Leadership:What makes you an influential leader? (80-4)~Barry Werner

What makes you an influential leader? (80-4)

July 30th, 2009 in Uncategorized | leave a response

Sometimes very unlikely candidates can become influential leaders. People do not exclusively follow leaders because they have influential, attractive personality traits but because they have relevant gifts. Read Judges 11:1-31.

Jephthah was Israel’s ninth judge. He was born the son of a harlot, driven out of his home and stripped of his inheritance by his father’s wife’s sons and had to flee the land to escape from his brothers, yet, 11:1 calls him a “mighty warrior.”

Ultimately Jephthah was asked by his kinsmen to come back from exile and lead their army into battle against the people of Ammon. Jephthah is remembered more for an emotional decision that cost him the life of his daughter than his victory against the Ammonites. But as we study Jephthah’s life, we can learn positive and negative principles of leadership.

Jephthah showed positive leadership in verses 7-11 where he clarified both the request and the result needed. Effective leaders get the facts before giving their word. Jephthah also showed positive leadership when he endeavored to negotiate win/win agreements in verses 12-28. Effective leaders try every means of negotiation before entering a situation that will ultimately have to have a loser.

Ironically, although Jephthah modeled these positive lessons, he made a tragic choice before conquering the Ammonites. He impetuously vowed to sacrifice to the Lord “whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph.” Effective leaders do not allow themselves to be overcome by emotions or to make commitments in a vacuum. Leaders know they need to weigh up front what they are willing to sacrifice.

When was your last costly decision? Analyze what trait is in your personality that triggered the bad decision. Write a short paragraph concerning how you will prevent similar costly decisions in the future.

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Tags: Emotion, Influence, Leadership Gifts

« Are you creating a reputation or a legacy? (80-3)

What will a lapse in character cost you? (80-5

two responsibilities in regard to "evil reports." One is not to give them, and the second is not to receive them.~Joyce Meyers

So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work.
—2 Timothy 2:21

You and I have two responsibilities in regard to "evil reports."

One is not to give them, and the second is not to receive them.

Each of us has a responsibility not to talk to others negatively and not to let others talk to us that way.

It is our responsibility to help one another in a godly way to get out of the mode of thinking and speaking negatively about others, about ourselves, or about the situations we all have to face and deal with in this life.

At one time when people would come to me to gossip about others, I thought I was obligated to listen to what they had to say.

That's not what the apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 4. He says that we are not to be involved in polluting our own minds or the minds of those around us. According to what Paul wrote to his young disciple Timothy in the above scripture, you and I are supposed to be clean vessels.

We are to keep ourselves pure, and to help others to keep themselves pure as well.

God’s Ways: Ordinary and Miraculous~Charles Stanley

God’s Ways: Ordinary and Miraculous

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READ | 1 Kings 17:2-7

God declared, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” (Isa. 55:8). And in fact, one of the biggest frustrations of the Christian life has to do with a lack of understanding about God’s ways. There are times when we could really use a miracle, and yet He does not come through for us. Unmet expectations lead to confusion, disappointment, and even anger. Why did God let me down?

There are two schools of thought regarding the miraculous. Some people don’t believe God works miracles at all, while others are convinced that if He’s not doing the miraculous every day, then something is wrong with their faith. We need a balanced perspective, which we find in the Bible.

God works in both supernatural and ordinary ways, and He determines the method. Elijah ate food miraculously delivered by ravens, but his water supply from a brook was completely natural. When the water dried up, the Lord could have made more spring from the ground, but He didn’t.

Sometimes God uses ordinary means to move us in a new direction. The curtailment of his water supply opened the door for Elijah’s next “assignment.” When the Lord withholds miraculous intervention and lets your brook dry up, He has something else planned for you.

