Category: Leadership

Passion

What makes you come alive? What are you giving your one and only life to? Clarify the vision so you can cultivate the passion. When the vision is unclear, there is a proclivity for passion to be diluted. Think about seasons in your journey when ambiguity seemed to saturate your view of the future. As you gained clarity, did you notice how your passion gained intensity? Passion becomes contagious as you gain momentum in activating the vision God has birthed inside of you. Take a moment to consider the individuals who have inspired you over the years because of their passion. Maybe a specific family member comes to mind. Maybe a teacher, a coach, or a pastor comes to mind. God has a way of sprinkling our path with strategic deposits of inspiration from individuals throughout the journey of life. What did you notice about each individual? They were infectious. Their passion infused you with motivation to embrace the adventure of awakening vision inside of you. They inspired you to go to the next level of living. Passion is the fuel to fulfill God’s vision. God does not expect you to live the Christian life in your own strength. Doing God’s work God’s way demands God’s power. To join God in His activity will require the enablement God provides as you walk with Him in full surrender. Let God ignite your passion to put His compassion into action. If you spend time in God’s Word to get to know God’s heart you will learn how to view life from God’s perspective. Everything that has eternal value will flow from your daily intimacy with the Lord. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then you have the Person of the Holy Spirit living inside of you. He will guide you. He will empower you. He will help you see what you have not seen so you can do what what God created you to do. Leveraging Leadership Lifters, Stephen Trammell

Tags Leadership

Conflict Leadership Opposition

Friction

Motion causes friction! As you fulfill the vision God gives you with the passion God supplies for you, expect the enemy to generate tension. When you are on mission with God you can expect opposition. Often the friction you encounter as you are on mission with God is related to difficult people that come into your path. Conflict is an ongoing reality in a fallen world. Don’t be surprised by the pervasive cynicism and skepticism in our culture. The human condition projects the gravitational reality of our fallenness. Decipher the cultural current and learn to swim upstream without losing your dream. Conflict is an opportunity to glorify God. As you know, it is not a matter of if you face conflict, but when you face conflict. The differentiator is how you respond to the reality of adversity. You can bring glory to God by how you navigate the canvas of conflict. Conflict will be absent when we get to heaven. That puts the race into its proper place! Conflict has a timeline as well as a deadline. You won’t have to combat conflict in heaven because conflict will not be allowed in that holy place, our eternal home. How much does it take to discourage you from fulfilling the dream God placed inside of you? Anticipate opposition. Expect resistance. Anything worthy of making an eternal difference will require perseverance. Border bullies will awaken and vision vandals will appear. Be tenacious. Be resilient. Be loyal to the vision God has given you. What if you allow the friction caused by your motion to sand off the rough edges of your character to refine you, reshape you, and propel you? Let the friction forge your faith. Let the tension transform your trajectory. Let’s go to the next level in our leadership! Leveraging Leadership Lifters, Stephen Trammell

Tags Leadership

Leadership Leading for the Lord Work

Influence

Leadership is influence with integrity. Everyone is a leader at some level. Everyone has a God-given sphere of influence. You may not fully comprehend the parameters of your sphere, but God has placed you on this planet to be an irresistible influence for His Glory. What are you doing with the influence God has given you? What are you doing to maximize the moments God has orchestrated for you? The ultimate servant leader, Jesus, reminds us, “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Luke 12:48 ESV). Your life is a stewardship of the influence God has entrusted to your care. Every moment of your life matters to God so make every moment count for God. Don’t waste your life, invest your life in what matters most. Think of what will matter ten months from now and then consider what will matter ten years from now. Let’s go deeper! What’s going to matter in eternity when you stand before God to give an account for your one and only life? Leverage your influence for God’s glory. You are placed on this broken planet to make an eternal difference. Live each day with an eternal perspective. There’s more to life than you can see, so plan your life for eternity. Learn to say NO in order to say YES to God’s best. You will be bombarded by endless options to diffuse your impact. Be selective and learn the value of saying NO! Reserve your YES for God’s best! Make wise decisions to reduce potential regrets. It takes knowledge to take something apart; it takes wisdom to put it back together. Walk in wisdom. Consider reading one chapter of the Book of Proverbs each day and you will read through the entire book of Proverbs each month. Your influence has the capacity to inspire others and to lead them into an eternity shaping relationship with Jesus Christ. Be a leader for the Lord by allowing Him to live His life in you and through you! Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

