Author: admin

One of the most powerful instruments you have at your disposal, are your words. They have the power to crush, and they have the power to heal. They can inspire and they can demoralize. One person with well-chosen words can change the course of a nation.

Wise people cultivate their words. They build an extensive vocabulary. They learn to release their words in grammatically correct sentences. They develop a sense of timing in how and when and how long they speak. They learn to read their audience so they know its capacity to receive the words being spoken. They read books and expose themselves to the words of great communicators. Astute leaders refuse to remain stagnant in their speech but instead, are regularly evaluating their words in order to become more effective in their use.

Are you someone who is known for powerful, encouraging, healing words? If not, you could be. The use of words is a skill that can be cultivated and developed. But it takes work. You must be intentional. But if you will undertake the critical task of learning to use your words for God’s service, you can have the joy of seeing your words being used by God to forever change people’s lives.

Ecclesiastes is known for this statement. It is a sobering, cynical, somewhat discouraged assessment of life. It comes from someone who had indulged himself in all that the world had to offer. He had seen it all, and heard it all. Yet he came away disillusioned. He discovered that those things the world craved and pursued left you disappointed once you obtained them. They were vanity.

Our own experience affirms much of this. We too may have fervently pursued a job, a spouse, a house, a position, recognition, or wealth, only to discover that it did not bring the contentment we assumed it would. Much of what you may have treasured in your youth, now seems like cheap trinkets from your mature perspective. The reality is that much of what we invest our lives in is but a shadow of what life is meant to be. Fools spend their days chasing shadows.

But not all of life is vanity. There are golden nuggets hidden within the vain landscape that surrounds us. God Himself, is far more real, and glorious than we could ever imagine. Family, friends, and fellow believers can add enormous joy to our lives, if we invest ourselves properly in those relationships. Service to our King for His kingdom is never in vain, though it might at times appear so at first glance.

It is easy to be deceived into chasing after vanity, if we’re not careful. But thanks to Christ, our life can be filled with meaning, purpose, and joy.

Difficult times eventually come to us all. As we grow older, we can be tempted to become cynical or bitter because of our difficult life experiences. Our health can deteriorate and our energy can dissipate. Life can look darker and cloudier in our later years.

The writer of Ecclesiastes urges us to establish a strong relationship with God in our early years so we have a robust relationship to sustain us when life grows more difficult. If you cultivate an intimate walk with God during good times, it will sustain you in hard times.

Our trouble is that we tend to forget. When trials come, we forget about all of the blessings God showered upon us earlier. We overlook the faithful way God guided and provided in the past. Our current circumstances have a way of coloring everything God has done in the past.

So in these current days, work hard to nail down a solid, trusting walk with God that can sustain you and encourage you when difficulties inevitably come your way.

Our youth is a special season in our life. We have more vigor, passion, enthusiasm, strength, and energy than at any other period of our existence. We can attempt things at this stage of our life that we will be unable to try when we are older. Our youth is a magical season for us to enjoy.

Some people squander their youth. They are in too great of a hurry to grow up and get a job or start a family or advance up the corporate ladder. These misguided people bypass the reservoirs of joy that awaited them to enjoy with youthful zeal. Our youth is meant to be a time of exploration, dreams, and laughter. It ought to be filled with wonderful memories.

Yet we must heed one caution. While God intends for us to enjoy our youth, He also plans to hold us accountable for what we did in it. It is easy to become consumed with the passion of the moment and to forget that we will one day stand before Christ’s throne to give an account of what we did.

So enjoy each stage of your life to the full. But keep in mind you will one day be talking with God about what you did!

There are aspects of our lives we’d sooner forget. We all make mistakes. Everyone suffers through certain seasons of life that are unpleasant. It can be tempting to forget those unpleasant moments (or years) in our lives and instead, focus on the pleasant days of sunshine.

But the truth is that we only have one life. While not all of our experiences are pleasant, they still compose the only life we will ever know. Even the dark times have their purpose. In the midst of trials and tribulations, we can find cause to celebrate. God never leaves us or forsakes us. He is just as present during our crises as in our celebrations. The truth is that there may be a large percentage of our life that is not spent in the sunshine. It would be a shame to discount those times, just because they were difficult.