Seeing the work of God in the miraculous is easy, but He’s just as involved in the commonplace aspects of life as He is in any supernatural event. Look for His “fingerprint” in the day’s mundane activities. He is there, opening and closing doors, drying up one opportunity but initiating another.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.~Bob Hoekstra

Unpopular" Promises Regarding Sowing and Reaping

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spiritwill of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (Galatians 6:7-8)

We now revisit the category of "unpopular" promises. This set of promises concerns the absolute certainties of the reaping and sowing process. "Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." In a world that often rejects accountability, these promises are very "unpopular."

Many people are deceived on this matter. They wrongly assume that they will not have to face the consequences of the "daily seeds" they are planting. To hold such an inaccurate perspective is actually a mockery against God, who established this principle. "Do not bedeceived, God is not mocked." The pattern of planting and harvesting is clearly demonstrated in the case of physical seeds. Whenever a farmer sows corn, he always reaps corn. He never reaps wheat. This pattern is just as certain in the realm of spiritual seeds. Every person is sowing spiritual seeds every day of his life: either seeds of "his flesh" or seeds of "the Spirit." The harvest for each person is thereby determined: either "corruption" or "everlasting life."

Throughout the world (and, sadly, in many instances within the church world) seeds of flesh are sown day by day. In word, deed, attitude, or relationship, people are planting seeds that are characterized by this fleshly list in Galatians 5:19-21. "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like." These seeds bring forth a harvest of destruction. "For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption." Such seeds diminish and destroy every life that engages in them. Such seeds bring multiplied condemnation and judgment for unbelievers. When believers are caught in such carnal indulgences for a season, these seeds bring forth spiritual dryness, fruitlessness, and lack of appetite for communion with the Lord.

On the other hand, far different seeds are available for sowing, and they produce a distinctly different crop. "He who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." The seeds that are planted by dependence upon the Spirit of God bring fruit as described in Galatians 5:22-23. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."

Heavenly Father, I deeply regret the fleshly seeds that I have sown. They always diminish my life and dishonor You. I desire to sow seeds of the Spirit. They always enrich my life and bring glory to You. I long to please You with good fruit, Amen.

Oh, I am aware of those who say, ‘What’s wrong with the Church~Jon Courson

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
	Philippians 1:6
Ten years passed since the day Paul first came across Lydia and the rest of the women praying by the riverbank. And here, in a Roman prison, thinking about what the Lord had done in and through them, Paul’s heart is filled with confidence concerning the Philippian church. I believe if Paul were alive today, he would exhibit the same confidence. Oh, I am aware of those who say, ‘What’s wrong with the Church? Why isn’t the Church on fire?’ But to those who say there needs to be revival, I say, ‘Don’t you see it?’ To those who call for radical renewal, I say, ‘Don’t you get it? Look around and see what God is doing. It will blow your mind. It will warm your heart. It will cause you to applaud the Father for His faithfulness and goodness. What He’s done for us personally and corporately blows me away totally.’ Why is it the tendency among so many Christians to think that the Lord is always asking for more, more, more — that if they pray one hour, they should have prayed two; that if they witnessed to three people this month, they should have witnessed to four? It’s my conviction that many, many, many Christians expect more out of themselves than God ever does. How quick we are to beat up ourselves and other Christians. Yet if we would only open our eyes and see what the Lord is doing in the person sitting right next to us, we’d see a miracle — for the fact that God would mature and develop, build and use people like us is nothing short of miraculous. Like Paul, I thank God upon every remembrance of you. He’s doing an awesome work in your lives. He’s taking you through deep waters and tough times — and you’re coming out the other side stronger than ever. ‘Fear not, little flock, for it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom,’ Jesus said (Luke 12:32). He’s pleased with you. He’s done a great and marvelous work through you. And I’m confident that He who began a good work in you shall complete it until the day of Christ Jesus — when He comes back to take us all to heaven.

When young Joseph woke up in prison that morning,Greg Laurie

When young Joseph woke up in prison that morning, he had no idea that his situation was about to change . . . literally overnight. He started the day like any other day, with no idea what was ahead. But after two long years, he was ready.

