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Jesus, The Ultimate Servant Leader

Jesus Christ

The entire ministry of Jesus is a perfect example of servant leadership. He blended perfectly servanthood and leadership. Jesus is the standard by which we all must assess ourselves. There are many patterns of His servant leadership like the washing of His disciple’s feet, dying on the cross and being a good steward of His possessions especially money.

As there are over 2,350 verses on money in the bible, God must have known we were going to have some difficulty with money. We must remember that money is only a tool and not to make it an idol. This is something I had to learn as I tended to do this before I became a Christian. As we see in 1Tim 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (NKJV).

While growing up, I went to several different denominational churches each with its own doctrine, but the subject of money was never really spoken about such as tithing. Sermons were preached about giving money to the church or visiting missionaries would ask for money but God’s laws regarding money and being a good steward were never mentioned.

Since coming to The Well and taking Crown small groups, I have learned many things about Jesus being a servant leader when it comes to my finances. By following Christ’s example, I am able to have a better handle on the family finances and am able to better budget our resources. I am not so focused on money and know that if I do my part, God will take care of my needs. I keep Luke 12:7 in mind when I feel I am losing ground. It states, but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows (NKJV). Also, I had to learn Prov 22:7 the hard way. It says – the rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender (NKJV).

Professionally, I have been self-employed for the past 30 plus years in the telecom industry. Needless to say I never ran my business God’s way. I was successful but only to a certain level. I even had a retail location in Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek. I thought I knew all about business. At one point, I felt like it states in Matt 21:12 -Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves (NKJV). The telecom industry changed almost overnight and we had to close the store almost overnight.

Now I run my business with God as the head of the organization. I begin everyday in prayer and reading the bible seeking for God’s wisdom.

My ministry has a few aspects to it. One area is being involved in Kingdom Finance. Nancy and I are currently co-facilitating Business By the Book with Ken and Anita Hayden. This is our second time; we taught this class a couple of years ago. Each time I facilitate the class, I learn how to be a better steward of the possessions and money God has entrusted with me. I feel I am better able to follow Jesus’s example of being a true servant leader each time we teach the class as I am in prayer and seeking God’s word about the lessons for the week. I continually receive new revelation.

God has also led me to be a budget coach. I am in the process of completing the material and begin coaching others (one on one or one on two) in a more conducive atmosphere. It is very rewarding to see my financial situation improve using God’s way and looking forward to be able to lead others to the same financial peace.

Also, I have been writing articles and creating videos on what God says about money and posting to my websites and educating people on what is going on in our economy and how to find comfort in God’s word.

In closing, I feel the more I learn about Jesus being a servant leader, by staying in His word and cultivate a prayer life, I am better able to follow His example and share my knowledge with those individuals and see them become financially free and live the life that God has intended for them and not in the bondage of debt and the dark side.

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Book Review: The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

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The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom is an autobiography. It was co-written by John and Elizabeth Sherrill. The title, The Hiding Place, has both a physical and spiritual meaning. The physical refers to the hiding place where the ten Boom family hid the Jews from the Nazis, and the spiritual is in reference to Psalm 119:114 which says, “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.” NJKV

The book begins in 1937, as the family is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the family business – watchmaker and watch repair in which Corrie’s elderly father Casper, now runs. It seems as if the entire Dutch town of Haarlem have come out for the celebration including Corrie’s brother, Willem, her sister, Nollie, and nephews, Peter and Kik. Her brother, Willem, who was a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church brought with him a Jewish man as a guest, who had just escaped from Germany. His beard had been burned off.

The business was on the first floor of the family home (known as the Beje – pronounced bay-yay). Corrie, unmarried and a watchmaker, her sister, Betsie, who took care of the home and also unmarried, and their father Casper lived in the home. Little did any of them know that their uneventful lives were soon going to be disrupted quickly and life as they knew it was going to come to an abrupt stop. The Nazis invaded Holland in 1940.

Because of their strong Christian faith, the family strongly felt the need to assist their Jewish friends. Their home, the Beje, soon was the center of a anti-Nazis operation. Corrie soon finds herself in the middle of a black market operations, stealing ration cards, and hiding Jews in their home.

As a Christian, Corrie faced a moral dilemma. She had no challenge in helping the Jews, but the means she needed to go through in order to accomplish this task – lying, forgery, bribery, theft, and even arranging a robbery. None of which she wanted to do but a necessary step in helping the Jews. A secret room was built in the Beje which was arranged by the Dutch underground. This was in the event of a raid, the Jews would have a place to hide.

