The Heart of the Matter

Focus Scripture:

1 Samuel 16: 1 – 7 (NIV)

1The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

2But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”

The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”

4Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”

5Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

7But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Sometimes people will look at another person and by appearance only say, “Wow!  This person is a strong leader or would make a strong leader.”  The debate has gone on for a long time about whether leaders are born or made.  Are there certain characteristics such as looks, height, athletic build or other physical qualities that make for a good leader?  Some would say, “Yes.”  Some studies have shown that people think tall men make good leaders.  But have such leaders often been the best leaders?  For some yes and for others, the jury is still out.

To accomplish God’s plans, God often ignores those attributes that we humans think make for a great leader.  Often the leader that God needs are the very people that other people would say would never qualify for a leadership role.  These are the very people that others would disregard as having no leadership capacity.

In these first seven verses of chapter sixteen, even Samuel thought that God was going to choose Eliab to be the next leader.  Eliab is described as looking like a leader.  He was tall, strong, sturdy, and looked noble.  Eliab looked the part.  As people we get fixated on the external.  We want the image of the leader that we have in our minds.  But this is not always the case with God.  God looks at the strengths of the character.  God looks at the heart of the leader.

For God, the heart is what qualifies the leader.  Leaders must have a servant heart.  The leader needs to know that as leader they are to serve and not to be served.  But not only know this… the leader must live it out at all times.  The right skills, talents, physical looks, personality, intelligence, and hard work are all excellent, but the heart of the leader is what God looks at first.

Such a Great Promise

Jeremiah 33: 2- 3 (NIV)

2“This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name: 3‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

God-- the God who formed the universe and everything in it-- wants to hear our prayers.  God desires to answer our prayers.  God will answer these prayers with things that we may not otherwise know.  As leaders it is critical that we pray continuously for God's guidance, direction, wisdom, peace, and understanding.  Always protect your prayer life.  We have a large God ready to listen to and answer even our smallest prayer.

Press On

Focus Scriptures

2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)

17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

Romans 5: 3-4 (NIV)
3Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope.

The ability to press on is about perspective and how we view our current circumstances.  We get more of what we focus on.  If we feel that everything is hard and heavy we will be weighed down and not able to fulfill the purpose that God has for us.  We will never see the dream come to reality.  But remember and rest in the knowledge that what each trouble brings is glory that far exceeds the momentary pain and suffering.

Our character and hope develops in our trials and suffering.  In this process God is able to remove those things that bind us and in doing so, He leaves us refreshed, renewed, re-created to do the work that He has called us to do.  And know this… this is never a once and done event.  This is a process that moves us forward toward God and His will.

God will use our trials to continue to shape us toward His purpose, His vision, His mission, and His goals.  Even our mistakes can be used by God.  God can use those times when others intentionally seek to hurt us. God will bring to pass what must be done to work out for His glory.

Remember, we get more of what we focus on.  Therefore focus on God.  To help us see the big picture we need to trust in God’s timing.  When we adopt God’s timing we are able to take on an eternal perspective that lifts the burden from our strengths and places it in God’s strength.  We need to rest in God’s timing and develop perseverance.

God uses each situation to teach us something if we let Him do so.  He has a lesson for us to learn in each trial and situation.  What we need to know right from the start is perhaps the lesson God is teaching you is meant to help someone else.  When we share the lesson we have learned through offering testimony of a trial God has gotten us through, we may help someone who is in the middle of a similar trial get through it knowing that God is faithful.  Or we may help someone avoid a similar trial entirely.

God will use a variety of teaching methods including repetition to teach us the lessons He needs us to know or to move us to His agenda.  This process may be uncomfortable.  At these times we may pray for God to change our circumstances.  But what I have come to learn is that God would rather change us personally.  Although He can certainly change the circumstances we are in, that often leaves us unchanged.  God is more interested in using the suffering to build perseverance and perseverance to build character and character inspires hope.

We cannot give up.  God wants us to press on.

