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Date Posted: Wed, Jun 02 04
Author: Kenny B
Subject: A Call to Leaders

All of us know at least one, our country has been plagued with them, bad leaders. Without getting into politics, we can all agree that somewhere down the road our country has been taken down the wrong road. Mostly, or in part due to leaders without clear vision, with less than par morals, or just bad leadership characteristics in general. Consider the Watergate Scandal, the Monica Lewinsky/ Kenneth Star trials, Vietnam, Iraq, Iraqui Prisoner Scandal. Sadly to say, sometimes the Christian world is also misguided by bad leaders.

I can recall a particular individual my freshman year of college, I think his name is preacher Bob.* Perhaps you've heard of him. He stands outside the Student Center the first few weeks of school, yelling at everyone, who dares to walk by, claiming they are all sinners and are going to hell. He also isn't short of insults. As I could remember, and have heard countless other accounts of him calling people "queers" and "faggots". Admittedly, I have not stuck around to hear much of his theology. But, I'm sure it can't be too sound granted the way he chooses to approach people in the first place.

All over the New Testament various writers warn us of this kind of behavior in the "end days". So my appeal or challenge is to leaders.** Those who are being called to minister to people in a leadership role. I would like to encourage you with a few things I believe build strong leaders. Leaders that are equipped for ministiring the gospel in an effective manner. After thinking, praying and watching effective leaders, I have come up with these few major points that will help us do just that, convey the gospel in an effective manner.

1) Know what you're talking about. Nothing can be worse than listening to someone who doesn't have some kind of firm grasp on the thing they are trying to teach you. If you, the teacher, don't understand what you are saying, how could you possibly try to relay that to another individual. Not knowing what you're material or not being prepared to teach what you do know, could irreparably destroy your witness. Also, preach the word of God, not something that is fanciful to the ears but something that has substance and meaning. Solomon and Paul speak to this effort in the Bible.

"It is pleasant to listen to wise words, but the speech of fools brings them to ruin. " Ecclesiastes 10:12 Solomon

"Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear." 2 Timothy 4:2-3 Paul

2) If you have to yell, argue or trick somone into your point, stop! You are doing more harm than good. Plain and simple, no one likes to be yelled at. Secondly, if you are arguing with an individual then you are no longer acting in love. Thirdly, if you are using fancy complicated examples, psychological tactics and whatnot, you are not trusting in the word of God. You are not relying on His word to convict the heart of the person. The Bible reminds us that the word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword. Again, some scriptures to this effect:

"The purpose of my instruction is that all the Christians there would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and sincere faith. But some teachers have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend time arguing and talking foolishness." 1 Timothy 1:5-6

"Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness." 1Timothy 6:20

"Don't think of them as enemies, but speak to them as you would to a Christian who needs to be warned." 2 Thess 3:15

But, never be ashamed of what you believe, the values you hold and the reason for your hope. 1 Timothy 6:12a When you act out of love, it doesn't mean that you have to be timid with it either. 2 Timothy 1:7-8 There is a fine line between bold and obtrusive. If you err, err on the side of love.

3) Build others up, instead of tear them down. This one should speak for itself.

"I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down." 2 Corinthians 10:8 NIV

"So encourage each other and build each other up..." 1 Thessalonians 5:11a

4) Be accountable to what you say. Don't let your words be anymore than someone can see in your life. We all know people who say one thing, then do another. As leaders, we cannot do this. I'll use myself as an example. Anyone that is close to me knows that me and my "father" don't speak. We had a falling out a little while ago. God is slowly softening my heart to that whole issue, but I am a ways from being how HE ultimately wants me to be towards him. If I were to tell you all to have the greatest relationship with your parents, love on them, call them and all that kind of stuff. I would be a madman. For I know that I don't do that myself, granted it's good to do those things for your parents. But, I'm in no position to challenge you to those things when I don't do them. In the book of 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul puts it like this:

"I have plenty to boast about and would be no fool in doing it, because I would be telling the truth. But, I won't do it. I don't want anyone to thing more highly of me than what they can actually see in my life and my message, even though I have recieved wonderful revelations from God." v.6-7a

"And you know that the way we lived among youwas further proof of the truth of our message."
1 Thess 1:5b

"And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good deeds of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Let your teaching be so correct that it can't be criticized. Then those who want to argue will be ashamed because they won't have anything bad to say about us." Titus 2:7-8

5) Don't compare yourself to other people. Be you, use the gifts that God has blessed you with.

"Be sure to do what YOU should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else." Galatians 6:4

6) Examine your motives. Don't get boastful and stay humble. I particularly try to observe this one. Every now and then I will get a compliment on these devotionals I write. I must believe that it's great to get compliments; it makes you feel good. But, don't dwell on them. After all, I can't boast about anything. I would be a complete fool to do so. Everything I say has been said before, for these concepts and sayings are out of the bible. I just pray that God would use me to be a vessel for His word. To apply His revealed words and truths, written thousands of years ago, to real life happenings in my life and those around me. So that people will be encouraged to draw closer to Him. Again, It's ALL God. I'm just a willing vessel.

"For we speak as messengers who have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He is the one who examines the motives of our hearts."
1 Thessalonians 2:4

"We put no confidence in human effort. Instead, we boast about what Christ Jesus has done for us."
Philippians 3:3b

7) Lastly, continue to grow in your own personal relationship with Christ. As we grow closer to Him, he draws closer to us and gives us everything we need for living a Godly life. He also reveals more things to us, even when we least expect it. Again, more words written by the apostle Paul:

"I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven." Philippians 3:12-14

Read also 1 Timothy 4:7b-13

That's all I have. I am sorry this is so long but it was a huge calling on my heart. If this has touched your heart, I ask that you would send/give it to whom it needs to be given.

I hope all of you are having a great summer. I pray that you are continuing to grow in your faith and love for God and others. If I could help you in any way, let me know. Take Care of yourselves.


Your Brother In Christ,

Kenny B
GodsWarriorKB@hotmail.com
www.voy.com/175414/

"...dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good." 2 Thessalonians 3:13b


*I'm not exactly sure if his name is Bob or not, however, he is a real guy.

** I say leaders but after thinking about it-it can also be applied to everyone's life. I'm sure everyone has someone (whether brothers, sisters, cousins or whatever) who looks up to them.

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