Genesis 4:1-7:
1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the LORD.” 2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
Mike's Thoughts:
Both Cain and Abel brought offerings of their work to the Lord, but the Lord only accepted Abel's, why? Because Abel offered the BEST of his work for the Lord and, evidently, Cain did not. As a leader, I should work EVERY day as if I'm working for the Lord (because I am) and therefore I should do my BEST for the Lord every day. I found verse 7 to be very compelling. God is telling me that if I do my best, I will be accepted! How simple is that? God
goes on to say that if I do less than my best I'm opening myself up to sin and that sin will seek me out, but I can rule over sin by doing my best.
Mike's Action Points:
1- I need to pray for the strength and discipline to do my best every day.
2- While I can't be perfect, I should always strive to improve and give my best effort in everything I do so that I may be accepted and have authority over sin in my life.
Please see my Leadership blog: http://legacycoach.blogspot.com
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Leadership Skills Today for Tomorrow's Leaders
John Maxwell's 25 Ways to Win With People:
14. Do for Others What They Can't Do for Themselves - Joseph
(Genesis 41)
Mike's Thoughts:
As a servant leader, I need to be cognizant of opportunities to help others in ways they can't help themselves. The key is to help in ways they CAN'T help themselves and perhaps I can. What is implied in this message is NOT to do for others what they CAN do for themselves. It is important for me to show tough love for those who seek to take advantage of my servant heart, even if they do not realize they are doing so. Perhaps they are capable of
helping themselves and just don't realize it. In this situation, it is my role to provide guidance and counseling so that they will understand how to help themselves.
Mike's Action Points:
1- When presented with an opportunity to help another, I should pray for discernment concerning my role in the situation. Should I "do" for them or provide guidance so they can "do" for themselves.
2- If I am led to "do" for them, I need to do so with a pure heart.
3- If I am led to provide guidance, then I should be prepared that this guidance may not be received by pure hearts.
Please see my Leadership blog: http://legacycoach.blogspot.com
14. Do for Others What They Can't Do for Themselves - Joseph
(Genesis 41)
Mike's Thoughts:
As a servant leader, I need to be cognizant of opportunities to help others in ways they can't help themselves. The key is to help in ways they CAN'T help themselves and perhaps I can. What is implied in this message is NOT to do for others what they CAN do for themselves. It is important for me to show tough love for those who seek to take advantage of my servant heart, even if they do not realize they are doing so. Perhaps they are capable of
helping themselves and just don't realize it. In this situation, it is my role to provide guidance and counseling so that they will understand how to help themselves.
Mike's Action Points:
1- When presented with an opportunity to help another, I should pray for discernment concerning my role in the situation. Should I "do" for them or provide guidance so they can "do" for themselves.
2- If I am led to "do" for them, I need to do so with a pure heart.
3- If I am led to provide guidance, then I should be prepared that this guidance may not be received by pure hearts.
Please see my Leadership blog: http://legacycoach.blogspot.com
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Not Leading Today Will Cause Regrets Tomorrow
John Maxwell's Commentary on Genesis 3:6-19:
First Leader to Drop the Ball
At the moment he received God's mandate to rule over the earth, Adam became the first spiritual leader in human history. Initially, this meant overseeing the garden and providing direction to his family. Adam was to be a good steward over his resources and relationships. Unfortunately, he failed on both counts.
When Eve brought the forbidden fruit to Adam, he mismanaged God's
creation by eating it. Adam also mismanaged his wife by remaining
passive when he should have taken a stand, thus allowing both Eve
and himself to fall morally. When God confronted him with his sin, he blamed others: "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave
me of the tree, and I ate" (Gen. 3:12).
Spiritual leadership isn't complex; it simply requires a willingness to take responsibility. Sadly, many spiritual leaders continue to duplicate Adam's mistake by shirking their responsibilities at home, in the neighborhood, on the job, and in the church. They forget that while Adam's failure started at home, in just a short time it damaged all his relationships, spoiled the beautiful place he lived, and ultimately devastated the entire world. And the whole mess can be traced back to one spineless refusal to lead.
Mike's Thoughts:
Leadership begins in the home. If I can't be a good leader in my home then I surely can't be a good leader elsewhere. Adam's mandate from God was to oversee the garden and give direction to his family. As a leader of my family, my mandate today is really no different than Adam's. I am to be a good steward of the resources and relationships God has blessed me with. Being a good steward is not always easy; in fact, more often than not it takes work, dedication and, of course, prayer. As John Maxwell states, "it simply requires a willingness to take responsibility."
Mike's Action Points:
1- I will pray for the strength, wisdom and character to be the leader God wants me to be.
2- I will look to other Godly leaders as role models and mentors.
Please see my Leadership blog: http://legacycoach.blogspot.com
First Leader to Drop the Ball
At the moment he received God's mandate to rule over the earth, Adam became the first spiritual leader in human history. Initially, this meant overseeing the garden and providing direction to his family. Adam was to be a good steward over his resources and relationships. Unfortunately, he failed on both counts.
When Eve brought the forbidden fruit to Adam, he mismanaged God's
creation by eating it. Adam also mismanaged his wife by remaining
passive when he should have taken a stand, thus allowing both Eve
and himself to fall morally. When God confronted him with his sin, he blamed others: "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave
me of the tree, and I ate" (Gen. 3:12).
Spiritual leadership isn't complex; it simply requires a willingness to take responsibility. Sadly, many spiritual leaders continue to duplicate Adam's mistake by shirking their responsibilities at home, in the neighborhood, on the job, and in the church. They forget that while Adam's failure started at home, in just a short time it damaged all his relationships, spoiled the beautiful place he lived, and ultimately devastated the entire world. And the whole mess can be traced back to one spineless refusal to lead.
Mike's Thoughts:
Leadership begins in the home. If I can't be a good leader in my home then I surely can't be a good leader elsewhere. Adam's mandate from God was to oversee the garden and give direction to his family. As a leader of my family, my mandate today is really no different than Adam's. I am to be a good steward of the resources and relationships God has blessed me with. Being a good steward is not always easy; in fact, more often than not it takes work, dedication and, of course, prayer. As John Maxwell states, "it simply requires a willingness to take responsibility."
Mike's Action Points:
1- I will pray for the strength, wisdom and character to be the leader God wants me to be.
2- I will look to other Godly leaders as role models and mentors.
Please see my Leadership blog: http://legacycoach.blogspot.com
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Training God's Leaders Today
John Maxwell's 25 Ways to Win With People:
13. Keep Your Eyes Off the Mirror - Joseph and his brothers
(Genesis 50:18-20)
Mike's Thoughts:
As a leader, I need to keep my eyes off myself and focus on being and developing servant leaders for future generations.
Mike's Action Points:
1- I will pray for an humble servant's spirit.
2- I will focus on helping others to become servant leaders.
Please see my leadership blog: http://legacycoach.blogspot.com
13. Keep Your Eyes Off the Mirror - Joseph and his brothers
(Genesis 50:18-20)
Mike's Thoughts:
As a leader, I need to keep my eyes off myself and focus on being and developing servant leaders for future generations.
Mike's Action Points:
1- I will pray for an humble servant's spirit.
2- I will focus on helping others to become servant leaders.
Please see my leadership blog: http://legacycoach.blogspot.com
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