The common word in the Bible for being “set apart” is holy. Throughout the Old and New Testament certain items and people were set apart for use by, for and to God.

In an interesting Psalm, David emphatically claims we should “…know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him.”

This is such a powerful thought. To consider that God has taken action toward the godly for Himself indicates a special relationship between God and the godly.

The result is followed by the activity of the godly.

Tremble, and do not sin.

Meditate…and be still.

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness.

Trust in the Lord.

Godly leaders understand that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Meditation stabilizes leadership on the word of God. Offering sacrifices indicates a godly desire to be obedient. Trust is the vital link to a godly leaders’ strength.

The combination of these four areas provides a powerful foundation for the success of leadership.

While peace is often associated with the cessation or absence of conflict, there is a positive connotation to peace; a wholeness.

The Hebrew word shalom and the Greek word eirênê both carry the idea of wholeness and harmony that characterizes a way of life.

Kenneson discusses several obstacles that stand in the way of this kind of biblical peace.

Individualism, and the promotion of such individualism, strikes at the heart of achieving biblical peace.

The privatization of faith takes individualism even further; as many often speak of a “personal relationship with Jesus,” meaning one’s own private relationship. Perhaps this explains why so many “self-professed Christians believe they can be perfectly good Christians apart from the church” (92).

Compartmentalizing life, defending our rights, and sanctioning violence are only a few of the ways peace is destroyed.

Incorporating baptism, edifying one another, admonishing one another, and forgiving one another are a few ways to support biblical peace.

When peace becomes a way of life there will be a harmony and wholeness that can only be the result of a relationship with God and one another.

Regardless of how we technically define better, the conclusion results in improvement from a previous condition or situation.

Whether something is better than before can be subjective to the individual, but the claim still indicates improvement of some sort.

One of the key words to the book of Hebrews is better. We live under a better covenant, based on better promises, because of a better sacrifice; the sacrifice of Jesus Himself.

The result is obviously a better hope of the future.

What does all this mean for leaders?

When we examine our leadership character, attitude, work ethic, practice, or presence; can we say it is better than previously?

When we consider the development of those who follow our leadership, would it be said they are better today than yesterday?

Perhaps the appropriate question would be; are we willing to do what it takes to make it better?

Leaders make things happen and what they make happen should be for the better.

Jesus made our life and future better. Our task as leaders is to make the life and future of others better.

How great would it be to have a crystal ball to look into and see what the future holds, or would it be?

The possibility exists that we might not like what we see.

At the same time, leading is about the future. From a spiritual perspective, nothing is more important than what the eternal future holds for Christians.

However, on a more pragmatic level, leaders need to consider what the future of their leadership looks like.

Will the future hold growth and development for the church or will it be stagnant?

Will the future be a place where vision points to stronger or declining leadership?

Asking questions can be unending, yet in the end, we must consider the necessity of planning today to ensure the future of growth and stronger leadership.

The future of leadership must be built on prayer.

Leaders should prepare for the future with God’s word as a guide.

Tomorrow’s leaders must be encouraged today to be ready.

What does the future look like? Following these three steps makes the future look pretty bright.

“It’s the possibility that keeps me going, not the guarantee.” Nicholas Sparks

Opportunity has been defined as circumstances presenting possibility. For someone to take advantage of the opportunity, one must be able to see the possibility.

Looking at our neighbors who need Christ, what possibilities come to mind?

Broadening our perspective to the city where we live, can we see evangelistic possibilities?

From the city to the state and national level, what possibilities lay the foundation of our vision?

When considering the nature of global outreach, what possibility keeps us going?

Can we see the possibilities through the ways God is working in our neighborhood, city, state, nation, and world?

Leadership will not succeed if we are only looking for guarantees. The possibilities of what God can and will do through us must keep us going.

We have seen the mighty hand of God at work throughout scripture, and we should be able to see His work in our lives every day.

When our leadership is fueled by these possibilities, then a vision is cast that will lead others to great achievement.

