Posted by: pastorapbell | August 4, 2010

as we obey the commands of those God places over us and follow the vision

Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!” (Joshua 1:16-18 NIV).

The generic nature of humanity is to be rebellious, however those who are called and come into the kingdom of God are encouraged to be obedient but also to become a critical friend. As we mature we recognise that God does speak to those he has placed in authority. This authority is not a ‘dictatorship’, therefore a leader must also be strong and courageous but one who courts counsel.

All leaders need governance and people who can reign them in should they become autocratic. Although the Lord appeared to those who were in the company of Moses in his time, he spoke to Moses directly. So the 70 elders who ate and drank in the presence of the Lord saw some of his glory but never had face to face contact with him (Ex. 24:9-11). Similarly with Joshua, God directs him about what to do which he relays to the elders who in turn relays it to the people.

without vision people fail

Progressive leadership ensures that continuity is maintained and also that the vision is fulfilled. From our reading today we see that once the vision is shared, the elders are committed to obeying what God is telling their leaders and to go where God is taking them.

Today, obedience is imperative for all those who want to fulfil the purposes of God in their lifetime. We are all called as servants so find your place and serve, but be strong and very courageous.

Read Joshua 3

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Posted by: pastorapbell | August 3, 2010

as we prepare for possession

So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own.’”  (Joshua 1:10-11).

Progressive leaders are those who make good preparation. Unless we prepare properly, we will never succeed in our preferred aims.  Joshua was coming to the culmination of more than 500 years of promises. God had promised Abraham that his descendants would occupy their own space in the fullness of time. However, after being in slavery for over 400 years, the people needed a change in their minds to comprehend what they were now receiving tangibly.

Joshua ordered the people to prepare themselves. Get ready to cross over. Once they crossed over they would then fight off all those who are in possession of ‘their land’.

Today, prepare your mind for what God is doing in these last days. Once we are prepared, that is our minds are ready then we can take possession of what he ordained in the first place, then we can cross over.

Read Joshua 2

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Posted by: pastorapbell | August 2, 2010

as we realise the promises and allow them to ‘come to pass’

“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go (Joshua 1:6&7).

don't let it die, pass it on

God is a God of continuity. Having selected Joshua from a young age, the time was now right for him to fulfil his potential. God had informed Moses that he would not cross over; however, he would see the Promised Land from a mountain near his burial place (Deut. 34). So the weight of leadership was firmly placed on Joshua’s shoulders. Even though he was a mature man he still needed encouragement. God encouraged him thus: be strong and courageous (v.6) and again, be strong and very courageous (v.7 & 9).

Every leader needs encouragement, checks and balances. Although Joshua was the figurehead, Moses had setup a council of elders to ensure that the chosen leader acted with integrity and not as a tyrant. Joshua was commanded by the Lord not to neglect the ‘word’ but to meditate on it every day so that he would have great success.

So today, for any organisation or ministry to progress, it must invest in leadership at an early stage to take it to the next level. It is all about laying the foundations for success. Moses invested time and effort in Joshua and at the end of his life placed his hands on him and imparted all of his anointing to him. Joshua gained wisdom from watching Moses spending time with God and hearing the words from God. His faith was highly developed because he heard the word. Remember, faith comes from hearing the word.

Today if you are a leader or an emerging leader develop the skills to:

            Listen

            Observe and

            Emulate

Joshua was able to do what Moses did and more! So can you.

Read Joshua 1:10-18

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Posted by: pastorapbell | August 1, 2010

as we prepare to embrace the NEW!

After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses” (Joshua 1:1-3 NIV).

Great leaders are great followers

As we start the month of August we are going to explore the business of progressive leadership as a means of fulfilling what God has ordained. As we set the scene let us reflect on one of the greatest biblical characters, Moses. He was the one charged with leading God’s people out of bondage to a place where they could worship without the shackles of slavery and oppression. God placed Moses in the palace of Pharaoh so that 80 years later he could go and contend with him about God’s people. To develop the people of God we need to identify leaders who are available, pliable, and quick to learn and ready to serve to take the vision forward.