Back in the palace of the Pharaoh, the court magicians had been called in to interpret Pharaoh's dreams. In his first dream, seven healthy, fat cows came up out of the Nile River, followed by seven cows that were ugly and gaunt. The seven thin cows came and ate the seven healthy cows.

In his next dream, Pharaoh saw seven heads of grain, strong and healthy, growing on a single stalk. After them, seven thin heads of grain sprouted and were scorched by the east wind. These withered heads of grain swallowed up the healthy ones.

The court magicians—who were supposed to have the inside scoop on the supernatural world, who presumably should interpret any dream the Pharaoh might have—were speechless. They would have been considered the most intelligent men in the kingdom, the wisest men in the land. Yet they didn't have a clue.

God was intervening and silencing these men, preparing the ground for Joseph.

Meanwhile, the butler said to Pharaoh, "Excuse me, I just remembered something. I met Joseph in prison. He knows how to interpret dreams. I had a dream, and he interpreted it. It happened just as he said. He also properly interpreted the dream of the former baker. This guy can interpret dreams."

So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and Joseph was cleaned up and brought into the presence of the most powerful man on Earth.

Genesis 41 tells us about their meeting: "And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.' So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, 'It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace'" (verse 15–16 NKJV).

Here was a man who could terminate a life with just one word, yet Joseph still spoke the truth. I think this impressed Pharaoh. Where did this guy come from? Look at his courage. Look at his boldness to say that to someone like me.

This reminds us that the one who kneels before God can stand before any man. It reminds us of Daniel's bold words to King Nebuchadnezzar and King Belshazzar, Elijah's courageous stand before King Ahab, and John the Baptist's daring words to King Herod. They stood up for what they believed, just as Joseph did before Pharaoh.

So Pharaoh told Joseph about his dream, and Joseph interpreted it. He explained that God had revealed to Pharaoh that he would have seven years of plenty and that he was to store up for the following years of famine. He said that Pharaoh should appoint someone wise to rule over these things and make sure they done properly.

Pharaoh thought Joseph would make a great candidate, so he appointed him as second in command over all of Egypt.

Joseph hadn't dropped any hints. He didn't pull out his résumé. He just left it in the hands of God.

After all those years, he had learned to simply trust God, knowing it would all work out in the end. If it was part of God's plan, it would happen. If it wasn't, it would not.

It had taken 13 years to transform Joseph from a somewhat spoiled young boy into a wise, compassionate world leader. He was elevated to the second most powerful position in the entire kingdom.

There are very few whom God could trust with that kind of responsibility and power. Yet Joseph had clearly overcome the obstacles. He had run the race, and here was the prize. God had prepared him.

We learn many lessons from the life of Joseph. God only crushes in order to create. He bruises in order to bless. He tears down in order to build. He uproots in order to plant.

God is more interested in the eternal than the external. He is more interested in making us holy than He is in making us happy.

The beautiful thing is that a fringe benefit of holiness is happiness. Holy people are happy people, not because they are chasing after happiness, but because they are chasing after God and desiring to live lives that are pleasing to Him.

Holy Spirit Guidance~Mark Balmer

“Under HIS Influence – The Holy Spirit” by Pastor Mark Balmer;
8/15-16/09, Message #MB385;

Daily Devotional #5 - “Holy Spirit Guidance”

Preparing the Soil (Introduction):

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. (Acts 16:6)

I loved Pastor Mark’s visual of the iPhone this weekend.

Our technology today is amazing. Gone are the days of taking a map, pen, and paper. All we need is a small device that fits in our pocket to get directions to anywhere in the world, call anyone we would like, and of course send an email in seconds versus waiting 5 days for a letter to arrive in the mail. Even better, Christ follower, we have a guide that lives in us, and He is the Holy Spirit.

Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth):

Man, without the Holy Spirit, walks through life blindly. As humans we can only see what is in front of us, and if we don’t seek the Lord or don’t have the Lord guiding our lives, we make our decisions based on what we see instead of by faith. That can cause a problem, because we don’t know what is ahead.

Even as Christ followers, we need to use common sense to make decisions at times, but all decisions should be brought before the Lord, because He is all-knowing. He sees things that we can’t, and we need to learn to trust Him. If we truly surrender our lives to Jesus and follow Him, He will make our paths straight (Proverbs 3:6).

Sometimes, He has us make a decision that is contrary to our human wisdom. Paul and his companions wanted to do an honorable thing—preach the gospel in Asia. But for whatever reason they were prevented from doing so. We are to walk by faith not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response):

The more I grow in my Christian walk, the more I learn not to question the Lord’s direction in my life. I also am learning that I don’t need to know all the “Why’s,” I just need to obey.

I need to trust that He sees everything that is before me, and, if I listen to Him, He will protect me and guide me in the direction that He wants me to go. I don’t know if Paul ever knew the reason why he was prevented from preaching in Asia at that time, but God did.

The one lesson we need to learn from this portion of Scripture is that we may never know the reason why the Lord would tell us to do or not to do something. Our only responsibility is to obey. We need to know that His plans for us are good and that He will never leave nor forsake us.

Obey the Lord willingly. God loves you!

Cultivating (Additional Reading):

Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:9-14; Psalm 32:9
HS

Make a commitment to follow Jesus.~David McGee

John 19:17-18

17 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha,18 where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center.
NKJV

Life Lesson

Make a commitment to follow Jesus.

It is painful to consider what Jesus went through for us and to think about what He endured on our behalf. The remarkable truth I keep coming back to time and time again is...it was His decision. He decided to endure these things, the suffering, the beatings and the crucifixion. It is convicting because I know how little in comparison it has taken to rattle my endurance at times. I have never been beaten for Jesus much less crucified. It comes down to each and every one of us making a commitment to Jesus. How far will you follow Jesus? Until it gets inconvenient...uncomfortable...painful? Are you willing to follow Him all the way? Let us follow our Jesus, who is so worthy to be followed, all the way until the end. Until we hear the words "well done, good and faithful servant." God bless you as you follow Jesus.

Dear Father,
Thank You for loving me so much that You would send Your Son, Jesus to die for my sins. He is worthy to be followed. Please transform me from the inside out that I may follow Him until the end. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David

None of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.~Daily Light

None of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

Whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. - Let no man seek his own: but every man another's wealth. - Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.

I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

ROM. 14:7. Rom. 14:8. I Cor. 10:24. I Cor. 6:20. Phi. 1:20 23. Gal. 2:19,20.

EVENING

God gave Solomon ... largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.

Behold, a greater than Solomon is here. - The Prince of Peace.

Scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. - Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. - The love of Christ passeth knowledge.

Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. - In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. - The unsearchable riches of Christ. - Of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.

I KGS. 4:29. Matt. 12:42. Isa. 9:6. Rom. 5:7,8. Phi. 2:6 8. Eph. 3:19. I Cor. 1:24. Col. 2:3. Eph. 3:8. I Cor. 1:33.

Job 4:1-7:21 ~ 1 Corinthians 14:18-40 ~ Psalm 37:30-40 ~ Proverbs 21:27

Job 4:1-7:21 ~ 1 Corinthians 14:18-40 ~ Psalm 37:30-40 ~ Proverbs 21:27
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - Today in Job chapter 4 we read about Eliphaz the Temanite's first response to Job, including these words in verses 3 through 6: "In the past you have encouraged many a troubled soul to trust in God; you have supported those who were weak. Your words have strengthened the fallen; you steadied those who wavered. But now when trouble strikes, you faint and are broken. Does your reverence for God give you no confidence? Shouldn't you believe that God will care for those who are upright?" How do these words of Eliphaz's speak to you? Are these fair words for him to be saying to Job? Are they fair words for us to consider in our own lives today as well?

