The Monday Memo from John Stanko

427: Number Two Man

Thank you for your prayers and best wishes for my wife and her eye problem that I mentioned last week. We had a breakthrough this week when some of her sight returned in that eye, but she still has a ways to go. We appreciate your prayerful support.

Last week we finished up Deborah and this week I would like to begin looking at Joshua for a few weeks before I pull out some classic Christmas Monday Memos from the archives. Then we will resume looking at Joshua after the first of the year.

NUMBER TWO   

Joshua is one of the few men in the Bible (Joseph, Daniel and David being others) who was a number two man who eventually became a number one man.  He served Moses from his youth and then, when it was time for Moses to die, Joshua became the leader in Israel. It was Joshua who led the people into the Promised Land and it was Joshua who has a book in the Old Testament named after himself. That is a quite and honor and accomplishment for a man who knew how to serve and how to lead, something rare in number one men.

We know little about Joshua.  He appears on the scene in Exodus 17 when Moses ordered him to go to war while he, Moses, stayed behind to pray.  That tells us a lot about Joshua.  This conversation did not occur when Moses gave the order to go to battle:

Joshua:  You want me to go to battle?
Moses:  Yes.
Joshua:  What are you going to do?
Moses:  I will pray.
Joshua:  You mean I will risk my life while you stay behind to pray?
Moses: That's right.
Joshua: Forget it.  I'm not going unless you go. That's not fair! I quit.

Joshua went, understanding his role in his partnership with Moses, and what's more, he led the people to victory. Yet it was Moses' prayers that made the difference in the battle (see Exodus 17), and Joshua learned an important lesson about prayer and authority that played a major role in his development as a leader.

PERSONAL PURPOSE DEVELOPMENT   

And that reveals an important step in finding and fulfilling your purpose:  You must allow God to put you in some tough, demanding situations where you will learn, grow and develop trust - in God and in those whom He puts in your life to develop and train you.

You see, many have ideas and dreams and that's a good thing.  You probably have them, too.  Yet the proof of your mettle isn't in expressing those dreams.  It is enduring and devoting yourself to the preparation process.  The higher the building, the deeper the foundation must go.  That is true for you.  Once you have the blueprints for your vision, you must allow God to lay and dig the foundation that will be able to handle the weight of His glory in your purpose.

Joshua was faithful to the preparation process and one day his time to lead came. He was ready and he did a fabulous job for the Lord.  He wasn't a perfect man, as we shall see, but he was faithful.  He learned faithfulness by serving God, Moses and the people, and God was pleased.  His promotion did not come from Moses; it came from God.  That is where yours will come from, too.

Do you sense that God has something purposeful for you to do?  Are you ready for the testing and preparation process?  I hope you are.  I am at a point in my life where I can look back and see God's hand of preparation and it has been a good work.  Now I am engaging so much of what I once dreamed of doing.  I urge you to be faithful to God's preparation plan for you and not to give up because it is difficult.  Hang in there and I know that you will come into your own, whatever that may be, in the fullness of time.  Thank you and have a great week serving the Lord and your purposeful preparation for service.

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YESTERDAY'S SERMON:  You can watch or listen to my sermon from yesterday, entitled Have a Mary Christmas, on my church's website.  In that message, I talk about Mary's faith in not only the Christmas story but in the life of Jesus.  The message will help you focus on the reason for the season as we enter into the holiday festivities. 

HELP IS ARRIVING:  A lot of books, toys and other children's supplies arrived this week for The Deborah Foundation. What's more, $155 came in for The Sophia Fund.  I wrote an update on The Sophia Fund the other day, including two emails from Kenya that describe what the latest Sophia Fund allotment has meant for their work. You can read about it here. 

After you read the update, I hope you will act to help today as we approach the Christmas holiday.  I need money and supplies to feed and educate them in a difficult environment. I am grateful for your prayerful and prompt response to the children's needs.  If you need more background or information, go to my blog to see my latest post or go to my Facebook page. I will figure out a way to get everything to Kenya.  You just figure out a way to get them to me. 

DAILY PROVERB: I am now posting a short daily devotional focusing on one verse every day on my blog site. If you would like to read it or subscribe to receive it, just go to my site and register there. I promise to have it updated every day.

FACEBOOK: My goal is to have 1,000 Facebook friends on FB by 12/31. Right now I have 775. I update my status on Facebook (you can find me by searching my email, johnstanko@att.net) every morning to include a daily verse from Proverbs and an inspirational quote. I do the same on Twitter @johnstanko as well as a daily feature entitled "What Would Jesus Ask?" Go there to sign up and follow along.

426: Wake Up!

I apologize for not writing last week.  We had to take my wife to the hospital when she could not see out of her right eye.  She was diagnosed with a torn retina and the doctor is trying to repair it with laser surgery so she won't need major surgery. We are praying for his success!

This week I want to finish up our study of Deborah that we began two weeks ago.  You can read the first installment here if you missed it. You may want to read Judges 5 also before we go on from here. 

