16 of the 50+ Leadership Lessons from Moses in Exodus 3

Leadership Lessons from Moses

1.     Leaders guide their organization towards God

2.     Leaders recognize and respond to God's prompting.

3.     Leaders are called and prompted by God despite our past transgressions: Moses committing murder (1:2).

4.     Leaders observe inquisitively, avoid unfounded premature assumptions, while appreciating and having awe when applicable.

5.     Leaders recognize we must turn, change direction.

6.     Leaders recognize the necessity of responding to the Lord immediately.

7.     Leaders observe details and inquire of the unknown.

8.     Leaders remain available, responding to those seeking them.

9.     God engages Leaders when we turn to Him, observe, and inquire.

10.  Leaders fear God. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom."

11.  Leaders listen to the whole message without interrupting (See Rick Meyer's blog post, "Do you finish God's sentences?")

12.  Leaders recognize and confess our inability to achieve significance on our own.

13.  Leaders worship God

14.  Leaders tell God they accept His assignments

15.  Leaders think and plan ahead of possible questions and objections from those they lead.

16.  When responding to God's call, humble Leaders expect God to provide the necessary answers--as God deems appropriate.

Leadership Observations in the Life of Nehemiah

     Nehemiah and Leadership

Nehemiah 1:1-11, 2:1-20

A.     Nehemiah consulted with his brothers and other men from Judah (1:2)

1.        Leaders consult with peers, which may include family.

B.      Nehemiah inquired of the Jews who escaped and survived captivity and Jerusalem (1:2)

2.        Leaders are concerned of others well-being.

3.        Leaders are concerned about foundational and symbolic cities and/or geography.

4.        Leaders are cognizant of other’s circumstances—(surviving and escaping).

C.     Nehemiah learned of the wall of Jerusalem being broken and its gates burned. He wept, mourned, fasted and prayed for days before God (1:3-5)

5.                  Leaders understand the significance of physical structures:

                                               i.     Spiritual – The wall in those days signified the strength of one’s god. Thus a destroyed and burnt wall reflected poorly upon God.

                                             ii.     Geographical

                                           iii.     Societal

                                            iv.     Political

                                             v.     Emotional

                                            vi.     Relational

6.        Leaders wholly, authentically invest themselves in others’ lives—weeping and mourning for days

7.        Leaders submit themselves to God (Nehemiah uses your servant (NASB) eight times in the first chapter in referring to himself, the Jews and Moses)

8.        Leaders pray to God

9.        Leaders fast before God

10.     Leaders seek God in recognizing, acknowledging, and speaking God's awesomeness

11.     Nehemiah reminds God of His covenant and loving kindness for those obedient to Him (1:6)

12.     Leaders understand the consequences of disobedience to God.

13.     Leaders understand the significance of obedience to God.

14.     Leaders seek God’s attention when praying

15.     Leaders Know God’s Word, and Character--as much as humanly possible--which is a lifelong, perpetual gaining and growing.

D.     Nehemiah confesses sins of sons of Israel and himself (1:6-10)

16.     Leaders confess personal sins

17.     Leaders confess corporal sins

Summarization of Leadership Principles

 

Nehemiah serves in upper management with King Artaxerxes, as his cupbearer. Consequently, a self-centered leader would lack concern for others, especially those who lack adequacy to aid one's secular gain.

Conversely, Nehemiah's God-centeredness immediately illuminates as he inquires of his brother and peers regarding the status of the Jews who survived and escaped captivity and about Jerusalem. Nehemiah deeply grieves for days over the destruction of Jerusalem's wall because of its spiritual and societal implications.

He recognizes this results from disobedience to God, the vulnerability of the Jews without the wall, and the symbolism of God appearing weak to society. Nehemiah responds with fasting and prayer, along with confession of sins of him and the Jews as a whole.

He pleads to God, reminding God of the covenant, including God's promised response of the Jews obedience and disobedience. Nehemiah diligent planning included prayer while speaking to the King, this also provided God's favor before the King.

