Leaders Seek the Holy Spirit

Hello... My Name is Capable

God says that your name is capable.  God says you can.

Sometimes we can be our own worst critic.  We can be our own worst enemy.  We can talk ourselves out of doing something before we have even tried.

Philippians 4:13 (NIV): 13I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

The Greek for strengthens me is endunamounti which literally means, “who empowers me”.  It is God who empowers us to do what He has called us to do. 

Next to John 3:16 Philippians 4:13 is well quoted.  We often see athletes quote Philippians 4:13 or write it somewhere on themselves when they are about to go on the field and go against a formidable team described as stronger, better, or more talented.  The world may even say that the apparent underdog team is highly successful according to the standards of the game.  But the members of the team may still be unsure about their ability to win the game.  Others may be screaming to get you out of the game.  But God says when we have an attitude that is trusting in Him and aligned with His purpose, we can do all things.

(Please watch the Video clip: Woodlawn: “Bring it In”)

I’ve met many people who are considered highly successful according to the standards of the world.  They rise to positions of leadership, authority, and influence.  They have awards to show their skills.  They have the education to support their position.  Other people often call upon the experience for advice or consultation on projects.  And even with all of these worldly accolades, many of them feel incompetent, insecure, and incapable.  And then there are some other people who talk themselves out of being successful and even sabotage themselves because they believe that they don’t have the skills necessary. 

(Video clip: Facing the Giants: “Narrow Way”)

Success isn’t always about the outward symbols.  Those who understand what Scripture says find the success that God has planned for them.  Those who are willing to play by God’s rules find His rewards and blessings on their lives.

Sometimes our challenges seem too big.  But when we think that there is not a way, God will provide a way.  Our ability to do what God desires and has planned for us comes not from our own ability, ingenuity, or spirituality, but from His enabling power.

(Please watch the Video clip: Woodlawn: “On this Day”)

Philippians 4:13 (NIV): 13I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Closing

God calls you capable.  When the odds seem against you… when all hope appears lost… this is just the time when God is able to do more than we can ever imagine and it is all for His glory.  It is about leaning in on Christ who gives us strength.  We can endure and achieve all things that Christ intends for us as we rely on His presence, power, and purposes.

Paul, the writer of Philippians maintained a right and positive attitude on any day, regardless of how it was going.  Paul was an apostle who practiced what he preached and taught.

Conclusion

But God says that we have value, we have worth.  God says we are forgivable.  God calls us capable.  We have the skills and talents to do the work that we have been called to do.  We all need to stop believing the lies that the enemy would use to undermine our worth.  We need to start believing the promises of God.  God will never leave us.  God’s plans are to prosper us and make us successful.  He will give us the strength we need to do what needs to be done.

No matter what garbage people in your past have heaped on you, God will take that and create beauty.  God gives us beauty for ashes.  Take a step and start praying and declaring over yourself that you are valuable; you are loveable; you are capable; you are forgivable; and that you are a child of God.

Believe what God has promised about you and for you.  Believe that God says, “Yes you can!”.

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.

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 

Transformative Leaders Know What to Say

Transformative Leaders Know What to Say

Speak Life - Toby Mac

Lead Like Jesus recently posted on their Facebook feed that Jesus has a way of taking us on life-transforming journeys, and nothing is left untouched: personality, business, or relationships.  

Ronald E. Riggio, Ph.D (2009) offers a few traits of a transformational leader, (I have added examples from Scripture that illustrates how Jesus fulfills each of these.)

·        I would never require a follower to do something that I wouldn't do myself. (Jesus explains clearly the definition of a servant leader.  In Scripture there are many examples from foot washing to the Cross.  One example is  Luke 22:27 (NIV) For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.)

·        I have clear goals for my team.   (Jesus offers the Great Commission: Matthew 28: 19-20 (NIV): 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.)

·        I am attentive when it comes to the personal needs of my followers. (Jesus knew His followers, His Disciples.  He knew just what each needed in order to be successful.)

·        I challenge my followers to get out of their comfort zones. (Many of the parables and approaches of Jesus challenged His disciples and others to get out of their comfort zones.)

·        I encourage my followers to question their most basic way of thinking. (Jesus taught the disciples many lessons, The Beatitudes are one example, Matthew 5: 1-12 (NIV)).

Encountering and experiencing the glory of God transforms everything in our lives.  As Jesus was transfigured on the mountain top we can be transformed in the renewing of our minds and our faith in Christ Jesus. 

