Coffee With The Lord

During my time of “coffee with the Lord” today I read a wonderful passage in the Bible – a passage that addresses leadership – 1 Peter 5.1-5.

“And now, a word to you who are elders [leaders] in the churches… As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly – not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor… And all of you… serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.” (New Living Translation)

I have a doctorate in leadership… I can tell you there are all kinds of leaders and leadership styles… Transactional, autocratic, bureaucratic, charismatic, democratic-participative, laissez-faire, task-oriented, people/relations-oriented, transformational and servant-leadership! And the list could go on…

This passage, however appeals for a “JESUS-STYLE” OF LEADERSHIP” – the style of “the Great Shepherd.” Here’s what Jesus said…

“I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me… I sacrifice my life for the sheep.” (From John 10:11-15 NLT)

I WANT TO BE THAT KIND OF LEADER! I need that kind of leader! And as a follower of Jesus, I HAVE THAT KIND OF LEADER!

Here’s something that has troubled me… and I’m sure has bothered you, as well… “I saw ‘UNDER THE SUN’ [that’s “this side of heaven” – in the world where we live today]… that in the place of justice [i.e. in the court system], EVEN THERE was wickedness!  And in the place of righteousness [where you would expect righteous living – houses of worship], EVEN THERE was wickedness!  I said in my heart, GOD WILL JUDGE the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work!” (Ecclesiastes 3:16-17 ESV)

THANKSGIVING… What would you say is the best way to express it to God?

In the Bible, this inspired phrase is used over and over again and becomes THE STANDARD FOR THANKSGIVING! …

“OH GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!” (ESV)

Consider this…

It became the “STANDARD BIBLICAL” phrase to encourage giving of thanks… Check out these passages where it is used! 1 Chronicles 16:8-36 (esp. vss. 34, 41); 2 Chronicles 5:13-14; 7:1-3; 20:20-22; Ezra 3:10-11; Psalm 100:1-5; 106:1-2; 107:1-32 (esp. vss. 1-3, 31-32); 118:1-29 (esp. vss. 1-4, 28-29); 136:1-26 (esp. vss. 1-3, 26 and each “His steadfast love endures forever!) and finally Jeremiah 33:10-13!

It summarizes WHAT God does that is worthy of thanks… all the wonderful things He does… He is “GOOD!”

It also captures WHO God is… His very character that makes Him worthy of thanksgiving – His “steadfast love,” His mercy,” His “grace,” His “lovingkindness” that endures forever! (All these are translations of the Hebrew word “Hesed”) It describes God’s covenant keeping love! (Check out Psalm 103:8-13, 17-18; Lamentations 3:21-23; and Romans 8:35-39)

And what are we urged to do? … “OH GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD!”

What am I going to do? I’m going to make it my sincere, heartfelt, “THANKSGIVING MANTRA” on this “Thanksgiving Day” (and every day and occasion that I have an opportunity!!!