Your life, all of your life, is an undeserved gift from God. Are you embracing it, completely?

Life is characterized by mystery. Though scientists feverishly conduct research to discover the secrets of the universe. Though philosophers and theologians and moralists debate the great questions of life. Yet there are certain aspects of life that remain beyond the grasp of people to adequately answer.

God’s ways are not our ways. He is spirit; we are flesh. He is eternal; we are temporal. We simply do not have the framework to understand much of what is happening in our world and life, today.

Some people hate mystery. They need to have an answer for everything, even if it is inadequate. Yet wise people are not necessarily those who know everything. Rather they are the ones who recognize the limit of what they can understand. They embrace mystery as an exciting dimension to walking with an infinite God. Some of God’s ways are far beyond our understanding. Aren’t you glad?

The cause of much of the world’s grief can be traced to people who hoard their possessions. God has blessed the earth with abundance, yet millions of people suffer great want. While certain people collect and save and pile high, others can barely eke out a meager existence.

So how should we live? By investing in what matters. While the world heralds those who leave great wealth to their heirs, heaven condemns misers who come to the end of their earthly lives wile not having invested in things that matter.

Casting our bread upon the water means we sow into the lives of others. We are generous. We refuse to hoard what we have. We certainly can do so wisely and prudently, but we cannot become so attached to our wealth that we refuse to invest it in others.

What happens to those who cast their bread? It eventually returns to them with much gain. As we invest in people, we cannot know for sure who will ultimately thrive and who will not. Some people disappoint us. Others amaze us. But if we are to enjoy the fruit of having invested in other people, we must cast our bread upon the waters.

Complaining rarely accomplishes much good. Whining and criticizing achieves even less. In fact, complaining can bring you much harm.

Be extremely careful where you voice your complaints. Our words have a way of finding their way to the “wrong” people! We may think we were having a private conversation when we were complaining about our boss to a colleague, but we can discover, to our great dismay, that those harsh words traveled all the way to the corner office.

Many leaders have experienced turbulence and even dismissal because of words carelessly spoken. Never assume that your comments are “confidential.” Once they leave your mouth, they have a life of their own. They can find their way to the most embarrassing and harmful places.

Before you speak, ask yourself the simple question: “Would I want my boss to hear what I am saying?” If not. Perhaps you should keep your thoughts to yourself. Or, better yet, maybe you should change your attitude altogether.

The harsh reality of life is that nothing remains the same. Everything is deteriorating. You might have built your dream house using the finest of materials. You may have refused to cut any corners. Nevertheless, it does not take long before the building begins to show signs of wear and tear. Our bodies might be in the peak of physical fitness today, but if neglected, will soon show signs of neglect. Organizations may have been humming along like a well-oiled machine. Yet if untended, will inevitably have problems arise. Nothing stays the same. Everything is deteriorating.

While this truth may be disconcerting, it ought not discourage true leaders. For they understand that this truth provides a compelling justification for the leader’s role. We need leaders who are continually addressing problems that arise. Wise leaders do not allow their organizations to deteriorate or to grow out of date. They address small leaks before they become major cracks.

But woe to those who suffer under lazy leaders! Issues that could have been quickly addressed are allowed to grow and fester. Problems that might have been quickly resolved, grow to gargantuan proportions due to the lazy leader’s neglect. No one ever feels like fixing a leak in the ceiling. But true leaders aren’t driven by their feelings. They are motivated by their calling.

Good leadership is a blessing to people. When a nation or company or church or family is led well, everyone benefits.

Unfortunately there are people who hold leadership positions but who do not rise to the level of their office. Leadership is for mature people! It is for people who act responsibly and who handle situations as mature adults. It is not for those with thin skins and uncontrolled egos. It is not intended for those who allow their emotions to override their judgment.

Likewise, leadership positions are for those who do the right thing, at the right time. Some people abuse their positions. They indulge in the benefits without fully embracing the responsibilities. They “feast” in the mornings when they should be planning and working. When the time is ripe to be productive, they squander their days in meeting their own needs, rather than the needs of their organization or people. How tragic to be led by self-indulgent people!

If you are leading, there are times when it is appropriate to care for yourself and your personal needs. But there are other times when you must be found at your post, doing what only you, as the leader, can do.