Leadership Styles

To begin my devotional time tonight, I listened to the song, "Every Victory," by Newsong. They remind us to stand on the Solid Rock and His principles. "On this I stand, on this alone: All my hope, all my strength, and all my confidence is in knowing I've received every victory! Through the cross, through the blood, it is finished. It is done! I am saved! I am free! You are every victory!...You have won! You have won and the enemy is forevermore underneath Your feet!" We serve a risen Lord, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Creator of heaven and earth, and the Ultimate Leader!

The central verse that Maxwell uses for tonight is Proverbs 18:21, which says: "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (NIV) As leaders, we must learn to tame our tongues and to use them to build others up, not to gossip and not to tear them down.

Maxwell presents four leadership styles:

• Military Commander
• Chief Executive Officer
• Coach
• Poet

As the list goes down, each loses the attitude of, "I have absolute control over you," and toward a more personal, relationship-centered model.

For the military commander, "It's my way; no highway option." The CEO has more of a shared vision with his followers, but still presents a top-down management style. The Coach sees individual members as working together, forming a cohesive team; but it presents only the coach's vision. Finally, the Poet expresses, "The heart of the team." The Poet uses words wisely, knowing the power of the tongue.

The reflection question for tonight asks: "What style of leadership do you use?"

If you aren't sure, I suggest taking a personality assessment. My favorite is the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, or MBTI, test. Do a simple Google search for personality assessments and find one that is either in the style of MBTI or another highly recognized model, such as the Jung test. Answer the questions honestly. When you get the results, take them to heart. If they are different than what you want, train yourself to lead in the manner that you think you should or that better suits your situation. Also, there are situations where you probably have a mix of styles. In such situations, though, you will probably lean more toward one than the other. Regardless of the results, ask God to make you into the leader He wants you to be. Follow His direction. He'll never lead you down the wrong road!

God bless you!

Leading and Loving

Darlene Zschech's song, "Victor's Crown," provides great encouragement for us.

"You are ever interceding as the lost become the found. You can never be defeated, for You wear the Victor's crown. You are Jesus the Messiah. You're the Hope of all the world! By Your grace I live and breathe to worship You!"

"Hallelujah! You have overcome! You have overcome! Hallelujah! Jesus, You have overcome the world!"

"Every high thing must come down! Every stronghold shall be broken! You wear the Victor's crown! You overcome! You overcome!"

"At the cross the work was finished. You were buried in the ground. But the grave could not contain You, for You wear the Victor's crown!"

In John 16:33, Jesus tells us: "'I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.'" We serve the risen Lord! He is in control. No matter what goes on, He knows what He is doing and is always in control!

The central verse that Maxwell presents is Isaiah 16:9, which says, "So I weep, as Jazer weeps, for the vines of Sibmah. O Heshbon, O Elealeh, I drench you with tears! The shouts of joy over your ripened fruit and over your harvests have been stilled." (NIV)

Isaiah grieves over those who act in ungodly manners. There is evil, trouble, and trials in the world. That will always be the case, until Christ destroys it once and for all. However, He guides us and comforts us, providing us with His peace! Even further, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (NIV)

While we see the bad in the world, we should pray for those involved. However, we must be careful not to judge those outside the church. In 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, Paul says, "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. 'Expel the wicked man from among you.'" (NIV) Furthermore, "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is Mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:19-21, NIV)

The reflection question for tonight asks, "For whom in particular do you grieve?" It is okay to grieve. "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven...a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4, NIV) When you do grieve, make sure it is for a good cause. But you must not let grievous thoughts overcome you and drag you down for long periods of time. You must give it up to God and let Him heal you! "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand...For I am the Lord, your God, Who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." (Isaiah 41:10, 13, NIV)

As leaders, we have followers who look up to us. It is not good for them to see us down and depressed over matters outside of our control. We need to make sure that we handle grievous situations properly. We need to do our part (pray for those in bad situations), and leave the rest to God. He is a big God; He knows how to handle any and every situation. Let Him be God. "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7, NIV)

God bless you!

Empowering Others

As leaders, we need to remember Who we follow.

"In Christ alone my hope is found.
He is my light, my strength, my song.
This Cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease;
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh;
Fullness of God in helpless Babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Til on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied.
For every sin on Him was laid.
Here in the death of Christ I live,

There in the ground His body lay;
Light of the world by darkness slain.
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again.
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine,
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death;
This is the power of Christ in me.
From a life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand.
Til He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I stand."

MercyMe sets forth powerful words of wisdom. We need to remember that He is where we can find help, always. "I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1, NIV)

The central verse that Maxwell presents for tonight is Matthew 28:18, which says: "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.'" (NIV) I will go forward and continue what Jesus was saying there: "'Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'" (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV)

Jesus' Great Commission allows us to empower others. "No matter how much work you can do, no matter how engaging your personality may be, you will not advance far in business if you cannot work through others," notes John Craig. We must not be selfish with the gifts and talents the Lord has bestowed upon us. We should help others as we have the ability.

Maxwell says, "Simply defined, empowering is giving your influence to others for the purpose of personal and organizational growth." That growth not only occurs in the one you empower, but in yourself as well.

Empowering others is one way you can leave a legacy. If you notice someone in particular who you feel would be a good "apprentice," take him or her under your wing. Train them. Influence them for the Kingdom's cause. Follow the Great Commission set forth by the King Himself!

Maxwell asks, "How do you empower others?" Share your leadership knowledge. It is inevitable that someone will need to follow in your footsteps. Who better than someone you have personally trained and can trust to move forward with your vision? Look to God for guidance in this matter, and in any other situation. Lean on Him and trust in His guidance!

God bless you!

Leaders Go Beyond Management

This evening, I listened to, "Lord, I Need You," by Matt Maher.

