Become an Adult

The journey of life is to move from a self-serving heart to a serving heart. You finally become an adult when you realize that life is about what you give rather than what you get.

I testify that, on their own, according to their ability and beyond their ability, they begged us insistently for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints, and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves especially to the Lord, then to us by God's will. 2 Corinthians 8:3-5

Prayer: Giver of all good gifts, I want to learn to give rather than just think about getting. Teach me to be content with what You give me, knowing that it is always more than I need. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Prayer

Just suppose prayer was your first response instead of your last resort when facing a new challenge or an old temptation. Prayer is conversing, communicating with God. When we pray we talk to God, aloud or within our thoughts. Prayer almost always involves other disciplines and spiritual activities. Prayer is a way of co-laboring with God to accomplish good things and advance His Kingdom purposes.

Stay awake and pray, so that you won't enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41

Prayer: Refiner's Fire, reform and change me so that my first thoughts are of You. Teach me to love and serve as You did. Mold my heart! In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Trust in Love of God

When we put our trust in something other than the unconditional love of God, other than in His care for us, when we put our security in other things – it can be our intellect, our position, our business contacts, anything – we're counting on the temporal rather than the eternal.

So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

PRAYER: Lord, may I put all of my trust and care on You knowing that you perfectly care for and love me unconditionally. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Perfect Plan

The truly exciting part of following Jesus is that He never sends you into any situation with a faulty plan or a plan to fail.

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Prayer: Giver of life, teach me to lean on you and to trust you to provide all that I need for this day. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Prepare The Next Gen of Leaders

Servant leaders, who consider their position as being on loan and as an act of service, look beyond their own season of leadership and prepare the next generation of leaders.

"You, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." 2 Timothy 2:1-2

Prayer: Just as Paul taught Timothy to faithfully serve You, Lord, and as others have taught me, help me discover those with whom I can faithfully entrust Your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Duplicating Leadership

Jesus modeled the true servant leader by investing most of His time training and equipping the disciples for leadership when His earthly ministry was over.

I tell you the truth; anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things because I am going to the Father. John 14:12

Prayer: Lord, may I dependably train and equip others so that when my season of leadership is past, I will hear "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord." In Jesus' faithful Name, Amen!

Servant Leadership

Jesus demonstrated two very significant attributes of servant leadership in His interaction with John. He validated and affirmed John in his ministry and submitted Himself to the same acts of surrender to doing the right thing that He would require of others. A servant leader never asks anyone to do something they wouldn't be willing to do themselves.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. But John tried to stop Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and yet You come to me?" Jesus answered him, "Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him to be baptized; Matthew 3:13-15

Prayer: Perfect Example, lead me to demonstrate for others the love and service You so perfectly demonstrated for me. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Challenges To Grow

Every day leaders face hundreds of challenges to their intentions. Our adversary is waiting every day to get us to be ego-driven, to be self-serving. Every day we must recalibrate our heart.

Be sober! Be on the alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 1 Peter 5:8

PRAYER: Only with You, Lord, can I overcome the challenges of today. The devil is ever on the lookout, but, praise be to You who never slumbers or sleeps. Keep me safe, this day! In Jesus' Name, Amen!

~Lead Like Jesus~