LeaderCanoe ’09 – Leadership Event!

For Jesus Christ!


What does God’s Word (the Bible) say about you and leadership?

As a believer in Jesus Christ, you are called to be a leader!

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”   Matthew 28:18-20

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.”  2 Timothy 4:12

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”  1Timothy 4:12

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”  1 Peter 2:21

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”  1 Corinthians 10:31

(All verses are NIV – New International Version)

“We still have the opportunity to reach a lost and dying generation with the love of Christ. It’s your generation, it’s now in your hands, it’s now your watch. What are you going to do about it?”  - Franklin Graham
 
Zebra face
The Zebra (zeh-bruh)
a much softer topic

The lion slowly got up and pinpointed its target.  Slowly brushing past the tall brush, it gazed at its next meal. One paw at a time, until it stopped. Then sat down.

That’s what happened for about 30 minutes as we watched a lion hunting an injured zebra. It was interesting how the lion, at first, sat, looking at all the animals, until it intelligently zoned in on the one that he knew he could take – the injured zebra. Now, I could get into a cool lesson over the lion, but I want to focus more-so on his prey: the zebra.

The zebra is best known for its stripes. The black and white, vertical and horizontal stripes have always seemed to interest humans. When I started thinking about the zebra and its stripes, I came to an amazing thought:

The stripes of a zebra seriously attest to a Designer.

Just as an artist would paint beautiful stripes on a canvas, it seems that God just beautifully showed his artistry by painting the zebra. Just looking at the zebra makes me realize, even more, that this universe is not random…it didn’t come by just chance or by a “big bang” that led to the creation of everything from nothing. The stripes of a zebra really attest to a Creator, a Designer, who intricately and beautifully designed everything.

In fact, as far as I’ve been able to research, scientists have yet to come up with valid reasoning as to how the zebra got its stripes. I just typed out the different info I’ve gathered from a college textbook on Developmental Biology and from a U.K. newspaper, but decided not to post it. Because it just keeps pointing to the same point: Scientists can explain facts about the current presence of stripes and the possible uses the zebra has for them…but they cannot explain how they got there.

A Designer drew them.

Romans 1:20 – “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Thinking about what I just wrote about the zebra, doesn’t that make you smile? :) It makes me!

The stripes of a zebra beautifully, brilliantly, and boldly proclaim the presence of the Creator and Designer: God – who also created you. And a beautiful life story he has planned for you :).

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you…

Listen to God as He leads you through life. His plans are amazing! Better than ours could ever be…There’s a problem though – sin separates us from God (so it’ll be hard to understand or even see His plan for your life if you don’t even have a relationship with Him). There’s a beautiful solution – Jesus Christ. His Son, who He sent to take your sins and die with them. God then raised him from the dead – this all points to what Christ wants us to know – if you trust in him you will be saved. Christ is the only way to God…the only way. It’s another one of God’s beautifully designed plans. And here’s another awesome part – you’re part of that plan. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Here’s another awesome part: “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

The truth is that the end of the world is near. We all know this…we can feel it. And the truth is that at any second you or I could die. The only question is this: Are you ready?

Begin a relationship with God today. Open yourself to Him. Pray He comes into you. Believe and ask for forgiveness….seek Him. And when you seek Him with all your heart, you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).

There is a Designer and a Planner. It’s God – and we are invited into His story :).