Category: Strength for Today

2 Chronicles 32:25
“But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.”

The effects of leadership’s sin upon a follower is seen in the verse above. One must never underestimate the influence sin will have upon those you lead. Hezekiah lifted up his heart in pride, and in the next verse we see the people followed with pride of heart. Many times followers will follow the lead of their leader. If their leader commits sin, the follower oftentimes feels justified with doing the same. Likewise, if the leader lives righteously, then the follower will do the same. Oh the power of leadership!

Several times in the Scriptures we see the phrase or similar to this phrase, “his heart was lifted up.” This lifting up of ones heart is like a swelling of the heart or becoming prideful. As we look through the Scriptures, we see seven pitfalls that cause leadership to lift up their hearts.

Great victories is the first pitfall of leadership. Throughout the Scriptures you often see after a great victory a leader being filled with pride. You must be careful after every victory that you don’t let pride set in. Always keep in mind that God gave the victory and that it did not come because of your own power.

Strength is the second pitfall of leadership. When many of the kings in the Scriptures realized the strength of their kingdom, they oftentimes allowed pride to come into their heart. Just because you have become strong does not mean that you have arrived. Don’t let your strength fool you into believing that you don’t need God.

Success is the third pitfall of leadership. Just because you’ve become successful doesn’t mean you have arrived. Your success can be turned into failure very quickly. Don’t think that temporal success guarantees eternal success. Stay humble and keep serving the LORD.

A higher estimation of one’s goodness is the fourth pitfall of leadership. Leadership must be careful about thinking their position makes them good. Just because God has allowed you to lead does not mean you are above sin. Leaders sin just like everyone else. Be careful that you don’t think you are better than what you truly are.

Riches are the fifth pitfall of leadership. Your wealth doesn’t make you better than others. Money is not a determining factor of spirituality. Money is only a tool you can use to serve the LORD. Don’t let your wealth cause you to be filled with pride.

Beauty is the sixth pitfall of leadership. Lucifer allowed his beauty to be the doorknob to pride. Beauty is irrelevant, and just because you may have looks does not make you better than others. Your beauty did not come from you it came from God, so be careful about allowing your looks to be your destruction.

Position is the seventh pitfall of leadership. Many people have been destroyed because they acquired position. Don’t allow the acquisition of position to go to your head. Be humbled that God would allow you to be promoted and keep doing what you have always done.

When we achieve in one of these areas, we must be so careful not to let them destroy us. It is so easy to lift up our hearts when we achieve these things. Be cautious and realize that God is the one Who has allowed this to come into your life, and be careful to give Him the credit instead of taking the credit for yourself.

2 Chronicle 9:7
“Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom.”

Happiness is the pursuit of most people. Happiness is such a desire that the forefathers of the United States put the phrase in the Declaration of Independence, “…the pursuit of happiness.” Mankind has been in the pursuit of happiness since the beginning.

In the verse above, it says that Solomon’s men and servants were happy. The Queen of Sheba heard the fame of Solomon and she didn’t believe all that was told to her. So, she came to prove the reports wrong only to find that half of the story had not been told. What grabbed her attention was the happiness of those who were under Solomon.

When looking at this verse you can see that happiness did not come from obtaining a position. The men of the country were happy, and the servants were happy. Their wealth also did not give them happiness. The servants certainly were not wealthy, but they were happy. Their education did not make them happy as we see they were sitting listening to the wisdom of Solomon. So, what was it that made them happy?

First, they were happy because they obeyed. When reading this story, you see the men and servants were busy doing what they were commanded to do. Obedience always brings happiness. You may think that rebelling will bring you happiness, but always remember the Prodigal Son who found out that rebellion only brings heartache. You will never be happy in life until you learn to obey your authorities and the Word of God.

Second, they were happy because they heard the Word of God. You will notice that they heard the wisdom of Solomon. Hold on! Was it really Solomon’s wisdom they heard or was it the wisdom of God? They heard what you and I can read in the Book of Proverbs which is the wisdom of God. You will never be happy without listening to the Word of God being preached, taught and read. God’s Word always produces happiness when it is heeded.

Third, they were happy because they were not competing with each other or the world. I want you to notice that these people were wearing the apparel the king commanded them to wear. They were not trying to wear what the rest of the world wore, but they wore what they were commanded to wear. Christian, stop trying to be like the world and be what God wants you to be. You will never be happy trying to identify with the world. The world is never satisfied, and that is why their trends constantly change. Happiness is discovered in being content with who God wants you to be.