No Doubt

Focus Scripture:

James 1: 5-8 (NIV)

5If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

As leaders we need to allow God to develop every aspect of our person.  We need to be in 100% for God.  We cannot hold any part back.  We need to place our full faith and confidence in Him.  We must believe that He will provide. 

But when we hold back, even a little, and have doubt, we do not have complete faith and trust in God.  We doubt.  We question if God can really get us through this situation we are facing.  In doubt we try to go into the situation and solve it in our own strength instead of relying on God.

Proverbs 28:26 (NIV)

Better the poor whose walk is blameless

than the rich whose ways are perverse.

In other words when we trust in our own strength, when we trust in our human skills, in ourselves, we are fools.  But those who walk in the wisdom that is from God are kept safe.  Doubting can delay or prevent God’s blessing.

In our leadership journey we often come to regular decisions; a fork in the road.  Do we go right or left?  Decisions must be made.  Action must be taken.  We cannot get stuck by second-guessing ourselves.  Second-guessing leads to mediocracy and playing it safe.  Make decisions to move toward your destiny.  There is no forward motion by staying stuck.

How to avoid doubt and live the life and be the leader God has called you to be.

-       Commit your life to Christ.  His call.  His direction.  His vision.  His purpose.  Understand your identity in Christ.

-       Let God develop every aspect of your person.  Commit to the habits that help you grow spiritually.  All God every aspect of your life.  Hold nothing back.  Serve God with all of your gifts.  Bring glory to God.

-       We learn God’s will when we pray.  Leaders need to pray continuously for God’s wisdom, guidance, direction, and will.  Make prayer time a priority in your day.

-       Be led by the Holy Spirit.  At times this will not be or feel easy.  The right path often is not in agreement with human popular opinion polls.

Be confident in your knowledge of who you are in Christ.  Know without doubt that God’s plans for you are right, good, and will lead you to the things that God has in store for you.

The Image

Focus Scripture

1 Samuel 15: 1- 24 (NIV)

For today’s text see: https://bible.com/111/1sa.15.1-24.niv

The Lord called Saul to obey His instruction.  The Lord gave Saul a very clear mission.  The mission was to completely destroy the Amalekites for what they had done to Israel. (Verses 2 -3).  But Saul and the army of men only did a part of the mission.

God calls us to obey Him.  However, with free will, we can choose to obey God and be a servant, or we can choose not to obey and be self-serving.

The mission in verse three is clear – Attack and totally destroy.  Put all people to death, spare nothing including the livestock.  But Saul only carried out part of the mission.  We learn in the text that he took king Agag as a prisoner and Saul and the men spared the best sheep and cattle.  They knowingly disobeyed in order to take the spoils of the battle so that others could see their success.  To top this all off, Saul even went to Carmel to erect a monument in his own honor.

Then when Samuel confronts Saul about this, Saul tries to rationalize keeping the king, cattle and sheep, and the monument.  He tries to justify his disobedience; his sin to Samuel.  But Samuel speaking the word of God will have no part of it.

Saul allowed his position (the image) of leadership to dictate what he attends to and how he attends to it.  And when confronted about his choices, how he justified it.  Saul rationalized his disobedience.  He even used religious practice as part of his rationalization.  In Saul’s eyes he successfully completed the will of God.

Samuel explains to Saul that obedience to God is better than any sacrifice.  Samuel finished by stating that rebellion or disobedience to God is like divination and arrogance no better than idolatry.  Samuel closes by saying that since Saul rejected God’s command that God has rejected Saul as leader.  Upon hearing this Saul repents. But even his repentance is still an excuse (verse 24). 

Saul does not recognize how the image of leadership drove decisions he made.  Saul become too concerned with the image of leadership instead of the essence of leadership.  Saul was concerned about being seen by others and recognized for successfully winning the battle against the Amalekites.  He was seeking honor and glory for himself.

When we seek the image of leadership instead of the essence of leadership we move from being servant leaders with the goal of serving God and others to be self-serving leaders who seek personal glory.  The motives for leadership shift from God centered to self-centered.

People look for the image of leadership.  The Lord looks at the heart of leadership.

