Lead Like Jesus: Heart, Head, Hands, and Habits

Leading like Jesus involves our heart, head, hands, and habits. First, examining our hearts, gives us the opportunity to ask ourselves if we are serving God and others or just ourselves. In all we do, our motives should remain pure.

Second, we examine our head. We take time to consider our beliefs and how those beliefs impact those around us. The experiences we have had, rather good or bad, shape how we think, and how we treat others.

Mark 10:45 (NIV)says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Photo by: fauxels

Third, the actions of our hands show what is in our heart and head. Loving people means we want to see them be the best they can be. We praise them when they do good, and lovingly correct them when needed and help them to get back on track during difficult times.

Lastly, we establish healthy habits. Jesus exhibited healthy habits by spending time alone in prayer, applying scripture to His life, and by working to build meaningful relationships with those around Him. He always took time out for people. He lived His life in a way that inspired others.

Leading like Jesus in our hearts, heads, hands, and habits will help us to be quality leaders in our homes, workplaces, and communities. The Holy Spirit who lives in us will empower us daily as we work to bring Jesus glory.

Read Previous Lead Like Jesus post: Standing Before the King

Reference: Lead Like Jesus Revisted: Lessons from the greatest leader of all time by Blanchard, Hodges, and Hendry (2016) pp. 35-38

Remain Fixed On Jesus

1 Corinthians 4:13-18 (NIV) 13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Photo by: Inna Lesyk

Do you ever feel challenged by God’s command to walk by faith? Although walking by faith is a privilege as a Christian, it is not always easy. It requires us to give God our hearts daily and trust Him wholeheartedly.

Living by faith does not mean that we ignore reality. Instead, it means we believe God for the best outcomes as we take life one day at a time and endure its challenges. Even when things do not go as we planned, we still by faith trust God to work all things together for our good as he promised he would in Roman 8:28, because we love him and are called according to his purpose

Living by faith means that we understand there is more to life than what we see. Faith believes in the unseen, and it propels us to move forward even when we do not understand. While walking by faith, we will encounter times of joy and hope, but also may encounter times of fear and uncertainty.

Nevertheless, we are commanded to not shrink back. Hebrews 10:38-39 says, “And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back. But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.”

*Feel free to share how you keep from shrinking back in your faith when you feel like giving up.

Always Secure in Jesus

I pray that you are all settled into the new year, and that everything is going well for you. It has been busy for me between school and work, but I am thankful for all God has done and is doing.

One of the greatest blessings that God has given to us is Himself. His presence with us is everything. Knowing that the Creator cares enough to come and live within the hearts of mankind, your heart and my heart included, is beyond my understanding.

God’s plans are perfect, so we can rest in His goodness as we embark upon this new year. There is no fear in perfect love (1 John 4:18), and His love is certainly perfect. Therefore, we have no reason to fear. Another one of God’s great blessings to us is prayer. Pray allows us to draw closer to Him, and know Him more.

Matthew 6:6 NLT, “But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

Photo by: Pixabay

Time alone with the Lord in prayer is vital for us as Christians. Through prayer, we not only draw closer to the Lord but we also receive knowledge, direction, and wisdom for the road ahead. He delights in answering our prayers as we seek Him and acknowledge Him in all of our ways.

I pray our desire for Jesus would remain our greatest desire, and lead to a purposeful 2021 as we continue to love and serve Him! I am thankful that we are always secure in Jesus.

Keep Resting in Jesus

Merry Christmas to You!

It is unbelievable how fast this year has flown by, and as we all know, there have certainly been a variety of challenges, many of which we are still trying to navigate. But this verse brings us much comfort…

John 16:33 NLT, “… Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Jesus has already overcome the trials and sorrows of this world. Nothing we face is beyond His control. We do not always understand why things happen as they do, or why God allows it, but we do know He has a plan. During this Christmas season, and always, we can find rest, peace, and safety in Jesus, as we celebrate Him for who He is, our Savior and Lord.