Romans 12: 2a tells us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

When we lead through transformation we change our perspective and the perspective of others around us.  We can empower and encourage others to complete the seemingly impossible.  Jesus regularly challenged His disciples to move beyond the ordinary and move into the extraordinary.

A transformative leader is the kind of leader who motivates and inspires others to perform at the highest levels.

Psalm 37:30 (NIV) says, “The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.”

Transformative leaders understand that they must speak life into those they lead.  Lift your followers up.  Invite the discussion from those you lead about the projects you are working on.  When people feel supported by their leader they are motivated to perform at higher levels.  When everyone performs at greater levels more is achieved and God is glorified.

Transformative leaders empower others by keeping everyone fully in the know.  People want and need to know that they are insiders within the organization. 

People do not want to be an outsider to something that they belong to.  Keeping team members in the dark does nothing to promote or move the organization forward.

Use your words to bring joy and life to those around you today. The health of your relationships depends on what you say about others.

Equip and Let Go

Equip and Let Go

Mark Brouwer said, “A man is only a leader when a follower stands beside him.”  The conventional mindset is that followers serve their leaders.  But this is really not the case.  John Maxwell has an entire book devoted to developing other leaders. 

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV).

Our desire is to become what God has called us to be.  By doing so, our life comes into alignment with his will.  As a leader we can be used by God to help others discern their life’s calling.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 (NIV).

Mentoring relationships are a partnership.  When working with young leaders (who may not even know yet that they are called to leadership) we need to walk side-by-side and challenge and support them.  As a leader, if you delegate tasks you will develop followers.  If you delegate authority you will develop leaders.  This is a challenge to conventional wisdom.   

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5 (NIV).

Just as Jesus modeled for all of us, the greatest responsibility for leaders is the development of the next generation of leaders.

Jesus understood this concept well so well.  Many would say that He called together quite an unlikely bunch of guys to become his apostles.  They included fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, and someone who would betray him.  He spent time developing them; equipping them for the task at hand.  Matthew chapters 5 through 7 and Luke 6:20 – 49 explore the lessons He taught to prepare them to do the work His Father prepared before them.

In preparing to send the Twelve apostles out Jesus delegated and gave each authority to do the task.

He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15and to have authority to drive out demons.  Mark 3:14 (NIV).

In Matthew 10:1 (NIV), “Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”

Luke 9: 1-2 (NIV) 1When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Acts 2 shows an ultimate act of delegation and equipping when the Holy Spirit provided each apostle with the Gifts of the Sprit to do the work they had been called to do in building the new Church.

As leaders we need to find those opportunities where we can build other leaders up and prepare them for the work that they are called to do.  A sink or swim approach is not the way to train new leaders.  When you work with young leaders look for those opportunities to challenge them to go beyond what is comfortable and push to the edge of their experience yet provide the support necessary for them to practice their new leadership skills.

When you send out new leaders do you give authority?

Speak Life - Toby Mac

Integrity

Integrity

(This blog post is based on a workshop presentation I did at a recent College Student Leadership Development Retreat).

The world is in need of a different leadership approach today.  Pick up the paper or turn on the news you will find examples of: hostility, abandoned values, mistrust, deception, manipulation, approval addictions, aggressive and obstructionistic behavior, selfish interests, and exploitation to name a few.  These have become so commonplace today there is a growing sense that these are typical methods of operation.  A new leader is being called to meet the demands and needs we have today in society.  Leadership is a process of influence.  Anytime you seek to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of people in their personal or professional lives, you are taking on the role of a leader (Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges: Lead Like Jesus: Lessons from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time).  This definition of leadership comes with a great responsibility!  Individuals with integrity seek the best investment of time, talents, and treasurers. To do less would be wasteful, foolish and irresponsible.

The cornerstone of leadership is integrity.  One definition of integrity is a firm adherence to a code of especially strict moral values; incorruptibility. Integrity means that a person’s behavior is consistent with espoused values, and the person is honest, ethical, and trustworthy. Integrity is a primary determinant of interpersonal trust.  Another definition defines it as an unimpaired condition, soundness.  And finally it is the quality or state of being complete or undivided, completeness; wholeness. 

Why take time to study integrity?  Integrity helps discern what fits into our identity.  People (Leaders) make decisions every day.  Integrity is a central leadership quality.