Tags Leadership

Cadence Leadership Routine

Rhythm

Unfortunately for our next door neighbors, I grew up playing the drums. Over a period of time, I noticed a trend developing. The more I practiced, the more I improved as a drummer. And yes, the more I practiced playing the drums, the more I irritated our next door neighbors. When the opportunity arose for me to be part of a band, my years of practicing paid off. You see, the drummer establishes the rhythm for the entire band to follow. My new rhythm-setting role accelerated one of my leadership goals. The band relied upon me to set and maintain the cadence to produce music captivating to the ear. They followed my lead and I wanted to succeed. What is your daily rhythm? If I were to shadow you for a day, what would I notice about how you allocate your energy? What would I detect about what distracts you, what ignites you, and what burdens you? Where do you allow side-ways energy that erodes your passion and diffuses your focus? Our model to follow is Jesus. He was never in a hurry, never off-balance, and never late. Jesus embraced a healthy rhythm of renewal and rest, serving and sacrificing, as well as growing personally and investing in others strategically. How to Get Back in Rhythm: Start your day with the Creator of the universe. “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” Mark 1:35 The way you start your day sets the trajectory for staying above the fray. What I have learned about my rhythm is this: what I do first I do best. Therefore, I want to reserve my mornings for praying, reading God’s Word, reading life-giving books, journaling, and thinking. I love the mornings! Live to honor God and benefit Others. “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 Selfishness catapults you out of rhythm. You are designed by God to live a life that honors Him and that blesses and benefits others. To line up with the heartbeat of God, shed selfishness and avoid the slippery slope of self-absorption. Find a need and meet it. Live beyond your skin. Posture your heart for servitude and watch how it inspires your attitude. Fuel your passion for God’s Purpose. “Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.’” John 4:34 Don’t waste the energy God has given you by siphoning off deposits in lanes that have no eternal value. Stay in your lane. Be captivated by the privilege and awesome responsibility of doing God’s will and accomplishing His work His way. You are saved by God’s grace and seasoned with God’s salt to make an eternal difference with your one and only life. Focus your passion and fuel your passion by making the smile of God the goal of your life! Live each moment of every single day with the promising reminder that one day you will stand before God to give an account for your life and how you loved. This is your moment to establish a healthy rhythm that aligns with God’s design. Stay on beat. Keep the cadence by surrendering fully to the Lordship of Christ and allow Him to live His life in you and through you! Can you hear the music? Can you feel the rhythm? God’s heart beats for you! You are loved! You matter to Him! Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

Tags Leadership

Leadership Nehemiah Vision

Can You See It?

“Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.’ And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, ‘Let us rise up and build.’ So they strengthened their hands for the good work.” Nehemiah 2:17-18 (ESV) Nehemiah’s vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem was birthed out of his burden for his people. As the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, Nehemiah was the most trusted man in that kingdom. He had job security and a solid future serving in the palace in Susa. Upon receiving news concerning the plight of the Jews, Nehemiah brought his burdens to the Lord in prayer. After a season of praying, Nehemiah shared his burden with King Artaxerxes. God’s favor was poured out on Nehemiah as the king was prompted to finance the mission. Many people have vision, but a smaller number of people know how to implement their vision. God gave Nehemiah a clear and compelling vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and Nehemiah took action. Having a vision was not sufficient; executing the vision was essential. One of my favorite pastors and preachers, Dr. Johnny Hunt, has often said in reference to vision, “If you don’t see it, before you see it, you’ll never see it!” What vision has God given you for your life and ministry? What burden has God placed inside of you? What troubles you? What needs your attention and your leadership? Can you see it? Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

Tags Devo

Judges Leadership Vision

Lordship and Leadership

“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 21:25 (ESV) Chaos saturated the people of Israel as each chose to do what was right in his own eyes. The sense of covenant community was fragmented and the evidence of unity was shattered. Without a king in Israel, the cultural current of immorality intensified. What is your moral compass? Where do you look to gain clarity on what brings honor to God? How do you know what you are supposed to be giving your life to? “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 (ESV) “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” John 16:13 (ESV) You are blessed with access to God’s revelation through His Word. How may Bibles do you have? The Bible is the owner’s manual for your life. As you read and feed on the Bible, God will illuminate the path He wants you to take. The Holy Spirit lives in you to guide you into all truth. He lives in you to intercede for you and to empower you to decipher truth from falsehood. As you walk in the truth revealed to you by the Holy Spirit, you will learn to surrender to the Lordship of Christ and you will learn to submit to His leadership. Focus your life on being a fully yielded follower of Christ. Draw near to God through His Word and be responsive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit living in you. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Leadership Nehemiah Vision

Can You See It?

“Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.’ 18 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, ‘Let us rise up and build.’ So they strengthened their hands for the good work.” Nehemiah 2:17-18 (ESV) Nehemiah’s vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem was birthed out of his burden for his people. As the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, Nehemiah was the most trusted man in that kingdom. He had job security and a solid future serving in the palace in Susa. Upon receiving news concerning the plight of the Jews, Nehemiah brought his burdens to the Lord in prayer. After a season of praying, Nehemiah shared his burden with King Artaxerxes. God’s favor was poured out on Nehemiah as the king was prompted to finance the mission. Many people have vision, but a smaller number of people know how to implement their vision. God gave Nehemiah a clear and compelling vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and Nehemiah took action. Having a vision was not sufficient; executing the vision was essential. One of my mentors, Dr. Johnny Hunt, has often said in reference to vision, “If you don’t see it, before you see it, you’ll never see it!” What vision has God given you for your life and ministry? What burden has God placed inside of you? What troubles you? What needs your attention and your leadership? Can you see it? Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 269: Nehemiah 1-4) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Judges Leadership Vision

Lordship and Leadership

“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 21:25 (ESV) Chaos saturated the people of Israel as each chose to do what was right in his own eyes. The sense of covenant community was fragmented and the evidence of unity was shattered. Without a king in Israel, the cultural current of immorality intensified. What is your moral compass? Where do you look to gain clarity on what brings honor to God? How do you know what you are supposed to be giving your life to? “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 (ESV) “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” John 16:13 (ESV) You are blessed with access to God’s revelation through His Word. How may Bibles do you have? The Bible is the owner’s manual for your life. As you read and feed on the Bible, God will illuminate the path He wants you to take. The Holy Spirit lives in you to guide you into all truth. He lives in you to intercede for you and to empower you to decipher truth from falsehood. As you walk in the truth revealed to you by the Holy Spirit, you will learn to surrender to the Lordship of Christ and you will learn to submit to His leadership. Focus your life on being a fully yielded follower of Christ. Draw near to God through His Word and be responsive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit living in you. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 96: Judges 19-21) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Leadership Leading for the Lord Work