Character

Tough situations under the sovereign hand of God actually make us better leaders because we then lead in His power, not ours. Trust Him if today is a difficult day.

Problems come. Difficulties arise. Challenges persist. Yet, an attitude of gratitude can keep our hearts hot for Him, our focus in the right place, and our leadership most effective.

Though all of us struggle with pride, we often don’t recognize pride in our own lives and leadership.

While there is nothing wrong with profiting from hard-earned expertise and diligence, treating one’s knowledge and experience more like Wikipedia than a classified government secret proclaims a different Way … a way of unity, joy, and freedom.

For the Christian who leads in a secular environment the question isn’t, Does self-promotion mean you aren’t being humble? ‒ the question is, Can you be humble in any position you occupy?

I had been praying “God, get me outta here,” but God had a plan I did not understand. He took us deeper into the situation instead of bringing us out!

John Owen preached, “You must be killing sin or sin will be killing you,” and we must bring both intensity and intentionality to killing these viruses. We should not seek to manage them; we should seek to kill them.

Not all viruses have the same devastating impact on people. Some viruses are just more deadly than others. Regarding spiritual viruses, here are six (not an exhaustive list) that take leaders down.

Whether it is a moral lapse, sexual abuse, habitual failings, or simply inadequate leadership skills and closed attitudes, they all need dealing with.

How is your conscience? Is it clear or conflicted? Is it Holy Spirit guided or weak … even seared?

It is so easy to clean up the exterior and disciple people in a way that comes naturally to us, but the true Gospel, the one Christ hung on the cross for, is one that demands an inner wrenching of the soul and a deep commitment to His people. Sarah shares a moving experience when she learned much from a disciple she was seeking to transform.

The life we are offered as a disciple of Jesus Christ is the life of the steward. As stewards, we are set free by three transformational truths: God owns everything, God will always provide for all our needs, and the greatest blessings come to those who give.