Stewardship Conflicts
“Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.†(Psalm 8:6-8)
“Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.†(Psalm 8:6-8)
The commission to rule over Earth was never withdrawn from mankind by the Creator. That Dominion Mandate implies authorization for the following human enterprises:
- Discovery of truth—science, research, exploration
- Application of truth—agriculture, engineering, medicine, technology, etc.
- Implementation of truth—commerce, transportation, government, etc.
- Interpretation of truth—fine arts, literature, theology
- Transmission of truth—education, communication, homemaking
When that authority was first delegated by the Creator, Earth was “very good†(Genesis 1:31). However, Adam’s failure in his first assignment created an ongoing conflict with mankind’s efforts on every front. Now, the “whole creation groaneth†(Romans 8:22) as the very ground from which all things are made (Genesis 3:17-19, 23-24) conflicts with the environment. “Thorns also and thistles†erupt from our efforts to cultivate (Genesis 3:18). Sin and death are the conditions of existence (Romans 5:12), and ignorance of God’s ideas, apart from God’s revelation, is rampant (1 Corinthians 2:14). Humanity’s drive is to serve ourselves, not God or others (Ephesians 2:1-3), and the ability to obey comes only through God’s new creation (Ephesians 4:17-24).
One day, all these wrongs will be righted with the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Until that day, our mandate remains as stewards over Earth. HMM III
Humanity's First Job
“God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.†(Genesis 1:28)
“God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.†(Genesis 1:28)
This verse is often called the Dominion Mandate and is repeated and amplified in Genesis 9:1-7. The purpose is clear: accept the responsibility to bring into subjection all of earth’s systems and creatures, effectively managing its resources, growing and expanding until the earth is filled with the fruits of that labor.
Man’s First Job Description: When God made the garden “eastward in Eden†(Genesis 2:8) and placed Adam there, Adam was to “dress [serve] and keep [guard]†that special and lavishly designed estate (Genesis 2:8-15) in the unique role as initial occupant, but more broadly as God’s steward for Earth. There were no instructions on how to serve and guard, only the general “orders†from the Owner to the steward.
Man’s Implied Responsibility: Since there were no instructions about the functioning systems of Earth, Adam had to first learn about the earth’s systems and processes (science) and then organize and utilize the discoveries in productive ways to help others and honor the Creator (technology).
The information about those practical inventions and products of technology had to then be accurately disseminated to everyone through business, education, communication, transportation, etc.
And finally, both the information and inventions had to be received so that the divine evaluation (“very goodâ€) was detailed in works of music, art, and literature, glorifying and praising God for all He had done in creating and making all things.
The ongoing responsibility is still in effect in us “as good stewards of the manifold grace of God†(1 Peter 4:10). HMM III
Proven Faith
Faith is perhaps the most central element in the Christian life because it is the means by which we enter into salvation. But that’s only the beginning. From then onward, our faith—or lack of it—shapes our lives and determines what happens to us when the winds of adversity blow. Some Christians never lose their footing even in hurricane-force winds, but others are toppled by the slightest gust. To understand why this is true, we need to examine the source of our faith.
Inherited faith: If you grew up in a Christian home, you probably adopted some of the beliefs of your parents. This kind of godly foundation is a wonderful gift from the Lord, but eventually, each person must assume responsibility for his own beliefs.
Textbook faith: The Bible is the ultimate guide for establishing our beliefs. But that’s not the only source of influence. Books, preachers, teachers, and friends all impact our convictions. Our theology may in fact be sound, but faith is merely mental acceptance until it’s put to the test.
Proven Faith: Only when we trust the Lord through the fires of adversity will we have faith that can stand. It is no longer based on what others have told us or what we’ve accepted as true but on our firsthand experience of His faithfulness.
To evaluate your faith, consider how you react to adversity. Do you cling to the Lord or get angry at Him? Is your attitude one of rejoicing because He’s making you more like His Son, or are you bitter? No one can escape adversity, but those with proven faith will benefit from it.
Every Spiritual Blessing - Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. -Ephesians 1:3
As a believer, you have everything you need to live the Christian life. It isn't about whether you feel that way; it's about the reality of what the Bible says. God has given you what you need.
