The Wolf Pack
Week Seven, 2020
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing (1Thess. 5:11).
We all live in the midst of a “me too” generation. It’s all about me, accordingly to an increasingly large population. That’s contrary to what the Bible teaches the opposite. “And look out for one another’s interests, not just for your own.” (Phil 2:4). We as Christians are a community, but do we even know who are our neighbors today?
We can learn a lot as we study nature. Take for instance the wolf pack.
We can all learn an invaluable Leadership Lesson from this pack of wolves:
▪ The 3 in front are old and sick. They walk in front to set the pace.
▪ The next 5 are the strongest. They protect the front side from an attack.
▪ The middle group is fully protected.
▪ The 5 behind them are also among the strongest. They protect the back side.
▪ The last wolf is the LEADER. He ensures no one is left behind. He keeps the pack tight and on the same path. He is ready to run in any direction to protect his pack.
Being a leader is not about being in front.
Do you care more about others than about yourself? Do you respect and protect your elders? Are you a leader in life’s orchestra or do you just play your own piccolo solo?
Being a leader takes courage, discipline, and determination. While a great leader can bring great success, it also comes at the cost of being judged and overwhelmed. The Bible speaks of so many wonderful leaders and how God blessed them for their work. There are many verses and Scriptures that God spoke to encourage men and women who choose to step up and lead.
The Bible tells us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Gal 6:9).
The Bible tells us not to fear or be dismayed and assures us He is our God and He will strengthen us and help us. (Isaiah 41:10)
The Bible tells us as leaders to be humble and assures us that when we do, He will lift us up. (James 4:10)
The Bible tells us to not focus on our own interests but on the interests of others. (Phil 2:4)
It seems to me that the leader wolf at the back of the pack has been reading his Bible. How about you?
SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES
The book of Revelation describes Jesus as “the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world” (13:8 NIV). 1 Peter 1 points to “the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” (v. 19) and says that “he was foreknown before the foundation of the world” (v. 20).
In other words, before God made the world, his Son was already a sacrificial lamb for the sins of the world.
Romans 5:8 makes this fact plain: “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” “While we were still sinners”—before we had done one thing to earn God’s forgiveness, Jesus died for us.
Here’s the point to understand: Jesus chose to die for you before you committed your first sin. He knew your forgiveness would cost him his life, but he chose to create you anyway. And every other person in human history with you.
There is nothing we can do to earn such love because it was decided before we even existed. His redeeming grace is like a house you build for your grandchildren before your children are born. It is like a soldier who dies for a country that does not yet exist, but his death helps create.
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Nearly half of Jewish young people in America have been the victims of anti-Semitic acts in the last five years. Think about that fact for a moment. More than a third have experienced such hatred on a college campus or know someone who has.
Today, 88 percent of Jewish Americans think anti-Semitism is a problem in the US; 84 percent believe the problem has gotten worse over the last five years. The Anti-Semitic League reports that anti-Semitic acts in the US rose 57 percent in 2017 compared to the previous year. These are staggering numbers as well.
Writing for The Atlantic, Emma Green documents a frightening list of anti-Semitic reports in recent months. The title of her article: “American Jews Are Terrified”.
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Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it. It requires a conscious decision because it is a countercultural lifestyle that stands against the culture of overconsumption that surrounds us.
The world we live in is not friendly to the pursuit of minimalism. Its tendencies and relentless advertising campaigns call us to acquire more, better, faster, and newer. The journey of finding simplicity requires consistent inspiration.
QUOTES YOU CAN USE
There is no one too unclean or too far away that God will not go after them. Jesus is an equal opportunity Savior. Kelly Knouse
If You Contain a Fire, It Will Die; If You Let It out, It Will Spread. Ken Whitten
You can’t teach that which you don’t know. Bob Sprinkle
But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. 2 Timothy 2:23
Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment. American author and scientist James Jay Horning.
Takers live better, but givers sleep better. Ken Whitten
Abortion Clinic CEO Compares Abortion to Removing a Mole or Getting a Root Canal.
The higher your Pedestal, the further you fall. Ken Whitten