Fourth, they were happy because they chose to be happy. It ultimately came down to their choice to be a happy people. Friend, everyday you must choose if you are going to be happy or grumpy and discontented. If you are saved, then inside of you dwells the Holy Spirit Who is capable of giving you a happy disposition if you yield to Him. It is truly your choice.

This world needs to see that Christians are happy. It was not the wealth that impressed the Queen of Sheba. It was not the buildings Solomon built that grabbed her attention. What grabbed her attention was the happiness of Solomon’s people. The world notices when we are happy, and that is what will cause them to desire to want what we have. What does the world see in you? I encourage you to daily yield to the Holy Spirit and ask Him to help you to have a happy disposition so the world can see the joy of Christ through you.

1 Chronicles 29:28
“And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead.”

Most people do not enjoy talking about age when they get to a certain age. A common joke is that you never ask a lady her age, and the reason is because most women as well as men don’t like to think they are getting old. Old age does come whether we like it or not, and your goal should be to live to old age in a Christian manner.

David graced old age. Old age was not a death sentence to David, but his old age was something he could enjoy because he had lived his life according to the Word of God. Certainly, David made some mistakes in his life that I’m sure he wished he could undo, but on the whole he lived his life in such a way that when he died he had more satisfaction with how he lived than he had regrets. David truly died the way a Christian should die. The verse above shows us how he achieved this.

First, he died in a “good old age.” In other words, David enjoyed every stage of his life. You will never die in a “good old age” if you don’t learn to enjoy each stage of life. Stop trying to be younger or older than you are and enjoy the stage of life you are in. Each stage of life has its blessings and curses, but those who enjoy life to its fullest are those who enjoy each stage of life.

Second, David’s life was “full of days.” In other words, he enjoyed life to its fullest. He didn’t hibernate in his palace, but he enjoyed what God gave him to enjoy in his life. I believe it is important that you enjoy life to its fullest. One way you do this is to be sure to serve the LORD. You cannot enjoy life to its fullest unless you serve the LORD. Furthermore, enjoy the pleasantries life gives. Enjoy your family by spending time with them. Enjoy the blessings God has given you. Have time where you enjoy your hobbies. The balanced Christian life is living life to its fullest. Certainly, you should serve God, but also enjoy the pleasantries of life along with serving Him.

Third, David died with “riches.” David did not strive to be rich, but he became rich because he learned the value of saving while he was younger. I completely understand that everyone will not be rich when they get old, but everyone can learn the value of setting aside a portion of their finances when they are younger to be able to use when they are older. If you are going to enjoy life, you better learn to set aside for retirement. Don’t spend every penny you get, but learn to save money for retirement. As my uncle taught me years ago, you can have little now and a lot of things later, or you can have a lot of things now and have nothing when you get older. Be the wise Christian who sets aside for retirement.

Fourth, David died with honor. You will never die with honor if you live a life of sin. David lived his life serving God, and that is why he died with honor. One of your goals should be to die with honor. Don’t live a life that will cause you to die a dishonorable death. Live your life realizing at any moment you could die. Always remember before you choose to commit sin that if you died while doing it you will die a dishonorable death. Live your life in such a manner that you would not be ashamed if you died while doing any action.

These four things are what God desires for every Christian. None of these things are out of reach for anyone. If every person will dedicate their life to live for God, they will find that these four areas will be said about them when they die. If you lack in one of these areas, then change that area of your life now and start working on improving it so that people can see that serving God is a worthy lifestyle.

1 Chronicles 14:12
“And David perceived that the LORD had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel.”

Have you ever been around leaders who constantly try to show how great they are? It is sickening when you hear leaders brag on themselves and what they have done. I have been around people who talked about all they have done to the point that you would think they walked on water. This is not great leadership. This is weak leadership.

David didn’t have to tell everybody how great he was because they did it for him. It says in the verse above that David perceived “…his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel.” You will notice that David didn’t tell everyone how great his kingdom was, but the people were the ones who lifted up his kingdom. David’s people validated his kingdom. He didn’t have to build a museum for himself because the people had already lifted up his works. There are four principles taught in this passage about leadership that can be helpful to every person.

