Leadership is so much more than just a position, it is an issue that comes from deep within who we are. The question that we may ask ourselves is, "Can I become a Leader?"
The answer is absolutely YES!
Take a look at the men that Jesus chose to become leaders; Peter, Matthew, John, Judas, etc... He chose men and women that we would have bypassed. He chose men that we would of never wanted to be a part of what God has called us to; maybe someday but not today. They may have potential but...they are not the big name, they do not have enough experience.
I wonder why we try to chose people according to popularity, or what they can do for us, or based on who they know. I am amazed at how far you can go in the kingdom just because of who you know. It seems as if "calling" is secondary to what we want or where we want to go.
If you want to be an effective leader in whatever facet of life you live be FAITHFUL. Be faithful with the little things, be faithful in what seems trivial, meaningless, worthless, be faithful when everyone else throws in the towel and quits because they are not receiving the "glory".
Matthew 25 speaks to this fact, "You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
We should never allow ourselves to get into the "entitled" mentality. You know what I mean, I have a position, so now I no longer have to get dirty, everyone else does that kind of work, but not me. Jesus was with the people in the trenches, in the stench, in the middle of brokenness; FAITHFULLY!
So that to say, Leadership in part is about the willingness to lay down our rights, our broken mentalities, and to serve faithfully wherever God has allowed us to serve.
God Bless
Merry Christmas!!!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Natural or Supernatural
There's a question I often wrestle with: Does "leadership" come more from the natural talents that we possess or is it more of a spiritual gifting? Do some just "have it" more than others? Or are others just willing to "pay now" rather than later?
Those that "pay now" are often the ones we drool over as they are enjoying the benefits of their sacrifice early in life, while others are still contemplating whether or not they want to fully engage in the game.
I believe that is both!
Natural leaders do the little things well, they learn to focus on the priorities, they use leisure well, they have intensity, they know how to exploit momentum, they are continuously growing, they overcome discouragement and "impossible" situations, and lastly they understand his or her weaknesses.
But to do naturally all in itself would be no more than self promotion. It would be all about the individual receiving all the credit for what they have done.
I am convinced that we live not for what we can do alone in the natural, but that we must possess an appetite to connect to the Almighty God in the spiritual, so that He would receive the Glory.
A.W Tozer writes:
"A true and safe leader is likely to be one who has no desire to lead, but is forced into a position by the inward leading of the Holy Spirit and the press of circumstances...The man who is ambitious to lead is disqualified...the true leader will have no desire to lord it over God's heritage, but will be humble, gentle, self-sacrificing and altogether ready to follow when the Spirit chooses another to lead".
I believe that as we allow the natural and the supernatural to cross paths we will personally and corporately experience a divine interaction that will be explosive in our homes, churches, communities, and ultimately within the world that God has called us to "GO" into.
Naturally, we must do our part! We have to be faithful in what God has allowed us to be a part of presently. Spiritually, we must put aside all the distraction's and learn to "listen" to the Spirit's leading for our lives.
James 1:19 says, "Everyone should be quick to listen..."
Reflection:
Those that "pay now" are often the ones we drool over as they are enjoying the benefits of their sacrifice early in life, while others are still contemplating whether or not they want to fully engage in the game.
I believe that is both!
Natural leaders do the little things well, they learn to focus on the priorities, they use leisure well, they have intensity, they know how to exploit momentum, they are continuously growing, they overcome discouragement and "impossible" situations, and lastly they understand his or her weaknesses.
But to do naturally all in itself would be no more than self promotion. It would be all about the individual receiving all the credit for what they have done.
I am convinced that we live not for what we can do alone in the natural, but that we must possess an appetite to connect to the Almighty God in the spiritual, so that He would receive the Glory.
