# 10 "Self Leadership"

"But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God" 1 Samuel 30:6. There are times when you need to find your strength in God alone. In this passage, David returns from a victorious battle with his army, only to find that all the women, children and possessions have been taken captive. Their whole city was burned. He and his soldiers weep and cry out to God. But then, most importantly, HE GETS UP from mourning and finds strength in God. Friends, as leaders, one of the things that make us leaders is the ability to get up again. The ability to rise up from a loss is not common but as people of God it should be a natural reaction to a set-back. I call this "self leadership". It's the God-given ability to lead youself, especially when times are tough.

I once heard a friend say "with every new level, is a new devil". Funny but true. God leads us from one level of glory (leadership and influence) to another. However before we can lead others into this next level of glory, power and influence, we MUST lead ourselves. Allow God's grace to lift yourself out of self pity, victimisation and even depression. Something happens on the inside of a leader that causes him / her not to stay down. It's an ability to lead yourself into the call and purposes of God. I encourage you to stay bold and strong as you forge ahead into all that God has for you.

Happy leading.

# 9 "Little by little"

A well-known Bible teacher tells of a pilot friend who received word from the control tower saying, ‘You’re cleared for 5,000 feet.’ When he got there, he had to hold for further instructions. Next came the words, ‘You’re cleared for 10,000 feet.’ Gradually, the controller took him level by level to 35,000 feet where he was cleared to fly to his destination. God spoke to this Bible teacher and said, ‘I wish you would trust me like that. Instead you want to go straight to 35,000 feet in one thrust!’



Try to understand this: God sees the end from the beginning and He has already mapped out your journey. He knows that if you rise too quickly, there are dangers. You may be in the cockpit, but God’s in the control tower. And His Word for you today is: ‘Trust Me and I’ll get you safely to your destination.’ God’s plan for your life can’t be rushed. When you try to move too quickly, you end up in a tug-of-war with Him. And you lose every time!



1 Timothy 4:15 says ‘Be diligent so thateveryone may see your progress.’ Before God could trust David to lead thenation, He first had to see how he’d handle his father’s flock. It was here

that David built a relationship with God and developed the qualities that would sustain him through the tough times ahead when he was king. God will let you practice in a place where your weaknesses can be worked on, your gifts developed, and where your mistakes won’t affect too many others. That’s because He cares for them too! If God has put you on hold today, it’s because He loves you and wants only what’s best for you.



Face your past without regrets. Handle your present with confidence. And prepare for the future without fear! Never Give Up, Look UP!

Happy Leading !!

# 8 "Put a 10 on people"

Have you noticed how people rise to your level of expectation? I remember a very good leader who raised leaders around him, seemingly effortlessly. After a brief discussion with him, he said to me, "John, I tell people that they have what it takes. I tell people that I believe in them and that they have huge potential. I don't presume that they will answer the call to lead but I help them to, by telling them they can do it." What amazing leadership! I wonder how many more leaders (and more effective ones) we could have raised up if we had simply put this principle in place more intentionally? John Maxwell calls it "putting a 10 on people's head".

Jesus used the same principle. He chose leaders very differently to how we do today. He looked at potential and 'heart'. He even looked past small character blemishes. Where people saw Peter as an impulsive, inconsistent fisherman, Jesus saw a man willing to follow Him, albeit if he blows hot and cold. My challenge to you today is that you put a "10" on people form today. Watch them respond to you differently. See them rise up to their potential as you believe in them.

Happy leading!

# 7 "The Law Of Inclusion"

Man's greatest need is acceptance and to be loved. This is true regardless of age, economic status, culture or social status. There is a small key here that we can implement as leaders, that if we do this, on a regular, basis, we are sure to see followers soon become leaders alongside us. I call it 'The Law of Inclusion'. Everybody desires to feel included. We all desire a sense of belonging. Deep in the heart of all people is a desire to do something significant, meaningful and life-changing. One of the ways we can foster this desire is to make 'ordinary' people feel included in our world and in our 'sphere of influence'.

President Woodrow Wilson said "We should not only use all the brains we have - but all that we can borrow." So don't stop with just their brains, enlist their hearts and hands too! Another president, Lyndon Johnson, was right when he said, "There are no problems we cannot solve together, and very few that we can solve by ourselves." We need to look at our callings as leaders and ask ourselves "who can I include?". We need to look at potential. Jesus did exactly this when He hand-picked 12 disciples. He included them into His world.

In the nursing profession it is common knowledge to live by a certain phrase, "watch one, do one, teach one." The principle refers to learning a specific technique, doing it and then letting the apprentice do it while you watch. Harvard Business Review produced an article on 30 successful executives and said that every single one of them learned their skills firsthand directly from a mentor. For people to learn from us, we need to include them and mentor them.

