Charting the Course
Thus the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses; so they camped by their standards and so they broke camp, each one by his family, according to their fathers’ houses. (Numbers 2 : 34)

    As a good leader, Moses methodically arranged the tribal camps in the wilderness. We would do well to plan and organize as Moses did:

Give time for planning and organizing. Determine your primary purpose.
Understand where you are before trying to develop a strategy.
Prioritize the needs and goals of the team by asking the right ques-tions.
Write goals that are realistic, measurable, and convicting.

Excerpt From: “Leadership Promises for Every Day: A Daily Devotional” by John C. Maxwell. 

The Dynamics of the Spiritual Life

Our emotional lives and our spiritual lives have different dynamics. The ups and downs of our emotional life depend a great deal on our past or present surroundings. We are happy, sad, angry, bored, excited, depressed, loving, caring, hateful, or vengeful because of what happened long ago or what is happening now.
The ups and downs of our spiritual lives depend on our obedience – that is, our attentive listening – to the movements of the Spirit of God within us. Without this listening our spiritual life eventually becomes subject to the windswept waves of our emotions.
(Henri Nouwen)

The Upper Room Daily Devotional: Bringing the Giants Down
Read 1 Samuel 17:31-37

David said, “The LORD, who saved me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:37)

David was a young boy whose job was to protect his flock of sheep from predators. He wasn’t a mighty warrior. But what he lacked in size he made up in faith. Now he was ready to face the biggest challenge of his life so far — a giant. David didn’t cower in Goliath’s presence; he was ready to fight him face-to-face with only a slingshot and a few smooth stones. He didn’t need anything else because God was there in the fight with him.
We all face challenges. Some are small, and we easily work through them. Others become more difficult and seemingly life-altering. But we can stand firm and face them because God is with us.
No matter what giants we face — unemployment, health issues, loss of a loved one — we can take our focus off the overwhelming situation and turn it to God. Then we may overcome the obstacle in an unexpected way. God helped David defeat Goliath with a few smooth stones, and God can show us how to overcome our situations and be victorious.
(Christine Henderson – Texas, USA)

Thought for the Day: I can face any obstacle with God’s help.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, give us courage and strength. Help us to trust you as we face overwhelming obstacles. Amen.
Prayer Focus: SOMEONE FACING AN OVERWHELMING OBSTACLE