A.W Tozer writes:
"A true and safe leader is likely to be one who has no desire to lead, but is forced into a position by the inward leading of the Holy Spirit and the press of circumstances...The man who is ambitious to lead is disqualified...the true leader will have no desire to lord it over God's heritage, but will be humble, gentle, self-sacrificing and altogether ready to follow when the Spirit chooses another to lead".
I believe that as we allow the natural and the supernatural to cross paths we will personally and corporately experience a divine interaction that will be explosive in our homes, churches, communities, and ultimately within the world that God has called us to "GO" into.
Naturally, we must do our part! We have to be faithful in what God has allowed us to be a part of presently. Spiritually, we must put aside all the distraction's and learn to "listen" to the Spirit's leading for our lives.
James 1:19 says, "Everyone should be quick to listen..."
Reflection:
- What "natural" leadership abilities do you sense God has given or built into you?
- What steps are you taking to assure that you are not walking only in your natural abilities, but also walking as the Spirit leads?
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Opposite Way
There is a mentality within humanity that has been present from day one and will most likely exist until we take our final breath; that leadership comes out of authority not service. Something inside of us (our sinful nature) attempts to fool us in to thinking that if I have position, power, and a crowd that I now a Leader. How opposite thinking that is when we look into the life of The Servant (Jesus).
Jesus never used a crowd or position to be authoritative, He humbled Himself and served where the "leaders" would not serve and through His service earned an audience that allowed Him the opportunity to proclaim the love of the Father.
I believe that as we embrace this truth and lay aside the opposite way of thinking and fully adopt the thinking of Christ that we will experience an incredible move of God.
So, for the next few minutes I am going to lay out several truths that we already know, yet have such a tremendous difficulty putting into action.
Principles of a Servant: Isaiah 42
Jesus never used a crowd or position to be authoritative, He humbled Himself and served where the "leaders" would not serve and through His service earned an audience that allowed Him the opportunity to proclaim the love of the Father.
I believe that as we embrace this truth and lay aside the opposite way of thinking and fully adopt the thinking of Christ that we will experience an incredible move of God.
So, for the next few minutes I am going to lay out several truths that we already know, yet have such a tremendous difficulty putting into action.
Principles of a Servant: Isaiah 42
- Dependence - An "emptying" of self and dependence on God is a absolute that will allow the Holy Spirit to use us. Phil 2:7
- Modesty - Are lives should be lived in a way that brings attention to God not self. So often we are worried about what others will think of us, neglecting the truth that it is Christ that deserves the recognition. We see throughout the landscape of America men and women who are making a name for themselves. Jesus lived in such a quiet and unobtrusive manner that many today doubt His very existence. Matthew 4:5; Isaiah 45:15; Isaiah 6:2
- Empathy - A servant is sympathetic with the weak, mercifully understanding toward those who err. We need to be people who do not seek a ministry more rewarding and worthy of our talents than bearing the frail side of humanity. Matthew 25:45
- Optimism - Pessimism and leadership are at opposite end's of life's attitudes. Hope and optimism are essential qualities for a servant. God's ideal servant is optimistic until every part of God's work is done. Isaiah 42:4
- Anointing - None of these leadership qualities-dependence, modesty, empathy, or optimism-are sufficient for the task that God has for our lives. Without the touch of the supernatural, these qualities are no more than qualities. We need the fresh touch of the Holy Spirit on our lives daily. Acts 10:38
May we follow close to the steps of our Lord!!
Reflection:
- How can you tell when you are being a servant?
- Isaiah 42 includes six characteristics of God's servant, Jesus. Which one do you find the greatest challenge as you walk into leadership?
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
The Search for Leaders
We hear an echo throughout scripture "Who will lead?" A call for a Godly leader whose heart is fully committed to God and to God alone. But sadly, the call more often than not goes unanswered, but for a few like Moses, Esther, Gideon, David, Peter, Paul, Martin Luther, Billy Graham, and others.
I wonder is the call for leadership just to scary for some or is it that many are not willing to put in the hard work necessary to fulfill what God has placed inside of them? Is it that we like position, power, and authority but not the responsibility that comes along with the territory?