Moses found these qualities in Joshua and from a young age mentored and trained him for his role. As we develop this dialogue we will see how Joshua copes with this new role and what the outcome was as he obeyed and believed Yahweh, the God of all flesh.

So, today as you reflect, ask yourself this question, who is mentoring me and who am I mentoring? Keep yourself above reproach and do what God has called you to do!

Read Joshua 1

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Posted by: pastorapbell | July 31, 2010

as we cherish the partner that God provides

 Do not spend your strength on women, your vigour on those who ruin kings lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:3, 5, 9 NIV).

It is ironic that the majority of this part of the wisdom literature is written or edited by one of the wisest man that ever lived and this is the advice he gives: Don’t spend your strength on women because it will lead you to ruination. Thanks for the advice Solomon, are you speaking from personal experience then?  Of course he was.

women was the king's achilles heel

He  had 700 wives and 300 concubines (1Kings 11:3)! Although he was regarded as the wisest man in his generation, wisdom must be underpinned with the other virtues that are a necessary part of the godly person’s character, [patience, longsuffering, kindness, love, faith and so on].  What this shows us is that every one of us has our weakness and if this weakness is not addressed then it will lead to our ruin.

Solomon was the king and had a penchant for beautiful women. However after all these women, riches, houses and land he concludes that it is all vanity!

His foreign wives led him astray and he ended up worshipping their gods, thereby breaking the first commandment. As an old man and in reflective mode he says this, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate” (v.30&31).

Beauty is only skin deep, it is the character of an individual that really matters. Those with white skin sit under uv lamps to get dark, whilst those with dark skin use peroxide and all sort of cream to get light skin. Those with short hear buy put-ins and those with long hair put caustic in it to make it crinkly!

We all have come short of what God requires of us. So we should all become proverbs 31 people.  Fear the Lord and develop character not external beauty!

Read Proverbs 31

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Posted by: pastorapbell | July 30, 2010

as we put our wisdom gained into perspective

I am the most ignorant of men; I do not have a man’s understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar (Proverbs 30:2, 3, 5 &6 NIV).

choose your advisors well

Today we hear from one of the royal advisors. An advisor is one who is reflective and considers things carefully before putting them in the public domain. Once they are there they cannot be retracted. So he sets the expectations of his hearers very low. He predicates his musings with the facts that:

  1. He is ignorant and
  2. He has no understanding and finally
  3. He has no wisdom.

By doing this he moves the focus from himself and places it firmly and squarely on God. So he continues; every word of God is flawless. That is every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God is what the individual lives by (Matt 4:4). Note that is not every word about God, but every word from God himself. God is the one who proffers knowledge. It is he who gives knowledge to those who asks for it. At a time when crucial decisions are to be made there are people about like the men of Issachar who have understanding of the times, knows what their country ought to do and tells the rest of the people (1 Chronicles 12:32).

Once we are classified as wise let us put things into perspective. After 40 years of being trained in the best schools, learning from the most advanced nation in the world, Moses asks God for someone to speak on his behalf because he is not eloquent (Exo 4:10ff). This shows us that although we may understand all mysteries, and can move mountains with our faith, if we do not have the love and humility to humble ourselves, we are nothing.

Today, remember that there is always more to learn and the greatest teacher is the Holy Spirit who points us the Jesus who tells us he does nothing without the father first sanctioning it.

Read Proverbs 30

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Posted by: pastorapbell | July 28, 2010

as we heed reproof and become a person of vision

stiff neck, broken head

He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he (Proverbs 29:1, 2 & 18 KJV).  

A stiff necked person will find that their head does not go where it should. The head is controlled by the neck just as the ship is controlled by the sail and how it catches the wind. Stubbornness is a recipe for disaster. Those who are stubborn usually do not want to listen to advice and end up experiencing the good, the bad and the very bad that life throws at them.

