Give Your All

"So Jehu destroyed Baal worship in Israel. However, he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit—the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan." –2 Kings 10:28-29 (NIV)

“Jehu accomplished great things for the Lord and the kingdom of Israel, but his compromise led to another vile form of idolatry. In the end, his disobedience overshadowed his accomplishments as a leader.” –John C. Maxwell, The Maxwell Leadership Bible

As Christians, we should give everything over to God. In fact, when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives, we are doing exactly that: giving our lives over to Him. However, oftentimes what may happen is that, while we initially give it over to Him, we take some parts right back out of His hands.

A popular praise song called “I Surrender All” can give an illustration of this. To sum it up, the song says, “All to Thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.” I recently thought about this song, but initially prevented myself from actually praying it to Him. I had reservations. I’m not sure that I had anything specific that I was saying, No, I’m not going to give that to You. But sometimes the thought of giving everything over to Him can be overwhelming.

While I sat and meditated on that, though, I came to the realization that I need to give it all to Him. Whatever I don’t surrender to Him is ultimately going to fail and most likely result in pain and distress. Going further, we should realize that God’s plans are for our benefit! Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘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.’” (NIV)

As leaders, we need to surrender everything to Him and let Him lead us. That in turn allows us to lead others more effectively and for His glory. We need to be servant leaders. In Luke 22:25-26, Jesus says, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.” (NIV) We should submit to God, the Ultimate Leader (as Maxwell puts it). Then He can help us lead others.

Renowned leadership expert John C. Maxwell asks: “What idols do you need to remove from your life to give your all?”

I think that the overall thing that that question points to is simply this: Self. It is in our human nature to want to be in control. However, it is much more beneficial if we relinquish that desire of the flesh and surrender to God, our Creator. Jesus even said, “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24, NIV) No matter what the struggle may be, it ultimately comes down to denial of self to take hold of Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our faith (see Hebrews 12:2).

That being said, it will not be easy. However, within the problem lies the beauty: Jesus will be right there with us, for He has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (See Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews 13:5.)

We should pray this:

Father, I surrender everything to You; I put it in Your hands. I know that You are in control, no matter what may come my way. Help me to first follow You, and then help me to lead others. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

God bless you!

I Surrender All

Through the Storm

Taking a break from Joshua, let's switch our focus to finding strength through the storms life throws our way.

Sometimes life throws us trials that seem impossible to surpass. We may be going through a peaceful time, and then, seemingly out of nowhere, life slaps you in the face. In those times, we must remember that God is not the one against us. In Romans 8:31-32, Paul says, “What then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” Rest assured: If you are in Christ, He is for you! Chris Tomlin sings, “And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us? And if our God is with us, then who can stand against?!” (“Our God”)

There may even be times when we do think that things have gotten so bad that God has something against us. We may think, God, what have I done that you have brought this on me? In those times, remember, “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your Name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.” (Psalm 9:9-10) Look carefully at how that verse is written. Jesus has never forsaken His people. It is not in His nature to do so! Even in the Old Testament times, when He was grieved at the ways of His people, He relented and kept a remnant alive. If He cared that much for His people then, He cares that much for us now, for, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

God is there with you through everything, thick and thin, trials and triumphs. Psalm 112:4 says, “Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.” Furthermore, verses 7 and 8 say, “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.” These verses present promises! First, we are promised light in the darkness. This is reiterated in Psalm 109:105, which says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Jesus Himself is the Light of the World! If you have His Spirit in you, the light is in you and with you always!

We will not fear bad news! How can that be? Fear is in the human nature. However, we are to live by the Spirit, not by the flesh, if we have the Holy Spirit in us (see Romans 8:5). And when living by the Spirit, we have God’s love. And God is love. Going on from there, we can look at 1 John 4:18 which says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” Conclusion: With God, we shall not fear! Chris Tomlin sings, “I know Who goes before me; I know Who stands behind. The God of angel armies is always by my side. The One Who reigns forever: He is a friend of mine. The God of angel armies is always by my side!” (“Whom Shall I Fear”)

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells you to, “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.” There are two parts there that we must remember in order to take hold of the second promise provided in Psalm 112:7. We must not only trust in God wholeheartedly, but we must also learn not to lean on what our mortal minds can comprehend. God is above all and through all and in all. Our minds cannot comprehend what He really is and how much He really loves us. How are we to overcome this hurdle? Trust in Him. Believe that He means what He says and that He will fulfill all of His promises! And those promises are found in His Word, which is available to us!

Next, take a closer look at Psalm 112:8 (presented above): “In the end he will look in triumph on his foes.” This can be taken multiple ways, and I think that each can be applicable to their respective situations. After we have made it through a storm, we can look back and realize that God was with us and that He brought us through it. We were victorious over that situation! And, in the grand scheme of things, when He returns, we will be victorious! So, no matter how you look at it, with Jesus in control (and He is in control), we are victorious! He even promises us that in His Word! Psalm 60:12 tells us, “With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies.” If we are unable to conquer our enemies (due to our human limitations), He will trample them! What does this tell us? He backs us up when we walk with Him and trust in Him!

One key aspect in all of this is patience. Psalm 27:14 tells us to, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” We have to remember that God has His own timing. We must trust that He knows what He is doing. And through all of it, “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.” (Psalm 145:18-19)  He does hear us and will save us! That is quite comforting to know!

