12/08/2022
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Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today β July 1, 2016
So he sent for him [David] and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, βRise and anoint him; this is the one.β So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. 1 Samuel 16:12-13
An anointed leader is chosen by God, not self-appointed or randomly assigned to a position by man. An anointed leader knows they are called by God, not driven by selfish ambition or the desire to be great. Greatness is reserved for servants of the Lord, who quietly give themselves to purposes greater than themselves. If I strive to be seen or selected for a roleβI miss a chance to grow my faith while waiting on the will of God to unfold.
Entitled leaders feel the need for a job title so they seem importantβwhile anointed leaders esteem others as more important.
David was minding his own businessβbeing faithful where he was (to his call to shepherd well)βwhen the Lord called him to shepherd His flock. Godβs choice was probably a surprise to those who expected a βbetterβ resume, but infinite wisdom knew the wisdom of selecting a servant with a love for God and a fiery heart to defend and lead Godβs people. So Samuelβthe man of Godβfollowed the Lordβs leading by anointing David in front of his brothers. Because of their faith, submission and obedienceβthe Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon Godβs anointed.
βI have found David my servant; with my sacred oil I have anointed him. My hand will sustain him; surely my arm will strengthen himβ (Psalm 89:20-21).
Are you in waiting mode for an opportunity you think is just right for you? Or are you looking and praying for just the right person to serve with you? In either situation be patient, prayerful and opened handed. Trust Jesus and wait on His bestβbetter to be in a storm with Jesus asleep in the boatβthan to be on the shore without Him. At any moment Christ can calm the chaos and bring clarity to the confusionβso pray against getting ahead of God. You bring the most glory to the Lord when your joy and contentment are found in Christ, not your circumstances.
The power to lead is not primarily about position, but submissionβwhich positions you for favor from your Savior Jesus. Submit to Godβs Spirit to cleanse your heart, fill your soul and lead your life. Submit to the authorities in your life to validate your ideas, protect you from yourself and hold you responsible to steward well the organizationβs mission. Anointed leadership leads out of weakness, while leaning into the Spirit for strength. Is your faith fatigued? Ask the Lord for a fresh anointing. Be prepared and trust God that in Christ you are anointed.
βNow it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to comeβ (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).
REFERENCE: WISDOM HUNTERS
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By: JOHN DAVIDSON
Youβve answered Godβs call to lead in His kingdom. Youβve worked hard, studied hard, prayed hard and served hard in pursuit of that calling. And now youβve arrived. Youβre leading. People look up to you and respect you.
Whether you lead a youth group, pastor a church, or serve as a missionary, you wield a certain amount of influence over peopleβs lives. Chances are good your motive for using that influence is honorable.
But everyone who has power is at some point tempted to believe he or she deserves special treatment. In Ego Is the Enemy, Ryan Holiday says, βWith success, particularly power, come some of the greatest and most dangerous delusions: entitlement, control, and paranoia.β Ministry leaders are not immune from these delusions.
Entitlement is one of the destructive ways the enemy wreaks havoc in a leaderβs life. Entitlement is a belief that one is deserving of or entitled to certain privileges. In other words, a soft-hearted individual who starts out in ministry saying, βHere I am; send me,β can turn into a hard-hearted minister saying, βHere I am; look at me,β or, βHere I am; do this for me,β or, βHere I am; give to me.β
Jesusβ call is about sending us out for the benefit of the world. Entitlement is all about me getting what Iβm due.
It comes from a faulty assumption that because of your position, influence, calling or experience, you deserve certain things. It plays out in some of the following ways:
β’ You anticipate sitting in a place of honor, such as the head table at events or the front row of an important meeting.
β’ You expect invitations to serve on important committees or boards.
β’ You assume people will seek your input before making decisions, even about things outside your purview.
β’ You presume other leaders should ask you to speak at services or events.
β’ You expect others to do it your way, because your way is the best way.
β’ You believe those under your leadership should never do or say anything that challenges you.
Your position of spiritual leadership does not entitle you to special treatment.
A further telltale sign of entitlement is feeling slighted, insulted or offended when the things above donβt happen.
Donβt they know who I am? If youβve ever thought or said that in response to a slight, thatβs a clear sign youβre feeling a sense of entitlement.
Luke records two statements from Jesus that directly address this.
First, in Luke 17:7-10, Jesus says, βSuppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, βCome along now and sit down to eatβ? Wonβt he rather say, βPrepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drinkβ? Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, βWe are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.ββ
Even the best, most qualified, most talented minister doesnβt deserve any special treatment. He or she is only an unworthy servant doing what God has asked.
Second, in Luke 20:46-47, Jesus said, βBeware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widowsβ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.β
Jesusβ message is clear. Donβt be like the Pharisees. Your position of spiritual leadership does not entitle you to special treatment.
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πππ§π«π π€π©πππ§π¨. Intentionally do some things you donβt have to do, or things others would normally do for you, to remind yourself and others youβre not above serving.
ππ‘ππ«ππ©π π€π©πππ§π¨. Use your position and influence to shine the spotlight on others and give them an opportunity to succeed. Sharing power and success will never diminish your own.
ππͺππ’ππ© π©π€ π€π©πππ§π¨. Surround yourself with some people who know you and are not impressed by you. Have a group of friends and mentors whom you give the right to tell you when youβre wrong, behaving inappropriately or acting entitled. And then listen to them.
Leaders in Christβs church must resist the entitlement that often accompanies ministry influence. The one person in history who had a right to be entitled, wasnβt. Just as βthe Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for manyβ (Matthew 20:28), Kingdom leaders represent Jesusβ best when they give themselves away in a spirit of humility and service.
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2020 edition of Influence magazine.
π·ππ πππππππ: Use for the purpose of additional learning and spiritual growth and maturity.
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