It's like going to your bank thinking that you have $5 in your account, only to find out that you have $5 million. Where did it come from? Someone deposited it into your account for you. And that is just what God has done for you in your spiritual life.
Many Christians are living like spiritual paupers, making it from moment to moment. Meanwhile, God has put all that we need into our spiritual bank account. We just need to start utilizing it. As Ephesians 1:3 tells us, "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ."
The blessings are there. You can live a blessed life-not a carefree life, a problem-free life, or even an easy life. But you can live a blessed life. Blessings don't mean that everything will go perfectly in our lives. But it's a matter of knowing that God goes with us through life, no matter what.
In Numbers 6, God commanded the priests to pronounce a blessing on the people: "May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace" (verses 24-26).
The Lord bless you . . . protect you . . . smile on you and be gracious to you . . . show you His favor and give you His peace. You can have that. The choice is yours.
Nobody is a Nobody
Jennifer Rothschild
The apostle Paul understood how to handle tough circumstances. Even while he was confined in a prison cell, he kept his eyes on Christ and trusted firmly in the Savior. Therefore, despite being in chains, he was able to celebrate the Lord’s work in his life. In fact, the epistle he wrote from jail to the Philippians was filled with rejoicing (1:18; 2:18; 3:1).
Focusing on Christ is neither a natural reaction nor an easy one. Our instinct is to dwell on the situation at hand, searching for solutions or stewing over the pain and difficulty. As a result, troubles look scary and overwhelm us with a sense of defeat.
However, fear and defeat cannot live long in a heart that trusts the Lord. I’m not saying you’ll forget what you’re going through, but you can choose to dwell on His provision and care instead. He is the Deliverer (2 Cor. 1:10). He is the Healer (Deut. 32:39). He is the Guide (Prov. 3:6). The believer who lays claim to divine promises discovers that God pushes back negative emotions. In their place, hope, confidence, and contentment take up residence (Phil. 4:11). You aren’t going to be happy about a difficult situation, but you can be satisfied that God is in control and up to something good in the midst of trouble.
The Lord’s principles and promises don’t change, no matter how severe or painful the situation is. Focus on Christ instead of the circumstances—God will comfort your heart and bring you safely through the trial. Then you can answer Paul’s call to “rejoice in the Lord always†(Phil. 4:4).
Overcoming Obstacles
Joshua 6:1-5
The Lord has a beautiful plan for each believer’s life. But to thwart God’s purposes, Satan sprinkles obstacles in our path.
There are many types of hindrances, such as a difficult boss, contrary family members, and financial trouble. Anything that blocks a desired goal can cause anxiety and great frustration. But remember that no obstacle can touch you without God’s consent.
Consider Joshua’s army, which was no match for Jericho’s military. And the great wall protecting that city was an impossible barrier to cross. Yet God had promised the Israelites the land, and Joshua believed. He wasn’t fazed by what seemed unconquerable. Instead, he acknowledged the Lord’s power and sought His guidance.
Before Joshua even realized that God was at work, the Lord was preparing the city for destruction by instilling fear into kings throughout the region. Heaven’s directions included an unlikely battle plan, but because Joshua obeyed, God’s people triumphed.
Waiting can be difficult. And after a while, we might even begin to wonder if God will do anything at all—then it is easy to quit. But, as was true with Joshua, God has gone before us and is preparing the way. No matter how He chooses to handle the problem, His solution is always in our best interest.
Whenever you face an obstacle, you may experience great heartache. But even in the midst of pain, you can have full confidence in God. The most important part of each day is the time you spend alone with the Lord. He will encourage you with His love and give direction.
The Source of Jealousy
Galatians 5:17-21
Most likely, you have been caught off guard by a wave of jealousy at some point in your life. Was it a spiritual attack? Did the Enemy make you covetous? Was someone or something working to make you resentful?
The answer—which may surprise you— is no. Jealousy actually springs from within us, even though we might try to deflect the blame. For example, we may say, "Well, they just shouldn't have that. They don't deserve it, so I'm perfectly justified in feeling this way."
