Careful Approach

Careful Approach

Genesis 44: ¹⁸ Then Judah came near to him and said: “O my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s hearing, and do not let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even like Pharaoh. ¹⁹ My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father or a brother?’ ²⁰ And we said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, who is young; his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother’s children, and his father loves him.’ ²¹ Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.’ ²² And we said to my lord, ‘The lad cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’ ²³ But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more.’

 

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Reluctantly, Israel allowed Benjamin to go to Egypt with his brothers to fulfil the terms of Joseph. Judah said he would be responsible for Benjamin and would return with him. But Joseph had his silver cup hidden in Benjamin’s sack. Judah had to respond to the difficult situation.

 

My Observations:

• Judah recognized Joseph’s position and acknowledged his role.
• Judah chose his words carefully when recapping Joseph’s request of them to bring Benjamin to Egypt.
• Judah mentioned that he and his brothers are servants so Joseph would not get placed on guard.

 

Tense situations need a careful approach that may include humbling yourself. Judah saw a situation that could not be won by blaming Joseph or by not admitting to what happened. Even though the situation was manufactured, Judah recapped the situation in a way that would possibly help Joseph hear his plea.

 

Judah was humble, thoughtful and very cautious with his words. This was a dire situation that required him to grow tremendously. He had to speak up for his brother and show respect to Joseph. GOD saw this exchange of words and was changing everyone.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about Judah’s careful approach?
• What things are you trying to get that you are possibly blaming others versus adjusting your approach?
• Are there some ways to your approach that could use some humble adjustments that need courage from GOD?

Apron of Humility

Apron of Humility

1 Peter 5: ⁵ In the same way you younger people must submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, “God resists the proud, but shows favor to the humble.” ⁶ Humble yourselves, then, under God's mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. ⁷ Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.

 

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“You are pretty good at this” were the words I loved to hear. I became more confident and took on more and more challenges. Soon I was “very good” in my own mind and wanted to make some demands or even leave for something better. After applying outside and not getting the position I had to tone down my demands.

 

• I had become demanding.
• I had become a bit arrogant.
• I had forgotten that I knew nothing when I first started out.

 

Peter turns to new believers to provide advice to them. They may have desired a higher position within serving, so he suggests taking a humble approach. He implied having patience by saying “HE will lift you up in HIS own good time.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD resists my pride, but shows me favor when I humble myself.
• GOD changes my heart when I practice serving others.
• GOD raises me up in HIS time, not mine.

 

Demanding that GOD “make me a leader right here and now” could come from a wrong heart. I mean, I may want to be a leader so “I” can take on the challenges I see fit. When I run into issues, I can simply call on GOD to beat up my enemies and fix all my problems. Unfortunately, HE doesn’t seem to work that way.

 

HE sees my heart and if it is full of pride, resists my efforts. But when I humble myself and ask HIM, “Is this wat YOU want?”, HE gets excited. HE then tells me to “leave all my worries with HIM” because HE cares for me. I am glad GOD takes care of me and raises me up in HIS time.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer emphasize serving one another?
• Have you ever thought you would do a better job than your leaders?
• Will you examine yourself to see if there are any opportunities to wear the “apron of humility” by following those put in leadership, whether you agree with HIS leadership appointment or not?

Awarded Honor

 

Awarded Honor

Hebrews 5: ⁵ In the same way, Christ did not take upon himself the honor of being a high priest. Instead, God said to him,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father.”
⁶ He also said in another place,
“You will be a priest forever,
    in the priestly order of Melchizedek.”

 

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“You need to brand yourself to be noticed” was the advice given to me. In the middle of all the noise, people were trying to teach me how to “manage upward” and to “self-promote” to get noticed by the higher ups so I could be pulled up to their level.

 

• I wanted to be noticed.
• I wanted to be promoted.
• I wanted to gain power.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, spoke about the humility of JESUS. Infinite power and the highest title was not the goal of JESUS, rather HE took the lowest form and served humanity. GOD awarded HIM with the “honor” anyway.

 

My Observations

• GOD said “the first will be last and the last will be first.
• Sometimes when I think “I” should be elevated I really should take a step back and focus on serving.
• Serving others give me the leadership style GOD wants me to have.