Nehemiah responded to the King's questions with specific plans, including the necessary approval letters of others in authority over his route to Judah. Nehemiah's leadership displays the significance of loving God, including his people (Deut. 6:5; Mt. 22:37-40). His leadership and vision relies on knowing God's word, the necessity of obedience, preparation and prayer.

A few Admirable skills/principles noted before engaging the King

 1.     Nehemiah is concerned about the Jews and Jerusalem

a.     Nehemiah records specifics of month, year, and location of inquiry (1:1)

b.     Nehemiah consults with peers and experts (1:2).

c.     “I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem. (1:2)

2.      Nehemiah responds to destruction and disobedience with grief for days, before God.

a.     Sat down

                        i.     Lack of physical strength caused from deep mourning

         ii.     Displays long duration of events

b.     Wept

Rick E. Meyer
Running on Faith Ministry, Inc.
http://www.rickemeyer.com/running-on-faith.htm

Coach Lyle Claussen

During last night’s visit about upcoming workouts, Coach shared how he as a substitute teacher in southeast Nebraska put the local all-star football players in their place during class (keep reading). This caused my reflecting on his many lessons over the years. Too many to cover here.

I first met Lyle when I moved to Kearney, NE after graduating from Kansas State in 1990. Before a local 5K in June he turned around and warmed-up with me, we have been friends since.

He transformed University of Nebraska—Kearney, then Kearney State College, from an average men’s NAIA cross country program to one of the nation’s best, regardless of division.

I once asked this member of the South Dakota Hall of Fame who has spoken at a multitude of Coaching Clinics across America, “Is there is a race distance or track event that you have not been asked to speak about at a clinic?”

“Yes, the javelin and the hammer throw. But those are easy, get out of the way…” Lol

As a coach, he modeled for his NCAA Div II teams with five top eight and three top four national championship finishes in six years little things such as to stand back from the luggage carousel at the airport until your bag has arrived. Many business people fail to understand this simple concept. It’s about awareness and respect of others.

He insisted that his top teams and All-American runners run absolutely no more than three abreast, preferably two abreast, keeping the pack in tight formation near the curb or side of the road while running down the streets and the roads facing traffic. It’s about awareness, safety, and respect for others.

Yesterday (Tuesday 08/29/2016), he stopped lecturing during class while serving as a long-term sub. He then stood in front of the class with his arms crossed. Most of the class focused their attention on him. The two star athletes continued visiting. He stood silent until they became silent.

“Have you two believed you’re deserving of special attention (or favor) all of your life or are you being obnoxious because I am a substitute teacher?”

They remained silent.

Coach continued, “Yes, I am a coach (he assists with cross country and track) and I like athletes. In fact, because I am a coach and like athletes, I have much higher expectations for those who are athletes in my classes. So far, you two have failed to reach the lowest standard for any student.” (May not be verbatim, yet close.)

The all-star athletes and the rest of the class were stunned.

“You should have seen some of their eyes and facial expressions.”

If you're a standout in any specialty, the more that is expected of you by your peers in all of life.

Choose high performance over highly arrogant and obnoxious behavior.

Effective Leadership Requires Humility

Effective leadership requires humility (James 1:9; 1 Pt 5:6). A leader with a humble heart demonstrates a discerning, hearing heart[1] as illustrated by Solomon’s request upon becoming king of Israel (1 Kings 3:8). 

The person with a discerning and hearing heart submits to and obeys the indwelling Holy Spirit residing in believers in Jesus Christ (Rom 8:11, 15:13). The Holy Spirit provides specific and general guidance with the humble leader through various modes such as promptings, circumstances, and other people.

Pride, arrogance, greed (2 Tim 3:1–5), complacency, and fruit of the flesh (Gal 5:19–21) contradict God. Leaders who demonstrate these qualities possess inaccurate hearing and discernment. 

These self-centered attributes increase leaders’ desires to speak instead of Christo-centrically listening to God and humans, as well as accurately evaluating messages within their proper contexts.

