During this pandemic and periods of lockdown, one thing that God has done for us is that He has given us more ministry opportunities. Reaching out to neighbours, friends, and the vulnerable. Millions have started online ministries and businesses. What about you! Don’t just sit there and watch the world go by. God wants to bless you and enlarge your territory. Your territory can be your sphere of influence, or your realm of responsibility or authority.
Are you ready for increase in your life today? You may desire God’s increase, but the Bible says we have not because we ask not. Are you asking for God’s blessing and ministry opportunities? Are you asking Him to enlarge your territory to make things bigger and better for you and your sphere of influence? When you ask God to bless you, your faith is activated, which opens the door for Him to work in your life.
Today, ask for God’s blessing, ask for His discernment and wisdom. Ask Him to make you more effective on your job; ask Him to increase the quality of your life and relationships; ask for more people to love and encourage. Ask Him to enlarge your territory so that you can be a greater blessing to those around you. Why not take one step of faith in prayer, God will open doors that no man can close, and He will pour out abundance in every area of your life! Hallelujah!
“Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory…” (1 Chronicles 4:10, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I open my heart to You and ask You to bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory and my sphere of influence. God, I ask You to increase me in every area, and teach me to be faithful to You always, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
Have you ever felt like your life is spinning out of control? Do you feel tossed around by the storms of life? Have you ever seen a tree in a hurricane? The wind and the rain blows the leaves from the branches, and sometimes the branches are torn off and the tree is blown over. But, the tree’s roots are protected from the weather by being firmly established in the ground. The same should be true in our lives.
If our roots are not firmly grounded in the Word of God, we become vulnerable during the difficult times. But when our thoughts are in line with God’s thoughts, He plants a righteous root within us and we become spiritually grounded. Our thinking becomes clear, we become stronger and equipped to overcome the storms of life.
Today, God wants you to be solid. He wants you to be steady. He wants you to have a grounded life and character. He wants your roots to grow deep in His Word. He wants you to be righteous in Him. Ask Him to show you any areas of your thought life that might need to be firmly planted in Him. As you develop your relationship with God, you will grow deep spiritual roots and stand victoriously against all that life throws at you!
“No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved.” (Proverbs 12:3, ESV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for Your plan for my life. Father, help me to grow deep roots in my relationship with You. Please Lord, cause my thoughts to be Your thoughts, so that I will be strong and grounded in You. God, thank You for Your favour and blessing in my life, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
The search for the last 11 months has been to find an antidote against the Covid-19 pandemic. In early December there were shouts of celebration when a vaccine was found, and fear began to dissipate and faith got stronger. Do you know we have a vaccine, an antidote against sin and fear? The first thing many people would say is faith; however, the Scripture tells us that it’s love, for perfect love is what drives out all fear. Hallelujah!
When we truly comprehend how much God loves us, what can we possibly be afraid of? For God is love. When we are one with God through a relationship with His Son, we are wrapped in perfect love where we can find strength and security. We can find peace. We can find refuge, provision, and hope in His love. His love knows no limits. It has no boundaries. His love never changes. There is nothing you can do to make Him love you any more or any less. So let’s celebrate this breaking news Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Today, open your heart and receive the vaccine of God’s love made at Calvary. Don’t go into 2021 without it, you will be vulnerable to the pandemic of sin. Daily meditate on His goodness and faithfulness. As you do, those old fears will melt away. Sin will cease, and you will move confidently into the life of victory He has prepared for you.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” (1 John 4:18, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Oh, Yahweh, I come before You with a humble heart, begging for the vaccine of Your love. Father, please show me Your love and fill me with Your peace and hope, and remove the pandemic of sin and fear. God, help me to be an example of Your love for the people I come into contact with. I bless Your Name today that I have the victory over sin through faith in You, not just now but forever, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
Many people don’t fully understand what it means to forget the past. Do I do away with my history? Do I make myself vulnerable again? How do I forget something that’s happened to me?” Some of the biblical definitions of this phrase is to “disregard intentionally, to overlook or to cease reliving the pain.”
In practical terms, what this verse is saying is that you have to choose to disregard your past, so that it doesn’t keep you from moving forward. That means the good and the bad. Even our past victories can sometimes keep us from rising higher. If we don’t let go of the old, we’ll never be able to embrace the new.
Today, it doesn’t matter what’s happened in your history, it’s time to forget what‘s stopping you from moving forward. Make the choice today to look forward. Trust that God has a better future in store for you, with greater blessings, favour and massive victories. Hallelujah! Trust Him. As you forget pain, hurt and even some self-cantered victories, press forward and you will see the abundant life the Lord has in store for you!
