The idea behind this statement penetrates the heart of every person who wears the name Christian.

To claim the name of Christ is one demanding a life characterized by the example left by Him.

As we have examined over the last few weeks, to be like Jesus involves several components that can leave us uncomfortable when practiced.

While a number of areas could be discussed, there is one final thought worthy of our consideration.

To be like Jesus is to love God and others with all our being. Jesus was not one who loved God or others when it was convenient or suited His own personal desires.

In modern terms, Jesus was “all in.” Nothing stood between Him and serving His heavenly Father in ways that demonstrated loyalty and faithfulness.

Additionally, Jesus completely focused His attention on both the physical and spiritual needs of those who constantly surrounded Him.

We can learn much in striving to fulfill this one thought, “Oh to be like Thee.”

If we truly desire to walk in His steps, we need to give more thought to where those steps will lead.

“Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.” Thomas Jefferson

How do we determine our identity? We are all aware of people who talk a big game. If they were able to measure themselves by their claims, their image would be far greater.

There is, however, a difference between the way we judge ourselves and the way others judge us. We judge ourselves by our intentions and others judge us by our actions. Often, our intentions and actions are not always the same.

Even though who we are may be defined by our actions, especially as it is connected to our leadership, our identity is far more significant than simply being defined by our actions.

Our identity is summed up more in the actions of someone else, than by our own. The actions of Jesus are what delineate and define us. Interestingly enough, it is because of His actions we learn who we are and what we are to do.

Thankfully, God’s wisdom preordained an avenue by which the actions of one man would define and identity His children.

Being prepared is foundational to influencing others. Challenges and questions are always presented, and the need to be ready to provide an answer is critical for our leadership.

Scripture reminds us to always be ready to give an answer (1 Pe. 3:15). The question that follows is essential to our preparedness: Are we ready?

The way leaders prepare themselves is built upon a few key principles.

Understand the urgency of the situation. By the time questions are asked, it is usually a matter of some form of urgency. We need to be ready to give an answer because it can make the difference.

Recognize that answers can be found in the Bible. Instead of looking to external sources for answers, God has provided a tool by which we can be prepared. We need to know it!

Ask others to provide assistance. Why is it so difficult to seek the counsel of others? Only sinful pride keeps us from using the resource of others to help us improve who we are and the work we do.

Are we ready? A few simple steps will help us get there.

This earth is a marketing field where companies strive to find the key to reach into the pocket of those in every corner of the inhabited world.

Sadly, billions of dollars are spent annually to learn the best ways to entice consumers to participate in what they do…consume.

Worse still, is the fact that Christians often succumb to the marketing mentality in an effort to appeal to people in their communities.

The result leads to what is referred to as the “attractional” church. The idea is to provide some sort of gimmick in the form of a program or activity that will attract people to the church. The church is always looking for the latest fad to entice folks to “come in.”

Jesus, however, provided a different marketing strategy that insures success. This strategy is one that involves “going out,” often identified as “missional.”

While there is an element that is attractional, God designed the church to be involved in going out into the world with the message.

The Great Commission is the instruction given to the apostles and an imperative that characterizes the whole of Christian living.

Conveyance involves the action of making an idea, feeling, or impression known or understandable to someone.

While there are various ways to understand the word of the week, leaders need the skills to take the required action to provide guidance for others.

These actions my be identified by words spoken and the example given that makes the message known or understandable.

The bottom line to this word is communication. Leaders must be good communicators. They know the vision, mission, and values that drive the organization and they must communicate it to others clearly and understandably.

When the story of God’s mission, as it unfolds in the life of Jesus, is the heart of the vision, mission, and values then the message conveys hope with eternal ramifications.

This is the message that changed the lives of 3,000 people on the day of Pentecost.

This is the message numerous disciples / apostles suffered and died for to see others come to know.

This is the message that continues to be the power that saves two thousand years later.

Let us lead with conveyance.

The phrase brings a number of thoughts regarding our walking in the steps of Jesus.

