Respectable Leaders (and other devotionals)

Respectable Leaders 

Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 1 Timothy 3:2–3

Respectability invites respect. You may say, “I cannot get any respect.” If so, on what do you base your expectations? Is it your charm, charisma, or ability to converse well? None of these mean you are respectable; in fact, they can repel respect and garner disrespect. Your skills and gifts require character to garner the admiration of others.

Respect is earned, not demanded. It is sustained by influence, not position. Presidents, preachers, and parents are given respect for their position, but if they consistently underperform or lack integrity, respect is lost. It is not a right of the irresponsible but a privilege of the dependable. Respectable leaders get right results in the right way.

Respectable leaders also rise to the occasion and do the right things. They persevere and provide stability instead of panicking and creating chaos. They take responsibility by espousing the values of the organization, not by gossiping and blaming others. There is a depth of character that runs deep within their souls, not to be stolen by sin.

Lastly, respectable leaders are well thought of when their track record is one of trustworthiness, honesty, and follow through. However, the goal is not for people to like you. They may not like you when you lovingly hold them accountable, but they will respect you. They may not like your discipline, but they will respect your consistency. They may not embrace your beliefs, but if expressed in humility they will respect you. Perhaps you ask, “Am I respectable?” If so, you can expect respect.

Prayer: What area of my character needs growth and transformation so as to solicit respect?

The Bible says, “A sensible person wins admiration, but a warped mind is despised” (Proverbs 12:8 nlt).

~Wisdom Hunters Devotional~
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Lord, teach us to pray - Luke 11:1

It was a wise and good request, prompted by the Saviour's own practice. He did not, in the first instance, command His disciples to pray; but He gave Himself to the blessed practice of prayer, and this made them eager to learn and practice the holy art. This is the best way of inculcating new and holy habits on those who surround us. Do not begin by exhorting them; but by living before them a life so holy, so unselfish, so consecrated and devout, that they shall spontaneously approach you, saying, "Give us your secret; tell us how we may do and become as you." It is a holy life which constitutes our best pulpit.

We should daily ask the Master to teach us to pray. Each time we kneel in prayer we may well preface our petitions with the sentence: "We know not what we should pray for as we ought; but by Thy Holy Spirit, Lord, teach us to pray." And probably the Lord's answer will fall into suggestions, borrowed from the form and model of prayer which He gave His disciples. It has been called the Lord's Prayer; it should be called the Disciples'.

Address prayer to the Father, through the Son. Do not be selfish in prayer; but look out on the needs of others, incorporating them in every petition-us, we, our. Remember, you are speaking to your Father, and that His honor and glory should have a paramount and foremost place. If you desire first the hallowing of His name, and the coming of His kingdom, all your personal needs and desires will fall easily and naturally into their place, which will be a comparatively subordinate one. You will need forgiveness as often and as regularly as your daily bread. Be also, direct and definite in prayer.

~F. B. Meyer~

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Effective Prayer - Being Specific

Over the next number of devotionals, I want to walk you through the keys to effective prayer.  To start, I want to focus today's devotional on Mark 10:46-52 where we find a very intriguing story.

Now they came to Jericho.  As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging.  And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"  So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.  Then they called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer.  Rise, He is calling you."  And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.  So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?"  The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight."  Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well."  And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

The question Jesus asked, "What do you want Me to do for you?", seemed obvious, didn't it?  Everybody present knew Bartimaeus needed his eyes to be healed.  Why would Jesus ask this question?

He wanted us to understand how important it is to be specific when we ask something of God.  Bartimaeus' faith had to become specific before it made him well.  It was after he said, "Lord, that I might receive my sight," that Jesus said, "Your faith has made you well."

Being specific in what you request of God is the first key to effective prayer.

~Bayless Conley~
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Psalm 24:8

The Lord mighty in battle.

Well may our God be glorious in the eyes of His people, seeing that He has wrought such wonders for them, in them, and by them. For them, the Lord Jesus upon Calvary routed every foe, breaking all the weapons of the enemy in pieces by His finished work of satisfactory obedience; by His triumphant resurrection and ascension He completely overturned the hopes of hell, leading captivity captive, making a show of our enemies openly, triumphing over them by His cross. Every arrow of guilt which Satan might have shot at us is broken, for who can lay anything to the charge of God's elect? Vain are the sharp swords of infernal malice, and the perpetual battles of the serpent's seed, for in the midst of the church the lame take the prey, and the feeblest warriors are crowned. The saved may well adore their Lord for His conquests in them, since the arrows of their natural hatred are snapped, and the weapons of their rebellion broken. What victories has grace won in our evil hearts! How glorious is Jesus when the will is subdued, and sin dethroned! As for our remaining corruptions, they shall sustain an equally sure defeat, and every temptation, and doubt, and fear, shall be utterly destroyed. In the Salem of our peaceful hearts, the name of Jesus is great beyond compare: He has won our love, and He shall wear it. Even thus securely may we look for victories by us. We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. We shall cast down the powers of darkness which are in the world, by our faith, and zeal, and holiness; we shall win sinners to Jesus, we shall overturn false systems, we shall convert nations, for God is with us, and none shall stand before us. This evening let the Christian warrior chant the war song, and prepare for to-morrow's fight. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.

~Charles Spurgeon~