Lord Help us!

“Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

Deuteronomy 16:19-20 NIV

http://bible.com/111/deu.16.19-20.niv

Integrity is one of my most prized traits. I do everything I can to be known as a man of impeccable character and integrity. People know I'm a Christian. I pray they can tell through my honesty, integrity, and devout sense of right. Yes, I know that sounds a bit vain. I'm not where I want to be so I strive toward the goal of pure honesty, devotion, and justice. 

I am often saddened about justice in the world today. It seems that right and wrong or "basic" human rights are perverted based on politics and the power of the few. The integrity, honesty, and belief in absolute rightness is lost in our society. It starts with our leaders. The demise of our country hangs in the balance while we search for leaders with strength in character and purpose. We need leaders unaffected by the winds of political correctness. We need leaders that have a moral center and heart for truth and justice. We need leaders willing to attack the evils of this world straight to the enemy. We need leaders devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ and the gospel of love!

Lord help us!

Maybe not in a President........ But,

But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

Matthew 20:1-16, 25-28 NLT -- http://bible.com/116/mat.20.1-16,25-28.nlt

I am very in tune with national politics. I love my pre-vote analysis to decide who I am voting for. Call me weird, but I think it's fun. At this point, and it's early, I have not decided who I will vote for. As always my "ideal" candidate is nowhere to be found. So, what is it I want in a candidate? 

I want them to focus on thes verses:

"Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

I just don't see any humble servants running for President. I wished there was. I would give anything for a true servant-leader in charge of our country. I would give anything for a candidate  to be a slave to us and not special interest groups and other politicians. Really, all leaders need to se be this way. Leadership is about serving others, not bossing them around. I love working for a principal that serves his staff. I love working for a school that is filled with lstaff members that want to serve the students we lead. Whenever you can get any organization to think of themselves as servants it will be successful.

My CMA chapter is full of servant leaders and this month starts our election process. We have nearly 25 people eligible to serve as leaders and so far most are willing to serve if asked. That is amazing and only possible through the working of the Holy Spirit. I love my CMA family.

Dear Lord, I humbly pray with all sincerity for our leaders, including the President, congress, my state leaders, my school administration, and the leaders of my church. I pray for our elections and that your hand will be in them, helping us select leaders that have a heart for your kingdom. I also pray for my CMA chapter elections and our mission. I am thankful for those willing to serve in all leadership positions and ask you to give wisdom and discernment as they serve. May we all look at your example for true servant leadership. Amen!

Don't do as I say.....

“When Jesus had finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went out to teach and preach in towns throughout the region.”  Matthew 11:1 NLT--http://bible.com/116/mat.11.1.nlt

Don't just do as I say, do as I do!

The greatest leaders in the world lead by example. I would challenge any leader who would not set the example for his/her followers. As a teacher I am a leader. My students will follow my direction. If I'm late or not prepared for the day, why should they? Do I live the example of hard work and dedication? Do I take excessive days off? Do I honor my own profession or do I bash the system I work? Do I show my students I care deeply about them, their trials, tribulations, their struggles? Do I show real compassion?Do I only care for those that excell or do I care for all? The example I set is more important than any Math topic I share.

Jesus is the ultimate leader. He trained the twelve to go out and share the message, but HE also went out. His expectations for himself were higher than those he set for them. He didn't just sit back and watch others work. We have a great record of his example in Gods word. We know how we should lead because he led us. He led all the way to the cross. That's a leader I can follow. As Christians we need to lead by example just like Jesus. People are watching and learning about Jesus by what we do and say.

Dear Jesus, I love you and praise you for the example you have set. I only want to serve you and imitate your life. Help me to keep that focus in everything I do, my teaching, ministry, and in my life as husband, father, grandfather, and friend. I praise you and love you forever. Amen!

Where are You?

 “They united against Moses and Aaron and said, “You have gone too far! The whole community of Israel has been set apart by the LORD, and he is with all of us. What right do you have to act as though you are greater than the rest of the LORD’s people?””

Numbers 16:3 NLT (http://bible.com/116/num.16.3.nlt)

 On the first day of school for our teaching staff, my principal talked about three different type of people in your life. The bottom 33% of people drag you down. They are negative about everything will make you miserable. Avoid them. The middle 33% are with you and massively supportive until things go wrong or life gets hard. Moses and Aaron we're dealing with those people. The top 33% are the positive people that do their best to make things work. The top 1% are people like Moses and Aaron. They will lead through all things.  Where are you?

