Tag: leadership

A Brief Background and History

Ezra was a priest and scribe at the time the captivity of Israel and Judah was coming to an end. He was also a descendant of Aaron. Because of Israel and Judah’s unfaithfulness to God, they were conquered and taken into captivity for 70 years as prophesied by Jeremiah. After the 70 years, King Artaxerxes of Persia released a large company of Israelites, allowing them to return to Jerusalem. However, after they returned, they would have many lessons from Ezra that would shape their future to look very different from their past.

Who is Ezra?

Ezra was skilled in the Law of Moses. This is typically the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Because of Ezra, Israel experienced reform after returning from exile. Throughout the exile, he preserved and taught the law in Jewish history, and most likely he was the author of the book of Ezra, as well as the books of the Chronicles. He is thought to be the final editor of the Old Testament. From him, we gain the most information about the first return from exile of the Jewish nation. And we can learn four important lessons to apply to our own lives as we learn about his character.

Lessons from Ezra: #1. Preparing Our Hearts

Before he did anything else, Ezra prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord. Seeking God often begins with preparing our heart. However, it is also an ongoing process. Every year, here in Florida, we prepare for the Hurricane season, meaning we set everything in order. We pack our hurricane supply kits, make sure generators have gas, ensure we have plenty of water to drink, that medications are packed for an evacuation, windows are boarded up, sandbags are laid down to help prevent water from entering our home, etc. Once we are prepared, we do just sit back and wait out the hurricane season. We keep ourselves prepared.

When we prepare our heart for God, we set things in order and make ourselves ready for God to work in our lives. It is preparing our heart to agree with whatever God says – not trying to get God to agree with what we have already decided to do. If we are willing to abandon our plans and prepare our heart to accept God’s plan, amazing things can happen.

Another part of preparing our heart, is to make sure we have emptied our hearts of things such as envy, bitterness, anger, resentment, and stubbornness. When we clean these things out there is more room for Jesus.

Lastly, a heart that is prepared for God, is a heart that is ready to repent of any sin that might be revealed as we go through the process of preparing our hearts.

Ezra would lead Israel to prepare their hearts for seeking God.

Lessons from Ezra: #2. Seek God’s Word

Second, Ezra sought the Law of the Lord. Many of us, when we find ourselves in a mess, begin to seek the Lord. The Israelites were in captivity – that’s a pretty big mess! As soon as God grants some relief, we quickly go back to our old stinkin’ habits, forgetting God or maybe just returning to a “Sunday Only Christian” lifestyle. The Israelites had a pattern of doing just this. They’d get into trouble and cry out to God and God would grant them a victory. Then the next king would come along and they’d all go back to idol worship again, forgetting everything God had done for them in the past. We do the same thing.

Why Seeking God’s Word is Important

Seeking God’s Word is one of the most important things we can do to grow our faith and to mature as a Christian. We learn the truth about God and seek Him through reading His Word. We come to understand how God expects us to live. Through His Word, we come face to face with our sin and need to be forgiven. God’s Word shows us God’s love for us through Jesus redeeming us by giving His life for ours. As we seek God’s Word, we learn about hell and heaven. We’re given glimpses into what both places are like. And we learn about what the future holds when Christ returns to the earth. God also gives us comfort, encouragement, strength, and instruction. Psalm 119:105 tells us: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

If we are going to model God’s Word in how we live and teach God’s Word to others, than we need to be sure we are seeking His Word and know what it says. God will hold each one of us accountable for what we did or did not teach and if we taught it accurately. The only way to know what His Word says, is to be a student of His Word.

Ezra would lead Israel to seek God’s Word.

Lessons from Ezra: #3. Do God’s Word

Ezra, however, didn’t just seek the Law of the Lord, he also set out to do it. We learn so much more by example than by word. Ezra studied the Law of Moses and then he lived it as an example to the people. Perhaps, as he studied the law and looked back over the history of the nation forsaking God, he understood that it wasn’t just enough to know the law. God expected the people to obey it. And He expects us to obey it also.

Knowing About Jesus isn’t enough. Even Satan knows Him.

Similarly, it isn’t enough just to know about Christ. We also have to accept His gift of salvation. After all, even Satan knows Jesus. In fact, Satan probably knows Him better than we do since he was once an angel in heaven. But Satan chose rebellion and now his eternity is hell instead of heaven.

