A Biblical Precedent… Part 2

Some of the greatest lessons on leadership are based on biblical precedents. These lessons are designed to help us follow biblical teaching and practice God’s design for leaders in every generation.

One of the precedents, as simple and overused as it may be, involves the nature of our influence. Jesus said we are the salt of the earth and light of the world (Mt. 5:13-16).

Throughout the letters written to specific individuals and the various churches of God’s people, the word salt is used twice (Col. 4:6; Jas. 3:12). In both passages the use of salt is connected to the tongue. The use of the tongue is powerful. Words spoken carelessly and without thought can destroy our influence and once destroyed is difficult, if not impossible, to regain.

In the context of Matthew 5, Jesus identifies the use of light as it is reflected in our actions, the good works seen by others who will glorify God. The significance of what we do preaches a stronger lesson than what we say. A picture paints a thousand words.

The nature of our words and actions establish leadership precedent worthy of following.

Leadership Word Of The Week…Extraordinary

Depending on how our word of the week is pronounced, it could be extraordinary or extra – ordinary. The idea involves the unusual or remarkable.

The reason this word stands out is because of how God works through ordinary men and women in the Bible and makes them extraordinary.

Consider the “burning bush.” Intrigued with this sight, Moses approached to examine what he had never seen before. Here, on God’s mountain, he learned how something as ordinary as a bush can be extraordinary when it is on fire with divine activity.

We are just ordinary human beings. There is nothing special about any of us, until God becomes a part of the equation. This is where our influence changes and leadership begins..

When we are on fire with the divine activity of God in our lives, everything changes. This is not a miraculous intervention, sign, or demonstration of the paranormal. Rather, it is simply an understanding of who God is and what He has done for us, having delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son.

Now that is extraordinary.

Finishing Well…

One of the strongest and most exciting areas of developing any project is the beginning. The morale and enthusiasm are high as the wheels begin turning.

There is something about the grand opening, the starting gun, the first day, or the kick off that strikes at the heart of people to get them on board.

Because we are often a short-sighted and an immediate satisfaction oriented people, the long range goals seldom come to fruition.

Weariness, stress, slow movement, and discouragement set in and cause us to forget or lose sight of the excitement the original goals provided. This is true for individuals and congregations.

In leadership circles, the idea of finishing well is becoming more prevalent. We need leaders who know how to start and finish well.

Satan does not mind our starting if he knows he can cause us to stop before the finish line. Scripture emphasizes the need for us to endure and be faithful until death.

Instead of giving way to the pressures of accommodating the latest “whim” in the religious world, let us stay the course and finish well.

Leadership Thought Of The Day…

“With everything that has happened to you, you can either feel sorry for yourself or treat what has happened as a gift. Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose.” Wayne W. Dyer

We are presented with numerous choices surrounding life’s events. We know people (we may be one) that become bitter at the difficulties which can challenge and cause them to leave their faith.

We also know of people who face giants when it comes to the trials of life and they choose to remain strong in and dedicated to their faith.

The difference is a choice. As the thought expresses we can choose to feel sorry for ourselves or look at the circumstances as an opportunity to grow into the person God desires of us.

James points out that these trials are instrumental in making us complete, so that we are lacking in nothing (Jas. 1:2-4).

Considering Job we find an example of a godly man who did not sin, nor did he blame God. Let us lead with such focus.

Striking While The Iron Is Hot…

Most of us have heard this phrase at some point in life. The idea is to take advantage of an opportunity quickly.

As we have expressed before, an opportunity involves circumstances presenting possibility either to be gained or lost. We cannot take advantage of opportunities if we are unable to see the possibilities.

Leadership involves the ability to see the possibilities and take advantage of the opportunities the moment they arise.

Few people would turn down the opportunity to double an investment in a short period of time. When the presentation is skillfully done and the stakes are guaranteed we know the advantage of striking while the iron is hot. This may be the only opportunity we are given.

The same is true spiritually, however, we have to consider two significant questions: 1) Do we really see the possibilities of reaching out to the souls around us? 2) Do we want to take advantage of the opportunities God presents?

Unless we see the possibilities and want to take advantage of the opportunities the urgency of sharing the message of Jesus fades to indifference.

Seek, Ask, and Knock.