“Please continue to give your brethren the opportunity to share in relieving the concerns experienced by your family, as well as by others near and dear.” Bob Prater

Brother Prater serves in the mission field of Germany and has helped in other areas of Extension Training.

During a time when I was asking for others to be praying about a special need within our family, brother Prater sent me the statement above.

I was reminded of how important it is to live the Christian life as a community, a family. When we take opportunity to share the concerns we experience within our physical families, it helps strengthen us as a spiritual family and builds greater relationships with one another.

Regardless of where we live on this earth, we have a common bond because of Jesus and it binds us together. Let us help relieve the burdens and concerns we experience with each other and build a greater family for the Lord.

I am thankful for Bob Prater and the multitude of others who have relieved my concerns in lifting their hearts in prayer before our God.

One of the essentials to leadership is vision. Each year I require students to do an assignment where they interview a political, educational, cooperate and religious leader. One of the questions they ask involves the most important quality to the organization; core values, mission, or vision.

I am always fascinated as to which leaders claim vision to be the most important and to read their explanation.

In the construction industry, leaders who examine blueprints must have an ability to see the finished product in their mind. Only when they can see it in their mind can they follow the blueprint accurately.

Spiritual leaders must have the same ability. To help Christians reach the goals set before them, leaders must see what it looks like in their mind.

Casting this kind of vision before others will help them stay focused and energized for the journey.

Mistakes are easily made in the construction phases when there is no vision. As Solomon wrote, “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained” (Pro. 29:18).

What comes to mind when we think of nutritional? If you are like me…food. There is no secret, I love to eat. I have often been characterized as one who lives to eat, rather than eating to live.

I have read a great deal of material over the years about health, healthy food, and exercise. It seems that the value of our physical exercise is directly related to the nutritional value of the food we eat. Go figure, right?

However, I have found a wonderful connection to leadership in all I have read and studied.

The healthier the food, the healthier the body. The same is going to be true in leadership. The healthier the leadership, the healthier the followers.

It is easier to talk about than do. Wow! The connection to leadership is exactly the same. I have learned that talking about leading is easier than leading.

Good nutrition extends the quality of life. This seems only natural. Leaders who are feeding followers a nutritious spiritual diet extend the quality of both leader and follower.

We can be sure there are benefits of a nutritional leader from both sides.

Control is the power to influence and direct people’s behavior or the course of events. We think of control in a number of areas.

We claim that someone needs to take control. We talk about people as controlling. We teach about self-control. We even discuss the need to be in control.

What does all this mean and why is it important for spiritual leadership?

Quite simply, leaders exercise the power of influence to direct people’s behavior or course of events.

When situations get out of hand, leaders must take control.

We understand that spiritual leadership must not be controlling.

Leader should be the epitome of self-control.

Above all, leaders should be those we can look to when someone needs to be in control.

When leaders know how to use their power of influence in a Biblical and godly way, people’s behavior and the course of events can be shaped in ways to change eternity.

We should all understand the value of control at the right time and in the right place. Think Souls!

We have already laid the foundation for the way Satan works to rob Christians of their faith through materialism. Satan is crafty and knows his craft well.

Scripture warns us “do not love the world, or the things of the world” (1 Jn. 2:15).

We are told “set your mind on things above, not on things of this earth” (Col. 3:2).

We know what the Bible teaches, but how can leaders prevent Satan’s materialistic attacks?

1) Set a better example. We cannot preach about materialism and succumb to the temptation in the houses we live in, types of cars we drive, vacations we take, clothes we wear, food we eat, etc.

2) We must not justify our failures. It is easy to justify our actions and condemn others. We need to acknowledge our mistakes and make correction.

3) Evaluate our priorities. How do we feel about lending our “stuff” to others? An honest answer to this question will reveal much about the hold of materialism in our life.

If we will begin here, an accurate self-assessment will help us rise up to guard others.

“A ship is safe in the harbor but that is not what it was designed to do.” Unknown

There is one question that stood out to me when I first read this quote: What is our leadership designed to do?

We are masters at remaining safe. We long to avoid the challenges, controversies, and confrontations that often accompany leadership.

I am not an advocate of seeking out any of these three, but they are going to be part of our leadership.

The answer to our question is simple. We were designed to lead. Too often I hear of situations where men are qualified to lead, but unwilling to step up and take the responsibility. Why? Because they feel safe in their harbor.

The Lord’s church needs men who are willing to step up no matter how difficult the challenge, controversy or confrontation.

One day we will stand before God and we do not want our ship still safely in the harbor. Our leadership was never designed for such. Rise up men of God and lead!

Our God has called us to the greatest task on earth.

A blueprint provides the exact details for building any structure. The greater the detail, the better the opportunity for a long lasting structure. The same is true in leaders.

Last week we talked about the necessity of the foundation being right. Today, we need to focus on the idea of following the blueprint.

This may not sound like much of a point, but think about the situation for a minute.

If someone is going to be a leader, they must be a good follower. Jesus exemplified this principle, as did the apostles, and many others have today.

If we are unable to follow the details of the blueprint, then will our leadership be successful?

Jesus called people to follow Him before sending them into the world to lead others to Him.

When someone decides they know a “better” way than following the plan of our Lord, problems are on the horizon.

The better we are at following the blueprint our Lord has provided for our leadership, the greater our success will be in the kingdom. Take the time to listen, learn and lead.

As you may know, I travel quite a bit. If I am not traveling overseas, I am domestically. Traveling has its ups and downs, good and bad.

I find a number of applications for leadership during the times I travel. For example:

There is always someone new to meet. I find it fascinating getting to know a variety of people around the world. It is a good indicator that the people we are leading are going to have a variety of personalities.

Patience is needed for every trip. There are times I would love to experience the Star Trek transporter and just be there. However, look at the great lesson I would miss that is most needed to help me develop as a leader.

I have opportunity to think. A number of issues challenge us everyday of life. Some of those issues can be resolved quickly without much thought, but I treasure the times when I travel because I have time to think about the more difficult issues.

These are only three that stand out. Take a trip and see if the lessons help your leadership.

To endure carries a depth of meaning on several levels. To endure also has a great deal of meaning from a Biblical standpoint. Not only are we commanded to endure, God also encourages us with the benefits that come eternally to those who endure.

From a leadership perspective, enduring can be very challenging to endure. To endure literally involves bearing up under the load. It goes far deeper than being patient.

While we are to be patient in all things, endurance takes us to a level that challenges our ability to hold on, and hold on longer than we can imagine. Endurance is more than a sprint, it is the marathon.

A couple of thoughts might help us endure when the road presents these challenges.

One, remember the adage; “if God brings us to it, He will see us through it.”

Two, God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear (1 Co. 10:13).

Three, we must not forget, no matter how difficult, it is only temporary.

With some perspective, we can endure knowing our God is in control.

Satan’s attacks are destroying the faith of many. How to face this situation and overcome has plagued the minds of leaders for centuries.

As we have mentioned, the most prevalent way to meet Satan head on is by knowing how he attacks. Here is where leaders must rise up and guard the faith of Christians.

One specific area Satan has used to destroy the faith of Christians is materialism. I have seen the affects of materialism in my own life and in others.

The struggle is not one that exists only in the United States. I have seen this issue in every country I have visited around the world.

The desire to have the “things” of this world is epidemic. Sadly, it creates other sinful attitudes and issues.

We can easily develop envy, jealousy, greed and idolatry.

I wish there was one piece of advice that would provide the answer, but there is not. Leaders must set an example and seek ways to assist others who are struggling.

Perhaps the first step would be to spend time seeking God’s help. More to come next week…