ADs May Devotional 2016

  In this season of political distress, where emotions are    high and opinions so strong, let’s not forget Whose we  are and Who we are in Him.   

  Let’s keep a balanced  perspective of life since our destinies are assured and our  futures are rooted in the King of King.

 Romans 8:18-25J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

 Present distress is temporary and negligible

      In my opinion whatever we may have to go through now is less than nothing compared with the    magnificent future God has planned for us. The whole creation is on tiptoe to see the wonderful sight of  the sons of God coming into their own. The world of creation cannot as yet see reality, not because it       chooses to be blind, but because in God’s purpose it has been so limited—yet it has been given hope.   
     And the hope is that in the end the whole of created life will be rescued from the tyranny of change   and decay, and have its share in that magnificent liberty which can only belong to the children of God!

     It is plain to anyone with eyes to see that at the present time all created life groans in a sort of universal travail. And it is plain, too, that we who have a foretaste of the Spirit are in a state of painful tension, while we wait for that redemption of our bodies which will mean that at last we have realized our full sonship in him. We were saved by this hope, but in our moments of impatience let us remember that hope always means waiting for something that we haven’t yet got. But if we hope for something we cannot see, then we must settle down to wait for it in patience.

ADs June Devotional 2016

Are you a trusted leader? 

Curtis Swisher, a friend of mine, posted “10 Traits of a Trustworthy Leader” https://t.co/6Ca286ueDA         This is an abbreviated version of that post.  

Trust:   Trust is the highest form of human motivation. It brings out the very best in people. – Stephen R. Covey  |  People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision. - John Maxwell 

1. Character: The capacity and the will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character, which inspires confidence. - General Bernard Montgomery 

2. Competence:   In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better. - Harry S Truman 

3. Credibility:  If you lose your credibility, you might as well leave. – Jack Rhymes 

4. Clarity:  Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate, and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand.  - General Colin Powel 

5. Candor: A trustworthy leader speaks the truth directly and authentically. 

6. Consideration: The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak—Jim Rohn  | Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel.  If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish. —Sam Walton 

7. Connection:   If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. - John Quincy Adams 

8. Collaborative:   Trustworthy leaders collaborate well with others.   No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself, or to get all the credit for doing it. - Andrew Carnegie 

9. Conviction:  In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. - Thomas Jefferson

10. Courage: All of the great leaders have had one characteristic in common: it was the willingness to confront unequivocally the major anxiety of their people in their time. This, and not much else, is the essence of leadership. - John Kenneth Galbraith

Summary: A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent. – General Douglas MacArthur

1 Samuel 18:5 (MSG) Whatever Saul gave David to do, he did it—and did it well.  So well that Saul put him in charge of his military operations. Everybody, both the people in general and Saul’s servants, approved of and admired David’s leadership.

AD's April 2016 Devotional

Who would want to live in a swamp like that?

Looking at the city today, you would never think to ask that question of this city.   After all Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.   Venice, known for its romantic gondolas rides and the renowned St. Mark’s Square is now the Queen of the Adriatic.   But it was not always so.

For hundreds of years, the marshy, muddy islands were the lonely dwelling place for a few fishermen, but Attila the Hun changed all of that in A.D. 451-452. When he started burning, raping, pillaging and totally terrorizing the good folk of Northern Italy fled for their lives to Venice’s swampy protection.  Attila’s fierce army of elite horsemen was rendered impotent in the mud.

Years later, after yet another invader forced more people to escape to Venice, the residence had already learned to navigate the city using boats, to build their houses on posts driven into the mud and to dry seawater which produced invaluable salt.   What started out as pure tragedy and terror ended up in beauty and a great source of income as the people adapted to life.

Oftentimes, we can look back with an historical perspective and know that God worked out everything for the good.   As Romans 8:28 affirms, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Notice it does not say everything that happens is good but rather God works for the good in everything.  As believers in the God who calls us, let’s keep a Divine perspective on whatever challenges we face today.   Who knows? That swamp, crisis or troubled relationship may be beautiful and a great source of encouragement as we embrace life and watch God work!

 

AD's March 2016 Devotional

Remind your soul…You are loved by God!

 

Samson shook himself awake from Delilah’s soothing beguilement, ignorant of his newly shaved braids of hair.  His enemies the Philistines didn’t intimidate him.  He thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.”  He did not know that the Spirit of the Eternal had left him (Judges 16:18-20).   Tragic!  Satan robbed this supernaturally empowered man of God of his strength and of his identity.  He lost his anointing and his way.

Losing one’s anointing, never happens overnight.  It is subtle and unperceivable.  If we lose the awe of His incredible love, it’s always in small, incremental steps.  In our journey of faith, we should remind ourselves daily of God’s intimate love for us.  “Love Came Down” by Kari Jobe expresses this truth: “If my heart is overwhelmed and I cannot hear your voice, I hold on to what is true…. Mountains high or valley low, I sing out to remind my soul…I am forever yours.”

Discouragement and shrewd attacks may come our way.   Satan attempts to undermine our security in His love and our Call.   We must find ways daily to “fan into flame the gracious gift of God (2 Timothy 1:6).   Let’s remind our soul daily, “You are loved by God!”  Sing it.   Declare it.   Live it.   His love secures our effectiveness in ministry and His Call in our lives.