Do you see what is actually going on here? We are not only feeling envious of someone, but we're also saying that our jealousy is the other person's fault! That's simply not true. We are each 100 percent responsible for our own feelings of envy.
Jealousy is a product of the flesh. In the Bible, it is listed among such sins as idolatry, immorality, drunkenness, and sorcery—sins which stand against our holy God and are described as "earthly, natural, demonic" (Gal. 5:17-21; James 3:15).
Envious feelings can lead to unhealthy comparison of one's own success to someone else's. That pattern can grow into a competition to out-perform others—and may result in full-blown fear and resentment. What a horrible way to live!
Though jealousy is a common emotion, it has no place in a believer's life. So each of us should try to look objectively at our heart motives. Are you plagued with an attitude of jealousy today? Lay your honest feelings out before the Lord, and ask Him to cleanse you of this sinful attitude.
Depending on Him - Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
Jennifer Rothschild
"… In the very place where they were once named Nobody, they will be named God’s Somebody." Hosea 1:10 (The Message)
She greeted me as I entered the cafeteria on Parents’ Day, with a voice as warm and sweet as hot chocolate. Our eldest son, Clayton, was a college freshman and this was the first time we’d been back to visit him. We’d met faculty members, the dorm resident director and lots of his new friends. So, when this woman greeted me, I politely asked, "Now, tell me who you are?"
The woman hesitated. Her pause made me wonder if I had said something wrong. Maybe she wasn’t accustomed to being asked this question. Maybe, I thought, I should know who she is. I imagine she looked down and saw my white cane and realized I was blind, and that might be why she answered in such a kind tone: "Oh, Ma’am. I’m nobody. I just clean tables."
I reached toward her and found her hand. "You are not a nobody! You are not just a table cleaner!" I told her. "My name is Jennifer. What’s yours?" She laughed and told me her name.
As I said goodbye and walked with my son to our table, I thought to myself, That woman is not a nobody! Nobody is a nobody!
And it’s true, isn’t it? Nobody is a nobody, and nobody is just a table cleaner. Or, just a mom. Or, just a clerk. Or, just a housekeeper. Or, just a teacher. Or, just an … anything! But we often find ourselves in places or seasons of life where we feel like a nobody. It can be hard to see our own value if we feel constantly overlooked, or when we associate our value with our virtue. You know, if we are good, we are worthy of being acknowledged. If we behave, we merit attention.
There was a woman who lived back in the 8th century B.C. who probably felt like a nobody. Her name was Gomer. I bet if someone asked, "Who are you?" She’d probably shrug and say, "Oh, I’m nobody." Or, she might say, "I’m a mess. I’ve got a past I’m ashamed of. I was a prostitute. I’m nobody."
But her answer should be, "I am not a nobody, I am Gomer. I am loved and accepted and, yes, I am prone to wander."
Gomer had been a prostitute, but she became a prophet’s wife. Her identity changed when she said "I do" to Hosea. When you declared "I do" to Jesus, you received a new identity, too.
You became God’s somebody! When you are in Christ, you are a new creation!
You are not your current failures or your past mistakes. You are not your successes or your virtues. You are not what you do, what you did, what you haven’t done, what you should have done or what you wish you’d done. You are not what you have gone through. You are not what someone else has said about you. You are not a nobody! You are a chosen, loved woman whom God calls His beloved.
His beloved … that is who God sees when He looks at you. Can you begin to accept the you God sees?
Just like Gomer, you are a somebody — a loved, significant somebody. God chose you even when you felt like a nobody. He loved you while you were still a sinner (Romans 5:8). God didn’t choose to love you because you were some spectacular somebody. He didn’t choose to love you because you were already lovely. He loved you and, then, you became lovely. Your value comes from His inherent value.
You’re already loved, so you just need to embrace how God sees you. Yet, how do you do this … especially on those days when you feel like a nobody?
Here’s one sentence — just one little sentence — packed with big truth to help you when you feel like a nobody. Write it down, memorize it and repeat it to yourself: How I feel is not who I am.
Now, say it to yourself out loud! How I feel is not who I am! Good job! Say it over and over. How I feel is not who I am!
From one somebody to another, let’s remember the truth that we are not how we feel! We are God’s somebodies!