God also gives us peace so that we can make it through our sufferings. In John 14:27, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” He has not given us peace as if from the world. Instead, He has provided us with His peace! He is with us! “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (See Romans 8:31.)

In everything, we must trust in God and place our faith in Him. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you.” (James 4:7-8a)  At the sound of Jesus’ Name, Satan must flee! He has no choice! Furthermore, when we draw near to God instead, He comes close to us as well! Take the story of the Prodigal Son. He saw his son far off, and ran to him. That is how God comes to His children (that’s us)!

We should cast all of our anxiety on Jesus. Why? Because He cares for us! (See
1 Peter 5:7.) And when we turn over our trials, fears, problems, and shortcomings, and truly let them go, He takes them and replaces all of the negativity with His strength! And with that, we can and will persevere and make it through anything life throws our way!

Finally, after we have placed our trust in Him, we can have confidence that we are already victorious! Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do everything through Him Who gives me strength.”  “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” (Hebrews 10:35-36)

Pray this prayer: Father, Thank You for never leaving me and for never forsaking me. I acknowledge that You are God in heaven above and on the earth below. Nothing is impossible with You. I lift my problems up to You. I know that You are with me through this storm, and I trust that You will bring me through it. Thank You for saving me and walking along with me. I know that Your love will bring me through this. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!

God bless you!

Joshua: Chapter 3

There is one distinct leadership characteristic that radiates throughout Joshua Chapter 3: Leaders must have followers. And good leaders influence their followers to get them to go in their direction.

First, we see Israel's officers giving orders to the nation: "When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it." (vv. 3-4, NIV) Israel's officers gave clear directions to the people. Leaders must be able to communicate clearly and effectively so that their followers can come in behind them in the proper manner.

Then, in verse 6, we see an example of the people following their leader. "Joshua said to the priests, 'Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.' So they took it up and went ahead of them." (NIV) Note the cause-and-effect situation here. Joshua gave the order, and the priests followed his direction. This is an essential dynamic that must take place between the leader and his followers in order for things to get done effectively.

So, first we see the officers giving direction to the people. Then Joshua giving directions to the officers. Next, we see God talking to Joshua. (Note that, even though there is an increase in rank, leaders still have someone they need to follow, up to the point of God Himself, who Maxwell titles the Ultimate Leader.) In verse 7, God tells Joshua, "Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses." (NIV) For the nation of Israel to operate in the proper manner, and do so effectively, the general populace needed to look to the officers for direction, who looked to Joshua for their orders, who looked to God for guidance. And the fact that Joshua looked to God before seeking anyone else made his leadership real and effective.

While you may be a leader, you probably have someone you have to follow as well. Take the example of Joshua. He held Israel's leading rank as far as mankind was concerned. However, he needed to look to God for guidance on what he was to do. It is very important to remember that, while you may have the highest title in an organization, you still have someone that you need to look to and follow, even if it is only to God Himself.

Ask God to help you better yourself as a leader. But also remember to ask Him to mold you into a better follower as well. Taking the two together, with God's guidance, you can do amazing things!

God bless you!

Joshua: Chapter 2

Good leadership characteristics are portrayed in Joshua Chapter 2. One cannot lead others if they are not willing to follow. Joshua was able to get his people to follow him.

Right away, in verse 1, we see that Joshua told his followers to go, and they went! That took influence. As Maxwell points out in his Law of Influence, "Leadership is influence--nothing more, nothing less." If you cannot influence your followers, how can you expect them to follow you? In fact, I believe that it is impossible for someone to follow another if there is no influence. There must be some reason that a person follows another, or they wouldn't be following!

Maxwell points out that Joshua came to leadership at a time when Israel needed military leadership. And that is plain to see, as the book of Joshua has a lot to do with the conquest of Canaan. Through this example, we learn that, though someone may be a leader, he or she is not always suited for every situation. A leader has specific strengths, and God can call him to lead when the situation best fits his skillset.

Another example of the Law of Influence comes from a person we might least expect it from: Rahab, the prostitute. God changed Rahab's heart and used her for good, to help His people take the Promised Land. Maxwell points out that God chose her, "because leadership depends less on titles than it does on influence." He mentions that Rahab was considered lower than the lower-class citizens because of her profession. Yet God chose her to do His will. God is able to use anyone, as long as they are willing to follow His direction and trust Him. "Wise leaders remember that God sees the human heart." (Maxwell)

Chapter 2 provides proof that God changed Rahab's heart and thus was able to use her. In the second part of verse 11, Rahab says, "for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below."  Furthermore, the oath sworn between her and the spies she requested be made in the Lord's Name. God used Rahab to influence the Israelite people in a positive way and helped the spies to carry out the commands Joshua gave them. God used her in his plan despite her position.

We see two distinct examples of leadership in this chapter. Joshua was indeed a leader, appointed by God, to help the Israelite nation. Rahab was also given the opportunity to lead by helping the spies. In doing so, she saved the lives of her family and herself. Both of these cases boil down to one thing: Influence. To conclude, I leave you with the words of John Maxwell: "Leadership is influence--nothing more, nothing less."

God bless you!

Joshua: Chapter 1

After praying to God about studying one book in particular (I didn't have one in mind at the time), I asked Him to help me choose one to study. He led me to Joshua. And Joshua is a great book for leaders to study, as the man was indeed a leader, and one that we can model ourselves after.

