leadership

Born to Reign

Dr. Mike 2024 , , , , ,

 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”    Gn. 1:28

*

For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.   Romans 5:17

*

 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.   Revelations 20:6

Dallas Willard often spoke about Christ-followers being trained to reign. He would refer to the top two Scriptures. I added the third. All three take into account that humans are responsible to manage earth’s resources. This includes the environment as well as the inhabitants. The biggest challenge is us humans. Dallas loved to remind us that each of us has a kingdom. The question is whether our kingdom will surrender to Jesus’ Kingdom.

God’s vision to share HIS universe with each of us having a leadership role is breathtaking. HE is preparing a people to rule in HIS government HIS way. We start by surrendering our will in allegiance to HIS. We submit our willpower under HIS. We accept HIS authority in our life. As HIS subject, we become ambassadors of HIS Kingdom. We learn to serve others HIS way. We learn to integrate our faith with our personality into work which glorifies HIM. And HIS ways also benefits those around us.

We welcome HIS Spirit into ours. We become more like HIM in character and attitude. Yet we add our uniqueness into HIS story. Jesus always remains the main character. We support HIM and HIS government in the process. HE gives us greater meaning and purpose for our daily routines. As more and more people capture the vision and partake in HIS story, the more HIS Spirit emanates around us.

Our daily activities are training us to reign. As Christ-followers, we first learn to follow our Rabbi. As HIS apprentice, we learn to govern ourselves. We build boundaries and habits of Christlike leadership. As spouses, we learn to submit with one another like the Trinity does. As parents, we learn to govern our family. We practice the dictates of HIS Kingdom to prepare our children for adulthood. In the marketplace, we accept responsibility and accountability for the work we do. Our mutual mission is to work with others toward satisfying customer desires. We do so from a Christlike perspective. We serve them. We add value in their life. Those with organizational leadership skills may take on greater responsibilities. They may learn to govern the entire organization. Again, we learn to govern like Jesus. We are being prepared to reign with HIM for eternity.

Our desire today is to become more and more like HIM. Wherever we are placed, we teach the Jesus Way. We get to evangelize without speaking a word. Our actions align with God’s Kingdom.

This is the practical side of Christianity. Learning to lead like Jesus. Learning to govern one self and others like Jesus. As we do our regular every day work, HE is preparing you and I for greater service in HIS Kingdom. To govern today and forever.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Learn. Integrate. Grow.

Dr. Mike 2022 , , , , , ,

Revelation 5:10 (ESV)

“…and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
    and they shall reign on the earth.” (ESV)

Life is a learning process preparing one for an eternal position in God’s family business, the Kingdom of God.

As we learn to serve others from a heart of love, and exercise leadership to govern ourselves and others in the Triune God’s way of freedom, flourishment, and fulfillment, we slowly integrate HIS attitude, values, and character into our inner being and soul.

Like a small mustard seed with proper watering, sunshine, and nourishment grows up into a large tree, Christ-followers mature into the image of their Lord and Teacher.

As apprentices of our Great Rabbi, we study, observe, and mimic what we see to become more and more like HIM. Every situation, challenge, and opportunity life throw’s us is a learning step. Whether we immediately overcome or suffer a temporary setback, lessons are gleamed and integrated into our inner being to prepare us for the next challenge.

Like a two-year old learning to walk, we may fall multiple times, but each time stand right back up and proceed to keep moving forward. The joy of growing and experiencing more of who we are and what we can do is greater than the short-term pain of the moment.  

We focus more on the process than the outcome realizing God will generate the spiritual growth within us. We may grow 30%, 60%, or even 100% more than when we first started our journey, but also recognize and acknowledge the fruit is God’s actions and not ours. Yet we also know our efforts demonstrate our willingness to walk with our Creator and will eventually form the habits built upon HIS godly character which leads to a more productive and viable life.  

To take what we learn from life’s experiences each and every day and integrate those lessons into our inner soul and being, lays the foundation to maximize our potential for good work on God’s behalf and for the sake of others. How much we grow from the overall experience is an open door only God knows for sure. Our role is to make ourselves available and apply ourselves at the task at hand.

Most of the work will be joyous because you are building on your internal gifts God has bestowed upon you. Yet some of the work will be outside of your giftedness. In which case, it may be a challenge and burden. However, because you know you are being prepared for eternity, you accept the task at hand as part of the learning curve. Before you know it, you have mastered the lesson at hand and moved on to the next assignment. One day you will look back and realize your current success was due to the lessons learned during that ordeal.

God wastes nothing. In every situation you encounter, God is producing something in you which will eventually bloom and become known to you. You may have to wait years before you realize what the lesson was all about, or maybe even when you cross over into the next age, as hindsight is always 20/20.

But as Revelation reveals, God has made us to be priests (to minister) and to reign (leaders) in his eternal Kingdom. “Have made them” means God is currently training and preparing us for these roles. Or as I stated in the first sentence, life is a learning process preparing you & I for an eternal position in God’s family business – HIS Kingdom.   

So, accept every day as a new day to learn something new, find ways to integrate the lessons into your daily life, and watch how the Holy Spirit manifest’s HIMSELF in you laying the foundation and growing HIS fruit through you. There is more going on than you and I realize each and every moment. Grasp at what you can and watch what and how God produces one of HIS masterpieces in you and in others.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Servant Leadership Trap

Dr. Mike 2020, Traps , ,

John 12:26

If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

The secular concept of servant leadership being taught is causing more harm than good. In the various books and sermons, I have read or heard, the worldly perspective is to respond to others based on their desires. Like most lies, half the truth is being taught but the remaining more important aspect is left behind.

The Biblical view of servant leadership is Christ-centered to the core. The focus is not the other individual, but Jesus Christ.

One Biblical example used is how Jesus washed the feet of His disciples at his last supper before his death. The worldly view emphasizes how He took on the role of a servant and washed the feet of his students. But let’s review the details.

First, He recognized a need. Secondly, He behaved after His Father (John 5:19). He responded by setting aside His role as Rabbi, and took on the role of a servant. Thirdly, when He came to Peter, Peter did not want his feet washed. Fourthly, in the worldly view, He would have agreed to his wishes and passed on him to the next disciple, but didn’t. Jesus instead exercised His authority and responded to the purpose of the moment. Fifthly, Peter changed his mind based on Jesus’ focus on honoring His Father’ purpose rather than Peter’s desires. Sixth, Jesus continued to finish washing their feet. Lastly, He then demonstrated the purpose behind his behavior.

Servant-leadership is Christ-centered to the core. As Jesus was centered around His Father’s heart, so are we around Jesus’ heart. Leadership first center’s around following the authority in one’s life before exercising the outcome. Servant leadership reaches out to uplift those around you as Jesus instructs. No job is too small nor too large when He is your primary focus. He will provide you with the wisdom, support, and heart to serve those around you. You just need to remain in Him and trust Him for the outcome. Our role is to be the hands and feet while the Holy Spirit works.

As Mother Teresa would so often state, when she served those with leprosy, she would look into their face and see the face of Jesus. That is a perfect example of servant leadership.  

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-2020 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved