in God and His purpose for your life that you will never reach until you have private, intimate moments with Him alone. You can never find yourself in the midst of the crowd. You find yourself alone with Him.
Sometimes the best thing that God can do for you is to allow issues in your life that will drive you to Him. Sometimes, He will allow everyone to abandon you. A lover may jilt you, parents may forsake you, friends, betray you. Children may leave home and never call enough. Sometimes, he will allow the rejection of people to break your unhealthy dependence on them and to lead you to His own ever accepting heart. Sometimes, you will be the one who will separate yourself deliberately from people like Jacob did in order to meet with God.
He wants intimacy with you, but intimacy is never developed in the public view. It takes privacy. There are issues that you can never resolve in your life until God gets you alone and begins to work on them in the crucible of solitude. Jesus said, "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matt 6:6).
Don't live the whole of your Christian life in the open. Let it not be that the worship and prayers people see you offering in the open are all there is to your devotional life. Let it not be that your bible is only opened when you are among other believers, but gathers dust when you are alone. Let it not be that the preacher's voice is all you hear, because there is no time of personal study and meditation with God. There should be some secrets between God and you. Intimate people have secrets known only to them. Do you have secrets with God? Juicy things He's shared with you meant only for your ears, or experiences and revelations unlawful to share.
H.L Hastings said, "Souls often grow lonely in a crowd, and starve in the midst of temples, worshipers and ordinances. God would have us alone with Him sometimes. Coming to church is not coming to Christ. "Enter into thy closet, and, shut thy door." Shut out nonsense, business, care and pleasure. Shut out flatteries and frowns. Shut out strangers and acquaintances. Shut out friends and foes. Shut out this world and open the window that looks out upon the next. Give the mind rest. Give the ear quiet. Give the tongue silence. Give the heart meditation. Give the soul communion with God; look up, there are blessings waiting for you. Listen: God speaks in His still small voice. Ask: God waits to hear. See that your soul is at peace with God. See that no shade of sin hides from your sight the Heavenly Father's face."
So in the midst of your hectic schedule, take time to be alone with God. Shut the world out and have holy times with Him. The greatest times of your life will be these moments, for in them you will dine with the divine and make your greatest spiritual progress.
Decision of the Day
I understand that being alone with God is not optional. It is required. I desire to develop intimacy with God, so regularly, I will take a break from the demands of life. I will shut my doors, separate myself from all and fellowship with my God- my maker and lover.
Monday, April 18, 2011
April 18: Seeing is Becoming
"Now Jacob took for himself rods of green poplar and of the almond and chestnut trees, peeled white strips in them, and exposed the white which was in the rods. And the rods which he had peeled, he set before the flocks in the gutters, in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink, so that they should conceive when they came to drink. So the flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks brought forth streaked, speckled, and spotted...And it came to pass, whenever the stronger livestock conceived, that Jacob placed the rods before the eyes of the livestock in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods." (Gen 30:37-41)
What you keep seeing, you will reenact and reproduce. Jacob wanted the flocks to give birth to streaked, speckled and spotted offsprings, so he set striped rods before their eyes. As the flocks saw the rod, they reproduced after what they saw. This is a useful story to illustrate a principle in life. What you set before your eyes will determine what you eventually reproduce in your life. Pictures are like seeds in the mind. They produce after their own kind.
The eye is a very powerful organ. It is one of the gates to the heart and mind. Whatever the eye continually focuses on will become a reality in the life of the owner. This is because what the eyes sees provides image materials for the imagination to use in forming its picture, then the pictures in your mind determine the direction of your life. Your inner picture determines your outer future. What you constantly see, you are gradually becoming. Look at what Paul the apostle said,
"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." ( 2 Cor 3:18)
As we continue seeing the Lord through His word, we become transformed into His image. We become more and more like Him. We take on His characteristics.