 First of all, Joshua's call to leadership came straight from the Lord Himself. In the second part of verse 5, the Lord tells Joshua, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6-8 also backs up that claim that the Lord is always with us. No matter what God has called you to, it should be comforting to know that you're not in it alone! And for leaders, while we are called to lead others, we must also submit to God, whom John C. Maxwell calls The Ultimate Leader.

What does it take to be a leader? One thing is courage. Joshua 1:9 says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Further confirmation of this teaching can be found in Psalm 27:1, Deuteronomy 31:7-8, and Jeremiah 1:8. The band Casting Crowns reiterates, "We were made to be courageous! We were made to lead the way!" ("Courageous") God has called us not to worrisome leadership, but to courageous leadership! He is with us! Why should we be afraid?

Furthermore, not only did God tell Joshua to take courage, but his followers continued the call, telling him, at the end of verse 18, "Only be strong and courageous!" Under Joshua's leadership, the nation of Israel was pointed toward God and followed Him. Where does your leadership take your followers? Do you point them to a Godly life?

As you take on new endeavors, whether they involve leadership or not, take note of what the Life Application Study Bible has to say: "Every new job is a challenge. Without God it can be frightening. With God it can be a great adventure. Just as God was with Joshua, he is with us as we face our new challenges. By asking God to direct us we can conquer many of life's challenges." Don't cower back and say that you are incapable or that you do not have what it takes. Remember, "With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies." (Psalm 60:12)

No matter what you face, trust God to lead you. Say to yourself, "Greater is the One living inside of me than he who is living in the world!" (That comes from MercyMe's song "Greater.")

Ask God to give you the faith and the courage that Joshua had so that you can be a great leader for God! No matter what, "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)

Pray this simple prayer: "God, please lead me so that I can lead others. In Jesus' Name. Amen!" The first part of the Serenity prayer may also help if you are facing difficulties: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

God bless you!

Overcoming Unbelief

Have you ever felt like what you do doesn't matter? Have you ever thought that you are doing everything for nothing? Those sorts of thoughts have crossed my mind a few times, and it is likely that they have crossed the minds of some of you as well. However, that mindset is from the devil. He is trying to bring you down and distract you and make you forget that God has a purpose for you!

Steven Curtis Chapman sings a song called, "Do Everything." He sings, "While I may not know you, I bet I know you wonder sometimes, Does it matter at all? Well, let me remind you, it all matters just as long as you do everything you do to the glory of the One Who made you, 'cause He made you to do every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face and tell the story of grace with every move that you make, and every little thing you do." Let these lyrics sink in as I move forward to back up Chapman's words with Scripture.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 says, "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." (NIV)

No matter what you may think, God has a plan for your life. And that plan can be strengthened by accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior, if you haven't already. He is the only Way to heaven, as John 14:6 says, " 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me.' " (NIV) In Romans 10:9-10, my favorite Scripture verses, Paul says, "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (NIV) It all begins with Christ. He is where we find our purpose!

John C. Maxwell notes, "Trust and obey God, because He is the ultimate Judge." Faith and trust in God are very powerful tools. Proverbs 3:5-6 even says, "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." (NIV)

While all of this can apply to anyone, these next points especially apply to leaders.

Maxwell points out ten ways that godly leaders should think. He answers the question, "So, how are godly leaders to think?" His points are as follows (each is a direct quote):

1. Godly leaders think big: They realize God's vision is usually bigger than theirs.
2. Godly leaders think other people: They always include others in the mix.
3. Godly leaders think continually: They're not satisfied with today's answers.
4. Godly leaders think bottom line: They want to see results and fruit.
5. Godly leaders think continual growth: They want to keep improving.
6. Godly leaders think without lines: They let God outside of the box.
7. Godly leaders think victory: They want to see God's rule come to earth.
8. Godly leaders think intuitively: They have a sense of what will work.
9. Godly leaders think servanthood: They want to serve and add value to people.
10. Godly leaders think quickly: They evaluate quickly and see possible answers.

Let's take a look at one of these points in particular. We can view Number 9 in light of what Jesus said in Matthew 20:28: " 'Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.' " (NIV) And we are to follow Christ's example of servanthood. Even leaders are able to do this by being servant leaders, serving their followers and not thinking of themselves more highly than they ought to (see Romans 12:3).

Thinking is very powerful. We should not become like those Paul speaks of in Romans 1:21: "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile..." (NIV)

After all, having doubts and not believing in oneself begins with one's thoughts, right???? However, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and, provided that we take hold of it and allow it to, it can shed bright light in even the darkest places.

In his song, "Only a Mountain," Jason Castro sings, "Just a little bit of faith can change it all, change it all! This is only a mountain; you don't have to find your way around it. Tell it to move; it'll move! Tell it to fall; it'll fall! This is only a moment; you don't have to let your fear control it. Tell it to move; it'll move! Tell it to fall; it'll fall!"

In Matthew 17:20, Jesus says, " 'I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.' " (NIV) Let's take special note of a word used in this verse. Jesus did not say that the mountain may move. No, He says that it will move! There is definite power in the Name of Jesus, and that power is bestowed upon those who place their faith and hope in Him!

The Life Application Study Bible commentates the following on that verse: "If you are facing a problem that seems as big and immovable as a mountain, turn your eyes from the mountain and look to Christ for more faith. Only then will your work for Him become useful and vibrant."