First, insecurity brags on itself. David didn’t have to brag on himself because the people did the bragging for him. His works were told by the people. Leadership should let their works speak for themselves. A leader who has to get up and tell everyone how great they are is a leader who is insecure about their lack of accomplishments. Great preachers don’t tell their church members how great they are, instead, they build their people and proclaim how great God is. A pastor who has to brag on himself is a pastor who is insecure in his own works. A political leader who constantly tears down previous administrations and proclaims their own accomplishments is an insecure leader. Insecurity is afraid others have not seen what they have done, so they must proclaim it themselves so everyone will be sure to notice it.

Second, great works are built by teams. David didn’t build his kingdom by himself. It was built with the help of his people. Always remember that you cannot do great works by yourself. Great works are built by people who are not concerned with getting the credit. When everyone is more concerned with the works than they are with getting the credit, you will find amazing things can be accomplished.

Third, be a people builder and not a kingdom builder. David didn’t set out to build a great kingdom, he set out to build people. He invested his life in people. Stop worrying about building a great kingdom and invest yourself in building the lives of people. There are too many kingdom builders in Christianity, and that only leads to hurt people. Invest your time in building people and leave the kingdom building to God.

Fourth, let your works speak for themselves. David didn’t say he had a great kingdom, but his people said it. The best thing you can do is stay busy in building the lives of people and you will find that they will speak for you. You won’t have to tell everyone how great you are because your works will already have told everyone about your greatness.

Christian, stop worrying about how great you are and spend your life building people. Promoting yourself should be the hardest thing for you to do. Don’t ever become an expert in promoting yourself, but become an expert in building people. When you build people, they will speak for you. When the people speak for you, then that will silence your critics.

1 Chronicles 13:9
“And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.”

The story from the verse above is about the attempt to move the ark of the covenant to the city of David. David desired the ark of the covenant to be where he lived because he wanted God’s presence and blessings upon him. There was certainly nothing wrong with David’s desire. I believe that God was pleased with his desire.

The problem in this story comes when David decided to move the ark of the covenant on a new cart that was pulled by oxen. This was not the way God prescribed for the ark of the covenant to be moved. God said that the priests were to carry it on their shoulders. David thought that moving it on a new cart would be easier for everyone and faster. The problem arose when they came to the threshing floor and the oxen stumbled, and when they stumbled Uzza put his hand on the ark to steady it. This caused God to kill Uzza because no man was to touch the ark.

As pure as David’s desires were to move the ark to his city, he still did it the wrong way. His way of doing things was not God’s way of doing things. I believe David thought that moving the ark on a new cart didn’t seem like that big of a deal, but what he could not account for by not doing things God’s way was that the oxen would stumble and a man would put forth his hand to steady the ark. David was sincere in putting the ark on a new cart, but he was sincerely wrong. God desires obedience even when obedience doesn’t seem to be the best way or the most obedient way.

God tells us how to live in His Word. When God shows us how to live, He expects us to do things His way. Many times we come up with great ways to do God’s work, but the ways we come up with to do God’s work is not how He wants us to do them. Your motives can be pure and sincere, but God is not as interested that we do His work with pure motives as much as He wants us to do His work His way.

Friend, sincerity doesn’t make a wrong right. You can have sincere motives for compromising truth, but that doesn’t change right and wrong. Right and wrong are not based off our sincerity; instead, right and wrong are based off God’s Word. Just because a person is sincere doesn’t make them right.

Furthermore, just because a method of how we do things may seem to produce better results, if it is not done God’s way then it is still wrong. The problem with humans doing things with human reasoning is that humans can’t foresee the oxen stumbling. We can’t see what is ahead. We don’t know the future. We can’t see that somebody will take what we do and do something absolutely wrong with our actions. That is why you must always do things God’s way.

Christian, God’s way is the best way to live Christianity. Stop letting sincerity to be the determining factor of right and wrong. Stop allowing the results to determine whether something is right and wrong. Only allow the Word of God to determine whether you are doing something the right way. God’s Word is our final authority, and it always overrides sincere motives and better results. Always look to God’s Word to see if you are doing something the right way.

1 Chronicles 4:10
“And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.”

In the middle of the chronology of the Chronicles, a man appears whom God blesses. While God was going through the chronology, something caused God to stop and focus on this man. The thing that was different about Jabez was eventually what caused God to bless him. This thing that was different about Jabez was his heart. Let me show you the three things that were different about Jabez that caused God to stop.

