Tag: Christ

Compassionate

Compassion is best described as a feeling of sympathy aroused by the distress of others with a desire to get involved and help. It is easy to see how Jesus would be described this way.

The tougher an environment becomes, the more our need for compassion increases. During the challenges of life, the awareness of leadership to the needs of others becomes evident.

Leadership senses must be engaged, observant to the surroundings.

Their hearts must be touched with the situation of others.

The hands of a compassionate leader must act to help.

Compassion is one of the unique qualities spiritual leaders must possess to be like Christ.

Looking Back

Rarely do we examine our time and influence in leadership. When you look back on 2024 consider a few questions.

Were you a good steward of your time in leadership?

Are the lives of others better because of your influence and example?

How many souls did you reach for Christ?

Are you accomplishing your goals for the year?

What changes would you make to improve your leadership?

These are a few of many we should ask as enter the final quarter of the year.

Look back and consider how you will set the stage for next year. Ask a few questions and make the needed adjustments.

A Kind Word

In the harshness of our present world, the power behind a kind word strengths the nature of leadership.

Speaking with kindness benefits every level of a leader’s influence. When a word is spoken with kindness several results occur.

The desire to achieve kindness benefits others.
The value or worth of the individual is raised to a level of importance.
The fruit of the Spirit develops into a more Christlike quality.
The goal of unity among brethren is exemplified.
The example of Christ’s sacrifice is characterized by our sacrifice.
The outreach to a world of non-Christians is built upon a foundation of love.

Ultimately, God is glorified.

Decision-Making

Each day is filled with decision-making. Sometimes decisions are quick and easy to make. Other times they are difficult and require a great deal more thought.

We would understand that many decisions have little consequence: what to eat for breakfast, what clothes to wear, etc.

Other decisions, however, carry great consequence: the choice of a spouse, where we live, our occupation, raising children, etc.

There is one decision that is extremely consequential and that is the decision to follow Christ. This one decision should be the foundation for all decisions.

Determine how your decisions will influence others and if it will lead them to Christ.

Qualities of Leading

The Bible provides a list of qualities for men who would serve in the role of a shepherd.

These qualities are in place to provide the necessary shepherding to keep the church pure and healthy.

While all Christians should strive for the applicable qualities, one does not have to possess all these qualities in order to be qualified to lead others.

Remember, leadership is about influence. We are striving to influence others for the cause of Christ. As a Christian, leading others is built on the blood of our Savior.

The stronger our faith becomes, the more our confidence grows, and the greater our influence becomes.

Relational Leadership

The Gospel of Matthew wants us to pay attention and observe. The genealogical record, activity of angels, fulfillment of prophecy, and the involvement of dreams are all significant to the claim of Jesus as the Christ.

Several terms used to describe the work of Jesus as the Christ include: shepherd, ruler, king, light, and healer.

Another is built upon the name, Immanuel––God with us. The true nature of relationships involves being present.

If God left the glory of heaven to be with us––to shepherd, rule, provide light and heal––then we should also recognize that leading others necessitates our being present in all our relationships.

Using Our Time Well

The year is almost half over. How are you doing with your goals?

Our goals must be important and, at times, urgent?

If we have been procrastinating the necessary actions to accomplish our goals, we have no time to waste.

If we are waiting to decide what is most important, we have no time to waste.

With so much to do, people to lead to Christ, Christians to strengthen in faithfulness and personal growth, time is of the essence. No commodity is more valuable than our time.

Let us use the time God has given us wisely and never be known for wasting it.

Optimism

There are many challenges to remaining positive and optimistic in a world filled with the kind of hatred that fosters negativity and pessimism.

Nelson Mandela said, “I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.”

Dark moments will come, but biblical leaders understand the hope in Christ that endures despair.

We must not give up.

Eyes and Ears of a Leader

Two portals to our minds are our eyes and ears. We often fail to recognize the influence of what we see and hear on our thinking.

The type of language in movies or television shows, pornographic nature of advertisements or programs, jokes, and the locations we visit are a few ways we are influenced through the eyes and ears.

We must be proactive in the way we approach what influences us.

Is our leadership influence worth having our minds filled with negativity, filth, immorality, and horror for a little entertainment?

We are to influence the world for Christ, not to be influenced by the world.

Suffering and Glory

We know Jesus suffered while on earth: the persecution He endured, despising the shame, and the ultimate sacrifice at the cross.

John describes the glory of Jesus in the Revelation, and of all the terms that could have been used––sovereign Lord, Prince of peace, Mighty God, Creator, or Christ––John chose “Lamb.” Why use Lamb? Because He was the sacrifice made for the world. Suffering cannot be separated from the glory.

Paul reminds us that the sufferings of this present life are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us, but suffering comes first.