Leadership Lessons from Nehemiah

There are countless books that have been written on the leadership savvy of Nehemiah. As I study this great book, and this great man's life, I understand why. There are several truths that I have gleaned from this book that I believe apply to leadership in all areas.

First, Nehemiah teaches us to prayerfully discern the will of God before we move into action. It was four months of praying that enabled Nehemiah to discern God's will. He searched the scriptures and found the guidance he needed for the task that God had called him to lead.

Second, he teaches us to wait patiently for the providence of God to open doors of opportunity. Nehemiah knew that trying to open doors and close doors are in God's power. We can make all the plans we want, but only God can direct our steps. Nehemiah surrendered and submitted to the sovereignty of God as he waited for God to give him success.

Third, Nehemiah teaches us to properly plan when doing God's work. It is so obvious that Nehemiah didn't just start casting vision or dreams before he planned. He knew that poor planning would leave the vision on the ground. Therefore, during his four months of prayer, he also planned. Nehemiah took time to plan and investigate before he initiated his vision. Many visions and dreams have never left the ground because leaders did not take time to plan and investigate.

Fourth, Nehemiah teaches us to expect opposition when doing God's work. Any time you move forward with God's work, Satan will oppose. Nehemiah showed that only by trusting God and determination could a task be accomplished.

Fifth, he teaches us that there will be people who question motives and agendas of others. Those people usually have their own agendas and questionable motives.

Last, he teaches us that a clear vision will inspire confidence and cooperation from the people we lead.

The principles are applicable in all leadership situations. Yesterday, a church member shared with me how he took the principles he has learned from Nehemiah and applied them to his work situation.

Let's lead in a way that glorifies the Lord.

Consumed with Jesus!

Last Sunday night I preached from James 4:13-17. I must say that the passage is really convicting when it comes to our commitment to God. So often times we want just enough of God to make us comfortable. The real challenge and goal in life is to be so consumed with Jesus that we are willing to sacrifice our dreams, our families, our all for him. I am afraid that many want what Wilbur Rees described in his most appropriate poem concerning our commitment to Christ:

I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.
Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep,
but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk
or a snooze in the sunshine.
I don’t want enough of God to make me love a black man
or pick beets with a migrant.
I want ecstasy, not transformation.
I want warmth of the womb, not a new birth.
I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack.
I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.

After last Sunday night, I decided to write out a prayer to the Lord. Here is what I wrote Monday morning:

"Lord, today I want to surrender my all to you. I have made comfort a god, and I want to surrender my comfort to you. I will allow you to have your way with me no matter how painful it may be. My only desire in life is to glorify you. I surrender my dreams and desires to you. Any dream or desire that does not glorify you, I ask that you remove. Lord, today I pledge my head to heaven for your gospel and glory."

“Jesus, be Jesus in me No longer me but Thee Resurrection power, fill me this hour Jesus be Jesus in me”

The Princess, the Frog, and the Love of God

Last Friday, the family and I went to see Disney's "The Prince and the Frog." I loved the movie for a variety of reasons. The music was superb. My music taste is eclectic, and jazz fits into that eclectic taste. I thought the story was good story about finding contentment in what you need, and not what you want.

I must admit that the focus on voodoo was not my cup of tea, but at least there was a theme within the movie about light and darkness, which, in my opinion, gives further evidence of a moral code, and ultimately God.

What struck me about the movie was the princess realization that happiness was not found in what she wanted, but what she needed. She realized that what she needed was the love of the prince, and was willing to give up all her dreams on account of that love, even if it meant being a frog for the rest of her life. Once the princess surrendered to the love of the frog, she received everything that she ever wanted.

God wants his people to find satisfaction in his love and goodness. Are we willing to surrender all for his love, even if his love means being a frog forever? Do we realize that true satisfaction is found in God alone? Many of us will never get this truth or find that all-satisfying love because we pursue what we want instead of pursuing what we need. The only thing that will ever bring satisfaction and joy into our lives is God and his love. Anything else is incomplete and unsatisfying.

Colt McCoy and the Sovereignty of God

It is always encouraging hearing believers share their faith, especially when it is in the national spotlight. Last night, Colt McCoy, quarterback for the Longhorns, encouraged many.