I have explained all of that to conclude with this: We should not doubt! " ' "If you can"?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for him who believes.' Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, 'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!' " (Mark 9:23-24, NIV) Replace your doubts, fears, and unbelief with faith and trust in Jesus and His promises!

Father, thank You for everything You have given me. I am blessed abundantly, spiritually and materially. Forgive me for all of my sins, including unbelief. Increase my faith and help me to trust in You more and more. Thank You! In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

God bless you!

Godly Counsel

Hillsong sings, " 'Cause the enemy has been defeated! Death couldn't hold You down! We're gonna lift our voice in victory! We're gonna make Your praises loud! Shout unto God with a voice of triumph! Shout unto God with a voice of praise! Shout unto God with a voice of triumph! We lift Your Name up! We lift Your Name up!" ("Shout Unto God") No matter what we're going through and no matter what lies ahead, we have the victory because of Christ. He is our Victory! "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:57, NIV)

In 1 Samuel 19:2-3, Jonathan tells David, " 'My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there. I will go out and stand with my father in the field where you are. I'll speak to him about you and will tell you what I find out.' " (NIV) Jonathan helped his friend David succeed, even as David led Israel. Maxwell says, "Jonathan remained faithful to his comrade until the very end of his life." Successful leadership requires the leader to rely on others for help in times of need. And even when things are going well, others should share in the victories inasmuch as the leader relies on them during the trials.

Leadership is not a solo endeavor. Above all, a leader needs to follow God and seek Him for knowledge and guidance. To strengthen this leadership dynamic, one should also seek advice from godly friends and colleagues. Ecclesiastes 4:12b says, "A cord of three strands is not quickly broken" (NIV) Those from whom a leader seeks counsel should serve to point back toward God, the Ultimate Leader, and to His guidance. There is no better help available than from our Father!

Maxwell asks, "Who are your friends that 'strengthen your hand in God?' "

Several came to mind when I read this question. Josh, one of my friends from OSUIT, helps to keep me on the right path in God. Kady, another friend I met in Okmulgee, does the same and has helped me through many trials. And I now have found a friend in JJ, a coworker of mine who is also a brother in Christ. Further, Hannah and Kerri have proven to be good friends of mine and very helpful at work. And there are many other brothers and sisters in Christ in whom I have found friendship and help in times of need and fellowship in times of peace.

Ask that question of yourself. Who can you rely on to keep your focus on Christ?

Father, thank You for the many blessings You have bestowed upon me. Among Your gifts are godly friends to lead me along the right path and help to keep me on it. Thank You for guidance in my leadership, work, and life overall. All I have is from You. Thank You! In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen!

God bless you!

Submitting to Governing Authorities

Steven Curtis Chapman sings, "Something Beautiful." Beginning from God's perspective, he sings, "'I'm gonna turn it into something different. I'm gonna turn it into something good. I'm gonna take all the broken pieces and make something beautiful like only I could.' So put it all in the hands of the Father! Give it up, give it all over to the only One Who can turn it into something beautiful!"

By following God and His direction and leadership, we allow Him to mold us and create us, including our mistakes, mess-ups, and downfalls, into something beautiful in His hands!

Today's key Scripture is Romans 13:1-2, which says, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." (NIV)

Note that Paul mentions twice that God has established the authorities! In the Old Testament (specifically Genesis 41:1-40), God presented a dream to Pharaoh in two forms. Verse 32 says, "'The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God...'" (NIV) Two times God presented the dream to Pharaoh, and two times His word says that authority has been established by Him. Do you see the connection?

By instructing us to obey authorities, God is not trying to remove our freedom. Rather, He is ensuring that we are able to trust that He knows what He is doing in guiding us. And to that point, how can we learn to submit to God, Who is not physically seen, if we cannot submit to those people whom He has physically given us? If we are able to pass this test, we show God that He can entrust others to our care as leaders.

Maxwell says, "God simply provides us with an authority test. Before we will ever become leaders of integrity, we must learn to follow other leaders, regardless of differences." We must learn to properly follow before we can effectively lead.

It all comes down to matters of the heart. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "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." (NIV, emphasis added) Put your trust in Him (with all your heart) and let Him turn your life into something beautiful! Maxwell mentions, "When we refuse to demand our own way and instead submit to others, our hearts are right. This is when God can trust us to lead others."

We must remember that authority is established by God. Does that only include those who pass laws? Does it only refer to the head leader of a nation, such as the President? No. That even includes us, as leaders whom God has called to such a task. We have to remember that, if we are to remain in a proper relationship with our followers, we have to let God, the Ultimate Leader, guide us so that we can lead others.

Maxwell asks, "What authorities do you need to submit to?"

My bosses came to mind. If you work, you have to follow the direction of your boss, right? If you don't, you probably won't have that job for much longer. Furthermore, we must follow God, for He is the ultimate authority!

Reflect on that question for yourself, keeping in mind Romans 13:1-2.

Father God, thank You for Your many gifts and blessings to me, both spiritual and physical. If we, as humans, know how to bestow good gifts unto our children, how much more so You to us! Please help me to properly submit to authorities. Guide me always, and help me to follow Your guidance. The, please be with me as I lead others. I hold onto Your promise that You will never leave me nor forsake me. Thank You for that! I know that You are turning me and my story into something beautiful! I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and I praise You and thank You for that! I love You! In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

God bless you!

