Tag: God

Imitating Christ

Scripture instructs us to be an imitator of Christ. Peter identifies that Jesus left an example that we should walk in His steps.

What exactly does that mean? In context, Peter’s statement to Christians related to suffering.

Hopefully, we possess a conviction to walk in His steps, even when suffering.

Our prayer is that we draw closer to our God, understand more fully the example left for us to follow, and then live our life as a reflection of His example.

Where will it take us? If we follow it through, we might just find an amazing path before us.

Leading in the Present…

David wrote, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.”

What exactly does today provide for our leadership?

Time to reflect on yesterday and make necessary changes.
Time to focus on our priorities, realizing we may only have today.
Time to prepare for potential challenges ahead.
Time to walk through God-given doors of opportunity.
Time to share the depth of our love with others.

Today is the day. Do not wait any longer. Be wise with the precious time God has placed before us.

Amazement…

After Jesus healed a man possessed with a thousand of demons, He told him to go home and tell his people what great things God had done for him. When he did, we learn that people were amazed.

When people compare the person we were before we became a Christian with who we are now as a Christian, are they amazed.

If not, maybe we should talk more about the great things God has done for us.

Let us amaze others with the difference God has made in our lives and the mercy He has shown us.

Growth and Development…

Max DePree once said, “In the end, it is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be, by remaining what we are.”

The consequences of remaining in our present situation should motivate us to overcome the stagnate condition that ultimately ends in death.

Becoming what we need to be points us to God and His guidance.

Seek God’s help for the vision to see what He wants us to be, to make us what we need to be, and to never be content with remaining what we are.

A Snapshot of Leadership…

A snapshot in time displays a visual image of more than we can often express in words.

A compliment to any Christian is found in the reflection of Jesus, as represented in our words and actions.

Paul wrote it this way, “Be an imitator of me as I am of Christ” (1 Co. 11:1).

When leaders focus on demonstrating a Christ-like image, the greatness of God’s kingdom is exemplified and the common good of humanity is met.

A few minutes each day prepares a lasting image that is a picture worth keeping.

A Trustworthy Leader…

Can God trust us to love His church, be a good student of His Word, share the gospel with others, make the right choices, and lead His people?

Will others trust us to lead with consistency, competence, and connect with them?

How would we answer these questions?

Paul claimed “…it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy” (1 Co. 4:2).

As stewards of all God has entrusted to us, are we trustworthy?

Let us develop a character that is worthy of trust, God’s and other’s.

A Righteous Leader…

Righteousness is a biblical word that speaks to our relationship with God and others.

David addressed the character of one who understands both relationships when he said, “He works righteousness” (Ps. 15:2).

We must hunger and thirst for righteousness (Mt. 5:6), our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees (Mt. 5:20), and we must seek first His righteousness (Mt. 6:33).

The guide for life, food for our soul, ethical character, and our priorities are framed by Jesus.

God should trust and the world should know that our choices are righteous. Start by asking, “Is it right with God?”

Ontogeny and Leadership…

Ontogeny is the process of an individual organism growing organically.

Thinking of the church as an organization goes against the living and growing organism God intended.

We understand the need to care for, protect, provide, and strengthen plants, animals, and human life because they are organisms that are alive, and proper growth only occurs when we practice the right care.

How much more so would God want us to demonstrate the same toward His church?

Even if we never see the word “ontogeny” again, let us practice the necessary areas to produce growth of the one organism that required the life of Jesus.

Possibilities of Can…

Eliminating the word “can’t” from our vocabulary is vital to the development of strong leadership. Have you ever heard, or perhaps said, “It can’t be done”?

The limitations built around this idea paralyze the growth and development of God’s people, individually and collectively.

Instead of shackling ourselves with these limitations, consider the difference made by realizing what “can” be done. With God, all things are possible.

The way we see our families, the church, the world, and even ourselves takes on a new perspective when we realize we can do it.

Words and Influence…

One of the great principles of leadership, simple and overused, involves the nature of our influence. Jesus said we are the “salt of the earth” and “light of the world” (Mt. 5:13-16).

Throughout the letters written to specific individuals and the various churches of God’s people, the word salt is used twice (Col. 4:6; Jas. 3:12). In both the use of salt is connected to the tongue.

Words spoken carelessly and without thought can destroy our influence and once destroyed it is difficult, if not impossible, to regain.

The precedent of our words establish a leadership influence worthy of following.