Community Devotions

Perception vs Reality

Judges 6:12; 14-15, "12 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.”…14 And the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you? 15 And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house."

Whose report do you believe? What happens when our perception contradicts the truth of God’s reality? Often times our  perception i.e. “our reality” is opposite and antithetical to God’s reality which is ultimate truth. Gideon’s perception is that he is from the weakest tribe in Manasseh and he is  the"runt of the litter" in his family (MSG). But God’s reality is much different! The truth is when God saw Gideon threshing wheat in hiding, God saw him and greeted him, “GOD is with you, O mighty warrior!” What is seen is that Gideon was in fact from the weakest tribe and was the least in his family but what is unseen is that He is a mighty warrior! God being atemporal (existing and functioning outside of time) sees Gideon for who he really is and the mighty man of valor that he is becoming.

I believe in the report of the Lord! I believe in his economy of choosing the weak and foolish things in this world to shame the wise. Just as he chose Israel because they were the least of all the nations and Gideon as the weakest in his family he chose me so that he might receive all the glory. Function in the multiplication by subtraction: God multiplied his glory & fame when he subtracted Gideon’s army from 22,000 soldiers to 300 men so that Gideon would know in their heart of hearts that it was all God! Points of application:

 - When I stumble in sin: believe the report that I am forgiven, perfect and flawless because of his grace and finished work on the cross.

 - When I miss the mark in my leadership and church performance, believe the report that it is God’s kingdom and He is advancing it for his glory!

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for loving me inspite of me! Thank you for grace that’s undeserved and love that is unconditional! Help me to “prepare my mind for action” (1 Peter 1:13) and stand strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus! Strengthen me Holy Spirit to walk in and live out in the reality of your truth. When my heart begins to wander and stray in my perception or other’s expectations correct me Jesus! May I always believe in the report of the Lord. Help me to lead with myself, my marriage and family and your church with truth and grace.

Sharing the Weight of Leadership

12 How can I bear by myself the weight and burden of you and your strife? 13 Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads - Deuteronomy 1:12-13

The first three chapters of Deuteronomy is a look back of Israel’s journey before they conquer the Promised Land. After the command to leave Horeb Moses complains that he cannot bear the burden of leading Israel specifically judging the affairs of the people. God’s solution? Choose other leaders who can bear the weight of leadership with him. The qualifications are threefold: first, they are to be wise (Leaders must have the ability to show good judgment). Second, men who are understanding (leaders who assess situation and are aware of the issue at stake). Third, they are to be experienced (leaders who have gained a particular skill gained over a period of time).

Doing Church as a Team is not a novel idea. It’s been God’s design for ministry for thousands of years. But the weight of carrying the burden of leadership is too much for one leader to handle. It’s been said that a strong draft horse can pull the weight of 8,000 lbs but the joined effort of two draft horses can pull three times as much at 24,000 lbs of weight. As a young pastor of 36 years old I must continue to surround myself with wise, understanding and experienced men who can carry the burden of leading a church with me. Don’t micromanage every single detail of the church but delegate and trust the servants God has called to serve the church. As I sit here Saturday morning 6:30am in the community (Aina Haina Starbucks), I consider myself so blessed to be surrounded by wise, understanding and experienced men to help lead New Hope Community Church to God’s best.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for loving Aina Haina so much that you have given the best leaders to serve your people here in the community. Thank you for blessing me with gifts of wise, understanding, and experienced men who love you and have the heart of a servant. Thank you not only for the leaders but also their whole families. Bless the Terroneses, Perezes, Chaes, Nodas, Kaneshiros, Changs, and every family that has thrown their hearts over the line to serve you and the community here at New Hope Community Church. Thank you for my wife Renee and kids (Judah, Noah and Ezra) and the grace you have given them to run this race with such a pure heart. May your presence continue to go before us so that you receive all the honor, glory and praise. I love you so much! Maranatha.