The heart humble before Christ (1 Pt 5:6) fully pursues God, who releases everything, in all dimensions, congruent with His will (Mt 6:33). Acknowledging and praising Christ, who possesses the entirety of creation and eternity, assures that one’s heart remains in Him (Lk 12:34).

Love-derived praise and obedience to Christ directs the synchronous leading of those whom God assigns to the leader to guide (Mt 22:37–40). The leader’s effectiveness highly correlates with receiving and activating the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22–23). 

The antithesis of effective leadership is the fruit of the flesh (Gal 5:19–21), leading others to darkness (Prov. 1:8–19) instead of to the light of Christ.   

Background

The person with prudence seeks the proper context of messages to assure accurate discernment. Social media posts reflect microcosms of leadership and society, including the inaccurate responses because of improperly defining the context. 

For example, social media posters highly criticized the blank facial expression of Eli Manning, the younger brother of Denver Bronco’s quarterback Peyton Manning, following Denver’s touchdown near the end of Super Bowl 50. 

The criticizers accused Eli of being jealous of Peyton, since a Denver win would enable Peyton to match Eli’s two Super Bowl victories as quarterback of the New York Giants.[2]

Yet Eli said people misread him; he was wondering only whether Denver should go for the two-point conversion. The criticism and conviction arose from arrogance, pride, and complacency preventing viewers and listeners from considering all factors to attain the situation’s full context.

Humility-derived submission, obedience, acknowledgement and praise of Jesus Christ directs one’s relationships with those whom God assigns us through His word and His will. 

Effective leadership requires humility, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to synchronously lead and serve God’s people with effective listening, discernment and seeking the proper context to always serve and glorify God. 

Therefore, the effective leader—individually and within the organization—creates and encourages a culture of humility before God. The effective knows the purpose of hearing and obeying is to serve and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.

---

[1] Thomas L. Constable, “1 Kings,” ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 494.

[2] O'Leary, Daniel. Eli on Super Bowl face: I was thinking about going for two MSN Sports.

February 09, 2016. http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl (accessed February 09, 2016).

Enduring Peace vs In-Grown Eyeballs

Despite running at least 40+ minutes slower than anticipated & desired in Sunday's Twin Cities Marathon, the inner-peace that began weeks before this marathon remains as powerful this Friday morning as it was last Friday morning.


God does not give us false peace, or false anything else. He is truth, therefore everything from Him is true and pure (James 3:17). Authentic peace--originating from God--always points towards God: the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.


God provides indescribable peace and joy through the Bible, prayer, gratitude, praise and other people.


I nearly extinguished this peace a few times this week with the great extinguisher of peace otherwise known as, "In-Grown Eyeballs."


Let's keep our eyes on Christ. For the cause of Christ, who may I serve now? Let's enjoy God's peace (Eph 6:15)!

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7, NASB95)


Keep the Faith, Trust God!
Rick


Rick E. Meyer
www.rickEmeyer.com
Running on Faith Ministry Inc.

Servant Zone

Life's great joys reside in the Servant Zone. Serve whoever God places in your path with skills to enhance their relationship with Christ Jesus.

Thursday night @ Denver International, a mother of three waited to board the plane to Salt Lake City (her kids remained with relatives). Less than two hours before, she receive a phone call revealing her husband, a professional race car driver, severely crashed--that is All that she knew.

She was grateful to receive my prayers and the prescription of scripture. I shared that I could not promise physical results, however God does promise inner-peace beyond human understanding when we know and trust Him. She already knew Him.

Last night, Jenny gleefully introduced me to her husband, Mark, as they deplaned in Denver. He wore a neck brace with no broken bones, yet in much pain.

The Holy Spirit often guides our timing while opening our eyes, ears, hearts and mouth to serve Him in serving His people. All glory belongs to the God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit--one God, three persons, co-equal, co-eternal.

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve, Inc.
www.rickEmeyer.com

Leader Servant: Poor in Spirit

The Sermon on the Mount; The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-3)

    ^aWhen Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on ^bthe ¹mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. ^aHe opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, "^1aBlessed are the ²poor in spirit, for ^btheirs is the kingdom of heaven."

