Leaders Must Live at a Higher Standard

According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do; nor shall you walk in their ordinances. You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 18:3-4 God calls His people to live at a higher standard than the unbelievers who surround them. In Leviticus chapters 18 – 20, God reviews His higher standards regarding relationships, religion, and the rights and responsibilities of community members. In the subsequent chapter, He reviews an even higher standard for Israel’s leaders, the priests. Why these higher standards? God intended Israel to be a light and a standard for the rest of the world, and Israel’s leaders to be a light and a standard for the Jewish nation. God expects the same of us (as leaders) today. Why must we be faithful in keeping a higher standard than the rest of the world? For the following five reasons: 1. We are called to be like God. 2. To qualify us for ministry. 3. To guarantee God’s blessing on our life. 4. To prepare us for leadership. 5. To receive God’s reward for faithfulness. And what characterizes those who choose to pursue life at God’s higher standard? The following seven characteristics: 1. They adopt godly values. 2. They care for the interests of others. 3. They live with integrity. 4. They keep their word. 5. They develop their gifts and potential. 6. They manage their time and money well. 7. They pass onto others what they have received. How are you doing at living at a higher standard? Is your life characterized by the seven qualities above? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Integrating Spirit and Truth

The hour is coming, and now is, when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:23-24 Places and rituals aren’t the essentials of a relationship with God. Jesus explains that, instead there are two rails that keep us on track: spirit and truth. Both are necessary for a vibrant, growing relationship with God. In John chapter 4, Jesus says, “God is Spirit.” We operate in the physical world, but God has put eternity in our hearts with an awareness of the unseen world. It’s easy, though, to be attracted to any of the myriad of spiritual experiences promised by other religions and New Age philosophies. Jesus reminded the woman at the well (and us) that the second rail in our pursuit of God is truth. The Scriptures tell us the truth about the nature of God, the way He relates to us, His instructions about life and relationships, and the consequences of turning our backs on Him. Our expanding grasp of truth, though, can lead only to pride if we aren’t sensitive to God’s Spirit, who points out our selfishness and points us back to God again and again. Sprit and Truth – both are essential in our walk with God. And this is the foundation behind my coaching and consulting practice – Truth@Life. Are you more attracted to spiritual experiences or biblical truth? You need a balance of both. What would a strong blend of both look like in your life? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Profiles in Leadership: Moses – Obedience Without Understanding

You shall separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness when they defile My tabernacle that is among them. Leviticus 15:31 Have you noticed that rules, regulations, and laws often bring out the human tendency to ask, “But why?” Sometimes the Lords gives the reasons behind His laws. Near the end of Leviticus chapter 15, God says He gave the people various ceremonial laws in order to separate “the children of Israel from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness when they defile My tabernacle that is among them. It may seem odd to us that God demonstrated so much concern over personal cleanliness, but could it be that God knows something that we don’t. If Moses harped on one thing, it was this: Be sure to obey God whether you understand “the why” or not. Many of our problems arise from ignoring God’s Word when we don’t think it’s instructions make sense. Moses tells us that the rules and regulations God gave to His people not only kept them clean and holy, but they also protected them from discomfort, sickness, and untimely death. In some ways, the law can be seen as God solving a problem before it ever occurs. Moses reminds us that God always knows what is best for us and for our relationship with Him. I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

God’s Peace Plan

The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace. Psalm 29:11 Many of us have an entirely wrong idea about peace. We think it can only be found in the absence of hassles, but that’s not the way David saw it. In this brief Psalm, he recounts a few of the wonders of God’s power – like an amazing lightning storm or a raging tornado. Out of a recognition of God’s power and majesty, God gives his people strength and peace. A heart at rest doesn’t come only from the absence of problems. Far more significantly, God’s peace can be ours any time we focus on His greatness, His involvement with His creation, and His tender care. With that perspective, we can experience God’s peace even in the middle of the storms of life. That’s God’s peace plan. Our part is to fill our minds with the wonder of His strength, and as our faith grows, so will our sense of God’s peace. Do you need a greater sense of peace in your life? When was the last time you sat in wonder of the majesty and sovereignty of our Almighty God? What are some things you can do to increase your sense of wonder of God’s power? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Breaking the Leadership Principle of Solid Ground

