Tag: Lord

Devoted

The English and Greek word translated devoted have similarities, but there is a powerful difference.

The English speaks of love and loyalty, but the Greek involves “insisting on staying close to someone or something.”

Spiritually, devoted leaders insist on staying close to the following.

People: They learn the needs of the people and help guide them to meet those needs.

Plan:
The plan is the map. Leaders must not deviate from it, or the goal is unreachable.

Lord:
Leaders know the true source of their strength is not in themselves, but the Lord.

Through a leader’s devotion, a foundation is laid to great achievement.

In the Middle

Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase “caught between a rock and a hard place.” Paul expressed this thought to the church at Philippi. He felt torn between going to be with the Lord and remaining in the flesh to help these Christians.

There are those who are caught in the middle between two friends.
There are children who are born in the middle between two siblings.
There are Christians who religiously walk in the middle of the road.

However, Paul wasn’t, nor can leaders today, be in the middle of the road regarding Scripture. Leaders need dedication and confidence to move others from where they are to where they need to go.

The Gift

When leadership demonstrates generosity, others learn the value of the gift. However, you must consider the nature of your generosity.

Intention: What is the motive behind your gift?

Object: What is the object of your generosity? Work? Family? Church? Lord?

Planned dedication: Is there a planned purpose?

Action: Are you ready to start giving?

Self-examination: What are you losing by holding on to the gift?

These questions help us determine the nature of and need behind our gift.

Legacy

What legacy do you want to leave? Have you given thought to your legacy?

From a spiritual perspective, when you and I depart this physical world we should leave others in a position to do great things for the Lord without us. This is the heart of true legacy.

Choose who you want to carry on your legacy.
Pass on what you want carried on.
Don’t forget to model your legacy.

Leadership is not about the here and now, but the hereafter. If you build your leadership around this idea, the legacy you leave will have lasting rewards.

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.

Scheduled Events

We have various ways to remind us of events we don’t want to miss, from sticky notes to Google calendar.

Spiritually, there are events we should not miss.

Where does our gathering with Christians rank in our priorities?
Where does time in prayer and study rank?
Where do family devotionals fit?

These events are matters of choice, and we either make them a priority or not.

There is an event scheduled we will all attend, a Lord appointed a day.

We should make preparing for it a priority. As Christians, we should eagerly anticipate it. This is a day we do not want to miss!

Wisdom

The Bible is filled with many contrasts. Few seem as prevalent as the contrast between the wise and foolish.

Solomon said the wise quickly receive instruction.

Paul instructs us to act as wise men not as unwise.

Jesus indicated the wise to be those who hear His words and act upon them. The foolish hear His words and do not.

There should be much wisdom in spiritual leadership. Let us learn to receive good counsel.

Ultimately, our leadership is based on the direction we receive from the Lord. True wisdom listens to Him.

Shepherds

I’ve heard the term “elder” used for men appointed to oversee, manage, or pastor the church. The use of this term is biblical, as well as the various terms associated with it.

In recent years, the term shepherd has been used more frequently. Why this change? Does the use of one over the other help us understand more clearly the role needed today?

The idea of shepherding often brings Psalm 23 to mind where David said, “The Lord is my shepherd.”

While it is difficult for most of us to understand the literal work of shepherding sheep, the Bible reveals ideas that can help us think more about shepherds.

Doing It Right

Most of us have heard, “Anything worth doing, is worth doing right.”

As leaders, the task set before us is worth doing, and it is worth doing right.

From the book of Exodus, it is fascinating how many times the phrase “as the Lord commanded” is used. God wanted Moses and the children of Israel to understand the importance of doing what He had commanded.

The opportunity to benefit in His grace…

The privilege of worshiping our God…

The joy of sharing the gospel…

All of these, and so much more, make up the core of our leadership. Let’s do it right!

Respect

Respect is often a two-way street, but the challenge involves earning respect.

A few simple ideas can help leaders approach this subject with greater success.

Be dedicated to the Lord: Focus on Christ and make the souls of others a priority.

Be consistent: Posner and Kouzes say, “The video needs to match the audio.”

Love people: A deeper understanding of love might help us understand why it covers a multitude of sins.

We could argue whether respect is earned or demanded. However, applying a few simple principles to our leadership will answer the questions.