Make no mistake. . .God created you to be a leader.

You can also know that the enemy has used and is continuing to use some clever tactics to keep you from realizing that YOU ARE A LEADER.  Sadly, many believers allow him to get away with this deadly deception.

You may never have thought of yourself as a leader and truthfully, what you think will hinder what you accomplish. 

The real question is what does God think about you being a leader. . .how does God see you?

Ephesians 2:10 in the New Living Translation says:

“For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

You are God’s masterpiece. . .does that sound like you’re a failure, a has been or a never was.  Not only are you His masterpiece. . .but He has plans for you.

I’m going to make a statement and I want you to get it down inside of you. . .in fact, if you get nothing else from this teaching, get this:

You have much more influence in life than you know.  You are a leader.

Are you married?

Do you have children?

Do you have friends?

Do you have authority over anyone at work?

Do you teach a class at church?

Do you help in the church nursery?

Do you have a pet?

Get this. . .if you have authority over anyone at all. . .they are watching you.  They’re observing the standard you set in your everyday life. . .that makes you a leader.

As a leader. . .you must set the right kind of example. There is always someone watching you.

Proverbs 16:10 in the New Living Translation says:

“A good leader motivates, doesn't mislead, doesn't exploit.”

As a leader. . .you get your directions and leadership style from the Word of God.

Proverbs 29:4 says:

“A leader of good judgment gives stability. . .” 

There are a lot of Moms, single or married, who provide family leadership every day without fully realizing the impact they have upon their children as well as a lot of others who call them friend.

Proverbs 20:28 in the New Living Translation says:

“Love and truth form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity.” 

It’s time for this issue to be settled once and for all times in your life.

You are a leader. . .a mighty person of valor and strength.

Why?  Because there is someone strong inside of you just waiting to show up and show you off as the leader God wants you to be.

Deuteronomy 28:13 in the New Living Translation which says:

“If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom.”

I want you to pay particular attention to the last eleven words in that verse.  Let’s read them again.

“You will always be on top and never at the bottom.”

Who’s always on top. . .never at the bottom. . .a leader.

You have a three-fold calling on your life to lead, feed and seed. . .so when you see others with a need. . .you will intercede and intervene on their behalf.

When a leader sees others with a need. . .he/she should always be ready to intercede and intervene on their behalf.

Romans 12:8 in the New Living Translation says:

“If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”

Proverbs 12:24 in the New Living Translation says:

“Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.”

This is what I call an either or scripture.

Either you work hard and become a leader. . .or. . .if you don’t work hard. . .you won’t be a leader but will, in fact, become a slave.

Need another reason to be a leader instead of a follower. . .they make more money.

You may not have felt or even feel now that you’re smart enough to be the leader God wants you to be. . .but truthfully, what He thinks about you is much more important than what you think about yourself. . .at the moment.

1 Corinthians 1:26

“Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.”

God has the unique ability to make something out of nothing and that’s what He’ll do with you. . .if you just let Him.  He sees leadership potential in you. . .that’s why you’re His masterpiece.

Here are seven characteristics of a leader.

1.         Confident of who he/she is in Christ

Confidence will take you places doubt never will.  Confidence in Him makes you a winner in life every time. . .no matter. . .what you’re facing.

Psalm 86:7 in the Message Bible says:

“Every time I'm in trouble I call on you, confident that you'll answer.”

1 John 5:15 in the Message Bible says:

“And if we're confident that he's listening, we know that what we've asked for is as good as ours. “

First and foremost, you must have confidence in the One who gives you life and provides the opportunity for you to live it eternally and abundantly.

Psalm 71:5 in the Amplified Bible says;

“For You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my trust from my youth and the source of my confidence.”

Our confidence is in the Lord.

Psalm 53:6 in the Amplified Bible says:

“What time I am afraid, I will have confidence in and put my trust and reliance in You.”

In every circumstance. . .terrific or trying. . .our confidence must always be in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 7:16 in the New Living Translation says:

“I am very happy now because I have complete confidence in you.”

It’s amazing the peace. . .the joy. . .the utter happiness your confidence in the Lord can bring.

2.         Humble

Proverbs 22:4 in the Amplified Bible says:

“The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.”

Philippians 2:2-4 in the New Living Translation says:

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

John 13:5 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Then He poured water into the washbasin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the [servant's] towel with which He was girded.”

Colossians 3:12 in the New Living Translation says:

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

Philippians 2:3 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].

“Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].”

What does it mean to live a life that is significant?

According to dictionary.com the word significantmeans “important; of consequence.”

The Bible says the key to making your life significant is to humble yourself.  To recognize that you can do nothing in and of yourself. . .but with God you can do anything.

The word humble in the Strong’s Concordance means “to behave in an unassuming manner, devoid of haughtiness and to bring down one’s pride.”

Humility according to the Herring Unabridged Dictionary (not published yet) means to recognize that everything you have or hope to have is possible because of the greater One who lives in you and your obedience to His Word.

3.         Enthusiastic

Ralph Waldo Emerson, the American poet said:

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”

Literally, enthusiasm means God within and it’s one of the “7 Reasons You Should Be Enthusiastic”. . .the subject of a recent 2 The Point video which I strongly recommend you watch at www.richthoughtstv.net

A leader must set the standard. . .they must also be enthusiastic even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Dale Carnegie, the author of “How To Win Friends and Influence People” once said:

“Act enthusiastic and you will be enthusiastic”

A effective leader knows that his/her enthusiasm is contagious and will spread like an epidemic to those who work with them.