I am sure that the answer is different for each one of us. But one thing that I do know is that we are desperately in search of Leaders who will pay the price to walk out the call God has for their own personal life...but that's just it, its not our own "personal life!" Our lives ultimately affect the purpose for our churches, our state, and our nation. Without leaders we perish! Without godly leaders in place throughout society we lack the voice of influence to lead for the next generation.
If the world is to hear the church's voice today, leaders are needed who are authoritative, spiritual, and sacrificial. Authoritative, because people desire reliable leaders who know where they are going. Spiritual, because without a strong relationship with God, even the most attractive and competent person cannot lead people to God. Sacrificial, because this trait follows the model of Jesus, who gave Himself for the whole world and calls us to follow His steps.
Samuel Brengle, a leader who served many years in the Salvation Army, outlined the road to spiritual authority and leadership:
It is not won by promotion, but my many prayers and tears. It is attained by confession of sin, and much heart-searching and humbling before God; by self-surrender, a courageous sacrifice of every idol, a bold uncomplaining embrace of the cross, and by eternally looking unto Jesus crucified. It is not gained by seeking great things for ourselves, but like Paul, by counting those things that are gain to us as loss for Christ. This is a great price, but it must be paid by the leader whose power is recognized and felt in heaven, on earth, and in hell.
God desires to show such people how strong He really is. Psalm 25:14 says, "The Lord confides in those who fear Him; he makes his covenant known to them."
Lets be a people who are willing to pay the price to walk out the God plan for our lives. Lets do the work necessary to be the leader/leaders God has made us to be.
Reflection:
I wonder is the call for leadership just to scary for some or is it that many are not willing to put in the hard work necessary to fulfill what God has placed inside of them? Is it that we like position, power, and authority but not the responsibility that comes along with the territory?
I am sure that the answer is different for each one of us. But one thing that I do know is that we are desperately in search of Leaders who will pay the price to walk out the call God has for their own personal life...but that's just it, its not our own "personal life!" Our lives ultimately affect the purpose for our churches, our state, and our nation. Without leaders we perish! Without godly leaders in place throughout society we lack the voice of influence to lead for the next generation.
If the world is to hear the church's voice today, leaders are needed who are authoritative, spiritual, and sacrificial. Authoritative, because people desire reliable leaders who know where they are going. Spiritual, because without a strong relationship with God, even the most attractive and competent person cannot lead people to God. Sacrificial, because this trait follows the model of Jesus, who gave Himself for the whole world and calls us to follow His steps.
Samuel Brengle, a leader who served many years in the Salvation Army, outlined the road to spiritual authority and leadership:
It is not won by promotion, but my many prayers and tears. It is attained by confession of sin, and much heart-searching and humbling before God; by self-surrender, a courageous sacrifice of every idol, a bold uncomplaining embrace of the cross, and by eternally looking unto Jesus crucified. It is not gained by seeking great things for ourselves, but like Paul, by counting those things that are gain to us as loss for Christ. This is a great price, but it must be paid by the leader whose power is recognized and felt in heaven, on earth, and in hell.
God desires to show such people how strong He really is. Psalm 25:14 says, "The Lord confides in those who fear Him; he makes his covenant known to them."
Lets be a people who are willing to pay the price to walk out the God plan for our lives. Lets do the work necessary to be the leader/leaders God has made us to be.
Reflection:
- God took 80 years to prepare Moses for his leadership task. In what ways has God been preparing you?
- What can you begin to do today to walk in the leadership position that God has given you?
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Ambition
Over the next weeks I am going to lay out principles taken from J. Oswald Sanders. Sanders was an international Christian preacher, missionary statesman, and prolific author for nearly seventy years and wrote over forty books on spiritual living. This respected Bible teacher and writer influenced Christians throughout the world for much of the twentieth century. There is much to be gleaned from his insight.
