Leaving The Job Unfinished

"Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD." 2 Kings 15:35

Although Jotham's official reign lasted twenty-five years, he actually governed longer. When his father, Uzziah, was forced into quarantine because of leprosy, Jotham performed the day-to-day functions of the crown.

Much good can be said of Jotham's time as king of Judah, but he failed in a most important area: He didn't destroy the high places of idol worship, although leaving them clearly violated the first commandment (Ex. 20:3). Apparently, Jotham preferred to build. He added to the architecture surrounding the temple. He constructed cities, forts, and towers around Jerusalem. But his failure to remove the pagan worship places undermined the good that he did. The consequences were apparent in the life of his son Ahaz, who became one of Judah's most wicked rulers.

Like Jotham, we may live basically good lives and yet miss doing what is most important. A lifetime of doing good is not enough if we make the crucial mistake of not following God with all our hearts. God sometimes requires that certain habits or influences be removed from our lives. Our lives only have room for one god. A true follower of God puts Him first in all areas of life.

Our obedience to God is sometimes measured by what we don't do.

Training A Leader

"And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses." Numbers 27:23

Regardless of what some people claim, leaders are made, not born. Gifted individuals must have training, hands-on experience, and good role models if they are ever going to realize their leadership potential. Joshua got it all.

He had led the attack on the Amalekites. He had accompanied Moses (at least halfway up the mountain) when God issued the Law on Mount Sinai. He had been at the tent of meeting when God spoke to Moses face-to-face. He had been one of the twelve men sent to spy out the land of Canaan. All in all, his was an impressive resume.

But perhaps the most valuable aspect of Joshua's leadership preparation was the privilege he had of observing Moses in action. As his personal aide, he got to watch him deal with jealous and rebellious and stubborn people. He saw how Moses handled national crises and smaller administrative nightmares. Most important of all, Joshua got an insider's look at Moses' intimate relationship with God.

In fact, the Bible frequently features this kind of leadership mentoring program. Elisha had Elijah. The disciples had Jesus. Timothy had Paul. Do you have an older, wiser role model to whom you can look? That is how the Lord situates people in His churches; to provide a model to follow in order for the next generation to successfully carry out the Lord's will. Follow the Moses God has placed in your church. Then ask God to help you become a Joshua.

Before one can be a leader, one has to be a follower. Spiritual leadership is God-given.

A Warning to Believers

Oprah Winfrey has begun promoting a year-long course entitled, "The New Age Christ." Her text for the course is a book entitled A Course in Miracles. Below are a few quotations taken from this book:

"There is no sin."
"A slain Christ has no meaning."
"The journey to the cross should be the last useless journey."
"Do not make the pathetic error of clinging to the old rugged cross."
"The name of Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol. It is a symbol that is safely used as a replacement for the many names of all the gods to which you pray."

It is no surprise that many Hollywood figures are going full-bore into new age psychology and teaching . And it is no surprise that many of them believe in reincarnation and other such eastern philosophy.

The fact is that if "there is no sin," then there is the removal of the eternal absolutes of the Word of God and a removal of the accountability factor that is so clearly found in His Word.

If "there is no sin," then we need no Saviour. If there is no Saviour, then we have no purpose for living our lives!

I am so thankful that Jesus Christ shed his blood and rose again so that we might have redemption for our sins. In these last days of false teaching, along with the promotion of new age philosophy, may we each be ready to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

More practical thoughts on Elijah

The “Elijah complex” can rob you of power and joy, so beware! Elijah went from victory to defeat because he started walking by sight and not by faith (19:3). He believed the queen’s words but not God’s word, and he forgot how God had cared for him for three and a half years. Fear replaced faith, and he ran for his life.
He became concerned about saving himself rather than giving himself (Mark 8:34–38; John 12:23–28). Note the sequence (chp. 19): “thy life” (v. 2), “his life” (v. 3), “my life” (v. 4). If he had said, “Take my life,” as an act of surrender to God, the Lord would have worked mightily; but his “Take my life” was a confession of pride and defeat. Beware when you think you are the only faithful one left!
God taught Elijah that He does not always work in the dramatic big events, like the contest on Mount Carmel, but that He works by means of a “still small voice,” ministries that are neither big nor loud. Elijah was not forsaken, for God was with him. He was not alone. Seven thousand people had not bowed to Baal. His work would go on. You see, God had a young man ready to take his place.
We need to obey these words: “Be not afraid; only believe” (Mark 5:36).

