Tag: Power

Ambitious Leadership

Defining ambition is not difficult. The difficulty arises when we consider where our ambition lies.

Is our ambition driven by financial security, power, or authority?

Would our ambition be characterized by selfish and physical priorities, or a spiritual focus?

Paul identified an ambition that was spiritually and eternally developed, because we make it our ambition to please the Lord.

When our leadership is driven to please the Lord it changes our approach to every area of life, and the church will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior.

What If…Part 3

What would life be like if we took out the “if factor”?

Think about the following questions.

Do we limit the power of God by the boundaries we create in our own mind?

Do we believe God has the power to do far beyond all we ask or think according to the power that works within us?

What do we hinder God from doing when we place limitations on Him?

What could God do through you and me as leaders if our faith was greater?

When we believe that God can and will accomplish His purpose, in spite of us, maybe we would stop thinking small and start thinking big!

Leadership Scars

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.

Hand of Leadership

God’s hand holds consequence and reward. It creates fear and hope. The writer of Hebrews says it is a “terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” They also express how Jesus is sitting on the right hand of God, a place of prominence and power.

James also instructs us to humble ourselves “under the mighty hand of God.”

What does this have to do with leadership?

The hand of leadership provides hope and leads with humility.

There is prominence and power in the hand with which we lead. We have an opportunity to make a difference by the hand of a leader.

Take the Risk

“Nothing ventured, nothing gained” is an idiom related to risk. Few areas in life witness true and great success without some level of risk.

The willingness to take risks opens us up to an area that allows God to demonstrate the greatness of His power, exceeding our ability to think.

Instead of hiding behind a fear that inhibits our growth and development as the church, leaders need to explore the possibilities of what can happen if we just allow God to work through us, beyond the comfort zones of our past traditions and extend our abilities into areas that promise faith and hope.

Opportunity for Development

Leaders often experience times when events escalate and are seen as distractions or hindrances to their leadership development.

Is it possible God is opening doors of opportunity for us to grow and develop in our leadership?

Consider these questions.

Do we really believe God’s power is unlimited?
Do we believe God can do far more than we ask or think?
Can we get excited about how He will use the power within us to accomplish His purpose?

We have tried things on our own for too long. It is time to trust in God’s power and prepare ourselves to do His work.

God’s Mission for Leaders…

Nothing is more important to leaders than God’s mission.

From Genesis through Revelation, God has guided, directed, moved, ushered, and advanced His will through individuals and nations to ultimately provide an avenue to reconcile all of humanity to Himself through Jesus.

The lessons presented throughout the Bible help us understand a direction for leading God’s people today based on the divine principles practiced throughout biblical history.

Humility, courage, trust, and service are all characteristics found in leaders through whom God displayed His power, wisdom and presence.

Success is the result of fulfilling God’s mission on earth. Let us live to carry out that mission.

Power of the Mind…

Our eyes and ears are the portals to the mind. While all the senses play a part, these two are primary. Sadly, we often fail to realize the influence of what we see and hear.

Paul specified key areas in Philippians 4:8. Consider the imperative need for our minds to “dwell on these things.”

We must be proactive in the way we approach certain influences, whether movies, friends, or activities. Is our leadership influence worth filling our minds with negativity, filth, and horror for a little entertainment?

We are in the world, but not of the world. We must influence the world for Christ.

Gentleness…

Gentleness provides a contrast to pride and power. Humility and lowliness are critical components of this fruit.

The other-directed nature of gentleness stands in opposition to those who foster aggression, self-promotion, and who desire positions of power.

We cultivate gentleness by altering our posture through prayer, learning to yield, and spending time with those of “no account.”

Praying for those who wrong or anger us increases the difficulty of speaking harshly to or about them.

Humility demonstrates the power to yield our will to others.

Extending hospitality to those without a worldly status or position of power also demonstrates gentleness.

The Love to Lead…

Love has multiple meanings. Mostly, love is associated with feelings. When couples first marry, the feelings experienced are associated with their idea of love. Sadly, when those feelings change they begin to think they no longer love the other person.

Biblically, love is intentional, seeking the highest good for the other person. When leaders are self-directed, it is generally because of selfish motives. Again, this is not love.

Love gives without expecting to receive something in return.
Love seeks opportunity to serve in all situations.
Love desires the best for others, even at the cost of personal comfort.

Let us always lead out of love and know the power it brings to leadership.