Blog Entries tagged 'leader'

Wrong Frequency

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

For someone who was supposed to be in tune with God, it seems he was locked in to the wrong frequency.

Jeremiah 20:1-18

Reference: v.2 He [the chief officer in the temple of the Lord] had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put in the stocks at the Upper Gate of Benjamin at the Lord's temple. (NIV Bible)

Explore: How can some people get it so completely wrong? I believe that often wrongful actions begin with a hint of good intention but then, when mixed with pride and selfishness, they become ugly and hurtful. Many people followed Hitler believing he was on the right track but the torment that still echoes from that part of history makes your hair stand on end. Even our leaders and experts get it wrong sometimes. The chief officer in the temple of the Lord, a few thousand years ago, was in the position to give people guidance from God. And yet when he heard Jeremiah speaking God's words of warning to the people he had him beaten and put in stocks. For someone who was supposed to be in tune with God, it seems he was locked in to the wrong frequency.

Application: I recently heard John Smith, blues preacher, talking about hearing from God. It's important, if we believe we have received a word from God, that we check its validity. If it lines up with the Bible, the actions of Christ and it will work towards building God's kingdom then it seems we're hearing correctly. But if we hear words of hate and destruction towards others then we may need to check our source. Just because we have a grand title before our name does not mean that we have got it all worked out. I have heard more profound theological wisdom from an abused child than I have from some international speakers. It's important that we are all discerning as to what our actions should be in this world. We are all called to follow in Jesus' footsteps. God does give us guidance but many other people will try to sway us. May we hold strong to the life of Christ and seek wisdom from His footsteps.

Prayer: Lord, it's sometimes hard to know which direction to turn and who to follow. As we continue to search the scriptures may they speak to us so that we can live according to Your glory. Amen.

Who do you know that had good intentions but was off the mark? What can you do to stay true to God's calling?

My Mum Is WonderWoman

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100

As you can see, on her own she can do many, many things but if you look deeper down you will notice that, even though she is basically a real-life WonderWoman, she still needs others around her.

1 Kings 4.1-19

Reference: v.1-2a So King Solomon ruled over all Israel. And these were his chief officials... (NIV Bible)

Explore: My mother is the most efficient person on earth! Even since I have known her she has been incredibly productive and always on the move. She is a local GP, she has served on many of the community's boards, she is heavily involved in the church, she bottles jam and fruit from her garden, she walks every morning, she is always hosting people in her home and I can't even begin to list all that she does for her family and friends. She is truly amazing. As you can see, on her own she can do many, many things but if you look deeper down you will notice that, even though she is basically a real life WonderWoman, she still needs others around her. She could never run her GP clinic as well as she does without her secretaries, she could never accomplish all that was needed for the local community without other board members, she would not fully experience church if it wasn't for the other congregation members and she could never maintain the fruit trees and the vegetable patch without my father's help. My mother is amazing, but she does need other people around her.
Solomon was the same. He had been given wisdom for God and yet he still needed people around him to help him rule over Israel. As you read through this passage in chapter 4 you may not be able to pronounce all the names but you can see that these chief officials were integral to Solomon's ruling.

Application: As I grew up seeing how capable one person can be I often fall into the trap of thinking that I can do everything on my own. And yet how wrong I am. While one person can make a difference it is so important to see that we all need other people. It's that wonderful image of the body: not one element is more important than the other but all work together to make the whole. Let us not forget the importance of other people in our lives and appreciate them for the integral part they play.

Prayer: Lord, you have created each person with so many gifts and abilities. May we see the gifts in others and all work together to build your kingdom here on earth. Amen.

Who plays an integral part in your life?

Follow the Leader

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Jesus said that He is the light for our path. Unfortunately for me I like to be able to see the whole path before me, however God only seems to show us one step at a time.

Matthew 8.18-34

Reference: v.19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." (NIV Bible)

Explore: I always liked playing the game 'Follow the Leader'. It was where everyone playing formed a long line and you had to go everywhere and do everything the person in the front did. They would usually duck and weave around things and lift their arms in all sorts of ways making the caterpillar line copy them. It was never too challenging as you just had to keep up with the person in front of you. Following someone you could see, touch and observe was never too much of a challenge, even for a seven year-old.
As a Christian I have dedicated my life to follow Jesus, he is the leader of my life. And yet I find this game of life incredibly challenging! I often feel I need much more guidance than I am ever given and would love to receive more specific instructions. If I could just see how Jesus is raising his arm or moving between two poles, like in the game Follow the Leader, it would make serving Him so much easier.

