The Inspired Leader: 101 Biblical Reflections for Becoming a Person of Influence by Richard Blackaby
Authors: Richard Blackaby
Tags: Religión
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12:2-3), Jehoahaz (2 Kings 13:6), Amaziah (2 Kings 14:4), Azariah (2 Kings 15:3-4), and Jotham (2 Kings 15:34-35). These monarchs generally sought to rule righteously, but they stopped short of tearing down the high places. However, Judah’s two godliest leaders did have the courage to actively demolish the bastions of wickedness in their land: Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:4), and Josiah (2 Kings 23:4-20).
Ultimately God destroyed the nation of Israel for its debauched worship at its pagan altars and the depravity that ensued (2 Kings 17:9-18). Scripture concludes, “ Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight” (2 Kings 17:18). Likewise, the nation of Judah became so perforated with centers of evil that even the righteous King Josiah could not dissuade God’s wrath and the destruction of his nation (2 Kings 23:26-27).
What are the high places of America today? They are the people, organizations, and centers that promote sinful attitudes and carnal practices. They are the groups that mock God and His word, and promote falsehood. Tearing down a nation’s high places is not easy. William Wilberforce recognized that many Christians were unconcerned or ignorant of the depravity their society embraced with the slave trade. After losing a critical vote in the Commons, Wilberforce lamented that there were enough Christian MP’s at the opera that evening to have deposed the slave trade had they cared enough to show up.
As a business leader today, are you satisfied, as were most of the leaders in Israel’s history, to merely mind your own business? Or, will you allow God to use your life and influence to bring the high places of your day crashing down?
REFLECT FOR A MOMENT
Consider for a moment where the “high places” are in your community and workplace. What are the centers from which ungodly influences are spewing into society?
Prayerfully consider how God might use your life and fellow Christians to “bring down” the centers of evil in your community. Don’t assume there is nothing you can do. God knows how to defeat evil. Talk with other believers about what God might have you do.
Take a Saturday or an evening and prayer walk with other believers through your community and ask the Lord to show you what is happening where you live. Allow God to place His heart for your community over your heart and to help you see the people and establishments in your neighborhood the way He views them.
All Authority Is from God
ON OCTOBER 12, 1960, Lorenzo Sumulong from the Philippines delivered a speech at the 902 nd plenary meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. Nikita Khrushchev, leader of the Soviet Union, had earlier denounced the imperialism of western nations. However, when Sumulong challenged Khrushchev to give freedom to nations in Eastern Europe, the Soviet leader grew incensed. Khrushchev removed the shoe from his right foot and waved it menacingly toward Sumulong. Then he began pounding it on his desk more and more loudly until the entire assembly was transfixed at the spectacle of the leader of the world’s second most powerful nation defying the world.
On October 16, 1962, President John F. Kennedy was informed that the Soviet Union, at Khrushchev’s direction, was installing medium range missiles in Cuba, only 90 miles from the United States border. On October 22, in a nationally televised speech, Kennedy informed his nation of the looming crisis. It appeared the two superpowers were racing toward a cataclysmic nuclear exchange. The American navy blockaded Cuba to intercept Soviet ships transporting weapons to there. Americans across the country nervously braced themselves for the coming holocaust. Bomb shelters were prepared, food supplies were stored, and air raid drills held. People around the world feared the worst. The fate of civilization hinged on how the volatile Soviet leader chose to act. Then on October 27 th Khrushchev communicated with Kennedy his terms for the
Ultimately God destroyed the nation of Israel for its debauched worship at its pagan altars and the depravity that ensued (2 Kings 17:9-18). Scripture concludes, “ Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight” (2 Kings 17:18). Likewise, the nation of Judah became so perforated with centers of evil that even the righteous King Josiah could not dissuade God’s wrath and the destruction of his nation (2 Kings 23:26-27).
What are the high places of America today? They are the people, organizations, and centers that promote sinful attitudes and carnal practices. They are the groups that mock God and His word, and promote falsehood. Tearing down a nation’s high places is not easy. William Wilberforce recognized that many Christians were unconcerned or ignorant of the depravity their society embraced with the slave trade. After losing a critical vote in the Commons, Wilberforce lamented that there were enough Christian MP’s at the opera that evening to have deposed the slave trade had they cared enough to show up.
As a business leader today, are you satisfied, as were most of the leaders in Israel’s history, to merely mind your own business? Or, will you allow God to use your life and influence to bring the high places of your day crashing down?
REFLECT FOR A MOMENT
Consider for a moment where the “high places” are in your community and workplace. What are the centers from which ungodly influences are spewing into society?
Prayerfully consider how God might use your life and fellow Christians to “bring down” the centers of evil in your community. Don’t assume there is nothing you can do. God knows how to defeat evil. Talk with other believers about what God might have you do.
Take a Saturday or an evening and prayer walk with other believers through your community and ask the Lord to show you what is happening where you live. Allow God to place His heart for your community over your heart and to help you see the people and establishments in your neighborhood the way He views them.
All Authority Is from God
ON OCTOBER 12, 1960, Lorenzo Sumulong from the Philippines delivered a speech at the 902 nd plenary meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. Nikita Khrushchev, leader of the Soviet Union, had earlier denounced the imperialism of western nations. However, when Sumulong challenged Khrushchev to give freedom to nations in Eastern Europe, the Soviet leader grew incensed. Khrushchev removed the shoe from his right foot and waved it menacingly toward Sumulong. Then he began pounding it on his desk more and more loudly until the entire assembly was transfixed at the spectacle of the leader of the world’s second most powerful nation defying the world.
On October 16, 1962, President John F. Kennedy was informed that the Soviet Union, at Khrushchev’s direction, was installing medium range missiles in Cuba, only 90 miles from the United States border. On October 22, in a nationally televised speech, Kennedy informed his nation of the looming crisis. It appeared the two superpowers were racing toward a cataclysmic nuclear exchange. The American navy blockaded Cuba to intercept Soviet ships transporting weapons to there. Americans across the country nervously braced themselves for the coming holocaust. Bomb shelters were prepared, food supplies were stored, and air raid drills held. People around the world feared the worst. The fate of civilization hinged on how the volatile Soviet leader chose to act. Then on October 27 th Khrushchev communicated with Kennedy his terms for the
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