Scripture:
Exodus 18:17-20; Psalm 143:8-12; Ephesians 4:1, 11-13
Mon, 1 November 2021

The Way to Walk and the Work to Do

Observation:

What was the common theme occurring in what were said by Priest Jethro, King Davidand Apostle Paul across today’s three passages?

Deeper Reflection

JETHRO REMINDED Moses about his strategic spiritual leadership responsibility over Israel. David prayed for personal deliverance and guidance. Paul exhorted the Ephesian Christians to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the church. Three different messages by three different leaders, in three different contexts and in three different eras. Yet they held a common perspective and a shared value that must also define our discipleship today. Be it our discipleship in the marketplace, family or life in general, a biblical and godly mandate and mission must anchor and energise us. The mandate is the way in which we are to walk as Christian disciples − to do so in a manner worthy of God’s calling for us in Christ. The mission is the work we are to do as God’s people − to do God’s will in and through our life and vocation. Mandate is the alignment of one’s life to God. Mission is the assignment God has for us. However, mandate must precede mission and mission must proceed from mandate. In other words, our being validates our doing and our doing verifies our being. “I must first BE, then I can DO” is a fallacy. The principle of our mandate (being) preceding our mission (doing) is not a matter of sequence but of substance. As we walk in the Lord authentically, we work for the Lord intentionally! As we work for the Lord, we grow in our walk in the Lord! Our mandate cradles our mission. Authentic inside-out discipleship always expresses itself through, and is always marked by, intentional outside-in endeavours. Can you see this clearly in the context of marketplace discipleship?1


11 Marketplace discipleship comprises the way in which we are to walk and the work we are to do in the marketplace. Ministry in the marketplace is first about the minister before it is about the ministry. The ministry flows out of the minister. Authentic marketplace discipleship cradles intentional marketplace ministry. In other words, marketplace ministry is marketplace discipleship in action.
Application:

What changes do I need to make in my attitudes towards my mandate (being) and my mission (doing) as a Jesus-follower in the marketplace?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, please tutor me in Your ways, so that I may know how to walk in a manner worthy of my calling in Christ. Grant me a deep desire to live in full obedience and faithfulness to You. And in all the work that I do, whether in the marketplace or at home, please help me to discern and do Your will even when it costs me much. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Leaders
  • Significant people
  • Those in need
  • Self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 10:11-12, 14-19
Tue, 26 September 2023

A Man of High Esteem

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Daniel being called “man of high esteem” (vv.11, 19)?

Deeper Reflection
One of the heavenly beings called Daniel “man of high esteem” (v.11). This honour was bestowed on Daniel emphatically, in that it was repeated twice (v.19). This “high esteem” did not come from man, but from God Himself. God gave this honour to Daniel toward the end of his life when God called him to “enter into rest” (Dan 12:13). As a youth, Daniel “made up his mind not to defile himself with the king’s choice food” (Dan 1:8), and as an old man, he was faithful to God in spending time with Him in his “three times a day” devotion, even if it means to be thrown into the lions’ den (Dan 6:10). Daniel was finishing well in his life with “humbling yourself before your God” (v.12). When we think of finishing well in terms of successful accomplishments, we must be careful that we are not exalting ourselves.It is not for us to see ourselves in any way as a person of high esteem before God. It is for God to say that to us (2 Cor 10:17-18). Daniel never saw himself as a “man of high esteem”. A key emphasis in Daniel 10 is Daniel being greatly overwhelmed by the holiness and glory of God represented by the heavenly being with an awesome appearance (Dan 10:5-10, 15-18). And it was in this encounter with God when he was called “man of high esteem” that Daniel said, “How can such a servant of my Lord talk with such as my Lord?”50 (v.17). The man highly esteemed by God saw his unworthiness before God.
50 I have theologically translated “my lord” to “my Lord”, since the heavenly being is a representation of God.
Application:

What does being highly esteemed by God mean to me?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for pastors and staff: To be able to see oneself as God sees
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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