It isn’t baptism that saves us either. We can be baptized so many times that every tadpole knows your name, phone number, and social security number, but you can still die lost and without Jesus as your Savior.

We can’t take what God offers and modify it to fit what we want. God’s way is the only way. Ezra sought to do things God’s way. He sought to follow the commandments God had given. James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” God fully expects us to not just read the Bible, but to do what it says. He doesn’t just expect us to hear the preacher on Sunday, but to do what the Holy Spirit convicts us of as He speaks to us through the pastor’s sermon.

Ezra did what the Word said and modeled it for the people to follow.

Lessons from Ezra: #4. Teach God’s Word

Seeking and doing wasn’t enough of Ezra. He also taught the people what God expected of them and how to follow God’s commandments. Through prayer, intercession, and preaching, he achieved some measure of success. In Nehemiah 8, we find that Ezra read the law before all of the people when he re-instituted the Feat of Tabernacles. He had a desire to teach the people what God’s laws were and to help them connect the judgment of their captivity to the past sins they had committed so that they could know how to live as God expected when He brought them back home. After 70 years in captivity, they had to have assimilated some of the culture that surrounded them. If they were going to live God’s way, they had to be taught God’s way. And Ezra was the man for the job.

Ezra: A Model for Us Today

Ezra stands as a model for us today. These four lessons from Ezra show us how to prepare, seek, do, and teach God’s Word to the people God places in our lives. If we want to see a revival in our world today, then we must prepare our hearts, seek the presence of God, do what He tells us in His Word, and then teach it to others. Our world desperately needs some “Ezras” today. Are you an Ezra that God is calling to prepare, seek, do, and teach God’s Word?

#SeektheWord #DotheWord #TeachtheWord

Will you pray and fast with us and lead your
church to pray for God to send a revival to America?

#revival #America #leadershipresponsibility #prayandfast

Do you have a daily Bible Reading plan?

If not, come join us as we read the Bible through in one year. Each day we post the scripture reading along with links to read it online.

Have you learned this week’s memory verse?

2 Chronicles 20;12

“For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

Do you serve in ministry? Great! The self-care blogs are here for you.

In this series of blogs, we breakdown why people in ministry need to practice self care. We explain the differences between stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue. Drawing from both psychology and Biblical principles, we teach self-care to keep ministry servants living out God’s call as a missionary, small group leader, worship pastor, nursery worker, facility/maintenance staff, religious non-profit staff, or any other ministry staff, volunteer, or lay-leader. Regardless of the ministry service God called you to, self-care is crucial to continuing God’s work.

If you can relate to this, then take some time to read our self care blogs.

Test your Bible smarts and see if you can answer our trivia questions. We post a trivia question every other day and the correct answer on the next day. Stop by the trivia page and grab a question or two and see if your friends and family can answer it.

You can check out our Christian t-shirts for men, women, kids and infants in our Teespring and Spreadshop stores. Also available on mugs, bags, aprons, hats, and more. We also have some Christian themed canvas art available at Teespring. Browse the stores with the links below:

What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?

This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage. As you work through the various activities, you will strengthen your relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:

• Scripture to memorize and meditate on
• Conversation Starters
• Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
• Romance Builders
• Relationship Builders
• Personal reflections
• Date ideas
• Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples

Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.

 Join the community of couples on Facebook who are intentionally growing their marriage. Discover together how to have a marriage that honors God. Here you can post photos of the different activities as you do them, ask questions of other couples, share how God is using this book to strengthen your marriage, and grow with other Christian couples. We’ll see you in the community.

Need a speaker for your next church or ministry event? We’re booking!

(Due to COVID-19, we are only tentatively booking speaking engagements for events after September 2020 based on the recommendations as issued by the CDC and our government officials.)

We are eager to be a part of your next church or ministry event – regardless of size. We can bring one of our ministry programs to your church, or we can tailor a message to your event theme. To request more information or schedule a booking, fill out the online form at the link below. Or call us at 904.239.8937.

904.239.8937
A non-profit ministry located in Jacksonville, FL 
Follow us on:

Why is it so difficult to share our faith? We often hear of pastors or people in a ministry related profession say they were “called” to the ministry. But it doesn’t matter if God has called you to the ministry or not – we are all called to share the good news of salvation with those that we come in contact with. As the disciples huddled together in a room with a locked door, Jesus appeared in the midst of them. He says, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” Just as Jesus sent the disciples, you’ve been sent too. Whether He calls you to another country as a missionary, a pastor of a church, a small group leader, or a secular field. Everywhere you go in life, you’ve been sent to tell the gospel message.