Application: And yet Jesus didn't promise an easy life when we set out to follow Him. We are always going to have to tear ourselves away from the things that comfort us if we are to follow Him, and that even means knowing every step of the way. Jesus said that He is the light for our path. Unfortunately for me I like to be able to see the whole path before me, however God only seems to show us one step at a time. When I get impatient and run ahead I find myself in darkness. You're not suppose to overtake the leader! And yet every day I'm confronted by the challenge of not knowing what Jesus would have me do. I need to let go of the leadership role and get back in line to follow the most radical of leaders, even if it is just one step at a time.

Prayer: Lord, I like to have the whole journey mapped out in front of me. But that is not what it is to follow Jesus. Help me to stay in tune with You and I live to serve You everyday. Amen.

Area of Influence

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:01:14 +0100

If we continue to strive for excellence and integrity in our own lives, then we can only be setting a positive example for those around us.

Acts 19.23-41

Reference: v.29a Soon the whole city was in an uproar. (NIV Bible)

Explore: "If they jumped off a cliff, would you follow?" This is a question often leveled at someone when they have been persuaded to do the wrong thing through peer pressure. Often if a child has made a wrong choice and mentioned that 'everyone elsee was doing it', they would be confronted with this question. Of course, it's not really a question. There is no good outcome to any answer you could respond with! And yet, even though this question is directed mainly towards children, I'm not sure we have really learnt it's teachings by the time we get to adult-hood. While we may have completed school, even got a degree and have a well paying job, we are still influenced by the people around us, as we are also an influence on others. We all have an area of influence. Whether it is within the family structure, with friends or in our work places there is always a group of people that is impacted by our words and actions, sometimes in a positive way, sometimes in a negative way.
In this passage we see a group of craftsmen who are able to turn a whole city into a riot by protecting their business and their god. They were not temple leaders or court officials but these craftsmen were able to stir the whole city into a frenzy.

Application: You also have an area of influence. You may not realise it or be aware of it, but there are people that are able to observe your actions and are impacted by your choices.
While we can not make a decision for someone else, we can be aware of the influence that we have on people. (And can I add that if your group of influence is with children, then you have the greatest responsibility on your shoulders.) If we continue to strive for excellence and integrity in our own lives, then we can only be setting a positive example for those around us.
Consider who is in your area of influence. Be willing to discern who you can gain wisdom from, and how you can encourage and lead those who are willing to follow you.

Prayer: Lord, you are the ultimate leader. You remained stedfast and true whether you had thousands of people following you or just a few. May I strive to proclaim your name with all my words and actions. Amen.

I will go

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 07:53:47 +0100

David was willing to step out into battle with all his troops

2 Samuel 18.1-18

Reference: v.2b The king told the troops, "I myself will surely march out with you."

Explore: The king had been fleeing Absalom and his army for a while now but it was now time for them to stand and fight. As David gathered all his troops he declared that he was willing to go out and fight with all his men. In contrast to yesterday's reading, we see here a man willing to do what he commands his followers to do.

Application: David began as a servant leader and continued to be until late in his reign when he fought against his own Son and the army of Israel. It shows the integrity of a leader if they are willing to put themselves on the line for what they believe is right. It shows some of the really important characteristics of a leader: passion, purpose, dedication.
Often we sit under leadership which is apathetic and complacent. Yet when we have the opportunity to work with people who are passionate and purposeful we are able to feel like we're really having an impact. No matter what you do, you are a leader to someone. Be an inspiring leader by being willing to put your own life on the line for the cause.

Prayer: Lord, even when we are in the leadership position often the task feels daunting and overwhelming. Give me courage to work for what I truly believe in. Amen.

A leader to the end

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:44:33 +0100

Saul still had people following him to his very end. What type of leader do we follow?

1 Samuel 31.1-13

Reference: v. 5 When the armour-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died with him.

Explore: Even in death, Saul was a leader. If he had have stayed true to his commitment to God, he would have been an even greater leader for God saw the potential in Saul. However misguided he was in the end, he carried a certain amount of hope for the Israelite army. So much so that when he gave up all hope and suicided, his armour-bearer did the same thing. What a devastating end to someone who could have been a mighty king.

Application: We all follow people throughout our lives. Some are honourable people who continue to give us hope. But all are fallible and let us down in some way at some time. That’s why as Christians we are so blessed to be able to follow Jesus, the ultimate leader and guide. When He died on the cross it seemed that all help was lost and maybe his disciples at the time felt like falling on their swords too. However our leader conquered death. He has victory over all of us and desires for us to follow him, every minute of every day.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the mighty leader. You have gone before us and shown us how to live and you walk beside us guiding and prompting us along the way. Thank you Jesus. Amen.