Leading, what a huge challenge for me! I don't always get this right -- who does? But you and I really wanna try to influence in the right direction and in the right way huh.
Wanna lead like Jesus leads?
Do you lust after a “position of power” or simply desire to help people grow and go in the best way for them? Man, why be a mere “boss,” rather than a servant type of leader? Let's all lead people to Jesus Christ.
Christ led people well... into righteous joyous helpful living. Jesus was and still is the greatest leader ever.. and what did He say?
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
You've got to follow well, in order to lead well. We're all dealing with influence, with Direct (God) and flawed delegated authorities here, with directives, with wise submission / obedience too. It's so important. Too many rebel unwisely.
I say if you're going to be a rebel, then rebel against sin, against evil fleshly cravings, against Satan and other fallen angels, against this world's system that tells you to do wrong. Submit to authority with grace and insight.
What did Paul tell his buds? He said, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1
Live it and lead. What a great example. Follow the Lord primarily and the good example of your spiritual pastor. If you don't have one, ask. Christ will lead you to a spiritual pastor!
Discipleship can be done well from those who are spiritually well. I've been blessed with some great pastor-leaders -- Ken, Greg, and Jack Graham as well. They always speak edifying things that minister to me. Do you need a sound local church and pastor to help you?
Live it and lead. What a great example. Follow the Lord primarily and the good example of your spiritual pastor. If you don't have one, ask. Christ will lead you to a spiritual pastor!
Discipleship can be done well from those who are spiritually well. I've been blessed with some great pastor-leaders -- Ken, Greg, and Jack Graham as well. They always speak edifying things that minister to me. Do you need a sound local church and pastor to help you?
Ask the Leader, God for a leader's wisdom. There are times when a real leader must make a tough decision and go against his feelings to do what’s best for all the people -- we all need to live godly, principled, self-disciplined, and sometimes be a “little tough” in order to protect people, but we can still remain selfless in all that. Man, at my home I only had and have 10 basic rules to protect like no drug use here. Gotta enforce some guidelines for safety-sake. Got three wild boys.
Pray for those people. Build em up and praise where that’s helpful. Use the word to edify. Take your time in communicating and check to make sure that you won't be misinterpreted. Check to see how they are doing? Cultivate relationship, good hearing, really dialogue with the right attitude. Communicate two way -- strike the right tone.
Let's say you draw a line in the sand.. for your kids. Please keep your promises to them. So many parents fail to do that, they just draw another line further back and the kids know it means nothing.
Be careful with your promises to all, but do keep your word. Of course each circumstance and situation is different, but only draw good lines regarding rules, only make the right promises (ones you won’t regret later on) and let the consequences to teach not mismatch the offense if that li’l or bigger Rascal stomps down over the line. Have had to balance courtesy and control so to speak, love and discipline, the enforcement with the encouragement.
Be careful with your promises to all, but do keep your word. Of course each circumstance and situation is different, but only draw good lines regarding rules, only make the right promises (ones you won’t regret later on) and let the consequences to teach not mismatch the offense if that li’l or bigger Rascal stomps down over the line. Have had to balance courtesy and control so to speak, love and discipline, the enforcement with the encouragement.
“Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” ― John Maxwell
Be faithful and approach everything in love with wisdom. When some you care about is stumbling or falling, ya gotta be there for them with the hope of restoration. Write and speak with grace instead of putting out a lame rant.
Gotta thank my friend Ken for the encouragement and illustration here. Now the Bible says, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28
“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.
After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” ~ Jesus Jn. 13:3-17
After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” ~ Jesus Jn. 13:3-17
Are you in Christ today and forgiven? You can be. Do you lead in a home with a family, or in a small or large business? Do you lead a prayer or Bible study group, or in a Bible teaching church? Perhaps you are a deacon or elder? Thank you! Ultimately those we care about are only accountable to Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church. Whose ministry is it? It is the Chief Shepherd’s and they are His too. It's our responsibility to help them see this when they can't see this and gently urge them on walking in the Word. But what more can I do? People typically don't think with their brains these days, they think with their emotions. You think with the mind God gave you...
Know and seek the Lord before all else -- be still before Him. Prioritize (Matthew 6:33-34). Wait on Him for His timing. Make a commitment to prayerfully grow in the word daily. Value the will of God. Value people more than the process and that more than busy events. Don't wait for a feeling of inspiration -- go to church and get in the Bible. Make the right choices regardless of the feelings. Be willing to sacrifice pleasure for opportunity. Dream big, pray big too, attempt some good things. Fish for people as Christ did. Love the Church -- all Christians. With Him leading you, lead others. Plan and pray your priorities according the Scriptures. Give up to go up. Deny your fleshly nature to follow the Lord.