It doesn’t matter if God has called you to the ministry or not – we are all called to share the god news of salvation with those that we come in contact with.

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Peace be with you

On the first day that Jesus rose from the dead, around evening time, Jesus appears to the disciples – only thing is the room they were in was shut up nice and tight because they were afraid the Jews would come after them next. In an instant, Jesus stood in the midst of them and said, “Peace be with you.” Take a moment and imagine the disciples reaction to Jesus – who was quite dead the last time they saw him – just showing up without a door even opening. It’s no wonder Jesus’ first words to them were “Peace be with you.” Then to prove that he was real and not just a figment of their imagination or a ghost, He showed them His hands and His side. The disciples were overjoyed at seeing Him again. Then Jesus commissions them.

Commissioned

To be commissioned is to authorize someone for a mission. Jesus was committing and entrusting His gospel message to his disciples…and to every Christian. He gave His authoritative order and charged them with this specific duty. He gave them His power and authority to be His messengers to the world. In Matthew 28:18-20 we find verses commonly called, “The Great Commission.” Here Jesus has directed the disciples to a specific mountain and issues His commission orders:

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

When Jesus comes to them in the upper room in John 20, He tells them that just as His Father had sent Him, now He was sending them. They were to be His messengers and representatives. He then breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” We are never commissioned by God without being equipped by God. A short while after this, they would receive the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). But until then, Jesus would empower them with the gift of the Holy Spirit to carry out the work that He was commissioning them to do.

We are never commissioned by God without being equipped by God.

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Called to be disciple-makers

We are all called to be disciple-makers. How we do that might look differently. Some are pastors. Others are evangelist. Some teach children in Sunday school. Others mentor. Some parent. Some sing about Him. Others write books. Some witness at work and others go to another country. Some are foster parents and some are teachers. There are some who tell people about Christ to certain people as the Holy Spirit leads them to them. Others witness to every person they meet. It takes all of us, using the gifts and talents God has given us, to be disciple-makes to the entire world. But no matter how you are a disciple-maker, you’ve been sent. We have all been commissioned to go and make disciples, just as the disciples were. Who will you witness to today?

#you’vebeensent #commissioned #goandtell

Will you pray and fast with us and lead your
church to pray for God to send a revival to America?

#revival #America #leadershipresponsibility #prayandfast

Do you have a daily Bible Reading plan?

If not, come join us as we read the Bible through in one year. Each day we post the scripture reading along with links to read it online.

Have you learned this week’s memory verse?

2 Chronicles 20;12

“For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

Do you serve in ministry? Great! The self-care blogs are here for you.

In this series of blogs, we breakdown why people in ministry need to practice self care. We explain the differences between stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue. Drawing from both psychology and Biblical principles, we teach self-care to keep ministry servants living out God’s call as a missionary, small group leader, worship pastor, nursery worker, facility/maintenance staff, religious non-profit staff, or any other ministry staff, volunteer, or lay-leader. Regardless of the ministry service God called you to, self-care is crucial to continuing God’s work.

If you can relate to this, then take some time to read our self care blogs.

Test your Bible smarts and see if you can answer our trivia questions. We post a trivia question every other day and the correct answer on the next day. Stop by the trivia page and grab a question or two and see if your friends and family can answer it.

You can check out our Christian t-shirts for men, women, kids and infants in our Teespring and Spreadshop stores. Also available on mugs, bags, aprons, hats, and more. We also have some Christian themed canvas art available at Teespring. Browse the stores with the links below:

What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?

This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage. As you work through the various activities, you will strengthen your relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:

• Scripture to memorize and meditate on
• Conversation Starters
• Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
• Romance Builders
• Relationship Builders
• Personal reflections
• Date ideas
• Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples

Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.

 Join the community of couples on Facebook who are intentionally growing their marriage. Discover together how to have a marriage that honors God. Here you can post photos of the different activities as you do them, ask questions of other couples, share how God is using this book to strengthen your marriage, and grow with other Christian couples. We’ll see you in the community.

Need a speaker for your next church or ministry event? We’re booking!

(Due to COVID-19, we are only tentatively booking speaking engagements for events after September 2020 based on the recommendations as issued by the CDC and our government officials.)

