God gives us His Word so we can grow in our understanding of, and relationship with, Him. Investing time alone in God’s Word gives Him the opportunity to lead and direct our steps.
Isaiah 7:14
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 11:1
Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse,
And a branch from his roots will bear fruit.
2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him,
Habakkuk 3:16-19 - I heard and my inward parts trembled, At the sound my lips quivered. Decay enters my bones, And in my place I tremble. Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress, For the people to arise who will invade us.
Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls,
David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall eat at my table regularly.” 2 Samuel 9:7
You probably don’t know any Mephibosheths, but there are two in the Bible. One was the son of Saul, the other was his grandson, Jonathan’s son. He is the one who was honored by David, despite who he was.
The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving
Psalm 116:17 - To You I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and call upon the name of the LORD.
The sacrifice of thanksgiving in the Old Testament cost the life of an animal, given by the worshiper for the shedding of its blood. King David said in Psalm 69:30-31, I will praise the name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving. And it will please the LORD better than an ox or a young bull with horns and hoofs.
John 10:10 - “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
The Greek word used for abundantly indicates that this life is over-the-top, beyond measure. It’s a life that is superior, extraordinary, surpassing, uncommon.
Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” NKJV
Jesus says that God should be our first resort, not our last! Too often, we come to God after we have poured our self into whatever situation we are dealing with. If we had asked Him, first, for His guidance, we might have avoided a lot of trouble.
Jesus said, in John 10:10, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
Paul said, in Galatians 2:20 - “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
Christ-life leadership is about dying to self, and allowing the Holy Spirit to live the life of Christ through us.
Keep short accounts with God
John 10:10 - … I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Leadership is about Vision and Influence
The Vision is Abundant Life
It’s an abundant relationship with God on earth
It’s an eternal relationship with God in heaven - John 17:3
The Influence is to Make Disciples – The Great Commission
Love God
Love People
Make Disciples
Leaders need Right Thinking
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,… James 1:19 NIV