Much is said about counsel throughout the Psalms and Proverbs. We are urged not to walk in the counsel of the wicked in Psalm 1. Later in the Psalms David expresses the need to wait for the counsel of the Lord, because His counsel will endure forever.

Solomon claims a wise man is one who listens to wise counsel, and one who possess understanding will acquire wise counsel.

One of the best Proverbs about counsel is found in Proverbs 27:9 where we read “a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend.”

Leadership should always provide a source of counsel that is based on the word of God, designed to provide guidance to spiritual success and an eternal reward.

When leaders provide godly counsel, several beautiful things occur: 1) Above all, God is glorified, 2) His people are built up in the faith, 3) Leadership is strengthened in righteousness, and 4) The future is secured.

The consequences of not seeking wise counsel can be seen in the life of Joshua (Jos. 9).

Let leaders learn today from his example, then pursue and provide godly counsel.

Observation of the events and people who participate in our lives on a daily basis is one of the most powerful exercises for leaders.

Leadership is about people, and unless we are observing how God is working in our lives to provide opportunity to lead, we will miss the possibility of God using us to help others.

Recently, a Chinese proverb was shared to emphasize the way to a lifetime of happiness: “If you want happiness for an hour — take a nap. If you want happiness for a day — go fishing. If you want happiness for a year — inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime — help someone else.”

Helping others can only occur when leaders are observing the people God places in their lives each day.

Leaders must seek to discover what is going on in the lives of these individuals, why it is taking place, and how they might be able to show the light of Jesus in helping.

Take a few moments each day to simply observe the working of God through the opportunities provided in the lives of the special people placed on our daily path.

Strength, as it is defined, applies to numerous areas; physically, spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually.

Through the aging process we are all aware of the decline of physical strength. There are times when a decline in emotional and intellectual strength also occurs.

The most frightening area regarding a decline in strength is seen in the spiritual realm.

Perhaps we have all seen or experienced personally the struggles of remaining strong and faithful on a spiritual basis.

During these times a strong leadership is needed to provide support and encouragement to help lead someone out of their struggles.

Paul encourages Christians to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God” (Eph. 6:10-11).

Examining each of the pieces of armor reveals the closeness of each area to all that is found in God’s word. Our strength comes from what God provides us through His word.

The reason for this incredible tool is to help us find the strength we need to help others in leading them out of sin into the marvelous light of our God.

Speaking from experience, few people like the idea of any form of test. Students preparing for their field of work would just as soon skip any and all tests.

However, tests are certainly biblical, and spiritual leaders will always face various levels of tests throughout their leadership.

Abraham is one great example from the Old Testament that was specifically identified by the testing of his faith. “God tested Abraham” is how the text begins with the command of God for Abraham to offer his only son, Isaac, as a burnt offering.

The New Testament also speaks of the testing of one’s faith. James reveals the purpose of this testing is to produce endurance which ultimately results in completeness.

How should we respond to tests within leadership?

Prayer is where we should begin. Seek God’s guidance and wisdom throughout the test.

Hold fast to the word of God. Read about Abraham and remember the purpose of the test.

Seek the counsel of spiritual and godly leaders who have passed tests in their leadership.

Trust God to be at work making us into the leaders He wants us to be.

“Ecologists remind us that a tree planted in a clearing of an old forest will grow more successfully than when it is planted in isolation in an open field. The roots of the new planting will follow more easily and more deeply the hidden pathways of old root systems. Likewise, human beings thrive best in following the paths of life already taken by others before them. None of us needs to reinvent the wheel or live as if no one has preceded us in the pathways of the wise.” James M. Houston

This thought has great application to leadership. The one thought that keeps coming to mind is the idea of the kind of root system we are leaving as leaders.

For followers to become tomorrow’s leaders, they cannot do so in isolation. Such an approach will not provide them with the needed strengthen and development to change the future in a godly way.

There are many who have and are providing pathways that are wise and will benefit others if they root their leadership within these paths.