Servant Leadership

Unspoken sings the song, "Good Fight." Singing from the perspective of God, they remind us to, "Keep fighting the good fight! Keep letting your light shine! 'Cause I'm never gonna leave you; always gonna see you through to the other side. Keep fighting the good...fight!"

Mark 10:45 says, "'For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.'" (NIV)

Leadership is more about being there to serve and help others than it is about being served. Maxwell says, "Once you have modeled a willingness to pay your own price for the potential of the team, you have the credibility to ask others to do the same." Jesus is the greatest example of that. He gave up many things, even His own life, for His followers. He modeled for us the principle of sacrifice. Leaders should look for the good of the team and do what they can to help make sure the team is successful.

Maxwell asks, "How do you show your willingness to sacrifice to your team?"

I have used this example before. As President of Phi Theta Kappa, I personally put in time to help my team earn points to win Club of the Year, when we were in third place, and quickly losing that, and over 200 points in the hole. We got a game plan together and carried it out. It was a lot of work, and we had to sacrifice our own time, but it was for the good of the team and it helped others in the process. (By the way, we won Club of the Year.)

Father, thank You for everything You have done for me. Thank You for Your sacrifice so that I may have eternal life, and many blessings while alive here on earth. Please help me in my times of need. Strengthen me and help me to show others how to find strength in You rather than looking to material things. I love You! In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

God bless you!

Good Fight

Guidance from the Spirit

TobyMac sings, "Steal My Show." In it, he tells God, "If You wanna steal my show, I'll sit back and watch You go. If You got something to say, go on and take it away. Need You to steal my show. Can't wait to watch You go. So take it away!"

This is one of my favorite songs. I used to sing it before I began meetings when I was President of Phi Theta Kappa. Regardless of whether you hold a leadership position or not, you can pray this to God. However, it especially applies to leadership because it allows leaders to realize that God is above them. He is the Ultimate Leader, and sometimes we just need to step back and give Him control. He may be telling us something to do or something to say to our followers. You should always pray, "Lord, steal my show," and let Him take control. There's no better position to be in than in the Lord's hands as He uses you for His glory!

Isaiah 19:11-13 says, "The officials of Zoan are nothing but fools; the wise counselors of Pharaoh give senseless advice. How can you say to Pharaoh, 'I am one of the wise men, a disciple of the ancient kings'? Where are your wise men now? Let them show you and make know what the Lord Almighty has planned against Egypt. The officials of Zoan have become fools, the leaders of Memphis are deceived; the cornerstones of her peoples have led Egypt astray." (NIV)

That is an example of what happens when leaders do not let God have control. No matter what, the Lord is in control.

Maxwell gives four elements that we should pay careful attention to if we wish to have lasting leadership: Character, perspective, courage, and favor. Character is on the inside and is a major contributor to our leadership choices. Perspective allows us to see problems and opportunities form multiple angles so that we can make informed decisions before we act. Courage helps us to push forward in spite of fears or potential problems. And favor enables us to have backup, from God and from men, the former much greater and more important than the latter.

Today's reflection question asks: "Which element or elements do you need to focus on more?"

My answer to that is courage. I let my insecurities and fears interfere with my leadership when I should lift it all up to the Lord and let Him guide me.

Pray this prayer: Father, thank You for Your many blessings to me. May I never take them for granted. Please guide me in my leadership. Help me to positively build my character, bestow Your favor upon me, help me to see from the right perspectives, and give me courage to face whatever may come my way, knowing that You are always with me. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

God bless you!

Steal My Show

Developing Leadership Abilities

Steven Curtis Chapman sings, "And God says, 'I'm gonna turn it into something different. I'm gonna turn it into something good. I'm gonna take all the broken pieces and make something beautiful like only I could.' So put it all in the hands of the Father. Give it up; give it all over to the only One Who can turn it into something beautiful...'When I get through, you're gonna be amazed!'" ("Something Beautiful")

Exodus 13:11 tells us, "The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent." (NIV) Joshua needed training.

Some people are able to take charge right out of the gate, seemingly born with the right skills to do the job. Others must take more time to develop themselves. But no matter what, some level of training and experience is needed to turn someone into a great leader.

Maxwell lists three keys for developing a new leader: encouragement, training, and opportunities. If someone discovers leadership potential in another, the former should encourage the latter to develop his or her abilities. A developing leader needs to go through training to fine-tune his or her skills. Afterward, those skills must be put to the test as opportunities to lead are presented. Leaders who have proper training and experience can make a great impact.

Today's reflection question is: "What kind of an impact player are you?"

Sometimes I make a great impact, but other times I may not. It depends on the situation and how well suited I am to make a difference in that particular area. You must know yourself and your abilities and know when you can make the best difference based on your skills and experience.

No matter what situations you are presented with, remember that with the Lord's help, he can turn it all into something beautiful if you rely on Him and put it in His hands!

Father, Thank You for Your many gifts to me. Help me to develop and refine the leadership abilities You give me. Help me to make a positive impact for Your kingdom. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

God bless you!

Something Beautiful

Fostering the Spirit of Teamwork

Jeremy Camp sings the song, "Not Ashamed." He declares, as we all should, "I'm not ashamed of the Gospel! I'm not ashamed of Jesus Christ! I will stand and boldly say that this is my life!" We should be sharing Christ with others, not hiding Him in shame. Romans 1:16 says, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." (NIV)

Today's central Scripture is Acts 18:24, 26-27: "Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus...He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him...On arriving, eh was a great help to those who by grace had believed." Apollos was not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but proclaimed it boldly. We should do the same. Sometimes we do not, but with God's help, and with the Spirit's guidance, we can! And it helps to have friends who will encourage and help you along the way.