It also works the same way in the negative, Jesus said, “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!"(Matt 6:22-23)
So use your eye well. Watch what you place before it. Be selective with what you watch on tv and online. See every image that bombards your mind as a scenario that seeks to become your experience. Deliberately place before your eyes pleasing pictures and images whose fruits in your life will bring glory to Him. Covenant with your eyes like two great men of the bible, Job and David, who said,
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?". ( Job 31:1)
" I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me" .(Psalm 101:3)
As you deliberately choose the focus of your vision, you will be rewarded in life as you begin to see like Jacob's flocks, things taking on shades and stripes similar to what you've placed before your eyes.
Decision of the Day
I understand that what is the continual focus of my vision will reproduce itself in my life. So today I choose to focus on the right things. I will guard my eyes, knowing that it is a gate to my soul. I covenant with my eyes today. I will only fix my eyes on what I wish to become, because seeing is becoming.
What you keep seeing, you will reenact and reproduce. Jacob wanted the flocks to give birth to streaked, speckled and spotted offsprings, so he set striped rods before their eyes. As the flocks saw the rod, they reproduced after what they saw. This is a useful story to illustrate a principle in life. What you set before your eyes will determine what you eventually reproduce in your life. Pictures are like seeds in the mind. They produce after their own kind.
The eye is a very powerful organ. It is one of the gates to the heart and mind. Whatever the eye continually focuses on will become a reality in the life of the owner. This is because what the eyes sees provides image materials for the imagination to use in forming its picture, then the pictures in your mind determine the direction of your life. Your inner picture determines your outer future. What you constantly see, you are gradually becoming. Look at what Paul the apostle said,
"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." ( 2 Cor 3:18)
As we continue seeing the Lord through His word, we become transformed into His image. We become more and more like Him. We take on His characteristics.
It also works the same way in the negative, Jesus said, “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!"(Matt 6:22-23)
So use your eye well. Watch what you place before it. Be selective with what you watch on tv and online. See every image that bombards your mind as a scenario that seeks to become your experience. Deliberately place before your eyes pleasing pictures and images whose fruits in your life will bring glory to Him. Covenant with your eyes like two great men of the bible, Job and David, who said,
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?". ( Job 31:1)
" I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me" .(Psalm 101:3)
As you deliberately choose the focus of your vision, you will be rewarded in life as you begin to see like Jacob's flocks, things taking on shades and stripes similar to what you've placed before your eyes.
Decision of the Day
I understand that what is the continual focus of my vision will reproduce itself in my life. So today I choose to focus on the right things. I will guard my eyes, knowing that it is a gate to my soul. I covenant with my eyes today. I will only fix my eyes on what I wish to become, because seeing is becoming.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
April 16: The Midas Touch
"But Laban said to him, "If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you." He added, "Name your wages, and I will pay them." Jacob said to him, "You know how I have worked for you and how your livestock has fared under my care.The little you had before I came has increased greatly, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I have been. But now, when may I do something for my own household?"(Genesis 30:27-30)
You probably have read the Greek mythological story of King Midas whose touch turned everything to gold. This is not a perfect parallel to the blessing because Midas gift from the fairy came as result of greed and became a curse for him when his food and only daughter also turned to gold at his touch. However, I think the story is useful for illustrating an important characteristics of the blessing of God - the ability to cause what it touches to succeed.
Laban testifies of this. After Jacob arrived in his house, God blessed Laban so much that His wealth increased greatly and everything He did increased and succeeded all because of Jacob. The same was said of Joseph in Potiphar's house.
"The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field." (Genesis 39:2-5).
In Deuteronomy 28:12, it was promised, "The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none."
Then Psalm 1:3, speaking of the blessed person says "That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers."
There is something about the blessing that changes things. It turns little into much. It creates a way where there is none. It causes success. It releases progress. It distinguishes the blessed and marks their endeavor with a touch of excellence. It is the power and presence of God work working through imperfect humans. God on flesh doing what only God can do. Blessed people are assets to those who know them and associates with them. The lives of those who associate with them and yield to the blessing on them experience the same touch of God that they have on them. Companies that they work in prosper. Those who form alliances with them and honor the blessing on them receive it's impact. Their nations and communities are privileged to have them because through their lives their environments are objected to the blessing influence.
