Worried by long months of drought? Worry no more!

The most wonderful time of the year is here! Everyone is really merry & excited during this season of gift-giving, buying presents and toys for loved ones, reunions left and right, all the glitz and glamour brought by Christmas parties. But aside from that, I know you would agree with me, it's also the most awaited season for the corporate workers -- Bonus time!

It is this benefit that makes an employee and their families very happy. It's an employer's retention strategy and it's really working, (not for me I guess).

But is the bonus season really the reason of happiness for most of us? Yes that will make a lot of food on the table, a lot of gifts for loved ones, that would mean a lot of savings in the bank, but will 'bonus' define our happiness and contentment?

Prophet Jeremiah says on Chapter 17, verses 7 to 8:

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit."

• The term blessed is used often in Psalms and Deuteronomy to describe the benefits that accrue to a person who is devoted to the Lord and His Word. 
• The imagery of a fruitful tree derives directly from Psalm 1:3. This verse teaches that a person who trust in the Lord will not be free from trials and adversity; rather God will bring fruit and blessing in and through those difficulties (Jeremiah 14:1-9, 15:19-21).
• Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought! Whoah! What a confidence! Those who trust in the Lord will not be bothered whether they receive a bonus or not. Worry has no room in their minds even if with season of long droughts.

I don't know what you are going through, but believe me I have experienced extreme heat brought by the long months of drought. Yes. That season made our food, water, and financial supply to really shrunk. But we survived by the grace of God!

I have to admit that this wasn't a good testimony. It's when I've made one of the worst decisions in my career. I left my job of more than 2 years without any back up plans, and I left during this bonus season. Can you imagine that? With the little savings I have, on I went to leave the company without thinking its consequences. And although I know this theoretically, that you should've at least 6 months of savings when you resigned just to survive for at least 2 months, I wasn't able to apply it. As a result of my disobedience, my whole household experienced the heat, contrary to the abundance brought by the 'ber' months. 

I've learned my lessons and was disciplined by God, the hard way. But it was worth it, because He disciplines those He loves. I believe that breaking seasons are preparations for breakthrough (Ptr. Alex Garcia). I hold on to His promises. I clung and continuously cling to the Lord. I enjoyed the moment of brokenness before Him. 

So if you feel like the rain of blessing isn't pouring on you right now, do not panic, do not be afraid. But put your hope and confidence in the Lord, the Owner of everything. He can provide you and your family not just 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th month pay, but instead, we can plunge and swim in the unlimited supply of His riches. Hallelujah!

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, help us to put our trust in You and not on the wealth of this world. Remind us Lord that is You who gave us the ability to produce wealth. Holy Spirit help us to be good stewards of everything God has entrusted to us. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Lead the Flock

1 Peter 5:2-4 (NIV)
"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them - not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve, not lording it over those entrusted to you, by being examples to the flock."

You're a leader. You're now leading the pack of believers and directing them to be more intimate with the Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ. But how will you, as a shepherd, lead the flock entrusted by God if you're suddenly lost of the way? How will you get back on track? Allow me to share with you these sweet revelations from the Holy Spirit.

The shepherd's primary responsibility is the safety and welfare of the flock. They guard the flock from predators. In Biblical times, the Middle Eastern shepherd's job was dangerous and dirty. Many times they had to fight wild animals and their lives were really put on the line. At night, the shepherd would put up a makeshift pen with one way in and out. The sheep, on the other hand, would only follow and listen to the voice of their shepherd. 

So let's go back now to our question. What happens if the shepherd who's supposedly leading the flock suddenly gets lost? Same as a writer, who unexpectedly, is unable to think what to write or how to proceed with his/her writing a.k.a writer's block. Or a dancer who suddenly couldn't choreographed a single routine. HOW WILL YOU PROCEED?

Few things:

1. You can't live a life of purpose if you're living a sinful life.
Ouch but true. A leader gets lost in his/her Christian journey because of sins. Sin MUST NOT be your master (Romans 6:14). As a leader, you shall not be 'displaying' a holy life, but you must live it out as well and be a great example to the flock. You must be able to determine who is your master in your private & public lives and live in a way that pleases God.

2. God cannot work in a dirty vessel -- so repent.
Repentance before restoration. True repentance happens when we see sin as God sees sin. Let those who love the Lord hate evil (Psalm 97:10). Repentance is an honest, regretful acknowledgement of sin with commitment to change.

Charles Spurgeon

Repentance is a discovery of the evil of sin, a mourning that we have committed it, a resolution to forsake it. It is, in fact, a change of mind of a very deep and practical character, which makes the man love what once he hated, and hate what once he loved.

3. Focus on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith
Hebrews 12:2 says "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God". Fixing our eyes on Jesus will block out all distractions in life. God knows the very condition of our hearts. Be humble and honest to God and acknowledge that we need His help on this area, actually in all areas of our lives. Joshua won all his battles because the Lord was with him. His obedience to God was exemplary.

Remember that no matter, how anointed, how talented, and how able we are, apart from the Lord, we are nothing. After all, this is His ministry, they are His flock, not ours.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for Your forgiveness. Thank You for not abandoning us, but for reaching out instead to bring us home. Help us Lord to live a life that is pleasing in Your sight. Help us to lead Your flock with integrity, faithfulness, and excellence. In Jesus' Name, Amen.