Basic Leadership

“There’s no shortage of writings on the subject of leadership,” said the author of an article in a business magazine. Perhaps it is because we are facing so much political, economic, and financial insecurity. Everyone seems to be looking for a leader who will challenge their thinking with ideas on how we can recover what we have lost.

Another authority on leadership wrote, “The increasing rate of change is causing people a lot of fear. Facing the rapid rate of change in world markets is causing uncertainty and fear and people don’t know what to believe.”

“People need something that will give them safety and answer their questions about what is going to happen next,” said a professor of economics.

“Leaders and managers are looking for the ‘silver bullet’ to solve their problems, but there is none available,” said a consultant.

One renowned leader sounded foolish, even silly. He wrote, “Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.” But he, of all of the leaders who have taken their places on the stage of history, knew exactly what he was talking about.

From his experience as a shepherd and a king, a warrior and a parent, he had discovered that the Lord alone was able to lead him, to give him answers, provide solutions to his problems and enable him to make good decisions. He looked to his Leader, the Lord God of Israel, who had led His people into paths of prosperity and peace. He looked to the ultimate Leader who had proven Himself “right” since the beginning of time. Who is your leader?

Prayer:  Lord, we look for a leader, may we look to You. Those who have followed Your guidance have never fooled, failed, or forsaken their followers. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2c

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Alone And Abandoned

It’s not a popular topic to talk about but it is a common feeling we all have at one time or another. No matter how great our achievements or how powerful we become, no one seems to escape feelings of defeat that come our way as we journey through life.

It started in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve rejected the guidance of God. They decided to go their own way and do their own thing and leave God out of their lives. It is impossible to imagine the beauty they enjoyed or the tranquility they were given. Sadly, they were not satisfied with God’s plan and chose to reject it.

We read in God’s Word that when Israel was faithful to God, God was faithful to Israel. When the army was triumphant, the people prospered. And when the people were disobedient, discontent, and doubting, they were defeated, and at times, nearly destroyed.

What was true then is equally true today. God cannot and will not bless any one or any nation that defies Him or His teachings. He will only bless those who follow His teachings and obey His laws. His nature demands righteousness, and if we are faithful to Him, we can count on His being faithful to us, giving us His best blessings individually and as a nation.

David experienced the rejection of God because of His disobedience. He could not restore his soul or the souls of his people. Only God could restore him when he repented. He knew this and prayed, “You have rejected us...You have been angry...now restore us!”

Prayer:  May we realize, Father, it is not You who rejects us, but we who too often reject You. May we recognize our sins, repent, and be restored, we pray. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: You have rejected us, God, and burst upon us; you have been angry—now restore us! Psalm 60:1 

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Overcoming The Overwhelming

David was hunted, haunted and harassed. Often he was forced into a crevice and had little room to move or stretch. But in his moments of oppression, he did not seem to suffer from depression. He felt free to sing a song of hope that God planted in his heart. He found a source of strength that came to him from his dearest friend and constant companion – God!

“I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble!” wrote David as he reflected on the troubled times of his life. And he was not the only one who found themselves in life-threatening and even life-ending situations.

Do you remember what Paul and Silas did when they were thrown into prison for serving the Lord? At midnight they were praying and singing hymns of praise to the Lord while the other prisoners listened to them in awe. God joined in the celebration, sent an earthquake that caused so much shaking that the prisoners’ chains fell off and their doors flew open. The confines and chains of being in prison could not silence them.

Josephus, the historian, wrote of the Christians awaiting death in the Coliseum. Waiting on the lions to maul and mangle them, they sang songs of joy so loudly that their voices were heard above the roar of the lions and the cheers of the crowd. As they faced the lions that would devour them, God put His song in their mouths, His peace in their hearts, and His angels to comfort them.

Prayer:  Lord, when we face the confinement of a cell or the threat of being devoured by foes that would destroy us, quiet our heart with Your peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 59:16 

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Is Life Ever Fair?

“Why should Christians be good and help others and never get much wealth when so many who don’t believe in God prosper and have so much?” he asked angrily. His wife died following a lengthy illness that drained all of the family’s emotional, spiritual and financial resources. His resentment toward God, coupled with grief, was understandable. Most of us have experienced feelings like that to some degree.

However, let’s think of Job for a moment. He was good, and his friends were evil. He experienced much pain and suffering while his friends seemed to enjoy the good things of life.

Then there is the story of Joseph. He was a good and decent man, and his “superior’s” wife was not. She had him arrested on an unjust charge, and he was imprisoned.

Sometimes it seems as though being good has no reward. It is an end in itself. We receive no recognition or appreciation. Why bother?

That is when we need to recall the words of the Psalmist: “The people will say ‘Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.’“

Job’s boils became his blessings, and if Joseph had not been a prisoner, he would not have become a prime minister.

God will take the worst events of our lives and ultimately transform them into our greatest blessings if we allow Him.

Prayer:  Grant us patience, Father, knowing that You are as fair as You are faithful. Give us patience knowing You will turn our tragedies into triumphs. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Then people will say, “Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.” Psalm 58:11 

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What Is An Azimuth?

He stood before my desk with a set of orders and said, “FTC Nichols reporting for duty, Sir.” Not hearing his designator very clearly I asked, “What do you do for the Navy, Chief?”

“Sir,” he said crisply, “I recently completed a tour of duty on a guided missile frigate. I was the one who was responsible for making certain that the azimuth on each weapon system was operational and accurate, Sir.” He certainly had my attention and spoke convincingly. There was no doubt in my mind that he was competent to do his job and that all weapon systems under his control would deliver their missiles to the intended target at the precise moment. There is a great lesson for Christians in “azimuth.”

God wants to place His “azimuth” in our hearts. Consider what David wrote, “My heart is steadfast O God; My heart is steadfast.” So committed was he to the Lord that he emphasized the word “steadfast” by stating it twice. But there is something more.

The word “steadfast” can also be interpreted, even more correctly in this verse, as “confident!” Here we see David finding inner satisfaction in God after following many ill-fated paths in his life. So, it took time for God to do His work. Eventually, his faith grew and resulted in an inner transformation that rearranged his life and priorities. This transformation became visible to others by the way he worshiped, worked, and served God.

When we completely commit our lives to God, He will give us His guidance system to control the destiny of our lives as we seek His will. His Word will become our “azimuth.”

Prayer:  Thank You, Lord, for Your Word that can be a lamp for our feet and a light for our path to guide us in paths of righteousness. May we willingly follow Your plan. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Psalm 57:7 

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