Choose To Listen And Believe

Voice of Truth
By Casting Crowns

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth tells me a different story
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a Sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again "boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
If I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

And the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth said "This is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe...

I will choose to listen and believe... the voice of truth

I... I will listen and believe...
'Cause Jesus you are the voice of truth.

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It's not about you; it's about what you're entrusted with.
Despite the seeming difficulty you are encountering,
Be honest and good steward you were anointed to be,
And you'll still succeed in the task you're entrusted with,
Just choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth.

It's Not About You

By Kristin Huffman

My friend Helen doesn't run for office or look for ways to take charge. She would tell you she is not a leader and that she has neither talent nor desire to lead anyone. Helen would say she simply responds to God's call in whatever needs to be done. So it was that she was house manager of her sorority; for 35 years she was a teacher, mentor, and coach; and she is now a beloved deacon, servant, and mentor in her church and neighborhood.

In Craig Barne's book Sacred Thirst, the pastor, author, and professor entitles one chapter "It's Not About You." People who believe it's all about "me" lose perspective, he says. As a leader's focus to be less about self improves, that leader can begin to relax, let go, and experience some of what I observe in Helen's life.

God is forever trying to teach His people the paradox of leadership. One wonderful hero of the Old Testament who had to learn it was Moses: the reluctant leader. When God called him to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt, away from persecution and trouble and into the Promised Land, Moses resisted. In Exodus 3:11, balking at God's instructions to lead, Moses said, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

There follows (in Exodus 3-4) a conversation between God and Moses in which Moses attempts to shirk the assignment. Yes, but what if … I don't speak well … someone else could do it much better. God responds, "I will be with you." My plan, God is saying, is to help you at every turn. Moses had to leave looking only at himself—his fear, his reluctance, his inadequacies—and turn to and trust God, and he had to learn to let Aaron share the responsibility and the limelight.

A good leader knows leadership by definition is about others (ultimately about God), not oneself. A good leader sees beyond self to participate fully in the assignment, to use all God-given gifts and talents, and to experience fully the life God provides. Ultimately in business, church, families, neighborhoods, politics … the good leader proves to be a good follower, continually accepting the invitation to participate in something God already is doing.

Sleep Satisfied

Lord,

Thank You for the infinite love that meets our every need and provides all the beautiful and wonderful things we experience in life.

Release our hearts and minds from fear and worry.

Fill us with Your peace as we learn to fully trust in your providence.

Help us to do all that we are capable of and the rest we entrust unto you.

Amen.

- Cerge Remonde, Philippine Press Secretary

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Many plans are in a man's heart,
But the counsel of the Lord will stand.

What is desirable in a man is his kindness,
And it is better to be a poor man than a liar.

The fear of the Lord leads to life,
So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.

~ Proverbs 19:21-23 ~

Goodbye secretary Cerge... You're such a good harvest.

"It really hurts, but he's my brother."

[Mathew 18:1-6]

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."