Then in chapter 6 Job responds to Eliphaz as follows in verse 2 through 6: "If my sadness could be weighed and my troubles be put on the scales, they would be heavier than all the sands of the sea. That is why I spoke so rashly. For the Almighty has struck me down with his arrows. He has sent his poisoned arrows deep within my spirit. All God's terrors are arrayed against me. Don't I have a right to complain? Wild donkeys bray when they find no green grass, and oxen low when they have no food. People complain when there is no salt in their food." How do these words of Job's speak to you? Are these fair words for him to be saying in reply to Eliphaz? Are they fair words for us to consider in our own lives today as well?

Below is a powerful image for Job's words in chapter 7 verse 11:

New Testament - I don't know if you've ever heard Billy Graham say that he likes to read the newspaper in one hand with the Bible in the other hand? I will try to provide an example of how we can do this today, thanks to an article a couple of years ago in Newsweek titled "In Search of the Spiritual" at this link. This is an opportunity to read Paul's words today in First Corinthians chapter 14 on orderly worship, and then compare to what you read in this Newsweek article. I'll let you work out your own conclusions. Be like Billy Graham - read the news of the day in one hand with the Bible in the other hand. Tim Challies (one of my favorite bloggers) has an interesting take on this Newsweek article on his blog at this link.

(On some more Billy Graham / magazine notes, did everyone catch the Newsweek magazine article about Billy titled "Pilgrim's Progress"? You can read it online here. Billy is now 90 years old - below left is a TIME cover from 15 years ago. And below right is another TIME cover from just 2 years ago with an article about Billy ministering to President's which you can read at this link.)

The One Year Bible Companion book dives into the question "Does 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 mean that women should not speak in church services today?" I encourage you to pick up this book, as it is invaluable in going through the One Year Bible and covers great questions like this. I will share with you a little bit of their answer on this today - "Women have much to contribute and can participate in worship services. In the Corinthian culture, women were not allowed to confront men in public. Apparently some of the women who had become Christians thought that their Christian freedom gave them the right to question men in public worship. This was causing division in the church. Paul was asking the women not to flaunt their Christian freedom during worship. The purpose of Paul's words was to promote unity, not to teach about women's role in the church." Thank you Tyndale for this Q & A.

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in First Corinthians titled "Spiritual Gifts and Self Control" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 37 verses 30 & 31 read like amazing Proverbs: "The godly offer good counsel; they know what is right from wrong. They fill their hearts with God's law, so they will never slip from his path." Are you filling your heart with God's teachings? Are you doing this so that you will never slip from His path? Are you offering good counsel to those around you? When others around you see you, do they see someone that clearly knows what is right from wrong? Below is a little Right & Wrong sign humor for you :) -

Proverbs - Proverbs 21 verse 27 is one of those that makes you go "ouch" - "God loathes the sacrifice of an evil person, especially when it is brought with ulterior motives." Well, not the evil person part making me go ouch, so much as the "ulterior motives" part. I do think there is so much wisdom in Jesus' admonition to give without letting the right hand know what the left hand is doing. I am afraid that sometimes I have not only let the right hand know when I'm giving - but many other people as well! That's ulterior motives. And it's not right obviously, as we see in this Proverb today and as we hear from Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. How about you and your giving or acts of kindness - Do you give with pure motives? With no ulterior motives? With no strings attached?

Worship God: Well, I'm not 100% sure if when Michael Gungor and Israel Houghton wrote the hit song "Friend of God" that they had Job's words mind mind from today's readings in chapter 7 verse 17: “What are people, that you should make so much of us, that you should think of us so often?" But let me know your thoughts after watching this worshipful video. This video features Chris Tomlin and Israel Houghton from Passion 2007. (Israel's voice is like butter!) Oh - and you might want to take Chris Tomlin's advice in the opening of this video and get up out of your chair and dance! :)

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)

Comments from You & Questions of the Day: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

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