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Tagged with " Elijah"

Michael Hyatt: Great Leaders are great Followers

 

Former CEO, and now Chairman of the Board at Thomas Nelson Publishers

I really enjoy reading Michael Hyatt’s blog on topics related to writing and leadership.

I’ll be covering the topic of leadership somewhat this month, and having a few guest writers post here also. Michael’s recent article really packs a punch, and I think you will find it quite helpful.

Here is an excerpt.
“…[N]early everyone sees him or herself as a leader.

But where are the followers?

I contend that if you want to be a great leader, you must first become a great follower. Although it is rarely discussed, this is where almost all of history’s greatest leaders got their start.

  • Joshua followed Moses for more than forty years before he led the children of Israel into the promised land.
  • Elisha served Elijah for ten years before he took up his master’s mantle and went on to perform even more miracles.
  • The Apostle Peter followed Jesus for three years—and made a lot of mistakes—before he and his fellow-disciples “turned the world upside down” (see Acts 17:6).

Though I don’t have time to develop it here, I would likewise contend that history’s worst leaders never learned to follow. As a result, they became tyrants, making the lives of their own followers miserable.”

Click here to read the Full Article.

Do his words make sense? Have you watched this play out?

FASTING FAST FACTS. Part Two

Live on bread...alone?

Here is a selection of some of the Fasting points I discussed, today, with the congregation at Bellegrove Church.

This is NOT an exhaustive study on the topic. If you have experiences or thoughts to share, we could all benefit. Please share here.

Definition: “fasting” verb. abstaining from all or some kinds of food or drink, esp. as a religious observance.

Who are some people who fasted in the Bible?

There were thousands, but here are a few:

• Hannah, Easter, David, Moses, Elijah… (personal fasts, for various reasons)

• People of Nineveh (national repentance)

• Jesus-spiritual discipline (training) preceding life’s work and mission (Matt 4:1-11) —Cool, huh?

Fasting does what?

  • It questions our appetites (of every kind).
  • It reminds us of Jesus great sacrifice (He give up everything. Leaving out a bit of food IS NOT a big deal, is it?)
  • It helps us seek God’s strength for obedient love and service.
  • It involves our Motives, not technique (Matt 6:16-18)

(Some things) Fasting is needed for…

  • A potent reminder to turn to God.
  • A subjection of a base need (food) to see our greater spiritual needs.
  • A time of scrutiny of our personal sacrifice to the Lord, and his people.

Fasting is Feasting on God. (Yes, you can read that again.)

It helps us…

  • Focus on God, instead of our lack.
  • Makes sacred space (for worship, prayer, praise, repentance to our gracious God.
  • Experience (through self-denial) God’s goodness and sufficiency. (A.k.a. “We live…not by bread alone” Matt 4:1-11)

to be continued…

(Next time: Some dangers of Fasting, and some benefits of Fasting, and some ideas for Fasting effectively.)

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