I complete nighttime prayers, I consider watching an online thirty-minute television program. However, an instant, non-audible, distinct voice permeated my conscious mind, "Which do you consider a better investment of your time, television or time in the Bible and prayer with the omniscience, sovereign, triune God (Father, the Son, Lord Jesus Chris, and the Holy Spirit) who created everything (Jn 1:3)—including you, Rick, and reigns above all?"

The necessity of frequent, in-depth conversations with God through reading the Bible and prayer struck like lightning.

This searing lightning obliterates my pride, arrogance, and self-reliance.

Conversely, God's love, mercy, and power provide a poor in spirit heart that recognizes our complete dependence on God and the forgiveness of sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Additionally, internalizing the Bible and prayer help reveal God's will in every aspect of your life.

We instinctively pray continuously throughout the day as a result of our relationship with God and our poor in spirit heart. Additionally, God's wisdom leads us to also engage in specific times of only prayer.

The specific responsibilities of each person's daily service to God, vary. Yet, the Great Commission (Mt 28:16-20) applies to each follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. My current responsibilities include diligently studying the Bible word while attaining my Masters of Art in Christian Leadership at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, TX. What do your current responsibilities entail?

My daily responsibility of serving God includes reading thousands of pages, writing hundreds of pages, and committing hundreds of Bible verses to memory every semester. Additionally, I serve God in my business through in speaking across the United States and writing to a global audience, along with competitive distance running.

The latter mandates continual weight loss because excess weight significantly slows one down. In life and running, wisdom suggests we remove excess physical, emotional and spiritual weight to perform at our highest capacities which enable us to serve God to the best of our abilities.

As my parents frequently said throughout my life, "Just do your best." Their command requires great effort and faith. As does my dad's last command, "Always trust God. Remember that son. Trust God Always!

Are you and I achieving our best from watching television or from reading the Bible and praying? Does always trusting God lead us to watch television for thirty minutes or read the Bible and pray for thirty minutes?

I wrapped up a phone conversation this past week asking my mentor what I should focus on this next week.

Charles responded, "Ask, 'Am I anchored in God in every area of my life?'"

These commands, questions, and acknowledging my poor spirit before God, perpetually direct each of my thoughts, words, and actions. How do they affect you? This leads to regularly internalize the Bible and prayer instead of watching an unnecessary sitcom.

Yes, I probably will watch television again. During my twenties, I lived without a television for three or four years while pursuing my running prime. One should never take my choices and messages of tonight as a law or life rule.

Instead, consider your thoughts, actions, and choices in your relationship with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Let your love of God (1Jn 4:19) inspire your desire to serve and please Him to the best of your ability.

Do you trust God enough to seek His wisdom for every area of your life?
Is every area of your life anchored in Christ?
Your response to these inquiries reveals whether your heart is poor in spirit before God.

"When Luther’s puppy [n. 116, Luther's dog Tölpel is mentioned again and again in the Table Talk.] happened to be at the table, looked for a morsel from his master, and watched with open mouth and motionless eyes, he [Martin Luther] said, 'Oh, if I could only pray the way this dog watches the meat! All his thoughts are concentrated on the piece of meat. Otherwise he has no thought, wish, or hope.'"

Luther’s Works, Volume 54, Table Talk (Philadelphia: 1967), pp. 37, 38. May 18, 1532

"^1aBlessed are the ²poor in spirit, for ^btheirs is the kingdom of heaven."

