HUMILITY - June 17 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Two, “Sit at God’s Round Table”  p. 22

                                        HUMILITY

Have you ever met someone who was proud of their humility?  What a laugh!  In a social world where attitude is so important to communication, it is refreshing to find someone strong, gifted, intelligent, and seemingly in control, with a humble spirit.

Solomon, a very wise man who learned a lot from his father, King David, said, “Humility comes before honor”, Prov. 15:33.  David is a good example of a humble leader.  He made decisions based on Paul’s future declaration, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought…” Rom. 12:3.  Wouldn’t it be nice to find this characteristic in today’s leaders?

After David killed Goliath, he became a legend in his own time. The young girls of the country sang songs about his exploits.  One of the rewards for taking down the giant was an offer to David by the King of his daughter’s hand.  David’s attitude was, “Who am I and what is my family, that I should become the King’s son-in-law?  I am only a poor man and little known.” I Sam. 18: 18 & 23

When we are young, asserting our talents and growing in knowledge, we have to deal with pride.  The more experience we gain, and the longer we live, the easier it is to be humble because we learn how insignificant we are in God’s big scheme.

The Bible teaches, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up”, James. 4:10. So, it’s not how loud and forceful you are, it’s how much heart you have in delivering your requirements. It’s your attitude.  Be strong, but be full of the spirit and deliver your message with a heart of humility.

And, if you make a mistake, acknowledge it, apologize, ask forgiveness, and change your ways.   Hang your head and…

EAT SOME HUMBLE PIE

SEND ME - June 16 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter one, P. 1

SEND ME - I WILL GO

I had lunch today with a former Continental who traveled with us to Puerto Rico, Haiti and Jamaica in 1967.  He caught the vision of a world in need and eventually found himself raising his family in the Congo, flying for Mission Aviation Fellowship.

Tomorrow I meet with a Christian businessman who works for Tommy Bahama.  Both are following where God has led them.

David’s words reverberate in my mind thinking about this diversity…  “show me the way I should go, for to you, I lift up my soul. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may your good spirit lead me on level ground… for I am your servant."  Ps. 143: 8,10 and 12

Once we have made our commitment to follow the Lord and to do whatever He has laid out in front of us, we begin to carry His light everywhere.

But you need this special attitude that shouts out, “Send Me…I will go, I want to be the one who makes the difference.”

This reminds me of Isaiah 6:8-9 “…I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?”  And I said, “Here I am.  Send me!”  He said, “Go!”

I remember a rehearsal camp in 1985 at Arrowhead Springs.  Paul Eshleman from Campus Crusade was challenging our directors to go to some remote corner of the world and show the Jesus Film to people who had never heard the name “Jesus”.  Music and film -  what great tools to bring people together to hear the good news. Paul prayed as we bowed.  When I opened my eyes, an aforementioned director, initials (J.E.W.), had his face in mine and he said, “Send me! I want to be the one to go!”

He did go and others went as well. Jim Schmidt, current CEO of the Continentals Global Foundation, and I went to El Salvador to see firsthand how the film’s mission worked.  Then Jim took a group of Continentals to West Africa with Scott Wesley Brown.  They sang and showed the film; slept in dung huts and natives from villages came and for the first time ever, heard the name of Jesus and discovered new life in a dark corner of the world.

It makes no difference where God leads you, but….

IT’S TIME TO GO

ABOVE IT - June 15 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Seven, “Cry Out and Shout” P. 92

ABOVE IT

We have all been around people who live “under it”. Under the dark cloud.  Not much is very good, bad stuff happens all the time to just them, no one else.  If only “such and such” would happen, things could be bearable.

The lesson from David is that he learned to walk daily above the problems of everyday life.  He did not let them drag him down.  True, in so many of his Psalms, he moans and groans about people out to get him, but he always turns it, in the end, into trust and praise and belief in God’s deliverance. He was teaching his people that God would always be there for them.

In Psalm 40:1-3, David talks about being buried in the mud!  He said, “The Lord, He turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth….”

He sang his way out of the pit!!  He was never really in it.  He walked above it.  He knew God would handle the problem and it always gave him a chance to praise Him because of it.