Understanding integrity stimulates personal reflection and growth.  Regardless of the setting or context integrity is acting the same way throughout.  Not changing to fit the context.

The moment you segment your life is the moment that you begin to sacrifice your integrity.  “I am going to be the same all the time no matter where I am at or who I am with.”  What you see is what you get.  The supreme quality for a leader is unquestionable integrity.  Our Integrity comes into play as we make decisions.  It frames our discernment.

Too often we are finding leaders who are willing to sacrifice their integrity for quick wins and easy successes.  One of the most difficult things about being a leader of integrity is watching others who often lack integrity get ahead.  There are times when you will have a colleague or another at work or in an organization who clearly uses others for their own personal gain.

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. (Proverbs 10:9 (NIV))

No matter how enticing it may be; no matter how big the potential reward… It is critical to never relinquish or surrender your integrity for the promise of a quick win!  For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. (1 John 2:16 (NIV)).

Integrity is the sum of your habits (Rick Warren).  What are your habits?  We are called to have a habit of excellence.  Excellence breeds character, and character breeds excellence (John Maxwell).  What does it mean to be called for excellence?  How are excellence and integrity related?

To answer this look no further than 2 Peter 1: 3-4, and 10 (NIV)…

3His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

10Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.

Excellence is not Perfection.  Excellence is going beyond the normal.  Excellence will engage your gifts and magnify potential.  Do everything that you do with excellence and integrity.  In Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV) the Bible tells us:

9And this is my prayer: that your love         may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

Psalm 15 (NIV):  is a Portrait of a Leader of Integrity.

1Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?

Who may live on your holy mountain?

2The one whose walk is blameless,

who does what is righteous,

who speaks the truth from their heart;

3whose tongue utters no slander,

who does no wrong to a neighbor,

and casts no slur on others;

4who despises a vile person

but honors those who fear the Lord;

who keeps an oath even when it hurts,

and does not change their mind;

5who lends money to the poor without interest;

who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

Whoever does these things

will never be shaken.

In verse 2 we see that the leader who possesses integrity, does what is right, and is honest and trustworthy.  In verse 3 the leader does not give into or spread gossip.  Verse 4 goes on to say that the leader speaks out against wrong, honors others who walk in truth, and keeps his/her word even when it may cost everything.  Verse 5 explains that the leader is not greedy to gain at the expense of others, does not take a bribe, and is strong and stable.

As leaders there may be significant challenges to integrity.  Attempts to merge seamlessly faith-based values, morals, ethics, and integrity into the workplace are often challenged as inappropriate, attempts at evangelization, or challenged by a business world that is often of the world.

15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.   17The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

(1 John 2: 15-17 (NIV)).

Leaders are not perfect but we need our leaders to be whole.  God knows that as leaders we will not be perfect.  As leaders God wants us to be whole so that we can lead and guide others with integrity.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. (Psalm 32:8 (NIV)).

Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did. (1 John 2:6 (NIV)).  Jesus was the perfect role model for being a leader of integrity.  He did what He needed to do even when it meant that He would be hung on the cross.  “You are God’s representative and everything you do either honors and glorifies Him or it dishonors Him and doesn’t glorify Him” (Joyce Myer).

I Will Not be Moved - Natalie Grant

Focus on Righteous Leadership

Focus on Righteous Leadership

Recently on the Lead Like Jesus Facebook newsfeed was this question, “What does your prayer life reveal about your leadership? Are you spending time talking with God about your heart, head, hands and habits?”  So as a leader and one who studies leadership I pondered this question I arrived at some of the answers below.

John 13:15 (NIV) Jesus said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”  Jesus is the perfect leadership role model.  No one else comes close.  There have been and will be great leaders – but none are a perfect leader.  In Christ’s perfect leadership role model He continuously modeled servant leadership. “True greatness, true leadership, is found in in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you” (J. Oswald Sanders).

Proverbs 29:2 (NKJV) confirms the power of a servant leader.  “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan”.  People will reflect the example of their leader.  This is one of the basic foundational pieces of being a leader.  Consider when you have worked with a leader who is first a servant to those he/she leads.  You see examples of developing leaders at all levels of the organization.  You see public recognition.  You see empowerment.  You see the leader challenging others to be at their best and put forward their strengths, (their spiritual gifts from God).  J. Oswald Sanders reminds us, “Desiring to excel is not a sin. It is motivation that determines ambition’s character. Our Lord never taught against the urge to high achievement, but He did expose and condemn unworthy motivation.”  And it is “unworthy motivation” as a leader that brings us to the second part of this Proverbs verse.  People will groan, complain, feel disenfranchised when a leader has unworthy or wicked motivations.  Anyone who neglects or abandons his family for fame, status, or financial gain isn't really successful (John Maxwell).