Lord, because You are worthy, I have worth. Help me to find my identity and value in You and You alone. Protect me from the lie that says I am what I do or how I feel. I choose to walk in the truth today with Your strength. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
" … Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." Hebrews 12:1b (NLT)
My youngest son is an athlete at heart. He runs every race hard.
During track season, he frequently walks off the asphalt in tears, heaving, because he has given every drop of his energy to running his race.
At a recent track meet, my 6-year-old was the third leg runner on his relay team. As the runner before him got closer, my son moved forward and extended his arm back to receive the baton.
At that point, they were in fourth place. Well this son of mine hates, and I mean HATES, to lose. So he sprinted fast.
Too fast in fact.
From the sidelines, we saw how much energy he exerted. He was trying to close the distance between himself and the three teams in front of him.
He did it too.
He passed the guy in third quickly.
He zoomed past the guy in second.
And before the first 100-meter curve was complete he had moved in front of the little guy in first place!
He held that first place position for the second 100 meters. But somewhere around the 200-meter mark, his energy waned, his legs started "talking to him," and he started slowing down. He was tired after having spent so much energy catching up — and it showed.
During the third 100 meters, he fell from first to second and it appeared that he would soon fall back to third. But right at the moment that the runner behind him threatened to catch him, my little runner heard a familiar voice.
My husband was waiting for him at the last 100 meters. He was shouting to our little runner that the finish line was near. "Focus on the finish, son!
"Don’t quit!
"Hold your ground!
"Dig deep and focus on the finish!"
Between the sound of my husband’s voice and the breath on the back of his neck from the boy in third place, my son apparently found a new source of strength.
The look on his face changed from numb exhaustion to a grimace of pure agony and determination all mixed together. A renewed focus made all the difference in his ability to fight to the finish. His legs starting moving faster as he held his ground and pushed to the end of his race to hand the baton to the team member to run after him.
Life is like that sometimes. It’s like a race you’re trying to run, even though you’ve exhausted your resources and are simply out of steam.
Yet the writer of Hebrews encourages us in today’s key verse to "run with endurance the race God has set before us."
Maybe you’re worn out from doing too much, too fast. Maybe your body presents a challenge as you battle physical ailments that slow you down. Maybe your emotional or mental energy is low as you fight to maintain a positive outlook and trust God for His best, even though it seems like you only fall further behind in your finances, relationships or career.
Focus on the finish, my friend.
Don’t quit.
I want to encourage you today to hold your ground and dig deep. Run that race with endurance.
Whatever God has asked you to do, do it well. Your race will not last forever, so give it all you’ve got. I can’t promise that it won’t be hard or won’t require some serious determination, but I can promise you God is watching and cheering you on as you fight to the finish.
Dear God, I’ve been running and I’m tired. I’m tempted to give up and quit trying, but I want to run my race well and live my life well for You. Help me to fight to the finish on this leg of my journey. Help me to renew my focus, hold my ground and dig deep. I want to run my race in a way that pleases You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Handling Difficult Circumstances
Philippians 3:8-11The apostle Paul understood how to handle tough circumstances. Even while he was confined in a prison cell, he kept his eyes on Christ and trusted firmly in the Savior. Therefore, despite being in chains, he was able to celebrate the Lord’s work in his life. In fact, the epistle he wrote from jail to the Philippians was filled with rejoicing (1:18; 2:18; 3:1).
Focusing on Christ is neither a natural reaction nor an easy one. Our instinct is to dwell on the situation at hand, searching for solutions or stewing over the pain and difficulty. As a result, troubles look scary and overwhelm us with a sense of defeat.
However, fear and defeat cannot live long in a heart that trusts the Lord. I’m not saying you’ll forget what you’re going through, but you can choose to dwell on His provision and care instead. He is the Deliverer (2 Cor. 1:10). He is the Healer (Deut. 32:39). He is the Guide (Prov. 3:6). The believer who lays claim to divine promises discovers that God pushes back negative emotions. In their place, hope, confidence, and contentment take up residence (Phil. 4:11). You aren’t going to be happy about a difficult situation, but you can be satisfied that God is in control and up to something good in the midst of trouble.
