Use Your Brain for “No Brainers”

We have to be careful about “no-brainers.” When David first attempted to move the Ark of the Covenant to the capital, he just did the obvious: he put it on a cart. He did not bother to see if there were any special instructions for moving this most sacred object. There were – having been prescribed in the Law of Moses – and David’s neglect cost a man his life and delayed unnecessarily the restoration of the Ark to its central position in their culture and government. In 1 Chronicles 15, however, as David planned the final movement of the Ark, he did it in accordance with the Law.

This teaches us that not only the what but also the who and the how are important to God. Methods are important when they reflect on the character and nature of god. Man’s methods are OK as long as they do not violate God’s nature. We do not do God’s work with man’s methods if those methods contradict God’s holiness, justice, glory or love.

So, I need to consider carefully my service to God. Do my methods reflect God’s nature?

Use Wisdom when Pursuing God's Plan

When David assumed the throne of Israel, he needed to consolidate the kingdom while at the same time restore God to the center of public life. He realized that one thing he could do was to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to the seat of civil and spiritual power. It was one of those obvious things, a “no-brainer” if you will.

Yet, David showed wisdom in pursuing something even this obvious, something even this dear to him, something even this important to the other leaders. 1 Chronicles 13 says that before he did it, he conferred with each of his officers, including them in the decision. Then he went public with his idea and asked the whole assembly what they thought of the idea: Was it a good idea? Was it the will of God? Having obtained the blessing of the leadership core in the capital, he then used this occasion to unite the whole nation. He included the priests in the planning and implementation of this symbolic act, restoring them to a place of influence that they had lost under the previous regime.

This story teaches a valuable lesson. Even in the occasional “no-brainer” that you encounter in leadership:

• Confer with your leaders – individually.
• Ask the assembly of influencers for their input.
• Return spiritual leaders (prayer warriors?) to places of significance.
• Capitalize on the opportunity to bring the people together.
• In the planning and implementation, make sure that you celebrate!

Sure, it's God's plan, but use wisdom in pursing God’s plan!

I’m trying to get back on a normal schedule (daily, M-F) for these postings. It’s been a great holiday season, but a lot of travel (Thank God for fun with family and safety on the road!) has interrupted my routine. I hope you are enjoying a God-blessed season!

A Christmas Prayer

This week the following prayer appeared in “Soul Care” a daily devotional emailed to Nazarene pastors:

Let Your goodness Lord appear to us, that we, made in your image, conform ourselves to it. In our own strength we cannot imitate Your majesty, power, and wonder, nor is it fitting for us to try. But Your mercy reaches from the heavens through the clouds to the earth below. You have come to us as a small child, but you have brought us the greatest of all gifts, the gift of eternal love. Caress us with Your tiny hands, embrace us with Your tiny arms and pierce our hearts with Your soft, sweet cries.
— Bernard of Clairvaux

This is my prayer for you this Christmas. May you experience his presence. Emmanuel.

God Does Have a Plan for You, Pastor

In 1 Chronicles 11, we read that the people came together to anoint David King (vv. 1 and 4) and that David entered into a compact with them concerning his leadership.

As I thought about what took place then, I remembered that God had already chosen and anointed David to be king. God had been using him in prior assignments to prepare him. God had promised him that he would be king. The people – in time of leadership change – simply recognized God’s plan for David to be king. They recognized that their call was preceded by God’s own. They recited how God had said to David, “You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.”

The lesson in this story is particularly helpful to me as a pastor waiting God’s plan to unfold. (It is also instructive for others who are in Christian service – both lay and clergy…) Now, I know that there are some who say, “God doesn’t care where you pastor. He wants to be able to use you wherever you are.” I understand what they are saying, but what comfort to know the call of God to serve a particular body of people does not depend on man’s wisdom but on God’s will.

Let me share my prayer from this morning. I hope it will be encouraging to you:

“God you have a particular place for me to shepherd your people. You have chosen me and anointed me. You have been using me and preparing me. You have promised that that your call is irrevocable. Now, reveal to me the fulfillment of your choice and purpose of your anointing. Reveal to me and to the people who will call me for what particular assignment you have been preparing me. As you have used me in the past, so now use me in a new place. Reveal your plan also to the people who will call me. May they come together and may we make a compact which reflects your will and purpose for pastor and people.”

One other thing I noticed in this passage. God had said to David, “You will shepherd my people,” before he said, “You will become their ruler.” Before he could lead them as king, he was first to shepherd them:

• Protect
• Feed
• Care for
• Lead to pasture and living water

Only when he became their shepherd would he be able to be their leader:

• Expand and establish the kingdom
• Command the military
• Build his capital city
• Administer the kingdom

The implications for a pastor are obvious.

Hope you are having a great Christmas. God is with us!

Brave Prayer Warrior

1 Chronicles 8.40
The sons of Ulam were brave warriors who could handle the bow. They had many sons and grandsons – 150 in all..

Do you want to have many sons and grandsons in the Kingdom? Be a brave warrior who can handle the bow:

• To bear spiritual descendants in the Kingdom, we must be brave. Go where no one else will go. Face the challenges no one else will face. Do it alone if you have to.
• To have sons and grandsons in the Kingdom, we must be warriors ready to engage in “hand-to-hand combat.” Trained. Fit. Strong. Equipped. Armed. Led. Tough. Sacrificial.
• To bring many to Christ the King we must be able to handle the bow. Perhaps we should pronounce it as in bow in prayer. Send sharp arrows of intercession before we engage in face-to-face evangelism. Pray to pierce hearts. Pray for specific targets. (How many arrows are in your prayer quiver? Fervent prayer. Faithful prayer.

For the glory of Christ, win the battle for souls. Be brave! Be a warrior! Be a man or woman of prayer!

One Happy Man

1 Chronicles 7.40a
All these were descendants of Asher—heads of families, choice men, brave warriors and outstanding leaders.

In Genesis 30.13 we are told how Asher came to get his name. He brought his mother happiness and so she named him “Happy.” That’s not a bad way to be thought of, is it? One who makes others happy? One who is happy himself?

I like how the descendants of Asher are described:

1. Heads of families
2. Choice men
3. Brave warriors
4. Outstanding leaders

I wouldn’t mind being known as:

1. The head of my family – providing spiritual leadership, service and sacrifice in the manner of Jesus
2. A choice man – one worthy to be chosen – by God, by my wife, by my employer, etc.
3. A brave warrior – not one to shrink away from a challenge – even if it involves great personal cost and risk
4. An outstanding leader – out front in matters of faith and following God; distinguishing myself as one above the crowd

That would make me “one happy man.” A true descendant of Asher!

Given Responsibility and Regulations

1 Chronicles 6.31-32
These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark came to rest there. They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them.

Those who were put in charge of the music in the house of the Lord were followers who were in charge.

• In order to be “put in charge” – to be given responsibility – they needed to be good followers.
• In order to be good followers they needed to be given regulations.

If you are a leader, you would do well to remember these two thing: Give those who follow clear instructions – the regulations for their jobs, the outcomes you expect. Then step back and let them do their job in their way – put them in charge, make them responsible for the outcomes.