Psalm 112:1

Psalm 128:1

As we continue our look into God’s expectations of us, in the second part of the series: Our Marching Orders; let us zero in on two meaningful scriptures which I believe outline for us men, the path we need all be taking as we seek to live out our daily lives to glorify and honor God.

First of all as we look in the book of Psalms and more specifically in the hundred twelfth chapter; verse one: the psalmist is saying to each of us: Blessed is the man who “fears” the Lord. Simply put the man who worships, holds in high regard and abides by his commands will be a man who will be truly blessed. Does that mean one who follows in this manner will be free from trials or tribulations? Hardly so I can assure each of you.

Secondly as we look at the one hundred and twenty-eighth chapter in the book of Psalms; verse one, the psalmist states the following. “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways”. The author states that those who follow God’s way, will find love, ways to serve others, honesty, integrity and exude a lifestyle surrounded by prayer.

Likewise, daily reading God’s word helps to take the road we each travel from being hectic and harried, to helpful and even at times heavenly.

Do you want to honor God with your daily word and walk? Then I must ask you three simple questions to ascertain who and what influences you? First, whom do you spend your time with? Secondly, who or what influences you the most? Third, and most importantly; is it God your focus or are unhealthy relationship(s) permeating your daily walk? Answering these three questions honestly and truthfully, can go a long way toward determining how solid your foundation in God is. Anything less than total surrender, will bring one many occasional bumps in the road of life.

As we each seek to follow the daily marching orders we have been given in God’s word, I implore you to take a good and hard look at the questions I gave you to see where each of you stand.

I pray each of you will take it to heart what I have written and if you are weak in any of the questions, take the necessary steps to correct yourself and be able to walk daily in a Christ-like manner as we are commanded to do.

Until next week, I pray you will take to heart what has been written here and seek to truly glorify God with the marching orders He has given you.

Walking with you,

Micah 6:8

As a young boy, I like many, wanted to be liked and have friends. As a result, many of my actions today I am not too proud to remember. If I can speak honestly, I did them to be liked, get attention and I was successful on all accounts. Yet one situation from my younger days, sticks out in my mind as having a real correlation to this week’s scripture verse.

On my way home from school one afternoon, I was goaded into breaking a street-side fire alarm box (yes, I know many of you don’t even know what I am talking about but there are a few of you who do). Well I did exactly what I should not have done and pretty soon off in the distance, I could hear the faint roar of a fire truck coming toward us. Scared and afraid, I ran all the way home and hid in my room, under my bed. Little did I know that one of my so-called friends, came to my house to report my misdeed.

When my parents returned from being away, I thought for sure I was going to led right out back to the woodshed. Yet my fears were never realized as my father took me to the exact fire station here the call had come into and I got a talking to by the Fire Chief, who was a friend of my father’s. The Chief was a strong Christian. He told me that my actions were not in good standing with the way God would have me to carry myself. He further told me when I got home, to look up in my Bible a verse in Micah. He told me the verse was Micah 6:8 and to take it to heart. When I got home, I looked up the Bible verse and I decided right then and there to leave behind the way I had been previously walking. Not a cross word was ever spoken to me by my father. He did not need to speak. It had already been spoken through another man’s words and most importantly the Bible.  Nothing more needed to be said. It was up to me to follow through.
As we look at the passage, the prophet Micah of the Old Testament, is telling the people of Jerusalem and Samaria of their impending devastation and God’s forthcoming judgment against the false prophets and leaders who were taking the people of Israel down a road they needn’t go. Much like the Fire Chief was for me, the prophet Micah was likewise for the nation of Israel. The prophet Micah gave the people the same words the Fire Chief gave me many, many years later. I want us to really pay attention here to what is being said.

Micah 6:8:

“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God”.

What is the prophet Micah saying here? He was giving all of us (especially us men) our “marching orders”. He is telling us what God expects from us and He expects no less.

Is this easy for all of us?  Hardly so I would expect, no it’s not that easy. But those are the marching orders we have been given. It is up to us whether we want to follow them or not.

So until next week, seek to put one foot in front of the other and follow the marching orders we have been given. I know I will be trying day-by-day.I pray the same for each of you.

