Devotional Thoughts – Page 4

Devotional Thoughts for Leaders: Leading By Example

John 13:1-20

Jesus knew that his time was short when he gathered with his disciples to celebrate the Feast of Passover. So he got up from the meal and surprised them by setting aside his outer garment and wrapped a towel around his waist like a lowly servant. Then, he proceeded to wash the disciples’ dusty, dirty feet. When Peter objected, Jesus told Peter that he must be washed if he was to have anything to do with Jesus.

When Jesus finished, he returned to the table and questioned the disciples about what had just happened. Jesus told them that they were right to revere him as their Rabbi and Lord, but he went on to explain that leaders in God’s kingdom, must be servants as well as leaders. Then, he commanded them to follow the example he just given them of washing on another’s feet.

The thing that stands out about this passage is not just what Jesus said, but how he said it. In the closing days of Jesus’ earthy ministry, he taught his disciples about the important of humility in leadership. But he did much more than teach them or instruct them to serve others; he modeled it for them. He led by example.

Today’s Christian leaders would do well to support their directives, teaching, or instructions with a consistent example. Leadership is not just what you say, but how you act. It is as true in the conference room as it is in the pulpit – “Practice what you preach.”

Here are some questions to help you lead by example:

Are you sending any mixed messages in your leadership? Are you telling people to do one thing, but then doing another thing yourself? What can you do that fix that?

How can you adjust your leadership style to “show” as much as you “tell?” Are their lessons or principles that you are trying to communicate right now that need to be experience as well as explained?

Devotional Thoughts for Leaders: Ministry Transitions

Acts 13 is the transition point between the Apostle Peter’s ministry “in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria” in the first half of the book and the soon to be Apostle Paul’s ministry “to the ends of the earth” in the second half. The church at Antioch was the first major church planted in those “ends” and things were going well. The church was growing fast and being discipled. Their leadership team, which included Barnabas and Saul, grew too, from 2 to 5 in just a few years.

But one day everything changed. While the church was “ministering to the Lord and fasting” the Holy Spirit sent orders for Barnabas and Saul to leave and set out for a new work. The leadership dream team was broken up and the church at Antioch had to adjust.

As the rest of the Barnabas and Paul’s ministry played out in the book of Acts, it’s important to realize God removed them from a good situation and placed them in a better one. God led both men, especially Paul, into an unprecedented mission ministry throughout the known world. Not only did Paul plant church all over the known world, he wrote half the New Testament. But none of that would have happened if they hadn’t left Antioch.

Changing your ministry responsiblity or location can be hard, but it helps to remember that when God removes us from a good situation, He places us in an even better one. And sometimes that situation is even better than we can imagine.

Devotional Thoughts for Leaders: Are You Carrying a Bronze Shield?

Are you carrying a bronze shield?

Revitalization is tough. When difficult times come into an organization, there is a temptation to ignore reality and pretend things are just fine. That’s what Judah’s king, Rehoboam, did. When his nation fell on hard times, Rehoboam went into denial and built a set of bronze shields.

To understand the significance of this, we need to rehearse a little Old Testament history. In 1 Kings 14:21, we learn that Rehoboam was the son of Solomon. Because Rehoboam acted foolishly during his coronation, God split the nation of Israel and only allowed Rehoboam to rule over the much smaller nation of Judah. As king, Rehoboam took evil to a whole new level, leading his people to do everything that the Canaanites had done that had gotten them kicked out of the Promised Land (v. 22-24).

When Solomon was king, he had so much gold, that silver was worthless. Solomon lined his palace with 200 large and 300 small golden shields that eventually became a symbol of Israel’s prosperity and security. These shields were passed down to Rehoboam, but not for long. In Rehoboam’s 5th year as king, God allowed Egypt to defeated Judah and take away all their treasure, include the golden shields. This loss signaled the end of an era and the loss of God’s blessing and protection (v. 25-26).

Instead of facing reality and admitting his sin, Rehoboam had a set of bronze shields made to replace the golden shields that were lost. In order to show that things were just as spectacular as they were in his father’s day, Rehoboam had his palace guards carry the bronze shields out in public whenever he went to the temple. But when they returned to the palace, they put the “show” shields away (v. 26-28).