Stand Firm- Be Courageous- Serve

Stand Firm- Be Courageous- Serve

Focus Scriptures:

Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Proverbs 28:1 (NIV)

The wicked flee though no one pursues,

but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Matthew 10: 16 -20 (NIV)

16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Trials will come.  That is just a fact of life.  We need to be vigilant, watchful, and on guard to be prepared when they come.  People will challenge you.  People will test your authority.  But when you need to respond, when you need to speak, God, through His Holy Spirit, will be with you.  The Holy Spirit empowers us to respond in the way that we need to.

Great leaders are confident in their courage.  They are able to stand firm because they know that God is with them.  They have full faith that God is with them.  When we have God with us He helps us when we need it.  When we speak we have true confidence and we have courage.  When we know our identity in Christ we can be the servant leaders that God calls us to be.  We then place the needs of others ahead of our own needs.

But many leaders have a false courage built upon the emptiness of the position of leadership.  This type of courage is a façade; an empty shell.  Such an image of courage is apart from Christ; or wicked.  Eventually the empty shell is discovered and no one will follow a leader with a façade of courage built around an emptiness.  These leaders become overwhelmed by the image of leadership.  They try to please everyone to maintain the image.  These leaders are self-serving and seek to lead only to maintain the image.  To maintain the image they will never admit to mistakes.  Self-serving leaders know what to do.  They may even know how to do it.  But they lack the why to lead.  The image must be protected at all costs.  They know the game.  They play the game of politics to achieve their goals.  This style of leadership is empty.  Eventually the followers fall away.  They do not pursue this leader.

Servant leaders develop a deep rooted courage because they are confident in their identity in Christ.  They know not only the what and how of leadership, but they have a deep sense of the why of leadership.  They have a deep sense of purpose, call, and desire.  The servant leader is concerned with authentic influence that creates value for others.  The servant leader has courage that is not concerned with the image, but the core essence of helping others in positive ways.  The servant leader wants to leave a positive impact in the lives of others.  The servant leader wants to bring glory to God.

To do this, servant leaders must know who they and whose they are.  They work at things and lead others to bring forth the purpose for which they were created.  They employ their gifts and talents to raise others up.

Most leadership development teachers will start by having new leaders explore who they are.  What are the things that you value?  What are you passionate about?  Spend time with God and soak your leadership character in prayer. Ask God to reveal who you are as a leader.  Submit to Him and be led by His Holy Spirit.  Ask God to reveal the vision He has for you.  Then lead to serve others with authentic influence that creates value.

Throw Gasoline on Fired Up Leader Life

Throw Gasoline on Fired Up Leader Life

Seven years ago while conducting my doctoral research study on college student faith development the Lord laid a burden on my heart; a desire to teach leadership in a biblical context.  I have always had a tendency to raise up and mentor the next generation of leaders.  I believe that this is the primary task of a leader is to raise up and mentor new leaders.  This is how I have found I fulfill the command to “Go and Make Disciples.” We need more leaders who have a foundation in biblical leadership principles and stand firm and are not tossed around by every passing fad and fancy.  Leaders develop leaders.

At the time the time the seed was planted it was not the right time to launch a teaching ministry.  There was still much I needed to learn. There was still more I needed to do.  The Lord began to put me in situations that would stretch my own leadership capacity.  He placed me in situations that would help me define who I was as a leader and my identity in Christ.  He placed me in situations that would prompt me to lean on His strength.  The Lord put me in places where I would need to take risks and be entrepreneurial. 

Two years ago my family relocated to Farmville, Virginia.  We joined a church that was like pouring Holy Spirit gasoline on the spark.  I met some great spiritual mentors and teachers.  In the last six months the Lord has given significant direction and guidance to launching this teaching ministry called: Fired Up Leader Life.  The mission of FULL is to develop Christ centered leaders who (1) know their identity in Christ; (2) allow God to develop every aspect of their person; (3) pray continuously; and (4) are led by the Holy Spirit.

