Faithful Unto Death

Bloggers,

Here's something that I saw as I was reading a book outside in this beautiful day today! Take a closer look at these faithful men and their characteristics:

1. Paul -- Believe in something bigger than yourself. "I have placed you as a light for the Gentiles, that you should bring salvation to the end of the earth" (Acts 13:47, NASB). He was thoroughly subservient to the will of God, and he was committed to a specific, meaningful mission. Paul had courage in the face of opposition because he had limitless horizons in his mission. He believed in himself, but he believed in something bigger than himself -- Jesus Christ and him crucified.

NIKE's comments: If you have read Paul's resume in 2 Corinthians 11:22-33, it was the difficulties, trials, obstacles that drove him furthering the Word of God! He wasn't eyeing on the problem. He was looking beyond them and fixing his eyes on lost souls. That's what drove him through and beyond the negatives.

2. Nehemiah -- Build on what God has given you. Nehemiah's leadership was built not so much on ancestry from the Jewish lineage as on faithfulness. He would build the walls of faith. He was obscure in comparison to other great Old Testament heroes, but faithfulness separated him from mediocrity in history. God has given each leader specific gifts. Some are not as visible. All are useful. Some ministers' gifts will never be acclaimed. Some ministers' lives will be spent in out-of-the-way places and unheard of names to the adoring public, but God knows. The measure of a man is faithfulness, not notoriety.

NIKE's comments: God may be calling you to do the "impossible". Do you hear His calling. When God called Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem, it would be a marvelously difficult task! Not only that he had a small band of people to rebuild it, he had neighbors who were rude, delivering threats and causing low morale during the rebuilding. This is similar to what's happening today. You have friends and family around you who may be laughing at you as you're building on God's foundation, the church. God called you to build faith, hope and love in you.

3. Joshua -- Bring the best people to the table. Joshua had been in the presence of God. "Put off thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so" (Joshua 5:15 ASV). Because of this special blessing, he was appointed as one with judicial powers and responsibilities in Joshua 14:6-15. He was courageous as indicated by the spy scenario in Numbers 13:31. He was most likely the envy of other young leaders. But Moses brought him to the table of leadership because he was the best person for the job. My guess is that he had skills Moses admired. Ministers need to bring the best people they can find to the table and then trust them to do their work. Healthy ministers encourage staff. They believe in them because they have skills that are better than their own.

NIKE's comments: This is very important. But we're in for a big challenge. We live in the Washington, D.C. area where you spend 1 1/2 hours on the road going to work, work 8 hours then another 1 1/2 hours on the road back home and you're exhausted! It's hard to find fresh and available leaders within this fast living city! 1/2 of His church at Fairfax do not take the time to attend the Wednesday night Bible Study. I believe it's very important to come together more than once a week to be fed of God's Word necessary for spiritual growth and strength. Without bible study, Satan knows their weaknesses and the Christian will never be prepared to defend him/herself against the flaming problems and crises. It's really easy to just attend worship services. 1/4 of those who attend worship service simply leave right after worship, bypassing the greatest meal a Christian must have, bible study! They don't know what they're missing out! And, as a minister, I often give my encouragement to each and every Christian to attend classes but they ramble on giving their excuses which is no excuse at all. Of course, life is full of choices. And God knows that you know which one is the right ones, even though you make the wrong one.

4. Barnabas -- Bridge the gaps of differing opinions. Barnabas was nicknamed "son of encouragement" (Acts 4:36, RSV). He bridged the gap between the Greek and Jewish worlds. Born a Cypriot and reared a Levite, he linked the Hellenistic world and the Jerusalem church. He was not an "out front" kind of person but rather stayed in the background as a fan and supporter of Paul. The most memorable aspect of effective leadership of a minister is when he has survived the polarities of differing opinions and modeled having each side respect the other.

