Tag: Christians

Scheduled Events

We have various ways to remind us of events we don’t want to miss, from sticky notes to Google calendar.

Spiritually, there are events we should not miss.

Where does our gathering with Christians rank in our priorities?
Where does time in prayer and study rank?
Where do family devotionals fit?

These events are matters of choice, and we either make them a priority or not.

There is an event scheduled we will all attend, a Lord appointed a day.

We should make preparing for it a priority. As Christians, we should eagerly anticipate it. This is a day we do not want to miss!

Finishing Well

Challenges are often overwhelming. The various challenges leaders face often distract and/or discourage. During these times, it is important to ask, “Will we finish well?”

Finishing well requires a few steps.

Determine the priorities. Discouragement leads to quitting. Leaders cannot allow this to happen. Know what is worth dying for and give yourself to it.

Work hard. The secret to success for anyone in leadership is a simple, but powerful truth. They work hard.

Keep your eye on the goal.
Challenges bring distractions. Peter encouraged Christians facing persecution to keep their focus.

How well we finish is just as important as how we begin.

Anticipation

The anticipation of an event makes it special.

This idea was expressed by Paul for us as Christians. Several times in his letters to the church, Paul used the phrase, “eagerly anticipating.” Christians eagerly anticipate dwelling in God’s presence eternally.

Our spiritual leadership is built on the foundation of helping others anticipate this same event.

Imagine the moment we first see our God and Savior. Consider the sound of His voice. Think about how incredible it will be when we realize we are there.

I cannot wait! Can you?

Our anticipation is what will make the event so special. It is worth sharing with others.

Hope

For Christians, hope speaks of a desire that includes expectation. When considering the promises of God, Christians know there is fulfillment.

Spiritual leadership is about hope. Our leadership must be characterized by a strong desire with expectation.

Listening, confident, learning, and conscientious leaders provide hope.

The very idea of “spiritual” leadership should exemplify the hope Christ came to provide all who would follow.

Time

The most valuable commodity we have is time. The greatest gift we can give is our time. Leading people requires time. We all have the same amount. How we use it determines the difference we make as leaders.

Solomon said there is a time for everything.

From birth to death, Jesus was on God’s time. Paul wrote “in the fullness of time God sent forth His Son.” Approaching the final days of His life, Jesus prayed, “Father, the hour has come.”

Paul instructs Christians to use their time wisely because the days are evil.

In this crazy, busy, scheduled life we live, how are we using our time?

Improving Others

Improving others is one of the greatest keys to successful leadership.

Jim Rohn said, “A good objective of leadership is to help those who are doing poorly to do well and to help those who are doing well to do even better.”

The quality identified in this act is simple. We are talking about genuine love.

When leaders care for and demonstrate love for others they will always work to serve, placing the needs and desires of the other person above their own.

This attitude was beautifully exemplified in the life of Jesus and, as Christians, we have a responsibility to help the world to see Him in us.

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.

A Movement

What is a movement?

First, movements are made up of individuals and independent groupings that come together to achieve a common goal.

Second, what holds these individuals and independent groupings together are personal, structural and ideological ties.

Third, committed individuals at all levels use existing, significant social relationships to recruit others.

Fourth, members of a movement have had an identity-transforming experience that brings about a lifestyle change.

Fifth, overall unity in such a diverse collection of people requires a common ideology.

Sixth, opposition is part of the glue that holds this diverse collection together.

Consider how these thoughts bind us together as Christians and how it can change the world.

Visionary Leadership

A visionary leads with the future in mind. From a spiritual perspective, nothing is more important than what the eternal future holds for Christians.

More pragmatically, leaders must consider what the future of their leadership looks like.

Will the future hold growth and development for the church?

Will the future be a place where vision points to a stronger leadership?

Will the future exist because of our visionary ability?

The future of leadership must be built on prayer, and leaders should prepare for the future with God’s word as a guide.

Tomorrow’s leaders must be encouraged today in order to be ready.

A Godly Image

We live in a society that thrives on image. There is great concern for the appearance of things, how others see us.

Sadly, many people render service only to an earthly image. The concern is limited to doing the least possible rather than excelling beyond what is required.

The beauty of godly leaders is demonstrated when they constantly strive to please the Lord.

People always watch: our families, people at work and our neighborhood, as well as fellow Christians. They all watch.

When we consider our conduct before others, is it because we want to please those who are watching or is our motive to please God?