Humility: All Great Leaders Possess It

PRIDE is a sneaky enemy. No matter who you are, it can creep up on you.  It pops it's ugly head up in various stages & forms.  Wherever you see PRIDE...GRACE is absent. 

Leaders, especially those who are in supportive roles, must learn to stay HUMBLE. Every leader will be tempted to rely on their CHARISMA or GIFTS. This is why we may stay HUMBLE.

Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goeth before destruction & a haughty spirit before a fall."

To stay HUMBLE...you must CONTROL yourself.  Don't think more of yourself than you should. No matter what GIFTS God has given you, we must allow God to BREAK us else we will struggle with HUMILITY.

Your GIFTS came from God but satan can try to use them to CONTROL your mind and spirit to bring about your destruction.

CHECK yourself.  See if you have any of the following PRIDEFUL TENDENCIES:

1. You are OFFENDED when your superior talks to you.
2. You don't take NOTES when your leader is speaking, teaching or preaching.
3. You feel you know the TOPIC better than your leaders.
4. You feel you have more REVELATION than your leaders and others.
5. You try to get people to TAKE YOUR SIDE and tell 1/2 of the story, neglecting to tell about your willful disobedience or issues.
6. You model DISRESPECT to others toward your leaders.
7. You PROMOTE yourself more than your leaders.
8. You feel you DESERVE more ENTITLEMENT and a better POSITION than what you have presently been given.
9. You feel you DESERVE the same PERKS as your leaders do.

If you have any of these thoughts or feelings...you are in PRIDE, and you need a SPIRITUAL PURGING so that you will be able to LAST in ministry.

1. Begin working on yourself
2. Stay Humble

How you respond to the INSTRUCTION of your leaders shows how much HONOR you have for them and the type of VICTORY that will follow you.

Remember this:

• You'll never be GRATEFUL for what you feel ENTITLED to.
• Don't take for GRANTED the opportunities you've been AFFORDED.
• If you feel like you're MISSING out, find out what you're MISSING and make it right.
• Remain in PRAYER. 
• Crucify your FLESH.
• HONOR. 
• SERVE.
• Do what you do with JOY and be THANKFUL for the OPPORTUNITY.

If you're going to do well, you must always thank God and appreciate Him for counting you worthy and putting you in the ministry.  

Realise this:  Your call and calling is not a right of yours; it is a privilege given to you by God and by your leadership.

When you realize that this is a privilege rather than a right, you will be GRATEFUL and ever humble like Apostle Paul...

1 Timothy 1:12 "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, and accounted me faithful, putting me into the ministry."

Be Yourself

Single & Dating

FIVE THINGS FOR THURSDAY

1. Dating websites scare me because marketing has become so deceptive. Bad people can do great marketing jobs. Talk to God about a mate.

2. Dating a bad attitude is one thing but marrying one is a decision you'll live to regret. A wedding won't cure a negative frame of mind.

3. Don't underestimate the power of crazy when dating. Some people aren't playing. Their door really doesn't open all the way.

4. Dear single women: choosing the company of a man over raising your children is wrong. Your loneliness is not a priority. Your kids development is.

5. Dear single men; Never underestimate the power of the wrong woman, to derail your destiny. Choose right & you're set for life.

Worth

1. You are WORTH it! Say this with me, "I am WORTH it!"

2. Never tie your self-WORTH to relationships, assignments, compliments or criticisms. They're too unstable to control your value.

3. Don't quit now! One day a stronger, more mature version of yourself will look back & say, "It was all WORTH it."

4. If you are called to the work, It will be inspiring, challenging, exciting & tiring. But it will also be WORTH every minute of it!

5. When your friends are under attack, stand with them. Be there for them! Don't have friends who aren't WORTH your stand. 

Be Yourself

FIVE THINGS FOR FRIDAY

1. You will never make an IMPACT, if your intent is to IMPRESS. #BeYourself

2. It's WEIRD to watch grown men spend their whole life impersonating Elvis. What a WASTE of life. #BeYourself

3. It's WEIRD to watch ministers/pastors spend their whole ministry impersonating TV pastors. What a WASTE of life. #BeYourself

4. Don't be great at being SOMEONE else. #BeYourself

5. Don't change your FLAVOR. God gave it to you for a REASON. The flavor that's in SEASON now won't last forever. #BeYourself

The Adventures of Russell & Cousin Jerry

Back to civilization, cell phone service & internet. 👊🏽 Not sure if that's always good...but I'm back...not home yet but nevertheless reflective & appreciative. Pushed myself physically & mentally and I'm thankful for good health & the opportunity to connect again with my cousin Jerry. It's been a couple of years since we were able to bike & hike. Missed my wife & family & can't wait to see them. 😁

This...

Bucket List - Sky Diving 9-3-17 #OhYeah

Mark one off of my bucket list! I'll definitely be doing this again! (Who's in?) I believe that throughout the Scriptures, we are encouraged to follow our God birthed dreams & live life to the fullest. I also believe that when you've been through challenges that were UNJUST & survived the UGLY...you can face bigger challenges with confidence that GOD is your defender, vindicator & protector! :) It's a place of CONFIDENCE in God. When you can declare what Job said, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him." Job 13:15 - God HAS me in every situation & I will trust His sovereign hand...no matter what! We've all faced intimidating circumstances. However, when you stare your intimidator in the eye & declare that "Greater is He that is you"...you've overcome the fear, control & deception that was designed to take you out! The Apostle Paul said, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13) Friends, it is God who gives us the STRENGTH! When we learn to BE CONTENT in every situation...we have tapped into the SECRET! High or low...God is with us. #YouGotThis

Make Your Calling & Election Sure

People who act bothered, disinterested & aggravated because of ministry, really don't have an appreciation for the price paid for their calling.

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” 2 Peter‬ ‭1:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;‭‭" 1 Timothy‬ ‭1:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Sending this out to our Bfwc Indy family as well and all of our amazing leaders! We are a STONG people with a "Yet Praise" in our mouth!