One expression I use quite often as a reminder that we are called to make disciples and to help them grow in Christ comes from 2 Peter 3:18:
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
This verse reminds us of the importance of continually growing in our relationship with Christ. The Christian walk is just that—a walk. We aren’t made to stand still or grow stagnant. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we begin a journey of transformation. Our old ways of living are replaced by new ones, and we are called to live a life that reflects the character of Christ. This transformation is not a one-time event but a process that requires our ongoing commitment to growing in our faith. John Wesley encouraged us to “move on toward perfection in love of God.”
Paul wrote in Colossians 2:
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” – Colossians 2:6-7
Did you catch that? Walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith. God grants us grace to follow Christ and learn of Him. We do that through help by the Holy Spirit as we read the Bible, pray and attend corporate worship under sound preaching and teaching.
The writer of Hebrews says:
“Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.” – Hebrews 6:1
We need to learn of Christ so that we can go on to maturity. The great Christian writer, C.S. Lewis once said, “Every Christian is to become a little Christ. The whole purpose of becoming a Christian is simply nothing else.”
Again, we look at what Paul had to say regarding Christian maturity:
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” – Ephesians 4:15
As followers of Christ, our ultimate goal is to become more like Him. To do this, we must continually seek to grow in our relationship with Him, deepening our understanding of His character and seeking to reflect His love and grace in our own lives.
Make the commitment to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ, to Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
Effective leaders know that they must continue to grow and improve themselves. Staying sharp is vital to leading effectively and fulfilling one’s God-given purpose. Here are five ways that leaders maintain their edge.
Read widely and often.
A very successful financial leader once told me that when he gets to meet and rub elbows with successful leaders, he always looks at their bookshelf to see what they have been reading. Reading is one of the best ways to gain knowledge and stay informed. As Warren Buffett once said, “I just sit in my office and read all day.”
By reading widely and often, leaders can stay up to date on industry trends and gain insights from other leaders. As John Quincy Adams once said, “Leadership must be based on intellectual competence.”
What are you reading right now that will help you grow?
Surround yourself with a strong team.
No leader can do everything alone. Building a strong team of individuals who complement each other’s strengths is key to success. As Ken Blanchard once said, “None of us is as smart as all of us.”
When a leader has a team of experts to rely on, they can better focus on their own areas of expertise and lead more effectively. Having a strong team around you keeps you sharp. Proverbs 27:17 says: As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
John C. Maxwell said, “Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” When we pour into others, it helps all of us grow as we lead in mutuality. In his book, “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership,” Maxwell writes, “The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.” He goes on to explain that investing in others not only helps them to grow, but also benefits the leader by creating a stronger, more capable team.
Continuously learn and pursue personal development.
Leaders who are committed to their own personal development are more effective at leading others. Author Simon Sinek said, “Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.” By continuously learning and growing, leaders can better understand their team members and create a positive work environment.
Practice self-care and prioritize rest.
The Bible is clear about us remembering the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8). There’s a reason God told us to rest. It’s good for us. I heard a quote from Cary Nieuwhof that said, “Take a Sabbath, or the Sabbath will take you.” Leaders that push themselves to exhaustion become vulnerable to errors in judgement. In addition to that they may ruin their health making them ineffective to lead. Leadership can be stressful, and it’s important for leaders to take care of themselves. Prioritizing rest, exercise, and healthy eating can help leaders maintain their energy and focus. It also helps set an example for those you lead that self-care is a personal value to be maintained.
Set goals and regularly evaluate progress.
Finally, leaders who set goals and regularly evaluate their progress are more likely to achieve success. As Napoleon Hill once said, “A goal is a dream with a deadline.” By setting specific goals and holding themselves accountable for achieving them, leaders can motivate their team members and create a culture of growth and excellence.
I hope that these tips can help you sharpen your leadership skills. John F. Kennedy is cited as saying, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” Commit to being a lifelong learner and leading with excellence.
The revival that broke out at Asbury University in Wilmore, KY has just entered its second week! I have not witnessed such a huge outpouring of the Spirit of God since the 70’s and the Jesus Movement that swept the country.
