Some thoughts on leadership from the book "Spiritual Leadership":
Adding leadership potential to our lives usually requires that we shake off negative elements that hold us back. If we are overly sensitive when criticized and rush to defend ourselves, that must go. If we make excuses for failure and try to blame others or circumstances, that must go. If we are intolerant or inflexible, so that creative people around us feel hemmed in, that must go.
If we are disturbed by anything short of perfection in ourselves and others, that must go. The perfectionist sets goals beyond his reach...Our world is imperfect, and we cannot expect the impossible...
If you cannot keep a secret, do not try to lead. If you cannot yield a point when someone else's ideas are better, save yourself the frustration of failed leadership. If you want to maintain an image of infallibility, find something else to do besides leading people.
Let me ask you, do you want to lead?
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Would you pray?
Concerning prayer, E.M. Bounds said:
"What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use -- men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men -- men of prayer."
"What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use -- men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men -- men of prayer."
Saturday, September 5, 2009
What's wrong with milk?
The author of Hebrew encountered a challenge while addressing his audience. Let's hear him:
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! (Heb. 5:11&12)
While we understand that the author was not referring to literal milk, it makes one ask "but what's wrong with 'milk' ?"
Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. (Heb. 5:13)
Who then is mature?
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (Heb. 5:14)
The phrase 'by constant use' gets my attention. It does seem obvious that maturity comes about by constant use of the word. The word of God transforms us as we choose to practice what we've learned.
There's nothing wrong with milk but like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1 Pet. 2:2-3)
In conclusion, therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity!(Heb. 6:1).
God bless you!
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! (Heb. 5:11&12)
While we understand that the author was not referring to literal milk, it makes one ask "but what's wrong with 'milk' ?"
Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. (Heb. 5:13)
Who then is mature?
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (Heb. 5:14)
The phrase 'by constant use' gets my attention. It does seem obvious that maturity comes about by constant use of the word. The word of God transforms us as we choose to practice what we've learned.
There's nothing wrong with milk but like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1 Pet. 2:2-3)
In conclusion, therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity!(Heb. 6:1).
God bless you!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Flee!
"Flee the evil desires of youth,and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (2 Timothy 2:22)
"Flee the evil desires of youth"
Run away! Yea, it may involve running away literally. Joseph's account (Gen. 39:11-12) presents a biblical example: "One day he (Joseph) went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. She (Potiphar's wife) caught him by his cloak and said, "Come to bed with me!" But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house." Many temptations would lose their appeal if only we would learn to flee. A lot of times, that would be the wisest thing to do.
"...pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace"
Follow after (intentionally)...make effort.It is not enough to 'flee evil desires' we should also 'pursue righteousness'.The Amplified Version puts it this way: "aim at and pursue righteousness (all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of God in thought, word, and deed); [and aim at and pursue] faith, love, [and] peace (harmony and concord with others)."
"...along with those who call on the Lord"
That's fellowship! Biblical wisdom is "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" (Eccl. 4:9-10). As much as possible, in your 'pursuit of righteousness', make a commitment to connect with all 'those who call on the Lord' (and help others connect too).
"...out of a pure heart."
Not hypocritically. Fellowship in sincerity. Referring to the Pharisees, Jesus said: "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." While it could be difficult for us to know where people worship 'out of a pure heart', our primary responsibility is to make sure we worship not 'just with our lips'.
"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." (John 13:17)
God bless you!
"Flee the evil desires of youth"
Run away! Yea, it may involve running away literally. Joseph's account (Gen. 39:11-12) presents a biblical example: "One day he (Joseph) went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. She (Potiphar's wife) caught him by his cloak and said, "Come to bed with me!" But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house." Many temptations would lose their appeal if only we would learn to flee. A lot of times, that would be the wisest thing to do.
"...pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace"
Follow after (intentionally)...make effort.It is not enough to 'flee evil desires' we should also 'pursue righteousness'.The Amplified Version puts it this way: "aim at and pursue righteousness (all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of God in thought, word, and deed); [and aim at and pursue] faith, love, [and] peace (harmony and concord with others)."
"...along with those who call on the Lord"
That's fellowship! Biblical wisdom is "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" (Eccl. 4:9-10). As much as possible, in your 'pursuit of righteousness', make a commitment to connect with all 'those who call on the Lord' (and help others connect too).
"...out of a pure heart."
Not hypocritically. Fellowship in sincerity. Referring to the Pharisees, Jesus said: "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." While it could be difficult for us to know where people worship 'out of a pure heart', our primary responsibility is to make sure we worship not 'just with our lips'.
"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." (John 13:17)
God bless you!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Think about these...
"You are the same today that you are going to be in five years from now except for two things,the people you associate with, and the books you read."- Charles Jones
"My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them."- Prov. 1:10
Association matters...
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