Individuals who come together as a team have the capability to create synergy, bringing together more than the sum of the parts. However, before synergy can be realized, there are a few other dynamics that have to fall into place.

Trust is the biggest key. According to Maxwell, "Trust makes it possible for people to rely on one another." If the team wants to accomplish anything positive, the members have to trust each other, rather than looking over one another's shoulders the whole time. After trust is established, relationships can be built. Maxwell says, "As people who care about each other grow together and work toward a common goal, they get to know each other better." This step is crucial to team development, and it can help to further solidify trust. Creating relationships can lead to fostering interdependence, where team members rely on one another instead of each individual trying to work on his or her own. All of that taken together can lead to the creation of synergy.

Maxwell asks, "How can you cultivate an attitude of partnership?"

I just shared my thoughts on that. What comes to mind when you ask yourself that question?

Pray this prayer; Father, thank You for the people You have brought into my life and for the lasting relationships that have been established. Please help me to foster a spirit of teamwork in my teams. With Your guidance, we can build relationships founded on trust. Help us to work together cohesively as a team so that we can accomplish great things, to Your glory! And through it all, help me to never be ashamed of You. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

God bless you!

Not Ashamed

Thinking in the Right Perspective

Kutless sings, "What Faith Can Do." Its lyrics are quite powerful and can help us when we are down. "It doesn't matter what you've heard; impossible is not a word. It's just a reason for someone not to try...I've seen dreams that move the mountains, hope that doesn't ever end, even when the sky is falling. I've seen miracles just happen, silent prayers get answered, broken hearts become brand new. That's what faith can do...When the world says you can't, it'll tell you that you can!" Remember, regardless of what you may face, you can handle it if you act in faith and keep your faith in the Lord! He will never leave you nor forsake you! (See Hebrews 13:5.)

Today's key Scripture comes from Proverbs 3:5-6: "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." (NIV)

Maxwell presents a paradox that comes with spiritual leadership: "We are to get wisdom and understanding, yet we are not to lean on it apart from the Lord." I found that Ecclesiastes can shed some more light on this perspective. That book's essential message can be found in Chapter 12, verse 13b: "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." It all comes down to having the right perspective. We must keep God first, no matter what we do. No matter what we set out to do, we must always remember to keep God at the forefront.

Maxwell presents several characteristics that should be present in the thinking of godly leaders. We are to think:

• Big
• About other people
• Continually
• About the bottom line
• About continual growth
• Without lines
• With victory in mind
• Intuitively
• About servanthood
• Quickly

These characteristics can help guide our thoughts and actions. We should remember that God's purpose and plan is bigger than ours. Godly leaders ought to put other people and their concerns ahead of our own. Continual thinking can show that we are, "not satisfied with today's answers." (Maxwell) The bottom line, or the results of our work, should help guide us. We should always seek to grow closer to God, the Ultimate Leader, and to grow in our abilities to lead. We should remember that God is above all; we should not try to limit Him with boundaries. We need to keep in mind that, "With God we will gain the victory." (Psalm 60:12a, NIV, emphasis added) We should develop our intuition to sense what we need to do. We ought to be servant leaders, serving others and leading by example. Finally, we should be able to find a working solution quickly and act on it when time is of the essence. All of that starts with our thinking. We must think before we act.

Maxwell asks, "How do you think?"

Sometimes I possess some of those characteristics in my thinking, but sometimes I do not.

What about you? Is your thinking guided by those characteristics? Do you think in the right perspective?

Pray this prayer: Father, thank You for Your many gifts to me. Please lead and guide me, and help me to think as I should when I should, with the focus on Your and Your guidance. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

God bless you!

What Faith Can Do

Renewing Your Team

The band Unspoken sings, "Every sorrow...every sickness...all my failures, I leave 'em in Your hands. Amen. I leave it in Your hands...Every promise...every healing...and my future, I leave it in Your hands. Amen. I can leave it in Your hands." ("In Your Hands") Remember, no matter what you are facing, you can leave it in God's hands, and there's no better place for it! God knows how to take care of anything better than you could ever imagine on your own. Trust in Him! Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "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." (NIV)

Numbers 21:7, 9 says, "The people came to Moses and said, 'We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.' So Moses prayed for the people...So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived." (NIV)

That situation that Moses and the other Israelites found them in may have seemed bleak. However, with God's direction, Moses provided a solution, a way to mobilize the people again.

As a leader, you may find yourself in situations where your team is stuck, unable to make further progress. They may be tired, disappointed, or uninspired. They probably cannot move themselves in such situations. Therefore, it is your job to start moving forward again.

Maxwell recommends four actions to help a team that lacks energy to move (each is a direction quote):

1. Investigate the situation.
2. Initiate belief.
3. Create energy.
4. Communicate hope.

It is your job to figure out what is causing the negative situation. Maxwell says, "When morale is low, the only way to get the ball rolling is to start pushing it yourself." To do so, you can fight against that negativity by showing your followers that you believe in them and in the cause. You must then give them energy by having it yourself and causing it to rub off on them. (Maxwell) Finally, make sure they know that there is hope for them and for the cause. By following those steps, you can renew your team and get them moving forward again.

