Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them… the one who leads, with zeal….
--Romans 12:6, 8
Whether you spend your days in an office, at home raising children, or serving in a ministry position, you will probably find that you’re involved in some form of leadership.
That’s why today I’d like to encourage you with four great leadership qualities from the life of Nehemiah that you can apply to your situation:
- Nehemiah was a man of integrity who was respected. The people saw in him a man they could believe and follow, and they were inspired to action.
- Nehemiah maintained strong interpersonal relationships. He took a personal interest in knowing each person and what they were doing. Every individual was important to him.
- Nehemiah knew how to encourage people. He noted the hard workers and affirmed them, giving honor where it was due.
- Nehemiah never said a word about what he did. He was the kind of man who was willing to let others take the credit and to share the victory with others.
These are simple yet important qualities that set great leaders apart. In whatever situation you find yourself today, consider how you can adopt some of Nehemiah’s valuable leadership qualities.
YOU HAVE INFLUENCE! SO BE DILIGENT TO LEAD OTHERS
IN A WAY THAT IS PLEASING TO GOD.
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.”
Luke 10:3–6
David Brainerd often endured great hardship in his efforts to take the gospel to the American Indians. In his diary, he recounted one mission trip during which an intense storm forced him to seek shelter inside the hollowed out remains of a large tree. As the storm raged outside, Brainerd sat inside praying for the lost. After a while, he began to be hungry, but it was too dangerous to go out to look for something to eat. Soon a squirrel came and deposited several nuts near where Brainerd sat. Brainerd wrote that as he ate the nuts, he realized that God had sent the squirrel just as He sent the ravens to feed Elijah.
The Lord’s promises to provide for our needs are repeated over and over in Scripture. There is no shortage of resources on His part. He is just as able to meet our needs as He was to work in the lives of Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, and Paul. There is nothing we face that will challenge God in the slightest. He never has to call for backup or dig down deep into His reserves to provide anything that we need.
In addition to having everything at His disposal, God is characterized by His overwhelming love for us. He wants us to have good things to enjoy in our lives. Yet despite these truths, too often we focus on making it on our own, hoping to handle things ourselves without resorting to His help. It is foolish and tragic for Christians to live like orphans.
Today’s Growth Principle:
If we truly believe the promises of God, it will change the way we approach every part of our lives.
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