Happy Monday

Unselfish Leading
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. - 1 John 3:16

I suppose anyone who has read the first eight chapters of the book of Judges could guess what takes place after the death of Gideon. The people turned from following the Lord. But the punishment that followed was not inflicted by some nation who invaded the land from without, but from trouble within caused by a selfish leader.
In Judges 9, we learn of the tyranny of Abimelech, who gained power by committing murder. God had not called him to a position of leadership. His carnal ambition and lust for power were his only call. He surrounded himself with a group of scoundrels who hastened his downfall.

History gives us examples of leaders of nations in our own century who have milked the economy instead of building it, stolen from the people and sent the money to the proverbial Swiss bank account. When things begin to crumble economically and politically, the leader gets in his private jet and flees to another country where he lives in comfort.

The lesson for us is clear. A selfish leader can bring untold grief to people under him. This holds true in a family, a church, an organization, or a nation. 

What kind of spiritual leadership opportunity is God giving you today? It could be in your family, your church, or with a small group of people hungry to grow in their Christian faith. Whatever the opportunity, accept it as a call from God, step out in faith, and seek His grace to be an unselfish leader. The Lord is waiting to do great things through you.

Prayer 
Lord, help me to focus my leadership energy on goals that benefit Your kingdom. Amen.

Blest Be the Tie That Binds

1. Blest be the tie that binds 
 our hearts in Christian love; 
 the fellowship of kindred minds 
 is like to that above. 

2. Before our Father's throne 
 we pour our ardent prayers; 
 our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, 
 our comforts and our cares. 

3. We share each other's woes, 
 our mutual burdens bear; 
 and often for each other flows 
 the sympathizing tear. 

4. When we asunder part, 
 it gives us inward pain; 
 but we shall still be joined in heart, 
 and hope to meet again.

Daily Smile:
“Doc!” the man yells. I’ve lost my memory!”

“Calm down, sir. When did this happen.”

The man looked at him. “When did what happen?”

In The News:

U.S. Supreme Court Begins Same-Sex Marriage Hearings
The U.S. Supreme Court began hearing oral arguments in two same-sex marriage cases this week, the outcome of which could have a profound impact on how America defines marriage and family, CNN reports. On Tuesday, the justices heard a challenge to California's Proposition 8, the 2008 voter-approved ballot measure which defines marriage as between a man and a woman and effectively bans gay marriage. California voters approved it as a ballot initiative by 52 to 48 percent in November 2008 less than six months after the state Supreme Court ruled marriage was a fundamental right that must be extended to same-sex couples. The overriding legal question in the case is whether the 14th Amendment's guarantee of "equal protection" prevents states from defining marriage as California has. The Obama administration has formally expressed support for same-sex marriage in California, weighing in on the case in a brief last month. In a separate argument on Wednesday, the Supreme Court is set to take on the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a 1996 law defining marriage for federal purposes as between a man and a woman. As the split 5-4 conservative-liberal bench -- which has the option of ruling broadly or narrowly -- is poised to perhaps offer the final word on the issue, supporters of traditional marriage worry that legalizing same-sex marriage could have serious consequences. It could be the first step to redefining marriage altogether, possibly leading to polygamy or even group marriages -- ideas openly supported by some advocates of gay marriage. It could also eventually hurt religious freedom in America as churches, religious organizations and even businesses would have to support whatever the government defines as a marriage or risk facing government action.

North Dakota Governor Approves 6-Week Abortion Ban
Gov. Jack Dalrymple signed legislation Tuesday that would make North Dakota the nation's most restrictive state on abortions, banning the procedure if a fetal heartbeat can be detected -- something that can happen as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, AP reports. The Republican governor also signed into law another measure that would make North Dakota the first to ban abortions based on genetic defects such as Down syndrome, and a measure that requires a doctor who performs abortions to be a physician with hospital-admitting privileges. The measures, which would take effect Aug. 1, are fueled in part by an attempt to close the state's sole abortion clinic in Fargo. Dalrymple said in a statement that the fetal heartbeat bill was a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade. "Although the likelihood of this measure surviving a court challenge remains in question, this bill is nevertheless a legitimate attempt by a state legislature to discover the boundaries of Roe v. Wade," Dalrymple said. Pro-abortion advocates have promised a legal fight that they say will be long, costly and unwinnable for the state. Dalrymple said in his statement that the legislature "should appropriate dollars for a litigation fund" before the session ends in early May.