Walking with you,

Job 1: 12-19
As we finish our study this week, on looking internally into the mirror, I would like to zero in on critical aspects which we as men need to attend to if we are going to be a success in our work, as well as in our home.  Initially, I would like to focus in on our home life by asking the simple question; if you are married: how are things between you and your wife? Are you taking the time to really give her your best or just the leftovers? Secondly, are you taking the time to have significant conversations with her and about her and not just about the children? She needs to vent about her disappointments, irritations just as much as you. You also need to be seeking to connect with her with your prayer life and your life with Christ together. These conversations, relationship builders and prayer time build trust, intimacy and a bond which keeps the two of you together even in the stormiest of seas.

With your children, are you giving them encouragement, time (both quantity but more importantly quality) values, teaching them about their future and their own spiritual life. Do you pray with them and for them? There is a real correlation between families that pray together and staying together. I believe this to be true.

Are you a good shepherd with the financial resources you have been entrusted with: spending, saving and especially tithing? Are you physically as well as emotionally at home?
How is your life at work going? Are you leaving it at the office or bringing some of it home? Are you tempted to act in a negative manner against a co-worker or possibly partake in an action which might lead to negative consequences toward your career or your family life?

Do you sense you are where God wants you to be: spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally or financially? If any of these are out of whack you might want to get some professional help to get back on track. Are your thoughts pure and God centered or are you hiding a secret or two? Again, if this is the case, it is best to get some professional help to get yourself back on course, living the way you should. Are you being of service to another, showing mercy as God has clearly showed you? Have you done something this week, which will go unnoticed by everyone, except the person(s) you did it for. What are your priorities? Are they God-centered or self-centered? Better to be thinking of others then always thinking of what is best for you.

Would another call you a man of integrity, honesty and morals? Honestly known in such a manner is worth more to you than a million dollars in the bank. Because in the end, all you really have is your good name. Money and position are fleeting and can be gone in an instant. A great example is in the life of Job. He had everything one could want. Yet within a few seconds, it was all gone with the exception of his faith in God. He is a great example to follow.

As we spoke of last week, are you willing to risk yourself to another, in a transparent and accountable relationship? Too many times in my own life those I have counted on as accountability partners have seen the real me and saved me from getting into situations if I had proceeded, I would later regret. They have been a true life saver.

Lastly, is the man people see in public, is he the same man you know when no one is in looking? It is much harder to walk the straight and narrow than taking the easier and more self-centered route.

Until next week, I will be walking right alongside, encouraging you to act in a manner you know is the right, rather than the easy way. Keep looking in the mirror, it will show you the real you.

Walking along side you,

As we get ready to start a new week, I have a question to ask each of you. What is one of the first things we as men do, in getting ready for the week ahead? That’s right we look in the mirror, most likely in the bathroom. Looking daily in the mirror, is part of part of our everyday routine. We wash our face, brush our teeth or check to see we have it all together, externally that is.

I would like to ask you to take it one step further. As we check ourselves out externally, we should also look in the mirror to check ourselves internally. You ask what does that mean. It is really quite simple. As you are in front of the bathroom mirror, you might ask yourself a few questions leading to a better understanding of where you are emotionally, physically, mentally and most importantly spiritually. I like to call this part “checking my oil”.

You might start by asking yourself the following; in checking your spiritual condition. Have you been blessed this week? What is going right in your life? On the flip side you might consider determining if anything troublesome is consuming you or what is going wrong in your life at this moment. Secondly, if anything is going right or wrong, God’s word tells us we must be in prayer, no matter the situation or circumstance. So I ask are you in God’s word and are you praying consistently? If you committed to diligently praying: great and if not why not? During your time in His word, what is he telling/teaching you? Are you praying? Are you praying for others as well as yourself?

I always remember the acronym I was taught earlier in my life for prayer: ACTS. Adoration is telling God how much you love and adore Him. Confession is telling God the many ways you have let Him down and admitting your failure(s) and seeking His forgiveness and seeking repentance. Thankful for his continued love, forgiveness and guidance, you are constantly reminded of how much He loves you and wants to be a part of your life. Supplication is a big, fancy word for prayer. Have you prayed for not only the big and hairy stuff, but the small stuff as well? He wants it all. Have you prayed for others? It is important to do so, as it is, as they say: not all about you.