“…I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” (Philippians 3:13, NLT)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I choose to forget the past that holds me back and makes me vulnerable. Father, I don’t want anything to hold me back from the good future You have prepared for me. God, I choose forgiveness, and ask that You help me by Your Holy Spirit to press forward in every area of my life. In Christ’s Name! Amen.
It’s a moment everyone
has dreamed of – the moment where everything fits together perfectly,
sparks fly, and everything seems to be going right between you and your new
official partner. The beginning of a romantic relationship can feel magical,
dreamy… But we have to admit, also pressurizing and stressful at times.
After all, no matter how
you got to this point, it’s the start of something new and unknown. It has
massive stakes, and we’re all at some point worried that we’ll mess it up. We
certainly don’t want to ruin things with Mr. or Mrs. Right.
Well, if you want to
feel much more assured that you’re starting things right with the love of your
life, here are some simple things you should take note of. Not only will these
help you make sure that both you and your partner are on the same page, but
they’ll also tell you if you’re ready to be in a relationship in the first
place. There’s not a moment to lose, so let’s dive straight into it.
History
belongs in the past
There’s no doubt you’ve
got an interesting history, especially if this is not your first relationship.
Your emotional travels have brought you far and wide, but it’s time to leave
the baggage behind. Carmelia Ray, a celebrity matchmaker, notes that in her
over 25 years of experience, the last thing singles want to hear about on a
first or second date is their partner’s past relationships.
In response to that, she
advises that you should keep focused on the now, getting to know the current
date more, and locking the ghosts of the pasts away for a later time. After
all, you want this relationship to be a chance to start afresh – and that means
keeping the past relationship fears, negative experiences and concerns away for
now. The same goes for your partner, so don’t pry either! It’s a can of worms
best opened when your relationship has become more mature.
The
more vulnerable, the better
Culture today insists on
being a strong and independent individual, but in a relationship, being
vulnerable is actually a good thing. According to Ray, opening up to your
partner helps to make your connection that much deeper and stronger, building
up a more solid bond.
It’s also a sign to show
your partner that you trust them, which can be very encouraging. After all,
successful relationships are built on mutual, shared trust that enables both
parties to do life together seamlessly. Without this trust, negative emotions
like fear, doubt, and resentment are more likely to breed.
Listening
goes a long way
As much as you love
sharing about your day with your partner, remember to take time to listen as
well. It’s not just hearing what they say, but being fully present when they
are sharing their thoughts and feelings. That way, you can respond
appropriately or have a meaningful discussion.
Moreover, it tells your
partner that they are loved, making them feel appreciated for who they are. It
cements their position in your life as someone you care about, and that can
help create trust, strengthening your relationship from the inside out.
Show,
not tell
It’s always comforting
to hear your partner talk about a future with you in it, such as making holiday
plans, talking about living with each other, or even achieving a long-term goal
together. It makes you feel like your relationship is a hundred percent a done
deal, and your partner is in for the long haul.
However, beware that
talk is just empty until there’s action. We’re not saying you have to wait for
your partner to actually fulfill all the promises, but rather, we’re asking you
to make sure that their actions are consistent with what they say they feel.
Have they introduced you to their best friends? Have they told their family
about you? Are they working towards being financially stable? These are markers
that show your partner actually means what he or she says, and are not making
empty promises.
Clingy
is not cute
Yes, you love your
partner and want to spend all day and all week with them. Especially in the
‘honeymoon’ period where a relationship is new, couples tend to spend a lot of
time with each other. Here, some jealousy can actually be considered quite
healthy, according to Ray. But if you’re constantly demanding for attention,
calling your partner, texting them, or guilt-tripping them when they spend time
away from you”¦ not so much.
The fact is that a needy
partner is stressful to handle and takes up a lot of time and energy that is
almost inhuman. It might even cause your partner to want to step back for
breathing space, which is not a good sign at the start of a potentially
lifelong relationship. As such, take it easy! You had it in you to be single
all the while leading up to this relationship, so resist the voice that tells
you that you can’t live life to the fullest when you’re by yourself.
Resumes
belong in the workplace
A big pet peeve for many
people? When their partners brag about themselves, according to Ray. It’s
understandable why many people feel the need to do it, as it boosts
self-esteem, and perhaps even fulfills the need to impress the partner.
Of course, achievements
are to be celebrated and acknowledged, but most of the time, bragging
incessantly has the effect of firstly, boring your partner and secondly, giving
off the impression that you’re a self-absorbed individual. You really don’t
have to state every single one of your accomplishments and awards, especially
if your partner has made it clear that they’re into you. Leave the list behind,
and instead, work towards having genuine and fun conversations.
