As the old song says, “We’ll understand it better by and by.” Sometimes God wants us to use blind faith in times of desperation, despite our lack of understanding in the ways and means of His solution.  We’ve seen in this series on leadership how God requires that we make certain assumptions, take certain actions, and as we’ll see below, in the conclusion of this series, understand certain analogies, when leading those in their time of need.

Let us look at the analogies which must be understood when leading those who have a basic need that is unmet.  One effective strategy is to look for the analogies of the Old Testament.  These are the “meatier” portions of the Word.  Ask yourself, “What is He really trying to teach?” The first of the analogies is that water was a need.  In John 4, Jesus sat at a well and told a Samaritan, “I can give you water that will take your thirst away.  I am the Living Water.” Jesus was the fulfillment of the analogy that took place in Exodus 17.  God always does more than simply what we see on the surface.  Here, we see that the big picture.  The Israelites needed to observe that the Water of Life came from the smitten Rock, which symbolized the Son of God.  The Bible declares very candidly, in 1 Corinthians 10:4, that the Rock which Moses struck was, “The Rock of Christ!” When the rock was struck, this was a prophetical smiting of the Son of God.  He was smitten for our sins that the Water of Life might come out, and all who would drink by faith may live forever.  It’s teaching Biblical salvation through Christ.

Now, there is also the analogy of the rod of Moses.  This rod was useful in balancing his walk. Moses had forty years of balancing his walk by traveling over the rocks and rugged terrain with his sheep.  It kept him from breaking his neck, as well as, defending and rescuing his sheep when they were in trouble.  God then used him in a supernatural way.  God needs to do a work personally in us before He can do anything through us.  Learn to be stabilized by the Lord.  Walk with Him.  Consistently depend on Him and His power. The rod was a symbol similar to the scepter in the hand of pharaoh.  It was key in dividing the Red Sea, bringing the plagues, and in bringing forth water from the rock.  Be reminded, Moses didn’t simply pick up the rod at a “nickel and dime” store, he honed it over forty years of applying Godly principles to his own life.  It was then that God used the rod in an awesome way.

Moses understood that God was the reason for stability in his walk, self-preservation, and security in life. It all depended on the power of God represented by this walking stick.  These verses in Exodus 17, indicate to us that we should not think God is wrong when He says, “I’ve not seen the righteous forsaken nor His seed begging bread.” There are other aspects to consider.  If you are where God wants you to be, you may have needs which are unmet.  You may need a miracle.  He’s the One Who can give you that miracle!  You don’t have to manipulate Him.  He can bring you the miracle in His time.  You may get thirsty and complain. However, be careful not to criticize others.  You can take your burden to God and cry out to Him.  See what He can do.   He can do much through your need!

Have a wonderful day IN the Lord!
Dr. Paul A. Kingsbury

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Mark 3:1-6, “And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.  (2)  And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.  (3)  And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.  (4)  And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.  (5)  And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.  (6)  And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.”

How sad it is when people, who have an opportunity to see Jesus, entirely miss the opportunity! I believe the reason that they miss it is not because they do not want to see it.  The truth is (just as the Pharisees in the verses above) they have distanced themselves from God.  Because of that distance, they are now experience great bondage. This bondage creates “blinders” which inhibits them from being able to see Christ and His marvelous works.  Recently someone said to me, regarding their time in the morning with God, “Devotions don’t work.”  Devotion defined is “The state of being dedicated, consecrated, or solemnly set apart for a particular purpose.” That particular purpose is what drives misery or victory.

The Pharisees of all people should have been rejoicing in the fact that Jesus had come. They were teaching about the coming Kingdom.  They saw people responding and experiencing healing both physically and spiritually.  Yet, they would watch, murmur, and plot to kill Him.  Why, because their devotion was on something else besides Him.  Their hearts had become hard and prideful.   They were more dedicated to the rules and laws, than the law Giver.  They were blinded.  Jesus was doing things that they had never seen before and instead of getting to know Him, they rejected Him and tried to find fault with everything He did.

It’s sad! The Pharisees were the religious leaders of their day, they knew everything about Him, but never knew Him!  They were in church every Sunday, their prayers were long and they probably used big words.  They even had a public ministry because of the status that it would bring to them; but they missed Jesus.  They were more focused on their appearance than the condition of their heart.  They got busy doing the work of God, and forgot about being with God.  Don’t be like the Pharisees and miss Jesus.  Jesus desires truth and focuses on the heart, while Satan desires deception and focuses on appearance. Don’t go through the motions and miss the personal relationship!  Jesus tells us to love the Lord with all thy heart.  That my friend is devotion to a Person and that Person is Jesus.

Today, will you know about Jesus or will you know Jesus?  Will you see Him when He is working, or will you be blinded?  Will you desire His presence or will you desire your preferences?

I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the power of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

O the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!

There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.

Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

Have a wonderful day IN the Lord!
Benjamin R. Burks

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Posters are great out reach tools that can be hung in virtually in any high traffic location. If you ask politely store owners rarely say no.

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1.    Know that you are a Christian yourself. (1 John 5:12)
2.    Understand the empowering ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life personally. (Ephesians 5:12)
3.    Pray for Boldness and opportunities to witness (Acts 4:23-31)
4.    Memorize salvation verses (John 3:16, Romans 3:10, 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9-13)
5.    Carry Gospel literature, or a Bible.
6.    Show them they are sinners (Exodus 20, James 2:10, Romans 3:23)
7.    Show them the penalty for their sin is death in hell. (Romans 5:12, Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 20:15)
8.    Show them Christ’s Death paid the penalty (Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 6:23)
9.    Show them they must accept Christ’s payment by faith, and turn from their sin (Romans 10:9-13, Acts 2:38, Acts 16:31)

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