Tuesday, December 20, 2011

THE 9 LEADERSHIP “BE-ATTITUDES OF JOSHUA

New King James Version (NKJV)
Joshua 1:6-9
6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

 1.  Be Strong - not physical strength, but spiritual.  Recognize that your strength comes from the Lord


 2.  Be Courageous - step out in faith without doubt. Courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the ability to do what you’ve been called to do despite your fear.


 3.  Be Obedient - apply what we read and hear


 4.  Be Undistracted - don’t let money, growth, and acclaim distract us from serving Christ 


 5.  Be Studious - stay in God’s Word at all times
Vs. 8 “ This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth”


 6.  Be Prayerful– develop personal intimacy with God. (pray, meditate, and reflect)
Vs. 8 “meditate in it day and night”


 7.  Be Thorough
- do everything the Lord commands you to do, and do it well.
Vs. 8  “according to all” “ do everything”

    
 8.  Be Confident - do not fear life’s circumstances
Vs.9 “do not be afraid or dismayed”


 9.  Be Encouraged - God is with us.  He won’t fail us
Vs 9 “the Lord your God is with you"

God gave me these as I began my life in ministry!  Now I understand why!  These attitudes, that carried Joshua, will carry you when the storms of life blow, and you don't know which way to go!   Incorporating these in your life will change you and sustain you!  May God use them to make you the leader He wants you to be!


Fearless by Anthony Evans (Son of Dr. Tony Evans)

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

4 Steps to Managing a Key Life Change

Life is all about transitions! The only thing you can count on in life outside of eternal security in Christ, is that change is always around the corner!  Life is to be enjoyed to the fullest as a gift from God, but the Lord is more concerned about your character than your comfort.  His desire is that we continually be conformed to the image of His Son, and either allows or uses change to help in the reshaping process. The ultimate goal is to be more and more like Christ each day. The goal is not perfection, normally correction, all as a result of your selection of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior!  As the "boss" He can do whatever He chooses to do to make you more like Him in every area of your life!

In basketball, how a team makes the transition from offense to defense usually dictates the outcome of most plays.  In life, how we transition from the days of our youth, to the inevitable time when the body starts to slow down, can make a big difference in your quality of life.   Smoothly making this transition requires at least 4 key decisions you must be ready to incorporate into your "new" lifestyle:

  1. Refuse...to let what you can't do, prevent you from achieving what you can! 
  2. Accept...that time stops for nobody!
  3. Trust... that God's strength is greater than your weakness!
  4. Enjoy... each day as a new gift from God!

If you are currently going through this life transition, how would your RATE, your life right now?  Would you give yourself an A?  Maybe a C?  Unfortunately an F?   The good news is that you can emerge victorious by simply applying these four action steps in your life.  The decision is yours.  Don't let this transition trip you up and prevent you from taking the next step in your life with with grace, peace, and joy!  You may be getting older but you can still get better!

The Sounds of Blackness - (from days in Minneapolis/church)

Thursday, December 1, 2011

The Tebow Leadership Effect

You would have to be living in another country to have not heard of the name Tim Tebow!  It doesn't matter if you like him or hate him.  One thing for sure..you can't skip him!  When you use your unique platform to be bold for Jesus Christ, you will not go unnoticed!

Now this alone takes boldness and courage because contrary to the thinking of many, bold Christians are not the most  popular people on the planet.  Christ was crucified so why would you think you will be embraced?  People think the standard is perfection!  Not only don't they not want to hear it, they will scrutinize your life, looking for one moment of weakness or imperfection.  Then the test begins.

Tebow is attempting to walk the walk in the public eye but he has three relentless enemies...the world, the flesh, and the devil!  The bible is clear.. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23,  so perfection is an impossible standard!  What Tim Tebow is trying to do is live a godly life, in an ungodly world, in the public eye, not for self but for the glory and honor of Jesus Christ, His Lord and Savior!  For that boldness, I say...Go Tebow!

He may never be the best quarterback in the NFL, but it won't be from lack of effort!  He won't win every game and may never get to a championship, but God asks us to be the best we can be with the ability He gives, and never forget to thank and praise Him for the talent, and opportunity He has given us!  If you do that, you can leave the results to Him!

There will be haters...but they hated Jesus!  Others will say that you don't have the truth...we do!  God just wants you to stand for Him on His authority in faith and trust Him!  Yes, it's easy to thank Him after a big win, but I believe Tebow will thank Him after a loss just as boldly!  That doesn't make him perfect or sinless,  it just makes him a true "Ambassador for Christ"

He's been like this since college, but the stage is bigger now, the opportunity larger, and the opposition stronger!  Enjoy the good times and prepare for the tough times Tim.  I'm praying you will continue to stand strong through it all!  Thank you Tim for the refreshing stand for MY Savior, Jesus Christ!  May God give me the strength to demonstrate the same courage, boldness and leadership skills in my life as well!

LEADERSHIP ESSENTIALS by Scott Williams

  • Believe In Yourself
  • Believe In Others
  • Point The Direction
  • Embrace The Concept Of Team
  • Provide An Environment For Growth
  • Inspire and Motivate Others
  • Move People From Where They Are To Where The Need To Be
  • Develop, Develop, Develop, & Develop
  • dream BIG. think BIGGER.