You Are a Leader

You may or may not see yourself as a leader. We tend to think of leaders as those who are in charge by virtue of their position or who take charge by virtue of circumstance. You may have trained and studied to be a leader all your life. Or you may not feel you are qualified to be a leader at all. 

Nevertheless, you are a leader whether you know it or not, whether you want to be a leader or not.

Why do I say that?

You are a leader because you represent God and Christ to your family, to your brethren, and to the world. Whether you know it or not, there are people who look to you for leadership and guidance and example. They look to see how you're handling the situation at hand. They watch you to see how you’re holding up each week.  And all too often, our example becomes their standard, however feeble it may be.

One day we'll find out what our influence has been and it will cause us great joy and astonishment as well as sorrow and disappointment in ourselves that we had not done better.

We're either leading people to Christ and the Kingdom or away from Christ and the Kingdom by our actions and attitudes. 

You are a leader. So, you might as well embrace it and build on it.

We are all soldiers of Jesus Christ. Regardless of our rank, whether we’re a private with no class, or 4-star general, we are all soldiers of Christ. (2Tim 2:3) 

To be good and faithful soldiers of Christ we must discipline ourselves to do those things necessary to development righteous character.

Discipline: The root of all good qualities. The driver of daily execution. The core principle that overcomes laziness and lethargy and excuses. Discipline defeats the infinite excuses that say, "Not today, not now, I need a rest, I will do it tomorrow."

Today it seems everyone is looking for a hack, the shortcut, the easy way. There is no easy way. In this life you will have tribulation. Embrace it. Learn from it.

… we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience;  (4)  And patience, experience; and experience, hope: (Rom 5:3-4 KJV)

If we are to become men who are strong in the faith, we must become men of discipline. It starts there. We take up our cross daily. We fight the battle daily to grow in grace and knowledge. We fight daily to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. We stand in the gap. It takes discipline. 

To do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, regardless of how we feel takes self-discipline.

If we are leaders, and we are, then we need to develop that kind of discipline to prepare us for whatever comes our way.

If you don't think you can be that disciplined it is because you haven't decided to be disciplined. YET.

So, how do you become disciplined or increase your self-discipline?

You make the decision to be. You make the commitment to be.

Embrace self-discipline - the cold unwavering, objective certainty of your decision to be a man of discipline.

Like Paul in Lystra, though stoned, and left for dead, he got back up and turned around and went back into the city, because that was the mission. Do you think he felt like it? No, but he did it because that was the mission. Discipline. 

We all know there are certain areas of our lives where we need to do better.

I gave each of you a blank piece of paper. I want you to write these words centered at the top of the page.

What If I Had My Act Together?

Starting with number 1, finish the sentence, “If I had my act together I’d…”

I did this exercise last December. Even at my age, I still don’t have my act together. Here are a few items on my list –

·       I’d study the Bible for at least 1 hour every day

·       I’d exercise 4 days a week

·       I’d eat nutritious food every meal in proper amounts (more protein, no bread, no alcohol, no sugar)

·       I’d read 1 physical book every 2 months.

·       I’d listen to 1 audio book minimum every month

There are about 20 items on the list but the others are too personal to share.

After you finish your list you start to act as if you had your act together.

Read your list weekly or daily even, to ingrain it in your mind.

I know not all of you will do this. That’s just how some of us are. But those who do, I promise you, you’ll be rewarded. You’ll be more determined. You’ll be more disciplined.

I hear people tell me all the time, "I'd like to study the Bible more but I don't have time." 

My answer – "Get up 30 minutes earlier. Now you have time."

We all have 24 hours in the day. If we don't have time to study the Word of God, then we don't have a time problem. We have a priority problem. We make time for what's most important to us. 

Whatever it is on your list you just do it; as if you had your act together.

YOU STUDY THE BIBLE AN HOUR EVERY DAY

YOU WORK OUT CONSISTENTLY 4 DAYS A WEEK

YOU STOP EATING SUGAR

YOU READ ANOTHER BOOK

Who's in charge here? You or your body?

Even Paul spoke of disciplining his body and bringing it into subjection.

(1Cor 9:27 NKJV)

Are we always going to be strong? Of course not.

Are we always going to be motivated? Of course not.

Are we always going to be positive? Of course not.

But I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! We’ve been given the Holy Spirit of the Creator of the Universe to help us!

When we do falter, we confess our failures, repent, and get right back to it. We continue to fight the good fight of faith.

We don’t give up! We don’t turn back!

Gentlemen, we are in the fight of our lives! We do battle every day against the forces of darkness in this world. It's a continuous struggle for hearts and minds beginning with our own.

But be of good cheer. Christ has overcome the world! (John 16:33)

You are a leader. Let’s be disciplined leaders. Men of strong faith. Developing godly character through self-discipline.

And it starts today!

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