Dear Lord, help me be the leader you want me to be. I want to be in the top 1% when it comes to being your follower. I want to lead others to you by my positive attitude, support for others, and a servants heart. Help me to ignore the bottom 33% that are trying to drag me down and help me to not drag down others. I love you lord and want to serve you more each day. Guide me, my words, my thoughts and my deeds today! Amen!

I don't care what you say!

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

I had a wondeful day yesterday with the CMA Son Rise Rider leadership team at our state officer training. It is just another great opportunity for the Lord to speak to us and affirm out ministry. But, as I was sitting in some of the training sessions, I realize everyone doesn't share the confidence I have in what we are doing. The "young" officers have so many questions and doubts in what they are doing. You can tell they question themselves around every decision. Many are new to ministry and most have never been in leadership positions before. They will learn.

The "more experience" I gain in life the more I realize the power of God in ME. It is not me bragging about me, but it's me bragging about the God of the universe working in me. I am confident in leadership, not because I am great, but because God is great. Sure, I mess up, but God is always there to perfect his masterpiece in me. I have firmly gotten to the point "I don't care what people think of me." It is so freeing to know I don't have to live up to the worlds standards, I only answer to the almighty God. 

The great thing about my CMA chapter? We all know who we answer to. We treasure our ministry, and honor God through our service. It is great to know our leadership knows that and we are blessed by it. We know we are working for his will and not our own. We are guided by his wisdom, power, love, and grace. Praise God for the knowledge that God is for us and no one can stand against us!

Pick a good team!

Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them (Acts 6:3 NIV)

I serve with a couple of great teams. My school leadership team is phenomenal. The school board, district administration, to the building leaders really care for kids. My CMA leadership team is another great group of leaders pledged to serve the Lord. Both of these teams are great examples that you can't lead alone. 

Teamwork is the key to successful home, school, or business. God helps develop those teams if we ask. I have been in constant prayer lately for the upcoming school board elections and the elections of officers for my CMA chapter. I truly believe God's hand will be on these key events in my life. We should always turn to the Lord for his guidance in voting. He was involved heavily in Old Testament leadership changes and that has changed now.

I love you Lord. I ask you to be with school leadership, church leadership, my elected officials, and my CMA leadership locally, state, and nationally. Please guide these men and women in all they do. Use them for your purposes. Help us vote people that serve those purposes and will lead us in your ways. I praise you for your grace and your hand in all areas of my life. 

Find time to lead!

Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding. (Jeremiah 3:15 NIV)

1. Attitude Skills – A servant’s heart, both positive and persistent.
2. People Skills – The ability to relate to others: communicate, delegate, motivate, confront, etc. 
3. Equipping Skills – The ability to train and develop others for service.
4. Leadership Skills – The ability to cast vision, plan strategy, direct teams, and empower others.    Dr. john C Maxwell "30 day Leadership Reading Plan"

I saw this list of leadership skills and thought it was a very "complete" list. These four skills are important for all Christian leaders. What leadership skills do you have? 

Many people really avoid leadership positions in churches and ministry. They literally run away from being asked to serve. Right now we are in the midst of officer nominations and elections for my Christian Motorcyclist Association chapter. Every year we struggle to find people willing to lead. It greatly saddens my heart. When I became a Christian I became a doer, a doer of the word. Worship is important, study and prayer are important. Nothing is as important as serving. So why is it so difficult to get people to serve?

As in most churches, 10% do 90% of the work. I think you would be hard pressed to disprove this in ministries. Everyone is so busy! At the risk of sounding arrogant, I'm pretty busy myself! Yet, I find time in the midst of full time work, service to my school, my family, my 6 grandkids, and CMA! I take leadership positions at school and in ministry. Others should be able to do the same. My fellow officers also sacrifice time and energy right along side me. They have the same commitments with family, work, and various other ministries. I've always found people will make time for the important things in their lives. If God truly is number one in your life, you will make time to serve. You will lead! I am so thankful for this years officer team that they were willing to serve. Their dedication will be honored by God.

I'm not claiming to be the leader I want to be. I have not mastered the four skills list above. But, I am in pursuit of those skills so I can lead for the kingdom of God. I will set myself apart so I can serve, not to bring glory to myself. I ask everyone to pray where a god would have you serve. Let the spirit of the Lord lead you into service and leadership for him. Praise God he believes in me enough to give me leadership positions for his glory!