Photo by: Lacy Darden of Oklahoma, USA 🇺🇸

Jesus chose to come to Earth, live here, die for our sins, and rise again with all power in His hands. Through His sacrifice, we can have life more abundantly. A life not based only on material things, but based on the joy and hope that we have in Him. I pray that joy and hope that we have in Jesus, would fill your heart during this Christmas season and beyond. May you and your family have a Merry Christmas!

Father,

Thank you for the gift you have given to us in your son, Jesus. There is no gift more precious than Him. Thank you for your love and protection. As this year comes to an end, we trust you to continue to light our paths and make them straight. Help us to choose Jesus everyday in the way we live our lives, and in the decisions we make. Give us wisdom to know what is best. Thank you for who you are to us.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

P.S. I’ll be returning in January. Be safe, blessings!

The Favorite Christmas Memory Tag

Thank you big brother Matt at Jesusluvsall for tagging me. I pray that our Savior’s peace, love, and joy will surround you and those reading this post during this Christmas season. 🎄❤️

Photo by: Irina Iriser

My favorite Christmas memories happened during childhood. I remember getting the JC Penney catalog (which was popular back then), and going to the toy section to make my Christmas wish list. It was exciting to open up Christmas gifts. My mom always let us open one gift on Christmas Eve. Two of my favorite gifts, were the Barbie dream kitchen and the Barbie corvette.

In later years, I enjoyed seeing the same excitement in my daughter, when she was little, that I saw in myself as a child. I also remember some years ago, participating in an event at my church called “The Living Christmas Story”. It was an outdoor drive thru event, with live scenes depicting the life of Jesus. I believe the first station started with Mary finding out from the angel she was pregnant. Then it progressed to scenes depicting the death and resurrection of Jesus. The final station had ministers and elders who were ready to answer questions, and pray for those in need. I wasn’t one of the actors in the event, but I was on the prayer team inside the church chapel. We prayed throughout the event for things to go smoothly and for souls to be saved as the gospel message was brought forth. I also helped make cookies. Every visitor that drove through was given hot cocoa and cookies. It was an exciting time for our church. Hopefully many seeds were planted, as people saw the story of Jesus Christ.

The joy of Christmas for me now is remembering that it represents our Savior’s birth, His love and sacrifice for humankind.

Now for the tag. Here is how it works.

Please share a link to the original post- The Favorite Christmas Memory Tag.

Share your favorite Christmas memory and tag some fellow bloggers to join in.

If they choose to participate, I am tagging:

Gail

Tangie

Eileen

Sheree

Jennifer

Manu

Mrs. Holliman

Mr. Holliman

Jeanne

Yonka

Joni

Paula

Deb

Pene

Marisa

Consider Your Thoughts

Isaiah 26:3 NKJV, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

The mind is a powerful thing, so we have to be intentional about what we think about. Our thoughts can cause us to go down the right or wrong path. As we remain focused on the Lord, He has promised to give us His peace. Life is busy and unpredictable. Although we do not know what each day may bring our way, we do know that when we trust in the Lord, He will be faithful to carry us through.

Photo by: Andrew Neel of North Carolina, USA 🇺🇸

We must examine our thoughts and keep them focused on things that are pleasing to the Lord. As I heard someone say, think about what you are thinking about. Remember, keeping your mind stayed on the Lord and His faithfulness will lead to peace.

Strong in Jesus

Philippians 4:13, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

Whatever God has called us to do He will equip us with the strength we need to do it. He will always open up the doors that He has called us to walk through, and it’s a blessing that no one can shut those doors. It’s true the enemy may try and alter things, but he won’t win because Jesus has already won the victory on our behalf. I’m paraphrasing, but I once heard Charles Stanley say, “God will move heaven and Earth to bring His will to past in the lives of His children.”

Photo by: Sindre Strøm of Norway 🇳🇴

God has known the plans He has for us since before we were born. He never leaves us without direction when we trust His plans. By His power working in us, those plans will come to past. Remember, you can do all things through Jesus Christ who gives you strength.