“Life is all about the little decisions you make everyday. You can’t change the decisions of the past, but every new day is another opportunity to make the right ones.” Author Unknown

In our lifetime we will make millions of decisions. Most of these decisions come with little or no consequence. Obviously, we know some decisions carry major consequences: who one marries, where they live, having children, and a career, only to name a few.

The significance of today’s thought is seen in the fact that the little decisions made each day add up quickly. Considering the truth behind this thought, our lives are filled with both right and wrong decisions. How powerful is it to realize each day provides an opportunity to make the right decisions?

No leader is exempt from making wrong decisions. The key is how we handle ourselves when the wrong decisions are made and how we approach making the right ones in the future.

With the influence our decisions have on others, it is worth the time we take to focus on filling our life with the decisions that make for a full life.

How many times in the political arena do we hear the thought expressed of someone being extreme left or extreme right?

Being extreme, however, is not limited to the political arena. We often find the beast of extremism within the church.

In the limited time we are given on earth, we will see numerous “issues” that become a major hobby horse for well intended brethren.

They become so dogmatic or extreme in their approach to these issues it leads to 1) a division in the church, 2) leaving for a more liberal mindset, 3) attending another congregation, or 4) leaving to start their “own.”

We do not find these options in scripture.

Only Christ has the power to remove the candlestick from any congregation.

Our responsibility is to learn the difference between Biblical doctrine and personal opinion.

Spiritual leadership is about finding the proper balance to maintain the unity needed within the Lord’s church.

In a time where people are trying to prevent the world from influencing the church, let us not become so extreme that our actions portray what we are trying to prevent.

Know your people and look out for their well-being.

Two ideas are presented in this principle of leadership, and the application of this principle holds true in both the secular and spiritual realms of leadership.

Is it possible to spiritually lead others without knowing them? Leaders must know the dreams, aspirations, hopes, and personal goals to provide leadership.

The second part of this principle involves looking out for their well-being. Years ago, a manager from Arkansas used to say; “if you take care of those under you, they will take care of you.”

The reason these two parts are connected is because a leader cannot look out for the well-being of people without knowing them.

Nothing is more important than knowing the needs of others and leading in ways to provide for those needs.

The four basic needs of all people include the physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual. Our culture generally uses this order. However, spiritual leaders understand the necessity of reversing the order.

We must be given to the task of focusing on the spiritual needs of others. Think Souls!

To cause to grow and become more mature or advanced.

If there was one word leaders need to understand for the success of the church, it would be develop.

Throughout the writings of the apostles, they continued to emphasize the need for the church to develop. Prayers expressed requests for God to help the church develop.

The goal of teaching was to present every person mature in Christ. God gave gifts to various individuals for the purposing of helping the church achieve unity and maturity in the faith. We also find the use of imperative language regarding Peter’s instruction for Christians to grow.

Developing faith in a relationship with God is a vital responsibility of leadership.

We must lead others to a greater love and understanding of the word of truth.

We must assist Christians in an understanding and involvement of their God given abilities in His service.

We must encourage the expression of God’s grace through sharing the love of Christ at the cross.

We must provide an example in all the above.

Leadership is about development. Let us get started.

Prayer is not about eloquent words or even the quantity of words. We can easily find ourselves searching to find words we feel are powerful and impressive. We can also fall into the trap of thinking we need to say more, as if the length of the prayer ensures God listens.

One of the greatest prayers in the Old Testament, and one of the shortest, is found in 2 Kings 6:17 where Elisha said, “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Elisha prayed that God would help his servant see beyond what the physical eye could behold to witness a battle far greater.

Imagine how different our efforts would be today if leaders were praying for others to see a spiritual realm of truth beyond what the physical eye can behold. The idea refers to seeing through the eye of faith to recognize the greatness of our God and the battle front that rages all around us.

The prayer of a leader moves the One who moves the universe. May He open all our eyes to see more clearly and fully.

“Each time we face our fears, we gain the strength, courage and confidence we need to move forward. It’s far easier to change things, than to change people. The real survivors in life are the ones who have the mental fortitude to press on even when the body wants to quit. Even if you don’t finish ‘first,’ you still need to continue on until you cross that finish line.” P.M. Chief DeMarks

The thought for today is a powerful sentiment indicating the need for endurance. One of the missing components to this thought involves the nature in which one finishes.

Yes, we would all agree it is not about finishing first, but it is about finishing well. Years ago the phrase was coined, “Finish like a runner.” No matter how slow the pace during the race, when it comes to finishing, finish like a runner, finish strong.

In leadership circles, the idea of finishing well is used to indicate the need to avoid the point of abandoning the faith and the purpose for which we lead.

Let us finish, but let us finish well.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” We are familiar with the words of this song, and December signifies its intent. We also know the words of our Lord, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Certainly, it is a time of year when our minds think about giving and receiving gifts.

What gift would be best suited for an individual on our list?

As we consider the nature of this time of year, in spiritual leadership there is a need for us to consider the words of Paul, “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.”

Paul was willing to give of himself in every way for the benefit of others. Specifically, he desired their salvation. In a self-serving world, it is challenging to find those who desire more to give than receive. However, as spiritual leaders, our focus must be on giving of ourselves so others might be saved.

Our prayer as leaders should be focused on looking for ways to give of ourselves to help direct people to heaven.

Set the example.

The idea of setting an example for others is nothing new to the Leadership Fund. Nestled in the idea of this principle is an understanding of influence. We are going to influence people everyday. Some we influence for what is right and others for wrong. The difference is bound up in the example we set.

Setting an example is also associated with an understanding of consistency. Mahatma Ghandi is noted as saying, “We must become the change we want to see.” To think we can demand of others what we are unwilling to do is to fall into a Pharisaical approach to leadership.

Setting an example is also associated with an understanding of servanthood leadership. The only time Jesus claimed to give an example to be followed was wrapped up in being a servant. He told the apostles on several occasions that the greatest among them would be the servant of all.

If we desire to be the leaders God needs today, then we need to understand the significance identified with setting the example.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all? We have heard the fairy tale and perhaps joked of the absurdity of a mirror responding to our requests.

The idea of “reflection” can refer to the consideration of events surrounding one’s life, but it is mostly associated with the image seen in the mirror.

However, have we looked in the mirror lately? The idea of looking into a mirror dates back to Biblical times.

Mirrors reflect the image standing before it. The concept can be literal or symbolic, physical or spiritual. James writes about the need to look into the mirror of God’s word and see if His word is reflected in our lives.

Sadly, mirrors often become a tool of vanity. Mirrors, however, also provide a benefit to those who take advantage of their purpose.

Spiritual leaders need to desperately look into the mirror of their leadership. The image reflected helps determine the core of our existence and what we desire to accomplish.

Look intently. Examine beyond the surface. Make the changes needed. Lead with a purpose based upon our true reflection.

Reading through the prayers of the Bible provides incredible insight into the relationship between these individuals and God.

On more than one occasion Hezekiah expressed his petitions at the throne of the Almighty God.

The purpose of our post, however, is not his prayer, but a phrase used in connection to his approach. Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and 2 Kings 19:14 tells us that he “spread it out before the Lord.”

Facing the destruction of Jerusalem by the king of Assyria, Hezekiah knew he needed to take the situation before God. Not only did he bring it before the Lord, he spread it out before Him. Nothing concerning the threat of destruction was left unaddressed.

Even though God was aware of the situation, Hezekiah still spread it all out before the One in control of all things.

A great lesson in leadership exists here. When we face difficult circumstances, instead of trying to resolve the matter on our own – often to no avail – imagine the difference made by trusting in the One who has complete control. Spread it all out before Him.