"Where You are, Lord, I am free. Holiness is Christ in me. Lord, I need You. Oh, I need You. Ev'ry hour I need You. My one defense, my righteousness, oh God, how I need You!" We must never become so comfortable or prideful that we forget our need for God. He is a necessity at all times and in everything. We should learn to include Him in everything, not just in some areas while leaving Him out of others. He is in control and knows what is best for us! We are His children, and He is our loving Father! He promises us that, "He will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6b, NIV)

The central verse tonight is Proverbs 21:1, which says: "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases." (NIV) The king can be symbolic for any leader. He is in control! We must never try to take that control. We need to learn to seek after Him and follow His direction. After all, He is God and He says, "'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.'" (Isaiah 55:9, NIV)

Maxwell distinguishes leaders from managers. "While managers are often able to maintain a team at its current level, leaders are able to lift it to a higher level than it has ever reached before." That is not to say that leaders cannot also be managers, or vice versa. However, it does take more to be a leader than it does to be a manager.

Leaders are lifters. Many times, leaders arise in times of need. At such times as those, the team should not stay in its current state. The people need someone to guide them through the storm and to calm waters.

Leaders are also needed in good times. We should never underestimate God's ability to use us. Nor should we question when He can do so. God can use us anytime, if we let Him take the wheel and trust in His control.

Furthermore, even when your team is succeeding, continue to strive for greater heights. Push past the limits the world may put in your path. We serve a mighty God! "I can do everything through Him Who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13, NIV)

No matter what situation you may be facing, remember that you can get through it with the Lord's help. Matthew 19:26 says, "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" (NIV)

Maxwell poses this question: "How can you give your team a lift?" In what area of your team's performance do you see a need? When you find it, ask God for guidance on how to fulfill the need. Trust in Him and let Him guide you in the right path. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV)

God bless you!

Father Knows Best

"Let the pounding of our hearts cry: We will serve the Lord! We were made to be courageous, and we're taking back the fight. We were made to be courageous, and it starts with us tonight. The only way we'll ever stand is on our knees with lifted hands. Make us courageous! Lord, make us courageous!...Seek justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly with your God."

Casting Crowns portrays a wonderful picture of how leaders need to be. We must rely on God, free from worry and fear (except to fear Him). Joshua 24:15 tells us this: "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (NIV) Joshua knew where his strength came from: from the Lord above! He is the One we are to serve. In doing so, He will lead us and guide us. Psalm 23 tells us so!

The introductory Scripture that Maxwell presents is from Leviticus Chapter 26, verses 3, 4, and 12: "'If you follow My decrees and are careful to obey My commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit...I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people." (NIV) God set forth His law to His people, and even told them the rewards He offered! Why did the Israelites ignore Him so much??

Maxwell notes the following: "Many of our problems arise from ignoring God's Word when we don't think His instructions make sense." That is probably what went through the minds of His people at the time described above. Take the story of the Israelites and Jericho for example. They didn't want to listen to God because they didn't think that following His simple instructions would make the city walls fall down. They faced many setbacks because they failed to realize that, "God always knows what is best--for us and for our relationship with Him." (Maxwell)

We must all remember that God created us. "O Lord, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar." David makes this confession in Psalm 139:1-2 (NIV). God knows us, even what is on the inside. He really does know what is best for us. Many times we do not feel like our parents are guiding us right because we disagree with them at various times. However, God uses our parents to guide us. Even further than that, He is our Father! He really knows what is best for us!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV) We are human. Therefore, we have limitations that God goes way beyond. We must never forget to Whom we belong and that He loves us and wants the best for us! "Be strong and courageous...The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (Deuteronomy 31:6a, 8, NIV)

The reflection question tonight asks: "What rules in your life do you struggle with at times?"

I think that one of the areas where this applies to me the most is worry. Worries overtake many of us and can be very overwhelming. Perhaps that is why Jesus said, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life...Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (See Matthew 6:25-27.) He goes further to say: "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (See Matthew 6:33-34.) We must remember to keep our focus on God, let Him be God, and let everything else fall into place at His direction. He is in control!

What rules do you struggle with? Ask God to help you in those areas and then follow through with His direction, using Proverbs 3:5-6 as a guideline. He knows what you're going through. You're not alone!

God bless you!

Giving > Receiving

"You lead us by still waters into Your mercy and nothing can keep us apart. So remember Your people; remember Your children; remember Your promise, oh God!...Your grace is enough for me!" This song ("Your Grace is Enough"), by Chris Tomlin, expresses the truth found in 2 Corinthians 12:9: "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.'" (NIV) No matter where we are, even in our weakest moments, God is there and can shine through us!

The central Scripture for tonight comes from Proverbs 31:8-9: "'Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly, defend the rights of the poor and needy.'" (NIV) Even when we do not have material things to give, we can give our voice and help others in need through encouragement, defense, and counsel.

Maxwell notes the following. "Giving is the highest level of living." "In life, it's not what you have that makes a difference. It's what you do with what you have." It's not about how much stuff you have, but how you use it to bless others and how you use it for God's glory. After all, anything good we have came from Him, for, "Every good and perfect gift is from above." (James 1:17a, NIV) Furthermore, "'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:35b, NIV)

We should give what we can because Jesus gave all He had, down to His very life. We can never out-give God, but He does call us to give. We need to share the blessings He has bestowed upon us. Not only that, but we should do so with a glad heart and not begrudgingly, "for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7b, NIV)

The reflection question tonight asks: "What is your attitude toward giving?" I used to dislike giving. However, God has changed my attitude on the matter. I now have an attitude that reflects Acts 20:35. If you trouble giving with a cheerful heart, look to Him for help. He will guide you!

God bless you!

Partnership

Listen to these lyrics from the perspective of God speaking to you. "I love you more than the sun and the stars that I taught how to shine. You are mine and you shine for me too! I love you yesterday and today and tomorrow. I'll say it again and again: I love you more!" ("More," by Matthew West) God loves you so much that He sent his Son, the one and only, to die for you (see John 3:16). God is love!

The central passage for tonight comes from 1 Samuel 30:23-24, which says: "David replied, 'No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us. He has protected us and handed over to us the forces that came against us. Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.'" (NIV) The men who fought in the battle wanted to keep all of the plunder for themselves and share none with those who stayed at camp. That was not what God wanted. Those who stayed behind also played a part in the plan.

Partnership is essential in many things. Leadership is one of them. You cannot do everything on your own. Even in cases where we are acting "alone," we must remember to let God guide us.

