Essential Qualities of Kingdom Leaders
The corporate world seeks leadership qualities such as influence, innovation, vision, and resilience. These traits are key components of leadership.
From the beginning of our Christian journey, and throughout our spiritual development, we strive to increase our faith. Growing in faith is the key to living a victorious life in Christ. It is our witness to the world of the Lord God’s power, grace, and love operating in our life. This 5-day devotional will help us strengthen our faith in a world that opposes everything we believe.
OUR FAITH MUST BE ROOTED IN GOD’S ABILITY
Everyone has faith in something or someone. Whether it is money, power, or one’s sense of self-sufficiency, we all have something in which we place our trust. We all have something that we rely on to get us through difficult times and sustain us. However, our faith is only as good as what we place it in.
When we face that which seems impossible, as Christian believers, we place our trust and faith in Almighty God. We are confident that He is omnipotent (having absolute and universal sovereignty), a God who is able to do what He says. We know He will honor His Word and bring it to pass in our lives. Therefore, our faith is rooted in God’s ability. “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” (Rev. 19:6)
QUESTION: When you face the challenges and adversities in your life, where do you place your trust? Do you resort to the means and methods of the world? Or do you hold on to your faith in God?
PRAYER: God Almighty, may my faith always be rooted in Your ability and not my own. Teach me to depend on You alone.
VALUE YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH GOD
Our personal experiences with the Lord God are the most defining factors in strengthening our faith. As we study God’s Word and obey Him, He will reveal Himself to us in fresh new ways. Every intimate moment with Him leads us to an even greater knowledge of who God is and how much He loves us. Each time we trust the Lord to step out into the unknown, it prepares us to receive a greater manifestation of His power. When Peter had fished all night and caught nothing, he obeyed the command of Jesus and launched his boat further into the deep where he experienced an unexpected move of God. Luke 5:4-7
Because that encounter increased Peter’s faith in the Lord, he later trusted Jesus and endeavored to walk on water when Jesus bid him to come to Him. Yes, Peter wavered in the process. However, he showed courage to get out of the ship as a result of his experience with the Lord. As our relationship with the Lord God deepens, and we increasingly experience His power, our faith and trust in Him brings us to a place where we can depend upon Him entirely and obey Him without hesitation. It is on this level of faith that we not only witness miracles, but become a part of them. Matthew 14:23-29
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I desire to walk in a level of faith and trust in You that will cause me to obey your Word and become a part of Your miraculous manifestations on Earth.
PRACTICE YOUR FAITH
Recently a dear friend in ministry shared one of his rigorous workout videos on social media. I watched it in its entirety from the comfort of my couch. Afterward, I contacted him and said, “Thank you for the workout. I feel more fit.” We both had a good laugh. However, the reality of the situation is I didn’t move a muscle to participate in the workout. That means I did not benefit from my friend’s workout and hard work. Although I appreciated his efforts and gained knowledge from what he did, my level of fitness did not improve.
As we grow in faith, we must begin to exercise it – to practice what we have heard, learned, and experienced in our relationship with Christ. When we speak what God has said, and it comes to pass, it strengthens us to say more and do more by faith, because we know the Lord God will perform it. In 1 Kings chapter 18, by faith, Elijah spoke prophetically against the prophets of Baal. He did so believing God Almighty would bring it to pass. The Lord fulfilled the words of the prophet Elijah. Begin to open your mouth, exercise your faith and take authority over every situation and circumstance around you that does not honor God.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, make me aware of every opportunity I have to exercise my faith and to demonstrate Your power to those who do not believe in You.
GUARD YOUR EAR GATES
As Christians, we are disciples, meaning we are followers and learners of Christ. To grow in grace and the knowledge of the Lord, we must be intentional to live a righteous and holy life as modeled by those who are mature in Christ. We must follow the example of those who live by God’s Word and speak faith and life into others. In so doing, our faith will become strengthened. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17 KJV).”
We must learn to guard what we hear, for it is a significant component of our faith. Our flesh wants to hear and revel in the base conversations of the world. But we must always seek that which nourishes our spirit. When we find those who have wisdom and Godly counsel to speak into our life, our faith will become fortified, and we become rooted in Christ. (Psalm 1)
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please fill my life with believers in Christ to speak Your Word of truth, that my faith capacity may increase.
OBSERVING FAITH IN OTHERS
Throughout the Bible, we see multiple mentoring relationships. Among them are Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, and Paul and Timothy. The most excellent example is the relationship between Jesus and His disciples. In each situation, the leaders walked intimately with their disciples, teaching, training, and preparing them to be successful Godly leaders. The students observed the discipline and faith of their leaders, which strengthened their faith in the Lord God to fulfill their purpose.
Being surrounded by believers who speak faith and live by faith contributes tremendously to our spiritual formation. In observing their lives, hearing their prayers, and seeing their faith in action, we become strengthened to be able to believe God to do the impossible for us. Whether we are young in Christ or a seasoned saint, we must follow the example of faith set before us by born again, Spirit-filled believers in Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for those who You have set around me to model righteousness and faith. May I learn and grow in faith from their example.
The corporate world seeks leadership qualities such as influence, innovation, vision, and resilience. These traits are key components of leadership.
Encompassed within the definition of the Greek word for salvation (sōtēria) is healing and deliverance. To be delivered means to