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ by possessing a poor, humble spirit!
Rick

Rick E. Meyer
Running on Faith Ministry, Inc.
www.rickEmeyer.com

^a Matt ch 5–7; Luke 6:20–49

^b Mark 3:13; Luke 6:17; 9:28; John 6:3, 15
¹ Or hill
^a Matt 13:35; Acts 8:35; 10:34; 18:14
¹ I.e. fortunate or prosperous, and so thr v 11
^a Matt 5:3–12; Luke 6:20–23
² I.e. those who are not spiritually arrogant
^b Matt 5:10; 19:14; 25:34; Mark 10:14; Luke 6:20; 22:29f
^[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 5:1–3.
¹ I.e. fortunate or prosperous, and so thr v 11
^a Matt 5:3–12; Luke 6:20–23
² I.e. those who are not spiritually arrogant
^b Matt 5:10; 19:14; 25:34; Mark 10:14; Luke 6:20; 22:29f

Leader Servant: Human Relations

Do the actions of others often test your patience, "tick you off," "drive you nuts"? When I allow the actions and attitude of others to disrupt portions of my life, I quickly realize that this usually originates from selfish thoughts, instead of the indwelling Holy Spirit. This greatly affects the Leader Servant's ability to serve, and lead.

 

This lacks condoning intentional sin in others or me, rather how I perceive shortcomings which affects how I relate to others. Additionally, these affect my attitude which affects my physical, emotional and spiritual health. The domino effect continues as these affect how I perform, my view and approach to serving God in serving others.

 

Our patience, understanding, forgiveness and love of others reveal our relationship with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. This includes the degree to which we grasp the depravity of others and us (Romans 3:23), resulting in our and their emotional, physical and spiritual shortcomings.

 

In our pursuit of living and serving in Christ's image, we rebuke actions and love people. Christ clearly articulates the necessity and correlation of giving and receiving forgiveness, including in speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well. (Matthew 6:14; John 4:7-38).

 

"And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."

"For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive
others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions" (Matthew 6:12,14-15 (NASB95)).

 

Consider everyone who has and does express patience, understanding, forgiveness and love toward you; pass this generosity to others. Even if you believe no one has extended this benefit to you, remember that God does (John 3:16). Follow His example. Forgiving others is a fruit, a result, of our relationship with Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit. When we walk with God, we forgive others as He forgives us.

 

Forgiving others and receiving God's forgiveness through Christ's death and resurrection greatly affects our attitude revealed through our eyes, face, words, tonality and treatment of others. This greatly affects our effectiveness with associates in our organizations and MarketPlace.

 

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ through understanding, loving and forgiving others!

Rick

 

Rick E. Meyer

See, Believe, Achieve Inc.

www.rickEmeyer.com

 

 

Dream Power

"When the Dream is big enough, the facts don't count." Dexter Yager


How big is your Dream? Dreams open your mind to possibility thinking. What is possible with your full reliance on Christ, pursuing the Dreams God reveals for YOU?
I had the privilege of meeting Dexter Yager and hearing him speak dozens of times for hundreds of hours, plus hundreds of hours listening to his speeches on cassette tapes and cds. I recall listening to him in the early morning hours during a business convention, continually emphasizing the power of the Dream.


"The Dream! The Dream! Gotta have a BIG DREAM!!!!" as he held his hands around the microphone, while holding close to his mouth for exclamation on the DREAM!!!
How big is your dream? Are you asking God to reveal His dreams for you, to you?


He once told of receiving a phone call saying that they lost a very significant amount of money in a sour investment. He, and his wife Birdie, immediately went to the car to expand, enhance and strengthen their DREAM! They continually sought God's dreams for their life, along with encouraging and assisting their business associates to seek God's dreams also.


Be patient and persistent in waiting for God's revelation, His timing correlates with His perfect wisdom.


"God, show me the Dreams you have for me." ~ Charles M. Gibbs


"When the Dream is big enough, the facts don't count." Dexter Yager


See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickEmeyer.com

Image and Person Summation

An excerpt from a class summation paper Fall 2012 @ Dallas Theological Seminary.

Introduction

I have written and rewritten this paper several times in an attempt to adequately convey how this course has and will affect my life and my ministry. Each edition yields another sense of inadequacy. The lectures and material amplify the necessity of showing you, DTS, and all those with whom I associate the impact through my ministry of eye to eye, ear to ear, heart to heart dialogue. This includes focusing first on those with whom I communicate. The world needs to hear the message of creation, image, identity and person (Gen. 1:26-27; Ps. 8, 139; Rom. 1), along with the other discussed topics. Prudently conveying the message of their significance mandates commencing with deeply caring about them, their family, career, prizes, awards, hurts, and concerns (Mt. 22:37-39). Effectiveness hinges upon knowing, living and communicating the Word of God, along with familiarity of writings by, about and interests of those with whom I minister. I recently began using flash cards to aid scripture retention and recall.