God’s work done God’s way will never lack God’s resources – Hudson Taylor.  My prayers have been big prayers that God will align the resources necessary to carry out the mission of Fired Up Leader Life.  The vision is that events and programs will remain free so that they are open to the largest number of participants.  But in order to do this I need partners who are willing to offer financial gifts to support the work of the ministry.  Currently Fired Up Leader Life is a small flame but I have faith and trust that God will direct the right people to throw Spiritual gasoline and help Fired Up Leader Life spark the fire for Christ in the lives of many people.

To support the launch of Fired Up Leader Life please see the Go Fund Me link at:

https://www.gofundme.com/firedupleaderlife

Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

For more information about Fired Up Leader Life please see the website at: www.firedupleaderlife.com.  

Strategic and Intentional

Strategic and Intentional

Focus Scriptures:

Proverbs 28:26 (NIV)

26Those who trust in themselves are fools,

but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

Proverbs 24:6 (NIV)

6Surely you need guidance to wage war,

and victory is won through many advisers.

Proverbs 22:3 (NIV)

3The prudent see danger and take refuge,

but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

Proverbs 20:25 (NIV)

25It is a trap to dedicate something rashly

and only later to consider one’s vows.

Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NIV)

4Whoever watches the wind will not plant;

whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

When we rely on our own strength we can end up in trouble.  When we rely on the whims of the day, the passing fancies, we can end up in trouble.  Since the fall in the Garden of Eden people have been trying to do things in their own strength that only God can do.  They do this believing that their human approach is better than or higher than God’s plan.  We need to seek God’s wisdom and guidance. 

We cannot be like a leaf being blown around in the wind by every passing fad and fancy.  These people make decisions based on popularity polls and opinions.  By doing so their decisions become weak, they never plant, and therefore never reap.

We need to take action.  We need to choose to move forward.  We cannot sit and do nothing.  We’ll never achieve our God given dream if we do not step out in faith.  We need to do so strategically and intentionally.  We cannot just step here and there like being blown by the wind. 

Have advisers.  Have people who will hold you accountable.  Pray for God’s guidance and wisdom.  Gather information.  When the prudent act, they do so with knowledge and wisdom.  Prepare for setbacks.  And finally face your fears head on and know that you have God as a partner.

Integrity is Critical

Core Scriptures:

Deuteronomy 25: 13-16 (NIV)

13Do not have two differing weights in your bag—one heavy, one light. 14Do not have two differing measures in your house—one large, one small. 15You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 16For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly.

 Proverbs 19:1 (NIV)

1Better the poor whose walk is blameless

than a fool whose lips are perverse.

 Colossians 3: 9 – 10 (NIV)

9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Integrity matters to leadership.  Because influence is a foundation piece to leadership, integrity matters greatly.

 Some people take great pride in their ability to “play politics”.  They practice their ability to speak deceptively, to stretch the truth, and to sometimes straight out lie to get what they want.  They even boast in their political prowess.  But this is not the type of leader that God has called us to be.  God has called us to be leaders of integrity.  God has called us to be servant leaders not self-serving leaders.  Our approach to leadership should bring God glory.  But the world encourages and even rewards leaders who know how to play politics and manipulate others for personal gain.  The world encourages self-serving leadership.

 Great leaders cultivate integrity in themselves and those they serve and lead.  Acting without integrity or manipulating the circumstances may bring a quick win and the appearance of success.  However, acting and leading with integrity and honesty (even in the hardest of moments) will bring and build lasting and solid success.  Strong relationships are forged in trust.  Followers will go anywhere the leader needs them to go.

 As leaders we need to model the right example.  Always choose to act and lead with integrity.

www.firedupleaderlife.com 

Parable of the House Owner

Parable of the House Owner

Matthew 13:52 (NIV)

52He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

This parable is a discipleship lesson.  This is one of the parables from the middle of the Galilean ministry period.  It is also contained with this listing of Matthew’s Kingdom parables.

One of the overall messages of this short parable is that as we gain deeper understanding and discipleship we are to impart that knowledge to others.  We are to repeat the process and grow new disciples.  With this parable we can see Jesus laying the foundation for the coming Great Commission and the work that is to come.

