Pass That Test

 

Tests that every leader will have to pass:

1. The Test of Temptation challenges leaders (and all believers) to resist the lure of worldly desires. 1 John 2:15-17 warns against loving the world or anything in it, emphasizing that the cravings of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, & the pride of life do not come from God but from the world. The test lies in choosing to follow God's will rather than being drawn away by temporary, worldly temptations, knowing that the world and its desires will pass away, but those who do God's will live forever.

Jesus passed this test in Luke 4:1-14

2. The Test of Tiny Tasks (Luke 16:10-12) highlights the principle that faithfulness in small responsibilities is crucial to being entrusted with greater ones. Jesus teaches that whoever is trustworthy in handling small tasks will also be trustworthy in handling larger ones, & whoever is dishonest in small matters will be dishonest in greater ones. This test emphasizes that how we manage the little things in life reflects our overall character & readiness to take on bigger responsibilities. Being faithful in "tiny tasks" demonstrates our reliability & integrity, which are essential for greater stewardship & blessings.

Jesus passed this test in John 13:1-7; Matthew 20:28

3. The Test of Time Delay, as summarized from 2 Corinthians 6:2, Psalm 69:13, and 1 Peter 1:11, emphasizes the importance of patience & trust in God's timing. These scriptures collectively highlight that while we may experience delays or wait for God's promises to be fulfilled, we must remain steadfast in faith, knowing that God's timing is perfect. 2 Corinthians 6:2 reminds us that now is the time of God's favor; Psalm 69:13 encourages us to trust in God’s timing for deliverance; & 1 Peter 1:11 speaks to the prophets who inquired about the timing of Christ's sufferings & glories. The test involves enduring delays without losing hope, trusting that God’s timing is always right & purposeful.

Jesus passed this test in John 7:6-8

4. The Test of Trustworthiness involves handling a situation with respect, discretion, & integrity, even when others are vulnerable. When Noah became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent, his son Ham failed the test by exposing his father's condition to his brothers. In contrast, Shem and Japheth passed the test by respectfully covering their father, demonstrating their trustworthiness. This test underscores the importance of protecting the dignity & reputation of others & acting with honor and respect.  (Genesis 9:20-23)

Jesus passed this test in John 17:9,12

www.russellhylton.com

@Leaugershp

DAILY DEVOTION: The Role of Our "Peninnahs"

DAILY DEVOTION 📖
Thursday, May 23, 2024: The Role of Our "Peninnahs"

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:6-7

Peninnah's role in Hannah's life, while harsh, serves as a catalyst for Hannah’s spiritual growth. Her taunts, although painful, ultimately propel Hannah towards a deeper, more fervent relationship with God. This narrative encourages us to consider how adversarial relationships can sometimes serve a divine purpose.

Reflection: The people who challenge us the most can also drive our most significant growth. These "Peninnahs" might be colleagues, friends, or family members whose actions make us feel uncomfortable or pushed to our limits. Think about how such challenges can lead to greater resilience, deeper self-awareness, or renewed faith.

Expanded Application Steps:

1. Mapping Your Growth Influencers:

• Create a chart or list of people who have posed challenges in your life. Reflect on each relationship's dynamics & identify specific ways these individuals have pushed you to grow. These could include developing patience, resilience, better communication skills, or a stronger prayer life.

• For each name, write a brief note on what you learned from dealing with them & how this has or could lead to personal growth or greater spiritual depth.

2. Prayer for Understanding and Strength:

• Dedicate time to pray individually for each person on your list. In your prayers, focus not on changing them but on asking God to help you understand the role they play in your spiritual journey.

• Ask for the strength to interact with them with grace and to extract wisdom from these experiences. Pray also for their well-being and spiritual growth.

3. Journaling for Insight:

• Keep a journal over the next week where you note any interactions with these individuals. Observe any changes in your reactions & feelings towards them.

• At the end of the week, review your entries to see if your perspective on these relationships has shifted. Look for any signs of personal growth or opportunities to handle similar situations better in the future.

4. Seeking Counsel & Sharing:

• Consider discussing your feelings & experiences with a spiritual mentor or counselor. Sometimes, an external perspective can offer insights & strategies for dealing with challenging people more effectively.