 

The passionate, errant beliefs of non-believers illustrate their inner-desire for meaning, fulfillment and happiness. Sin, depravity and demons—directly and indirectly—cause and influence filling these needs with false doctrine. False doctrine includes science without God, lust, uncontrolled hormones, greed, envy, and jealousy (Rom. 1:20-32; Gal. 5:19-21). My ministry through relationships, keynotes and seminars, focuses on leading people to the only one whom fulfills these voids—the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. The keynotes and seminars guide attendees towards the Bible, strong relationships, relying on Christ, and finding and engaging with a biblical mentor.

 

Succinctly stated, this course illustrates the need for deeply studying for the sake of relationships and deep teaching in the appropriate method for each situation. Know the Word, and personalize the ministry approach.

Creation—Image—Person

    Genetics—creation—determines value. Caldwell-Wagner Angus of Harlan, Kansas owned a bull in the 1970s and early 1980s that placed first or second in major cattle shows at Reno, Denver, and Louisville, along with many others in between. Sam and Gyra Wagner's son, John, and I were good friends from kindergarten through high school. Cattlemen across North America revered Colossal's genetics, some paid thousands of dollars for only Colossal's semen, giving them the ability to have calves effectively created by Colossal. While visiting a Nebraska crop-consulting client in the early 1990s—ten years after Colossal's death—he showed me the genetics of a bull he considered purchasing. This bull's listed sires—creators—included Colossal. A bull's creating sire greatly affects real and perceived value.

 

The 1984 World Champion Quarter Horse standing with the trophy and ribbon in Kansas City's American Royal Arena, hung on the office wall of another Nebraska crop-consulting client in the 1990s. A descendant of that horse sold for $100,000, because of its bloodline—creator—from a world champion. Horsemen highly value genetics created by World Champion horses.

 

Seed corn prices and genetics in the seed, vary greatly based on the parent company. Sometimes a parent company and one of its subsidiaries each sell seed with the same genetics. The seed from the parent company sells for a two-three fold price increase because of the perceived creator of that seed. The creating genetics of bulls, horses, and seed corn reflects their real and perceived value.

 

Breaker box with generic paint @ $900, conversely the same breaker box from Caterpillar with their paint and brand @ $2,500. Both boxes contained the same quality of electronic component, yet the brand—the image—increased the value nearly 300 percent. The difference resided in the manufacture's paint color and sticker.

 

Does knowing our Creator and having His mark—the indwelling Holy Spirit—affect man's real and perceived value? Absolutely! Knowing God—the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit—as our Creator and God of the universe affects every aspect of our lives (Gen. 1:26-28; Ps. 8:3-6; Hebr. 2:5-9). This significantly impacts our relationships, work ethic, tangible and intangible morality, love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and even our sense of humor. God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created Him; male and female He created them (Gen.1:27). Wow!!! This passage alone sufficiently causes eternal awe when reality partially permeates one's conscience, psyche and soul.

 

Combining this with the order of creation revealed in Psalm 8:3-6, the proverbial top blows out of the universe. He made us; He made us in His image, His likeness! He created us to rule over His entire earthly business! I ponder these messages while typing this paper in utter awe and humility towards God. Who am I to serve Him? Who am I to rule over anything, much less assist in running His business called Planet Earth (Hebrews 11:3; Job 38; Is. 40:28)? If a bull, horse or seed corn exponentially increases in value based on their creator, how valuable are we, am I, created with the genetics of the God of the universe?

