Set Apart…

The common word in the Bible for being “set apart” is holy. Throughout the Old and New Testament certain items and people were set apart for use by, for and to God.

In an interesting Psalm, David emphatically claims we should “…know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him.”

This is such a powerful thought. To consider that God has taken action toward the godly for Himself indicates a special relationship between God and the godly.

The result is followed by the activity of the godly.

Tremble, and do not sin.

Meditate…and be still.

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness.

Trust in the Lord.

Godly leaders understand that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Meditation stabilizes leadership on the word of God. Offering sacrifices indicates a godly desire to be obedient. Trust is the vital link to a godly leaders’ strength.

The combination of these four areas provides a powerful foundation for the success of leadership.

Life On The Vine…Peace

While peace is often associated with the cessation or absence of conflict, there is a positive connotation to peace; a wholeness.

The Hebrew word shalom and the Greek word eirênê both carry the idea of wholeness and harmony that characterizes a way of life.

Kenneson discusses several obstacles that stand in the way of this kind of biblical peace.

Individualism, and the promotion of such individualism, strikes at the heart of achieving biblical peace.

The privatization of faith takes individualism even further; as many often speak of a “personal relationship with Jesus,” meaning one’s own private relationship. Perhaps this explains why so many “self-professed Christians believe they can be perfectly good Christians apart from the church” (92).

Compartmentalizing life, defending our rights, and sanctioning violence are only a few of the ways peace is destroyed.

Incorporating baptism, edifying one another, admonishing one another, and forgiving one another are a few ways to support biblical peace.

When peace becomes a way of life there will be a harmony and wholeness that can only be the result of a relationship with God and one another.

Leadership Word Of The Week…Better

Regardless of how we technically define better, the conclusion results in improvement from a previous condition or situation.

Whether something is better than before can be subjective to the individual, but the claim still indicates improvement of some sort.

One of the key words to the book of Hebrews is better. We live under a better covenant, based on better promises, because of a better sacrifice; the sacrifice of Jesus Himself.

The result is obviously a better hope of the future.

What does all this mean for leaders?

When we examine our leadership character, attitude, work ethic, practice, or presence; can we say it is better than previously?

When we consider the development of those who follow our leadership, would it be said they are better today than yesterday?

Perhaps the appropriate question would be; are we willing to do what it takes to make it better?

Leaders make things happen and what they make happen should be for the better.

Jesus made our life and future better. Our task as leaders is to make the life and future of others better.

What Does The Future Look Like?

How great would it be to have a crystal ball to look into and see what the future holds, or would it be?

The possibility exists that we might not like what we see.

At the same time, leading is about the future. From a spiritual perspective, nothing is more important than what the eternal future holds for Christians.

However, on a more pragmatic level, leaders need to consider what the future of their leadership looks like.

Will the future hold growth and development for the church or will it be stagnant?

Will the future be a place where vision points to stronger or declining leadership?

Asking questions can be unending, yet in the end, we must consider the necessity of planning today to ensure the future of growth and stronger leadership.

The future of leadership must be built on prayer.

Leaders should prepare for the future with God’s word as a guide.

Tomorrow’s leaders must be encouraged today to be ready.

What does the future look like? Following these three steps makes the future look pretty bright.

Leadership Thought Of The Day…

“It’s the possibility that keeps me going, not the guarantee.” Nicholas Sparks

Opportunity has been defined as circumstances presenting possibility. For someone to take advantage of the opportunity, one must be able to see the possibility.

Looking at our neighbors who need Christ, what possibilities come to mind?

Broadening our perspective to the city where we live, can we see evangelistic possibilities?

From the city to the state and national level, what possibilities lay the foundation of our vision?

When considering the nature of global outreach, what possibility keeps us going?

Can we see the possibilities through the ways God is working in our neighborhood, city, state, nation, and world?

Leadership will not succeed if we are only looking for guarantees. The possibilities of what God can and will do through us must keep us going.

We have seen the mighty hand of God at work throughout scripture, and we should be able to see His work in our lives every day.

When our leadership is fueled by these possibilities, then a vision is cast that will lead others to great achievement.