Jax's Gift
This morning, I was having a lie in when my phone pinged at 10am, causing me to get up to check if it was anything urgent, as with so much responsibility, I have to be available 24/7.
It was the person who looks after my rescues who I have to board because of the limits on numbers and noise levels and he was messaging to inform me that Jax, my Australian Cattle Dog, was running a temperature again, very flat and not eating or drinking.
I was really stressed as an emergency on a Sunday means additional vet costs and anything extra would be in addition to the R1,800 (£83 / $112 / €95 from last week's visit for Ehrlichia (tick bite fever), which is still outstanding.
In hindsight, my only concern should have been for Jax who wasn't feeling well and wasn't his usual happy, playful, energetic self and at the time, I didn't see the gift that Jax was bringing me, and me him, only the expense.
Despite the costs, I always put the animals first and not wanting to take the risk of waiting, I gave permission for him to be taken to the vet and as I write, he's on a drip, needing blood tests, the vet is concerned and I'm awaiting an update.
Our Daily Bread
Every day, come rain, hail or shine, we have a bible study, usually at 8am, we generally discuss whatever topic God puts on my heart and our aim is to gain wisdom, revelation and understanding around whatever challenge we are facing, to better equip us to deal with it.
I didn't have a topic for this morning, so I let God lead and He lead me to this verse that Moses was speaking to the Israelites, from which a whole river of life burst through and sprang forth.
The LORD was angry with me because of you, and He solemnly swore that I would not cross the Jordan and enter the good land the LORD your God is giving you as your inheritance. (Deuteronomy 4:21)
It was here that I had to stop writing as I received a message from someone in Durban alerting me to dog that had been found in a forest, that was now in a location not being fed, where the neighbours were threatening to throw hot oil on him.
I had to make sure he got to safety and entered the Promised Land, and the whole mission took me around 7 hours, including finding someone to collect him, a foster and getting him to a vet as he had been badly burned by a child pouring boiling hot water on him.
Moses' Sin
I'll circle back to the dog I rescued shortly, but for now, back to Moses, who died on Mount Nebo at the age of 120, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone, God let him see the Promised Land with his eyes, but he would not cross over into it.
He died after blessing the 12 tribes of Israel and laying his hands on Joshua who became filled with the spirit of wisdom. (Deuteronomy 34)
Moses was provoked to frustration and anger by the Israelites constant complaining and stubborn rebellion against both himself and ultimately God, he failed to lead them with faith and he failed to honour God as holy in the sight of the Israelites. (Numbers 20:10-12)
This lead him to strike the rock that God told him to speak to, giving credit for the miracle to himself and Aaron, instead of God.
When he told the Israelites that God told him he wouldn't enter the Promised Land because of them, he was warning them of the consequences of disobedience, especially towards leaders, who are held to a higher account. (James 3:1)
A Leader's Challenge
All leaders are anointed and appointed by God, there is no authority except that which God has established (Romans 13:1) and a leader's mantle is to serve both God and man, leading by example, walking in faith and bringing glory to God.
As servants, we are to develop our character to model Jesus, and when the going gets tough, we are to raise our faith, because He who is in us, is stronger than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
Above all else, we must guard our heart, for everything we do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23)
This means that we must not allow anyone to cause us to stumble or sin and constantly renew our minds so that we are perfectly aligned with God's will, keeping our eyes firmly on the prize and fixed on God.
We must watch our life and doctrine closely and persevere in them, because if we do, we will save both ourselves and our hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16)
Confidence & Character
Our followers are to have confidence in us and submit to our authority, because we keep watch over them as those who must give an account.
This is so that our work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to those we lead. (Hebrews 13:17)
Leaders are not in their position to abuse their power, we are to lead with justice and righteousness, with the courage and boldness of a lion and the gentleness and humility of a lamb, teaching others to be of good character.
Our trust must be firmly rooted in God and we must hold a powerful vision, taking care that nothing and no-one distracts us from our mission, speaking to the rocks in our lives and commanding them to bring forth that which we want.
It is a great responsibility to lead, we have lives in our hands and are to take our position seriously, being willing to face and overcome all challenges and standing for that which is important, even if that means we are standing alone, with no-one but God by our side.
Integrity & Increase
We must not allow anyone or anything to shake us or cause seeds of doubt to take root and we must put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature (Colossians 3:5) and crucify the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24).
We are to be strong and courageous and we must be careful to be obedient, not to turn to the right or to the left, that we may be successful wherever we go.
We are to keep God's Book of the Law always on our lips; meditating on it day and night, so that we may be careful to do everything written in it.
We are not to be afraid and not to be discouraged, for the Lord our God will be with us wherever we go. (Joshua 1:6-9)
And as we go forward in boldness, God will expand our territory as we bring increase to what He entrusts into our hands. (Matthew 25:14-30)
Becoming The Word
In addition to meditating on the word and understanding, harnessing and walking in the power of God's might, we must become the word.
We must walk by the Spirit, and we will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)
For if we live according to the flesh, we will die; but if by the Spirit we put to death the misdeeds of the body, we will live. (Romans 8:13)
For we know that our old self was crucified with him (Jesus) so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin - because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. (Romans 6:6-7)
We must deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23), being crucified with him so that we no longer live, but Christ lives in us, by faith. (Galatians 2:20)
An Honour & A Privilege
It is an honour and a privilege to serve God, whether as a leader or a follower, and all leaders are followers, and Jax's gift was to deepen my faith and strengthen my resolve, reminding me that I had built my foundations and house on Rock.
When we die to ourselves and live for God, we receive the greatest gift, both in this lifetime and the next, as we are filled to overflowing with His goodness and the might of His Presence.
Serving God, walking in faith and bearing witness to His Majesty is experiential, it is not something that can be explained, it must be felt to be understood.
I can do all things through Him who gives me strength (Philipians 4:13) is a fundamental truth that cannot be denied.
For those of us who are called to be leaders, and those who are leaders in training, let us humble ourselves before God, walking in the way He has called us, for God will not disappoint and He will walk beside us and go before us wherever we go, all the days of our lives.
A Rocky Start
I named the dog I rescued Rocky, because whilst he had a rocky start, God lead him to safety, God is the Rock and He lead me back and to beautiful contacts, who offered a safe haven for the night, who facilitated his rescue and who offered their hearts and home to help.
Once I had sent out all my messages to everyone I knew in my phone contacts and followed up all the leads that people sent me, there was nothing more I could do and I had to wait, trusting that God would make a way where there was none.
And He did, as He always does - at the time of writing, Rocky was on a drip being hydrated, his burns had been tended to, he had been treated for ticks and fleas and he was all set to make his way to the Promised Land, where he arrived safely and was received with love.
When I saw the scripture on one of my contact's WhatsApp profile, it confirmed that God was with me, it said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not be afraid. (John 14:27)
God is mighty, "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" - the things God has prepared for those who love Him - these are the things God has revealed by his Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:9-10)
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And if you feel called to make a donation, please Donate here, Rocky's & Jax's vet bills are estimated to total around R7,000 (£320 / $435 / €370) and we don't have the funds to cover.
Every penny donated goes to the animals we rescue, whose lives we profoundly touch, who touch us in return, and facilitates a labour of love that transcends both words and worlds.
We are privileged and honoured to serve and we invite you to join our Lighthouse Family, that we may continue to shine brightly, lighting the way for others.
With deep gratitude, Amanda Lighthouse - Chief Servant & Rescue Angel.