• If appropriate, share your experiences with peers who might be facing similar challenges. Group discussion can lead to shared strategies for personal growth & understanding.

5. Committing to a Response Plan:

• Develop a personal action plan on how you will respond constructively to future provocations or challenges from these individuals. This plan might include taking a moment to breathe before responding, using a specific phrase to keep the conversation respectful, or turning to prayer in moments of frustration.

• Commit to reviewing this plan regularly and adjusting it as you grow & learn from these interactions.

This deeper engagement with the role of our "Peninnahs" helps us see adversarial relationships as opportunities for spiritual growth & personal development, aligning our responses more closely with our faith & values.

Every Blessing,
Ps. Russell & Beverly Hylton

Let's connect:
@russellhylton @beverly_hylton (Instagram)
www.russellhylton.com
www.bfwc.net

Dealing With Slander

#DearLeader

When a slanderer sets his/her sights on discrediting you, trust God to expose his/her deception & reveal his/her motives.

• Do not jump into the mud with them.

• Resist the urge to chase down every lie.

• Guard your heart from resentment.

• Allow your circle to prove itself.

• Stay in love with JESUS.

Leaguership

www.russellhylton.com

Treat People The Way You Want To Be Treated

#DearLeader

Treat people the way you’d want to be treated if you were to ever find yourself in the same situation.

The way you treat people should never be affected by the way they treat you. But once you see who they are & what they're about, ADJUST.

Leaguership

www.russellhylton.com

Leaguership Lesson - 1 Timothy 1:12

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

Leaguership Principle...

1. GRATITUDE

• Leaders should express gratitude for the opportunities & strengths given to them by Christ.

2. TRUSTWORTHINESS

• Jesus appoints us because He considers us trustworthy.

• Leaders should strive to be trustworthy in all aspects of their life, including their leadership role.

3. SERVICE

• Jesus appoints leaders to His service.

• Leaders should prioritize service to Christ and others in their leadership role, rather than seeking personal gain or recognition.

In this verse, the Apostle Paul highlights the importance of humility, gratitude, trustworthiness & service in leadership. A leader should prioritize these qualities in their approach to leadership & strive to reflect the example set by Jesus.

#ThankfulThursday 

Russell Hylton

Visit www.russellhylton.com

New Book Release!

 

NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

Dear friends,

My first book is now available on amazon. You can order here:

https://www.russellhylton.com/books

"LEAGUERSHIP - A League of Likeminded Leaders", has been a labor of love and is the culmination of years of experience and research in the field of leadership.

As you know, effective leadership is critical to the success of any organization, church, business or community. Whether you are a seasoned leader or just starting out in your ministry, church or career, my book offers practical strategies and insights that can help you lead with confidence, inspire your team and achieve your goals.

From the power of communication and collaboration to the importance of resilience and adaptability, "LEAGUERSHIP" covers the leadership journey God began in me nearly twenty years ago that I believe are essential for successful leadership.

I am confident that this book will be a valuable resource for anyone who wants to become a better leader and make a positive impact in their organization. Order yours in paperback or kindle.

Also, our new website is LIVE! Check it out here --> www.russellhylton.com

Every Blessing,

Russell Hylton

Leaguership

UNCOMMON LEADERSHIP 101 - SACRIFICE

UNCOMMON LEADERSHIP 101 - SACRIFICE

1. Investing in you requires SACRIFICE. God will send people to support you, encourage you & invest in your dream...but you ultimately have to be willing to make the necessary sacrifices.

2. Always keep people in your circle who aren’t there just for the success but for the SACRIFICE.

3. People see the highlights, but don't see the SACRIFICE you had to make along the way.

4. I promise you, everything I’m enjoying today is because I LISTENED to my Leader’s instructions & made SACRIFICES that paid off! You don’t get the crown without the cross.

5. You can get locked out of the harvest because you don't participate in the SACRIFICE!

6. God wants ALL of you, not merely the parts you deem presentable; give everything to Him. If you dedicate yourself to God, even when it’s uncomfortable, He will honor your SACRIFICE.

It Didn't Just Happen

Frederick Douglass said, “Without a Struggle, there can be no Progress." So true!

Trees don’t become mature overnight. There are years of maturing, development, pruning & weathering required for said tree to stand rooted, bare fruit & extend its branches & blossoms to those who seek it’s shelter.