We are eager to be a part of your next church or ministry event – regardless of size. We can bring one of our ministry programs to your church, or we can tailor a message to your event theme. To request more information or schedule a booking, fill out the online form at the link below. Or call us at 904.239.8937.

904.239.8937
A non-profit ministry located in Jacksonville, FL 
Follow us on:

“It is finished.” Some of the most exciting words ever said. Whether it’s a child who just finished a test, an artist who just finished their best painting, an author who just finished a book, a housewife, who finished all the laundry (until tomorrow), an engineer who finished a complex and difficult project, or Jesus who accomplished all that God sent Him to do.

Because Jesus finished what His Father sent Him to do…

• we can can be redeemed.
• sin no longer holds us in bondage.
• we are washed in the blood of the Lamb
• Satan is defeated.
• we can have eternal life.
• we are sanctified, justified, and have an eternal hope.

Christ’s Finished Work is His Free Gift to Us

Everyone loves infomercials – right? Don’t you just love it when they say you get a “free gift” with the purchase of something else? Or you get a free gift, but you have to pay for the shipping? Marketing’s definition of “free gift” and mine are very different. If something is free, then I don’t have to pay for it or earn it. Because it is a gift, I only have to reach out an accept it from whomever is gifting it.

Jesus willingly stood in my place and laid down his life as the payment for my sins and yours. Therefore, He offers each us the free gift of eternal life. And above all, there are no strings attached. You don’t have to do something else to get it. Nor is there any need to pay for shipping. You just have to reach out by faith and accept His gift to you. For every single human who ever lived, when Jesus cried, “It is finished” from the cross, it was for you.

The Battle for Redemption of Man

God sent Jesus into our world for the sole purpose of bringing redemption and eternal life to all those who believe on Him and Jesus carried out every single detail of God’s plan. At just the right moment in time, Jesus arrived in our world as an infant, leaving the splendor of heaven for a dirty cattle stall. Then, He lived and grew up in our world as part of a poor family. He had no splendor or grandeur on earth. As a man of 30 years old, he called the 12 disciples and began his earthly ministry, teaching them and the people about who He was.

The Jews had all the prophecies throughout the scriptures and Jesus fulfilled everyone of them. And yet, many didn’t believe He was the Messiah. They called Him a blasphemer and for that, they had Him put to death. He was betrayed by one of His own disciples – but because Jesus is God, he knew even when He called Judas as a disciple that Judas would betray him – yet He called Him anyway. And, as Jesus hung on the cross the battle for our redemption was raging. With his final words, “It is finished,” the battle was won. Satan was defeated. The sacrificial payment for our sin was done.

As Jesus hung on the cross the battle for our redemption was raging. With his final words, “It is finished,” the battle was won. The sacrificial payment for our sin was done.

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Free Gift! Eternal Life

For each one of us, created in His image, he knew that before we were created that our sin would cause Him to go to the cross – but he created us anyway. With all of His work done, as He hung on the cross, he cried out, “It is finished.” He had accomplished everything God sent Him here to do. So he bowed His head and willingly released His spirit. Then…three days later….He rose from the dead, conquering death. Defeating the grave. Raised to life. Because of His finished work, those who believe and accept Him by faith as their Savior, have received His free gift of eternal life.

How do we accept Christ’s free gift? By faith

2 Peter 3:9. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

God doesn’t want anyone to go to hell. We are all His uniquely, hand-crafted creation. He loved us so much that He made a way so we would not have to pay the price for our sin. Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death. If the wages of sin is death, than someone has to pay those wages. That is what Jesus did on the cross. He paid the price for our sins. The way we accept His gift is by faith. We can’t earn it. It’s impossible to live a “good enough” life. Nor can we pay enough money to the church and purchase it. It is only by faith. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” There are three steps to accepting Christ as your Savior by faith:

Three steps to accepting Christ as your Savior by Faith

• Admit that you are a sinner, lost and on the way to hell. Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
• Believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Acts 16:31 – “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and Thou shalt be saved.”
• Confess
  • your sins and seek His forgiveness. 1 John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
  • accept Him by faith ask Him to be your Savior. Romans 10:9 – “if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

The Angels Rejoice Over Every Redeemed Person

If you just accepted Christ’s free gift by faith, then you too can victoriously say, “It is finished!” The Battle for you is over!. Right now, all of heaven is rejoicing – just for you! Luke 15:10 tells us, “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

It is finished! He is crowned King of king and Lord of lords.

