“⁶Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” – Psalm 51:6 (ESV)

I have seen and been witness to the appearances of integrity and truth. What I mean by the appearances is that I have seen someone talking a good game of things and then I witness just the opposite in their actions. It really speaks to the old saying of “do as I say and not as I do”. Well, that is not the path to real truth in the eyes of God.

Remembering that true integrity is what you do when no one is watching, brings to mind the inward being. It is important that I am seeking to be truthful with my whole self. Saying one thing and then doing another that is contrary, is not being truthful at all. When I am hypocritical in my words and actions, I might as well be untruthful from the start. I am only saying things to impress, when it is more impressive to take action.

How do I get to the inward truth, it starts with my true repentance from my sin. I should be looking for “a deeper purification of the moral life” (ESV Commentary). It is easy for me to simply say the words of repentance, and something entirely different to live repentance. That is something that I struggle with each and everyday. And that is a good thing. It is important that I know where I am doing well and where I am struggling. In order for the that deeper purification to occur, I have to understand that I will not get it exactly right each and every time. I will have inconsistencies and difficult times of getting it right.

It is however that inconsistency and knowing it is there that keeps me humble and striving to be better and more like Christ every day. It is that falling back that gives me the visibility into my more inner self to see the successes and failures that are there. It is that wisdom that comes in the inner self that gives me the ability to be better. It is up to me to seek the inward truth and develop and display it for all to see.

Where are you experiencing truth? Are you finding yourself saying one thing and then acting contrary to those declarations? What if we focused on seeking the inward truth and develop and display if for all to see?

We are all sinners and have the opportunity to experience the grace of God through the salvation He provides for us. I am forever grateful for that grace which generates my saving faith I am able to demonstrate to those around me.

“¹⁶If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.” – 1 John 5:16 (ESV)

So, what are sins that do not lead to death and those that do. Those that do not lead to death, as noted in the commentary found in my NIV bible for verse 16, are those where “(1) forgiveness is sought and (2) God is willing to grant it”. Those that lead to death are “(1) unrepented of and (2) of the kind or nature that john has warned about throughout the letter: resolute rejection of the true doctrine about Christ, chronic disobedience to God’s commandments, persistent lack of love for fellow believers—all indicators of a lack of saving faith”.

And there it is, the last part of that last sentence in the previous paragraph. It is about having the saving faith and working within that construct that leads to life with Christ. I have to remember the grace that God provided for me through salvation. And when I do, I will be more likely to live according to that grace and with the desire to obey and do the will of God in my life. When I am living according to the saving grace and thereby repenting of my sins, those that I commit knowingly (although minimal if living the life Christ has for me) as well as unknowingly, I will be given the gift of eternal life with Him. With my repentance, God will be willing to grant me forgiveness and thereby my eternal life with Him will be maintained.

I have to remember that my repentance must be real and not just lip service to be heard by those around me. My actions must be seen as a part of my repentance and not just said to “make me look good”. It is the sincerity that God is looking to in my repentance, and that is where His willingness to forgive is rooted. My salvation is based on my heart and not that of my head and words. God sees my heart and knows my true self. When I root my everything in His grace and have a saving faith, I will be led to life.

When you are out there, what sins are you committing, those that lead to death or not? Are you coming to God in full repentance of your sins? What if we relied on the grace of God through our saving faith to lead us to life?

The title to my writing this morning is one that when taken out of context can be misleading and give a false sense of power.

“¹⁷Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” – Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)

I read this verse alone and without context and what I see is an opportunity for “leaders” to announce they should be followed for they have what is best in mind for all. This is a slippery slope in the world as I see those with ill intent taking advantage of those that are not informed. In reading the above verse, one has to also consider verse 7.

“⁷Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” – Hebrews 13:7 (ESV)

Now that I have both of the verses together, it is clear to me that “leaders” are to be remembered and obeyed for their work and ideas that are in accordance with God and His glory. Those that are in the world telling us that we should listen to them and that they are all knowing and the authority should not be taken at their word. It is my responsibility to review their character and their way of life in accordance with God and His glory.

“Leaders” have a responsibility to those under them to inspire based on their character, not their words. I should look to those in authority and examine them against the example of Christ. Without this example, I have to be very careful in obeying them so as not to be led astray from God and His glory. I have to remember the character of the leaders and obey and submit to them when that character is in the example of Christ.

What are you looking for in leaders? Are you looking to them without consideration as to their character against the example of Christ? What if we were to remember them according to the example of Christ and when they measure up, obey and submit to them?

“¹Fist of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, ²for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” – 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV)

With my prayer I should be lifting up all. I should be praying for the lowly and those in authority. I have to remember that God is God for all.