Maxwell asks, "How can you utilize the four keys above to improve morale in your team?"

Every situation is unique. As the leader of your team, you probably know information that is specific to your case. With that information in mind, ask yourself that question. What can you do in your specific information to get your team moving again?

Pray this prayer: Father, thank You for all You have given me. Please help me to positively lead my team, no matter what the situation may be. I put my situation, trust, and faith in Your hands, along with anything negative that has come or may come. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

God bless you!

In Your Hands

Building Credibility

Building 429 sings, "Impossible." They remind us that, "We can rise above the typical and be anything but usual. We know, we know, we know that there's no such thing as impossible. And nothing is unreachable when we trust the God of miracles. WE know, we know, we know that there's no such thing as impossible!" And God's Word confirms that. Matthew 19:26 says, "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" (NIV) No matter what problems you are facing, you can overcome them with God, for nothing is impossible with Him! That mindset can greatly help you as a leader and in all the other parts of your life as well.

1 Samuel 3:19-20 says, "The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord." (NIV)

Samuel grew in his leadership abilities, and quickly at times. How? He relied on God for guidance. We can learn a valuable lesson from his life: God is the Ultimate Leader, and we, like Samuel, should submit to His authority and look to Him for direction.

Maxwell notes, "Samuel exhorted, he affirmed, he corrected, he prophesied, he reminded, and he taught the people." We can take on several of the things Samuel learned to do in his leadership. If our followers are discouraged, we can exhort them, which means to strongly encourage them, according to Google. When we see someone with great potential, we can affirm them. If someone is in the wrong, we can correct them, but we must do so gently and in love. We can remind our followers of the vision if they lose sight of where they are going. And we can teach them along the way. But through it all, we should also follow another part of Samuel's example. Maxwell says that, "He spoke the truth, and he spoke it in love."

The reflection question for today asks, "What can you learn from Samuel to build your own credibility?"

Those examples that I just mentioned would be great ways to start. All of those things that Maxwell listed helped Samuel build his credibility, and they can help us to do the same. While we may not all be prophets, we can take on the other areas.

Father, thank You for gifting me with leadership, and thank You for giving me direction and examples to follow in Your Word, the Holy Bible. Please guide me and lead me so that I can effectively and efficiently lead others. Help me to display Your love through it all. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen!

God bless you!

Impossible

Avoid Self-Promotion

Jeremy Camp sings, "He Knows." "He knows! He knows every hurt and every sting. He has walked this suffering. He knows! He knows! Let your burdens come undone. Lift your eyes up to the One Who knows!" It is comforting to know that the Lord knows what we are going through, no matter what it is, good or bad. Jesus Christ, God incarnate, walked this earth as a man. He felt our temptations and our joys. He knows what we face, and He can help us through it, if we just look to Him for His unfailing love!

Judges 9:1-2 says, "Abimelech son of Jerub-Baal went to his mother's brothers in Shechem and said to them and to all his mother's clan, 'Ask all the citizens of Shechem, "Which is better for you: to have all seventy of Jerub-Baal's sons rule over you, or just one man?" Remember, I am your flesh and blood.'" (NIV)

Leaders should not be proud. Rather, "Godly leaders must remind themselves of the Lord's instruction: 'Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time' (1 Peter 5:6)." (John Maxwell) Pride can cause one to put themselves above others to the point that the leader degrades others. Such self-promotion is not a godly attitude.

It is okay to have a position that is higher that someone else's, but a leader should never use that to put others down and hurt them. It is God who has appointed leaders, "for there is no authority except that which God has established." (See Romans 13:1.) Instead of having a self-centered attitude, a leader should focus on working cohesively with others for the benefit of the entire group.

Maxwell asks, "How do you resist self-promotion?"

I thank God for my achievements. That helps me to remember that He has given me what I have. Furthermore, He knows what I need, and what I want, even before I ask for it, as Psalm 139:4 says.

Whether you struggle with this or not, pray this prayer: Father, thank You for all that You have given me. Please keep pride from setting into me. Help me to always remember that, "every good and perfect gift" has come from You. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

(See James 1:17 for the verse I quoted in that prayer.)

God bless you!

He Knows

Handling Poor Performers

Tenth Avenue North sings the song, "By Your Side." It is written from the perspective of God talking to His children. "I'll be by your side wherever you fall, in the dead of night whenever you call. And please don't fight these hands that are holding you. Yeah, My hands are holding you." God's love isn't dependent upon our actions. Nor is His presence with us at times and not others. When you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, His Spirit dwells inside you. He will never leave you nor forsake you (see Deuteronomy 31:6). He is always by your side!

Acts 15:38 says, "But Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work." (NIV)

Sometimes it is necessary to step up and make the tough decision to let someone go from the team. Maxwell says, "Some of the toughest decisions a leader faces concern poor performers." A poor performing colleague who cannot be trained (taught how to do the work) or transferred (to a position that more suits his or her skills) needs to be terminated (cut from the group). (Maxwell)

Such a person is holding the team back. It is a hard decision to make, but as a leader, it is one that you may need to make at some point. However, should that time come, handle the situation in such a way that there is no hostility, if you can prevent it. A professor of mine says to handle others with diplomacy. That is very necessary, especially for leaders.

Maxwell asks, "Do you need to make a tough call in your life?"