So it brings me back to the question above about my prayer life.  How does my prayer life reflect my leadership style?  "When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:6 (NIV).  In the last several months I have become far more intentional about my prayer life.  I continue to ask for guidance and direction from the Holy Spirit so that I am Spirit led and not head led.  I ask the Holy Spirit for guidance as a servant leader and in the development of the next generation of leaders.

You will recognize the Holy Spirit’s work in your life when you burn with a desire for a pure heart.  Each day I listen for God’s guidance for the day and what I need to do with those I will come in contact with during the day.  Do I need to encourage, empower, or hold accountable?  “Trying to lead in your own power and authority will never achieve God's results. God's purposes are birthed through prayer and listening to His voice and lived out in humble dependence and obedience” (Lead Like Jesus, Facebook, Dec. 27, 2013).  I give my leadership to God each day as I follow His will for my day.

Foundation and Success

Foundation and Success

Lead Like Jesus had an interesting post this morning on their Twitter feed:

“As successes mount, we attract more attention from the enemy, not less. Be prepared by making God's Word ur foundation.”

As we move through careers or leadership positions and have failures we will often ask God why He is putting us in situations that end in failure.  Or we will blame the failures on the enemy.  We question because we have heard statements like God moves us from glory to glory.  Why would He let us suffer in failure?  And if we are there too long some many even lose faith.

On the other side when we have success in careers or leadership positions we may start offering prayers of thanksgiving to God for the successes.  But if we are unsure of our identity in Christ we may begin moving from a foundation in Christ to believing that our success is from ourselves. 

I’ve been there… I think many of us have been.  When I lost a job I looked right at the face of the enemy.  I questioned why God would allow me to go through this again.  When I forget that God is working and I turn from Him I open a door for the enemy to attack and pull me further from God.

So when we do have success we get comfortable in saying God abandoned me before so this success has nothing to do with God and everything to do with me and me alone.  We shift our focus from Him to our self and our flesh.  But so much of the help self-help industry supports this “me” first culture and that success and fulfillment is from what we do.  The culture says you are the only person you can count on.  When we continue to give praise to the self and the flesh for success we open more doors for the enemy to attack us.  This becomes an empty place over time and a lonely place.

1 Kings 8: 12-61 reminds us that we know the source of our success and remember at all times to give God the credit and have Him as the foundation of success. 

Read 1 Kings 8: 12-61 here: http://bible.com/111/1ki.8.12-61.niv

This section of 1 Kings describes the temple just built.  His payer reminds Israel of what the temple is and Who it is for.

John Maxwell sums it up this way…. After completing the temple to house the Ark of the Covenant he offers prayers reminding Israel that this Holy place is committed to God.  Although Solomon engaged the building of the temple and demanded that this temple was to be magnificent and exact, he knew and recognized that the glory belonged to God and to God alone.  All leaders must recognize that success appears by the blessing of God. 

Success is not by what we do.  Keep your focus on God.  Pray for guidance and to hear the will of God.  Each step is placed before us to continue to shape His creation.  Jesus is the only One who can change us and move us from glory to glory.  Recognize and praise Him for your success.

Witness and Defend

Witness and Defend

For me my faith was always a rather private matter.  In high school and college until I got married I my faith was asleep; hibernating.  I considered myself Christian.  I was born, baptized Roman Catholic.  In CCD I learned the prayers, learned parts of the liturgy, did first confession and first communion.  Although teen life took precedence and I was not confirmed.  After meeting and marrying my wife, we settled on an Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) congregation in the city we were living in.  My faith was awakened from its slumber.

We became very involved in the life of the church.  I even served as a Bible study leader and my wife was a worship assistant.  Although I was involved at levels deeper than at any other time in my life one area that I struggled with continued to be witnessing my faith to other people.  Also working in higher education (an area that can regularly be considered anti-Christian) and sharing my faith with others or being “too open” about being an active and practicing Christian would not have been well received by colleagues.  (At least this is the perception I held).  So I kept that portion of my life compartmentalized.