NIKE's comments: This is a very common problem. I am not the person who easily accept a "differing doctrine" another person has. Some church practice Christianity just as close as we do. Indeed, there's no perfect churches anywhere in the world. We do the best we can to follow God's Word. God wants unity, even if there's a difference in opinions, views and interpretation. However, we must follow the Word of God at the strictest possible means. And with love. Love covers the multitudes of sins. Love drives away evil and hurts. Love brings people together. We shouldn't easily be swayed by all kinds of different teachings. My suggestion is: listen in on what others believe, make notes and seek God's counsel (Bible) for validation (if you know the Bible).

5. Moses -- Blind your eyes to petty criticism. Moses was seen as a patient leader of a people with little faith (Exodus 16:8, 16-20). They complained and whined at every inconvenience (Exodus 15:24, 16:2-3). He did get disgusted. He struck the rock and disobeyed God, but his patience had worn thin. He had had enough. The wise leader will work hard at blinding his or her eyes to the pettiness of church members' criticism. If that doesn't work, he outlasts them. Just about every pastor has "struck the rock" at one time or another, but then, like Moses, the same minister usually has the resilience to see things through.

NIKE's comments: This happens all the time. Like Israel, they simply blinded themselves to what is happening in the world, what the "other" church is doing, what they hear "sounds good" to them, and many other things leading to spiritual blindness. They failed to keep the lens of God which is the Bible. Nicodemus was a devout believer of God; a Pharisee. He came to Jesus (at night) to question him about the things Jesus taught. Nick (Nicodemus) knew Jesus came from God. However, Jesus knew Nick's heart. Even though, Nick was a devout believer of God, there was something wrong surrounding his belief. Jesus told him that he must be "born again". A devout believer of God being born again? There's something wrong with this picture. But not so with Jesus. Jesus goal was to bring Nick to the pattern of faith. Jesus looked beyond Nick's experience and knowledge into his heart. This is something every minister and servants of our Lord Jesus ought to do. Look beyond people's criticism into their heart and help them examine their own hearts.

6. Elijah -- Bind the ties of love and courage. Today's nomenclature calls it tough love. Some call it a tough mind and a tender heart. Elijah had both. He loved God. He had the courage to speak to the evils of his day. Where is your God? he asked. "Perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened" (1 Kings 18:27, RSV). His sarcasm showed his disdain for those who had forsaken God. In every effective leader's life, there is a time for love but also a time for courage. Effective leaders have the courage to speak even when it is unpopular to speak because they speak the truth with love.

NIKE's comments: Many of us do not like "reproach", "rebuke", "criticism", "admonishment". When people resent them, it appears to me that they may still have problems with "pride". There's no humility in them. Their devotion to God and Jesus with joy and love masked over the "hidden pride". A sister in Christ of mine quoted this Scripture to one of our brother in Christ regarding accepting discipline, criticism and reproof. "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid." Proverbs 12:1 (niv) Now, don't get me wrong. There will be others out there who will take advantage of "reproaching/criticizing" their fellow Christians for personal gain. It's the "guilty" against the "innocent". "Better is open rebuke Than love that is concealed." Proverbs 27:5 (niv) Speak the truth with love. Rebuke others (if you see that sin has been done) with love and careful instruction.

7. Peter -- Bounce back after you are knocked down. In Matthew 16, Peter was seen as both a "rock" and a "stumbling block." He was both blessed and disgraced almost in the same breath. Discouraged by the disapproval of Jesus, yet blessed by the warmth and affection of Jesus, Peter was down but not out. Resilience may be the cornerstone of effective leadership. You get knocked down, but you bounce back.

NIKE's comments: If you're down, get up! You may experience the #6 comments and feel that you were put down by your fellow brother or sister in Christ. But don't be dismayed. Don't be discouraged. Instead of looking toward them and their rebuke with disgust, look at them as if "love" is overflowing from them. If you re-read Proverbs 27:6, it's better to openly rebuke Christians whom have sinned than to not rebuke them for they are "concealing" their love for you. When I spank my child, I spank them with love, not with hatred. I rebuke them with love. If I don't, then they don't know the "rebuking love". That's why I'm so thankful for my mom and dad as they "reared" me. Even though, there are memories of sore bottoms, it's a reminder of their love for me.