Have you been in formal worship/celebration this week or even recently? Admittedly, there have been times in my own life where I did all the right things but felt a disconnect when in formal worship. I am not saying it is right or wrong, but truly seek to understand your reasoning.

Have others around you seen you live out your faith in a non-confrontational manner this week? You are not to keep your faith to yourself. You need to let others see your relationship with Christ has made a difference in your life. Others truly want to see someone who is different. So go out on a limb and show them.

Finally and most importantly, have you made yourself accountable in a relationship with another man in whom you have both built a trust factor where you both can be transparent with each other, holding nothing back. This is truly imperative for one, especially a man seeking to live a vibrant Christian life, for others to see.

So until next week, there are many men looking and yearning to find someone just like you. So go out and make a difference in the men all around you.

Walking along side you,

Nehemiah 6: 2-16

Last week, we took a look at Nehemiah, a hero in the Old Testament and his rebuilding of the Jerusalem walls. We have read of the trials he underwent from negative forces around him which sought to divert him from completing his mission. He overcame great verbal obstacles in finishing the fortification of the walls from individuals and groups such as Sanballat: the Horonite, Tobiah, Ammonites and the Ashodites. They were relentless to the point of intimidation, in their pursuit of getting him to stop. But he would not stop nor would he listen. In this installment of Crunch Time in Leadership: Nehemiah was a leader, a man of vision and certainly one who would not stop from completing the mission he had before him.

Earlier in my life, I had an opportunity to be a part of a group seeking to hike the Grand Canyon. This would mean I would have to undergo rigorous training in preparation for the hike. I could not bluff my way through this event. I truly needed to prepare myself for the task at hand. I trained extensively for three months getting ready for the hike down the canyon and then the next day back up to the top. Even with all the training I had put myself through, truth be told I was still nervous and scared. Well the day came when we arrived at the starting off point at the canyon and off we went. Going down was difficult yet not too taxing for me. Yet when we started our ascent back up the next day, almost immediately I started hearing the same voices I am sure Nehemiah did as he went about completing his mission. These voices were ones surely wanting me to stop and give up this crazy trek. Yet there was always something inside of me that made me keep on climbing upward, no matter how steep or difficult, I kept on going. The climb was absolutely brutal and tested every bone in my body. At every stop, honestly I felt I could not take even one more step. But I did and I finally reached the top. Elated I had completed the mission, as I am sure Nehemiah was especially after hearing all the negativity which surrounded him.

Again as last week, I believe there is a truth here for us as men and as leaders whether in the office, at home or both. The point is we are to finish what we start no matter how difficult the going gets. Secondly, be aware as in Nehemiah’s case, you can be assured there will be those around you who will seek to derail, discourage and defeat your thinking and the completion of whatever it is you have set out to accomplish. Finally, stay true to your vision and your purpose for which you have set a course. As we witnessed last week in the three men I highlighted (Presidents Lincoln, Kennedy and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.), we observed three leaders as men of self-less determination, putting country first before personal accolades knowing they would face obstacles in seeking to complete their mission. We as men: leaders of our families or leaders of the workplace are no different.

As we face the week ahead of us, I ask that you take to heart what I have shared with you these last two weeks. Are you that man, that person who is willing by your actions, attitude, and accomplishments to seek to change the world in which you live in? It is again only a question you can answer. My prayer is that you will say yes; I am that man; that one person.

Until next week know I am praying for you to be that one person.

Walking with you,

Nehemiah 4: 1-23

Down through the centuries, numerous people have despite insurmountable odds against them, changed the course of world history. Witness here in the United States alone, I highlight three individuals who by their actions, attitude and accomplishments single-handedly changed this nation’s course of history for the better. We as a nation are that much better for their self-less determination to put country first, before any personal accolades. I speak initially of President’s Abraham Lincoln, John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Rev. Martin Luther King. Sadly all three paid the ultimate price for their actions.