"The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'" (Genesis 2:18, NIV) God even said it is not good for us to be alone. Why should we think any differently?

"'For where two or three come together in My Name, there I am with them.'" (Jesus in Matthew 18:20, NIV)

"...the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace." (Romans 8:6b, NIV)

Also, don't neglect the "little people." There is more to a team than those on the front end. Lots of stuff goes on in the background. Without the behind-the-scenes roles, plans would unravel--quickly.

Tonight's reflection question asks: "How do you encourage partnership?"

My recommendation is to put teams together with members who will complement each other. As the leader, you can be the one who assigns the teams. You need to know your team members. This will greatly help in your choosing the partnerships. Also, pray for God's guidance in choosing teams and partnerships wisely. Then, listen for His leadership.

God bless you!

Delegation

I listened to, "Nothing But the Blood," by Andy Cherry, this evening. This is a popular hymn. Andy Cherry does it in a faster beat and more modern version.

"What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh, precious is the flow that makes me white as snow. No other fount I know. Nothing but the blood of Jesus."

There is nothing we can do on our own to earn salvation. Only through Jesus can we get to heaven. "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6, NIV)

The central reference for this evening is Exodus 18:21-22: "But select capable men from all the people--men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain--and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you." (NIV)

Delegation is an important skill that all leaders must acquire and fine-tune. As the leader, you can handle various situations, but you cannot do everything solo. You will need help.

You must be able to delegate effectively, though. Maxwell provides a succession of steps that we should follow in order to be effective in our delegation (the steps are directly quoted):

1. Ask them to be fact finders only.
2. Ask them to make suggestions.
3. Ask them to implement one of their recommendations, but only after you give your approval.
4. Ask them to take action on their own, but to report the results immediately.
5. Give complete authority.

Throughout the process, you are aiming for step 5. However, you cannot simply jump straight to that step. It will take training before an individual is prepared enough to handle the responsibility responsibly. In the beginning, they should just collect information. From there, you can ask how they may handle the situation. If one of their ideas sounds effective, allow them to implement it. As other situations arise, give them a little more freedom and allow them to implement a solution without your direct consent, but require that they come straight to you with what they did and how the situation resolved. If they are effective, you may then give them full authority because they have proven that they can handle situations on their own. However, if you see that they are not effective, do not go to step 5. Give them some more training. Make sure they are ready before you let them go on their own.

Maxwell asks, "How can you implement these steps into your life right now?" What situations are you presented with where you can delegate and lift some weight off of your shoulders? If you recognize a situation such as this, try delegation. I will warn you, though, do not delegate to simply put off your responsibilities. Delegation is a tool, not an escape route. Use it responsibly and effectively.

God bless you!

Generosity: It Takes Several Forms

"In this world, where e'er we roam, ancient words will guide us home. Ancient words, ever true, changing me and changing you; we have come with open hearts. Oh, let the ancient words impart!"

These lyrics from the song, "Ancient Words," remind us that wherever we are, we can find where our home is, with God, through His Word: the Holy Bible. "Your word, Oh Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens." (Psalm 119:89, NIV) "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8, NIV) You can always rely on His Word to lead and guide you back to Him. His Word is His love letter to His children. Dive into it!

The main verses Maxwell has for today are Deuteronomy 15:7-8: "If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs." (NIV)

Maxwell notes three characteristics of great leaders: they serve others, solve problems, and save causes that matter. Leaders need to be generous and help those less fortunate than they. That may or may not take the form of money. As a leader, you can offer your gift. Lead others. Don't hold your gift to yourself. God gave it to you for a reason: to give to others.

Help others. This can take several forms, such as service, counseling, or even simply listening. Never underestimate the impact that can be made by something you may find to be really easy or simple. It could make a great difference for someone else.

The reflection question this evening asks: "How can you err on the side of generosity?" What do you have to give others that can help them and lead them to Christ? We have already established that you can offer your leadership. You can also serve others. Servant leadership can have a huge impact. You may offer others advice. Listen when a friend is going through a difficult situation. It may be that you need to pray to God with them and ask Him to lead him or her. Whatever the case may be, use your gift to help others. Be generous. Christ gave His life for you. We can never even begin to come close to paying that back. But you can, "Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God," and, "not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing, and perfect will." (Romans 12:1-2, NIV) Furthermore, we must, "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1-2, NIV)

God bless you!

Communication: The Steering Wheel

 "Lord, I need You! Oh, I need You. Ev'ry hour I need You. My one defense, my righteousness, oh God, how I need You...Where You are, Lord, I am free. Holiness is Christ in me!" These truths, presented by Matt Maher in his song, "Lord, I Need You," should be present in our daily lives. We must never forget that we need God in every moment of our lives. He is essential, not optional. I saw this online one day: God wants full custody, not just weekend visitation. We need to commit our entire lives to Him and let Him transform us. From there, we can move forward to leading our followers, once we are in right standing with Him.

The central Scripture for tonight comes from Matthew 7:28-29, which says: "When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law." (NIV) Jesus knew that He needed to communication effectively for His message to get across. Communication is the steering wheel that the leader uses to direct his team.

John W. Gardner notes, "If I had to name a single all-purpose instrument of leadership, it would be communication." Communication is critical. Without it, your team is sunk, with you as captain of the ship. You must be able to clearly communication your vision and plans to your followers so that they can help you move forward successfully.

Maxwell gives three C's for effective communication: "Be Consistent...Be Clear...Be courteous." These three factors are key in effective communication. Don't say one thing at one point and then something completely different the next. Give all necessary details and leave no gray areas. In all of that, keep your followers in mind and be conscious of their feelings and how they may react to the way you communicate. "Never forget that as the leader, your communication sets the tone for the interaction among your group." (Maxwell)

I wrote a lot about communication last night also. Take it all to heart and work on your communication skills.

Review the article from the link below for more from Maxwell on communication.

Maxwell on Communication

Following are more Bible verses about communication.

"The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught." (Isaiah 50:4, NIV) God will guide your words, if you ask Him and let Him take control.

"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (Colossians 4:6, NIV) God will give you the answer at the proper time.

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29, NIV) Watch your mouth!

