The past few years for me have highlighted a greater study of key words in the Bible. A recent article emphasized “king” and “Lord” as key words from 1 Samuel.

Based on these two words, the thought of Samuel provides a key to understanding spiritual leadership.

Israel wanted a king. They failed to recognize in their request, they were rejecting the Lord as their king. A valuable lesson should be learned.

To lead as God desires, the Lord must reign as King.

Spiritual leaders submit to His authority in making decisions.
Spiritual leaders point others to the Lord as King.
Spiritual leaders seek God’s approval rather than approval of man.
Spiritual leaders willingly sacrifice for the good of others.
Spiritual leaders know the higher cause of leadership.

Men trusting in men will ultimately lead to destruction. The Lord’s supremacy is the basis for true spiritual leadership.

What key words would describe our spiritual leadership? Are we seeking our own lordship or does the Lord have His proper place?

One has to do with information and the other a description. However, both represent something of little value.

Sadly, it is not uncommon for people to build their life’s existence on following one or the other.

What value do we place on our material possessions?
How do we spend our recreational time?
What would we miss most if it were lost, destroyed, or taken away?

Our direction in life should involve moving from the lesser to the greater. Spiritual leadership must be concerned with leading from the temporary (trivial) to the eternal.

Ultimately, there is no value in the physical realm. God alone provides true value. When we find and understand the value of the spiritual realm, life will no longer be trivial, but useful.

This is the great lesson from the book of Ecclesiastes. I pray our leadership will place value where it is most needed.

A recent lesson on being unique stirred my thinking about leadership. A number of individuals in scripture stand out as unique. One of my favorites is Ehud. Ehud delivered Israel from the nation of Moab. He is specifically noted as the only left-handed judge. This uniqueness was key to his role in putting Eglon, king of Moab, to death.

Biologically, a study of the fingerprint shows how clearly unique each individual is as a part of God’s creation. The fingerprint is only one evidence, among many, of an all powerful, wise, and unique God.

The idea of being unique deserves consideration in leadership. What makes our leadership unique or is it unique? Is there a unique characteristic, ability, or approach?

The marketing world strives to present various products as unique. Such an approach demonstrates the desire on the part of people, in general, to possess something unique.

In spiritual leadership, we have something unique to offer, incomparable to anything offered by the world.  Spiritual leaders today must think souls. Extend an offer both unique and eternal. Read 1 Peter 1:4 and rethink this idea of unique leadership.

What makes a great leader? Achievement? Financial independence? Educational degrees? Business accolades?

It might be interesting to look through God’s eyes in contrast to the eyes of the world.

The description of true greatness given by our Lord is one of a servant. A great leader is a servant. Consider the mindset of a servant leader.

A servant leader desires the benefit of others above self.
A servant leader focuses on the goal of the whole, not a select few.
A servant leader leads with passion and compassion.
A servant leader gives more than they take.
A servant leader sacrifices willingly and lovingly.
A servant leader understands the importance of a good example.
A servant leader focuses on every person they meet.
A servant leader values every second of every minute.
A servant leader follows the Greatest Leader who was a servant of all!

My prayer this day is for all of us to become a great leader in the eyes of God. The rest will take care of itself.

Media coverage quickly reveals the abuse of power often seen in high profile political officials. Abuse ranges from issues of morality to ethics. It is not uncommon for people who are elected, raised up, or given a position of power to think they are above the law.

The very thought of power creates the temptation to use that power inappropriately.

God reveals the problem throughout the Old Testament with various kings in Israel. Saul, Jeroboam, Jezebel, Manasseh, and others demonstrated an example of abuse in their power.

It is tragic to learn of God’s men today succumbing to immorality or unethical business deals. In a moment of poor judgment a decision made abuses the power entrusted to them.

Consider the awesome God we serve.

Practice God’s presence… ALWAYS!

Remember the position was given by God’s providence.

Develop an open door policy.

Never say or do anything you would not say or do in your wife’s presence.

Pray… without ceasing.

If we give thought to a few areas, maybe we can begin to understand the proper use of the power entrusted to us by God.

On the Job Training – O.J.T. may or may not be familiar. The concept involves receiving the needed training for a job while on the job.

I am amazed how often people think leaders come from a selected few of the population. Sadly, few see themselves as leaders.

However, we are all leaders. We influence at least 4 people everyday. Knowing so should motivate us to learn how to lead properly.