1. 
   

Who do you serve?

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, (Ephesians 6:7 NIV)

Are you a servant? Do you work a job or do you serve your company? Are you a teacher or do you serve your students? Are you a parent or do you serve your kids? Are you a husband/spouse or do you serve your spouse? Every task we undertake should be from the heart of a servant. 

We are to serve wholeheartedly. Everyone we contact, every day, we should serve like they are The Lord. I'm ashamed to say I fall far short of being a true servant. I am more interested in my own agenda than to serve others. 

We all need to change and look at Christ for the leadership of a real servant. Yes, a true leader serves those he leads. A true servant looks to the needs of others before his own. A true servant gives sacrificially. It is not a popular position in society. Servants are looked on as weak. God looks at the servant as strong and rich. True service is directed by the Holy Spirit. It is the prayer of Christs followers that leads to serving his kingdom. Service is not dreamed of in the heart of man, but in the heart of God. 

Dear Lord, Search my heart, give me the heart for service. Help me to see the needs of others ahead of my own. Provide the opportunities and the willingness to be used for your purposes and not my own. Forgive me for my weak faith. Forgive me for inaction and neglect of those in need. 

It's not about me!

And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:12 NKJV)

It's not about me!

I am in several leadership positions in my life. I'm not trying to brag, it's fact. It could be easy to get a "Big Head". 

It's not about me!

I am a leader as a teacher. If I lose sight of the needs and wants of the students, I'm a failure as a teacher. Students shouldn't have to adapt to me and my teaching style, I should have to adapt to them. If a student fails, I have to take responsibility. 

It's not about me!

In ministry, like CMA, I'm a leader. It would be easy to think of ourselves as being righteous. We are going out to share Jesus with people who don't know him. We are great, right? The Bible clearly states we're not. We are ALL sinners. None of us are righteous. If we can get to the point where we come to grips with our sin and humble ourselves before The Lord, then we can truly serve others. 

It's not about me!

I'm a leader in my family. When it comes to making decisions, I can't do it from selfishness. I need to be a team player with my family. I have to be able to share my thoughts and rally hear the thoughts of others. I need to make sure I help the family and sacrifice, when I need to, for the good of the family.

It's not about me!

I am a selfish person at heart and I need to make sure I keep my own selfishness in check! I am not that great and I have weaknesses I would like to say don't exist. These four words can help me keep from exalting myself. "It's not about me!" Lord help me humble myself before you, listen to your direction in my life and always remember these four words!

It's not about me!

Are you a leader?

1 Timothy 3 (The Message)

 ^1-7If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good! But there are preconditions: A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he's talking about, not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money-hungry. He must handle his own affairs well, attentive to his own children and having their respect. For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God's church? He must not be a new believer, lest the position go to his head and the Devil trip him up. Outsiders must think well of him, or else the Devil will figure out a way to lure him into his trap.

Churches have such a hard time finding good qualified leaders.  Our society is so busy and volunteering for leadership roles at church is not always a priority.  The same is true for finding qualified pastors for churches or qualified youth leaders, or qualified worship leaders. This is definitely true in small churches where they can't pay a lot of money and only offer part time employment. Largest churches have a similar problem.  They get a large number of candidates, but very few qualified candidates.(buildingchurchleaders.com) So many people want to skip the development of their skills as a leader and jump right to the "Big" church. Developing skills as a church leader doesn't mean developing some list of resume fodder.  What it means is developing the character traits listed in these verses.  We can all look at this list and use it as a guide to how we measure up.  None of us are perfect.  We all have weaknesses.  I think I have more than most. But, in order to develop as a leader I need to reduce those weaknesses.  I need to constantly evaluate my character and pray for the wisdom and discipline to change.

Maybe it should be tough to fit the mold of a real church leader.  Take a look at the list.  Do you fit the mold?  I don't.  Even if you don't meet all the requirements right now, could you?  I know I don't meet all the preconditions.  I want to. I know my weaknesses and I need to improve in those areas. 

Dear Lord, Help me look into my life and make the changes so I can be the leader you want me to be.  Help me to take my weakness and make them my strengths. Mold me into the shape you want me.  Thank you for your patience.  Thank You for your undeserved love. Amen!