Tag: Bible

Strength in Numbers

A friend of mine once asked me the one lesson I had learned in my study of the Bible. He then said, “Always remember, you can’t make it on your own.”

The lesson I learned that day left a lasting impact on my life and ministry.

Solomon argues, “Two are better than one…A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).

There is strength in numbers.

Satan, our adversary, wants us alone because he knows we are more vulnerable.

Leaders need to work together to encourage one another, grow to maturity, and defeat the enemy.

The strength leaders gain from being together lays a foundation for future leaders.

Extraordinary Leadership

As Moses approached the burning bush he was told to remove his sandals because he was standing on holy ground. An ordinary bush became extraordinary because of God’s divine activity. His presence made this ground sacred.

God does the same throughout the Bible, even today. His presence takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary with divine activity.

Twelve men: fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, and others who were ordinary people, yet with God working through them, all became extraordinary.

We need to recognize how God works through the events and people in our lives to take something ordinary and make it extraordinary.

God’s Design

Why is it important to study, promote, consider, and develop areas of leadership?

After attending a Bible class focused on marriage, I began to think about the emphasis on God’s design for marriage. I was intrigued with how often we want someone to tell us how to “fix” the problem.

Rarely do we go back to God’s design. As a result, we continue to struggle with the same problems and issues that have plagued the home for millennia. Successful marriages recognize and follow God’s design. It is that simple!

What about leadership? Could it really be that simple? Yes! The answer begins with God’s design.

What If…Part 2

Yesterday, I posed this question: What would we do if we knew we could not fail?

The challenge is to see a much bigger picture. Consider the following: If we could not fail…

Would we talk to the neighbor across the street?

Set greater goals for reaching the lost in our city, state, or country?

Approach world missions with loftier efforts?

I ask this because we can’t fail! The Bible reminds us that not one of God’s good promises ever failed.

He is with us and for us, and “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31). Why are we waiting?

Why Leadership…Part 1

Why should anyone study leadership?

God: When we read the Bible, we find that God always placed individuals in positions of leadership for His people. God intends His people to be led. The same is true today.

Home:
The obvious breakdown of the home in our world introduces an urgency for leadership. Children deserve fathers and mothers who know how to lead as it is outlined in scripture. They need examples to follow. When leadership in the home breaks down, everything in society eventually follows.

These two areas provide a beginning point for our consideration as we dig more deeply into a study of leadership.

Does It Count?

Alfred Einstein said, “Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.”

First, not everything that counts can be counted. Leadership often deals with the bottom-line mentality. I realize what we measure is important, but the value of influence and character, cannot be measured. The significance is life changing.

Second, not everything that can be counted counts. We may have multiplied thousands of dollars sitting in a number of investments, but what is it really worth? We may spend countless hours reading the Bible, but do we make proper application?

Our leadership may not always be measured, but it should count for something.

Measuring Success

Various cultures around the world view or define success differently than other cultures. Oddly enough, even within the same culture, success is often defined differently.

Exploring the way God defines success is a bit more challenging, yet far more important to consider.

The most common factor defining success is quantitative. An increase by a specific number determines the measure of success achieved.

If we examine the Bible, we will find that the success is measured by those who followed the word of the Lord.

When it comes to defining success, as God defines it, a good place to start is 1 Samuel 15:22-23.

Moses

God claimed Moses to be the meekest man on earth.

Recognizing his willingness to follow the advice of Jethro, preserving his mental and physical faculties, we find a great Bible leader.

However, Moses is an example of a great Bible leader because he started like most of us, denying God’s power to use him to lead His people. When Moses finally submitted himself to God’s authority and direction, we find Moses becoming what God needed.

He had flaws, required patience, and he had to learned that God must be treated as holy.

The lesson to learn is how God can use us with our flaws and imperfections.

Spiritual Growth

How can we measure spiritual growth? The most common answer is an increase in Bible knowledge. This is why we are pushed to spend more time studying our Bibles.

Without a doubt, we need to grow in our knowledge of God’s word. However, knowledge of God’s word alone does not equate to spiritual growth, and we all know it’s true.

Measuring or determining spiritual growth / health, occurs on the battle field of application.

Leaders must find ways that bridge the gap from the first century writing of God’s word into the twenty-first century life. The task is not easy.

Where to Turn

Everything learned about leadership simply indicates there is more to learn. The amount of information readily accessible is overwhelming.

There is no end to the books, articles, blog posts, and classes available on the subject.

Where will leaders find the help to grow in their leadership?

Turn to God. The best leadership book available is the Bible.

Turn to other godly leaders. Seek the help of others and learn at their feet.

Turn inward for reflection. Reflect on how God continues to work throughout the journey.

These do not exhaust the possibilities, but they do provide benefit from each learning moment.