May our leadership do the same for others who are following us.

The thought expressed in this Psalm is indicative of righteous leaders. Not only will they flourish like a palm tree, notice the way the Psalmist goes on to describe them.

Grow like a cedar in Lebanon: Leaders must be characterized by growth.

Planted in the house of the Lord: To be planted is evidence the root system is strong.

Flourish in the courts of our God: Flourishing indicates healthy development.

Yield fruit in old age: The beauty of godly leadership is the fruit it yields.

Full of sap and very green: They reflect youthful strength and vigor.

Declare that the Lord is upright: To declare such draws out purpose.

The words used to describe righteous leaders provide a greater understanding of what God can do with a leader who gives himself as a servant of the Lord.

By the help given by God, a righteous leader will not only experience the same benefits, they will also bring to followers the greatness of what God intended for leadership.

Let us lead with the righteous spirit of godliness.

Where do followers go when experiencing tragedies in life?

Where should they go when daily life is met with difficult challenges?

Where would leaders have them go when needs outweigh the balances of monetary ability?

Leaders will always be faced with questions regarding those who follow their leadership. This is especially true when thinking about spiritual leaders.

Jesus asked the apostles a question as people began to walk away and leave when His teaching became difficult for them to understand. He wanted to know if the apostles were going away also, to which Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn. 6:68).

Followers have no where else to go other than leadership. When others turn to leaders, will they receive words of eternal life? Will they learn what to do to help them through life and gain eternity?

Where else can we go if not to spiritual leaders who desire only to make sure heaven is the goal, the word of God is the guide, the Savior is the way, and earthly leaders are trustworthy to provide the right guidance.

Love is a word in the English language that has come to have multiple meanings. Most often it is associated with feelings. When couples first date and then marry, the feelings experienced are associated with their idea of love. Sadly, when those feelings change or no longer exist they think they do not love the other person any more.

Biblically, love is so much more, it is about seeking the highest good for the other person. Love cannot be self-directed and direct the actions of others.

When leaders do this, it is generally because of selfish, ulterior motives. Again, this is not love.

When leaders truly understand and lead out of love for the souls of others, there is a willingness to sacrifice and determination to help others find a way to heaven. A couple of ideas about leading out of love:

Love gives without expecting to receive something in return.

Love seeks opportunity to serve in all situations.

Love desires the best for others, even at the cost of personal comfort.

Let us always lead out of love and know the power it brings to leadership.

Perhaps the title of the post better serves as an answer to the question; why do we lead?

A number of answers could be given to the question, and we must all examine the answer we would give.

There are those who lead for power. They simply want authority over others to direct and guide their movement.

Some lead because of crisis. When crisis strikes, it is common for individuals to be forced into a position of leadership.

Others lead because no one else will. Sadly, when good and godly leaders do not rise up, others will lead, but not always in the right direction.

Still, there are those who lead for the joy of it. They recognize the need, strive to develop a godly and Christlike character, and desire to see souls led to Christ.

When the combination of these three elements exist, great blessings will follow.

Even Paul referred to those who led with the wrong motives. The challenge for us is to examine why we lead and learn to lead for the joy of an eternal outcome that is worth the effort.

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” John F. Kennedy

The subjects of leadership and learning have been discussed before.

However, coming across this quote by Kennedy raised a number of ideas that seemed important enough to revisit this idea.

A mindset does exist, often referred to as a leadership myth, that once someone becomes a leader they having nothing left to learn. Nothing could be further from the truth.

We have all seen, or perhaps known, someone who basically felt like they were God’s gift to humanity. They believe others are inferior and that they have little or nothing to learn, especially if they have already visited the situation before.

Arrogance is a dangerous attitude to possess. It leads to a lack of gratitude, separation, and a delusional personality. Ultimately, it destroys any possibility of leading, at least from a godly position.

Leaders must be constantly learning. They must learn about people. They must be, as Wayne Roberts often says, “A people of the Word and the world.”

Both require one to be a learner. Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.