Category: Daily Leadership

Opportunity

An opportunity involves circumstances presenting possibility, either to be gained or lost. We cannot take advantage of opportunities if we are unable to see the possibilities.

Leadership involves the ability to see the possibilities and take advantage of the opportunities the moment they arise.

Consider two significant questions: 1) Do we really see the possibilities of reaching out to the souls around us? 2) Are we ready to take advantage of the opportunities God presents?

Unless we see the possibilities and are prepared to take advantage of the opportunities the urgency of sharing the message of Jesus fades to indifference.

Seek, Ask, and Knock.

I Can

Eliminating the word “can’t” from the vocabulary is vital to the development of strong leadership. We have all heard, “It can’t be done.”

Bo Bennett said, “Having a positive mental attitude is asking how something can be done rather than saying it can’t be done.”

The way we see our families, the church, the world, and even ourselves takes on a new perspective when we realize we can do it.

Instead of approaching it like Moses, “Who am I that I should go and deliver this people?” we need more like Isaiah, “Here am I, send me.”

Remember, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Choose to Grow

Some people become bitter at certain difficulties and may cause them to abandon their faith.

Of course, others face giants when it comes to trials in life and they choose to remain strong, and dedicated to their faith.

The difference is a choice. Wayne Dyer says, ”With everything that has happened to you, you can either feel sorry for yourself or treat what has happened as a gift. Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose.”

We can choose to feel sorry for ourselves or look at circumstances as an opportunity to grow. Choose to grow!

Precedent

A precedent occurs when a previous event or action becomes an example that is used to justify similar circumstances in the future.

Biblically, we find these practices with the religious leaders. The scribes and Pharisees were notorious for binding various practices. In and of themselves they were not wrong to follow, but they were not God’s law.

We need to be careful not to take a precedent of the past, use it to justify current practices, and then bind it as law on the church.

It may be a good practice, but not practicing it may be okay also. The difficulty arises when it is bound on others incorrectly.

Patient Leaders

Successful leadership does not consist of leading people the same way, because people are not the same.

Timber Hawkeye says, ”Flowers only bloom when they are ready. People are the same way. You cannot rush or force them open just because you think it’s time. Be patient.”

People learn and advance differently. Some advance quickly, while others learn more slowly. An effort to rush or force them when and where they are not ready only creates frustration for everyone.

While most everyone desires patience… right now, the ability to demonstrate patience in the development of others is a treasured quality for leaders.

Hope

Life has highs and lows. There are times we are on top of the mountain, and times when we walk through a valley.

As leaders, we are messengers of hope. People can endure almost anything if they know there is something better ahead. This is the power of hope.

We must help others recognize that our hope is not built on the promise of a better physical life, but something beyond this life and beyond compare.

Hope was the driving force for the early church, even in the face of death.

Better days are ahead, maybe not in this life, but God holds eternity.

Consistency

We’ve all heard “actions speak louder than words,” or “a picture paints a thousands words.” Then, there is the old classic, “I’d rather see a sermon as hear one any day.”

The ideas emphasize the need for consistency in life’s daily activities. People watch everything we do and listen to everything we say. Do they see inconsistencies?

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

At times, it’s hard to remember that neither our intentions or words determine who we are, but our actions. People judge our actions!

Success

Success relies on the help we receive from or the help we provide others.

Marianne Williamson claims that “success means we go to sleep at night knowing that our talents and abilities were used in a way that served others.”

From a leadership perspective, we find this in biblical application. Biblical success is directly related to our passion, i.e. understanding that passion involves sacrifice, and sacrifice is affiliated with what we give up. When we sacrifice for others, our leadership influence soars.

When our talents and abilities are used to serve others, leadership is at its best. How will you rest tonight?

Teach, Encourage, Admonish, Equip

Jesus taught, encouraged, admonished, and equipped twelve men to go and make disciples.

Think about how Jesus individualized each word.

Teach: People will only do what they are taught to do, and our teaching must include application. When provided, everyone learns how to fulfill the task.

Encourage:
Encouraging others motivates them to work harder than before. When criticism is tempered with encouragement, people change.

Admonish: Warning, advising, or even reprimanding others is needed to prevent harm. The attitude behind admonition determines the reception.

Equip: Providing tools to fulfill each task and responsibility are vital to the success of followers, especially as we prepare them to lead.

Suffering Leaders

Jesus suffered on numerous occasions at the hands of religious leaders who sought to eliminate this threat to their position and power.

The ultimate suffering, however, did not come at their hands, even though they instigated the procedure.

Jesus would encounter suffering beyond imagination, as He was beaten, ridiculed, mocked with a crown of thorns, spit upon, scourged, and nailed to a cross at the hands of Rome.

Suffering is not often seen as greatness, rather a stumbling block and foolishness. To those who are saved, however, it is the power of God.

The higher we go in leadership the greater the sacrifice we must make.