PBI From the Prophets - Elijah (Part 1)

Practical lessons from the prophet Elijah:

1. All life is surrounded by spiritual forces.

2. Prevailing prayer settles issues.

3. National righteousness is more important than national power.

4. No man who stands for right stands alone.

5. God does not discard us when we run away but He finds a way to revitalize and use us.

6. Sufficient physical rest and nourishment are required if we are to know, understand, and do God's will.

7. One Spirit-filled man can make a difference in a nation.

8. "Vales of trouble are separated from mountains of triumph by a few moments of prayer."

9. One is fitted for his life work by seasons of quiet meditation and waiting on God.

PBI From the Prophets - Samuel

Practical lessons of pertinent value from the prophet Samuel:

1. What a work one man can do when God controls and directs him!

2. Personal piety can never be a substitute for parental discipline (Eli).

3. It is good to listen for the voice of God (1 Sam 3) - God's Word.

4. It is just as essential to answer when He calls.

5. Obedience is better than sacrifice - but don't forget to sacrifice.

6. The value of early godly training in a godly home.

7. The happy state of the man who has lived a life above reproach.

8. God is never satisfied with partial obedience.

9. A true servant of God may be called upon to train a younger man who will overshadow him in the estimation of people.

10. It is not necessary for one to withdraw from political life in order to exert spiritual leadership.

11. Compromise with evil is expensive and deadly.

12. God can only use men who are willing to be used and only so far as they will let Him use them.

13. A child has no trouble learning the voice of God when he has been conceived in prayer and reared in the house of God.

PBI From the Prophets - Moses (cont.)

Insights from Moses continued:

10. Confidence and power come through experience and victory.

11. We are hardened for hardships by hard work.

12. The value of patience and perseverance.

13. Unbelief in God's appointed leader brings reproach on God.

14. We see ourselves as God sees us only after time spent alone with Him.

15. When God commands us to go forward He will lead the way.

16. Unselfishness is one of the chief marks of a great man (Deut. 9:18-20, 25-29).

17. A successful leader must love his people so much that he is willing to die for them.

18. God may take many years to prepare His chosen leader for a great task.

19. The importance of keeping alive the hope that "the bush will burn" for us. A great experience may be only a short way ahead.

PBI From the Prophets - Intro & Moses

It has been a while since I've posted on the PBI blog. However, a study of some of the Old Testament prophets has yielded some practical insights that I would like to begin sharing.
In order to fully grasp some of these insights, it would be helpful to overview the books which pertain to the prophets under consideration. Warren Weirsbe's concise commentaries would be an excellent source to gain this overview. Of course, your King James Bible would be the best source of information. I hope these insights will be as much of a blessing to you as they have been to me.

Moses:

1. The value of early religious training in the home (Ex. 2:7-10; Deut. 6:6-9; Ecc. 12:1).

2. Necessary qualifications for leadership.

3. The futility of trying to run ahead of God (Ex. 2:11-15).

4. The extraordinary power of intercessory prayer (Ex. 32:9-14, 31, 32; 34:9; Num. 11:2; 12:13; 14:11-24; Deut. 9:12-20, 25-30).

5. Excuses anger God (Ex. 4:13, 14).

6. Men whom God places in positions of authority are held to a strict account.

7. A heavenly light shines through the face of one who has been alone with God.

8. The penalty for disobedience and loss of temper is severe (Num. 20:12; 27:14).

9. When God calls a man He proceeds to qualify him.

(to be continued)