The first thing that caused God to stop was his vision. Jabez prayed to God and said, “Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed…” The vision of Jabez was greater than others around him and it caused God to stop and focus and this man. The vision was that he wanted God’s blessings on his life. He didn’t want to be like everyone else, and he certainly wasn’t. His vision caused God to stop and set him aside from everyone else in the chronology.

Would your vision cause God to stop? Better yet, do you have a vision? One of the things this generation lacks is vision. We live in a generation that seems to accept the status quo. We live in a generation that is complacent with being like everyone else. Why should God stop and notice you if your vision is average? You should have a vision for God to do something great through your life.

The second thing that caused God to stop was his desire. His desire was to have his coast enlarged. He wasn’t like everyone else who was happy with yesterday’s blessings, but he wanted God to bless him today. He wanted to see God work in his life today like he saw Him work yesterday. This desire caused God to stop and notice him.

God always stops and notices those who have a desire for God to do something today. You should never be satisfied with yesterday’s blessings. Those whom God uses the greatest are those who have a passionate desire for God to do something through them today. Friend, don’t settle to live on someone else’s blessings and get a desire for God to bless you.

The third thing that caused God to stop and notice Jabez was his purpose. His purpose was to stay away from sin. This always gets God’s attention. When you have a vision and desire to do more for God so that you will stay away from sin, God will stop and notice you. Your purpose in life should be to please God. Pleasing your parents and those who’ve invested in your life are a great purpose, but to have a purpose to please God by living a holy life will always cause God to stop and notice you.

Let me ask you, do you have a vision that is greater than the status quo? Are your aspirations in life average? Do you have a desire for God to do something great in your life today? Is your purpose to please God in all that you do? These are the things that will cause God to stop and notice you. These are the things that will cause God to put His hand upon an individual. When you get a heart for God, you will find these three things will certainly be in your life.

2 Kings 19:6
“And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.”

Several times in the Scriptures God commands us, “Be not afraid.” This was said when Hezekiah faced the impending invasion of the King of Assyria. Hezekiah had a reason to be afraid if he looked through fleshly eyes, but when he looked through spiritual eyes he could plainly see that there was no reason to be afraid. There are five reasons the Scriptures show us why we should not be afraid.

First, be not afraid because you are not alone. God says in 2 Kings 6:16, “…Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” You don’t have to face your problems alone. Certainly, when problems come your way you can feel that you are all alone, but God will never leave you alone to face your problems. Not only does God promise to never leave you, but He also gives you a host of supporters to help you go through your troubles.

Second, be not afraid because God is with you. Deuteronomy 20:1 reminds us, “…for the LORD thy God is with thee…” God will always be by your side when troubles come. He is not just with you when times are good, but He is also with you when troubles come your way. You have no reason to be afraid, for God is there to protect you from the harm of your troubles.

Third, be not afraid because God’s promises have not changed. The promises of God’s Word are as relevant today as they were when they were given to man the first time. God’s promises have not changed because you are facing troubles. You can always bank on the fact that God’s promises are for you right now.

Fourth, be not afraid because it is not your battle. 2 Chronicles 20:15 says, “…Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” Never forget that every battle you face can be God’s if you will give it to Him. Stop trying to fight God’s battles and let Him fight them. Just like Hezekiah ran to God and showed Him the problems, you must run to God and lay out your battle before God so He will fight for you. You can try to fight a battle that is not yours to fight, or you can trust God and let Him fight the battles that you face. Whoever fights the battles is dependent upon whether you brought your problems to God in prayer. The moment you bring your troubles to God in prayer is when the battle becomes God’s.

Fifth, be not afraid because God’s power is still the same. Friend, God has not lost an ounce of His power. The God Who performed miracles in the past can still do them today. Your troubles are not too great for God. God has the power to handle your situation. Your fear can truly be wiped away if you will realize that God is powerful enough to fight your troubles which are His battles.

What are you facing today that is causing you to be afraid? Let me encourage you to realize that you have no reason to be afraid. These five principles can help you overcome your fear if you will take them to heart. I challenge you to take whatever is causing you to be afraid to God and let it become God’s battle to fight for you. You will never be disappointed when you give it to God.

1 Kings 17:23
“ And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.”

One of the stories in the Bible that raises my ire is the story of Ahab and Naboth. Ahab desired to have Naboth’s vineyard, but Naboth would not allow his vineyard to be turned into a shrine to worship heathen gods. When given a chance to prosper from this transaction, Naboth would not close a blind eye to the wrong just for the sake of financial profit. Naboth was truly a man of character and integrity.