This parable is the close to a series of parables in Matthew Chapter 13.  Those in this chapter are some of Jesus’ simplest, yet most profound parables in the Bible.  These are the parables of Matthew that illustrate the Kingdom of Heaven.  Jesus had asked the disciples in verse 51 if they understood the parables, and they responded that they do.  That is when Jesus offers this quick parable to close the teaching.

Jesus is Preparing New Scribes or Teachers

Every minister of the Gospel should be properly trained.  Remember that Jesus’ disciples had no formal training or teaching to rely upon.  For 3 years Jesus trained and mentored His disciples.  By doing this in this way through a variety of teaching methods, the disciples would be equipped not only to understand the Gospel, but also defend it, live it out, and teach it to others.

The traditional scribe restates only the old, stale message.  The scribe or disciple of the Kingdom of Heaven offers teaching that is fresh, but yet values the older knowledge and teaching. 

Scribes had a duty to share what they had learned and what they knew with others.  Jesus is explaining that the disciples (as these new scribes or teachers) have a responsibility to share what they know with others.

We can look to Ezra as an example of the scribe that Jesus is readying.

Ezra 7:10 (NIV)

For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

With this short parable Jesus is continuing to teach the disciples that they are going to be teaching others what He has shared with them.  Through His teaching they are learning how to take what they have known about the Law and add new understanding.  Jesus is readying a new type of scribe or teacher.

We are not to hold the knowledge of Jesus Christ to ourselves, we are to share it with others.  We have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Jesus is telling the disciples not to keep the treasure of the Gospel to themselves, but we are to teach it and bring it forth.

Jesus brought together the things of the Jewish Law (Old Testament, old) and His new vision and wisdom.  With and through Jesus Christ we learn new lessons from the past teachings.  As those preparing to serve in ministry it is important to be well versed in the truth and knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be prepared and able to teach that.

We cannot give or teach what we do not live out.  God wants us to construct our “being” before our “doing.”  (Maxwell) Ezra shows us this example.  Ezra prepared for it, lived it, and taught it. We need to understand the old before we can convey a new message.  The old treasure is understanding the Law and the new treasure is understanding how to live in the Kingdom of Heaven and be able to teach it.

Important Power of Prayer

In my junior year of high school I worked at Scout Summer Camp as a Counselor in the Nature Lodge.  One of my responsibilities was facilitating an activity called the “Web of Life”.  You may be familiar with this activity and may have done it or a variation of it.  In it, each scout was given a card with something from nature written on it.  The idea is to toss the ball of string or yarn from person to person explaining the significance of the connection between your card and the card you through it to. 

For instance, if I had the card “bird” and threw the string to someone holding “grass” I would explain that the bird uses the grass to build a nest and without the grass, the bird might not have building materials.  Simple enough. The activity continues until each person is holding a segment of the string. The activity shows the delicate nature of the eco-system.  Sometimes we would throw a ball onto to web to illustrate the support given by the interconnections on the web.

The next part of the activity is to have people systematically start letting go of the string.  For instance, I might say that man covers the grass with blacktop to create a parking lot.  The people holding “bird” and “grass” would let go of the string.  As people start to let go the web breaks down and is unable to sustain the eco-system (represented by the ball).  The same activity has been used to show the importance of human relationships on teams for team building activities. That we each need relationships and that relationships need to be reciprocal.  That each person has a part to play in the relationship.  We cannot forget to build relationships.

The same image can be used for the importance of praying daily for one another.  As we build a prayer web by praying we support one another.  That’s why we have prayer chains in our churches.  As we pray in authority we can lift each other up.  We need to be holding our section of the string and each other up in prayer. 

Forgetting to pray for each other it is like letting go of a section of the string in our web.  The web begins to break down and the person needing prayer support is like the ball set upon the string and begins to fall through the weakened web.  When we fall we are vulnerable.  Pray always for one another.  Keep the web of life strong.  Let no one fall.

Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Colossians 1:3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

Philippians 1:4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy

Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.