Tag: God

Passionate

Are we consumed with work because we find value in the job, or are we passionate because of the difference it makes in the lives of others?

Our value comes from God. We are created in His image and covered by the blood of His Son.

Value based in work becomes an insatiable task.

Spiritually, if we are passionate about leading others to a greater relationship with God, the perspective changes.

When we have an intense desire and enthusiasm for the work of the Lord, there is a sense of love and joy in fulfilling the true purpose of life.

Spiritual leadership is worth being passionate about and loving.

Think Big

Children know no limitations and, generally, no fear. Nothing seems too difficult or impossible.

Walt Disney once said, “If you can think it, you can do it.”

We should dream, believe, and plan what we want to accomplish. Jesus tells us nothing is impossible with God.

Paul reminds us that God has the power to do far beyond all we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.

Where might our leadership take us if we start on the foundation of these two thoughts?

Let us not limit God because we are convinced we cannot do it?

Think Big.

Trading Places

What would it be like to trade places with someone else? After all, others seem to have it so much better than we do.

The Psalmist questioned a similar thought when considering the prosperity of the wicked.

If our view of leadership is limited to what we can accumulate or accomplish in this life, we have misunderstood where the treasure really lies.

If our view of leadership is confined to what others think or say about us, we have lost sight of the value of this God given role.

It is time to lay aside the temptations of the world and recognize the urgency of the spiritual need that surrounds us.

Elite

Elite means something special because it is defined as the best in a particular area or field. Generally, elite-ness is associated with power, wealth, or ability.

Spiritual leadership, however, also carries an elite characteristic. The idea is not about a self-centered power, wealth, or ability. It is about Who makes us elite.

Through the sacrifice of Christ, God’s grace was abundantly provided to us. The result grants us “elite access” to the throne of God.

Christians are elite. Knowing the outcome of Christ’s work on the cross, we have a responsibility to lead others to share in the access we have with God.

Mountains and Valleys

Mountain tops represent the best of life. Our faith is strong and confident. We are positive and easily make decisions.

Valleys bring shadows of darkness. We question our faith, doubt creeps in, attitudes are altered, and we struggle with decisions.

Reaching the top and staying there is the path leaders desire to walk.

We are not alone.

The wisdom gained by others is an invaluable gift.

Tomorrow presents new opportunities.

Strength comes from knowing, not emotions.

God still sits on His throne.

We need to focus on the positive, give the negative to God, work on what can be changed, find balance in family, and seek good counsel.

Mistakes

We all make them. We say and do things we wish we had not, and there are no “easy” or “do-over” buttons. The opportunity to receive another chance depends on how we handle the mistake.

Acknowledge it.
Take responsibility.
Evaluate every possible solution.
Take appropriate action.
Act quickly!

When we approach our mistakes with humility and a decisiveness toward appropriate actions, there is opportunity for one more chance.

Is this not what God has done for us?

A Wing and a Prayer

This phrase originated with the WWII patriotic song Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer, by Harold Adamson and Jimmie McHugh (1942). The song tells of a damaged warplane barely able to limp back to base.

Prayer is a vital part of our spiritual leadership, but our approach to leadership cannot succeed by barely limping along.

Our leadership is about the hope Christ provided at the cross. We have prepared ourselves through trust and obedience to a gracious God who provided a plan to save us from sin.

When we understand our leadership is focused on this kind of hope, we are not leading by a wing and a prayer. We are leading by faith!

The Power of Attitude

Our attitude and approach to leadership influences the type of work we accomplish.

Charles Schwab once said, “I have yet to find a man, however exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.”

If leadership is dictatorial, negative, and critical there are consistent challenges to reaching goals.

Our leadership excels with a spirit of positive approval and affirmation. The world has plenty of critics. It seems natural to offer criticism, even when praise is necessary.

God intended the church to be a refuge. If we want success in our leadership, the thought here is worth considering.

Overcoming Fear

Fear is common. The apostles demonstrated fear. The parents of a blind man were afraid. Paul addressed fear when writing Timothy.

How do we overcome fear?

A few suggestions:

Know God. He gives us a spirit of love and power and discipline.

Believe in Jesus. If He endured for us, we can overcome for Him.

Study the book. The more we know of God’s word, the greater our confidence in fearful situations.

Fight the good fight. Paul knew the challenges of the work. He also knew he had to fight.

Let us commit ourselves to overcome and lead with passion.

Attention to Action

What does it take to get our attention and move us into action for the Lord?

Will eight billion plus people in the world, the majority of which are lost?

Perhaps it is the decline in morality that surrounds us.

Maybe the spread of error on unknowing hearts.

Could it be the grace of God given in the Savior who came to die for all?

Whatever it is, our attention is needed and we must move into action to lead others to the only hope given to the human race.