The reflection question for tonight asks, "In what ways can you improve your communication?" There are many forms of communication: written, verbal, visual, and others. You may excel in one area but lack in others. Work on those areas where you are weaker. Enhance your communication skills. It is a valuable investment and crucial to your success as a leader.

God bless you!

Take the Lead

"You say let it go. You say let it go! You say life is waiting for the ones who lose control. You say You will be everything I need. You say if I lose my life, it's then I'll find my soul. You say let it go!" These lyrics from Tenth Avenue North's song "Let It Go" provide great insight into putting God in control and letting Him lead you so that you can effectively lead others. Scripture backs up what the band says in this song.

"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall." (Psalm 55:22, NIV)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV)
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.'" (Jeremiah 29:11-13, NIV)
"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it.'" (Matthew 16:24-25, NIV)

There is also a poem, which I have quoted before, that goes along with this. To my knowledge, the author is unknown.

As children bring there broken toys with tears for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreams to God because He was my friend.
But then instead of leaving Him in peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help with ways that were my own.
At last, I snatched them back and cried, "How can You be so slow?"
"My child," He said, "What could I do? You never did let go."

You must be able to let go and give God control before you can lead others. God is the ultimate Leader. Follow Him, and then lead others, in that order.

The beginning verse that Maxwell presents for tonight is Judges 4:8, which says: "Barak said to her, 'If you go with me, I will go; but if you don't go with me, I won't go.'" (NIV) Deborah had gained a following, because she showed positive leadership qualities. She didn't force others to follow her. Her followers were such by choice, because they saw potential in her.

Maxwell notes the following two things: "In general, followers seek those who are better leaders than themselves," and, "The more leadership ability someone has, the more quickly they recognize leadership--or its lack--in others."  In order to be a leader, one should have followers. This points to the first statement. Then, leaders should recognize whether or not their followers are fit for the task at hand, so that they can build a good team to accomplish what is needed, and go even further than that.

Leaders "naturally" attract followers. Take the example of elections. To hold an office, one must be elected. Tod o that, the individual has to attract followers, and thus votes.

To create an effective team, you need to attract the right followers, those who have good intentions and, as a group, varied talents. Gather those who are able to perform well in areas you lack. In doing so, you can create a strong team.

Maxwell's reflection question for tonight is: "How do you take the lead?"

When I see a need, I form a plan and gather support through effective communication. Communication is key. You can have a great plan, but if you cannot provide a vivid picture to your followers, how is your team going to execute it? If you lack effective communication, don't worry. It is a skill that can be refined.

First and foremost, let go of things that hold you back or that are out of your control. Do not worry. Give your cares and concerns to God because He cares for you (see 1 Peter 5:7). Then, let Him take control. From there, you can lead your followers, knowing that the One leading you cannot and will not fail you!

God bless you!

Giving is a Blessing

"You are not a God created by human hands. You are not a God dependent on any mortal man. You are not a God in need of anything we can give. By Your plan, that's just thew way it is."

"You are God alone! From before time began, You were on Your throne; You were God alone. And right now, int he good times and bad, You are on Your throne; You are God alone!"

No matter what you are facing, remember Who is on the throne. God is in control! "So that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other." (Isaiah 45:6, NIV) "For dominion belongs to the Lord and He rules over the nations." (Psalm 22:28, NIV) "Our God is an awesome God! He reigns from heaven above, with wisdom, power, and love. Our God is an awesome God!" (Song: Awesome God)

This evening's main passage is 2 Corinthians 9:10-11, which says: "Now He Who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." (NIV) Paul's words of wisdom, given to him by God, remind us that God is the supplier of our every need.

Maxwell notes, "You can't harvest what you haven't planted." God gives you the seed. However, you cannot reap a harvest if you do not go out and sow the seed. Leave the growing to God. "So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." (1 Corinthians 3:7, NIV) Please note that God is not saying that you are worthless. I believe that He is saying not to worry about whether or not what you plant will produce fruit. Follow through on your end, and leave the rest to God.

We must sow seed in our followers if we want them to produce a harvest. Invest in your followers. Show them that you are putting in valuable time and effort.

Maxwell poses this question: "In what ways do you give your life?" Use the talents God has given you to bring Him glory. Use your gifts for the same. Help others and lead them to God.

God bless you!

Teamwork is Essential

"Greater is the One living inside of me than he who is living in the world!" --MercyMe, "Greater"

"There'll be days I lose the battle. Grace says that it doesn't matter, 'cause the cross already won the war. He's greater! He's greater! I am learning to run freely, understanding just how He sees me, and it makes me love Him more and more." --MercyMe, "Greater"

Let those lyrics sink in. No matter what you are going through, God is there. And He is bigger than anything you may be facing. Remember that. It can be very comforting if you let that truth sink in.

The verse for this evening comes from 1 Samuel 22:2, which says, "All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him." (NIV) David is a great example of a leader to model yourself after. There are many lessons that we can learn from his life as described in the Bible. David effectively led first a smaller group of people, and eventually the entire nation of Israel!

Rex Murphy said, "Where there's a will there's a way; where there's a team, there's more than one way." Teamwork is essential for success. I've said this before: Even if you are the one in charge, you must still work with others as a team. Teamwork is inevitable.

Be a valuable asset to the teams you are a part of.

The reflection question Maxwell poses for today is: "How do you invest in your team?" He gives ten steps that leaders can take to invest in their teams. (The steps below are quoted directly.)

1. Make the decision to build a team.
2. Gather the best team possible.
3. Pay the price to develop the team.
4. Do things together as a team.
5. Empower team members with responsibility and authority.
6. Give credit for success to the team.
7. Watch to see that the investment in the team is paying off.
8. Stop your investment in players who do not grow.
9. Create new opportunities for the team.
10. Give the team the best possible chance to succeed.

Following those guidelines can help you to build an effective team capable of accomplishing great tasks. As the leader, you must be willing to invest in your followers. Make the investment. Take the time necessary to ensure their growth, as far as it depends on you. Your followers will probably see that you are taking these initiatives. Lead them as effectively as you can! And where you fail, look to God for strength and guidance. Even through your strong times, look to Him. Never neglect the Ultimate Leader. He is where your guidance and strength and help should come from!

