Leadership is not an Individual Sprint, but a Team Relay

I was a young man with little experience; but I had a sense of purpose and a willingness to work hard and learn. In the earliest years of my career, God placed a few key leaders in my life who entrusted me with responsibility and deputized me with authority.  Authority and responsibility should be given in equal doses and in gradual degrees. Authority without responsibility yields pride. Responsibility without authority results in frustration.  Moses was an amazing (albeit imperfect) leader. He led multi-thousands of people out of Egyptian bondage into a period… Read More

Pray for Your Pastor

Pastors and leaders need prayer. The weight of responsibility they carry is crushing at times, and the very nature of their roles makes them a constant target for the enemy.  The Apostle Paul often asked people to pray for him. He recognized the power of agreement in prayer, and knew he needed it! Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. (‭2 Thessalonians‬… Read More

Which Bible Translation Should I Use?

With so many translations available, and more being published every year, many people wonder which translation they should use. The truth is there are many translations that are well worth reading. My practice is to use a different translation each year for my personal devotion time. Using a Bible app is an easy, inexpensive way to explore different translations. Having said that, not all translations are as accurate as others, and some, frankly, should be avoided. The Bible is a compilation of books, letters, and accounts penned over the course of many… Read More

Sticks and Stones…Practical Advice Regarding the Weaponry of Words

Few statements are more untrue than this: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” The truth is, words are powerful, because words are spiritual. They can be seeds to produce a harvest of blessing and peace, or swords to wound and destroy a person’s reputation. The world was created by God’s words. That same creative force has been given to us! Kingdoms, nations, businesses, churches, and marriages are either built up or destroyed by words. The writer of Proverbs said: “Death and life are in the… Read More

Three Warnings for Leaders

Although leadership has its privileges, it comes with a unique set of challenges. Within a period of just a few hours the Apostle Paul faced three challenges that provide warnings to spiritual leaders today. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice… Read More