September 27: The True Source of Leadership
#Devotional
Zechariah 10:1–11:17; Acts 25:1–27; Job 30:16–31
When leaders latch onto power, considering it their right, it’s destructive. God holds leaders to a higher standard because their words and actions cause others to rise or fall. When leaders of corporations, churches, or other organizations take their authority for granted, entire communities may end up fighting against God rather than with Him. Such was the case for the Israelites in Zechariah’s lifetime.
The context suggests the people were mistakenly relying on Baal (the storm god) rather than Yahweh. Yahweh responded by reminding them and their leaders that He is the one who sends rain: “Ask rain from Yahweh in the season of the spring rain—Yahweh, who makes storm clouds, and he gives showers of rain to them, to everyone the vegetation in the field. Because the household gods speak deceit, and those who practice divination see a lie, and the dreamers of vanity speak in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted because there is no shepherd” (Zech 10:1–2). Based on what happened next, it appears that the leaders were the ones suggesting that Israel should rely on household gods.
Although Yahweh was upset with His people, He directed the main force of His anger against those in charge: “My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders, because Yahweh of hosts watches over his flock, the house of Judah; and he will make them like his majestic horse in war. From them the cornerstone will go out, from them the tent peg, from them the battle bow, from them every ruler, all together” (Zech 10:3–4). Israel’s leaders had to change their ways first—the horrific behavior (the battle bow) came from them.
How many professing Christian leaders lean on themselves—their unearned “battle bows”—instead of being the kind of leaders Yahweh has called them to be? Even Christian leaders tend to locate the source of their power in themselves or in this world rather than Yahweh. These misguided shepherds may achieve a temporary victory, but their work will eventually bring suffering to themselves and those in their care.
How should you lead? What aspects of your leadership should you change?
#Devotional
Zechariah 10:1–11:17; Acts 25:1–27; Job 30:16–31
When leaders latch onto power, considering it their right, it’s destructive. God holds leaders to a higher standard because their words and actions cause others to rise or fall. When leaders of corporations, churches, or other organizations take their authority for granted, entire communities may end up fighting against God rather than with Him. Such was the case for the Israelites in Zechariah’s lifetime.
The context suggests the people were mistakenly relying on Baal (the storm god) rather than Yahweh. Yahweh responded by reminding them and their leaders that He is the one who sends rain: “Ask rain from Yahweh in the season of the spring rain—Yahweh, who makes storm clouds, and he gives showers of rain to them, to everyone the vegetation in the field. Because the household gods speak deceit, and those who practice divination see a lie, and the dreamers of vanity speak in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted because there is no shepherd” (Zech 10:1–2). Based on what happened next, it appears that the leaders were the ones suggesting that Israel should rely on household gods.
Although Yahweh was upset with His people, He directed the main force of His anger against those in charge: “My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders, because Yahweh of hosts watches over his flock, the house of Judah; and he will make them like his majestic horse in war. From them the cornerstone will go out, from them the tent peg, from them the battle bow, from them every ruler, all together” (Zech 10:3–4). Israel’s leaders had to change their ways first—the horrific behavior (the battle bow) came from them.
How many professing Christian leaders lean on themselves—their unearned “battle bows”—instead of being the kind of leaders Yahweh has called them to be? Even Christian leaders tend to locate the source of their power in themselves or in this world rather than Yahweh. These misguided shepherds may achieve a temporary victory, but their work will eventually bring suffering to themselves and those in their care.
How should you lead? What aspects of your leadership should you change?
❤3
September 27 - The World
#LifeOfChrist
“‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life’” (John 3:16).
John 3:16 is undoubtedly the most familiar and beloved verse in all of Scripture. The first thing you notice is God’s motive for giving Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 9:15)—because He loved the evil, sinful world of fallen humanity. There was nothing in man that attracted God’s love. Rather He loved because He sovereignly determined to do so.
It is important to note that “world” is a nonspecific term for humanity in a general sense. The statement in verse 17, “that the world might be saved through Him,” proves that it does not mean everyone who has ever lived, since all will not be saved. Verse 16 cannot be teaching universal salvation, since the context promises that unbelievers will perish in eternal judgment (vv. 16–18). Our Lord is saying that for all in the world there is only one Savior (1 John 2:2), but only those who are regenerated by the Spirit and who believe in His gospel will receive salvation and eternal life through Him.