You can imagine the pain this young man was experiencing, not so much physical, but emotional. He worked hard for four long years to lead his team to the opportunity they had last night to win the national championship, only to have to miss it on account of an injury. How did he handle his pain? Faith!

Colt was asked how he felt about not playing in the game, and he said, "God is in control of my life, I just accept what is... I am standing on the Rock!" What a statement of faith! What an understanding of the sovereignty of God. There are some great lessons from this young man's faith for all who follow Christ.

First, God is in control. We may be going through a storm in our lives, but God is in control and he is with us. Our world may be turned upside down, but God has a hold of it.

Second, God has a purpose. Colt realized the great pain of sanctification last night. God is in the business of conforming us into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Most of the time that process is painful.

Finally, we need to rest in God, knowing that he is our Rock. We need to see everything that happens in our lives under God's control. When we experience things, good and bad, we need to see them as messages from God. We need to see and hear what God may be trying to teach us through those circumstances. And we need to allow the Spirit the freedom to shape and mold us into Christ's image.

God is in Control.

Day 5: Falling in Love with Jesus!

Jesus said to the church in Ephesus, "You have left your first love" (Rev. 2:4). Clearly, it is possible for God's people to drift from the love of God. I find it interesting that 30 years before Jesus spoke these words to the church, the apostle Paul ended his letter to the Ephesians with these words, "Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love." Paul spoke of a love that was undying.

It is possible for us to leave our first love. We can be doing all the right things, but without a heart of love for Jesus. What's the remedy? Jesus told the Ephesian church to "remember from where you have fallen and repent..." (Rev. 2:5)

As I enter my fifth day of a 21-day fast, I am remembering where I have fallen from, and turning back to Jesus. The Lord is teaching me to be satisfied in him alone. This is not easy. Oh sure, we can say we are satisfied in him alone, and still not be satisfied. Therefore, I need to ask myself some hard questions.

Is there anything more important to me than God? Well, I would have to admit that my comfort has become important, so important that I have really struggled with God about it.

Is there anything that absorbs my heart and imagination more than God? Yes! I often focus on what I want God to do for me rather than on God himself.

Is there something in my life, other than God, that gives my life meaning, value, safety, and security? This is a loaded question that needs contemplative reflection and repentance.

Lord, I want to return to my first love. Incline my heart to your testimonies, open my eyes to the wonderful things in your word, give me an undivided heart to fear your name, and satisfy me with your unfailing love.

Day 3

Today is day 3 of my 21-day fast. This is not the first time that I have done an extended fast. In 2005 I did my first 21-day fast, and in 2008 I did a 40-day fast. Each time God has blessed me tremendously.

There are two things that the Lord has spoken to me about already in this fast. First, he reminded me of my first fast and how I fell so in love with Jesus I didn't care if I ever ate another bite of food again. I want to be in that place again. I want to be so satisfied with Jesus that nothing else matters.

Second, he spoke to me about my spiritual leadership at home. I need to be more intentional with my family. My wife needs not only to be prayed for, but also prayed with on a regular basis. I need to spend time with her and the girls in the word.

This time of fasting is a time for God to break all that needs to be broken in my life. I am confident that I have several idols that need to be removed from my heart. Lord, remove them no matter how painful it may be for your glory!

Thoughts about Sunday

I am very excited and nervous about what God is going to say to First Southern from the book of Nehemiah. Excited because God is up to something. Nervous because God is up to something.

God has really been speaking to me through the sermons that I preached yesterday. I have grown accustom to my comfortable life and God seems to be messing it up. The fact that our house hasn't sold, and that we are living in a gym is what he is using to upset my comfort. I struggle with what God is doing. Even so, I realize that God is trying to teach me one thing: He must be first in my life. I must find my satisfaction in him alone.

Last night's sermon hit me hard also. I realize that pride is my worst enemy. Every sin that I commit is the outworking of me being in the place that only God belongs. Messiah, Save Me!

All I can do is submit to God, resist the devil, and draw near to God and humble myself. God will take care of me, and he will satisfy me with his unfailing love.

Life is hard, and God is good!