As I studied this morning in the commentary of my various versions of God’s Word, my New International Version (NIV) commentary for verse 2 above reminded me that prayer for those in authority is easy to remember in those difficult oppressive times and more alluding in times of prosperity and peace. I know that for me, I find that I am not as in tune with lifting up those in authoritative positions except when I concerned.

Paul reminds us that we are to be praying for all at all times. Regardless of the day or situation, we should be lifting everyone up to the Father. When I look at verse 2 above I see the last part as the reason why, “that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way”. This lets me know that for me to get the most out of my time here in this world and do the work of Christ most efficiently and effectively, I need every advantage. I need to remember that even in peaceful times, I should be praying that those in authority continue to work according to God and in the interest of His glory and not their own. I have to lift them up in the good as well as difficult times. In the philosophy of leadership principles I have to “catch them doing something right” as opposed to only looking for the places where they can improve or do things “my way”.

For me to lead a peaceful, godly life I need to be aware and focused on praying for all. Not just those that are in my circle of influence, but all that are in my circle of concern as well as those not. I have to remember that those in authority are God’s children just as I am and need appreciation and lifting up also. When I pray for all, I am praying for “a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way”.

When you pray, what are the situations where you are praying for all, even those in authority? Are you only praying for those in authority only in times of need? What if we just prayed for all at all times, what difference would that make in our “peaceful and quiet, godly and dignified” lives?

It is not the temptation or adversity that defines me, it is how I recover from it. I teach this as a part of my mission to improve lives through growth and learning. It is inevitable that we will be tempted in life and will have to overcome that temptation to get through the difficult situations that we will encounter.

“¹³And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” – Matthew 6:13 (ESV)

In order for us to grow and learn, it is important that we experience temptation and adversity. We learn and overcome to be stronger on the other side. But, do we ask not to be tempted, do we ask not to experience adversity. I find that we are reactive to what comes at us as opposed to proactive to avoid things.

I have to make sure and ask to be delivered from temptation and adversity so as not to have to experience them. I want to live a life that is comfortable and filled with opportunity to give God the glory He should be receiving. When I am focusing my attention on overcoming temptation and adversity, how much will I be able to focus on bringing God the glory.

I have to ask God to lead me in the path to His glory and away from temptation and adversity. I have to ask in order to receive. Will I still have to overcome, yes. Will God deliver me for His glory, yes. God only wants what is best for me and if there are times that I have to experience hardship and overcome, then He will allow it to be. But, I still have the ability and have been instructed by Jesus here in the Lord’s Prayer to ask to be spared from that hardship. If I do not ask, it is likely I will not receive.

It is important that we learn to overcome the temptation and adversity that we are presented with. The thing is that there will be plenty of opportunity to do so without asking for it. God wants what is best for us and when we ask Him, He will provide. Jesus gave us the model prayer and it outlines that we should ask to be delivered and not led into any difficult situations. Asking God for deliverance will lead to the temptation and adversity minimized to that which is necessary for our growth, learning, and bringing of glory to God. No need to ask for more.

Are you asking to be challenged in the interest of growing from it? Are you defining yourself by the temptations and adversity you are experiencing? What if we were to ask to not experience the temptation and adversity as opposed to being delivered from them?

God is great and mighty.

“¹⁰Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.” – Isaiah 40:10 (ESV)

He is there with all of himself to take down whatever gets in the way of His work being done. He is there to provide for us as we take on the tasks He has for us. He is powerful and in control of all things.

God is loving and gentle and kind.

“¹¹He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” – Isaiah 40:11 (ESV)

He is there to care for us and protect us. He will carry us to safety and make sure that those with others to care for, He will lead them to the same safe place with care and love.

God is our protector and provider, and in all of those times, he does it all with love and care for each of us.

What does it look like for you with God in your life? Are you the lamb being protected and guided? What if we all went into the day knowing that God leads with love?

I have thought about the relationship between leading and following and have even read books related to the subject of both. I know that leading, as mentioned in other of my studies is that of inspiration. Following therefore is that of being inspired. And when looked at in this instance, I can see the harmony that is found in the two.

“⁶The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.” – Isaiah 11:6 (ESV)

I was led to this above passage this morning in my study of the word “lead” and what I found was the essence of the harmony between leading and following. The fierce animals described, the leopard and lion, are able to lie next to the prey they would normally be going after. They are lying not in fear or in wait, but together in concert and harmony. They are able to co-exist without going against one another. And to top things off, a child will lead them. Another of the prey to those that would be predators in the world. This group will follow the one sent to lead as they work together.