Will you pray and fast with us and lead your
church to pray for God to send a revival to America?

#revival #America #leadershipresponsibility #prayandfast

Do you have a daily Bible Reading plan?

If not, come join us as we read the Bible through in one year. Each day we post the scripture reading along with links to read it online.

Have you learned this week’s memory verse?

2 Chronicles 20;12

“For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

Do you serve in ministry? Great! The self-care blogs are here for you.

In this series of blogs, we breakdown why people in ministry need to practice self care. We explain the differences between stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue. Drawing from both psychology and Biblical principles, we teach self-care to keep ministry servants living out God’s call as a missionary, small group leader, worship pastor, nursery worker, facility/maintenance staff, religious non-profit staff, or any other ministry staff, volunteer, or lay-leader. Regardless of the ministry service God called you to, self-care is crucial to continuing God’s work.

If you can relate to this, then take some time to read our self care blogs.

Test your Bible smarts and see if you can answer our trivia questions. We post a trivia question every other day and the correct answer on the next day. Stop by the trivia page and grab a question or two and see if your friends and family can answer it.

You can check out our Christian t-shirts for men, women, kids and infants in our Teespring and Spreadshop stores. Also available on mugs, bags, aprons, hats, and more. We also have some Christian themed canvas art available at Teespring. Browse the stores with the links below:

What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?

This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage. As you work through the various activities, you will strengthen your relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:

• Scripture to memorize and meditate on
• Conversation Starters
• Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
• Romance Builders
• Relationship Builders
• Personal reflections
• Date ideas
• Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples

Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.

 Join the community of couples on Facebook who are intentionally growing their marriage. Discover together how to have a marriage that honors God. Here you can post photos of the different activities as you do them, ask questions of other couples, share how God is using this book to strengthen your marriage, and grow with other Christian couples. We’ll see you in the community.

Need a speaker for your next church or ministry event? We’re booking!

(Due to COVID-19, we are only tentatively booking speaking engagements for events after September 2020 based on the recommendations as issued by the CDC and our government officials.)

We are eager to be a part of your next church or ministry event – regardless of size. We can bring one of our ministry programs to your church, or we can tailor a message to your event theme. To request more information or schedule a booking, fill out the online form at the link below. Or call us at 904.239.8937.

904.239.8937
A non-profit ministry located in Jacksonville, FL 
Follow us on:

An 8-year-old on the throne

Josiah became king of Judah when he was only 8 years old, yet even at age 8 we see godly leadership skills in the young king. The Bible tells us he “did what was right in the sight of the Lord and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or the left.” (2 Chronicles 34:2). In verse three, we find that in his 8th as king (he would have been 16 years old) he began to seek God. Then in his 12th year, he began purging the nation of idolatry worship. In the 18th year of his reign, he began repairing the temple and in doing so, the book of the law was discovered. This could have been one or more scrolls containing the entire Pentateuch, which we know as the first five books of the Bible: Genesis to Deuteronomy.

Josiah understood that as king of God’s people, he had a leadership responsibility to lead his nation to follow God’s law. As a result, the nation saw a revival while Josiah was king and God’s judgement was delayed.

The Law of Moses Found

After being found, the scrolls were brought to the king. His secretary read what was written in them. As the king listened, he became convicted of the sins of the nation and overcome with dread as he realized Judah had not kept the word of the lord for a long time. He feared that God’s judgment was very likely. Josiah sent his royal officers to Huldah, a prophetess, to inquire of God to see what wrath the nation could expect. Huldah’s response was very grave, but God promised Josiah that because his heart was tender and he humbled himself before God, God would hold off His wrath until after Josiah had died. Josiah’s attitude of repentance and his willingness to obey God would bring a reprieve, but judgement was also inevitable. Josiah then gathered all the people together and restored true worship of Yahweh and the people kept the Passover.

A tender and humble heart before God

America desperately needs a leader like Josiah. We need a leader with a tender and humble heart before God. When leadership is based on a tender and humble heart before God, that leader will lead God’s people to repentance and true worship. We need for God to raise up a “Josiah” today – not as a king, but as a Godly leader in every community who has a tender and humble heart before God and an attitude of repentance and a willingness to obey God. Is God calling you?

