What You Need ...

Well there continues to be some frustration as I wait for an internet connection, how true it is that you don't know what you have until you don't have it. However, a few $'s later and I have a USB pre-paid for use.

Anyway, here is the real stuff for today. Have a read of this AMAZING passage and take it to heart:

Joshua 1:1-9

The Message (MSG)

1 ^1-9 After the death of Moses the servant of God, God spoke to Joshua, Moses’ assistant:

“Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I’m giving to the People of Israel. I’m giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon east to the Great River, the Euphrates River—all the Hittite country—and then west to the Great Sea. It’s all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I’ll be with you. I won’t give up on you; I won’t leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going. And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.”

I have taken the liberty of highlighting the aspects that stood out for me, though I could easily have highlighted even more. Here's the thing, both for me, and I believe for you. This is God's promise to US. The very words He uttered to Joshua, I reckon He echoes to you and I today.

God has a purpose for our lives. He desires that we be successful and reach the goal set before us. He does not desire that we fail, and thus the Lord supplies the enabling for us as is required. Does it mean the journey will be an easy one? No! Does it mean I will be unscathed from attack or attempts to bring me down or to turn me off course? No! And lots more No's. However, the God of the many champions of the past is both MY God and YOUR God.  And because of this we can have Strength! Courage!

We have some part though in this journey, we have to give it all we have and take it serious. No half-hearted responses, everything, heart and soul. Note the other advice. Ponder, meditate and practice. 

Lets do this. Lets take up the mantle of leadership that is ours and faithfully be God operatives in the field of mission with purpose and deliberate action.

Bless ya real good in your engagement in this journey!  

And know ...

There is often some real gems in the Psalms for us. Tonight I pick up on a couple of points that stood out for me, you will find them in bold in the Psalm below:

Psalm 46 (New Living Translation)

1 God is our refuge and strength,

always ready to help in times of trouble.

2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come

and the mountains crumble into the sea.

3 Let the oceans roar and foam.

Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

4 A river brings joy to the city of our God,

the sacred home of the Most High.

5 God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed.

From the very break of day, God will protect it.

6 The nations are in chaos,

and their kingdoms crumble!

God’s voice thunders,

and the earth melts!

7 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;

the God of Israel[b] is our fortress.

8 Come, see the glorious works of the Lord:

See how he brings destruction upon the world.

9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth.

He breaks the bow and snaps the spear;

he burns the shields with fire.

10 “Be still, and know that I am God!

I will be honored by every nation.

I will be honored throughout the world.”

11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;

the God of Israel is our fortress.

I love the reminder that in God, I find both my refuge and strength. The Psalmist highlights the effects of disaster that obviously would have been familiar to the people, earthquakes, high seas ... This reminded me of a Blog by Major Brad Watson whilst on deployment to Haiti. Attending a worship service one Sunday, the people were singing of this very fact, though the elements were against them, they trusted in the Lord. Oh that I might continue to place my trust in God to be there for me when stuff is happening around me, and especially when I am affected by it. I want to bear testimony to His faithfulness to me in all things.

The next point was the lovely invitation to - “Be still, and know that I am God!" For me a challenge to settle back and take some time out with God. Reflect upon His majesty, His goodness, His presence, His being. To know Him, and get to know Him better, as God.

Enjoy the Psalm and see what the Lord has to say to you through it.

From your strength ...

I have commenced another book which some friends recommended to me, and I must say, I am not at all disappointed in this - Leadership Gold by John Maxwell. The chapter I was reading today brought back a theory and pet conversation of mine when discussing school curriculum and education of children today. That of the strong focus around a base group of subjects, often to the neglect of the personal lean or gifting of the person concerned. You know what I mean, writing, reading and arithmetic, where a person might not be very good at some of these areas, but strong in the arts, drawing, carpentry, music, etc. and yet these are not seen to be as important or even of value (not at least in high school years anyway).

John Maxwell was sharing in the chapter Get in the Zone and Stay There, the need for leaders to know what there zone is (become familiar with this) and to operate from within this strength. In fact, he suggests it even more strongly than this, for when one identifies their strong area to operate within, they should not only ensure they make every effort to operate within this, they ought to be doing all they can to develop this area too.

Aligned to this, we as leaders should also be assisting those whom we lead to find what their strong areas are, help them to keep focused in these for the benefit of them as individuals (feeling fulfilled and successful in their contribution), the organisation and of course the Kingdom of God. So what about this success.

John Maxwell says, I believe success is:

• knowing your purpose in life
• growing your maximum potential, and
• sowing seeds that benefit others

"Lord, it is my desire to lead well. To understand clearly the way you have wired me, gifted me and to ensure I operate well within this. Help me to bring others along in this journey as well, to teach them, develop them and always to encourage them, for their sake and Your Kingdom's sake."