Is there someone on your team or in your organization who needs to be trained, transferred, or terminated? If you are fighting answering that question, especially if it comes down to termination, chances are, that is the move you need to make. But remember, you are not alone. God is by your side!

Pray this prayer: Father, thank you for being by my side. Please guide me in my leadership. When I am faced with a situation involving a poor performer, please guide me in the right direction and reveal to me what I need to do about it. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

God bless you!


By Your Side

Comfort

Mandisa sings, "Good Morning." In it are these lyrics: "It's a good morning! Wake up to a brand new day. This morning, I'm stepping, stepping on my way. Good morning! You give me strength, You give me just what I need! And I can feel the hope that's rising up in me!" The Lord's strength can carry us through the day, no matter what we are faced with. His love never ends, and it never fails!

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 tells us, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." (NIV)

Comfort can be one of the most powerful tools a leader can possess. Maxwell says, "We are to empower others with the power God gives us." Comfort can lead to establishing relationships, which is critical in good leadership. Being there for our followers even when they are having difficulties can show them just how much you care about them. Doing so proves that you are willing to go beyond mere words by stepping up and taking action when needed.

Maxwell asks, "Whom in your life do you need to comfort right now?"

Who do you know that needs your comfort, whether that be your physical presence or comforting words? You can comfort someone even if you cannot be physically by his or her side.

Looking back at Mandisa's lyrics can show us that our source of strength is the greatest one available. Our strength comes from the Father! We cannot say that we do not have enough to give someone, especially in this area. Material possessions may be tight, but we can always show others the love, comfort, and presence of the Lord in our lives.

Pray this prayer: Father, thank You for the comfort You give me. Please continue to comfort me and help me to extend that comfort to others, showing them Your love. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

God bless you!

Maintaining Integrity

Kutless sings, "I've seen dreams that move the mountains, hope that doesn't ever end, even when the sky is falling. I've seen miracles just happen, silent prayers get answered, broken hearts become brand new. That's what faith can do!" ("What Faith Can Do") Faith in God is the most important thing for a person to have. It creates a relationship with the Lord, when we accept His gift of salvation! And with His help, "It doesn't matter what you've heard; impossible is not a word. It's just a reason for someone not to try." "For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37, NIV)

Proverbs 11:1 says, "The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are His delight." (NIV) That comes down to one word: Integrity.

It is important for leaders to have and maintain integrity. Maxwell says that, "Integrity is not what we do, so much as who we are. And who we are, in turn, determines what we do." It starts on the inside. Furthermore, according to V. Gilbert Beers, "A person of integrity is one who has established a system of values against which all life is judged." That points to faith. And for me, and I hope for you, that is faith in the One True God, the Creator of heaven and earth.

I am going to use an example from IT (more specifically, information security). In that field, integrity is defined as, "security actions that ensure that the information is correct and no unauthorized person or malicious software have altered the data." (Ciampa, Security+ Guide to Network Security Fundamentals)

Now, let's take that definition and apply it to leadership. As a leader, I should exhibit moral (correct) behavior and remain firm in my beliefs (not allowing others to sway me in the wrong direction), in order to keep my path, if the correct one, from being maliciously altered. That's integrity.

That's not to say that I am perfect. I will inevitably mess up. That comes with human nature. However, I should get right back to the correct path, being guided by the Holy Spirit. With the Lord's help, I can maintain my integrity.

Maxwell says that, "People with integrity are 'whole' people; they can be identified by their single-mindedness."

Maxwell asks, "Would you consider yourself a 'whole' person?"

All-in-all, I would consider myself to be a 'whole' person, guided by the Lord.

What about you?

Pray this prayer: Father God, please help me to maintain integrity. Forgive me when I sin, lift me up when I fall, and help me along the path of righteousness. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen!

That prayer referenced Psalm 23:3b, "He guides me in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake." (NIV)

God bless you!

Establishing Relationships

Casting Crowns sings "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 form the west: from one scarred hand to the other!" Psalm 103:12 says, "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." (NIV) I love the illustration that Casting Crowns gives at the end of the chorus. Just how far is the east from the west? From one pierced, scarred hand of Christ to the other as he hung on that cross, all so that our relationship with Him could be restored!

1 Kings 12:16 says, "When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king, 'What share do we have in David, what part in Jesse's son? To your tents, O Israel! Look over your own house, O David!'" (NIV)

The establishment of relationships is one of the most important concepts any leader needs to understand. Without a solid connection, your followers will not go along with you for very long. You must first show them that you care about them and their well-being. As Maxwell says, you have to touch a heart before you ask for a hand. Otherwise, you may very well end up in a position similar to Rehoboam's, where his people abandoned him because he failed to connect on a personal level.

Take the example of Christ. He came to earth to reconnect with His creation. As sinners, we have failed to stand up to His perfect standard. We deserve punishment. However, He loves us so much, each of us individually, that He came to die for each of us! Think about this: If you were the only sinful person, Christ would have still come and died, for you. It is a personal relationship that He came to restore to each and every one of us, a relationship between the Father and us. Now that is personal!

Maxwell asks, "How do you connect with individuals?"

Make friendships, where appropriate. Connect with others in your career field and build a professional network. Connect with your followers individually.

Pray this prayer: Father, please help me to build strong, positive, lasting relationships with those who follow me. Help me to show them Your love and connect with them on a personal, individual basis. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

God bless you!