For seven years, David ran from Saul and his armies, hiding in caves, going hungry and thirsty.  Did he ever say, “poor me” and give up?  No, instead he said, “poor me” followed by big praise to God, and then built a band of brothers called David’s Mighty Men.

His attitude shines through in Ps. 56:13 when he wrote about the Philistines seizing him in Gath - “You have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the light of life.” Everyone it seems, at that time, was out to get him.  Yet, he lived each day above the circumstance.

How did he do this?

He was chosen by God. 

(So are you!)

So, he had confidence in himself and his friends.

(You do too! And in addition to that, you have today’s remarkable opportunities at your disposal!)

He knew that God was looking out for him. 

(You have the same promise from Jesus in the Gospels.)

He expected answers to his prayers. 

(Of course You can have the same expectations.)

Stuff happens.   So what.  

LIVE ABOVE IT!

MUCH IS REQUIRED - June 14 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Five, “All” p.74

MUCH

Do you have family or friends who love you?  Have you been to high school?  Have you been to college or earned a degree? Do you have any kind of talent?  Do you have a job?

When you think about all the opportunities and things you have been given by living in a free society, you have to admit, we have a lot!  We have been given much.

There is a principle regarding “much”.  We who have received much must give back more than someone who has been given less.  Jesus put it this way in the old King James version, “For unto whomsoever much has been given, of him shall be much required.” And in the NIV … "from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded…” Luke 12:48

I have to say that from the beginning of my ministry, way back in the early 60’s, I was doing all I could to inspire singers and instrumentalists to be better than they were, to strive for greatness.  They had been given much, now they had to rehearse much!

David was “sold out” to the Lord.  He loved God with all his heart and all his strength.  He had been given power, leadership and a kingdom to rule.  He said in Ps. 18:1, “I love You, O Lord, my strength.” And with that leadership charisma, he led a nation in worship.  “How great You are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like You, and there is no God but You”, 2 Sam. 7:22.

He led by the principle of “loving God with all his Strength” because he could and that’s who he was.  The Apostle Paul said the same thing in Col. 3:22, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

Jesus often talked in stories, called parables, to transfer his truths to his followers. In Matthew 25, he laid down one truth in the “Parable of the Talents”; if you are given five talents (a lot), increase what you have been given, bring back five more or however more you can!  But, if someone has been given less, don’t be afraid to use what you have been given, don’t bury it and the same blessing is yours as the one who can do a lot more than you can!

There is a chapter in Romans, chapter twelve, that most Christians know as one mentioning a “reasonable” ask.  It’s when the writer urges us to serve the Lord and not conform to the contemporary world we live in.  In verse 6 he says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” And in verse 11 he tops it off with, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

Whatever gifts or talents, or knowledge or abilities or voice you have been given, use it for the Lord.

IT’S MORE THAN AN ASK, IT’S REQUIRED!

RUN TO WIN - June 13 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Two, “Sit at God’s Round Table” p. 27

                                         

RUN TO WIN

In 2016, we are in an Olympic summer.  In August, athletes from all over the world will fly to Rio de Janeiro to compete in the XXXIst Olympiad.  1988 was also an Olympic summer and George H.W. Bush was running for President as the Republican nominee. And appropriately, the Continentals theme was "RUN TO WIN".

Our T-shirt that summer had five contemporary designed runners with big red printing across the front saying, “Run to Win” I Cor. 9:24.  I still have one and actually wore it this morning at tennis!

George H.W. Bush also had one and he wore it everywhere that fall.  There were pictures of him wearing that shirt in newspapers and magazines, so we framed one that hung in the Continental office for a long time.

In 1 Cor. 9:24 Paul said, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize!”

George H.W. Bush did and he won the prize and became the 41^st President of the United States.

We sang a Twila Paris song that year called “Runner”

RUNNER

Courier valiant, bearing the flame

Messenger Noble, sent in His name

Faster and harder, run through the night

Desperate relay, carry the light, carry the light

Runner, when the road is long

Feel like giving in, but you’re hanging on

Oh runner, when the race is won

You will run into His arms.

Hanging on is sometimes the tough part.  Many of the most successful people in the world faced impossible situations and found a way to keep going.  Dale Carnegie said, “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.”

