Leaders are not victims to circumstance – they take charge of every situation and fulfill their call

People frequently feel powerless and victim to changing circumstances.  Leadership take charge of every situation and fulfill their task, paving a way for others to follow after.

This short introductory video by De Waal Esterhuizen shares how he grew in responsibility and authority of what is entrusted to him.

Scripture

Mark 4:36-41

36  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39  Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40  But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Observation and reflection questions

1. The disciples were in the boat fearing drowning at sea. How did Jesus take charge of the stormy sea and wind? (verse 39)
2. Jesus asked the disciples , “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (verse 40). What did he mean by asking this?

Application and Prayer

Jesus took charge of the storm and ensured they reaches their destination.  He taught the disciples a valuable lesson in not succumbing to fear or victimhood but to take charge of every situation, starting with the faith in their mouth.

Mark 11:23  “For assuredly, I [Jesus] say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.’”

1. List the situation in your life which are out of control, either personal life or political situation or business ventures.
2. Pray and ask God to reveal his will in each of these situations. Declare yourself servant to Him and ask for his leading. Ask that God will fill your heart with faith.
3. Do what Jesus modelled (Mark 4:36-40) and what Jesus instructed (Mark 11:23) – take charge of the situation in prayer, declaring what must happen. After speaking to God, speak to the “mountain” with faith.
4. It might be helpful to pray together with one or more mature Christians; pray until there is results or until there is a sense of breakthrough in the Holy Spirit.

Note: I have found that although most people know Proverbs 18:20-21 below very few practice the discipline of declaration – to take charge of situations in the spirit – and therefore they lack “the fruit” thereof and continue to live as victims of circumstance.  Don’t be one of them – be a leader who takes charge of every situation and fulfill your call in the Lord.

Proverbs 18:20-21 “A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth, from the produce of his lips he shall be filled.  Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Stewardship 10 – ownership and responsibility

The aim of this devotional study is to reflect on stewardship – particularly regarding ownership and responsibility.

Scripture

Note: Today we consider the life example of Joseph – a faithful steward to three masters.

Genesis 39:1-6

1  Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2  The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.

3  His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4  So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 5  From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field. 6  So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate…

Genesis 39:20-23

20  And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. 21  But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22  And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. 23  The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the LORD was with him. And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed.

Genesis 41:40-44

40  You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.”  41  And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”  42  Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck.  43  And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!” Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44  Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.”

Observations and reflections

These few verses from the account of Joseph’s enslavement, imprisonment and promotion teach us much about Biblical stewardship.

1. In each of the three texts identify:
   1. Who was the owner of the property?
   2. Who was responsible for the property?
   3. What was entrusted to Joseph?
   4. Why was Joseph successful? [note God’s part and Joseph’s part in his success]
2. Reading the stories, there is incredible similarity and deliberate progression. Consider the progress through the three accounts and indicate how [if at all] these factors changed:
   1. Joseph’s environment
   2. Joseph’s role and responsibility
   3. Joseph’s authority
   4. Joseph character.
3. Looking at these accounts, what are your conclusions on:
   1. stewardship and ownership
   2. stewardship and responsibility
   3. stewardship and authority
   4. stewardship and faithfulness
   5. stewardship and life purpose.

Application

It is clear that the enslavement and imprisonment of Joseph was part of God’s plan for his life, although it was really tough.  But his faithful stewardship and integrity of what was entrusted to him proved his character and paved the way to his ultimate life purpose.

1. Consider your own life situation and your degree of faithfulness to what is entrusted to you.
   1. Do you see God’s hand in steering of your life? Why / why not?
   2. Do you consider yourself as faithful to steward – to your earthly masters and to God? Why / why not?

Prayer

Pray about your answers and thoughts on this account.  Pray for the grace and favour Joseph had in his stewardship of earthly matters, and ultimately his life purpose.

Stewardship 7 – faithfulness

The aim of this devotional study is to reflect on faithful stewardship and the Lord’s rewards.

Scripture

Luke 16:10-13

10  “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.  11  If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?  12  And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?  13  No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Observations and reflections

1. What is the one word that you would give to summarize Jesus’ teaching in these four verses
   1. In your own words paraphrase each of the four verses as clearly as possible to bring out its meaning.
2. Each of these four verses give an aspect of faithfulness – identify it (write it down).
   1. Note and identify the progression in the four verses.
   2. Note and identify the promises for faithful stewardship in the four verses.
3. What do you understand when Jesus promises “true riches” to those who manage “unrighteousness wealth” well?
4. According to this text, what is the link between stewardship and ownership? And what is the key to ownership?
5. Who determines when a person has been faithful to what was entrusted to him/ her?

Application and prayer

Faithfulness is a heart issue, and God is very interested in how we manage what is entrusted to us.  We all will give an account of our life to God One Day.

1. Take paper and {briefly) give account to God in prayer of what you do with what he has entrusted to you over the last week [start now but if you can’t finish now make time over the weekend]:
   1. Money and Possessions
   2. Family and Relationships
   3. Time and opportunities
   4. Work and responsibilities
   5. Your body, soul, spirit
   6. Gifts, including education and specific favor
   7. Mandate / purpose / command / dreams and desires
2. In what area have you been most faithful with what was entrusted to you? Why do you think so?
3. In what area have you been least faithful with what was entrusted to you? Why do you think so?
   1. How will you ensure growth towards greater faithfulness in this area. **
4. Spend some time to ask God to help you grow in faithfulness, so that God may entrust to you ”true riches”.

**Note: I have found that the most effective way to ensure growth in every aspect of my personal and devotional life is through accountability – having formal and informal relationships devoted to call me account for my disciplines, character and relationships in my life.