INACTIVITY

When I read Judges 5, I get the idea that Deborah's main role was encouragement and influence the people of God to act. She urged God's people to do something and they did it.  Without Deborah's influence, they could have remained in bondage much longer.  Here are some of the verses that give me the sense that Deborah stirred people to action:

"When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves—praise the Lord!" (Judges 5:2).

"Village life in Israel ceased, ceased until I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in Israel" (Judges 5:7).

"My heart is with Israel's princes, with the willing volunteers among the people. Praise the Lord!" (Judges 5:9).

"'Wake up, wake up, Deborah! Wake up, wake up, break out in song! Arise, O Barak! Take captive your captives, O son of Abinoam" (Judges 5:12). 

 "Why did you stay among the campfires to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart" (Judges 5:16).

"Curse Meroz," said the angel of the Lord. "Curse its people bitterly, because they did not come to help the Lord, to help the Lord against the mighty'" (Judges 5:23).

Deborah basically encouraged the people to wake up and act.  They were tolerating a bad situation and had even become accustomed to it. It was time to put a stop to it and Deborah saw that it happened.  Those who did not help or act were "cursed of the Lord." 

WAKE UP!

So maybe it's time for you to "wake up"?  What situation have you accepted as normal that you have the power to change?  Where has inactivity led to complacency?  Where do you need the Spirit of Deborah to call you to action?  Then again, it may be time for you to wake someone else up, to stimulate the people around you to action through your action.  If you have ever said, "Someone needs to do something," have you considered that the someone may be you? 

Deborah called the people to arms and then she accompanied them to see that the victory was secured.  You can do the same and, when you do, you will follow in the footsteps of a "mother" in Israel who knew that the situation was unacceptable and needed changed. Why not impact your world this week the way Deborah did hers?  As you do, I know you will have a great week!

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RECENT SERMON:  You can watch or listen to my sermon from last weekend, entitled A Tale of Two Donkeys, on my church's website.  In that message, I compare Balaam's ride on his donkey with Jesus' ride into Jerusalem on His.  Let me know what you think when you are finished.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!:  I want to wish all my American readers a Happy Thanksgiving this coming Thursday.

YOUR HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED:  Someone asked me last week whether or not I needed toys, books or money.  I told them that all three are still needed, but that money is probably number one, followed by books and then toys. 

Please don't forget the children this Christmas as I prepare for my next trip to Kenya in February.  I need money and supplies to feed and educate them in a difficult environment. I am grateful for your prayerful and prompt response to the children's needs.  To read all about what's going on, go to my blog to see my latest post or go to my Facebook page.  I need books and educational toys and I need you to help me get them. I will figure out a way to get them to Kenya.  You just figure out a way to get them to me. 

When you do your Christmas shopping and giving this year, please remember The Sophia Fund and The Deborah Foundation (named after my daughter, not after the Old Testament judge discussed above).  I know you will be blessed when you do. 

DAILY PROVERB: I am now posting a short daily devotional focusing on one verse every day on my blog site. If you would like to read it or subscribe to receive it, just go to my site and register there. I promise to have it updated every day.

FACEBOOK: My goal is to have 1,000 Facebook friends on FB by 12/31. Right now I have 762. I update my status on Facebook (you can find me by searching my email, johnstanko@att.net) every morning to include a daily verse from Proverbs and an inspirational quote. I do the same on Twitter @johnstanko as well as a daily feature entitled "What Would Jesus Ask?" Go there to sign up and follow along.

FREE PURPOSEQUEST ASSESSMENT: I updated and improved the feedback email you receive from your online assessment, so now is a great time to take or re-take the purpose assessment on my website. This is not a scientific survey, but something that is meant to stimulate your thought and direct your study concerning where you are in your PurposeQuest.

425: Deborah

I few weeks ago I had a reader writer to request that I write about the Old Testament judge Deborah at some point. Well, this seems like a good point to do that, so let me honor her request and look at this obscure character in the book of Judges.

Deborah is identified as both a prophetess and a judge, someone to whom Israel came when they wanted to settle a dispute.  She was married, but still had a position of authority, even though those were not common for women at that time. During her tenure, Israel was oppressed by an army commander named Sisera. God spoke to Deborah and she summoned a man named Barak and delivered a "word" from the Lord that he was to attack Sisera and deliver Israel. 

When he agreed but only on the condition that Deborah accompany him, Deborah promised him victory but predicted that the victory would come at the hands of a woman, thus depriving Barak the full honor due for his courage and actions. (You can read this for yourself in Judges 4.)

What can we learn from this account that would help you and me on our PurposeQuest today?  Here is what I see:

1. Deborah was a woman.  It seems that gender was not an issue for God. Should it be for you?
2. Deborah was a leader.  Israel willingly responded to her leadership.  When you are a leader, God gives you followers.  You don't have to work to find them.
3. Deborah was a woman under authority.  You seldom have to be a renegade or rebel to accomplish your purpose.  You can work within the confines of the authority in your church, company or nation.  You simply have to accept the "call" that is on your life.
4. Deborah was brave.  First, she shared her word from the Lord at a time when Israel was oppressed. She agreed to go to the battle with Barak to encourage him in the work that God gave him to do through her word. Like her fellow prophets, David and Jeremiah, she was not aloof but went with the people of God. Are you involved with those you lead and follow?
5. Deborah had faith.  Deborah shared her "word" even though it seemed that the enemies of Israel were stronger and more numerous. She was confident that, if Barak followed her command, he would have success. 
6. Deborah's faith was contagious.  Because she had faith, Barak had faith too, as reported by the writer of Hebrews: "And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets" (Hebrews 11:32). Do people catch faith from you as you speak and act?

