Some people fill leadership positions but really that’s all they get – the position but not the people. They aren’t true leaders. They’ve just been successful in securing the position.  By the way, as a Christian I must show them respect and submit to those in positions of authority. But a ‘true’ leader leads by example and it’s powerful.

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It’s embarrassing to admit that you’re really timid about being brave for the Lord. We’d all like to have the courage to stand tall and fearlessly march forward in the path the Lord has prepared for us. We’d like to tell every person we meet about Christ. But we are restricted by fear. Let’s face it – often we’re scaredy cats – or if you don’t like the feline analogy, would it help to label yourself ‘a Christian chicken’?

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“I can’t believe it! Wasn’t he nominated as the city’s ‘Most Likely to Succeed’ person? Maybe people weren’t clamoring for his autograph just yet – but his popularity was rising fast! Man, he turned into a loser overnight!”

Another person chimed in: “He certainly knew his stuff. I figured he’d be next in line to Rabbi Gamaliel as a Jewish theologian. He hobnobbed with the rich and famous for sure. He had access to the highest levels of government. Some speculated that he’d get a whopping plum position on the powerful Sanhedrin…..but whatever happened to him! Wow, he sure fell off his pedestal.”

“He sure did,” Alphonses said, “…off his pedestal and off his rocker, if you ask me! The guy lost it. He’s a real embarrassment.”

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A Christian creationist locked up for 10 years for tax-fraud. The company of a famous Christian artist ordered to pay close to a million dollars for defrauding people on business deals. The tragic list goes on. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Unreported income. Under the table cash. Failure to pay taxes. Extravagant spending resulting in exorbitant debt. Underpaying employees. Casino gambling. Online gaming for money. Pride. Fraud. Fudging the books. Hidden schemes that aren’t disclosed to the unsuspecting customer. Inflating prices or ripping off an easy customer. Failure to be generous to those in need. Greed and selfishness. Arrogance. Marriage breakups. Crooked deals. Lack of total commitment to the things of God and to the local assembly.

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Did you ever walk into a large store and the first section you came across was the Cosmetics Department? The first clue usually is the overpowering, knock-you-out fragrances. Behind the counter are male and female cosmeticians wearing a thick mask of makeup – sometimes in excessive quantities. The whole thrust of their sales strategy is outward beauty. Rings on most fingers and toes, glittering bracelets, neck chains, ear danglers and other body modifications (piercings), puckered painted lips, thick black eyelashes, elaborate hairstyles and frighteningly long colored fingernails. Obviously, their focus is totally external.

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Bahamas. Bermuda. Barcelona. Bora Bora. Bondi. Beside the fact that these places all start with ‘B’, what else do they have in common? If you had a vacation at any one of these places, you will have no difficulty remembering the beach. Here’s another test: What do these places have in common? Sycamore tree. Damascus Road. Philippian Jail. Desert Highway to Ethiopia. Tax Office Desk.

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The kid is terrified of the dark and can’t get to sleep. “It’s your turn to sit with him until he falls asleep,” she says to her husband. So the father slips into the room, holds his hand and tells him to go to sleep. “I’m here with you; now go to sleep.” Shortly afterwards the child falls fast asleep and the dad quietly gets up and leaves the room. When the child wakes up, his dad is gone.

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Have you ever caved into pressure and acted against your better judgment? You didn’t expect to actually do it or go there or get involved but in the heat of the moment you gave in. Now you have regrets and a bad conscience! Although you didn’t deliberately set clear boundaries for yourself, you figured you’d be able to handle it and do the right thing if the situation ever arose. You thought you could find a way out of it without being embarrassed; a way to put the brakes on and go no further. But things didn’t work out the way you planned.

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Are things not quite like you expected in your Christian life? Yes, you’re saved and you know you’re secure in Christ and your salvation can never be undone and you can not lose Heaven. You know all that. But isn’t there supposed to be more joy associated with Christian living? You ask: “Shouldn’t I be living my life more deeply with greater meaning?”

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