God bless you!

God is Greater!

This evening, I began my devotional time with the song, "Not for a Moment," by Meredith Andrews.

"Not for a moment did You forsake me. After all, You are constant. After all, You are only good. After all, You are sovereign. Not for a moment will You forsake me."

"And every step, every breath, You are there; every tear, every cry, every prayer; in my hurt, at my worst; when my world falls down, not for a moment will You forsake me. Even in the dark, even when it's hard, You will never leave me."

We must never forget this truth: God is right beside us! "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV)

The introductory verse that Maxwell presents is Nehemiah 6:16: "When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God." (NIV) We serve a big God!

Maxwell notes, "Commitment comes before anything else in a leader's life." He gives the following four characteristics that should stem from this.

A compelling purpose: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28, NIV), "For it is God Who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose." (Philippians 2:13, NIV)
A clear perspective: "'I tell you the truth, whoever hears My Word and believes Him Who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." (John 5:24, NIV), "Jesus said, 'If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'" (John 8:31-32, NIV), "'So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.'" (John 8:36, NIV)
Continual prayer: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (Romans 12:12, NIV), "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17, KJV)
Courageous persistence: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, NIV), "To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life." (Romans 2:7, NIV)

Leaders need to possess these characteristics to succeed when faced with challenges. These qualities go right alongside faith in God.

I'm not sure if there is a specific person to whom I should give credit for this, but I have seen it multiple times: "Don't tell God how big your problem is. Tell your problem how big your God is!"

MercyMe's song, "Greater," depicts this wonderfully. "Greater is the One living inside of me than he who is living in the world...There'll be days I lose the battle. Grace says that it doesn't matter, 'cause the cross already won the war. He's greater! He's greater! I am learning to run freely, understanding just how He sees me, and it makes me love Him more and more." God is greater!

The reflection question for today asks: "How can you cultivate these characteristics in your life right now?" Each person may have a different set of circumstances. However, everyone can begin in the same position. Place your faith and trust in God!

God bless you!

Faith, not Luck

I began devotional time today with Big Daddy Weave's, "Redeemed."

"Then You look at this prisoner, and say to me, 'Son, stop fighting a fight that's already been won.'"

"I am redeemed! You set me free. So I'll shake off these heavy chains and wipe away every stain. Now I'm not who I used to be. I am redeemed."

"And when I hear You whisper, 'Child, lift up your head,' I remember, oh God, You're not done with me yet!"

"I don't have to be the old man inside of me, 'cause his day is long dead and gone, because I've got a new name, a new life; I'm not the same; and a hope that will carry me home! I am redeemed."

The introductory Scripture tonight comes from Acts 9:26-27a: "When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles." (NIV) Don't be afraid to bring new people onto your team. If you have been stuck, you may very well just need new ideas.

In the devotional entry for today, Maxwell quoted Walter P. Chrysler: "The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers."

We need to have faith in God and not rely on "luck." "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, Who does not change like the shifting shadows," James says in James 1:17 (NIV). Rely on and trust in the Father, and put your faith in His Son. Jesus even said, "'Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in Me.'" (John 14:1, NIV)

I do not have much more commentary this evening. Scripture speaks for itself. Listen to God's message that He gives each and every one of us through His Word, the Holy Bible.

Reflect on Maxwell's question for today: "What people do you know who can recognize an opportunity?" Barnabas saw an opportunity when he met Saul (later named Paul). Don't get too stuck in the flow of things that you miss opportunities because you are not looking for them.

God bless you!

Who's the Boss?

This evening, I began worship time with the song, "Holy Spirit," by Jesus Culture. I have used this song multiple times in my posts, but its lyrics hold fast.

"Holy Spirit, You are welcome here! Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere. Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for; to be overcome by Your presence, Lord!"

"Let us become more aware of Your presence. Let us experience the glory of Your goodness."

Verses today come from Ephesians, Chapter 6, verses 5 through 9:

"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Server wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. And masters, treat your slaves the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him." (NIV)

There are several things that Maxwell says in the June 15 devotional entry that I find worth quoting.

"Not only does God always watch us, He rewards the good we do."

"People may forget how fast you did your last job, but they will remember how well you did it."

"Ultimately, we all work for ourselves and for God."

We need to work well and do good work, not only when our employers are watching. It comes down to character and integrity.

Do the right thing, not just when others are watching, but always. There is a saying that my friends and fellow IT students mention sometimes, out of humor: The NSA is watching. Forget the NSA, God is watching!!

The reflection questions tonight asks, "Who do you ultimately work for? Does your work ethic reflect your response?" Reflect on what we have gone over. Ultimately, no matter who your employer is, as a Christian, you work for God. After you have come to that reality, think deeply on the second question. If your work ethic does not match up with that fact, make some changes. If we're honest, we probably do not always act as though God is there, even though He is. We should pray and ask God to help us in that matter and lead us. Then, we must follow through and follow Him!

God bless you!

Truth: The Foundation

I began devotional time tonight with Casting Crowns' "Lifesong."

"May the words I say and the things I do make my lifesong sing, bring a smile to You."

"Let my lifesong sing to You! I wanna sign Your Name at the end of this day, knowing that my heart was true. Let my lifesong sing to You!"

The key Scripture tonight comes from Proverbs 28:16: "A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment, but he who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long life." (NIV) Be truthful. Do not use unworthy methods to get what you want.

Maxwell notes six key points to follow in order to pass the "trust test":

Model consistency of character. Be truthful at all times. Don't be wishy-washy with your commitments and trustworthiness.
Employ honest communication. Don't lie to your followers, regardless of how hard the truth may be to swallow.
Value transparency. Be open and honest with your followers.
Exemplify humility. Don't be proud. If you expect your followers to do something, you must be willing to do it as well. Don't just let them do all of the hard work. Join in.
Demonstrate your support of others. Don't just say you are there for someone. Take action, because actions speak louder than words.
Fulfill your promises. Follow through on what you say you will do. Do not make promises you can't keep.

To develop a trust-centered relationship with your followers, you have to be open and honest with them. The foundation should always be truth. Following that helps you to let Christ shine through you!