Ephesians 6:7 in the New Living Translation says:

“Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”

One of the greatest revelations you can ever receive is that you’re working for the Lord and not the “man.”  This fresh perspective will automatically increase your desire and sharpen your attitude toward work and life.

Oliver Wendell Holmes said:

“It's faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes a life worth living.”

And if none of the scriptures or quotes don’t kindle enthusiasm within you then remember the words of Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers who said:

“If you are not fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm.”

4.         Strong character qualities

One of the most highly valued character qualities is that of integrity.

Job 31:6 says:

“Let me be weighed in an even balance that God may know mine integrity.”

Your integrity is something that you can’t help. . .it will be brought to light. . .whether you like it or not. . .whether you lie about it or not.

You will never find a person of integrity living without hope.

Job 4;6 in the New Living Translation say:

“Doesn’t your reverence for God give you confidence? Doesn’t your life of integrity give you hope?”

A person of integrity will hold fast to their convictions. . .never wavering even at the first sight of conflict.

Joshua 1:6-9 in the New International Version says:

"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.”

One more thing. . .not because I haven’t proven this point scripturally. . .but rather because I feel the need to bring clarity to Proverbs 28:6 in the Amplified Bible because it’s frequently misinterpreted.  The verse says;

“Better is the poor man who walks in his integrity than he who willfully goes in double and wrong ways, though he is rich.”

Notice the last part of the verse where is says “…though he is rich.”  The scripture is a condemnation of wickedness, not wealth.  It’s not the fact that a person is rich but the wickedness of their heart that is the focus of this verse.  Money brings out who people are . . . on the inside

The verse does say that it’s better to be poor.  It says it’s better to see a poor  person who walks in integrity than to see a rich person who is evil. 

It’s the character of a person’s heart and not the balance in their checkbook or lack thereof that determines who they are.

5.         Forgives

A leader understands that he/she can create no room in their hearts for unforgiveness because it will affect their effectiveness.

The leader understand that in order to win any battle. . .they must never be cut off from your supply lines.                                                                           

Psalm 66:18 says:

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”

If you have offense against anyone else. . .God will not hear your prayers thus effectively cutting off your source of supply for the battle.

Make no mistake about it. . .if you’re an effective leader. . .you’re going to make somebody mad.  If you harbor resentment against those who question your leadership or abilities then your skills will be questioned.

Colossians 3:13 in the New International Version says:

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

The New Living Translation of Colossians 3:13 says:

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

 A good leader. . .whether of a large group or community or family. . .will understand the importance of forgiveness.

6.         Good listener

A leader whether in the home or marketplace. . .learns the importance of listening before speaking.

Have you ever heard someone say that we have two ears and one mouth for a reason so we can listen twice as much as we talk.

By listening and asking the right questions.  . .you can better understand what motivates a person.

James 1:19 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.”

The real measure of a leader is listening to other people talk. . .especially, when they’re discussing something. . .you could care nothing about.

When you learn to effectively listen. . .you will receive benefits.

James 1:25 in the Contemporary English Version says:

“But you must never stop looking at the perfect law that sets you free. God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don't just hear and forget.”

Did you get that?  When you listen and obey. . .not just hear and forget. . .God will bless you in everything you do.

7.         Never accepts the status quo

God doesn’t go for status quo.

Make no mistake . . . God doesn’t not want you settling for. . .just getting by or spinning your wheels going nowhere.  He wants you to make the most of everything He entrusted to you.

Ecclesiastes 5:18 in the Message Bible says:

 “[Make the Most of What God Gives ] After looking at the way things are on this earth, here's what I've decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that's about it. That's the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what's given and delighting in the work. It's God's gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. It's useless to brood over how long we might live.”

Take the initiative.  A leader always takes the initiative.

Some years ago, I saw a cross stitch in a friend’s office that said:

“Initiative is doing the right thing without being told to do it.”

A leader never settles for what is instead of what can be.

A leader is never satisfied with the way things are. . .because he/she understands from the Word of God. . .what things can be.

God wants His leaders feeding His sheep and not just when things are convenient.  We can gain a powerful insight into the heart of God by reading Ezekiel 34:13-16 in the Amplified Bible:

“And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries and will bring them to their own land; and I will feed them upon the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited places of the country.

 “I will feed them with good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be; there shall they lie down in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.

“I will feed My sheep and I will cause them to lie down, says the Lord God.”

“I will seek that which was lost and bring back that which has strayed, and I will bandage the hurt and the crippled and will strengthen the weak and the sick, but I will destroy the fat and the strong [who have become hardhearted and perverse]; I will feed them with judgment and punishment.”

In this verse God tells us how we should care for His sheep.  In John 21:17 in the Contemporary English Version. . .He points out that feeding and caring for His sheep is a way to prove our love for Him.

“Jesus asked a third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus had asked him three times if he loved him. So he told Jesus, "Lord, you know everything. You know I love you." Jesus replied, "Feed my sheep.”

A true leader loves those assign to his/her care and trust.

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