You are that blessed person if Jesus lives in you. If you have accepted Him as your Lord and savior, you have that touch on your life. Now be aware of it. Declare it. Expect it to manifest in all that you do. Bless those around you. Touch hurting people, places and situations around you with your blessed hand. Your hands are now the hands of Jesus. You are part of his body. "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (1 Cor 12:27). Christ's body is a blessed body. You are part of it. Think of what Christ was to the people that knew Him when He walked the shores of Galilee. That's what you are to be to your family, community and nation. You are blessed to be a blessing.
Stop struggling with this fact. Accept it and go on a blessing spree. Speak words of peace to your surrounding. Bless your children. Bless your job. Bless your community. Bless your nation. Blessed the unblessed. Insert yourself into the hard issues of your surrounding and put your leased hand on It. Touch everything you can with your blessed hand and they will turn into objects of praise to God. There will be no regret like Midas had because "The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it." (Prov 10:22 NKJV).
Decision of the Day
I am blessed. I have the blessing touch because I am a member of the blessed body of Christ. Everything I touch is blessed. I am blessed to be a blessing. Everywhere I live is blessed. Everywhere I go is blessed. My work is blessed. My family is blessed. Through my life the blessing of Christ is passed on to other people. I will be a person of influence to the glory of God.
You probably have read the Greek mythological story of King Midas whose touch turned everything to gold. This is not a perfect parallel to the blessing because Midas gift from the fairy came as result of greed and became a curse for him when his food and only daughter also turned to gold at his touch. However, I think the story is useful for illustrating an important characteristics of the blessing of God - the ability to cause what it touches to succeed.
Laban testifies of this. After Jacob arrived in his house, God blessed Laban so much that His wealth increased greatly and everything He did increased and succeeded all because of Jacob. The same was said of Joseph in Potiphar's house.
"The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field." (Genesis 39:2-5).
In Deuteronomy 28:12, it was promised, "The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none."
Then Psalm 1:3, speaking of the blessed person says "That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers."
There is something about the blessing that changes things. It turns little into much. It creates a way where there is none. It causes success. It releases progress. It distinguishes the blessed and marks their endeavor with a touch of excellence. It is the power and presence of God work working through imperfect humans. God on flesh doing what only God can do. Blessed people are assets to those who know them and associates with them. The lives of those who associate with them and yield to the blessing on them experience the same touch of God that they have on them. Companies that they work in prosper. Those who form alliances with them and honor the blessing on them receive it's impact. Their nations and communities are privileged to have them because through their lives their environments are objected to the blessing influence.
You are that blessed person if Jesus lives in you. If you have accepted Him as your Lord and savior, you have that touch on your life. Now be aware of it. Declare it. Expect it to manifest in all that you do. Bless those around you. Touch hurting people, places and situations around you with your blessed hand. Your hands are now the hands of Jesus. You are part of his body. "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (1 Cor 12:27). Christ's body is a blessed body. You are part of it. Think of what Christ was to the people that knew Him when He walked the shores of Galilee. That's what you are to be to your family, community and nation. You are blessed to be a blessing.
Stop struggling with this fact. Accept it and go on a blessing spree. Speak words of peace to your surrounding. Bless your children. Bless your job. Bless your community. Bless your nation. Blessed the unblessed. Insert yourself into the hard issues of your surrounding and put your leased hand on It. Touch everything you can with your blessed hand and they will turn into objects of praise to God. There will be no regret like Midas had because "The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it." (Prov 10:22 NKJV).
Decision of the Day
I am blessed. I have the blessing touch because I am a member of the blessed body of Christ. Everything I touch is blessed. I am blessed to be a blessing. Everywhere I live is blessed. Everywhere I go is blessed. My work is blessed. My family is blessed. Through my life the blessing of Christ is passed on to other people. I will be a person of influence to the glory of God.
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