Maxwell poses the following question: "In what ways do you strive to pass the 'trust test'?" Helping others and being there for them, without ulterior motives, is a great way to help pass the test. Follow your heart, which should be guided by faith in Jesus, Who will never lead you down the wrong road!

God bless you!

Helping Others for the Common Good

Tonight, I began devotional time with the song, "Thrive," by Casting Crowns.

"Living water flowing through, God we thirst for more of You. Fill our hearts and flood our souls with one desire: Just to know You and to make You known, we lift Your Name on high. Shine like the sun, make darkness run and hide. We know we were made for so much more than ordinary lives. It's time for us to more than just survive. We were made to thrive."

"Joy unspeakable, faith unsinkable, love unstoppable, anything is possible!"

Scripture tonight comes from Judges Chapter 3, verses 9 and 15a:

v. 9: "But when they cried out to the Lord, He raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, who saved them." (NIV)

v. 15a: "Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and He gave them a deliverer--Ehud, a left-handed man, son of Gera the Benjamite." (NIV)

God appoints leaders to help His people. That can take the form of not only ministry, but teaching, advising, or serving in some other leadership role.

Maxwell notes that, "True leaders always find a way to help the team win." Note a key word there: help.

As a leader, you should have in mind a common goal for the good of the team. Lead your team toward that goal.

While you may be in charge, you should not have to do all of the work by yourself. The responsibility of it getting done may rest on your shoulders, but you have to learn to effectively delegate responsibilities so that the team works efficiently.

Tonight's reflection question asks, "How do you help your team win?"

Ponder that question. If you find that you are lacking in that area, pray to God and ask Him how you can improve. Follow His direction. He will never lead you in the wrong way!

God bless you!

LOVE!!

This evening, I began my devotional time with Casting Crowns' "East to West."

"Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west. 'Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been rising up in me again. In the arms of Your mercy I find rest. 'Cause You know just how far the east is from the west: from one scarred hand to the other."

Matthew 4:23 is the beginning verse for this evening. "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people." (NIV)

"To succeed personally, you must help others," notes Maxwell. Jesus spread His message effectively through helping those around Him, when they would let Him. Jesus set an example for all of us to follow.

"Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 12:31, NIV) That is the second greatest commandment for a reason. We must first love God, then love others. Why? Because God says so. Enough said. He also taught by example there.

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8, NIV) How does love cover over a multitude of sins? "God is love." (1 John 4:8, NIV) Jesus, God incarnate, died to save you from your sins. Thus, love, expressed through Christ's sacrifice and the shedding of His blood, covers your sins.

By loving others and acting in love, you add value to them, according to Maxwell.

The reflection question this evening asks, "What can you do to add value to someone you know?"

Love them! And prove it through your actions. Show others the love of Christ.

God bless you!

Helping Others

This evening, I listened to the song, "He Said," by Group 1 Crew (feat. Chris August).

"He said, 'I won't give you more, more than you can take. And I might let you bend, but I won't let you break. And oh, I'll never ever let you go.' Don't you forget what He said!"

"Don't fear when you go through the fire. Hang on when it's down to the wire. Stand tall and remember what He said!"

The verses for today come from Esther 8:1-2: "That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman's estate." (NIV)

As leaders, we must realize that we cannot do all that we need to alone. We must let others help us. God made Eve because Adam needed a helper. We weren't created to go through everything alone.

Who has God put in your path to help you along the way? Do you positively acknowledge and commend your teammates? They're there for a reason. Don't push away those who are there to help you.

Maxwell poses the question, "How have you helped and rewarded the people who have helped you?"

If you are lacking in that department, step up and take responsibility. Help those who have helped you. Love them back, because Christ loved you first!

God bless you!

Giving

This evening, I began my devotional time with the song, "Greater," by MercyMe. I think the entirety of the song is worth noting.

Bring your tired
Bring your shame
Bring your guilt
Bring your pain
Don't you know that's not your name
You will always be much more to me

Everyday I wrestle with the voices
That keep telling me I'm not right
But that's alright

Cause I hear a voice and he calls me redeemed
When others say I'll never be enough
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world
In the world
In the world
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world

Bring your doubts
Bring your fears
Bring your hurt
Bring your tears
There'll be no condemnation here
You are holy, righteous and redeemed

Every time I fall
There'll be those who will call me
A mistake
Well that's ok

Cause I hear a voice and he calls me redeemed
When others say I'll never be enough
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world
In the world
In the world
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world

Woah ohhh ohhhh ohhh
Woah ohhh ohhhh ohhh
He's Greater
He's Greater
Woah ohhh ohhhh ohhh
Woah ohhh ohhhh ohhh
He's Greater
He's Greater

There'll be days I lose the battle
Grace says that it doesn't matter
Cause the cross already won the war
He's Greater
He's Greater

I am learning to run freely
Understanding just how he sees me
And it makes me love him more and more
He's Greater
He's Greater

There'll be days I lose the battle
Grace says that it doesn't matter
Cause the cross already won the war
He's Greater
He's Greater

I am learning to run freely
Understanding just how he sees me
And it makes me love him more and more
He's Greater
He's Greater

Cause I hear a voice and he calls me redeemed
When others say I'll never be enough
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world
In the world
In the world
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world

There'll be days I lose the battle
Grace says that it doesn't matter
Cause the cross already won the war
He's Greater
He's Greater

I am learning to run freely
Understanding just how he sees me
And it makes me love him more and more
My God is greater than he who is living the world!

Verses to begin this evening come from Luke 10:34-35: "He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'" (NIV)

It is better to give than to receive. The Bible even says so in Acts 20:35: "'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (NIV) Take the example of Christ. He gave up His very life for us, so that our sins could be forgiven and we could have eternal life!

Giving doesn't always mean giving money. In fact, that is just one part. You can give gby sharing your talents, volunteering, being a mentor, or investing your time to help others succeed. And those are just a few examples!

Maxwell asks, "How do you give to others?"

One of the best ways to give is by sharing the message of Christ, showing His love, and leading others to salvation, where they can have a personal relationship with Him!

However you are able, give to others. Don't expect repayment, but do it out of your heart!

God bless you!