In Isaiah it says:
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland. – Isaiah 43:19 NIV
In an article written by seminary professor Tom McCall and published in Christianity Today, he wrote of previous revivals at Asbury:
“My colleague Steve Seamands, a retired theologian from the seminary, told me that what is happening resembles the famous Asbury Revival of 1970 he experienced when he was a student. That revival shut down classes for a week, then went on for two more weeks with nightly services. Hundreds of students went out to share what happened with other schools.” – Tom McCall
McCall went on to say:
“Many people say that in the chapel they hardly even realize how much time has elapsed. It is almost as though time and eternity blur together as heaven and earth meet. Anyone who has witnessed it can agree that something unusual and unscripted is happening.”
The Jesus Movement of the late 60’s and 70’s sparked a wave of conversions to Christianity that helped shape the modern evangelical movement. Interestingly, a movie set to release on February 24th called “Jesus Revolution” focuses on the incredible moving of the Holy Spirit of that time. What is God orchestrating?
The revival of the 70’s emerged at a time when many young people were disenchanted with what was happening in our culture. It was a time of social and political upheaval, and many of them were looking for a sense of purpose. The Jesus Movement provided an alternative to the counterculture of the time and offered a message of hope and salvation. This outpouring of the Holy Spirit also helped to bring about a renewed emphasis on compassion ministry to those in need or suffering by injustice as many converts sought out ways to live out their faith in practical ways.
Could we be seeing another outpouring of the Holy Spirit? We see all the signs in our culture today with our younger generations. They too are dissatisfied with our current culture. There is so much dissention and divisiveness that many of us were feeling that there was no hope for the next generation of leaders. But God…
It’s more than a fleeting emotion or a mere feeling. It’s what brings people together. We’ve been here in Hughes Auditorium for over a hundred hours— praying, crying, worshipping and uniting— because of Love. We’ve even expanded into Estes Chapel across the street at Asbury Theological Seminary and beyond. I can proclaim that Love boldly because God is Love.” – Alexandra Presta, The Asbury Collegian, February 12, 2023
The current revival spirit at Asbury began during the regular chapel service on Wednesday, February 8th. At the conclusion of the service, many students stayed and continued to worship, pray, and seek God. Now a week later, hundreds of people pack into Hughes Auditorium to let that outpouring of the Holy Spirit spill over on to them. The crowds of people flooding to Wilmore have backed up traffic for miles. So many people from other college campuses, towns and cities from all over are coming to experience this revival that they have had to take measures to seat them in other locations such as Estes Chapel at the seminary. This awakening is going on around the clock as people continue to pray and worship.
What can we expect as a result of such a revival?
The Impact of Revival on the Local Church
We can expect an impact on the local church. Many churches are feeling this surge of God’s power. We celebrate the breakthrough of God’s Spirit on the lives of so many and pray for it to spill over on to us. This kind of movement creates a hunger for the Word of God. It draws people to pray more and worship more boldly. In my local church this past Sunday as we testified to what God was doing, I could sense God’s presence in a palpable way.
As this spirit of revival continues, it drives out division and debate as people are drawn together in unity. The Holy Spirit moves us to set aside our differences and work together for the common goal of spreading the Gospel. Congregations begin to serve from a shared vision of reaching the world for Christ, which helps us have greater effectiveness in ministry. It calls us to serve sacrificially, realizing the truly important matters involve people not issues.
The Impact of Revival on the Community
The effect on the local church has a ripple effect that extends beyond our walls and into the streets. When people experience an outpouring of God’s Spirit they are filled with a sense of joy and hope that is contagious. That was one of the hallmarks of the Jesus Movement in the 70’s. We behave kindlier, more generously, more compassionate to those around us. We see our neighbors as people who need the love of God and we seek ways to share the Gospel with them. This activity in turn, brings transformation to the community.
A revival like this will also lead to an increased awareness to social justice issues. As we become more aware of the needs of those around us, we are moved to action. Those needs become a moral imperative to do something. We serve one another in mutuality realizing we both add to each other when we walk the journey together. The local church becomes a beacon of hope in the community, and people are naturally drawn to it because of the love and care they observe.
The revival fire is spreading. Word is out that Cedarville University in Ohio and Lee University in Tennessee are also experiencing revival as hundreds of students are gathering together to praise God, worship and pray. Let us pray that this fire continue to burn across campuses around the world. Let us pray for revival to come to our churches. May we seek God’s face and ask Him to pour out His Spirit in our midst, that we may be agents of transformation in our world.
In a recent sermon, I spoke about having a generous prayer life and how it transforms our lives and solidifies our connection to others in the local church. Many of us believe that there is power in prayer, but few of us put that power into action. It was Oswald Chambers that said: “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.”