A wise person listens to those who have gone on ahead and learns from their experience and wisdom. This is why vision is so important. Vision is insight and it allows the individual to chart a course of purpose and destiny so that the will of God can be fulfilled in their lives. A fool is someone, who although they may be academically qualified, has no insight or intuition about the things of God, his purpose and destiny for their lives.

Today, if you were stiff-necked and have suffered hardship; repent and ask the Lord to forgive you and receive your restoration. This season is a time of healing deliverance and restoration. Claim yours today and allow the Lord to massage your neck so that he can direct your head.

Read Proverbs 29

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Posted by: pastorapbell | July 28, 2010

Words to live by for Wednesday 28th 2010 as we contrast the outcome for the fool and the wise

The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order. A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe (Proverbs 28:1, 2, 25 &26 NIV).

trust like a little child

Unless what we do is done in humility, then we are seeking to vaunt ourselves. Our sage tells us that someone who is wicked runs away even when no one is pursuing them. This indicates that they are anxious and in panic mode.  When we do something that is wrong there is always the tendency to worry and fret about who will find out. We know deep down what is just and what is unjust. We know intuitively that stealing is wrong, for example, so when we plan and execute the theft we are always looking over our shoulders.  On the contrary, when we are honest, we sleep at nights and our sleep is sweet. The righteous then is someone who recognises justice and fairness and acts accordingly. The boldness being talked about suggests that the righteous man has nothing to hide and can reveal his ‘books’ to any accountant for scrutiny.

Our sage suggests in several places today that we learn to trust in the Lord. Trust is putting all your confidence in someone or something. Fools put their confidence in themselves and their riches, but the wise person puts their confidence in the Lord.

Today, trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding alone (Proverbs 3: 5-6 paraphrased).  

Read Proverbs 28

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Posted by: pastorapbell | July 27, 2010

as we live for today and plan for tomorrow

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips. As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another (Proverbs 27:1, 2&17 NIV).

we need each other

Every one of us must remember that tomorrow is not promised. Sometimes we operate like we are here forever, amassing wealth, treading on those around us, using people and neglecting to give glory to the maker of heaven and earth.

So our teacher warns us that tomorrow is not guaranteed and that self praise is no recommendation. This should be when wisdom kicks in.  If we want to aspire to be what God has called us to be and to fulfil his purposed for our lives, then we need the input of others. So he reminds us that just as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.  That is, all of us need to be accountable to someone. We all need someone with whom we can share our deepest hurt and how greatest achievement. Every human being needs significance, security and love. No one is an island and however far we have gone down the road thinking that we can achieve everything on our own we all need each other.

Today, please remember that tomorrow is not promised: so tell someone you love them today, do a good deed today, do something for someone else today.

Read Proverbs 27

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Posted by: pastorapbell | July 26, 2010

as we avoid the tag of ‘fool’

Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honour is not fitting for a fool. Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. A whip for the horse, a halter for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools! Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself (Proverbs 26:1-4 NIV).

depicted as a fool

The people we associate with determine how we are perceived by the world. An old Jamaican proverb says ‘show me your company and I’ll tell you who you are’. The contradiction of the above is clear to see. Snow does not usually fall in summer nor does it usually rain in harvest time. However, as our sage describes, a fool will be wise in his or her own eyes. This is what distinguishes someone who is foolish from someone who is wise.

Here are some characteristics of fools:

–          They cut of their nose to spite their faces!

–          They return to their folly even after long sessions of counselling

–          They lack routine in their lives

–          They are incessant liars

Today our sage is giving us some insight of how to avoid remaining in a position where you can be categorised as a fool.

  1. Listen to advice and implement the changes that are recommended
  2. Listen twice as much as you speak, this is why we have two ears and one mouth
  3. Associate with people who have achieved and learn their secrets
  4. Be disciplined in all that you do
  5. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes

Wisdom is underpinned by humility; arrogance drives away from you those who came to help.

Read Proverbs 26

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