 

This causes reflection to when as a child on the farm my dad let me drive the tractor by myself and feed the cattle and hogs by myself, he trusted me with a portion of his business. I, like most farm boys, became utterly excited at the responsibility entrusted by my father. Dad checked on me from time to time and provided loving discipline when I erred despite knowing better. Consequences existed for my success and failure, often based upon whether my failures resided in ignorance or laziness. He also assured the proper completion of every necessary task regardless of my efforts. Dad's sovereignty of his farm business provides a microcosm of God's sovereignty of His business of all creation.

 

Unfortunately, Hawkings, Gould, Solomon, most academics and others like them fail to capture, or acknowledge their Godly genetics. They ignore these powerful truths of whose image they represent, choosing to believe they exist from randomness, in the image of randomness. In denying their creation by and in the image of God, they effectively equate themselves to someone who burns the pedigree papers of a bull calf descending from Colossal, or a colt from the World Champion Quarter horse. Except the pedigree papers distinguishing humanity as God's infinitely exceed those of man ruled creation.

 

Dear readers, do you recognize your value because of who created you? Amazement astounds those pondering the power and untapped power of neuroscience and genetics. Every discussion of neuroscience must begin the designer and creator of neuroscience genetics. Only in focusing on the originator do we begin to scratch the surface of appreciation of our mind-body relationship. God designed and created us for relationship with Him.

 

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!

Rick E. Meyer

See, Believe, Achieve Inc.

www.rickEmeyer.com

^{1 & 2} (Burns 2012)

Listen and Respond to Christ’s Voice

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me (John 10:27 NIV).


As a child growing-up on the farm, Dad expected me to run in response to his commands. If he asked for a 11/16" deep socket, I ran to find the 11/16" deep socket, then ran to deliver the socket to him. He expected the same response in getting a shovel, a tractor, the pick-up or something in the house. When my father spoke, he expected an immediate, urgent response in my running to fulfill his command. I obeyed because I knew my father's voice, and I strongly desired to please him. Oftentimes, Dad did not have time to explain why he needed me to run for whatever he needed. I was expected to run in response despite whether I understood the purpose of the command.


Naturally, our loving desire to please our heavenly Father, responding to Christ's voice spoken in our hearts by the indwelling Holy Spirit should generate at least an equal response to our dad's voice.

True obedience responds immediately.

~ Dr. Stan Toussaint, Dallas Theological Seminary

Other times have failed to immediately respond to Christ's voice, because my selfish pride prevented my recognizing, my knowing Christ's voice. In the spring and early summer of 2009, I had "hunches" to visit a neighbor across the yard. My sinful, inward focused pride prevented me from visiting this neighbor who lived by himself. I justified that I was too busy; another time will work better for both of us.


Additionally, my sinful pride rhetorically asked, "What will this guy whom I never met think? What will the other neighbors think of me visiting this raggedy dressed man.'


I am embarrassed to write about my terrible sins, I now am unable to understand what causes such as awful thoughts, and more importantly what caused my obedience to these sinful, prideful thoughts. During Saturday morning Bible study in mid-July, one of the men told of my neighbor whom I was too busy and prideful to visit, committed suicide due to loneliness. The indwelling Holy Spirit requested that I visit this man. I ignored the Holy Spirit, I failed to listen to Christ's voice. I failed to follow Christ to that man's home.


Consequently, I now strive to immediately respond to Christ's voice, even if I risk embarrassment. I would rather be embarrassed in immediately responding to the voice of Holy Spirit, than risk failing to respond. This includes calling someone immediately before entering a meeting because I hear in my heart and mind the Holy Spirit's voice instructing me to leave a message of healing and encouragement. A few minutes later the person sent a text message thanking me for the message. This text message validates that I did appropriately listen to and respond to Christ's voice.


Other times, I send messages of thoughts, encouragement, hopes and prayers via text, e-mail, facebook or a spoken word to those whom the Lord places on my heart. Sometimes it seems rather awkward, yet I know that as long as I seek to serve and please God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit He will guide my messages in hearts of the receptors.


