Leader Servant: Reading

"Do you read to learn, or grow?" Charles M. Gibbs

I have read hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of books. Am I applying each of the powerful, positive principles of each book? Charles Gibbs points out that he reads slower, and consequently fewer books than some read. However, he applies the Godly principles—resulting in personal and professional growth—before moving onto the next book. Wisdom suggests that you and I consider adopting a similar habit.

Learning and growing are not necessarily synonymous. Action yields growth!

Perhaps you, like me, have practiced this on an intermittent basis. With reflection, application results in growth every time. Sometimes we should focus on one chapter, other times taking the book as a whole. Consider reading daily, then apply and master the principles of each chapter before beginning the next chapter?

To what extent will your growth, effective service and value exponentially escalate in the next three and six months? Consider beginning with 1^st Corinthians 13, or Matthew chapters five, six and seven.

• Why does the Bible (1Corinthians 13) declare love as the greatest?
• How do you apply love in your home, office or while traveling?
• How do you apply "Seek first the kingdom of God…" (Matthew 6:33) with your employees, co-workers, customers and vendors?
• How does "Seek first the kingdom of God…" (Matthew 6:33), affect your family and business?
• Do you consider yourself a better "businessman" than God, the Creator of the universe? If so, why do you consider your method of business wiser than God's?
• How does "Seek first the kingdom of God…" (Matthew 6:33) (or any other passage in context with Godly principles) affect your first phone call or client meeting tomorrow morning?

Read, Apply, Grow!!!

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ! 
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickemeyer.com

Leader Servant: Hope and Joy

As Leader Servants, how do we generate infectious hope and joy in ourselves and organization? Let's examine scripture, the pure word of God. Wisdom originates from God (Proverbs 1:7, 20-23; 2:6-10) 1 Corinthians 2:10).

        ^"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations (afflictions), knowing that tribulation (affliction) brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:3-5 (NASB))."
 

        "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4)."

Do you ever tire of life's challenges? I do too! In our high speed, instant technology world, I seek instant hope. Hope guarantees the joy demanded of us in 1 Thessalonians.
 

        "^aRejoice (Be Joyful (NIV)) always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form (or appearance) of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22)."
 

        "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:1–2 (NASB95))."

 The road to hope begins with challenges, afflictions, tribulation which produces perseverance or endurance resulting in purified character. Purified character generates hope and joy because of our believing and trusting relationship with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Receiving hope and joy mandate enduring challenges, praise God for the seeds of hope and joy planted in your life, germinating and emerging as challenges with perseverance producing the necessary character to serve God according to His will for your life.

Leader Servants provide and allow challenges suitable for each person, according to their abilities and maturity, in their organization to yield abundant, infectious hope and joy.

Hope and Joy produce physical and emotional characteristics that attract others as customers, vendors and volunteers to your organization.

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick 

Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickEmeyer.com
  
Reference:
Rom 5:11; 8:23; 9:10; 2 Cor 8:19; Matt 5:12; James 1:2f; Luke 21:19; Phil 2:22; James 1:12; Ps 119:116; Rom 9:33; Heb 6:18f; Acts 2:33; 10:45; Gal 4:6; Titus 3:6; New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Ro 5:3–5; Matt 5:12; James 1:12; 5:11; 1 Pet 1:6; Or temptations; 1 Pet 1:7; Heb 6:12; Or steadfastness; Luke 21:19; Lit work; Or mature; Matt 5:48; Col 4:12.