One would think that Naboth’s actions would have good results, but they did not. Jezebel set into action a plan that eventually resulted in Naboth’s death. It could have been very easy for Naboth to have a last minute change of mind when he faced the death squad, but he completely understood that right actions sometimes bring bad results.

The test of your integrity will be determined by how you respond when doing right results in adverse circumstances. It is always easy to do right when we know the consequences will turn in our favor; however, it is difficult to do right when you know that doing right will result in your hurt. In this story, there are some truths that we must embrace when doing right brings bad results.

First, just because right causes defeat does not change right. Friend, you can lose in your battle for truth, but that does not change the fact that truth is right. Many people focus on the result to determine whether something is the right thing to do, but doing right doesn’t always bring good results. We must understand that truth and right are determined by God and not by the results.

Second, your integrity should never be for sale. Friend, what will it take for you to lose your integrity? What is the cost of truth? Your price tag is whatever it takes for you to quit doing right. Let me encourage you to determine not to be for sale. I know it’s easy to say you are not for sale, but you are going to have to get a thick skin and a deep determination to not sell out in the day of adversity. Doing right will not always be popular, but doing right is always the right thing to do. You don’t do right because it brings good rewards, you do right because it’s right.

Third, don’t undo in doubt or pressure the decision to stand for truth. There will come a time in your life when the pressure will be applied and become so great that you will want to crumble under the pressure and quit doing right. Don’t ever let the pressure or the doubt of what will happen cause you to crumble. Stand strong in the truths of God’s Word realizing that God’s Word is always right.

Christian, doing right will not always bring good results. You need to determine right now what you are going to do in that day. This world needs some Naboth’s who will do right when it is not popular and when it doesn’t turn out for their good. The only thing that will help you keep going in that day is the fact that you are doing right solely because it is right. If you do right for any other reason, then you will quit doing right when the pressure of wrong is applied. Determine by God’s grace that you will do right even when right results in personal adversity.

1 Kings 17:24
“And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.”

The story from the verse above is truly a heartwarming story. Elijah was sent to a widow woman during a time of famine so that he could be fed. This widow woman had one son who was most likely her whole life. One day this boy got sick, and eventually the sickness took his life. The widow lady took her son and laid him in a bed in the loft, and afterwards went to Elijah to give her complaint to him. The prophet came to where the son was lain and God used him to raise the child from the dead.

What is interesting is what the widow lady said to Elijah after her son was risen from the dead. She said, “Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.” Hold on, did she forget how the LORD took care of her daily with a handful of meal and a little cruse of oil by the word of Elijah. She should have known that Elijah was a man of God by the daily provision that God provided for her through his command. Yet, she quickly forgot those miracles, and it took a present day miracle for her to remember that Elijah was a man of God.

Most Christians are just like this widow woman. It’s not what someone did yesterday that determines God’s hand upon them, but what have they done today that reminds people of God’s hand upon them. There are several lessons everyone can learn from this story that will help us to be better Christians and leaders.

First, don’t forget yesterday’s miracles. Throughout the Scriptures God commands us to remember. God knew the forgetfulness of people, and that is why we are commanded to remember the miracles. You would be wise to daily take time to remember what the LORD has done for you in the past. Don’t be guilty of being the type of Christian who says, “What have you done for me lately?”

Second, don’t take for granted the miracles of the past because God is not required to give more miracles today. If you are quick to forget what God has done for you in the past and don’t daily thank Him for them, you may find that He may stop sending the miracles today.

Third, God has the power to take care of today’s problems like He did with yesterday’s problems. Don’t despair over your problems today. God still has the power to supply your need for the problems you face today just like He had the power to supply your needs in the past.

Fourth, leaders should always ask God daily to show His power through them. Whether or not you like it, those who follow you will quickly forget what God did through you yesterday. Yesterday’s manna is not good for today’s hunger. Your followers need to see that you can get God to supply today’s need for them to continually believe that He still works through you. Don’t become complacent with yesterday’s miracles as a leader. Daily ask God to do something through you. Not so much for those who follow you but for you.

Friend, God is certainly a present day God. As a Christian, don’t ever forget that our God can take care of you today like He did yesterday. As a leader, God can still work through you today like He did yesterday if you are willing to pay the price for God to work through you.