We are weak and anemic as believers because we fail to tap into the power of prayer. Today I wanted to share five secrets to the power of prayer and how it helps us grow in faith and the grace and knowledge of Christ. My prayer is that these secrets will help you unlock the full potential of prayer in your own spiritual growth journey.
Prayer brings clarity and direction
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” – Proverbs 3:6
This verse has been my life verse for decades. When I don’t know which way to turn, I pray and ask God which decision would bring Him the most glory. Prayer allows us to seek guidance and direction from God, giving us the clarity we need to navigate life’s challenges. When we pray, we can listen for God’s voice and receive His wisdom and guidance.
Prayer strengthens our faith
“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” – James 5:16 Prayer helps us cultivate a deeper faith by allowing us to communicate directly with God. Through prayer, we can build trust and rely on Him more fully, strengthening our faith and increasing our confidence in His promises.
Prayer promotes peace and calm
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
Prayer can be a source of peace and comfort in the midst of life’s storms. When we pray, we can release our worries and anxieties to God, trusting that He will take care of us. Often I will pray verses of Scripture where God promises to be with me or protect me. Psalm 91:1 is great example:
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Another favorite of mine is this one:
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Next time you feel like you’re going under for the third time, turn to a Scripture that gives you assurance that God is watching over you and pray it over and over again until you can claim it as your own.
Prayer brings transformation
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28 Through prayer, we can invite God to work in our lives, bringing about transformation and change. By surrendering our hearts and minds to Him, we can allow Him to renew our spirits and shape us into the people He created us to be. I read a quote that was attributed to Mother Theresa that said:
“Prayer is not just asking God for things, but taking time to hear what God is asking of us.”
When you pray, are you seeking God’s will for your life? When we begin to pray that God’s will be done in the kingdoms of our lives as it is perfectly done in the Kingdom of Heaven, it will change how we pray. “God, in the kingdom of my relationships, my occupation, my finances, my future, let your will be done as perfectly as it is in Heaven.”
Prayer strengthens relationships
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” – James 5:16
Prayer can help us build and strengthen relationships, both with God and with others. By praying for each other, we can support and encourage each other, promoting growth and healing in our relationships.
Often I’ve found that my prayers were hindered because I was at odds with another person. Sometimes it was with someone in my family, and other times it was with someone that was a friend. A secret to spiritual growth is to be quick to seek and grant forgiveness when we’ve hurt someone or have been hurt by someone. When you pray together about it, God can bring us healing and strengthen our relationship.
Prayer is a powerful tool that plays a crucial role in our spiritual growth. By unlocking its full potential, we can experience the transformative power of a deeper relationship with God. So let us pray, listen, and trust in His guidance, allowing Him to lead us on our journey of growth and transformation.
I’ve sometimes struggled with having a positive outlook. Maybe you can relate to that? You can call it a funk, the blues, or whatever, but you just start seeing your day as a glass half empty. How do you snap out of it? Well, it isn’t as easy as telling yourself, “Snap out of it!” I believe that we can all improve our outlook by incorporating biblical principles into our daily lives.
I wanted to share with you some insight on how to improve your day by changing your perspective. These are verses from the Bible that help us get our thinking and actions in line with God’s desire for us to be people that are filled with joy. I hope it brightens your day.
Start each day with gratitude.
The Apostle Paul wrote: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
Have you taken time to thank God today? Surely there is something worthy of His praise. Take a moment and thank God for something good in your life.
Motivational author William Arthur Ward said: “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”
Focus on the present moment.
When I feel pressed down and surrounded by my problems, I like the encouragement Jesus taught from Matthew chapter 6:
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
I read a quote that has been used by several writers that said: “The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine.” The idea here is you’re your lifestyle isn’t determined by a single act or issue, but by your everyday actions. Each day has its own issues—some good, some bad. Focus on where you are right now and the decisions you can make in the moment.
Surround yourself with positivity.
I often find that when I get in a negative mood it’s because I’ve been surrounding myself with negative influences. Maybe I’m watching the news too much. Maybe I’m reading literature that is depressing. Sometimes, I’ve been hanging around negative people. There’s verse in 1 Corinthians that reminds us – “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” – 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)
The late motivational writer and speaker Jim Rohn once said: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
So, who are you surrounding yourself with? What are you watching? What are you reading?
By incorporating these three principles into our daily lives, we can cultivate a positive outlook and experience the joy and peace that come from living a life rooted in faith. So, let’s start today and make the most of each moment.
It's Time 