The sons of Aaron each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. Leviticus 10:1-2 God does not take it lightly when the leaders He calls disregard His commandments. When the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, broke Gods laws, they never recovered. God executed them on the spot. Sounds harsh, doesn’t it? Consider this: Any movement in its infant stages must set a standard pattern of operations. If God allowed compromise at the beginning, things were sure to grow worse. The same principle came into play in the new church when God took the lives of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts chapter 5. Nadab and Abihu broke the Leadership Principle of Solid Ground. The Leadership Principle of Solid Ground states that trust is the foundation of leadership, and character (i.e., integrity) is the foundation of trust. Consequently, for successful leadership, strategy is not as important as character and integrity. As holy priests and trusted leaders, Nadab and Abihu were supposed to model obedience for the people. God could not permit them even the slightest renegade move, the smallest maverick act, for that would send a signal that others could act in a compromising manner as well. The specific mistakes of these leaders are also a good lesson for us. They were the following: 1. Independence – they acted presumptuously, apart from God’s leadership. 2. Impatience – they failed to wait on the Lord for direction. 3. Ignorance – They moved without the knowledge of what God wanted. 4. Illegality – they acted contrary to God’s command. 5. Impulsivity – they did what they wanted, driven by ego, not submission. 6. Insensitivity – they paid no attention to God’s instruction. How is your leadership relative to the Principle of Solid Ground. Based on your character, are you a leader who is well trusted? Are you a person of integrity? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

The Testing of Your Faith Produces Patience

Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. James 1:2-3 Many Christians read James comment about suffering (that difficulties and trials produce faith, patience, and joy) and simply don’t believe it – or don’t want to believe it! Those who do believe it often feel frustrated and defeated because they don’t see the result promised. Count it joy? You’ve got to be kidding! To see these trials produce results in our lives, we need to undergo a radical reorientation. Years ago, cultural critic, Francis Schaeffer observed that most of us supremely value “personal peace and affluence”. Anything that gets in the way of those values, is, to say the least, unwelcome. But in the Kingdom of God, those things aren’t that valuable, and in fact, they can get in the way of what God truly values. He treasures our faith in Him through thick and thin, but He knows that faith is built most effectively in times of difficulty. For that reason, God, our loving and attentive Father, allows problems in our lives so that we learn to trust in Him. Author and speaker Elisabeth Elliot notes that suffering takes all kinds of forms. Her broad definition is, “Not having what you want, or having what you don’t want.” Every obstacle, every annoyance, and every genuine heartache in our lives is part of God’s curriculum to produce persistent, tenacious, deep, trust in Him. Patience isn’t killing time until we experience more personal peace and affluence. It’s riveting our affections on God and His purposes every moment of every day. What are some ways the pursuit of “personal peace and affluence” erodes patience and persistent faith in God in your life? How would it help you to realize that every difficulty in your life is part of God’s curriculum to teach you faith and patience and joy? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Special Announcement: Faith-Based Leadership Development Groups are Forming Now!

Special Announcement:Faith-Based Leadership Development small groups are forming now. My hope and prayer is that you will join one of these groups and be transformed by studying the principles of leadership as illustrated in the Bible. The truths, principles, and examples drawn from the Scriptures have been formulated into case studies, profiles, and lessons on the 22 principles of leadership, the 21 qualities of a leader, and the application to over 80 issues leaders deal with at home, as well as in the marketplace and the various other spheres of our society. No matter how weak or strong your leadership is, you can improve and reach your leadership potential for the glory of God. Whether you are a follower who is just beginning to discover the impact of leadership or a natural leader who already has followers, this program is designed to ensure you become a better leader and help others do the same. The greater the number of principles you learn, the more leadership qualities you will acquire, and the more adept at dealing with leadership issues you will become. Each principle is like a tool, ready to be picked up and used to help you achieve your dreams and add value to other people. Learn one, and you become a better leader. Learn a few, and people will gladly follow you. Learn them all, and you will become a transformational leader that leaves a lasting legacy. The small groups will meet twice a month for 60-90 minutes (each meeting). The meetings will contain the following agenda: 1. A review and discussion of the curriculum materials sent out in advance of the meeting. The topic will be sent out along with the assignment for reading and questions to be answered. Each participant will be asked to apply the material to their own life / vocation and to come prepared to discuss not only the material, but also the application. 2. Roundtable discussion of issues members are struggling with each month. 3. Monthly member focus – an opportunity for one member each month to share an issue in greater depth and for the group to serve as a godly board of advisors to him/her. 4. Goal setting, accountability, and prayer. I am inviting you to be a part of this remarkable opportunity. Local groups will meet in person. For those who are not able to meet in person, virtual groups are also forming that will meet by phone and online. I will merely be your humble guide and facilitator. We will all learn from God, His servants, and each other. If you are interested, please respond to this email or call me at the number listed below and I will provide you with more information. In all my experience as a teacher, coach, and mentor, I have never seen such a powerful course of study, that could assist such a broad group of people (remember, we’re all leaders), at a time of such urgent need. If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Character & God’s Call to Leadership