Paul’s prize was winning people to the Gospel of Christ.  He was shipwrecked, beaten and lashed, he was stoned, and when people rose up against him and threw him in prison, he still found a way to keep on running.  He had a determined goal to run the race and win. 

At the end of his life he wrote in 2 Timothy 4:7. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

So what about us, you and me?  

Are we running to win?  If some days you feel like you are treading water like I do, start asking God for some really big scuba fins.  Today’s world needs us runners as Ambassadors for the Lord more than ever. 

But if you do decide to really get in the race…

RUN TO WIN…

you may enjoy listening to the song Runner

https://sites.google.com/site/continentalsmusicsource/home/audio-files/08-Runner.mp3?attredirects=0&d=1

www.continentalsglobalfoundation.org

GENEROSITY: GIVERS AND TAKERS - Today's Perspective

GENEROSITY

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Two, “Sit at God’s Round Table,” p. 34-35

GIVERS AND TAKERS

David was a man of integrity.  It was one of the characteristics (secrets) God saw when He looked into David’s heart as a young man.  David always made sure his giving was from the right motive.

Jesus talked about giving and the heart when He said in Matthew 6:21, “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  

Motive and intent is a big deal in all kinds of generosity.

Some of us have been guilty of making sure everyone knows about our giving.  I suppose we have also given to get something in return at one time or another in our lives.  I think it is ok to expect God’s blessing when we give, but giving, in order to get, is the wrong motivation.

There is also the kind of generosity that is about giving time and effort to help others.  Many of you see posts on Facebook by Cher Floria Nelson. From the early 70’s to the mid 80’s, she would memorize the names and pictures of every Continental coming to rehearsal camp. Some summers that was over 500 young people.  She did it without compensation...just to make newcomers feel welcome.  When they met her on opening day, she greeted them by name.  I’ll bet she still remembers most of them.  Maybe you were one of them that has felt her generosity!

The Apostle Paul said, “God loves a cheerful giver” I Cor. 9:7. 

Attitude is the most important ingredient in giving.

David made sure his giving was from the right motive.  During his forty years as King, his personal wealth grew.  He gave all his personal wealth to build the Temple for the Name of the Lord in Jerusalem.  It was over 4.5 billion in gold and silver.

He spoke about everything he gave as already the Lord’s, as it came from His hand in the first place.  Then he wrote, “I know, my God, that You test the heart and are pleased with integrity.  All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent.”

I Chron. 29:17

Takers are uncomfortable to be around. On the other hand, when you give your time, love, gifts and even treasures, it is a blessing to you, as well as those receiving your generosity.

Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give” Matt.10:8

Giving is free… on both sides!

www.continentalsglobalfoundation.org

2nd CHANCES - Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter 4, “Take the Heat.” P. 60

                                 

2^ND CHANCES

David’s career was rich and romantic, and his story is alive and vibrant and exists to this day to teach us how forgiveness works between God and man and between man and other men and women.

It’s hard to say, “I’m sorry, please forgive me,” but it is essential because we are flawed and not perfect. It makes for peace and being forgiven is like a new beginning.

No problem when it comes to Jesus - he forgave all kinds of people during his ministry and the Bible is clear in 1 John 1:9, “…if we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

It is also critical that we have forgiveness for those who have hurt us.  Jesus put it this way, “forgive us our trespasses (debts) as we forgive those who trespass against us.”  Or as one four-year-old prayed, “and forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.” Because we do make “trashy” mistakes in real life, it is important we develop a repentant and forgiving attitude.  In this way, and in most cases, second chances are possible.  They are always possible with the Lord and should be with us as well.

Jesus’ disciples were worried about it in Matthew 18:21 and Peter asked if he should forgive someone up to seven times, but Jesus replied, “…not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

David understood this very well forgiving others who hurt him deeply and having been forgiven a sin that almost crippled him and cost him his life and kingship.  He said, “For as high as the heavens are above the earth so great is His love for those that fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Ps. 103:11-12

Each of us is living under second chances ● The next time it’s your turn to be the forgiver, don’t forget it ● Give someone another chance.