14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”

— St. Pio of Pietrelcina

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Parables of Jesus – Dives and Lazarus, or Lazarus and Dives, also called The Rich Man and the Beggar Lazarus Luke 16:19-31

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Sunday, December 20, 2009

Read: 1 Peter 5:1-4

To the elders among you, I appeal: . . . Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care. – 1 Peter 5:1-2

TODAY IN THE WORD
In the July 15, 1974 issue of Time magazine, historians were asked how they would answer the questions: “What makes a true leader? Who are the true leaders of history?” One British military historian, Correlli Barnett, responded this way: “Greatness has nothing to do with morality. A leader gets people to follow him.” According to Barnett, Napoleon, Hitler, and Al Capone were all great leaders.

We come to a different exposition of leadership in today’s reading. Peter appeals to the elders of the churches, exhorting them toward Christian leadership. Reminding them of his own witness of Christ’s suffering and promise of glory, Peter declares: “Be shepherds of God’s flock” (v. 2). Peter remembered well the calling that Christ gave him in John 21:15-19, and he extends that call to the elders of the churches in Asia Minor. Christ’s command to feed His sheep was not just for Peter or the apostles; all subsequent leaders of the church are called to care for and nourish God’s people.

What are the marks of a true shepherd? Scripture first describes the attitude of leadership. True leaders do their work willingly, not out of a sense of obligation (v. 2a). Second, Scripture explains the purpose of leadership. Rather than leading in order to serve one’s own needs (e.g. in striving only for monetary gain), a true leader is “eager to serve” (v. 2b), focusing on the needs of others first. Third, Scripture indicates the manner of leadership. A true leader does not “lord it over” others, seeking power and authority; rather, they offer a humble “example to the flock” (v. 3).

Finally, a true shepherd of God’s flock will always remember that there is a Chief Shepherd to whom they are accountable (v. 4). Ultimately, it is Christ’s church, not ours. And Christ is the true Shepherd of His people. Any leader of Christ’s church is only an under-shepherd of that one great “Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25).

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As we come to the final Sunday in Advent, today’s passage fittingly calls us to remember both Christ’s first coming as a humble and serving Shepherd, and his second coming when that “Chief Shepherd appears” (v. 4). As you contemplate the attitude, purpose, and manner of Christ’s leading of His church, recognize what a high (and challenging) call the leaders of your own church have received. Pray for them, and find some way to encourage them this week through a personal note, phone call, or conversation.

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On Fox & Friends a different video clip was shown, which I have not able to find yet, in this clip Mr. Spitzer explains the choices; the choices between integrity and brokers making the sale, integrity and firms profits, integrity and the company raising the money and he states the choice made was the later, and what is lacking is truth. This got me thinking!

Now what I find interesting is that he feels government unlike the SEC can bring integrity to human choice on Wall Street and in business. I disagree!

I believe government takes away choice and whether it is a broker on Way Street, a husband and father out of town on business or a government employee assigned to regulate private business and trade, or even your health care; it comes to choices. Choices we as human beings have to make for ourselves, choices we as human beings unfortunately will sometimes choose incorrectly, but choices we have to make!

You know for me government is a lot like religion if you leave it up the other person, you won’t get what you expect. We will not find in others what we lack in ourselves, it starts with each person and the choice he or she is willing to make in the little things.

No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Matthew 6:24

I do not know if I would vote for Eliot Spitzer given a chance, but I do know I prefer him than many I see and hear today on Capitol Hill. Only a person who has been humbled by their own human condition can understand those who put themselves before and above others in the choices they make. Only a person who has been humbled by their own human condition can understand how to keep and put others first and above themselves.

We all have choices to make; be ready, stay prepared and most of all do not judge and chose wisely.

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brothers’ eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:3

Read There’s No Such Thing As Business Ethics by John C Maxwell

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I believe now is a time we need to fight to keep God in us, in our family, in our Country; we need to be and be looking for Servant Leaders! Today’s devotional highlighted to phrases I keep close every moment and wanted to share.

Read: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

God . . . made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. – 2 Corinthians 4:6

TODAY IN THE WORD
Several years ago, fishing in the Mississippi River near Alton, Illinois, Tim Pruitt landed a 124-pound blue catfish. It took Pruitt more than half an hour to land the giant fish, which measured 58 inches long and 44 inches around. About as large as a sixth-grader, it broke the world record by two-and-a-half pounds and the state record by nearly twenty pounds. The huge catfish was kept alive, put on display at a Cabela’s Outfitter store in Kansas City, and later returned to the river.

Jesus said, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt 4:19). As we also see in today’s reading, God is glorified when we share the light of the gospel with those living in darkness. When Paul wrote, “we have this ministry,” he meant all believers (v. 1; see 3:18) and the new covenant (see 3:6). That means we are all responsible for spreading the good news.

The basis for our calling is not our own abilities or effectiveness but God’s mercy. Our evangelistic “method” is simple—“setting forth the truth plainly” (v. 2). We do not need deceptions, distortions, or marketing tricks.

In fact, we cannot “convert” anyone. That is the work of the Holy Spirit, with the ultimate choice between the individual and God. Because unbelievers are spiritually blind, the gospel is veiled or concealed from their understanding (vv. 3-4). In addition, Satan takes an active role in further blinding their hearts and minds to the “light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.”

God’s hand is needed for any evangelism to be successful. This is why our goal in witnessing can only be to “commend ourselves to every man’s conscience” (v. 2). Therefore, while we’re passionate about sharing the good news, we need not fret about unbelievers’ unresponsiveness. It’s not about us (v. 5). God is the source of spiritual light and power in our witness, and He is the One who gives life (v. 6).

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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Have you caught any fish lately? Have you been baiting your hook well? Do the fish even know you’re there? These questions aren’t really about fishing, of course, but about evangelism. While God is the only One who can awaken belief in spiritually dead hearts, we have been commanded to be part of this process by sharing the gospel (Matt. 28:19-20). God is pleased to use us as His children to tell others of the good news of salvation in Christ. What a privilege!

The absence of honesty, integrity and God in our leaders becomes a greater concern to me each day.

Today in my daily readings I was moved to express myself, through myself; not to point but to ask.

Do you have a price? Or what price are you willing to pay?

Only someone who has been convicted by man under the sun and by God through the Son in the Spirit knows the answer to both questions.

But these are two of the questions we must ask ourselves and those we do business with daily; then act accordingly.

Citing a recent rash of crime involving public officials, Gov. Charlie Crist on Wednesday petitioned the Florida Supreme Court to empanel a statewide grand jury to investigate the matter.

In his petition, Crist said that after consulting with local law enforcement agencies as well as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, there is “good and sufficient reason” to investigate criminal activity “among local and state officials acting in their official capacity.”

Such an investigation would run the gamut from bribery and prostitution to crimes involving drugs.

And while the investigation would not be limited to any particular part of the state, Crist requested in his petition that a judge from one of several circuits, including Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach County, be appointed to oversee the grand jury.

Crist’s announcement follows recent indictments of Broward County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion, Broward School Board member Beverly Gallagher, and Alan Mendelsohn, a prominent Hollywood eye surgeon on public corruption charges.

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