November 30, 2015
Do I have what it takes to build what God directs? Can I pull off the tasks that are allotted to me in this brief life? And can I do them with effectiveness and excellence?
The wise, King David was in his final days as a leader. His last great task was to make preparations for his son, Solomon, to build the temple. This was his life long dream. He had made all the physical preparations.
Now he comes with a final admonition. ""Build it well, Solomon,"" was NOT what he said. Instead, he focused on the one thing that would help him build his life, his family, his ministry, and the kingdom well.
“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be courageous and act.” (1 Chronicles 28:9-10)
Solomon accomplished the task well (one of the greatest accomplishments in history). Here are a few questions to ask ourselves as leaders to help us build what God directs.
#1: DO I KNOW THE LORD?
You can know a lot of things as a leader, but if you don't know the Lord you've missed the One that gives life and wisdom to everything else. Have you come to know the Lord initially, and are you coming to know Him more and more every single day? Are you a student of Him?
#2: DO I SERVE THE LORD?
The temptation of the leader is always to serve himself. If our primary goal is to serve the Lord, then everything else will take care of itself. Have I come to the unchanging commitment that I live to please an audience of One?
#3: DOES HE HAVE ALL MY HEART?
Are there any closets in my heart that I am unwilling to open and let Him enter and take full control? Does my whole heart belong fully to Him? If not, the enemy has access, which could prove deadly to my life and leadership.
#4: AM I ALWAYS WILLING TO DO HIS WILL?
At every turn, am I willing to do God's will? This is brokenness and the key to usefulness. Brokenness is simply the surrender of my will to the will of God. When I am broken, God leads through me, which is the best leadership possible. Does God have the ability to direct me as a leader because He knows there will be no resistance to His leadership?
#5: AM I MOVING FORWARD WITH COURAGE?
In faith, am I listening to the Lord and courageously stepping out to do His will? Am I afraid of what others might think? What might happen to me? Or, am I moving with abandonment to the will of God?
February 18, 2025
I have known many people who have had great joy and power in the midst of great suffering. It is humbling that the slightest inconveniences deter many of us from following God. We have not gotten to the bottom—settled the issue. Most often, we live for our comfort, reputation, or gain. When any of those goals are touched, we are troubled and discontent.
February 17, 2025
The repentant who finds God gains everything. “He who has God and everything else,” said C.S. Lewis, “has no more than he who has God alone.”
February 12, 2025
Repentance helps us. Repentance heals us. Repentance restores us and refreshes us. And these are all the outcomes a loving Father desires for His children.