Follow-Up: God is in Control!

Tonight, I began devotional time with the song, "Hold Me," by Jamie Grace and featuring TobyMac.

"Just when I think this crazy world is gonna bring me down, that's when Your smile comes around. Oooh, I love the way You hold me. By my side You'll always be. You take each and every day, make it special in some way. I love the way You hold me. In Your arms I'll always be. You take each and every day, make it special in some way. I love You more than the words that my brain can express. I can't imagine even loving You less. Lord, I love the way You hold me!"

Tonight's verses come from Deuteronomy 20:1 and 4.

v1: "When you go out against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, Who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you." (NIV)

v. 4: "For the Lord your God is the One Who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." (NIV)

I have very little commentary on this because Scripture speaks for itself. Maxwell says this: "And so God gives us the same word He gave to Moses: 'Do not be afraid.'"

God is with us! We have nothing to fear! Give all of your worries and fears to Him and leave them for Him to take care of.

"Where is your confidence?" asks Maxwell.

I leave you with this poem whose author is unknown (I think).

As children bring their broken toys, with tears, for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreams to God, because He was my friend.
But then, instead of leaving Him in peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help, with ways that were my own.
At last, I snatched them back and cried, "How can You be so slow?"
"My child," He said, "What could I do? You never did let go."

God bless you!

Our Maker is in Control!!!!!

I listened to the song, "Thrive," by Casting Crowns, during my devotional time tonight.

"So living water flowing through, God, we thirst for more of You. Fill our hearts and flood our souls with one desire: Just to know You and to make You known, we lift Your Name on high. Shine like the sun, make darkness run and hide. We know we were made for so much more than ordinary lives. It's time for us to more than just survive. We were made to thrive!"

"Joy unspeakable, faith unsinkable, love unstoppable, anything is possible!"

God didn't make you to suffer. He did not create you to be depressed, sorrowful, down in the dumps. He made you to thrive! Give all of those negative feelings to God. I know that it may seem hard. I went through a period of depression where I wasn't happy at very much at all. I was fearful a lot. I didn't feel much of a purpose. Then I listened to the song, "Strong Enough," by Matthew West. I gave it all up to God, and He relieved me of all of that negativity and brought me back into His light. Trust in Him and His promises and lay it all at the throne!

Tonight's verse, Isaiah 64:8, says, "Yet, O Lord, You are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand." (NIV)

Maxwell notes that, "People under the influence of an empowering person are like paper in the hands of a great artist. No matter what they're made of, they can become treasures." No matter what you are going through, remember that God is in control! He knows what you're going through. He made you, and God doesn't make junk!

I recommend listening to the song, "He is With Us," by Love and the Outcome.

As a leader, God has called you to guide others. Be an inspiration to your followers. Help them when they are in need. God has shown you His love, now show His love to them!

Reflect on this question that Maxwell poses: "How do you treat those around you?" You may be the only image of Christ that others see. How do you portray that image?

God bless you!

Spiritual Gifts

Tonight, I listened to the song, "Lord, I Need You," by Matt Maher.

"Lord, I need You. Oh, I need You! Ev'ry hour, I need You! My one defense, my righteousness, oh God, how I need You!" We need God in every moment of our lives. Seek Him and draw close to Him, and he will come to you!

The verse for tonight comes from Romans 12:6a, which says, "We have different fits, according to the grace given us." (NIV)

Maxwell comments on the gifts that Paul describes in Romans. He describes them in the following ways:

Prophesy: to challenge others by declaring God's truth and calling for action
Service or ministry: to serve others and meet their needs
Teaching: to explain truth so that others can understand and apply it
Exhortation: to encourage, strengthen, and inspire others to be their best
Giving: to generously share what God has given
Leadership: to govern and oversee others so that the group moves forward
Mercy: to empathize with, cheer, and show compassion to those who hurt

Spiritual gifts are important. God gives each in His way and to whom He chooses.

Over two years ago, I found out that my spiritual gift is leadership. Since then, I have had multiple confirmations.

As a leader, you should look for gifts in your team so that you can play off of each person's strengths.

Ask God what your spiritual gift is. He may not answer right away, but He will reveal it to you if you seek it.

If you are a leader, consider tonight's reflection question: "In whom specifically do you recognize these gifts?" If someone on your team has one of these gifts, enable him or her to use his or her gift for the benefit of the team. Use your God-given ability to help others use theirs!

God bless you!

Stay Strong

This evening, I listened to "Lifesong," by Casting Crowns.

"May the words I say and the things I do make my lifesong sing, bring a smile to You."

"Let my lifesong sing to You! I wanna sign Your Name at the end of this day, knowing that my heart was true. Let my lifesong sing to You!"

The verse for tonight comes from 2 Timothy, chapter 4, verse 3, part b: "Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." (NIV)

Make sure you choose your friends wisely. Surround yourself with Godly people who will give you honest counsel, even if it's not what you want to hear. A good friend will tell you the trust, regardless how painful it may be.

Don't give in to those who try to bring you down. Stay strong and look to God for strength. I can't believe I'm going to use this phrase, but here it goes: Haters gonna hate! Avoid them so that you can stay strong and on the right path.

The reflection question for tonight asks, "Who is trying to hold you down? How can you persevere?" It may be hard sometimes, but the best thing may be to sever a relationship if the other person is holding you down and dragging you into things you know are wrong. It may be painful at first, but God will bring you through it and you will be better off after.

God bless you!

Pocket Change

This evening, I listened to Casting Crowns' song, "Who Am I."

"Not because of who I am, but because of what You've done; not because of what I've done, but because of Who You are! I am a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow, a wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in the wind. Still You hear me when I'm calling. Lord, You catch me when I'm falling, and You tell me who I am: I am Yours!"

No matter what you are going through, if you are saved, remember that you belong to God. He is in control and He loves you!

Today's verse, Proverbs 20:28, says, "Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure." (NIV)

Maxwell compares leadership to pocket change. As you succeed, you store it up. When you make mistakes, you have to pay it out to the people.

Try your best to store up change. Earn the trust of your followers. Then, should something really bad happen, you don't completely ruin your reputation.