The challenge is understanding the application of this phrase as used in its context by Peter.

The idea of Jesus leaving us an example that we might walk in His steps is often used in application to love, compassion, forgiving, teaching, etc.

The use of this phrase in context carries another thought and not one that is the most appealing to pursue.

Peter is clear that Jesus suffered, leaving an example for us to follow in his steps.

The book of Peter is one that acknowledges the need for Christians to be prepared to suffer, not to be surprised when suffering occurs, and to know that when they suffer as Christians they are blessed.

When we sing “Oh To Be Like Thee,” would our hearts carry a different tune if we knew that we were asking in song to suffer as Jesus suffered?

The student when fully trained will be like the teacher. Will our training involve suffering for the cause of the Lord? Are we willing to be like Him?

“You have made some mistakes, and you may not be where you want to be, but that has nothing to do with your future.” Zig Ziglar

More than a few people struggle with the mistakes of the past. Guilt makes us wish we could return to the past and make corrections. Often times we regret not starting earlier to do what we know should have been done.

The challenge is overcoming the desire to live in the past or allowing the mistakes of the past to dictate our direction.

We cannot go back and live in the past. We cannot change it. We can only learn from it and use it to make decisions that determine a different future.

Nothing from the past or our present circumstances has anything to do with the future. The future is determined by the choices we make now to shape tomorrow.

If we make decisions built on a spiritual foundation, the direction of tomorrow is one that assures an eternal destination prepared for those who make the proper choices in the present.

This timeless piece of advice is familiar to most who find themselves involved in carpentry. If you are like me, this is one of those lessons learned by experience.

We might easily trust the first measurement and memory only to learn after the cut is made that an additional cut is required or another piece completely.

Serious medical diagnoses are generally followed up with a second opinion. When someone’s health is potentially in peril, circumstance demands additional counsel.

The lesson behind this advice extends beyond the field of carpentry and medicine. In fact, the application is fitting for most areas of life, especially leadership.

Leadership credibility increases when decisions are based on additional information gained or counsel received indicating the time taken to measure twice.

How different would the outcome have been if biblical leaders like Saul, David, Peter, and Paul had taking time to investigate further before making a decision compromising their relationship with God and influence of His people?

Measuring twice makes it possible to insure accuracy before making decisions with great consequential impact.

Our relationship with God and leadership rests in the balance of this advice.

One of the most significant components of goal setting and achievement is evaluation. Evaluation is based on time set aside to reflect, assess, or make a judgment about the amount, number or value of something.

Once goals are established for any individual or organization, an effective way to determine progress is through evaluation.

Evaluating progress monthly, quarterly, bi-annually, and yearly provides leaders an opportunity to accomplish the following:

Measuring the amount of progress. Knowing what has been accomplished is foundational for each area of the plan.

Assessing changes that need to be made to reach the goal. This assessment may mean making adjustments by increasing or decreasing the goal.

Implementing phases of the plan. Reaching any goal requires a plan and the contingency of implementing the various phases of that plan at the right time.

Building morale of stakeholders in the process. Everyone who has something invested in this task thrives on the success of progress. An accurate evaluation keeps them informed and on board.

The profit gained by time spent evaluating each essential part of the plan determines its ultimate success.

Indulging in an enjoyable recollection of past events is where reminiscing begins.

The significance of this idea, as it relates to leaders, is to recognize the value of reflecting on the positive events accomplished.

Memory is one of the most powerful functions of the brain as designed by God. The ability to remember affords us the opportunity to consider areas in life where mistakes were made, and by simple reflection it can prevent us from making the same mistakes.

Memory also opens the portholes of our mind to reminisce about the events and decisions of life that provided comfort and success.

Leaders who are able to reminisce about past events that build upon achievement and victories over trials or failures can strengthen the morale that motivates others to dig deeper to find something inside that drives who they are and where they want to go.

The power of reminiscing makes the difference between being consumed with regret over past mistakes and the elation of knowing something better is ahead.