February - Day 23

Leviticus 21-23 - God gives instructions for more sacrifices and festivals.  Animals used for sacrifices had to be perfect animals because they were being offered to a perfect God.  Not only that, when we give back to God, we should give our best, not simply what is left over.  The purpose for all of the festivals was to remember the mighty works of God and all that he had done for them.  

Psalm 45 - The king honored God and ruled with justice. God honored his leadership by anointing him and giving him joy.  God wants leaders to lead with truth and justice and will bless those that do. 

Matthew 20:17-34 - Jesus predicts his death and resurrection and right after he does, James and John have their mom ask that Jesus let them sit beside him when he rules in his kingdom.  At this point, they still were thinking it was going to be an earthly kingdom and didn't realize his kingdom was an eternal kingdom.  This questioning made the other disciples mad because James and John were trying to get a "better seat" than them.  Jesus rebuked them all and told them even though this is the way the rulers in the world act and think, it must be different for those who follow Jesus.  Instead of jockeying for positions of importance, they should humbly seek to serve.  He said that the greatest among them is the greatest servant.  Jesus came to flip the leadership pyramid on its head.  Leaders are not there to be served but to serve those they lead.  I have heard people say when looking for ministry positions in church that they wanted a position where they had "a seat at the table" and I have heard ministry leaders (volunteers) say they wanted to be able to teach or be part of church leadership without ever demonstrating a servants heart.  These are not the kind of people who need to be in leadership.  God says the greatest servants make the greatest leaders.

Acts 27:27-44 - God did not spare them from the shipwreck, but he brought them through it.  Sometimes we want to keep the ship together, but God wants to allow the ship to fall apart to show his power another way.  We simply need to trust him, and swim when he says swim.