Tag: World

Promised Land

We’ve heard about the land God promises His people. In the Old Testament it was a “land flowing with milk and honey.”

Today, we live with anticipation of a land God has promised, a land beyond anything we can comprehend.

This land will be one of rest where there will be no sickness or death.

Two great truths:

One, we live in a world enslaved to sin. They need someone to lead them to a better land.

Two, God’s people need leaders who will help them keep their focus on this promised land.

The world and the church need leaders who can see the promised land and are willing to lead others there.

Globalization

No longer is it a matter of if or when, globalization is here, and now!

We often hear people say, “It’s a small world.” Why not? Since the touch of a button can send messages to the other side of the planet.

We need to ask a few questions.

Are we aware of the changes globally? Economically? Politically? Socially? Religiously?

Have we considered how to embrace these changes?

Does our current plan involve a domestic or global approach?

How are we preparing spiritual leaders within a global context?

We need to answer these questions as the Lord’s church, and take steps to lead with a global perspective.

Payoff

As a leader, a question needs to be answered. What is the real payoff for our leadership?

There are several answers, but here is a thought.

The real payoff comes when the lives of followers change. This is what our leadership is all about. We are trying to change lives, eternally.

When we examine the work of Christ at the cross, the payoff is witnessed in the lives changed around the world.

Spiritual leadership is not about seeking fame, popularity, and wealth. The payoff is summed up in the people who will see heaven because of our leadership.

Perspective

Apart from academic definitions, perspective brings several thoughts to mind when viewed by two different parties.

A Christian perspective views life from a biblical foundation. When we contrast the physical versus spiritual, what God says provides hope in an eternal promise.

However, a worldly perspective tends to view life with uncertainty, fear, and doubt. The world’s philosophy can only paint a picture that is temporal and hopeless.

This is why spiritual leadership is so important.

Regardless of the pleasant or unpleasant possibilities in life, a Christian perspective always leaves us with the courage to face uncertainty with hope!

Extremism

How many times in the political arena do we hear the thought expressed of someone being extreme left or extreme right?

Being extreme, however, is not limited to the political arena. We quite often find the beast of extremism within the church.

Our responsibility is to learn the difference between biblical doctrine and personal opinion.

Spiritual leadership is about finding the proper balance to maintain the unity needed with the Lord’s church.

In a time when people are trying to prevent the world’s influence on the church, let us not become so extreme that our actions portray what we are trying to prevent.

Legacy

Consider the power one person has to change the world.

Numerous people have changed the direction of events in history. However, none compare to the power of the One who changed the course of the physical and eternal realm.

He is the One we need to know. He is the One we must lead others to know.

While others may leave an incredible legacy, their lives will end and their soul will stand in the presence of the Creator.

Our legacy as leaders must make a difference in the eternal outcome of others, not just the physical.

Missional Leadership

The world’s population is beyond comprehension.

Think about the plethora of languages.
Think about our inability to communicate adequately.
Think about how all of these people can come to know Christ.
Think about their soul!
Think about what can and needs to be done.

We need to give thanks for the dedication and willingness of mission-minded brethren who have and continue to labor in uncomfortable places.

We need to work with them and build upon their efforts in ways to reach more people.

Two Worlds

A leader must be a student of two worlds.

You must know the world you live in physically and spiritually.

You need to know the challenges people face in this world, the struggles, trials, and events on the national and international scene.

You must also know the world you are living for spiritually. Therefore, you must be a student of God’s word.

All you and I say and do now is building a foundation for what is to come. Our task involves helping others in this world reach the right destination in the next.

Connected Shepherds

As I get older, I see how easy it is to be disconnected, even reclusive from the world, world events, and activities, especially what a younger generation faces every day. It may be in the home, at school, on the job, or in the community.

Shepherds, who tend to be older (by God’s design), can easily become isolated from the world. When this happens, they are challenged to help provide solid biblical answers for these challenges when they are asked.

Take time with the sheep to learn about the battles they fight and focus on how to provide biblical answers to help them fight the good fight of faith.

We need good shepherds.

What Shall I Do?

Nearly 2,000 years ago this question was asked by a governor with the power to deliver or destroy. Sadly, the influence of the Jews and fear of allowing a threat to Rome go free, Pilate sentenced Jesus to crucifixion.

Our answer becomes a foundation for our influence in several areas of life.

Family: Let us lead our family to heaven.
Job: Work to please Christ, not men.
Worship: Meet with God and bring a gift.
World: Be the influence our world needs.

What will we do? Our answer makes the difference in others seeing the influence of Jesus.