This morning at church a couple and their young son whom I had never met, sat by me. Near the end of the service, I heard the Lord instruct me through my heart to tell the mother how I could easily see and sense her and her husband's authentic Christian love for their son. Despite the awkwardness, I immediately responded to Christ's voice. The mother thanked me profusely. She repeated her gratitude as we departed the sanctuary. I further stated that their love for their son is indicative of her and her husband's love for each other. Her eyes once again softly leaked with compassion and gratitude as she assured me of their authentic Christian love for one another.


The reason for Christ using me to express this message to this mother remains unknown to me. Yet, just as I Dad didn't always explain why he needed me to run for something for him, neither does God need to explain each of His commands to me.


The above stories have little to do with Rick E. Meyer, rather everything to do with how you will listen to Christ's voice, immediately respond to Christ's voice as you follow Him.


To listen to Christ's voice, assumes we know Christ's voice spoken non-audibly in our heart and mind by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Do you listen and respond to the Holy Spirit? Listening and knowing mandate immediate response. Delays in belief cause delays in belief, we respond according to our belief.


To know Christ's voice, pray—this includes listening, read scripture, associate with mature Christians and journal to aid your calibration of His voice.


How has God used you to touch lives, even when it seems awkward?


Are you prepared and willing to immediately respond to Christ voice in serving His people in whatever method He commands? Trust Him! Seek to honestly say, "Lord, you know that I try to hear, listen and respond to appropriately to your voice. Cause me to glorify you even when I inadvertently mess up in understanding your message and / or how to respond to your message. Lord, thank you for using me, and helping me perpetually improve in listening and responding to Christ's voice spoken to me from the indwelling Holy Spirit."


Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.
(Psalm 37:4-5). Listening and responding to the Christ who sent the indwelling Holy Spirit to believers—delighting in the Lord—results in you and I requesting God to infuse His desires into your heart and my heart.


See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickEmeyer.com




 

Every day is Good

Always be positive. Every day is good, some are better. ~ Allen Schroeder

Last week I heard of my friend's death. For proper perspective on his frequently declared above statement, Allen's father died when Allen was in early grade school. He served in WWII and later achieved significant business success.

In my last visit with him and his wife Mary Ann in July 2011, I stopped by their home unannounced in route to the airport, Allen told of having a heart attack. The Doctor in Omaha approached his bed, "You're a Christian, aren't you."

"Yes, how did you know?"

"By your internal peace, Christians are always more peaceful when facing death."

 

Naturally, I remain grateful for he—at age 79—and Mary Ann driving 175 miles to my dad's funeral in December 2006.

As we journey through 2013, remember Allen's advice: Always be positive. Every day is good, some are better.

 

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!

Rick E. Meyer

See, Believe, Achieve Inc.

www.rickEmeyer.com

 

Morning Ponderings

Success is achieving Christ's Will for your life. Perpetually seeking and attaining the necessary wisdom, knowledge and understanding. ~ Rick E. Meyer

"SuccessèGoal of LifeèPleasing the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:9)" ~ Dr. Toussaint

A proper view of suffering always begins with a proper view of God. (2 Cor. 1:3-4)

"We died to the Ten Commandments. The tenth commandment becomes the Hermeneutic for the first nine commandments. Tenth = Covet = Heart = Sermon on the Mount. (Romans 7 and 2 Corinthians 3)" ~ Dr. Toussaint

Great Evidences of Faith è Prayer. Prayer implies God's sovereignty.

Gift of Giving è Gift of Faith. Exceed the tithe (10%), give like the Macedonians (2 Cor. 8 and 9). Tithing preceded the Law.

Paul provided three encouragements for the Corinthian church to give (2 Cor. 8:7-9):

1. Give out of Poverty—Like the Macedonians
   
2. Macedonia is the Standard, not the tithe (10%)
   
3. Give with a Great—Joyful, Cheerful—Heart
   

Always have two to three people with good reputations handle the church's money. The pastor should keep their hands off the $$$. (2 Cor. 8:16-24)

Examine yourself, instead of others (2 Cor. 13:5). Test yourself with the anticipation of approval.

 

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ! Rick E. Meyer See, Believe, Achieve Inc. www.rickEmeyer.com