Comparison
is toxic
If you find yourself
constantly comparing your current partner to other partners or other
relationships, you should put the brakes on that behavior. People are all
different, with different quirks, talents, and flaws. It’s the same with
relationships – every relationship has a different dynamic. As such,
comparing any of these won’t do you any good, and can instead bring you
down.
Especially in today’s
age of social media, it’s tempting to keep comparing your partner and your
relationship to those you see online. However, again, that is not beneficial to
anyone. In fact, no one is perfect, so you’re setting yourself up for
inevitable disappointment! Remember also that social media usually only shows
the good parts of a relationship, so don’t be disheartened if you hit a bump in
the road. It really is perfectly normal, and it’s a chance to grow individually
and as a couple, too.
Before you go and get
started, it’s good to note that these pointers are not so much a list of boxes
to check off. Rather, they are but a few topics you might want to bring up with
your new partner to make sure you’re both ready for the start of something new.
Additionally, this review on Her Aspiration will help you to learn more about your
potential partner. That way, you can have a fuss-free, smooth-sailing new
beginning of what could be the grandest adventure of your life.
Anyone who has responsibility for the work of others understands the unique challenges that come with managing people.
Over the years, various thought leaders have come up with pearls of wisdom in the form of quotations that when given some thought, have a lot to teach us. Sometimes a simple quote is just the thing to lift our spirits, to make us smile or to give us the energy to keep going when we’re feeling low.
Here are 43 such quotes to make us better Christian leaders.
“The Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self.” – Unknown
“In most cases being a good boss means hiring talented people and then getting out of their way.” – Unknown
“The good news is, God has provided us with a LifeBook to help us – the Bible.” – Unknown
“Encouragement is the oxygen of the soul.” – John Maxwell
“There’s only two things you can start without a plan: a riot and a family, for everything else you need a plan.” – Unknown
“Rejection is an opportunity for your selection.” – Unknown
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” – John Maxwell
“Leadership is getting people to work for you when they are not obligated.” – Fred Price
“Running a project without a work breakdown structure is like going to a strange land without a roadmap” – J Phillips
“You don’t have to hold a position in order to be a leader.” – Henry Ford”
“Have a good plan, Execute it violently, Do it today” – General Douglas McArthur
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that is has taken place.” – Unknown
“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” – Winston Churchill
“A project without a critical path is like a ship without a rudder.” – D. Meyer
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams
“What’s measured improves.” – Unknown
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” – Antoine de Saint Exupry 1900-1944, French writer and aviator
“If it is not documented, it doesn’t exist. As long as information is retained in someone’s head, it is vulnerable to loss.” – Unknown
“It must be considered that there is nothing more difficult to carry out nor more doubtful of success nor more dangerous to handle than to initiate a new order of things.” – Machiavelli 1446-1507, Italian statesman and philosopher
“No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra.” – Unknown
“Luck is for the ill-prepared.” – Unknown
“Tell me and I’ll forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I’ll understand.” – Chinese Proverb
“Of all the things I’ve done, the most vital is coordinating the talents of those who work for us and pointing them towards a certain goal.” –Unknown
“PMs are the most creative pros in the world; we have to figure out everything that could go wrong before it does.” – Fredrik Haren
“Why do so many professionals say they are project managing when what they are actually doing is firefighting?” –Unknown
“The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.” –Unknown
“Ensure your documentation is short and sharp and make much more use of people-to-people communication.” –Unknown
“Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.” – Henry Ford
“Leadership offers an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life, no matter what the project.” – Bill Owens
“Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them.” – John C. Maxwell
“Leaders have two characteristics: first they are going somewhere, and second they are able to persuade other people to go with them.” – John Maxwell
“The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.” – Kenneth Blanchard
“The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why.” – Warren Bennis
“The best example of leadership is leadership by example.” – Jerry McClain
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams
“The authority by which the Christian leader leads is not power but love, not force but example, not coercion but reasoned persuasion. Leaders have power, but power is safe only in the hands of those who humble themselves to serve.” – John Stott
“We can be tired, weary and emotionally distraught, but after spending time alone with God, we find that He injects into our bodies energy, power and strength.” – Charles F. Stanley
“Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45
“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” –Unknown
“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” – Mother Teresa
“The greater your knowledge of the goodness and grace of God on your life, the more likely you are to praise Him in the storm.” – Matt Chandler
“Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence — is the key to unlocking our potential” – Winston Churchill
“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” – John Piper
If you know a great quote or scripture that will inspire others to lead their churches better, please feel free to share it in the comments below.