The Lord’s principles and promises don’t change, no matter how severe or painful the situation is. Focus on Christ instead of the circumstances—God will comfort your heart and bring you safely through the trial. Then you can answer Paul’s call to “rejoice in the Lord always†(Phil. 4:4).
Overcoming Obstacles
Joshua 6:1-5
The Lord has a beautiful plan for each believer’s life. But to thwart God’s purposes, Satan sprinkles obstacles in our path.
There are many types of hindrances, such as a difficult boss, contrary family members, and financial trouble. Anything that blocks a desired goal can cause anxiety and great frustration. But remember that no obstacle can touch you without God’s consent.
Consider Joshua’s army, which was no match for Jericho’s military. And the great wall protecting that city was an impossible barrier to cross. Yet God had promised the Israelites the land, and Joshua believed. He wasn’t fazed by what seemed unconquerable. Instead, he acknowledged the Lord’s power and sought His guidance.
Before Joshua even realized that God was at work, the Lord was preparing the city for destruction by instilling fear into kings throughout the region. Heaven’s directions included an unlikely battle plan, but because Joshua obeyed, God’s people triumphed.
Waiting can be difficult. And after a while, we might even begin to wonder if God will do anything at all—then it is easy to quit. But, as was true with Joshua, God has gone before us and is preparing the way. No matter how He chooses to handle the problem, His solution is always in our best interest.
Whenever you face an obstacle, you may experience great heartache. But even in the midst of pain, you can have full confidence in God. The most important part of each day is the time you spend alone with the Lord. He will encourage you with His love and give direction.
The Source of Jealousy
Galatians 5:17-21
Most likely, you have been caught off guard by a wave of jealousy at some point in your life. Was it a spiritual attack? Did the Enemy make you covetous? Was someone or something working to make you resentful?
The answer—which may surprise you— is no. Jealousy actually springs from within us, even though we might try to deflect the blame. For example, we may say, "Well, they just shouldn't have that. They don't deserve it, so I'm perfectly justified in feeling this way."
Do you see what is actually going on here? We are not only feeling envious of someone, but we're also saying that our jealousy is the other person's fault! That's simply not true. We are each 100 percent responsible for our own feelings of envy.
Jealousy is a product of the flesh. In the Bible, it is listed among such sins as idolatry, immorality, drunkenness, and sorcery—sins which stand against our holy God and are described as "earthly, natural, demonic" (Gal. 5:17-21; James 3:15).
Envious feelings can lead to unhealthy comparison of one's own success to someone else's. That pattern can grow into a competition to out-perform others—and may result in full-blown fear and resentment. What a horrible way to live!
Though jealousy is a common emotion, it has no place in a believer's life. So each of us should try to look objectively at our heart motives. Are you plagued with an attitude of jealousy today? Lay your honest feelings out before the Lord, and ask Him to cleanse you of this sinful attitude.
Depending on Him - Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
"I am the LORD, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images" -Isaiah 42:8
Have you ever noticed that Jesus never really healed people in exactly the same way? Sometimes He would touch a person, and sometimes a person would touch Him. At other times He would speak the word, and they would be healed.
It seems as though God goes out of His way to accomplish His purposes through unusual and varied means. We find a great example of this in the story of Naaman. As the leader of the armies of Assyria, he was famous, powerful, influential, and admired by many. But he had leprosy. There was an Israelite maid working in his house who had been captured as a slave, and she suggested that he go to Israel. There was a prophet there named Elisha who could pray for him, and he would be healed.
So Naaman went to the king of Assyria and told him what his maid had said. Then the king sent a message to Israel's king, saying, "Now be advised, when this letter comes to you, that I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may heal him of his leprosy" (2 Kings 5:6).
Naaman and his entourage arrived in town and stopped in front of Elijah's house, expecting a hero's welcome. But Elisha didn't even give Naaman the time of day. He just sent his servant, Gehazi, to the door with a message for him: Go dunk yourself in the Jordan River seven times, and you will be healed.
There was a reason God wanted Naaman to do it this way. To go into the water, Naaman would have to take off his armor and royal clothing and reveal what he really was.
God likes to vary His methods so we will be dependent on Him-and so that He will get the glory.
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