OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - THURSDAY - 02/10/2014 - ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL LEADER? - BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE.

MEMORISE : This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 1 TIMOTHY 3 : 1.

READ : MARK 10 : 35 – 44.

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.

36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:

40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.

42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 SAMUEL 13. : 8 -14 : 46 & PROVERBS 5 : 7 – 23.

Leadership is a subject everyone talks about. It’s a pity however that only few understand it. Most people want to be leaders but only few achieve it. What is leadership? What is spiritual leadership? It can be deduced from today’s Bible reading that spiritual leadership is not the same as inordinate ambition. Inordinate ambition denotes canvassing for promotion with the motive of being seen and approved of by men. Such a person desires to be popular, to stand tall among one’s contemporaries and to exercise control over others. It is perilous to put an ambitious man in office. Ambitious men enjoy the powers that money or authority gives. They lobby for promotion and are carnally minded. This kind of attitude is strongly discouraged by the scriptures ( 1 Peter 5 : 2 – 3 ). God and men are constantly searching for leaders who are willing to suffer for the sake of objectives great enough to demand their wholehearted obedience. There is a rising need for leadership that is authoritative, spiritual and sacrificial. Spiritual leadership is not won by promotion but by many prayers and tears. It is attained by confession of sin, soul searching and a humble attitude before God. It is attained by self-surrender, a courageous elimination of every idol, a bold, undying, uncompromising and uncomplaining embrace of the cross, and also by an eternal, unfaltering focus on Jesus Christ. It is not gained by seeking great things for ourselves, but rather by counting all things as loss for Christ. Are you a spiritual leader? Follow the Master’s master principles for effective leadership.

What are the Master’s master principles for effective leadership? The first is the principle of dependence. Jesus voluntarily emptied Himself, surrendering His privileges and the independent exercise of His will to God. His dependence upon the Father was voluntary ( Philippians 2 : 7 ). Secondly, there is the principle of approval. Jesus was approved of God. To excel as a spiritual leader, you need the approval of the Almighty ( Acts 2 : 22 ).The third principle is the principle of modesty. Christ was modest. A spiritual leader should not be strident and flamboyant, but modest and unassuming. Fourthly, we have the principle of empathy. Leadership involves being sympathetic and understanding with the weak and erring. The fifth principle is the principle of optimism. Jesus was full of faith. Leadership requires hope and optimism since a true servant of God battles with the powers of darkness. A pessimist cannot make an inspiring leader. The sixth principle is the principle of the anointing. Christ was anointed with the Holy Ghost and power. Leadership requires a touch of the supernatural ( Acts 10 : 38 ).

ACTION POINT :

Decide to follow the Master’s master principles for effective leadership today.