Rehoboam will forever be remembered as the king who spilt the nation of Israel and lost Solomon’s treasure. His legacy should be an eternal warning to Christian leaders and even churches today who construct and carry a “bronze shield.” Instead of being open and honest about their present difficulties – and changing – some people would rather recreate things that were successful in the past so they can preserve their reputation. Ministries, programs, or emphases can all become “bronze shields” when they become excuses for going through the motions.

Here are 3 warning signs you or your church is carrying a “bronze shield.”

Consequences, conclusions, and change are avoided.
Energy is expending to recreate the past.
Things that are done in public are not repeated in private.

Does that describe you or your church? If so, are you willing to put down your “bronze shields” for a chance to be restored?

Devotional Thoughts for Leaders: How to Multiply Your Ministry

Ministry can be tiring, especially when you feel like you have to do everything yourself. Kingdom work never stops. There are always more people to care for and more opportunities to explore. Wouldn’t it be great if you could multiply your ministry without having to do something extra? It’s possible if you make up you mind to never minister alone.

Moses learned the hard way that it is “not good” to lead alone (Exodus 18:13-26). Elijah shared his ministry with Elisha (1 Kings 19:19-21, 2 Kings 2). Jesus choose twelve disciples, walked through life with them, trained them, sent them out, and held them accountable (Mark 6:7-21, 30). Paul continued this practice and always surrounded himself with a long list of assistants and associates, Timothy being the most notable (Colossians 1:1, 4:7-17).

Christian leaders who want to make a big impact on the world need to make one small decision: to never minister alone. Do as much ministry as you possible can with other people who are willing to learn. Not just for the sake of accountability, but for the sake of mentoring. The church is in desperate need of more leaders, so don’t waste your leadership experiences on yourself; share them with someone. This isn’t just for pastor and church staff. This is for anyone who is working to make a difference in the world for the sake of Jesus Christ and the Gospel. In the short term, the people that you bring along with you will encourage and challenge you. In the long term, they will multiply your efforts and continue making an impact when you are gone.

Here are 3 question to help you multiply your ministry:

1. Who can I invite to join me in ministry?
2. What do I do that I can share with someone else?
3. How can I help other people catch a vision for ministry mentoring?

Devotional Thoughts for Leaders: There’s Hope for a Withering Ministry

Ministry is similar to gardening in that both activities require a lot of time and energy before anything develops. It takes patience and dedication to prepare the soil, sow the seed, and water and fertilize the seed so it has a chance to grow. The Apostle Paul made this comparison while warning the Corinthian believers against jealousy and strife. As “fellow workers” in God’s field, we are responsible to plant and water as we have opportunity, even if we aren’t the ones who ultimately produce the harvest (1 Corinthians 3:5-9).

Summer can be a tough for churches, like it is in the garden. Most churches experience a dip in attendance, participation, and even giving as members celebrate holidays and travel with their families over the summer break. Numbers of guests may dry up as they try to make the most of summer’s long days and warm weather. In ministry, like gardening, water is especially important during the hot, dry summer months. In ministry, watering could mean investing in a budding ministry relationship or it could involve some extra planning and preparation for the upcoming fall. In addition, watering should include prayer remember that it is God, Himself, who brings the harvest.

What will you do this week to “water” your ministry?

What will you do this week to invite God’s provision and blessing?

Introducing a New Series: Devotional Thoughts for Leaders

How do you define leadership?

Oswald Sanders may have been the first Christian writer to define leadership as influence. In his classic book first published in 1967, Sanders writes, “Leadership is influence, the ability of one person to influence others to follow his or her lead” (Spiritual Leadership, 27). Decades latter, internationally recognized leadership guru, John Maxwell, continues to define leadership as “one life influencing another.”

According to this definition, we all have some capacity and responsibility as leaders. So what kind of influence do you have on those around you? Are you using your influence to lead others to follow Jesus Christ more closely?

That is what this website is about and that is why I’m introducing a new Monday blog series on leadership called Devotional Thoughts for Leaders. This series will offer short (250 words or less), bible-based devotional thoughts to empower and encourage Christian leaders and leadership teams. Each installment can be used by individual leaders for their own personal development or shared with others in a mentoring relationship, staff meeting, or leadership retreat. Please feel free to adapt them, expand them, and share them with others in your circle of influence.

If you find any these posts particularly helpful, I’d love to hear about! You can use the comment box at the end of each post share your feedback. You can also contact me at jdcouture76@gmail.com or @jeremydcouture.