Tag: Jesus

Committed Leaders

How committed are you? David McNally says, “Commitment is the enemy of resistance, for it is the serious promise to press on, to get up, no matter how many times you are knocked down.”

Are we committed enough to get up no matter how many times we get knocked down?

When we are committed we oppose resistance.
When we are committed we are motivated.
When we are committed we have dedication.
When we are committed we keep our focus.
When we are committed we will stop at nothing.

Nothing is more deserving of our commitment than the cause of Jesus.

Making a Difference

Jesus taught about the powerful nature of influence, identifying His disciples as the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.”

Jesus indicates we are to make a difference.

He uses an interesting term, “If the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything…”

This word involves health, specifically good health.

When used in the context of the analogy and leadership influence, we find a powerful idea.

As leaders in the kingdom of God, our influence should be that which contributes to the spiritual health and well-being of others.

Advocate

When people struggle with their faith, do they know they have an advocate?
When people face the challenges of daily life, are we there as an advocate?
When others step up to accept responsibility, will we be an advocate for them?

Everyone needs someone who walks by their side as a champion for them. Whether it is during a time of temptation, personal trial, or spiritual growth, leaders must be an advocate for those who follow.

The necessity of such is vital to the development of the Lord’s church. We all need to know our Advocate, Jesus, and followers need to know the advocate they have in leadership.

A Leader’s Golden Rule

Several variations of the “Golden Rule” are commonly known. It might be “do unto others as they have done unto you,” or “do unto others before they do unto you.”

However, Jesus said “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

How do we want to be treated as a leader? With respect, understanding, love, appreciation, patience, etc.? If this is how we want to be treated, Jesus would tell us to treat others this way first!

If we are not careful, it is easy to react, instead of acting as we should. We must also be careful to guard against overreacting.

When Jesus Prayed

When Jesus prayed…

He anticipated returning to the Father, glorifying the One who sent Him.

He asked for protection over those given to Him, entrusted with the task of continuing the work.

He added a request for unity among all who would believe in Him through their word.

He addressed the problem of the world’s lack of knowing the Creator and the One sent by Him.

Imagine the difference that could be made in the world today if leaders spent time focused on praying for these four areas.

Leading by Example

The idea of setting an example for others is nothing new. Nestled in this principle is an understanding of influence. We influence people everyday. Some we influence for what is right and some for wrong. The difference is based in our example.

Setting an example is connected to consistency. Mahatma Ghandi is noted as saying we must become the change we want to see.

Setting an example is also associated with servanthood. The only time Jesus gave an example He said to follow was related to being a servant.

To be the leaders God needs today, we need to understand the significance identified with setting the example.

Knowledge, Understanding, Experience

Knowledge often highlights knowing facts or information.

Understanding includes factual information, but it carries meaning and application.

Experience takes on sharing in the same events or activities in order to gain full comprehension.

Paul wanted to know more than facts about Jesus. He wanted more than an understanding of what those facts meant and how they applied. He wanted to know Christ on the basis of experience.

The privilege of going through what Jesus experienced, “the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,” meant more than book knowledge.

Imagine a leadership based on this knowledge, understanding, and experience.

Knowing God

God’s people rejected a knowledge of God, His law, statutes, and commandments. Every time this occurred they were punished.

Jesus claimed that eternal life was based on knowing God and knowing the One sent by Him, Jn. 17:3. Peter reminds us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ,” 2 Pet. 3:18. One of the most significant references about knowing God was written by Paul to the church at Philippi, Phil. 3:7-11.

Spiritual leadership is built on the foundation of knowing God. While I cannot fully address every area related to the subject, this lifelong journey challenges us to focus on that goal.

Lead Like Jesus

Often, the way we dress, where we live, the car we drive, the way we walk and talk is based on imitating someone else.

Leaders are not followed because they are like someone else, but because they know how to find their own voice. They are unique, a pioneer in their own rights.

Isn’t this what we seek from our leadership?

From a biblical perspective, we are to imitate Jesus. His leadership style set a precedent that revolutionized His era.

It is not popular in the world, but when leaders practice this same leadership style, a revolution will also occur today.

What Do We See?

How many opportunities were missed because we could not see the possibilities? Do we fail to see the possibilities because we are wearing spiritual blinders?

God told Abraham to lift up his eyes and look in every direction.

Jesus told the apostles to lift up their eyes and look on the fields.

What do we see when we look at our family, friends, coworkers, people in our community, or brothers and sisters next to us in worship?

It is time for us to lift up our eyes and look. The door is open. What will we see when we look through it? What will we do?