Your Faith – April 1, 2009

Your Faith

2 Corinthians 1:24

Jim Stephens

04-01-09

 

Scripture:

 

But that does not mean we want to tell you exactly how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy as you stand firm in your faith. (2 Corinthians 1:24 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

How do you exercise authority without dominating and controlling?  Paul said that his exercise of authority was not to control how the Corinthians lived out their faith but as partners, working alongside, influencing the development of the Corinthians’ own faith.  I read a quote from Brian Houston this morning on Twitter:  “Strong leaders listen. It’s weak leaders that dictate.”

 

Application:

 

This applies to anyone in authority.  Eugene Peterson writes in his introduction to 2 Corinthians in the Message translation of the Bible; “Because leadership is necessarily an exercise of authority, it easily shifts into an exercise of power.  But the minute it does that it begins to inflict damage on both the leader and the led.”

 

Prayer:

 

Father, help me to understand the difference between authority and power, between influence and control, and to carefully walk the fine line between the wise use of authority to build and develop others and the unwise use of power to control and hold others back.  Amen.

The Way We Act – November 16, 2008

The Way We Act

2 Corinthians 6:3

Jim Stephens

11-16-08

 

Scripture:

 

We try to live in such a way that no one will be hindered from finding the Lord by the way we act, and no so one can find fault with our ministry. (2 Corinthians 6:3 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

Paul was anything but a people pleaser, yet he was constantly on guard lest something he said or did would hinder a seeker from believing in Jesus Christ.  He believed he had unlimited freedom in his faith but he limited himself for the sake of others.

 

Application:

 

One of the scriptures I read as a personal prayer every day is from a prayer David prayed in Psalm 69:5-6…  O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you.  Don’t let those who trust in you stumble because of me, O sovereign Lord Almighty.  Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated, O God of Israel.  (Psalm 69:5-6 NLT)

 

With freedom comes the responsibility for wise choices and good behavior.  With influence comes some degree of responsibility for the choices other people make.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, may I live so that no one will be hindered from finding faith by the way I act.  May I live so that others will be influenced to make right and wise choices.  Amen.

 

Friend At Court – October 6, 2008

Friend At Court

Esther 10:3

Jim Stephens

10-06-08

 

Scripture:

 

Mordecai the Jew became the prime minister, with authority next to that of King Xerxes himself. He was very great among the Jews, who held him in high esteem, because he continued to work for the good of his people and to speak up for the welfare of all their descendants.  (Esther 10:3 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

Mordecai was a Jew.  Throughout the story he is identified as a Jew, a man of his people.  His convictions as a Jew prevented him from bowing to Prince Haman.  His full identification with the Jews caused Haman to plot the genocide of all Jews because of his hatred for Mordecai.

 

And when Mordecai rose to a position of power and influence, he remained a Jew.  He used his position and his influence to work for the good of his people and to be the voice of all the Jews and their descendants at the royal court.  One translation of this verse says “he was a friend at court for all of them.”

 

Application:

 

I want to use my influence and abilities to be a blessing to others.  Through prayer, I can be the voice for people who don’t yet have a relationship with “The King.”  I can be their friend at court.  I can speak up for the needs and concerns of those who don’t have an opportunity to speak up for themselves.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, please show me how to use my influence to work for the good of my people – of your people.  Please help me to be their “friend at court.”  Amen.