We all have "ambitions" but the question that needs to be addressed is what direction do our ambitions drive us. There is ambition that is honorable and then there is ambition that we need to rid from our lives. Ambition which centers on the glory of God and the welfare of His kingdom should be that which drives us in everything we do. But all to often we are driven by ambition that drives toward popularity, authority, recognition, and/or social visibility.
Jesus said in Mark 10:42-44 “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.
True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you. A true leader is focused on the service he and she can render to God and to other people, not on the residuals and perks of position.
The great leader Count Nikolaus von Zinzendorf was tempted by rank and riches, but his attitude toward ambition was summed up in one simple statement: "I have one passion: it is He, He alone." Zinzendorf turned from self seeking ambition and became the founder of the Moravian church. Before missionary work was popular or well organized the Moravians established overseas churches that had three times as many members as did their churches back home.
Let's ask ourselves, "What ambition drives our lives? Is it He alone or is it I alone?
The ambition which drives our lives will ultimately determine the God plan for our lives; it will either come to fruition or it will lie dormant!
Reflection:
We all have "ambitions" but the question that needs to be addressed is what direction do our ambitions drive us. There is ambition that is honorable and then there is ambition that we need to rid from our lives. Ambition which centers on the glory of God and the welfare of His kingdom should be that which drives us in everything we do. But all to often we are driven by ambition that drives toward popularity, authority, recognition, and/or social visibility.
Jesus said in Mark 10:42-44 “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.
True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you. A true leader is focused on the service he and she can render to God and to other people, not on the residuals and perks of position.
The great leader Count Nikolaus von Zinzendorf was tempted by rank and riches, but his attitude toward ambition was summed up in one simple statement: "I have one passion: it is He, He alone." Zinzendorf turned from self seeking ambition and became the founder of the Moravian church. Before missionary work was popular or well organized the Moravians established overseas churches that had three times as many members as did their churches back home.
Let's ask ourselves, "What ambition drives our lives? Is it He alone or is it I alone?
The ambition which drives our lives will ultimately determine the God plan for our lives; it will either come to fruition or it will lie dormant!
Reflection:
- How would you illustrate the differences between self centered and God centered ambition from your own life?
- Who has been your most influential example of Godly leadership? And Why?
- What are some areas of honorable/holy ambition in your life?
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
The Forgotten God
As I sit and write this post I am looking out a window watching the rain fall down. It amazes me how every drop of rain is known and directed from God Job 38:25-29.
Think about this for a minute, God is literally in everything! There is nothing in all the earth where we can not find or see God. He created all things to display His Glory, His love, and His power; He created them for you and for me.
Let's take this a step further, He not only created all things to show us Himself but He the creator invites us into a personal intimate relationship with Him. He says, You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD Jeremiah 29:13-14.
To me this sounds like more than just a one time event, but a lifetime of events that take place as we seek Him. It sounds like as we seek after Him with all of our hearts that He wants to be found, he longs for the journey because along the way He can then continually reveal more and more of who He is.
But herein lies a problem. He is not a harlot that can be shared with others. He will not share His heart with others gods! Deuteronomy 4:23-24. He is a jealous God that is searching throughout the earth for men & women who are fully devoted to Him alone.
Allow me to ask a question: Have you FORGOTTEN who God is even while doing the work of God?
Admittedly, at times I have gotten caught up in the work of God FORGETTING God. I heard it said this way: “The pace at which I’m doing the work of God is destroying the work of God in me.” Bill Hybels.
This must not be our story! We must STOP & REMEMBER who He is!
Think about it, the creator of the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the entire universe INVITES you and me into a personal intimate relationship with Himself. WOW!
I challenge you today to stop what you are doing; I mean it, right now STOP!!!
Remember who it is you serve.
Go outside, open the scriptures, worship Him, forget about what might be going wrong and concentrate on the one who has invited you and me into this incredible relationship with Him.
