Why are people apprehensive to change?
1) Fear of loss (something valuable from the past).
2) Fear of the unknown.
3) Fear of uncertainty.
4) Fear of losing control.
However, the nature of change brings several positive qualities.
Becoming more Christ-like requires change.
Change creates firsts we have never experienced which bring enjoyment and satisfaction.
Additionally, change brings an air of excitement and enthusiasm.
Decisions are a daily part of life. Sometimes decisions are quick and easy to make. At other times, they are difficult and require a great deal more thought.
Many decisions have little consequence, while others carry great consequence.
There is one decision that is extremely consequential, the decision to follow Christ. This one decision should be the foundation for all other decisions.
When thinking through a decision, take a moment to determine how that decision will influence others and if it fits within our responsibility as a leader for Christ.
What would you do if you knew today was your last day on earth? Spend time with family? Express your love for someone?
Would you give away your possessions to someone less fortunate?
Would you settle a disagreement with an estranged friend?
Would you help someone reach their potential?
From a Christian perspective, the value of one day makes leadership much more vital. Nothing would be more important than making sure others knew about Jesus.
The reality is neither you or I are guaranteed tomorrow. Today may be our last day. Make this day valuable and seek a way to lead someone to Christ.
Paul emphasized that slaves are to render obedience to their masters with sincerity, as though they were serving Christ, not by way of eye service, simply to please an earthly master.
We live in a society that thrives on image. We have a great concern for appearance, because of how we think others see us.
Godly leaders seek to please the Lord. To the church at Corinth, Paul expressed that pleasing the Lord should be our ambition.
Our family, people at work, neighbors, and fellow Christians are all watching. When we consider our conduct, is it because we want to please those who watch or is our motive to please God?
From the Turner family
and the Sunset Academy of Leadership Training
Happy Thanksgiving
May God abundantly supply your every need and provide you
every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus.
While we often hear that love makes the world go round, I appreciate a saying by Franklin P. Jones, “Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.”
Love is the perfect bond of unity.
Love is the greatest among faith, hope and love.
Loving your neighbor as yourself fulfills the royal law.
Perfect love casts out fear.
Love covers a multitude of sins.
Above all, love is demonstrated toward God, then family, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, and even our enemies.
When love is the foundation, formation, and finishing of our words and actions, godly leadership is exemplified.
We are a few months away from the end of 2020, and I am sure many are ready to reboot.
How has the pandemic impacted our goals? How will we structure goals for 2021?
If we have procrastinated the need to set goals, we need to rethink our direction. 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.
Let us use the time God has given us wisely and not waste this opportunity to prepare.
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.”
We are challenged to remain positive and optimistic in a world filled with the kind of hatred that fosters negativity and pessimism.
Dark moments will come, but biblical leaders understand the hope in Christ that endures despair.
The victory Jesus achieved must keep us focused and moving forward.
Our eyes and ears are the portals to the mind. While all the senses play a part, these two are primary. Sadly, we often fail to realize the influence of what we see and hear.
Paul specified key areas in Philippians 4:8. Consider the imperative need for our minds to “dwell on these things.”
We must be proactive in the way we approach certain influences, whether movies, friends, or activities. Is our leadership influence worth filling our minds with negativity, filth, and horror for a little entertainment?
We are in the world, but not of the world. We must influence the world for Christ.
The basic understanding of leadership involves moving someone from point A to point B.
Jim Rohn said, “If someone is going down the wrong road, he doesn’t need motivation to speed him up. What he needs is education to turn him around.”
A biblical leader helps those who are outside of Christ (point A) turn from a self-directed life to obediently follow the Savior (point B). A key element to this prescriptive help is teaching.
The need is urgent and relevant to every soul we encounter daily.
Precious souls need encouragement to pursue the right course, a course to find eternal hope.