The responsibility in leadership

Throughout all the kings who sat on the throne of both Israel and Judah, we find that each king is summed up as either doing evil in the sight of God or doing good in the sight of God. Either they led the people in idolatry or he led them to worship God. The people followed whatever the king did. People who are in leadership positions need to recognize the influence and responsibility they have on those whom they lead. Leaders do not just pioneer their teams to reach new heights. They do not only mentor and coach. There is more to leadership than training and setting teams up to succeed. The most important responsibility of a leader is whether you lead people to God or away from Him.

Romans 13:1 tells us that all authorities have been instituted by God. So whether you’re a king or president, congress person, judge, mayor, governor, sheriff, CEO, Executive Director, middle management, team lead, husband and/or father, pastor or deacon – you were placed in the role of leadership by God. Therefore, you have a God-given responsibility to lead others to Christ. Even if your leadership role is a secular position, your team and staff should be drawn to Christ because of how you lead. As a pastor, your congregation should see the Good Shepherd in how you shepherd the flock of your church. As a husband and/or father, you have the responsibility of leading your wife and children to knowing their Heavenly Father and to ensure they are growing spiritually. You can be assured that you will have to give an account to God one day for how you lead.

People who are in leadership positions need to recognize the influence they have on those whom they lead. Leaders are God-appointed, and God-commissioned to lead people to God and they will be held accountable to God for how they led.

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What is a Chronicle and why is it important?

A Chronicle is a factual written account of important or historical events in the order of their occurrence. In Bible days, such writings were used to record history and because of them, we have the History of Israel and Judah. Second Chronicles covers the time from Solomon’s ascension to the throne (971 BC) until the southern kingdom of Judah was finally carried into exile in Babylon in 586 BC. The focus of 2 Chronicles is on Judah. There are parts of it that is just name after hard-to-read-name and the long lists of genealogies can get monotonous and boring.

However, God has a purpose for these Chronicles to be included in His divinely inspired Word to us today. If we care to study both the sin of Judah and God’s judgement that is the result of their sin, we can learn from them. We can see how dangerously close America is to repeating Judah’s sin of deserting God. We can learn that the fate of an entire nation rest in the leadership hands of their king. Unfortunately, we mostly choose to think of this as something that happened in history and we do not apply it to our world today. Just as God had enough of Judah’s sin, there is coming a day when God will have enough of our sin in America.

How would you be summed up in a chronicle written about your life?

If someone wrote a chronicle about your life, would it be summed up as doing “evil in the sight of God” or doing “right in the sight of God”?

If someone wrote a chronicle about your life, would it be summed up as doing “evil in the sight of God” or doing “right in the sight of God”?

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Following the Leader

With the exception of a few Godly kings mixed in, most of the kings turned away from God to worship false gods and idols. They led their entire nation into sin that would eventually bring the destruction of the nation as God’s judgement on them. Some even sacrificed their own children in the pagan worship practices. The price of ungodly leadership was they lost the Promised Land. Assyria conquered them and sent the people into exile.

For centuries, America was known as a Godly nation, but sadly, we too have seen a falling away of Godly principles and teachings. Those in leadership power have changed laws so they can live the way they want without having to feel guilty. As a result, crime is higher than ever, the value of human life is rapidly declining. Divorce is rampant. There are so many children in foster care that there are not enough good homes to place them in. Domestic violence, sexual exploitation, human trafficking, drug and alcohol abuse, and abortion are everyday occurrences. There is no shame in an unwed pregnancy or in being a homosexual. We even have people who seem to be “confused” about their gender. Prayer is banned from schools. God’s name is used as a cuss word rather than a blessing.

Some have tried to exonerate their guilt by removing the Ten Commandments from our court rooms, but doing so does not erase God’s laws. Sin is still sin. God is still God. And as God judged Judah and Israel, he will also judge America, unless the people of God humble themselves, pray, seek God’s face, and repent of their sin – including the sin of complacency.

Removing the 10 Commandments from our court rooms will not erase God’s laws. Sin is still sin. God is still God. And as God judged Judah and Israel, He will judge America today.