As we start a new series on Crunch Time in Leadership: Part I, I am seeking to focus on one of the greatest and best known and admired servant’s of God’s in the Old Testament: a true leader by the name of Nehemiah. I am not going to go over the beginnings of the story. Let’s face facts here, Nehemiah left a cushy position as the cup-bearer in the court of King Artaxerxes of Persia, to return to Jerusalem. He went from the penthouse to the outhouse. Nehemiah, who lived in Babylon, was part of the disapora, or those scattered by God after the fall of Jerusalem. Yet he truly longed to be back in his native land.

Nehemiah, upon hearing of the failed attempts at the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, petitioned King Artaxerxes to allow him to go back and oversee the rebuilding of the walls after numerous failed attempts. The king, due to Nehemiah’s exemplary service, allowed him to go, even giving him safe passage by witness of his seal on all of Nehemiah’s travel documents. When he arrived, he was met with great opposition from Sanballat, the Horonite and his followers.  Sanballat thought it as great humor that Nehemiah was coming back to oversee the re-building of the walls of Jerusalem. He did everything he could to stop the process. Never the less, Nehemiah and those who had joined him, carried on with their mission. Nehemiah was focused on the task at hand and nothing or no one was going to stop the completion of their arduous undertaking.

Sanballat was not alone in his negative commentary. Others such as: Tobiah, the Ammonites, the  Ashdodites and other contemporaries of Nehemiah, were just as eager to dispel the work being done by Nehemiah and those around him. Fleshing this point out even further isn’t it true when we face a task of great importance, there can be at times; those around us who seek to keep us from completing the task at hand. I think the greatest example of that was in the life of Job. Suffice to say he had three so-called friends who hounded him during his greatest time of trial and truly testing his faith when he most needed it. Presidents Lincoln, Kennedy and Rev. King and other great leaders will always face obstacles in seeking to accomplish what they have set out to achieve and you and I will be no different.

Yet Nehemiah would have none of it. He prayed and clearly told God what was going on (as if God didn’t already know). Those who were against Nehemiah were enraged that the work was actually getting done. They made preparations to tear down all the work Nehemiah and those working with him, had accomplished. The people even started to bellyache and devise schemes stating that now that the walls were almost completed, they would be targets of war again. He called the people together and told them not to worry that nothing would happen to them, as God was on their side and that He would fight in front of them and for them. As a result, the task was complete and the walls were rebuilt.

There is a story in this, I think for all of us. First Nehemiah’s actions, attitude and accomplishments were not self motivated. He truly put the city of Jerusalem and its people first. Secondly he knew that opposition would come and he was ready for it. Third, he had a plan and he stuck to it. Finally, He had the help and support of God and the Holy Spirit to help and guide him through any obstacles he needed to overcome.
The lesson here is that you are that one person as well. With all great leaders like Nehemiah or Lincoln, Kennedy or King and common folk like you and I, we all face trials and obstacles. It is how we overcome them to be the one person who can change the world as they did and you can to. So my question for you this week is: Are you will to do what it takes to be that person: who by your actions, attitude and accomplishments can change the world or the world you live in? It is a question only you can answer.

Until next week for Part II, know I am thinking and praying for you to be that one person.

Walking with you,

I Samuel 15: 1-35

In the second part of our series looking at the topic of “Are You Coachable”, once again we zero in on the life of King Saul and how he failed God and as a result lost the God-given leadership over the nation of Israel.

As a child, how many of us can remember being told by our mother or father to do something and more specifically; in a certain way. I know I can and how many times did I not follow instructions as they were set forth. Unfortunately for me, too many times. Often I have felt I had a better way than those who were seeking to instruct me. As a result, I have paid dearly for my misjudgment. Whether it is in today’s world or 2,000 years ago, not much has changed. We, (myself included) believe we have the answers, instead of following the instructions those like our parents, teachers or even most importantly: ones God has given us.