Take some time everyday to include new people into your tasks and responsibilities as a leader. Watch how they develop in your midst, simply because you cared enough to include them.

Happy Leading!

# 6 "Leaders are people of faith, having 'a different spirit'"

So what was it that made Caleb so different that God would say "he had a different spirit"? What made people rally around Caleb (and Joshua) and caused them to possess the inheritance that God had for them? Numbers 14:24 "But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descedents will inherit it."

You may recall the account in Numbers chapters 13 and 14. God presents His people with a tremendous opportunity. God tells 12 spies to go and see the land that He is giving them, their own inheritance. God wanted to see and hear what is in the hearts. Can they see what He sees? A land of milk and honey. Everything they have ever dreamed of. Then when they returned, only Joshua and Caleb could see the opportunity. The other 10 couldn't see it as "my land". All they could see were the giants, the big fortified cities and the obstacles before them.

In this life God has presented all of us with our own "promised land", be it a growing business, people being added to you, souls for the kingdom, a growing church, ongoing health, etc. But God will wait, look and listen to see what in your heart. Can you believe Him? Even if there are obstacles in the way?

Be like Caleb who, when the people complained, he silenced the people before Moses and said "let us go up at once and occupy it for we are well able to overcome it." Numbers 13:30

Be different and have a different spirit!! After all, with our God, you are a champion!

# 5 "Bold Faith and Humility"

A story is told of a missionary who ended up shipwrecked on a remote island where the natives nursed him back to health. For the next twenty years he lived among them. When they were sick he cared for them. When they were hungry he taught them how to grow food. When they were lonely he kept them company. When they were wronged he defended them. Later when other missionaries came and talked about Jesus, the islanders insisted that Jesus was already living among them. When the new missionaries were introduced to “Jesus” they discovered that it was none other than their old friend they thought was dead. I love this story. It really does raise the bar for us and sets a great example for us live by.

Similarly, in this life, it requires tremendous faith to rise and be counted for God if we're going to lead people and accomplish something great. Somehow God calls us as leaders to have faith in Him and His purposes, His timing, His leading and His calling. Two of the main ingredients God is looking for, in leaders, are faith and humility. They sound like opposites but they're not. Humility is simply acknowledging before God that He alone is the Source of all your abilities. Hebrews 11:6 says "without faith it is impossible to please God". God is always "attracted" to people with faith, especially if its bold, humble faith. We read so many accounts of men and women in the Bible who simply believed in God and His ability to save, deliver, heal and conquer. We read of Moses, Abraham, Joshua, Elijah, David, Jeremiah, Ruth, Ezra and many others who had a bold faith in God. However this faith must never be mistaken as arrogance but rather its a faith that is in God, and what He can do. The humility that God requires is not an inferiority complex or a drawing back or a shyness. No its simply an acknowledgement that God is the giver of you gifts, your callings, your abilities and your future.

Try to live with this balance of having bold faith with an underlying humility in God. Trust God that as fruit and success comes your way that you will give Him the glory for it. This is humility. Forget about people who misunderstand your life, your words and your actions. Keep believing and trusting God. Keep speaking words filled with faith. Keep your head up high, a smile on your face and go for it. Lastly, here's a thought: nobody has ever been rebuked by God for having too much faith. God has never said "son, you trusted Me for too much". Go ahead and "make His day" by keep trusting Him.

Happy leading!!

# 4 "Character vs Gifting"

Your gifts and talents will only take you as far as your character. I have seen many people over the years with amazing gifts and talents but they never had the character to nurture and foster them. Character is like the foundations of a house, its below the surface and unseen. You know it's there but without it, a house will not last. Helen Keller said "character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

So here's the burning question; "do you have the character, to sustain your calling, your gifts and your talents?" You see Sampson had a tremendous gift - his physical strength. But at he did not have the character to keep himself 'successful' to the end. He tragically fell to Delilah, after being tempted. Who or what is the Delilah in your life that will try to trip you up, so that you become another statistic of fallen leaders? In this life you will face many trial, tests and temptations, that God will allow, for you to grow and come through as "more than a conqueror". Every time you pass these character tests, you set yourself up for more fruit and ultimate success. In fact Jesus says "whoever is trusted with very little, can also be trusted with much" (Luke 16:10 NIV). Jesus wants you to walk in all the potential of your gifts, but you need to be faithful first with a little.

Friends life is designed to test our values and morals. And rest assured, it will!! Settle it. But, these, once passed, will strengthen you, equiup you and enlarge your leadership capacity. Your CV, your qualifications, you degree, your reputation, your gifts, your talents, these all may get you to the top, but if you don't have Godly character as a strong foundation, you won't stay there. Too many people focus entirely on gifting when its actually Godly character that we should be aiming for. As you lead people, make Godly character your goal. When you do, God will trust you with more.

Happy leading