Dare To Lead

“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.” Jeremiah 31:31 (NIV)In the Old Testament, God established a covenant with the Israelites.  Usually, a contract is between two parties.  The covenant between God and the Israelites was all based on God’s character to fulfill his promises.  The Israelites lived under the old law.  But through the blood of Jesus, we now live under the…

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) Sometimes, people can see God as a strict father.  We think he is looking down from heaven waiting for us to make a mistake so he can punish us.  But God is love (1 John 4:16).  He looks down from heaven and sees us as perfect through the…

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. 2 Timothy 2:13 (NLT) Moses proclaimed in Exodus, that God is astounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6).  He planned how to save the world from the beginning and was faithful to follow through.  Even when the Israelites broke their covenant with God, He was still faithful to save them.  Faithfulness is in God’s character.  We can reflect his character to others. Prayer:God, thank you…

This is how the Lord responds: “If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you! Jeremiah 15:19 (NLT) We live in a fallen world.  Evil things are all around us.  Bad things happen to good people.  But that doesn’t mean we need to let it impact us.  We are…

You tricked me, Lord, and I was tricked. You overpowered me and won. People make fun of me all day long. Everyone laughs at me. Every time I speak, I cry out. All you ever tell me to talk about is fighting and trouble. Your message has brought me nothing but dishonor. It has made me suffer shame all day long. Sometimes I think, “I won’t talk about his message anymore. I’ll never speak in his name again.” But then…

18 Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, “Come into my tent, sir.  Come in.  Don’t be afraid.” So he went into her tent, and she covered him with a blanket.  19 “Please give me some water,” he said.  “I’m thirsty.” So she gave him some milk from a leather bag and covered him again. 20 “Stand at the door of the tent,” he told her. “If anybody comes and asks you if there is anyone here, say no.”  Judges…

14 Then Deborah said to Barak, “Get ready! This is the day the Lord will give you victory over Sisera, for the Lord is marching ahead of you.”  Judges 4:14(NLT) God always give us the voice of one person who reminds us God is in control.  They remind us God has made us promises.  Deborah points out twice in one sentence the Lord is control.  When we trust God’s promises, we have what we need to move forward in tough situations. …

Deborah was an Israelite, one of God’s chosen people.  Deborah was leading Israel as a judge and a prophetess.  Deborah decided disputes among the people, and she also delivered messages of God to His people. History did not recognize women so let’s pay close attention to this woman named Deborah.  In this specific time, Israel was doing evil in the eyes of the Lord.  Israel has a reputation for walking close to God and drifting far from God.  At this…

We are ALL leaders.  We all lead SOMETHING or SOMEONE. Our ability to lead and inspire others should increase throughout the course of our lives.  As we get older and our families grow, our children’s need for guidance and wisdom increases.  Those around us start looking for advice and direction.  The people of God should have influence on those around them.  Godly wisdom and direction are treasured things.  In today’s culture Christian wisdom is often contradictory to the world’s ways. …

8 Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me.” 9 “Very well,” she replied, “I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the Lord’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.” Judges 4:8-9 (NLT) 14 Then Deborah said to Barak, “Get ready! This is the day the Lord will give you victory over Sisera, for the Lord is marching ahead of you.” So Barak led his 10,000…

6 “Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (MSG) Wherever we go, God is first. When we keep him first there is no need to fear. All we have to do is do the right thing and follow God. Anxiety is one of the worst feelings we can have and a…

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (ESV) That is good news isn’t it. God is with us wherever we go. We don’t have to bear all the burdens of life by ourselves because God is there to be with us. Is life always easy? No, it isn’t. God is on our side though. He…

1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. 3 Then…

14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 (NIV) Esters uncle Mordecai is talking to her about the murder of her people sanctioned by the king and about her speaking out about it. The king’s first wife was killed for disrespecting…

8 Then Haman approached King Xerxes and said, “There is a certain race of people scattered through all the provinces of your empire who keep themselves separate from everyone else. Their laws are different from those of any other people, and they refuse to obey the laws of the king. So it is not in the king’s interest to let them live. Esther 3:8 (NLT) In this verse, it is talking about the Jewish people putting God first, instead of…

26 … Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28 (NIV) Christian leaders should go in the opposite direction of the world.  If you want to change the world, be a servant leader rather than leading from authority.   Before we…

13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” Joshua 5:13 (NIV) 14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Joshua 5:14a (NIV)  (Joshua is experiencing a Theophany: An appearance of Jesus before He was born in the manger.)  14 Then…

31Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel.  Joshua 24:31 (NIV) Joshua’s great faith and courage inspired holiness among people.   Joshua is now an old man, he summons Israel to remind them of all God’s blessings and the curses.  Joshua spurs them on with his words in verse 8. 8 But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God,…

8 But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now! Joshua 23:8 (NIV) We are ALL leaders.  We all lead SOMETHING or SOMEONE.  My sister wouldn’t think of herself as a leader.  The job she loves is closer to the bottom of the ladder than the top.  She is an aide to students. Kids watch her and witness the way she lives.  She models behavior and attitudes towards others, right ways to act…

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.  Matthew 20:28 NLT A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.   1 Corinthians 12:7 NLT Servant Leader:  Seems contradictory, doesn’t it?  Both are calls on our lives given by God.  Jesus is the head of the Church yet He Himself said He came to serve.  Leaders are equipped with…