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Mike
Archive for June, 2010
Experts for nothing!!
Posted in Discipleship on June 7, 2010 by mikekeatonBut the Pharisees and experts in religious law rejected God’s plan for them, for they had refused John’s baptism. -Luke 7:30-NLT
This verse really jumped out to me in a quiet time recently. I don’t think it is a secret that the Pharisees (really pious and legalistic self-righteous religious types) of the New Testament, were thought very highly of by Jesus. They were as the verse says “experts in religious law”, actually the Mosaic Law. In other words they “knew” a lot about the Scriptures.
But isn’t it ironic that they “knew” a lot, but it didn’t do them any good? I’m thinking they didn’t “know” as much as they thought they did!!
Unfortunately, many times, we, you, me, are guilty of the same thing! I heard someone say once, “we are educated beyond our obedience”. It’s true. Most of us “know” more than we apply! Here’s an example: would you say you should exercise more and eat less? Well, do you? The majority of us would have to admit that we don’t exercise like we should and that we eat way too much!! (hopefully that is not true of you-right now I am thankful I exercised this morning and have eaten pretty good today – whew!), anyway, the point is, what good is that knowledge doing you?
I asked someone once, “what difference is Jesus making in your life today?” I was a little surprised to see the individual struggle with an answer…in fact the answer that was given was…”well, I’m thankful He saved me”. Now, don’t get me wrong b/c the doctrine of Salvation is awesome!! and incredibly important to our whole life and each day!! But I asked, “Did you get saved recently?” They replied, “oh no, I have been a Christian ever since 6 years of age”. Again, don’t get me wrong…the fact that this person was still glad and thankful for salvation is huuuuggggeee!
Unfortunately, many of us “know” of salvation, or forgiveness, or our identity in Christ, or that the Bible is God’s word, or that God’s wants us to give financially, or that doing life with others is essential for a Christ follower, or that the Gospel is to be shared, or that porn will ruin relationships, or…or….or….!!!! But, we, like the Pharisees, “reject God’s purposes for us” b/c we don’t follow-through with application.
Makes us wonder what we actually believe-huh? sometimes, I think we, myself included, are like practical atheists or agnostics!!
Do you know Jesus? what difference is He making in your life today? You have to have both, knowledge and the working out of that knowledge, which is what the Bible calls–WISDOM!!
Lord make us wise!!
-MK
Take Possession of the Land!!
Posted in Leadership, Learnings on June 1, 2010 by mikekeatonOur church is reading through the bible together this year and I have really enjoyed it. As many times as I have read through the the OT books of Israels history I still get moved by many of the stories of faith and boldness for God.
One thing that stuck out to me recently really hits home with me regarding my own leadership and the leadership community of Crossroads. Over and over God tells His people that He is going to give them a land of their own. A land flowing with milk and honey, He calls it. This was one of the covenant aspects between God and Abraham that was continually promised to his descendants. Not until the days of Joshua was that covenant promised ultimately realized. God’s sovereignty is seen in that He said over and over, “I will give you the Land”, “I will drive out it’s inhabitants”, and “I will deliver them into your hand”. God did give them the land. He did in many supernatural ways (Jericho, Aia) deliver much more powerful nations into the hands of the Israelite’s.
But do you know what stuck out to me? The Israelite’s had to take possession of the land! They had to go fight! They had to wield the sword! They had to kill people! They had to “take possession”. This was their responsibility!
I find that in my life leadership is the same way. (not killing people-ha) I am realizing that I need to focus on leadership development in my own life and even more so in the life of our leaders at Crossroads! Because of that I am taking some intentional time to focus on that and how to do it over the summer. One book I just started is “Shepherding Horses” 
by Kent Humphreys which was given to me (somewhat prophetically) by a church builder I met for the very first time in my office a few weeks ago. In this book, I highlighted the following quote…
“you, pastor, have been called to shepherd these leaders [stubborn horses]. Only the Living God can equip you to this task. He is able and ready, and He will accomplish it through you…if you so choose”
God has called me, equipped me, able to equip me more, develop me, and use me to lead other leaders!! (He will give me the land), but I must choose to train them, lead them, influence them, show them, challenge them. (I must take possession of the land)! What a powerful learning this is in my life right now!!
The same is true for you, leader! God has called you and is able to do it. But you and I must “take possession of the land!” We must step up and lead. We must make the appointment. We must engage with the ones we are leading. We cannot lead from a distance and hope that “they read my email!” (Have you noticed email is not working like it once did?) We must wield the sword, we must actively pursue influencing others. God will do it and He is more than able, but for whatever reason, He WANTS to use us, just like He did with those bold men and women of faith in the bible.
I encourage you and challenge you and myself, to take possession of the land….LEAD!
MK
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