Tag: Jesus

People are Watching

April 21, 2023 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Remember that “People are always watching.” Children watch their parents. Employers watch their employees. The community watches all of us. Everywhere, people are watching.

They also listen. They listen to our words and watch our behavior to see if they are consistent with what we profess.

Nothing is more damaging to our influence than hypocrisy and nothing more convincing than consistency. Jesus spoke of the need to avoid hypocrisy in prayer, acts of kindness, and fasting.

No other gospel handles hypocrisy like Matthew. The take-away is to know that people are always watching, which emphasizes the need to be consistent with our words and actions.

Salt and Light

April 20, 2023 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth….you are the light of the world.”

Salt and light make a difference when present. The analogy for Christians indicates that our influence should make a difference for good.

Outside of the Gospels, the word salt is used only twice and both times (Col. 4:6; Jas. 3:12) it directly speaks to the influence of our words.

The use of light addresses our conduct (Mt. 5:16). Peter spoke about the type of conduct that contributes to the salvation of others (1 Pe. 2:12).

Let us use our influence (words and conduct) to lead others to Him.

Influence

April 19, 2023 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

“Leadership is influence. No more, no less,” John Maxwell.

Think about the good and bad influences in history: Napoleon, Hitler, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, and Martin Luther King Jr. etc.

A search throughout the Bible points to numerous examples of powerful influence, but none greater than Jesus.

On a personal level, we know the influence of others in our life: parents, siblings, a preacher, elders, deacons, teachers, friends, a mentor, and the list goes on.

Influence represents the power to change others. A study of influence points us in the need for and the direction of positive change.

Risky Leadership

March 24, 2023 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

A risk involves the possibility of danger or harm, a person or thing regarded as likely to turn out good or bad within a particular context.

There can be low risk and high risk, but risk is going to be involved in leadership.

The key is learning how not to fear risk, but manage it instead.

Two questions came to mind in application for spiritual leaders:

1) What are the risks if we decide not to lead others to Christ?
2) What are the risks of waiting, or procrastinating, to lead them?

When we procrastinate or are unwilling to take the risk, we take the greatest risk of all.

Leadership Scars

March 23, 2023 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Most people have scars. They are the result of surgery, an accident, or some foolish activity.

Scars can also be emotional, mental, and spiritual, often left for the same reasons.

What do scars leave behind?

They leave us with a reminder of what caused it.

Scars remind us of pain involved.
Scars show us the incredible wisdom and power of God.
Scars serve as a reminder to be cautious about creating future scars.

The greatest reminder of scars is found in the hands and feet of our Savior. The example that left Him with these scars should always be a reminder of what our leadership is all about.

A Spiritual Leader

March 6, 2023 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

How should we define spiritual leadership? Realizing there are numerous possibilities, perhaps the best approach is to consider a biblical response.

Here are 10 scriptural ways to help define spiritual leaders. Spiritual leaders…

1) Move people to be more like God.
2) Rely on the blood of Christ.
3) Work to accomplish the will of God.
4) Encourage the fainthearted.
5) Admonish the unruly.
6) Strengthen the weak.
7) Seek first the kingdom of God.
8) Pray without ceasing.
9) Search the scriptures daily.
10) Trust fully in the working of God.

These are 10 suggestions and require a lifetime to develop in leadership.

Matthew

February 1, 2023 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Matthew was a tax collector and hated by the Jews. Tax collectors were not seen as an example to follow.

However, Matthew was an apostle called by Jesus, but what made him different? Consider two reasons.

Committed: The text is explicit: When called by Jesus, Matthew immediately left everything behind to follow. He walked away from security and wealth.

Compassionate: Matthew hosted a great feast for Jesus. He invited what the Pharisees called “tax collectors and sinners.” Matthew wanted all his friends to hear about Jesus.

Not a great deal is known about Matthew, but these two areas make him stand out as an example.

Leading With Promise

January 27, 2023 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Years ago, I was reminded of a powerful thought, “Never make a promise you can’t keep.”

I realize circumstances can prevent us from keeping a promise. However, this is not my point.

The point is to be careful and thoughtful before speaking.

Jesus noted the need to be careful about our words. Yes needs to mean yes and no, no. When we say we will do something, then do it. Nothing is more frustrating than when someone says, “I’ll call you right back,” and then they never do.

Be a leader who is bound to their word. Never make a promise you can’t keep!

John…Part 2

January 25, 2023 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

John’s writings identify the type of leadership he provided for the church. As I mentioned last week, several of these qualities provide an example for us today.

Fellowship: John understood the value of fellowship among Christians and with the Lord. He urged Christians to walk in fellowship with God and each other.

Vision: John knew the future of the church depended on men who were willing to work in the fields of harvest. He also knew such men needed support.

Servant: John’s writings about Jesus as a servant were followed by his own example to the church. Reading through his letters shows the qualities of a servant leader.

Undesirable

January 13, 2023 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

A few years ago, I heard about a leader who simply prayed, “Lord, bring us all those that nobody else wants.” Imagine the response when one by one several, often classified as undesirable, showed up.

If we believe the gospel is for all, then do we work to see that all have opportunity, not just to hear the gospel, but see it in our actions?

The path is not an easy one to walk. However, we are not called to lead only those who are lovable, but those often considered unlovable.

Think about Jesus and the ones He reached out to serve. Are we listening? Will we follow?

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