Journal June 23, 2013

"The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."  (Ecl. 12:13)

It seems for me days move through weeks and months, responsibilities and projects are engaged and become a memory. What is life?  If substance is centered around my thoughts and experiences, albeit good,  something is very wrong.

Solomon was a great builder and writer, during his tenure of wise leadership the country prospered to become the envy of other nations. He was a man of  extreme talents and contrasts, of wisdom and vanity, empire building and vanity, justice and vanity, pleasures and vanity...what did this get him?

Ecclesiastes is the reflections of an old man near the end of his life who  is evaluating the purpose and meaning of life, and  looking back saw the futility of chasing after plans, pleasures, and big projects.

For eleven chapters the wise preacher bears upon us the vanities of life, wisdom, labor, and self pleasure. He leaves a negative view of life; implying it is vain, purposeless, and hopeless.

In the last chapter he nails down  - Follow your creator from your youth, seek the words given by the Shepherd and firmly fix them inside.  The wise man's last exhortation:  "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."

With no exceptions, everything of eternal value and  every meaning and purpose in life centers on relationships -  with God and with people.  All other centering is vanity.

Journal April 5, 2013

Pasay, Manila, Philippines

"I am the one who knows, and I am a witness, declares The Lord."   Jer. 29:23

It is not infrequent that I hear someone say, "God told me or God said, to do this or that." Words are powerful and choosing proper spoken words are important for they reveal our personhood. Often we may sense His will because we are familiar with His word and His nature. Whereas "God said," is an absolute statement, "I sense," leaves room for human error.  With wisdom it is safe to share what we sense.

When we relate with God in contrition and humility, we subject ourself to Him with love and guard our actions and words. The prayer of David in Ps. 19:14 is a good example: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."

Presumptuous speaking comes through human initiatives.  Wise speaking comes from the presence of the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit.

Inconsistencies are the result of thinking and speaking from the human soul. Jeremiah 27 - 29 are dire examples of men who spoke with human mind using God's name.  It was called "rebellion against The Lord,"( Jer. 28:16-17, 29:19,21,32).

Presumptuous speaking shows  an absence of the fear of the Lord and humble dependency upon Him for life and holiness. It is sin if we presume we are blameless of great transgression - forgetting we need the savior.  Be alert to this person and their words, for many false prophets are around deceiving many in their pride, saying, "Thus says The Lord, " (Ps. 19:12-13).

History reproduces itself. The wise person will not be duped.

Journal May 4, 2013

At Dibungko, Isabela, Philippines      

Faith and patience are necessary elements for success individually and in the body of Christ. Are we irritated by delays and obstacles, seeing them as hampering our task or a discomfort? This could be a  test. "Search me, O God and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!" (Ps 139:23)

Was the corruption, or weather over the mountains, or mechanical failure unknown to God and somehow we got caught because God was sleeping and neglected to prevent the circumstance facing us? No. In real  time He sovereign over ever detail, in every person, every living creature, and every natural act on earth!  Believing this is faith! . . .  and freedom over anxiety!

We will inherit what God has promised by our faith and patience. The challenges experienced, learned, and applied along the way are invaluable lessons.  "Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised." (Heb. 10:35-36)  A good leader will embrace the challenges with patience and wisdom for He knows God!

A leader leads. How do we lead whom we lead? By Gods virtues of peace, grace, patience, love, etc? Or human responses of anger, frustration, impatience, dominance, etc? Bottom line: Every success can be traced to a leadership success and every failure to a leadership failure.

Patience is a virtue of God. It is part of His infinite personality and who He naturally is in us. Like all of Himself it is powerful when intentionally applied in our life and necessary for success.  Don't be surprised or react when tested, instead engage it, for He is our Father and He guides us perfectly!

Are we imperturbable?