#360 Timothy: Learning to Teach
October 18, 2023 Timothy quickly learned that a significant part of leadership is passing on to others what he knew and believed. He learned to teach. Reflect on the following instructions from Paul to Timothy: And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful (2 […]
A Couple of Servant Leaders, Part 3*
December 18, 2019 As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas, we will focus on a couple of servant leaders, Zechariah and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist. John would be called by Jesus as the greatest man ever born (Matthew 11:11). In what way did John’s parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, influence him […]
Speaking the Truth, Patiently
Paul calls us to speak the “truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) and also says “Love is patient” (1 Corinthians 13:4). How can leaders speak the truth patiently? Patience simply means to accept delays without becoming angry or annoyed. So, speaking the truth patiently requires leaders to think carefully about the timing of their words. They […]
Joseph: Learning Who to Trust for the Dream
Issue #218, October 18, 2017 As Joseph interprets the dream of the cupbearer he sees a glimmer of hope for his own life and asks for a favor in return. “Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh's cup in his hand, just […]
David: Learning Submission
Issue #138, September 17, 2014 David continued to carry out his duties under Saul as well as he could. But Saul’s jealously and determination to kill David finally forced David to flee for his life to the desert. Saul’s insecurity was extreme. Not only did he want to kill David and attempted to do so […]
Quality Assurance: Not Quarrelsome
Issue #107, June 3, 2013 Paul continues to raise the standard for servant leaders and continues his quality assurance checklist by telling Timothy that a godly leader must not be “quarrelsome” (1 Timothy 3:3). Quarrelsome is a habitual inclination to disagree and stir up contention. The writer of Proverbs paints a colorful picture of a […]
Nehemiah: Visions Require Time
Issue #86, July 18, 2012 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. (Nehemiah 6:15) In less than two months’ time the wall was complete. The recording of this time is significant not only in the fact that it happened quickly but in the reality that it took time before […]
Tame that Tongue: Grace to Change
Issue #72, December 28, 2011 In the last three issues we examined the “big three” sins of the tongue: Talking too much, lying, and gossiping. James reminds us that as leaders we are held to a higher level of accountability because of our influence (James 3:1). So, let’s conclude this series by looking at five […]
Moses: Desert Preparation
Issue #50, February 23, 2011 Moses’ life and leadership took a dramatic change after his first attempt at leadership. Pharaoh discovered the murder and sought to kill Moses. So “Moses fled from Pharoah and went to live in Midian…” (Exodus 2:15b) Picture the transition. Moses goes from being “powerful in speech and action” (Acts 7:22) […]
Leading for a Change
Issue #7, May 21, 2009 In the previous issue we examined the need to think about change. Now, let’s talk about what it means to put those thoughts into action, leading for a change! The word CHANGE is a roadmap that will guide you as you lead change in your business, church, or community. Communicate […]