Keep an eye on your balance. Once you're out of change, you're done.

Reflect on Maxwell's question for today: "How much change do you have in your pockets right now?" If you are running low, make investments in the people. Save up so that you have it in times of need.

God bless you!

Confrontation

I listened to the song, "Your Grace is Enough," by Matt Maher, as I began my devotional time tonight.

"Great is Your faithfulness oh God. You wrestle with the sinner's restless heart. You lead us by still waters and to Your mercy and nothing can keep us apart. So remember Your people, remember Your children, remember Your promise, oh God. Your grace is enough!" Rely on Him, because He says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV)

Scripture for tonight comes from Acts 26:1a-3: "So Paul motioned with his and and began his defense: 'King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me." (NIV)

Take special note of how Paul opens his speech and defense in the presence of Agrippa. Maxwell describes eight specific strategies Paul puts into place (each is a direct quote):

He appeared relaxed, yet used animated gestures.
He humbly thanked the king for allowing him to speak.
He affirmed the king's knowledge and expertise.
He identified with their opposition to the life he now embraced.
He described his motives as pure and constructive.
He explained that his obedience to God caused his trouble.
He challenged them with reasonable and verifiable facts.
He pled with them to obey.

Paul uses specific tactics to defend himself. Those concepts can be applied to our lives, especially in the area of speaking.

Ponder this question: "Using the observations above, how can you improve your speaking ability?"

Look to God for help and guidance. Then, listen! Don't be afraid to act and step out in faith.

Problem Mitigation

I began devotional time tonight with the song, "Shake," by MercyMe. I think that all of the lyrics are great, so I have posted them all below, courtesy of K Love.

I just can't believe
Where my life was at
All that I know is that my heart was broken
And I don't ever wanna go back

Ain't no explanation
How I saw the light
He found me and set me free
And it brought me back to life

Blame it on the transformation
Changed down to the core
His love is real
And I can't sit still
Cuz my name's not shamed no more

Great God Almighty, gonna change this
Great God Almighty, He gonna change me

You gotta shake, shake, shake
Like you're changed, changed, changed
Brand new looks so good on you
So shake like you've been changed

Come on and shake, shake
Shake like you've been changed
Shake, shake, shake like you changed
Maybe He came to you
When everything seemed fine
Or maybe your world was upside down and hit you right between the eyes
No matter when it happened
At 7 or 95
Move your feet ‘cause you are free
And you've never been more alive

You gotta shake, shake, shake
Like you're changed, changed changed
Brand new looks so good on you
So shake like you've been changed

Come on and shake, shake, shake
Shake like you changed, changed, changed
Shake, shake, shake like you changed
Brand new looks so good on you
So shake like you've been changed
Come on and shake, shake, shake
Shake like you changed, changed, changed
Shake, shake, shake like you changed
Shake, Shake

Great God Almighty gonna change me
Great God Almighty, He gone and changed me
No matter when it happened
At 7 or 95
Move your feet, ‘cause you are free
And you've never been more alive

Repeat chorus.

The verse for tonight is Joshua 7:1: "But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things; Achan...took some of them. So the Lord's anger burned against Israel." (NIV)

If a particular individual is going against a core value of your organization, as a leader it is your job to correct the situation before it worsens. When God called us to be leaders, He didn't mean just in easy times. We must be able to take care of negative situations when they arise. Step up and take action. You are responsible for your organization, whether you are the head of it or as another part of the team.

Maxwell presents this question: "Do you recognize a weak link that you must stop immediately?" Ask God's guidance in such situations. Make sure that you are taking the right action. Then move forward, if that is necessary. Trust in Him to guide you in the right direction!

God bless you!

Quality of Leadership

Tonight's devotion begins with the song, "The Hurt & the Healer," by MercyMe.

"Here I am, what's left of me, where glory meets my suffering. I'm alive, even though a part of me has died. You take my heart and breathe it back to life. I fall into Your arms open wide, when the hurt and the healer collide." God is there when you need Him, in good times and bad. Look to Him and run to Him!

Scripture for tonight comes from Isaiah 6:8: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" (NIV) We must be available for God to use us!

Maxwell notes that, "Everything rises and falls on leadership. If a team has great leadership, then it can gain everything else it needs to go to the highest level." Leadership is central to a team's success.

Sometimes it is necessary to focus on a central, root issue or cause, and let everything else fall into place. This concept can be found in what Maxwell mentions about leadership. As a leader, you should develop your gift and strive to make progress. You need to develop what God has given you so that you are ready when He calls you to certain situations.

Throughout the process, you will likely have problems that may lead to setbacks. Take those hurt and broken pieces to God for healing. Trust in Him and follow His guidance!

Reflect on this question: "Have you ever been part of a team with poor leadership? Strong leadership?" Think about the characteristics that surrounded those situations. Learn lessons from each. From the first, what not to do, and from the latter, what to do. Through everything, look to God for guidance. If things are going well, praise Him. If they are not, don't complain, but look to Him for direction and guidance.

God bless you!

You're Not Alone

This evening, I listened to the song, "Cannons," by Phil Wickham. He cries out to God in worship, saying, "The music of the universe plays, singing: You are holy, great and mighty! The moon and the stars declare Who You are! I'm so unworthy, but still You love me! Forever my heart will sing of how great You are!" We must remember that God is with us! He loves us!

Scripture verses this evening come from Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work...Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (NIV)

A quote by John Maxwell follows this quite nicely: "The truth is that teamwork is at the heart of great achievement."

As leaders, it is critical that we come to the realization that we can't do everything we are called to do alone. We have to work with others. More appropriately, we get to work with others.

Whether you realize it or not, your leadership is not a solo endeavor. If you shut everyone else out and let pride set in, you will inevitably fail. Don't be stubborn! Strengthen your soft skills. Work with others, even if you are inclined to work alone.

This evening's reflection question asks, "What teams are you part of?" You may be part of a sports team. You may serve on an executive board at work. If neither of those apply, perhaps you have forgotten the most important team you are part of: your FAMILY. Never forget that you are part of a team, and more than likely, multiple. Play your part. If you struggle with this, call on God for strength and encouragement in the matter. He will help you if you let Him.

God bless you!