2017-10-24
Romans 12:8 NIV
How will you know you have the gift of “leadership”? Because you’ll know where God wants you to go, and be able to show others the value of going with you. There are many talented people who never become effective leaders. Why? Because they’re more interested in themselves than in those they lead. What’s interesting, however, is once they go through the school of hard knocks, they become sensitized to other people’s needs. But good leaders don’t wait for that to happen. They realize that ideas are a dime a dozen, but people who can implement them are priceless. Legendary football coach Bear Bryant used to say, “I’m just a plow-hand from Arkansas, but I’ve learned to hold a team together. How to lift some men up, how to calm others down, until finally they’ve got one heartbeat together. There are just three things I’d ever say: If something goes bad, I did it. If it goes semi-good, we did it. If anything goes really good, then you did it.” When you have the gift of leadership, you’ll also be approachable. You won’t fly off the handle, you won’t let minor problems poison your outlook, and you’ll sandwich every slice of criticism between two layers of praise. Robert Louis Stevenson said, “Keep your fears to yourself but share your courage with others.” There are people who knock the heart out of you, and people who put it back in. Paul was such a leader: “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God…for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News” (Philippians 1:3,5 NLT). That’s the kind of leader you should aspire to be.
Soul food: Isa 12-16; John 5:31-47; Ps 98; Prov 27:23-24
2017-10-23
2 Timothy 4:2 NIV
When you crave acceptance and approval, you end up being controlled by those you’re supposed to lead. Paul recognized this. That’s why he instructed Titus: “Teach…and encourage your people…correcting them when necessary as one who has every right to do so. Don’t let anyone think that what you say is not important” (Titus 2:15 TLB). Afraid of causing upheaval in the ranks, insecure leaders agonize over decisions and assume responsibility for other people’s emotional reactions. They don’t realize that when you’re doing what you should be doing and others don’t agree, that’s their problem, unless you make it yours. A mature leader deals with disappointment and keeps a good attitude; they’re willing to face the music even when they don’t like the tune. Think: When you warn your children about putting their hand on a hot stove, it’s not your responsibility to make them enjoy hearing it, right? Hopefully, as they mature they’ll understand. But the truth is, some people won’t like hearing the word “no” regardless of how old they get! But we all need to hear it from time to time; otherwise, we’ll never be happy with anything other than getting our own way – and that means getting nowhere, or getting into trouble. Paul, who was training Timothy for leadership, told him, “Correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.” Correct people when they’re wrong, rebuke them when they’re stubborn, encourage them when they struggle, be patient as they learn and grow, and make sure your instructions are clear and understandable. That’s what good leaders do – and the only way you learn it is by doing it.
Soul food: Isa 8-11; John 5:16-30; Ps 85; Prov 27:20-22
2017-10-22
2 Corinthians 7:4 NIV
When people feel “used” they begin to drop out, but when they feel appreciated they’ll follow you anywhere. Paul, one of the finest leaders of all time, told the Corinthian believers, “I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged…my joy knows no bounds” (vv. 3-4 NIV). He was their biggest cheerleader. He didn’t just correct, he comforted. He didn’t just sharpen, he strengthened – all hallmarks of great leadership. Good leaders: (1) Are consistent. They set an example by walking the walk so everyone knows that what’s heard at the bottom is practiced at the top. (2) Voice their appreciation, realizing that people need to know they’re an important part of the team and the vision. (3) Always listen to suggestions, opinions, concerns, and ideas. They don’t prejudge, and they’re not dismissive. Author Betty Bender said: “It’s a mistake to surround yourself only with people just like you. Throw off that warm comforter and replace it with a crazy quilt of different and imaginative people. Then watch the ideas erupt!” (4) Don’t see people as statistics. Businesswoman Mary Kay Ash said, “P&L doesn’t mean ‘profit and loss’ – it means ‘people and love.'” (5) Explain why they like things done a specific way. It lessens mistakes, and the resentment that can stem from feeling “ordered around.” Statesman Clarence Francis said, “You can buy a man’s time and physical presence at a certain place…But you can’t buy enthusiasm, initiative, loyalty, and the devotion of hearts, minds, and souls. You have to earn these things.”