In August my family and I made a move to Farmville, Virginia.  I took a new position with Longwood University.  The nearest ELCA congregation is almost an hour away.  Since involvement for our family in a church is important we knew we needed a local church and it is also important for our church to be within our community.  We found New Life Church and have enjoyed every minute of our new found church family.  Coming to New Life has made the transition to Farmville far smoother.

Something else that this transition has done has shown me how to start sharing my faith and why I believe that Jesus Christ is the truth and the way.

15But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3: 15-16 (NIV).

The first part was there… I know that Jesus Christ is my savior and Lord.  But the other I hesitated on… being ready and able to share my faith with others.  I always worried about having the right words to say.  I also worried about the other person feeling as if I was pushing my faith on him/her.  In October I had the opportunity to attend an Encounter retreat.  After that retreat my prayer life has been ramped up and I feel more prepared to share why I have a strong belief in Christ as my savior and Lord.  I am also coming to learn that it may take several conversations with someone before he/she is ready to realize that a relationship with Christ is needed.

This blog and my other social media outlets also serve as a space to share my faith.  Sites like facebook and twitter provide an opportunity to open discussions with others about the place of faith in their lives.  My blog offers a space when I can chronicle my faithwalk and how my faith influences me as a professional and leader.

Leading for Him today

Leading for Him today

Today there was a post from the Lead Like Jesus Facebook page newsfeed that caught my attention and I will answer.  “God has called you into relationship with Himself through Jesus Christ in order for you to be caught up in His purposes in the world. How will your leadership influence others for Him today?”  How can I be a better witness for Jesus Christ?  How will I lead for Him? 

My recent posts have centered on calling, vision, leading with gifts, and attitude.  Each of these pieces are some of the very critical characteristics for leaders.  There are some areas that I have found as strengths for me.  In my past congregation, I was a Bible study leader/teacher for our adult group.  I have found that teaching is a spiritual gift. Although I know I could learn more, and continue to do so, I am able to read Scripture and meditate on the passages I read and facilitate teaching.

Currently there are two areas that I am working on developing in my faith walk.  These were not areas that I am comfortable with.  But in the last 15 weeks I know that God is working me through each.  The first is developing my prayer life and the other is evangelizing, witnessing, spreading the Gospel and helping others/ teaching others come to Christ.  I’ll touch on prayer life first.

For my prayer life I continue to grow beyond the standard prayers I learned as a child.  I know that God is saying to me to speak to Him in prayer.  Speak to Him from my heart and my spirit.  Growing up Roman Catholic I learned the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary, the Apostle’s Creed, and the Act of Contrition.  I prayed the scripted prayers or the prayers of the liturgy during worship.

Psalm 141 has been a focal point for me related to prayer. 

1I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me;

hear me when I call to you.

2May my prayer be set before you like incense;

may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

3Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;

keep watch over the door of my lips.

4Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil

so that I take part in wicked deeds

along with those who are evildoers;

do not let me eat their delicacies.

5Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness;

let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head.

My head will not refuse it,

for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

6Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs,

and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.

7They will say, “As one plows and breaks up the earth,

so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave.”

8But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord;

in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.

9Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers,

from the snares they have laid for me.

10Let the wicked fall into their own nets,

while I pass by in safety.

(Psalm 141 (NIV))

Copy and paste this link: Psalmody 141: Let My Prayer Rise Up (Holden Evening Prayer)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv6yBUMHCZA

For me, sharing my faith with others (witnessing to salvation through Jesus Christ) was something that I was always reserved about.  It was even more so when I knew that someone was openly an atheist or had turned toward some other spirituality; exactly the people that God is calling us to reach out to.

19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and 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))

I know what I believe.  I believe that Jesus Christ was God sent by God to save His people.  I believe that we are the chosen children of God.  I believe in the salvation that is given by a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  I believe that the Holy Spirit is still present in our world today.  

"Creed" by Rich Mullins

Sharing my faith through this blog is one of the ways that I am continuing to develop my ability to share my faith in face to face settings.  Where I have often struggled is having the words to say to someone who is challenging my belief.  I continue to pray that the Holy Spirit anoint me with the wisdom and words.  I ask God to send the Holy Spirit to overflow my life and to use my hands and use me to do His will.  I struggle each day to live a life that He would have me live.

My prayer is that each day I serve in my leadership roles that the people I have relationships with see Christ’s light and salvation in me.  That I am a leader of integrity and that I walk the talk.  I'm just an imperfect Christian trying my best to live for and glorify my perfect Savior.