Faith Draws God’s Attention

Faith Draws God’s Attention

I went to Bethlehem once. It’s still hard for me to believe! I rode in a comfy tour bus over the hills that Jesus’ ancestors once walked. I remember imagining these heroes of faith as we rolled past modern scenes.

Rachel being buried near the road to Bethlehem. Ruth gleaning in the fields and meeting Boaz. David shepherding his sheep and being anointed King too. 

My heart raced a bit as our bus stopped at a checkpoint on the West Bank. Would we be welcome? Mary and Joseph had anxiously looked for welcome in this city. As we crossed into the location of the greatest miracle in history, all I could think of was “Jesus was born right here!” 

“As we crossed into the location of the greatest miracle in history, all I could think of was “Jesus was born right here!” ”

God who controls history determined Jesus to be born in this obscure village, but why? The quick answer: to fulfill His prophecy (Micah 5:2) as echoed in the gospels. Yet, long before Micah declared this Word of the Lord, God intricately prepared a message that only this ancient town can preach. It’s a message about faith and it begins with the first mention of Bethlehem in scripture. 

This first mention found in Genesis 35:19 explains that Rachel, who was Jesus’ great-grandmother many times over, was buried along the road near Bethlehem. This is the same road that God’s people would follow into exile centuries later.

Tradition tells us that they would stop near Bethlehem at Rachel’s grave to pray for salvation. They had faith God would keep His promise to return them to their homeland. (Jeremiah 31:14-16; Matt. 2:18) 

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” Hebrews 11:1-2

God did return His people to their promised land, yet even more so, “when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son…” (Galatians 4:4) God answered their faith-filled prayers for salvation beyond even what they hoped.

Jesus the Messiah could have been born anywhere He chose, but perhaps He was drawn to Bethlehem due to the generations of faith-filled believers and prayers in that location. 

“And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

Are you believing God when you draw near to Him? Do you pray confidently knowing that the Lord hears you?

Allow the history of God’s responsiveness to energize your prayers and be assured that your faith is drawing your Heavenly Father’s attention! 

PRAYER 

Father God, thank You for that because of Christ and my faith in him, I can now come boldly and confidently into Your presence. Please help me to grow my faith in You. Thank You that You hear my prayers and respond to me.

Written by Kristin Fields

You Asked for It

Lead Well Q4 2022

There was one question that I did not have time to cover in last night’s Lead Well teaching, but it’s a very important question for every leader:

How do you delegate well?

The key to delegation is understanding what delegation is, and knowing the difference between delegation and abdication. Let’s define these two words.

Delegation - the process of entrusting and empowering

Abdication - failure to fulfill a responsibility or duty

With delegation a process and a progression are involved. Think of good delegation happening in five stages.

The Five Stages of Delegation

1. I do.

You cannot lead where you have not been. Jesus has never asked us to do anything that he has not first done himself.

2. I do, you watch.

Invite another person or others into the process. Give the why and teach the how. Why is the most important question to answer, but how is a close second.

3. We do together.

It’s at this point that many of us abdicate because we’re relieved to have it off our plate, or because it feels inefficient, but this is the most critical step. Skipping this step means you haven’t delegated, you’ve dumped. That’s not responsible leadership. Give responsibility, be present, and follow up with evaluation and feedback.

What’s Right, Wrong, Confusing, Missing? Accentuate what’s right. Fix what’s wrong. Clarify what’s confusing. Add what’s missing.

4. You do, I watch.

You’re now hands off and observing. This step is followed by evaluation and feedback.

5. You do. 

You’ve followed the process and the progression, and while it may have felt inefficient, it will save so much time and confusion in the long run. The doing is still followed by evaluation and feedback. Jesus modeled this with the 72 in Luke 10:17-20:

17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Luke 10:17-20 NIV

With you and for you,

Pastor Gabe