Some take courses, or go to school to study leadership i.e. Dale Carnegie, Today’s TQ, etc. Others prefer to read books by leaders i.e. Colin Powell, John Maxwell, Stephen Covey, etc.

Whatever method is preferred, learning about leadership is O.J.T. We are constantly leading others.

Our leadership awareness is magnified when we think spiritually.

The relationships we develop, people we help, attitudes we demonstrate on the job, language we use, and integrity we demonstrate, will all be measured in terms of influence.

Others are watching you and me. We are going to lead. How will we lead? Are we willing to learn how to lead more powerfully?

Use every opportunity God gives to prepare and lead others to Him. Think Souls!

Incredible! Great! Fantastic! Spectacular! Amazing! Grueling! Abrasive! Controlling!

There is no end to adjectives in the English language. Basically, an adjective is a word, or phrase, naming an attribute to modify or describe a noun.

We live in a world where we generally communicate with the use of words. Interestingly, what we hear and read is often presented with an incredible, spectacular, and unbelievable multiplicity of adjectives.

It begs a question. What word, or phrase, would best modify or describe our leadership?

Are we scrambling for a word in the list above? Would we desire a word more Biblical in nature?

Godly! Spiritual! Righteous! Knowledgeable! Patient! Compassionate! Faithful!

It sure has a different ring, at least in my perspective. I hope it does for everyone.

Today, let us strive to lead others in a manner they will describe Biblically.

Like most teenagers, I could not wait to drive. Driving meant freedom, power / control, and looking cool.

I may date myself here, but I was taught the 10 and 2 method. If you know what I am talking about, it may date you also.

The idea involves placing the hands at the 10 and 2 o’clock position on the steering wheel.

Even though it made no sense, the older I became, the more I understood the value. Cool was no longer the concern, but safety. Therefore, keep both hands on the wheel.

It allows better control of the vehicle.

There is less danger than maneuvering with one hand, or by the fingertips.

Spiritual leadership operates on a similar principle. Keeping both hands on the wheel allows for control when control is needed.

Leadership can be difficult to navigate. There are curves where we need to slow down. Hills demand downshifting (also dating) where power is needed to climb. Conditions may be icy and cause treacherous steering. Also, bumps or potholes can quickly jolt the steering wheel out of our hands.

Leadership navigates through the obstacles. With both hands on the wheel the journey will be more secure.

Leadership has its challenges. However, the benefits outweigh the challenges.

I recently heard a powerful lesson on the life of Elijah. Elijah’s confrontation at Mt. Carmel and victory over idolatry was a mountain top experience.

Even though Elijah had to overcome discouragement, along with Jezebel’s threats, several lessons can be learned from Mt. Carmel.

1) Elijah was God’s man. Elijah lifted up God. It was the only way to turn people from idolatry.

2) Elijah was unrelenting about their choice. Israel could not remain neutral between Baal or God. Elijah demanded they choose.

3) Elijah knew God. Knowledge translates into confidence. His faith was answered incredibly.

4) Elijah understood the need to eradicate evil’s influence. Israel had to put these false prophets to death.

We must be men and women of God, holding to and lifting up His word.

We cannot yield to the thought of remaining neutral. We must choose!

It is vital we know God. Our faith and confidence are built on this foundation.

The task before us is to remove the influence of evil. The task will not be easy, but with God we win. Let us lead as such.

The days are long past when someone’s word and a handshake were binding. The lack of integrity, honesty, faithfulness, responsibility and accountability are major reasons.

Sadly, immorality, unethical practices, poor handling of Biblical text, greed, along with the list above, are also factors contributing to the problem among spiritual leaders.

Let me clarify. I am not stereotyping all leaders at a corporate, political, educational, or spiritual level. Our media crazed society has created a stereotypical mindset. As a result, it only takes a few in the minority to label and convict the majority.

I cannot overstate the need for us to be a people of our word. Jesus said; “let your statement be, ‘yes, yes,’ or ‘no, no;’ anything beyond these is of evil.” As a result, the greater answer seems obvious.

We must be a people of His Word!

We may never convince the business world of our credibility. However, the people we contact daily should recognize it. Our lives, our leadership, are different because we are men and women of His Word.

Read it to be wise, live by it to be faithful, and lead by it to change everything and everyone around us.