How would we describe our level of dedication?

In several areas of life, even leadership, when difficulties arise, change, distractions, interruptions, or a failure to measure up to our expectations, our culture looks for bail.

Consider the difference that could be made if we honored our commitments.

Imagine the lives we could change with dedicated hearts.

There is much to be said for men and women who build on a foundation defined by the two words…until death! Marriage takes dedication.

Leadership is the same.

The leadership of Joseph provides powerful spiritual lessons.

Joseph endured adverse circumstances, rejection, slavery, temptation, false accusations, wrongful imprisonment, and he was forgotten.

However, we also learn significant lessons about his leadership.

No matter what happened, God was always with him.
God always worked in his life for a greater purpose.
Faithfulness exalted him and the nation.

These lessons apply today. If we know that God is with us, He works in our lives for a greater purpose, and faithfulness results in exaltation, then our leadership is rooted in the right foundation.

Enoch is not a great Biblical leader because of the number of people who followed him. Truly, no followers are mentioned.

Enoch is a great Biblical leader because he “walked with God.”

Great leaders are characterized by such a walk. Our eulogies should simply read, “(your name) walked with God.”

Enoch’s walk with God was identified by his faithfulness.

Examining the text of Genesis 5 and Hebrews 11, we learn that a walk of faithfulness pleases God. When we trust completely in the promises of God enough to do what He says, even if it means suffering, we walk with Him.

Moses was a great Biblical leader. He possessed many qualities we see in other leaders. However, consider these areas.

He started like most of us: He questioned himself and God’s power to use him to lead His people. Not until Moses submitted to God do we find him becoming the leader God needed.

He had flaws: Moses needed patience, and he needed to treat God as holy.

The objective is to learn how God can use us with our flaws and imperfections. If we submit to God, He will make us into the spiritual leaders He needs.

When we look at biblical leaders, several come to mind. What about Noah stands out that classifies him as a leader?

Character: “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.”

Ability to follow: Genesis emphasizes that Noah did all the Lord commanded. Noah followed God.

Fortitude: Noah was a preacher of righteousness. His tenure was 120 years during the building of the ark. Leaders must stand on what is right, even if they must stand alone.

More could be said, but these three areas show Noah to be an example of a great Biblical leader.

To improve is to make someone or something better.

Athletes practice daily to improve their skills. Professionally, people take continuing education classes to improve their abilities. Religiously, we renew ourselves daily because it improves our ability to fulfill God’s will in our lives.

As leaders, we improve ourselves by improving others.

We improve others when we:

…share the hope found in Christ,
…point to the reward of heaven, and
…teach application in word and action.

Everyone needs to improve. The challenge is learning that the greatest way to improve ourselves is by improving the life of others. Think Souls!

It goes without saying that leaders must make sound and timely decisions. There are two key elements we need to develop with this thought.

The first is the idea of sound decisions. From a spiritual leadership perspective, the soundness of one’s decisions is based on a biblical compass.

The second involves the word timely. An impatient, or even impetuous, approach to decision-making can create more difficulty in our leadership. Learning God’s timing helps us greatly.

We build credibility when decisions are made on this basis.

When we examine our day to day activities we need to ask, “How well do we lead ourselves?”

Thomas J. Watson Sr. said, “Nothing so conclusively proves a man’s ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself.”

Have we established specific plans for the year ahead?
Are we disciplined enough to finish each day, and finish strong?

We all influence others. We are leaders.

Now is the time to understand the power of our influence to lead others, but begin with the proper application of leading self.

Why are people resistant to change? Perhaps they are comfortable with the status quo or fear drifting from the truth.

Obviously, not all change is good, but not all change is bad either.

The challenge we often face is change in areas that address “how we’ve always done it.”

Our methods (NOT THE MESSAGE) may need to change. This is not about change just to do things differently. But, if change increases interest and involvement, and does not violate God’s word, then why would we resist?

It may just be good food for thought.

We have all heard someone say, or perhaps said ourselves, “Just a second.” Usually, we use this phrase when we are busy and someone else (generally our children) want our attention.

The value of time is priceless.

For adults, all we know and comprehend is time. The value we place on it is generally based on what we can earn in a space of time.

However, a time is coming when time will no longer exist. We need to understand that how we use our time now determines our eternity.

Make the most of time…Think Souls!