Philippians 2:20
For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.

I think leaders/pastors feel this way often - that there isn't anyone to share the load of caring for the people God has given them responsibility for. Many people want the title and recognition that comes with leading. Most of us desire the recognition without considering the responsibility. Having served as an associate for many years I would admit that I didn't understand the full weight of responsibility to care for people. I wonder if my my former pastor felt about me like Paul did about the "leaders" already in Phillipi.

I hope the pastor I served considered me a Timothy - someone who served with him in the gospel, someone whom the people I served knew my character (v. 22). At the very least, I hoped I was an Epaphroditus - a fellow worker and soldier, faithful to serve (v. 25-30).

The lesson for me today is what to look for in people to raise up in leadership. Paul didn't feel that he had anyone he could trust to care for the Philippians. His concern centered around one issue - the "leaders" in Phillipi were more concerned with themselves than they were the things of Jesus. That's a good insight in identifying co-laborers - Are they for themselves, their own promotion, their own advancement, their own needs, or are they seeking the things that produce Christ-likeness in themselves and others?

Lord, let me not seek my own good, but let me seek after You and the things that concern You.

Proverbs 27:19
As in water face reflects face, So a man's heart reveals the man.

Yesterday, I used Proverbs 19:21 as my launch text for a message about God's purpose for each person's life - Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that will prevail. Today's passage reminds me that the plans I make reflect my heart for God. My heart reflects what kind of man I am; my integrity, my love for God, what my priorities are, etc. These things are reflected in what I say (out of the abundance of the heart...), the choices I make for obedience, even how I process and think about my life (as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he...). All of these things are clearly visible - as clear as my reflection in a mirror.

Lord, what do you see? Does my life reflect more than a desire to honor you, but actually does it. I don't want to be a man who is all talk, a man who thinks more highly of myself than I ought (or not walking in my authority either), and whose plans are based in the flesh not in the Spirit. Let me reflect the work of the Holy spirit which is conforming my life to the image of Christ.

Titus 3:8
This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

I keep finding stuff related to the message this past weekend. In it I suggested that God's purpose for our lives is "good works" (Eph 2:10, 2 Tim 3:17, Mt. 5:16). Here Paul makes a point to remind Titus that good works is what marks a believer. In fact, God's "special people" wll be "zealous" about them (2:14). Titus is told to remind the church about this issue all the time. Paul even says earlier in the letter (1:16), that there are those who "profess to know God, but in works deny Him, being detestable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work."

What then are "good works?" This question deserves more study. But it is our good works that expose the ignorance of those who question man's need for God (1 Pet. 2:15).

Lord, I want to walk in the good works you have prepared for me. The actions of a man whose life has been transformed and whose character is being conformed to Yours. That I would focus not on the works, but like on being good first, and doing it as a result. (Acts 10:38)