Dwell In Truth

Leaders who copy other leaders will always be one or mores step behind. Powerful leadership requires innovation. Innovation does not ask what people have always done, it asks why aren’t we doing things different. 

Don’t try to determine how to lead in the future by looking at what Leaders did in the past. We can learn from leaders, but we should not emulate them.

If we copy Leaders, we also copy their failures. Copying the success of other leaders may not result in our own success. They led a different group of people at a different time. Some of what they did may work for you and some will not.

Leaders who copy Christ will always be one or more steps ahead. Christ has the benefit of knowing eternal past and eternal future. Christ is the great innovator. To copy Christ is to do what most are not willing to do.

The leadership of Christ is effective in all cultures and for every generation. When we copy Christ, we do not need to be concerned about copying His failures.

Do not copy what other people tell you about Christ. Do not copy what you think about Christ. Read the Gospels copy Christ as you see Him in the Bible. 

If you want to lead, copy Christ!

Ministry is not about bringing happiness to the healthy, it is about bringing healing to those who are hurting.

In a healthy ministry, there will be moments of happiness. But a healthy ministry will also have people who are hurting. Don’t ignore those who are healthy, encourage the healthy to support the hurting. 

During times of tragedy, Christians should focus on showing God’s love to those who question God’s love.

Don’t argue with the angry, comfort the hurting. 

Life is a series of trades.

We trade our time for: money, relationships, sleep, pleasure, etc.

We trade our money for: food, experiences, shelter, entertainment, clothing, etc.

We trade our happiness for: the happiness of others, a completed task, responsibility, etc.

Unfortunately, we often make poor decisions when trading. Without considering the consequences, we trade something valuable for something worth much less.

We trade the trust others have in us for: a moment of selfish pleasure, our pride, the chance to express our emotions in hurtful ways, etc.

We trade healthy relationships for: the possibility of new relationships (after all, the grass is always greener on the other side), the chance to make more money, etc.

We trade our physical health for: a company deadline, approval from co-workers/supervisors, food that brings temporary pleasure, etc.

We trade our connection with God for: connection with the world, the opportunity to live as we please, affirmation of the ungodly, etc.

When you make poor trades, you will lose the people/things that are the most valuable in your life. Once these people (and things) are lost, it is difficult to get them back.

When making decisions, always strive to trade UP! Trade what is of little value for something worth much more.

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,”
Philippians 3:8

Affirming someone’s choices brings them comfort. Affirmation is a common response from family members, friends, and even therapists. It makes us feel good to help someone else feel good. Affirmation is an easy way to strengthen relationships and gain the trust/love of another.

But, when affirmation is given purely for the sake of someone’s emotional stability, it will come with consequences.

If someone is making poor choices that brings self destruction, our affirmation only enables them to continue down a path of pain. While they might feel good in the moment from our affirmation, the long-term effects will hurt both them and our relationship with them. 

Don’t build relationships on attempts to help someone feel better. Instead, be the kind of friend that helps someone “become better”.  Affirmation has its place. Friends and family should be the first ones to affirm the good choices of one another. But, do not take part in the self-destruction of the ones you love. 

If you do not have the opportunity, responsibility, or authority to correct someone’s bad choices, silence is better than affirmation. 

 (Love) “rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭6‬ ‭