This is where we find King Saul. He has been instructed by God himself through the Prophet Samuel to annihilate the entire Amalekite nation including, all men, women, children and animals ( both wild and domesticated) leaving none alive. Saul mustered his troops of over 200,000 strong to do battle with the Amalekites. King Saul and his troops went to war and obliterated the nation of Amalek with the exception of its king (Agag). He spared the king as well as the finest cattle, sheep, goats, calves and lambs. In fact they set aside anything that was of value. Notice anything here which needs highlighting? That’s right: Saul did not follow God’s instruction to the law. He obeyed some but not all of God’s commands spoken to him.

God then spoke to Samuel lamenting his choice of Saul as King of the Israelites. Saul had not followed the instructions given to him fully and God also questioned Saul’s faithfulness to him. Samuel went out and sought Saul and found him building a memorial to himself for all the good he believed he had done. Saul spoke to Samuel about how he had followed God’s instructions and annihilated the Amalekite nation.

Samuel then questioned Saul about sparing Agag and all the animals. Saul sought to rationalize his actions to Samuel, but once again like last week: Samuel wasn’t buying anything Saul was selling that day. I need to stop here and ask how many times you or  I sought to rationalize or cover-up our actions when we know what we have done was wrong? Again, speaking for myself, too many times to recount.

Samuel asked Saul why he had not followed God’s clear directive. Again Saul sought to diminish his actions and again Samuel wasn’t buying. Saul sought to win Samuel’s approval by showing the good he had done, rather than what he had not done. Again Samuel stated the obvious; when he asked Saul what action was better: what he had done or being obedient and faithful to what God had told him to do?

Saul finally admits his guilt and seeks forgiveness, yet Saul as is his bent, never seeks to repent from his action(s) and that is the seminal difference between himself and David. Saul realizes he has failed and begs Samuel to return with him, seeking to distance himself from his actions and those around him. Believing that by having Samuel as a traveling partner, he can be seen once again as a person of importance.  Instead of one who had disgraced God and lost his leadership and power over the nation of Israel. Yet the only person he was fooling was unfortunately himself which is usually what happens when we seek to be someone we are not.

King Saul proved who he really was during the heat of the battle. This is the case for many of us as well. I sincerely hope that whomever or whatever you are called to lead you will listen to others and follow instructions given you so that you can be the leader God has intended you to be. You can be coachable, teachable and truly believe you are not the one with all the answers, as in the final analysis you are not.

Until next week, be strong, be in prayer and be the leader God has called you to be.

Walking with you,

I Samuel 10:8

I Samuel 13: 1-14

This is the start of a short series asking the simple question; are you coachable? For many of us men, the answer is easy. Whether the answer is a simple yes or no, we know what we are and more importantly, what we are not. For others the answer is not so simple. One may think they are able to be coached, when truth is told, the answer is they are not. They do not take being coached or criticism easily. Translating this into today’s marketplace, this is a valuable piece of information, for you as a man, a provider or as a possible employer. Are you able to easily take instruction, direction, criticism and leading from another, or do you have the belief that you consistently have the appropriate answer which negates the need for another’s guidance?

In this week’s reading, we again focus on the life of Saul, the first King of the Israelites. Saul ruled the nation of Israel for over forty years. Saul was what one might call a “warrior king”. He was constantly at war with this or that nation. Early in Saul’s reign, as we look in the tenth chapter of I Samuel, the Prophet Samuel asked King Saul to wait for him at Gilgal in seven days. Now as we zero back in, relative to this week’s reading, Saul had taken a total of 3,000 men to fight the Philistines. Saul lead 2,000 men to the hill country of Bethel and his son Jonathan lead 1,000 men and headed for the land of Benjamin. Jonathan and Saul were victorious in their defeat of the Philistines. Now pay careful attention here….is God anywhere in Saul’s thought process? No, I agree with you. I didn’t think so either.

As the Philistine forces continued to congregate and grow in great numbers, many of the Israelite warriors were literally quaking in their boots with fear. Many simply fled the scene. While waiting for Samuel, Saul fearing the worse, decided he needed to do something and fast. As the seventh day was upon them, Saul was convinced Samuel was not coming. So he (like many of us) decided to take matters into his own hands. He, himself called for the burnt and peace offerings and he and not Samuel, proceeded to sacrifice the burnt offering. As he was finishing up with the burnt offerings in front of him, who showed up, but the Prophet Samuel (within the seven day time period; just not in King Saul’s time period) .