• Don’t take advice from people who’ve never done what you do. They may only know in theory but lack the practicum to provide wise counsel.

• Unless you want the aggravation, hardship, hurt & headache that someone went through to reach the point they’re at right now…don’t desire their anointing. It cost them a great cost to have what they have.

• Allow God to mold you into the one-of-a-kind leader you are. He will keep the clay wet with your tears & bend you with his tender touch.

• Learn to discern people who only want your gift & not you. Everyone has issues they need to work through. However, if you allow their daddy issues, family dysfunction or superstar ambition bleed into your life…you’ll spend months/years delayed & distracted from your life call. At some point, you have to let Jonah go.

You are God’s masterpiece! He has a beautiful plan for your life. Don’t let a setback keep you from your set up!

You didn’t just get here! Trust the process. 

Every Blessing!

Can You Be Trusted?

When you place your TRUST in someone, you're confirming your confidence in their integrity, ability & character. That is not a light thing. In fact, when you give someone your trust, you are giving them a very close space near your heart...an area that is tender & willingly open. For trust to continue, there must be a sacred covenant of loyalty & an internal decision not to misuse that trust.

One example: As a pastor/minister, when I stand in someone else's pulpit...I realize that I am there by invitation & given latitude to operate in my gifts & abilities for the glory of God & the good of those who have placed their trust in me. I am careful to operate in proper alignment with the leadership of the house & not to assume that I can just "take my liberty", because of the anointing (empowerment to serve) I sense. I always bare in mind that I am invited to function in my calling & gift in divine alignment with the angel of the house. I don't "freestyle" or "pull rabbits out of hats" when I have the mic. Trust has been placed in me either through relational equity or experience, to carry the continuity of the house...being mindful of the climate & culture of the house while fulfilling my assignment.

I have seen trust trampled on because of showmanship & personal desire. Sadly, when you can no longer trust a person to operate in proper protocol, you can no longer ENTRUST them with responsibility. To entrust means to give over (something) to another for care, protection or performance.

Basically, there are two kinds of people who seek to be in a relationship with you: 1) Those who want what's in your heart. 2) Those who want what's in your hand. You have to discern the difference. It's one thing for you to enter into people's lives...but another to entrust your life to them.

One way that I've learned to gauge trust is in the way someone talks to me about someone else. If they reveal entrusted secrets to you & you still entrust them with your secrets...you're just asking for heartbreak.

Years ago, someone I trusted spoke negatively to me about a mutual friend. I was rather shocked, not at the things they were trying to allude to in a negative connotation, but because I knew this person they were talking bad about had been very good to them & I too held that person in high regard. I didn't immediately pull back my trust in this person, but I watched the way they operated from that point forward & eventually knew that I couldn't carry the same level of relationship with them as I had before. I realized that if they talked about someone else to me...they would talk about me to someone else, too.

Now, don't get me wrong. I believe in repentance, restoration & plenty of "second chances”. I've extended many olive branches in my life & I've also had olive branches extended to me, as well. I believe in graceful relationships. I believe that we should see the best in one another...be honest & forthright with one another...not seek to plot someone's downfall with hearsay, secret meetings, plots & schemes. Thankfully, those things backfire on people who live like that. It is ALWAYS best to talk with a person face-to-face, rather than to believe what's being said about them. True covenant relationship is, "I will talk with you...not about you."

Once trust is broken, it's difficult to recover it. However, it can be recovered through the help of The Lord. It might be a marriage relationship, ministry relationship, employee/employer relationship, etc. God is able to restore all things.

To be trusted is a big deal. To be loved & trusted is a great responsibility. Manage both well.

Every Blessing,

Russell Hylton

Leaguership

Hungry

 

Ultimately, as a leader there's no one who can force you to get better except for yourself. YOU are the only person who can make YOU get better. And… a hungry person doesn’t have to tell anyone that they’re hungry - they show it by their actions.

Even before my daughter was able to talk, we still knew when she was hungry; not because she could tell us, but because her actions told us she was HUNGRY.

If you're the smartest person in the room...you might be in the wrong room. Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you, so that you can continue to grow & learn.

#Leaguership

www.russellhylton.com

Leaguership

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