I like to believe that I will follow leaders regardless of who they are or what the situation will be. The thing that drives that is the idea of leader in the true sense of the word as I have described. I will follow those that inspire me. I will run through the brick wall that they ask me to when I believe that what is on the other side is truly that of great value, and that will only be manifest when I believe in the leader before me. I will do the work of a manager as a part of the job I have been tasked with, but will not be harmonious with them as I will only be performing a job without inspiration.

It is that harmony of leader and follower that makes the work effective, efficient, and worthwhile. I am looking for that instance when I am lead to complete work and in those I will follow. God is that leader and for Him I will follow in harmony.

What is your thought on leading and following? Are you currently inspired to do work as a follower? What if you were to follow God and His leadership example, what harmony would you find there?

Leading verses Managing is an age old conflict. The meaning of these two are not the same thing at all. Managing is the control of things to keep them in order. Leading is the inspiring of to complete things. What a difference when you look at it from those differences.

“³⁵Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.” – Psalm 119:35 (ESV)

I see this verse and am drawn to two parts this morning, “lead me” and “I delight in it”. The first is the idea of being led. Being inspired. Being driven to work and complete the commands of God. He provides me with tasks to complete and those are commanded by Him. I have a duty to complete them for His glory.

The second is the idea of enjoying the idea of being led. Wanting to be inspired. Wanting to be driven to work and complete the commands of God. He provides me with tasks to complete and those are commanded by Him and I am happy and excited and inspired to complete them for His glory. Yes there is the sense of duty to work, but I don’t do it out of duty, I do it out of joy. I want to do His work and whistle the entire time.

I can say with confidence that most of us do not want to be managed or controlled to complete tasks. In fact I hear in the business world all the time of not wanting to be “micro-managed” in doing work. I will say that being led seems to be the choice. Being inspired to do work. And being led by God is that which should be bringing joy to us all. We should as stated in the verse above, “delight in it”.

When you are completing tasks, are you feeling managed or led to do so? Are you doing things out of a sense of duty? What if we approached the tasks that God has for us out of a sense of joy and inspiration and what if you truly were to “delight in it”?

There seems to always be a selfish motive for the things I do. I am human and therefore it is natural for that to be the case. I have been conditioned in the world to look out for number one. If I am not working to get mine, who is.

“³For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;” – Psalm 31:3 (ESV)

And there you have it. I have no reason to look out for me in this world. I ask God to take the wheel and lead and guide me for His glory and no other reason. I am to be the servant of God and do all for Him and with His glory in mind. I should not let my own wants and desires cloud the fact that I am taking action for God and not for me.

Now this does not mean that we are to be door mats with regard to how we are treated in the world. We are still deserving of the respect of those we interact with. We can still strive to do well and be recognized for that work in the world. But where I have to draw the line is in that thinking the recognition somehow defines who I am. It is blessings from God that should be of greatest value to me. I will receive those blessings when I am doing the work He has for me and seeking to be guided and led by Him in that work. I follow God for Him and not for me.

When you are out there seeking to follow, who are you doing it for? Are you willing to follow for the sake of the leader? What if you were to follow God with the express purpose of glorifying Him and not for your own reward?

God leads me. I may not always pay attention and will wander off my own way, but I know He leads me. I believe that what causes me to wander off the path He has for me is that I am looking for the quickest way to achieve something. I feel as though I have a hold on what it is He has in store for me and I then take the fastest route to getting there. I tend to focus on getting it done as opposed to getting it right.

“¹¹Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.” – Psalm 27:11 (ESV)

Here I read the words of David and see that while I may “figure out” what it is that God has in store for me, I must look to allowing Him to “lead me on a level path” in stead of just going with reckless abandon. I have to be willing to see that it is the journey that He wants me on for that is the cleanest path to accomplishing His work. Yes, there may be adversity along the way, but He has already planned for that adversity and will allow me to get through it based on His plan.

Take the Israelites for example. God had them escape along the longer route to get away from Egypt and Pharaoh. That path was level and safe for them to pass. Yet, they came upon the Red Sea that they would have to cross or go around. That adversity was enough to create doubt that God was leading the right path, but He provided a safe level path to cross and protected the from the harm that would have befallen them otherwise. By allowing God to provide the level path, they were able to escape and progress with their journey to the promised land.

I know that too often I want to get to the “promised land” faster than I probably or actually should. I have to remember that the path God has for me is purposeful. He makes it so that I will move at the pace that will produce the fruit He is looking for and ultimately that will provide us with our reward in heaven. I have to remember this and allow Him to lead me on a level path that He chooses and not the quickest route I would like to take to just getting things done.

When you are out there going about things, what path are you looking to take? Are you allowing God to lead your way? What if you allowed God to lead you on a level path regardless of the timeline so that you will reach the destination in the timing that God has for your arrival?