 

Titles, power and fame are holes I can fall into easily. I mean, I can seek “likes” on social media, or a title in a company or business and be recognized by the world as being “successful.” BUT GOD sees success in a different way.

 

JESUS gave the best example of being successful. HE died for the sins of mankind even though HE was innocent and did not sin. HE then served humanity by sending the HOLY SPIRIT to comfort us, instead of scolding us. HE went away to build a permanent place for us even though we don’t deserve it. I am glad HE did all of this with love for me and you in mind.

 

Challenge

• What honor is the writer speaking about?
• Have you ever wanted to be noticed or elevated to a higher status?
• Will you seek that GOD wants for you and not worry about what people think about you or the title you have?

Will

Will

Philippians 2: ⁸ He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death—
    his death on the cross.
⁹ For this reason God raised him to the highest place above
    and gave him the name that is greater than any other name.
¹⁰ And so, in honor of the name of Jesus
    all beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below
    will fall on their knees,
¹¹ and all will openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

 

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Walking into a quiz was a surprise to me. I had missed the previous class that announced the quiz and was unprepared. I walked out and applied for an extension to take the quiz the following week. During that week, I felt like giving up. I was asked to go to a party. “I wonder if I should” I thought to myself.

 

• I was discouraged and felt like giving up.
• I wanted to finish, but was easily distracted by people and circumstances.
• I felt alone with no guidance.

 

Paul continues to describe what JESUS did after becoming a human. He talked about the humility and obedience JESUS carried as HIS normal way of living. HE could have said, “I AM GOD, so you better do as I say.” But HE never uttered those words. Instead HE remained obedient all the way to death.

 

My Observations

• My “will” can cause me to lose focus of “GOD’s will.”
• GOD wants me to align my desires to HIS “will” so I can see true success.
• One day I “will” bow my knees and proclaim JESUS is LORD.

 

“Will” can mean leaving stuff to people, an act of kindness, a strong desire or a future state of being. All of these definitions were fulfilled by GOD through JESUS. HE gave everything to HIM because of HIS obedience and humility. JESUS showed immense kindness to HIS creation, even though they hated HIM. HE was determined to accomplish HIS task and walked with perfection, though tempted at every decision.

 

One day all “will” fall on our knees and all “will” openly proclaim that JESUS CHRIST is LORD. Whether we like it or not, it “will” be revealed to us who JESUS really is. I am thankful GOD enables me to do HIS “will” by giving me the HOLY SPIRIT. I believe what JESUS did was necessary.

 

Challenge

• What is the writer amazed about?
• Have you ever wanted to be noticed for your title or accomplishments or some other status?
• Have you ever been forced to submit to authority when someone you did not like received a title?
• “Will” you openly and “willingly” point your life to JESUS without any expectation and begin proclaiming that HE IS LORD today?

Quiet Healer

Mark 1: ²⁹ As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. ³⁰ Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. ³¹ So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

³² That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. ³³ The whole town gathered at the door, ³⁴ and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

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“I’m going to really go fast this time” I thought to myself. As I stepped on the pedal, my pant leg got caught in between the sprocket and the chain of my bike. All I could do was cry. One of my neighbors came out, freed my pants from the relentless grip and rolled the pant leg up so I could ride continuously. I thanked him but he did not say much at all. I never saw him brag about it.

• Sometimes I need help.
• Sometimes I feel like crying out.
• Sometimes I need a healer or a comforter, or someone who can solve my problem.

JESUS was that quiet healer. HE healed thousands of people in this passage but what is intriguing to me is HE told the demons to be quiet because they knew who HE truly was. The timing probably wasn’t right to let people know HE was and is GOD so HE thanklessly served the people.

• JESUS protects me without thanks from me.
• JESUS heals me even when I am complaining.
• JESUS guides me to a better place even when I have freshly sinned.

Not once is it mentioned that JESUS scolded anyone for getting sick or demon possessed. HE simply showed compassion on the people without bragging about who HE was and is. JESUS is my quiet healer.

• Are you in trouble?
• Do you feel like crying out?
• Can you recognize all the times JESUS quietly brought you out of trouble without your thanks?
• Will you thank JESUS today?