Paul, in 2 Corinthians 5:19, used “world” in a similar way: “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them.” The reason God was reconciling the world to Himself is that the world has no other reconciler. That not all will believe and be reconciled is clear from Paul’s plea in verse 20: “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
Ask Yourself
How else might you respond to someone who believes that “a loving God would not send anyone to hell” and therefore everyone will be saved in the end? What does this probably tell you about the person making this claim?
#LifeOfChrist
“‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life’” (John 3:16).
John 3:16 is undoubtedly the most familiar and beloved verse in all of Scripture. The first thing you notice is God’s motive for giving Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 9:15)—because He loved the evil, sinful world of fallen humanity. There was nothing in man that attracted God’s love. Rather He loved because He sovereignly determined to do so.
It is important to note that “world” is a nonspecific term for humanity in a general sense. The statement in verse 17, “that the world might be saved through Him,” proves that it does not mean everyone who has ever lived, since all will not be saved. Verse 16 cannot be teaching universal salvation, since the context promises that unbelievers will perish in eternal judgment (vv. 16–18). Our Lord is saying that for all in the world there is only one Savior (1 John 2:2), but only those who are regenerated by the Spirit and who believe in His gospel will receive salvation and eternal life through Him.
Paul, in 2 Corinthians 5:19, used “world” in a similar way: “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them.” The reason God was reconciling the world to Himself is that the world has no other reconciler. That not all will believe and be reconciled is clear from Paul’s plea in verse 20: “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
Ask Yourself
How else might you respond to someone who believes that “a loving God would not send anyone to hell” and therefore everyone will be saved in the end? What does this probably tell you about the person making this claim?
❤2
The sweetness of truth.
“Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips.” Proverbs 24:26
“Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips.” Proverbs 24:26
🔥4
No one can run fast enough, jump high enough, sing good enough, or drop money enough into the collection bag to impress God. This is because every ability we have and everything we own, comes from Him.
❤6
Not everyone who dies goes to a 'better place'. Only those who know Jesus do.
This is the truth.
This is the truth.
September 27 (Sunday)
Dear Daughter,
The Israelites built booths from branches to remember they once had nothing but a wilderness and a promise.
Worship today by remembering where your marriage began — how little you had, how much you've since gathered by grace.
Memory fuels worship.
'That your generations may know… I made the people of Israel dwell in booths' (Lev 23:43).
What wilderness season of your marriage deserves remembering in worship today?
#DearDaughter #SundayRemembrance #StrongMarriage
Dear Daughter,
The Israelites built booths from branches to remember they once had nothing but a wilderness and a promise.
Worship today by remembering where your marriage began — how little you had, how much you've since gathered by grace.
Memory fuels worship.
'That your generations may know… I made the people of Israel dwell in booths' (Lev 23:43).
What wilderness season of your marriage deserves remembering in worship today?
#DearDaughter #SundayRemembrance #StrongMarriage
❤2
Show me a man who rarely goes to church on Sunday because it's his "only day to sleep in," and I'll show you a man who is spiritually dead.
❤5
Christ is building His church and nothing can stop Him.
❤4
Sep 27 (Sun)
Sunday worship: Let thanksgiving lead your household today! 🙌❤️ He has been faithful through every season! Ps 100:4-5 💞
What will you thank Him for? #StrongMarriage #September
Sunday worship: Let thanksgiving lead your household today! 🙌❤️ He has been faithful through every season! Ps 100:4-5 💞
What will you thank Him for? #StrongMarriage #September
👍3
God is faithful to help us walk in the works He has prepared before hand for us to walk in, even when false accusations come along the way.
❤4🥰1
The two most important days in person's life is the day they were born, and the day they are born again.
The second one is the most important!
The second one is the most important!
❤3
If you're going to believe the parts of the Bible that talk about the Savior's love, then you must also believe the parts that talk about His judgment against sin.
❤4🕊1
The Bible infers that we are all insane until we come to Christ. It’s only then that we receive a “sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). It’s obvious why. This whole world is insane to embrace death and completely ignore God’s offer of everlasting life.
🔥5