The Jews safety was a primary concern for Corrie. She gave up part of her own bedroom and sacrificed her own safety for the sake and safety of the Jews. A police officer friend, Rolf, trained Corrie to think clearly anytime (meal time, middle of the night, or even during the day) in case of a Nazis invasion of her home and started questioning her.

One man asked Corrie to help his wife who apparently had been arrested. Corrie had reservations but agreed to help him. The man turned out to be a spy and as a result the watch shop was raided. The ten Boom family and shop employees were arrested. The Jews were safe as they managed to keep themselves hidden in the secret room.

Corrie’s father, Casper, was in his eighties at this time. If he promised to cause no more trouble the Nazi official offered to let him go. Casper would not agree. He vowed that it would be an honor for he and his family to suffer for aiding the Jews. Casper was shipped to prison in which he died ten days later.

Corrie and her sister, Betsie were sent to a Dutch prison specifically for political prisoners. Then later sent to concentration camps also designated for political prisoners.

Corrie was amazed at her sister’s faith, throughout the ordeal. The sisters had a hidden bible that they used to teach their fellow prisoners about Jesus. While in Ravensbrück, Corrie found it hard to look towards heaven as there was only misery and hatred. On the other hand, Betsie continued to show a universal love for everyone, even her enemies, including the Nazis. She pitied the Germans instead of feeling anger towards them. She saw that they were blinded by hatred. She died before the war was over but wanted to show them the love of Christ.

In early 1945 Corrie was released from Ravensbrück on a clerical error. She was released only one week before the execution of all the women prisoners of her age. Once released her life’s work led her to speak to the world of what actually went on during that infamous period of time in history. Her testimony that goodness and love can prevail even during the darkest periods of our lives. Up to her death in 1983 at the age of ninety-one, Corrie continued traveling the world spreading the message of endurance and faith.

It is a compelling story of how Corrie and Betsie lived in prison and concentration camps. It also shows Betsie’s strong Christian faith and how strong these two sisters actually were. Even though Betsie was not strong physically, she made up for it in her spiritual life.

The Hiding Place is an excellent book showing survival through God going through the dark side of life. It reminds us that God is with us even when we do not see Him. This book will help build your faith and encourage you to continue to focus on God. This is a must read.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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WHAT IS CHARACTER?

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What is character? According to the dictionary,character means 1. a distinctive trait; 2. behavior typical of a person or group; 3. moral strength; 4. reputation.

Character is an evaluation of a particular individual’s moral qualities. It can also imply a variety of attributes including the existence of lack of virtues such as integrity, courage, fortitude, honesty and loyalty, or of good behaviors or habits. When someone is a moral character, it is primarily referring to the assemblage of qualities that distinguish one individual from another.

When we watch a movie or read a book we usually think of the characters. Even though sometimes the character is complex most of the time they tend to be usually good or bad. Even in the early days of the western, you could tell the characters by the color of their outfits and hats. Although we tend to support the good character and cheer them on as they go about their lives. We want to see them succeed. But in real life character is much more complicated. We are all an array of good and bad character traits. We need to make a conscience decision to do what is right. Depending on your choices, we are either rewarded or have to pay the consequences.

The United States Air Force Academy definition is “We define character as the sum of those qualities of moral excellence that stimulate a person to do the right thing, which is manifested through right and proper actions despite internal or external pressures to the contrary.”

When we think of someone with good character or morals we can find many who fit the bill. One of the men I think about is Noah. Even if you are not biblical you have heard of Noah. Noah was a man who God chose as being a person of good character. Noah was a just man. He was righteous in conduct and character. He was a man vindicated by God. He was also able to maintain his integrity as he was being ridiculed by his peers. He was a role model for them and by being a man of good standing and did not waiver in his conviction, God protected Noah and his family.

Another quote by an author unknown says, “Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”

In looking at the negative side of character for a brief moment. The current situation on Wall Street shows the CEO’s of these firms as greedy. Shows a lack of integrity.

Once your character has been destroyed how long do you think it would take for others to trust you again? Would your character ever be totally repaired? Would there always be a hint of question surrounding you?

Remember when dealing with others keep your character intact. Also, remember the true test of character is what you do when no one is watching you. Do you act the same way when you are alone as you do when you are with others. As Abraham Lincoln said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

Image courtesy of arztsamui at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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