When sunset comes at the end of the day a new world becomes visible. Or maybe I should say invisible. The dim light of the moon and stars seldom reveal the drama that happens every night.

In Kruger National Park the lions, leopards, cheetahs, Jackals, Wild Dogs, hyenas and numerous other carnivores begin their nightly ritual. The hunt is on in the cover of nighttime and the cool of the dark.  They must find food and the meal will cost another animal his life.

In the dark animals rely on their hearing, smell and companions to warn them of impending threats. The inky darkness veils the presence of the deadly animals. They can often be completely unaware until a disturbance breaks the silence and the bleating call of a distressed antelope or wildebeest scatters the herd.

It was early in the morning and a leopard was lying in the tall grass on the side of the road. The next thing we know a herd of impala was racing across the road in a panic. One antelope ran directly over the spot where the cat was lurking. He noticed the cat and leaped high in the air in an attempt to get past the cat and escape. As he jumped the leopard leaped up and grabbed the throat of the startled bock. They somersaulted together in the air and the leopard came down on top.

The split second capture was amazing. The opportunistic cat had instantly gone from a hidden position to a killer grip.  We could hardly believe what we were seeing! Leopards are agile and stealthy predators. As a predator, the leopard represented a great danger to shepherds and their flocks during Biblical times.

Jeremiah 5:6 (NIV)

6 Therefore a lion from the forest will attack them,

a wolf from the desert will ravage them,

a leopard will lie in wait near their towns

to tear to pieces any who venture out,

for their rebellion is great

and their backslidings many.

Survival in our personal spiritual battle can be treacherous. Be on guard lest the enemy overtake you by surprise. We are praying for you today.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

Deeper Still Missions

Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved.

A Kingdom Leader has the head of a learner that responds with understanding. That discretion produces compassion, consideration, perception and awareness. You respond to people and questions with grace and maturity.

Are you advancing spiritually? Do you take note and comprehend the hand of God moving in your life daily? Do you perceive and accept the things of God? Jesus amazed the teachers with the ability to understand at the age of twelve.

Luke 2:47 says, everyone who heard him was amazed at this understanding and his answers.(1)

We pray that you can bring the different activities around you into focus and see the Lord.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

 Deeper Still Missions, Inc.
 P.O. Box343370
 Bartlett, TN 38184-3370

www.deeperstillmissions.com

(1)   The Holy Bible: New International Version. Electronic ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Luke 2:47

Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved.

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Deeper Still Missions is located in Bartlett, TN.

I walked through the original city gate from one thousand years ago. The stone archway was beautiful, solid and flowed easily into the walls built by the Romans.

We walked the cobble stone path as my guide turned and said to me, Martin Luther walked this very path hundreds of years ago.We turned a corner and came to a bank building with a special plague hanging on the wall. Written in German it identified this location as the place where Martin Luther stayed for ten days in 1521. The buildings had been destroyed centuries earlier.

We continued walking the narrow cobble stone paths for several blocks when we stepped into an open court with beautiful trees and grass. On my right was an enormous church building called the dome by local people. The Catholic house of worship had been built by the Bishop of Worms in the eleventh century. The outside had been adorned with statues, figurines and intricate carvings that was stunning to review.

We stepped through a huge door and found ourselves in the sanctuary. The size alone was breathtaking. It was over five stories tall and over nine hundred feet from one end to the other. Sunlight pierced the shadows from several stories up and lit up the altar in a spectacular fashion. It felt like the hand of God was reaching inside through the power of the sun. It was massive, impressive and daunting.

All of a sudden my heart was gripped with the reality of the pressure that Martin Luther had faced at the meeting in Worms. He had come to one of the most impressive locations in all of Europe to face the King, Princes and representatives of the Pope.

This event was no longer a historical speed bump in the time line of church history. It became a David and Goliath moment from the past. This simple monk stood before the grandeur, power and pressure of the world to declare his heart captive to the Word of God.

Leadership demanded that Luther refute all of his writings. He had questioned church practices and traditions that had become so deeply entrenched over fifteen centuries. This incensed church and government leaders who felt this heretic would split the world apart.

This moment in history is called the reformation. Martin Luther’s stand would spark the birth of all the Protestant churches we know today. This week has helped me better understand  the pressure created by such a seismic spiritual event.

The last five days have been a simple reminder of the profound implications of ministering in the lives of others. This has been a whirlwind of speaking, teaching, listening, asking questions and counseling. I have learned so much from the experience.

I have reconnected with old friend, established new friends and had my heart transported back over five hundred years.

I must say that I marvel at the work of God! It is amazing how he uses simple people to accomplish His Divine Conspiracy.

A Kingdom Leader is levelheaded about his role for God the Father. First he doesn’t have an over inflated view of his position, abilities and significance. He is clear-headed, sober and matter-of-fact about his dependence on God.

Do you seek to be identified as an important contributor to the kingdom? Are you jealous of others who have a prominent position or title? Is this God’s ministry or yours? John the Baptist was idolized by many who followed him but he never sought the position reserved for Christ himself.

John 1:20 (NIV)

20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”

We pray that humility will permeate your thinking, feelings and how you serve our Lord and Savior. Do you see others as more important than yourself?

Cathy and Danny Sartin

(1) The Holy Bible: New International Version. Electronic ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. John 1:20

Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved. Photos taken by Cathy and Danny Sartin in Africa.

Kingdom Leadership is written for missionaries and ministers serving our Lord in various parts of the world.

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Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this email in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.

To unsubscribe just reply to this email with the subject unsubscribe. You can contact Deeper Still Missions at P.O. Box 343370 Bartlett, TN 38134.