[Blindtlk] FW: Word at Work Luke79 - Luke 6:12-16

[solomon s]

-- original message --
Subject:	Word at Work Luke79 - Luke 6:12-16
From:	"Word at Work (BeaconLight)" <wordatwork at beaconlight.co.uk>
Date:		12-04-2010 9:32 am

 
 
  
Word at Work from BeaconLight 
  
Monday, April 12, 2010 
  
PLANNING AHEAD 
  
Luke 6:12-16  One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. (NIV)
  
  
 
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
  
 
 
 
 In business, teams are important. It is said that everybody brings something special to the table and makes a unique contribution. However, Jesus selected His team of raw recruits in a night of prayer. They were chosen to learn ('disciple' means learner or pupil) ... when they tried to be creative executives they failed (Luke 22:31-34). However, after their three years of training and then being filled with the Holy Spirit, they were sent out to be the leaders of the early church ('apostles' means 'sent ones'). That is, apart from Judas Iscariot.
 
 We know quite a lot about some of these men; of others we know very little, but the Lord had a place for them all even though ministries are largely unsung in history. Interestingly Jesus chose some men from the same family (James and John; Andrew and Peter) or business - fishing or civil service. Some were good team players, others were individualists like Matthew. But why choose the traitor? Partly it was to fulfil prophecy, (Psalm 41:9; Zechariah 11:12; John 6:64); partly it was essential leadership training to contend with false apostles (2 Corinthians 11:15), false brothers (2 Corinthians 11:26) and false prophets (2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1); and partly to teach that God's purposes are fulfilled despite or even through opposition. As disciples, they saw Jesus moving forward with the gospel; rigorously proclaiming and defending God's truth in the face of error.  As apostles, they had to do the same. They learned to rely on what Jesus said, so that they would recognise how the Holy Spirit would use the Scriptures and lead them into mission despite the difficulties.
 
 Today's Christians needs good leaders. Many will have learned competences in business. Some will be team players; others have a special role in mobilising God's people. But irrespective of personality type, spiritual leadership requires an inner conviction of God's call into what is humanly unknown. All of us are in God's training camp. He never wastes any of our past experiences, but uses them to mould us into the right shape for His service. We are not the foundational apostles, but God has chosen each of us to send into the situations for which He has trained us; but knowing we still cannot do anything without Him (John 15:5). So, wise believers keep looking out for God's appointments at work, in church, at leisure, when travelling; even when we encounter opposition. Those He calls, He intends to use!
 
 Prayer:  Dear Lord. Thank You that You specially select Your people and then equip them for service; proclaiming, confirming and defending the gospel in the face of hostility. Whatever I think of myself, thank You that You know why You have chosen me. I believe that You have been equipping me to serve in Your kingdom. Please stir my soul with Your Word and fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit, so that I will be able to recognise the work You have set for me each day, and do it with Your help. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
   
 
Your next Word at Work will be sent on Tuesday, April 13, 2010
   
W at WLuke79 | Word at Work © Dr Paul Adams 2010 | Provided by BeaconLight | Contact us at wordatwork at beaconlight.co.uk
 
 
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