As the two met, Samuel questioned Saul on his actions. Saul seeks to make Samuel believe he had done the right thing by taking matters into his own hands, disregarding God and Samuel’s previous direct instructions. But the Prophet Samuel wasn’t buying anything that King Saul was selling that day. Samuel was so disgusted with King Saul’s blatant disregard for not following instructions, he told Saul that had he followed the instructions God had given him, his leadership over the kingdom of Israel would have lasted forever. As a result, now God was already taking steps to replace him because he would not listen or follow instruction.

Pretty harsh words, yet ones I believe we all need to hear. In today’s hurry-up, “it’s all about me society”, it is wise to listen, pay attention and take instruction. Another words; the ability to be coachable. It is pretty clear King Saul did not ascribe to that philosophy and it cost him dearly. He lost his kingdom and eventually his life.  This tragic set of events was all about his inability of taking instructions from others.

As we close this week, I must ask you a hard and thought provoking question: are you one to listen and take instruction in other words ‘are you coachable’? Or are you one who believes they have all the right answers and the self-sufficiency to be successful. I would ask that you think long and hard about the answer, as it could very well cost you your life, your career or your relationships as it did King Saul.

Until next week, remember the ability to be “coachable” is a choice, only you can make and I pray you make the right one.

Walking with you,

1Samuel 28: 15-18

II Samuel 7: 18-29

When I was growing up, there was a very popular television show called “Let’s Make a Deal” hosted by Monty Hall. The whole premise of the show was for the contestants to pick one of three doors and hopefully win really cool and neat stuff. Of course there was also the chance that the door they chose, would leave them with little or nothing to take home. You get the picture, right? The opportunity to pick a door or a course in life for the most part is up to you and I.

Saul and David had that same opportunity in their lives, didn’t they? Yet each took a different “door”. Saul constantly saw young David as a nemesis, which actually was hardly the case. In I Samuel 28:15-18 the text states that Saul nearing the end of his life, went to the extreme of seeking the assistance of a medium. He even went as far as to have the medium call back the spirit of Samuel. Saul and Samuel met face to face. Samuel asked Saul why he was calling him. Saul replied that he was under extreme distress. He recited a myriad of issues, chief of which was he felt God had pushed him aside.

Samuel replied to Saul, he (Samuel) was not the one to ask, as God was doing exactly what He said he would when he handed the leadership and the nation of Israel over to David and Saul knew it. It got to the point that Samuel told Saul of his impending death and that the nation and the army of Israel would be handed over to the Philistines. It was a choice, a door Saul himself chose.

In II Samuel 7:18-29 the text shows how David was genuinely thankful for all that God had done for him. Was he a perfect man, hardly by any stretch of the imagination? He had his faults as we all well know. David even admitted that to God. But he was a man who recognized the sovereignty of God over his life and he was thankful for it. He believed with all his heart, there was no one like God and he was glad to have him a part of his life, warts and all.

David knew his place under the dominion of God. It was one of being a servant and a leader. With all his faults David never forgot this. This was true as history bears repeating that David was in fact a ‘man after God’s own heart’. David knew his place and this is why I believe David was so successful even with all the negatives which surrounded him. David had learned to be a servant-leader realizing where and from whom his power emanated from. He too chose a door, albeit a different one than Saul.

It has been said that both David and Saul sought God’s forgiveness yet it was David not Saul who truly sought repentance for his actions and there is the difference in the two. So my question for you this week is: which ‘door ‘will you choose? Will it be a door of self-sufficiency like Saul or a door of sovereignty like David?

It is a question only you can answer and I pray you choose the right door. Until next week, remember it is a choice only you can make.

I pray you choose the right one.

Blessings to you,

Each week I will be posting columns to my weekly blog which you can use as a source of encouragement individually or as on a team of ministry leaders. As a leader in ministry it is essential that you are continually fed, lifted up and prayed over.

You can count on that from us. We’re on your team!

I look forward to chatting with you very soon!

Blessings,
David C. Smith
Founder
Institute for Ministry Leadership