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Why voting matters

As Christian Americans, we have a great responsibility every time we go to the polls to vote. How we vote makes a difference in the course of this nation. Voting is not about getting your party’s nominee into office. It is about ensuring that as we prayerfully seek God’s will, we entrust our nation to men and women who will boldly stand up for God and lead our nation to be “One nation under God.” We have the responsibility to do the research on each and every candidate. And the first thing you ought to seek to know about them is their relationship with Christ and does their leadership to this point demonstrate they are a Christ-follower? Christians must play a bigger role in politics and in the polls before Christianity becomes something just found in our history.

Will God Judge America?

I don’t think the question should be will God judge America, but how much will God judge us? Is COVID-19 a judgement from God? It could be – or it could be a natural part of living in a broken and sinful world. The question we should be asking is, “how much more will God judge Christians today who have sat back and looked the other way?”

We’ve stayed home when the polls were open. We’ve stayed inside our comfortable church walls instead of winning our communities for Christ. Instead of being a light of Christ to the world, we’ve become like the world. Our complacency calls for our guilt. Little by little Satan has chipped away at the Godly principles of America until we really don’t look much different than Judah – and we as Christians have allowed it. If God judged Judah as harshly as He did, how much more so will he judge America when He gave us the history of Judah as an example and we have ignored it?

Praying for a revival in America

Under Josiah’s leadership, Judah experienced a revival and the people returned to worshiping God. Our world needs a revival today. It is time for us to inquire of God for our nation and the nations of the earth. It’s time for us to return to valuing God’s laws and to keeping His commandments. If we do not, the time is coming where God’s wrath will be poured out on us.

A Call to Prayer for God’s People

On Sunday, July 5th, we are spending the day fasting and praying for our nation. We’re inviting Christians and churches who are burdened for the state of America to join us. If you will join us, will you post it in the comments and let us know? Be sure to share our call to prayer in your social media and invite your Christian friends and family to join us in a nation-wide day of prayer and fasting. Will you be a leader in your church that will organize and lead your church in fasting and praying with us? God is looking for leaders with a humble and tender heart – is that you?

Our world needs a revival today. It is time for us to inquire of God for our nation. It is time for us to return to valuing God’s laws and to keep His commandments. Join us for a nation-wide day of fasting and prayer on July 5th for God to send a revival to our nation.

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Will you pray and fast with us and lead your
church to pray for God to send a revival to America?

#revival #America #leadershipresponsibility #prayandfast

Do you have a daily Bible Reading plan?

If not, come join us as we read the Bible through in one year. Each day we post the scripture reading along with links to read it online.

Have you learned this week’s memory verse?

2 Chronicles 20;12

“For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

Do you serve in ministry? Great! The self-care blogs are here for you.

In this series of blogs, we breakdown why people in ministry need to practice self care. We explain the differences between stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue. Drawing from both psychology and Biblical principles, we teach self-care to keep ministry servants living out God’s call as a missionary, small group leader, worship pastor, nursery worker, facility/maintenance staff, religious non-profit staff, or any other ministry staff, volunteer, or lay-leader. Regardless of the ministry service God called you to, self-care is crucial to continuing God’s work.

If you can relate to this, then take some time to read our self care blogs.

Test your Bible smarts and see if you can answer our trivia questions. We post a trivia question every other day and the correct answer on the next day. Stop by the trivia page and grab a question or two and see if your friends and family can answer it.

You can check out our Christian t-shirts for men, women, kids and infants in our Teespring and Spreadshop stores. Also available on mugs, bags, aprons, hats, and more. We also have some Christian themed canvas art available at Teespring. Browse the stores with the links below:

What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?

This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage. As you work through the various activities, you will strengthen your relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:

• Scripture to memorize and meditate on
• Conversation Starters
• Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
• Romance Builders
• Relationship Builders
• Personal reflections
• Date ideas
• Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples

Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.

 Join the community of couples on Facebook who are intentionally growing their marriage. Discover together how to have a marriage that honors God. Here you can post photos of the different activities as you do them, ask questions of other couples, share how God is using this book to strengthen your marriage, and grow with other Christian couples. We’ll see you in the community.

Need a speaker for your next church or ministry event? We’re booking!

(Due to COVID-19, we are only tentatively booking speaking engagements for events after September 2020 based on the recommendations as issued by the CDC and our government officials.)

We are eager to be a part of your next church or ministry event – regardless of size. We can bring one of our ministry programs to your church, or we can tailor a message to your event theme. To request more information or schedule a booking, fill out the online form at the link below. Or call us at 904.239.8937.

904.239.8937
A non-profit ministry located in Jacksonville, FL 
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