Tag: Faith

The Loneliness of Leading

One of the most frightening places to be is alone. The thought of dealing with stress, challenges, and trials alone is less than appealing.

Elijah stood on Mount Carmel in the power and glory of God, yet in the next chapter flees in fear at the threat of a wicked queen. While talking to God, he expresses the depression of being alone. Elijah needed to know God was there all along.

With the pressures in leadership, the weight of family responsibility (physical and spiritual), and the struggles that challenge our faith, we can begin to feel alone.

We need a gentle reminder, “You are not in this alone.”

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
May God fill you with faith, hope, love,
and abundant blessings.

Faith-based Leadership

An old Chinese proverb claims that “limitations are the boundaries we place in our minds.” What do we consider to be possible or impossible?

While we claim that all things are possible with God, do we really believe it?

We say we have faith, then turn around and place limitations on what we hope to accomplish because it has not been done before. Do we really believe?

Since God is our strength and He made us fellow-workers in His kingdom, we need to stop thinking in the realm of impossibility. Maybe if we moved out of the way, God would do some incredible things.

Leading with Constancy

Have you ever heard the phrase “constancy of purpose?” Constancy involves dependability or faithfulness. There are strong implications in leadership. Once leaders understand their purpose, constancy is demonstrated in four areas.

1) Faith: We need to know and trust that our God is able and He will be there each step of the way.

2) Focus: Without focus, Satan is masterful at distractions, which take our eyes off God’s purpose.

3) Fortitude: We need fortitude to stand firm when distractions and challenges arise.

4) Follow-through: Once we commit ourselves, constancy will follow-through with the plans.

Constancy helps leaders accomplish more for the Lord’s kingdom.

Leading By Example

Leaders are characterized by their example, and we all set an example by our words and actions.

Paul identified five areas where Timothy was to provide an example as someone who believed: speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity (1 Tim. 4:12).

As parents, children, siblings, employees, and in all other relationships we might consider, our lives should reflect the example set by our Lord.

Notice the results of a good example: 1) we please the Lord, 2) we ensure salvation for ourselves and those who hear us, 3) others know the direction to follow, and 4) our relationships grow stronger.

Biblical Resolution…Part 2

Paul’s letter to Philemon regarding the runaway slave, Onesimus, is another great text on resolving conflict. Paul makes several appeals, and each hold significance.

First, he appeals to Philemon’s character, faith, love for the church, and dedication to the Lord.

Second, he appeals for the sake of his self-sacrificing love.

Third, he appeals to the value and worth of Onesimus, not as a slave, but a brother in Christ.

Fourth, he appeals to his own confidence in Philemon to go beyond what Paul asks.

Our conflict with others could be resolved more quickly if we spent a little time making an appeal based on these four areas.

Improving Our Leadership

Leaders must continually strive to improve. Although the author is unknown, the following thought is powerful, “The day you stop getting better is the day you better quit.”

We point to this idea frequently, but it cannot be overstated. We all need to constantly work at improvement.

Leading in the home requires more attention to provide the right foundation.

Leading at work provides direction for the success of the organization.

Leading in the church is essential to uphold truth, save souls, strengthen faith, and sustain generational leadership.

We must pursue, with fervor, the improvement of who we are and what we do as leaders.

Faith-Led Leaders

Paul references the faith, a standard of truth upon which someone believes and adheres to in life, (Galatians 1:23).

Hebrews 11:1 teaches us about a personal faith, such as one’s convictions.

Paul also writes, “We walk by faith, not by sight,” (2 Co. 5:7).

We might think we live our life on the basis of personal convictions, yet Paul’s expression involves a body or standard of truth, i.e. “we walk by the faith…”

As a result, life is directed by something objective, not subjective to our feelings.

From this perspective, faith changes the nature of how we live and lead others.

Risky Leadership

Leadership involves risks. The risks will often be great and challenging, but we cannot avoid them.

Not everyone is going to agree with the decisions made by leaders, regardless of the risk. Trying to please everyone is impossible.

Not making a decision may lead to greater risk.

The risk factor is primarily limited by the size of our faith.

The risks become minimal when we believe that our God is great and that He is involved every step of the way.
With God, the risks are worth taking.

Applied Leadership

What is the significance of the word – apply?

Biblically, it’s about acting, doing, or making something happen. Jesus claimed that wisdom is based both on hearing His words and applying them (Mt. 7:24-27). James warns of being self-deluded if we hear without application (Jas. 1:21).

What good does it accomplish to hear something that will improve our walk with God, help us mature in faith, or strengthen our relationships with others but do nothing?

Leadership requires us to provide an example of application if we ever hope to lead others.