Scripture: Mark 9.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Mark 9:33-35 (NLT)

33 After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?”

34 But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.

35 He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

Often in today’s view of leadership folk tend to look at who has made the most money or who might have the largest or longest lasting company. Jesus’ disciples were discussing which of them were most successful, or the greatest. Jesus told them that the way they would know is to look at who is the best servant to those that they lead. Friend, this is leadership from a whole new and different perspective than what the world looks at for genuine and successful leadership. Some leaders will tell you that you can’t be friends with those you lead. Some will tell you that you will only be a successful leader if you fire or really beat up (not literally) on an employee, then others would gain fear of you and your leadership and then they would respect you as a leader. As taught in this scripture, I believe that humble servanthood, respect of your employees, fairness to your employees and doing all you can to make your employees successful will result in the most genuine and successful leadership. We, as leaders, should never feel above any job that we would ask our employees/servants to do. This dear friend, will make us successful leaders and biblical leaders. Even in leadership, others must see and witness Jesus in us! This earns respect and brings honor to us as leaders – Christian leaders!

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, I know that leadership in today’s standards and in the view of those all around us, is very different to what you teach in your Word. Please help me to stay focused on what You teach so that I may first of all be the best Christian that I can be, then others will recognize the leadership qualities in me. Thank You for speaking to me, and other Christian leaders today, so that we may follow Your lead in being genuine, Christ-like and successful leaders even in this wicked and ungodly world.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
ß