No, this phrase is not unique to the book of Psalms, far from it. However, nearing the end of this collection of poetic brilliance is one Psalm that highlights several areas about the Lord declaring why He is worthy to be praised. He is…

Creator of heaven and earth.

Executor of justice for the disadvantaged.

Provider of sustenance for those in need.

Healer of the afflicted.

Exalter of the downtrodden.

Compassionate to the upright.

Protector of strangers.

Supporter of the orphan and widow.

Frustrater of wicked ways.

Ruler of all.

These ten words are laced throughout the Bible and intensely describe the nature of God.

These words also provide strength for the weak, comfort for the discouraged and protection for the vulnerable.

All that should be added is for leaders to lead with an understanding of who God is, what He has done and what He can do.

The characteristic of joy exceeds simple pleasure. Kenneson points out that joy is a byproduct of the desire for something more outward.

The “other-directedness” or outward movement of joy may very well be why it is so closely connected to love. If love is related to God’s grace, His gift exemplifies the significance between two Greek words with the same root: charis (grace) and chara (joy).

As amazing as it sounds, scripture connects suffering with joy; “living joyfully despite persecution and affliction does not require one to deny the reality of suffering or pain” (63).

The world presents the greatest obstacles concerning joy. English poet Lord Byron said, “There’s not a joy the world can give like that it takes away.” The craving for more and cultural dispositions of anxiety and fear are fed by an advertising industry promoting both.

Cultivating joy occurs when we are able to rejoice in the opportunity to worship God, nurture contentment, and learn to enjoy children.

There is more and I encourage you to get Kenneson’s book and read the depths to this fruit of the Spirit.

Grip, determination, and persistence are a few of the words associated with tenacity. On the heels of Monday’s post about never giving up, it seemed appropriate to consider the idea of tenacity in leadership.

Being able to grip something, or hold on to it firmly, is crucial for long term success in leadership.

The quality of determination presents an attitude of strength to endure the distractions.

Without persistence leaders find themselves easily ready to give up and move on.

Tenacity, as defined in these three areas, demonstrates the ability of leaders to take a group of individuals who might not otherwise continue and motivate them to heights unknown.

The tenacity of leaders like Joshua and Caleb in the Old Testament, or men like the apostle Paul, encourages everyone who learns from the tenacious spirit they exemplified.

When leaders possess tenacity in approaching the establishment of goals and the development of plans to achieve those goals, confidence results for those who follow.

Leaders must hold on with the determination that no matter what happens they will be persistent.

Life is filled with challenges. There are events that often create such a negative affect we begin thinking it would be easier to quit, move on, and do something else.

However, will moving on eliminate the challenges of life?

When leaders face the difficulties that often plague the course of life, what can be done to strengthen resolve and motivate perseverance?

The most obvious answer is to never give up. Regardless of the difficulty, do not allow quitting to be an option.

Seek the appropriate help. There are avenues available to provide assistance in areas needed to overcome and achieve success.

Work harder than before. The structure of time management may need to be adjusted and the work ethic refocused, but the results are invaluable.

Remember, others have endured as well. Biblical and current examples abound. We are not alone and if others have endured, so can we.

Life will present many twists and turns, some pleasant and others not so pleasant, but as Winston Churchill is credited with saying, “Never, never, never give up.”

“One of the secrets of life is that all that is really worth the doing is what we do for others.” Lewis Carroll

Interesting how the thought today follows on the post earlier this week about cultivating love in our life and leadership.

What we do for others is where leadership develops and shines. The approach to life in determining what is in the best interest of someone else must drive our leadership.

Mr. Carroll summarizes this idea as one of the secrets of life, implying that success in life is the natural result for those who practice it.

Biblically, this idea is a common thread throughout many of the individual books written to God’s people.

Reading the book of Philippians quickly reveals the need to have the same mind in us that was in Christ. This mind, or attitude, involves a humble spirit that seeks to do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but to regard others as more important than self.

This is the heart of leadership and the future of the church in this world.