Soul food: Isa 61:1-9; Luke 4:16-30
2017-10-21
Exodus 18:18 NIV
President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” Bottom line: Unless you learn to delegate, your leadership will deteriorate and your vision will stagnate. In Exodus, Moses was wearing himself out physically, emotionally, and spiritually trying to keep up with the demands of two million Israelites and be “the answer man” for every problem. That’s when his father-in-law told him, “You cannot handle it alone. Listen…to me and I will give you some advice” (vv. 18-19 NIV). It takes wisdom, maturity, and humility to ask for help. And it’s a sign of strength, not weakness. That’s hard to come to terms with, for those of us who take pride in our ability to “do it all.” The truth is, what Moses was doing was neither good for him nor the people depending on him. As a leader, it’s easy to overestimate your own importance and competence. That’s why Paul cautions, “[Don’t] think you are better than you really are. Use good sense” (Romans 12:3 CEV). God has placed people around you who have certain gifts and talents. When you recognize and involve these people, they’re fulfilled and the job gets done right. God created us to be interdependent, not independent. Delegating authority to the right people strengthened Moses for the task of leading as God intended. When you try to be “all things to all people,” you end up frustrated. You’re not called to do it all, but to get it done through others. That’s what leadership is about.
Soul food: Isa 4-7; John 5:1-15; Ps 126; Prov 27:17-19
2017-10-20
Psalm 32:5 NLT
David said, “I confessed all my sins to you…And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.” Julie Ann Barnhill writes: “If you’re tired of pretending you have it all together, it’s time to act. For too long Christian women in particular have believed they’re the only ones dealing with shameful issues, agonizing regrets, and skeletons in their closet. Once we open up to God, ourselves, and others, we experience exhilarating freedom and peace. A woman wrote to me: ‘I had an abortion when I was eighteen. Nobody knows. For years I marked the date on my calendar and grieved for the child nobody knew about, and the young woman who bore the guilt alone. No more! Now I know I’m not alone, and for the first time in my life I truly believe God is bigger than my secret – and He’s willing to forgive.’ Secrets only hold power when they’re hidden. Once they’re revealed in the light of God’s love they lose their control. However, there are some things to consider before opening up to someone: (1) If that person repeats things others have shared in confidence, guess who’s up next for discussion? (2) Beware of someone who’s apt to offer unsolicited advice, then take offense when it’s ignored. (3) Stay away from somebody who tries to ‘fix’ you, and tells you not to worry about your secrets. Instead, look for someone who: (a) has good sense and knows when to ‘back off’ and/or move forward when you’re upset; (b) is up-front about their own struggles; (c) is quick to listen and slow to speak; (d) undergirds their words and counsel with scriptural truths.”
Soul food: Ecc 7-9; John 10:22-33; Ps 102:1-11; Prov 30:18-20
Psalm 32:5 NLT
When you deliberately sin, you’re rebelling against God’s rule in your life – and you’ll feel bad about it. And feeling bad is evidence that you truly are a redeemed child of God; otherwise your sin wouldn’t bother you. Picture a teenager saying to his dad, “I’m truly sorry, but I took your credit card and bought beer for my buddies with it.” Now, the chances are his father may never have discovered it, especially if he wasn’t a good bookkeeper. But his son’s troubled conscience brought it to the surface and he said, “Dad, I shouldn’t have bought the beer; I shouldn’t have lied about my age; I shouldn’t have used your credit card to do it. You trusted me and I let you down. I’m sorry, and I won’t do it again.” That’s confession. That’s what we must do in our prayers. The Greek word translated as confession means “to agree with God.” When we confess our sins, we are agreeing with God concerning the sin in our lives as revealed through His Word and by the Holy Spirit. When we confess, we verbalize our sin and receive cleansing and forgiveness. Yes, confession is often painful, but it keeps our fellowship with our Heavenly Father clear, open, and close. It’s not that God stops loving us, but that we no longer feel we can approach Him with confidence. Do you have a sin to confess? “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NKJV).
Soul food: Isa 1-3; John 4:39-54; Ps 5; Prov 27:13-16
