Revelations 22:12-21

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Read Revelations 22:12-21 Verses for meditation: Revelations 22:12-13, 16, 20-21 ESV: 12 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Reflect How does it feel to be reading the very last few verses of the bible? What do the proclamations, the last few of them, say about Christ? Come, Lord Jesus! Does this really express our desire? How does the greatest book end, and on what note? But is this really the end? Relate With mixed feelings, I'm writing this last devotion based on the final ten verses of the greatest book, the bible. What a journe...
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1 Pet 4.12-5.14 "Gospel Leadership"

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Read: 1 Pet 4.12-5.14

Verses chosen for reflection

1 Peter 5:1-5 "So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”


Reflection

There are tons of Christian leadership books and resources in this world. Many speaks of the ways and methods of leadership but very few talks about Gospel leadership. Here, the Apostle Peter summarised it for us: To be an effective leader in Christ, we must first understand two perspectives: (1) The perspective of obedience ("witness of the sufferings of Christ" (2) the perspective of eternity ("as well as partake in the glory that is going to be revealed")


The perspective of obedience takes reference from Jesus' total obedience to the Father, even at the Cross. The suffering of Christ was not a heroic venture; but rather the Lord's example of having faith even to the point of death. Hence, to be a shepherd of the flock or a leader in ministry or even the family, we need to learn obedience. Obedience to God and His word. Obedience to Christ and His ways. If we cannot obey, we cannot lead. Obedience to God is not only striving to do what is right. But it is a surrender to the transforming work of Christ; where we allow ourselves to be taken real deep into the darkness of our hearts and invite God to bear His glory there.


To be an effective Christian leader, one also needs to adopt the perspective of eternity. This means that when we lead and guide people in ministry; we need to have eternity in mind. This means that as far as possible, our leadership needs to be guided by the Gospel. Not so much by how the world award leadership but by how God sees leadership as righteous. So this means that our leadership needs to be shaped by Gospel values such as humility, servanthood, sacrifice, quick to listen, slow to speak, putting others first and taming our tongue. As we lead, we also want to build into the life of others; things that can withstand the fiery trial of time. Things that no one, including the devil can take away. Things that speaks of how we can enjoy that intimate relationship with God now on earth, and also for the eternity to come.


Relate


I certainly did not grow up knowing anything about Gospel leadership. Before knowing Christ, what I learned about leadership, are those from the world. Some of these leadership values did helped me to cope and succeed (somewhat) in the corporate world. Some of these values are also quite similar to those found in the Gospel. 


Yet, no leadership system seems to encourage something greater than ourselves. Somehow, the start and end point of these systems point are more self-benefitting than anything else. Yes, even the idea of "servant leadership" by Robert Greenleaf was to inspire greatness in others so that as a whole, the organisation can be great. And greatness here would ultimately point to worldly glory, dollars and cents.


But Jesus showed us a much better way. Jesus exemplified for us that leadership can be rooted in the power and truth of love. The love for God in obedience. The love for others out of that obedient relationship with God. The care for people we are serving with that stems from love and nothing else. The guidance of those younger to be closer to God so that the Gospel can spread even further. The willingness to die for the Gospel because we know that this world is not the end. The world might find us silly. But we know the truth and the Truth will come in His fullness in time to come.


Rest

New Jerusalem by Matt Gilman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxNzSrneOLM


Jason







 




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Revelations 22:12-21

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