The sons of Aaron each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. Leviticus 10:1-2 God takes seriously the issue of character. We see His concern repeatedly in Leviticus, from the sins of Aaron’s sons to His detailed instructions about clean and unclean food. While today we realize some obvious medial and biological reasons for His precise directions, we can assume god intended through these texts to teach His leaders and His people an important lesson: Put “being” before “doing”. Get yourself right before you work on anything else. Far too often we jump to mechanics, methods, and techniques. We put style ahead of substance. We focus on charisma, but neglect character. The following axioms beckon us to put our character first: 1. We are given our gifts, but we must develop our character. 2. Our character earns the trust of others. 3. Only good character gives lasting success with people. 4. Sound character communicates credibility and consistency. 5. Our character colors our perspective. 6. Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there. 7. We cannot rise above the limitations of our character. Does your character need some work? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Humility vs. Pride

God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6 Humility can be a difficult concept for us to grasp. It is often thought of as being weak or spineless, but that is the wrong definition of humility. A fitting example of humility can be found in the responsiveness of a strong horse to the gentle tug of its rider on the reins. When the horse was acquired, it may have been a wild bronco, but it has been trained and now gladly responds to its master’s care and guidance. The Bible describes proud people as “stiff-necked” and “willful”. They demand their own way, which focuses on their selfish purposes of success, pleasure, and approval. In His kindness, God allows difficulties into our lives to train us, not to harm us, but to tame the selfishness in our hearts. As long as we buck, we fight against God and His gracious purposes for us, but when we finally give in and accept His leadership in our lives, we experience more encouragement, strength, freedom, and joy than ever imagined. The “freedom” of the proud is an illusion. Rebellion ultimately results in shattered dreams and shattered lives. But a “broken and contrite heart”, one that is open to God’s discipline and leading, experiences the true riches of His grace. Would you say you have you been tamed, are being tamed, or are still running wild? Do you see God resisting your pride or giving you grace? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Aaron: God’s Call to Leadership for Every Believer

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Take Aaron and his sons with him, the garments, and the anointing oil… Leviticus 8:1-2 Aaron receives his ordination to the priesthood in Leviticus in chapter 8. By that time the people already recognized him as a leader, but now God gives him his divine calling. The Lord instructs Aaron to wear certain garments and accessories as an outward symbol of an inward call. For the godly leader, the call of God becomes a personal foundation for ministry, regardless of his vocation. Every call has two components, inward and outward. God’s hand on the person provides the inward component. Through it, the person recognizes that he or she is supposed to occupy a leadership position. The outward component comes when others confirm that God’s hand does indeed rest on the person. Only God anoints a person to lead and minister; at best, organizations merely recognize and agree with His anointing. A leader’s real authority comes from God, not from men. The word “authorize” is derived from a Latin word which means to “increase or grow”. Frank Damazio (pastor of City Bible Church in Oregon) reminds us that the word authorize also suggests the spiritual meanings of: a builder of spiritual buildings; a creator of spiritual families; a doer of spiritual deeds; an author of spiritual writings; a teacher of spiritual knowledge; a spiritual advisor of actions; a promoter of spiritual plans; a supporter of spiritual laws; a spiritual leader in public life; a model of spiritual conduct; a spiritual guardian of women and minors; and a champion of spiritual welfare. This is a calling for every believer - regardless of vocation. Every Christian is called to be a spiritual leader – to positively influence and impact others. How are you doing as a spiritual leader? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com