Almost everyone has someone we work for, report to, or follow as a leader. At times we approach these relationships with varied levels accountability, pay, or reward. However the Bible speaks to us in one mind as to how and why we are to "serve" those above us.

We all love stories. I could uninterestingly but simply state that Mr. Smith is a person of integrity. Or I could tell you a story that illustrates that Mr. Smith is indeed a person of integrity; and I could do so without ever specifically stating that fact. In the Bible in the story of Job, God does both; we are both told that Job is a person of integrity outright; but we are also told a story that illustrates that truth for us. And although I am glad I have the simple evaluation by God that Job eschewed evil and feared Him; I am extremely thankful for 40 plus chapters of narrative that illustrate how Job feared God. Thus, stories are quite an important element of the human experience. Nevertheless the simple facts are important too.

"And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."

In just a few short weeks, we will participate in our annual "I Believe" Sunday. Webster's dictionary defines the word believe thusly, "To credit upon the ground of authority, testimony, argument, or any other circumstances than personal knowledge; to expect or hope with confidence." The Greek word translated as believe in Mark 9:24 is pisteuo, which has the idea of trusting another for an action expected to take place. Mark 9 records the story of the man who had a son, a child, that was possessed by a devil. The son had a record of being so controlled by the devil inside of him that physical pain and harm were a continual problem. (ref. Mark 9:22) The first attempt of the father was to bring his son to the disciples so that the devil would be cast out and the boy spiritually healed. The disciples failed in their ministry - largely due to a not understanding that both prayer and fasting were requirements for spiritual victory in this situation.

I am not sure how you are but sometimes I feel like there is so much negative news and information that it gets overwhelming. There are many seasons where I just crave some uplifting and positive news. I am so thankful that God's Word provides just that. One of my favorite places to read is the book of Psalms. In Psalm 92, we see a powerful statement to start this Psalm. "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD..." It is that simple. That statement stuck in my mind as I read the rest of the chapter and I simply want to point out some thoughts to help us meditate on this first part of Psalm 92.

Text: Joshua 14:6-14

(14:6) "Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea."

Moses was a "man of God". This term is used of several people in the word of God: Elijah, Elisha, Samuel, and David. How does God see us in our progress of sanctification? Are we men and women of God?