OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: THURSDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER 2020.
THEME: BECOMING AN EXEMPLARY LEADER I.
MEMORISE:
And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
Genesis 11:3
READ: Genesis 11:1-4
1And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
MESSAGE:
Naturally, humans search for leaders and role models. For example, anyone who wants to become a great footballer would begin to study whoever is greatest in the sport at that point in time. He would find out his diet, where and how long he practices and all there is to know about the fellow.
Unfortunately, few people have exemplary leadership qualities today. You can’t do things the usual way and expert people to follow. Innovate; you have to go beyond the ordinary to be called ‘extraordinary’.
No aspiring footballer will make a role model out of a striker who only scores goal s occasionally. However, the one who scores hattricks regularly will be a leader to many. You must show results that are far greater than the norm.
In Genesis 11:3, the leaders of these people were innovator. While everyone else used stones to build, they decided to make bricks. While everyone else used mortar, they used slime. The leaders in this story asked the people to take up a seemingly impossible task of building a tower that would reach heaven, yet no one argued. They trusted that if these leaders could come up with innovations like bricks and slime, they could lead them to achieve their aim. So, for the followers, it was not a question of whether the goal was achievable or not. They thought “I must be part of this great feat.”
You shouldn’t plead for loyalty. People aren’t following because they cannot see anything special about your leadership. Some are even doubting if you can really achieve your goals.
To be a leader, always think outside the box. Don’t think in terms of limitations, think in terms of solutions. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you new ideas that can bring about major improvements and innovations.
ACTION POINT:
You want to be an exemplary leader? Go beyond the ordinary always.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezra 1-3.
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 30: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD.
1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