He is waiting to be FOUND!
Think about this for a minute, God is literally in everything! There is nothing in all the earth where we can not find or see God. He created all things to display His Glory, His love, and His power; He created them for you and for me.
Let's take this a step further, He not only created all things to show us Himself but He the creator invites us into a personal intimate relationship with Him. He says, You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD Jeremiah 29:13-14.
To me this sounds like more than just a one time event, but a lifetime of events that take place as we seek Him. It sounds like as we seek after Him with all of our hearts that He wants to be found, he longs for the journey because along the way He can then continually reveal more and more of who He is.
But herein lies a problem. He is not a harlot that can be shared with others. He will not share His heart with others gods! Deuteronomy 4:23-24. He is a jealous God that is searching throughout the earth for men & women who are fully devoted to Him alone.
Allow me to ask a question: Have you FORGOTTEN who God is even while doing the work of God?
Admittedly, at times I have gotten caught up in the work of God FORGETTING God. I heard it said this way: “The pace at which I’m doing the work of God is destroying the work of God in me.” Bill Hybels.
This must not be our story! We must STOP & REMEMBER who He is!
Think about it, the creator of the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the entire universe INVITES you and me into a personal intimate relationship with Himself. WOW!
I challenge you today to stop what you are doing; I mean it, right now STOP!!!
Remember who it is you serve.
Go outside, open the scriptures, worship Him, forget about what might be going wrong and concentrate on the one who has invited you and me into this incredible relationship with Him.
He is waiting to be FOUND!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Up for the challenge
A journey begins! A journey that I believe will bring about new vision, purpose, and intimacy with God. I am so desperately in need of God's amazing grace and power in my life. Not grace and power for the sake of having grace and power, but grace and power that will continually allow me to love and lead as He has called me.
To be really honest at times life seems to be lived on auto-pilot. We wake up, do the morning thing, going to work, having lunch, coming home, doing whatever we do at home, going to bed, and then getting back up and doing it all over again.
This kind of schedule leaves me wondering if this is all that God has intended for us or is there really more?
I believe that there is more; so much more! But the failure to realize more involves more than just changing my routine, I must change my life, my values or possibly get back to what my values were, and re-prioritize what really matters in life.
So how can we do this?
I am beginning today to journey a little different, sometimes you just have to shock the system to wake it up again. I know that shocking the system is not always what we like to do, but at times it is necessary! We love to live comfortable, and at ease without stress, just doing the daily grind. But this will not shock you, it will only cause further complications that you will have to deal with later.
Jeremiah 29:13 says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." There is something about seeking after God with all of your heart that seems a little out of the ordinary. I mean, we do seek after Him right? But do we seek after Him or do we seek after what He can give us?
Psalm 25:14 says, "The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them." I want to be a man that not only seeks after God for what He can do for me or even through me, but a man that seeks after Him, His heart, His mind, Him alone. I want to be a trustworthy son that is found close enough to Him that He confides in me His ways.
One of the ways I am doing this is reading through the Bible in 30 days and fasting for a week. It seems like a lot, but isn't knowing Him worth it?
We do some pretty ridiculous things to know another person, but are we willing to be just as ridiculous to know Him? Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." If we want to know God we have to read His word; His word is Him! If we do not allow the word of God to penetrate our lives then we will only have an association with Him, living our lives aimlessly always wondering who we are and who He is.
Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
His word is alive, active, and ready to reveal His heart to you.
Are you up for the challenge?
It takes reading 40 chapters a day for 30 days. I know that it is more than usual, but all that needs to be done to shock your system with His word is re-prioritizing what really matters to you. You may have to turn off the TV for 30 days, you may have to allow your farm to burn up and die on farmville, you may have to cancel a couple of appointments.
Whatever it is in your life it is worth getting to know Him more!
It takes human cooperation to fully connect with the power of God.
Philippians 3:7-8 says, "But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ
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