What can you learn from Deborah's example to help you in your PurposeQuest this coming week?  Do you see any other points or lessons from this account that I am missing?  If so, please take the time to post them on my site for others to see.  Next week, we will look at Judges 5 and the song that Deborah sang after Barak and his army were victorious.  Until then, may the Spirit of Deborah be with you and yours as we seek to obey the word of the Lord as it comes to our lives and work.  Have a great week!

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YOUR HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED:  Please don't forget the children this Christmas as I prepare for my next trip to Kenya in February.  I need money and supplies to feed and educate them in a difficult environment. I am grateful for your prayerful and prompt response to the children's needs.  To read all about what's going on, go to my blog to see my latest post or go to my Facebook page.  I need books and educational toys and I need you to help me get them. I will figure out a way to get them to Kenya.  You just figure out a way to get them to me. 

When you do your Christmas shopping and giving this year, please remember The Sophia Fund and The Deborah Foundation (named after my daughter, not after the Old Testament judge discussed above).  I know you will be blessed when you do. 

DAILY PROVERB: I am now posting a short daily devotional focusing on one verse every day on my blog site. If you would like to read it or subscribe to receive it, just go to my site and register there. I promise to have it updated every day.

FACEBOOK: My goal is to have 1,000 Facebook friends on FB by 12/31. Right now I have 750. I update my status on Facebook (you can find me by searching my email, johnstanko@att.net) every morning to include a daily verse from Proverbs and an inspirational quote. I do the same on Twitter @johnstanko as well as a daily feature entitled "What Would Jesus Ask?" Go there to sign up and follow along.

FREE PURPOSEQUEST ASSESSMENT: I updated and improved the feedback email you receive from your online assessment, so now is a great time to take or re-take the purpose assessment on my website. This is not a scientific survey, but something that is meant to stimulate your thought and direct your study concerning where you are in your PurposeQuest.

424: Criticism

Do you enjoy criticism?  I don't know too many who do, but it can sometimes be an important part of your development.  If you can't handle criticism and misunderstanding, then you won't go very far in your purpose quest.  So as we wrap up our study of Gideon this week, let's look at the criticism he received and see what you can learn.

SUCCESS BRINGS CRITICISM

When Gideon had won a great battle over the Midianites, some of his allies confronted him after his victory:

Now the Ephraimites asked Gideon, "Why have you treated us like this? Why didn't you call us when you went to fight Midian?" And they criticized him sharply (Judges 8:1).

This reminds me of a time later when David was sharply criticized when his men's families were taken captive:

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters (1 Samuel 30:6a).

After all David and Gideon had done, they had their critics, and you will have yours, too.  With that in mind, you have three options of how to handle your inevitable critics.

THREE STRATEGIES

First, you can become defensive, spending a lot of time and energy explaining why you did what you did.  What's more, you can determine never to do much of anything again because the effort is too painful if it results in criticism.  I would not recommend this first option.

Second, you can do what Gideon did:

But he answered them, "What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren't the gleanings of Ephraim's grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer? God gave Oreb and Zeeb, the Midianite leaders, into your hands. What was I able to do compared to you?" At this, their resentment against him subsided (Judges 8:2-3). 

Gideon answered diplomatically and softly. He helped his critics see that their perspective was a bit skewed and that they were also an important part of what had just happened.  Gideon showed great restraint and wisdom, for he knew that leaders will be criticized and he deflected it and won his critics over with a gentle, non-defensive answer.

Third, you can do what David did:

But David found strength in the Lord his God (1 Samuel 30:6b).

David did not react or respond.  He took some time to regain his perspective and he did that by going to the Lord.  The Lord spoke to David and he returned to lead the very men who had threatened to stone him.  What's more, he led them to victory.

I once thought that fear of failure was the greatest hindrance the people of God face.  I now think that fear of criticism is the number one obstacle to obedience. Since criticism is inevitable, it is vital that you develop strategies to deal with it and still remain focused and purposeful.  That is what Gideon and David did and if they did it, with God's help, you can, too.  Have a great week! 

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THE SOPHIA FUND & DEBORAH FOUNDATION:  Books, toys and money have begun to arrive for our Christmas project for the Kenya orphans, with promises of much more to come. This is so much fun to sit back and see what will happen with all this.  I am grateful for your prayerful and prompt response to the children's needs.  To read all about what's going on, go to my blog to see my latest post or go to my Facebook page.  I need books and educational toys and I need you to help me get them. I will figure out a way to get them to Kenya.  You just figure out a way to get them to me. 

I also need help to continue feeding the orphans and widows there from The Sophia Fund.  When you do your Christmas shopping and giving this year, please remember The Sophia Fund and The Deborah Foundation.  I know you will be blessed when you do.