Devotional | Essentials in Leadership and Life
Leadership in the Kingdom means following Jesus in such a way that others can follow us. A leader must follow Christ personally. When Jesus is in us and we are living for and seeking Him, there will be people who imitate us and we want to be an accurate reflection of the Lord.
None of us are perfect or flawless after the flesh. None of us have anything worthy of imitation in ourselves alone, but people can follow our faith.
‘But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.‘ 2 Timothy 3:10-12
Paul modeled endurance in hardship (including being stoned at Lystra), and Timothy carefully followed his teaching, example, and actions. People need to see when hardship hits that we don’t fall apart or crumble. We don’t give up on God.
‘The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.’ 1 Peter 5:1-4
Every believer is a leader in some sphere. Leadership is primarily about being an example, not about lording over people or looking for financial gain. True leadership is servant-hearted and example-driven. In leadership, motives matter.
The “One Thing”
Essential Number One is what Paul calls the One Thing.
‘And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 3:9-14
Forgetting what is behind, reaching toward what is ahead, and pressing toward the goal of the high calling in Christ Jesus. We each have individual callings, assignments, gifts, and anointings. But there is one high calling for all believers—to know God.
When we get the one thing right, then every other thing falls into proper perspective, relative to other priorities. Maintaining the One Thing makes us good at our individual callings and assignments.
Knowing God in Scripture is an intimate term, not just mental knowledge (husband–wife intimacy, not casual acquaintance). The One Thing—knowing God—produces fruit. (Genesis 4:1; 4:17; 4:25; 24:16; Luke 1:34; John 17:3; Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Corinthians 6:17; 2 Corinthians 11:2) We are the bride of Christ, and out of our spiritual union, we are able to bear much fruit.
The danger of neglecting the One Thing is becoming a needless casualty. We must keep Christ at the center of life and identity. When the One Thing is in place, every other thing finds its proper priority. Worry, care, and anxiety lose their grip when our focus is on Jesus.
Forget, Reach, and Press
We cannot reach for what God has for us in our calling (including the upward call) if we don’t let go of what’s behind us. Forgetting our past does not mean losing our memory or pretending things never happened. It means looking back with a redemptive eye (without guilt, condemnation, or shame).
‘Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,’ Psalms 103:2-4
We need to look back and see God’s mercy and grace, allowing our past to become a testimony, not a prison. We can look back to remember God’s faithfulness, learn from our mistakes, and celebrate God’s redemption.
Learn more about the Biblical essentials needed for leadership and life when you access the FREE booklet, Essentials in Leadership and Life, available as either a digital download or a printed copy. Use code EIL to get the free physical copy using this Link. Offer expires 7/3/2026.
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Learn the essentials in leadership and life through our USB Package
This resource contains the Top 10 Essentials in Leadership and Life. We are all leaders at one level or another, whether in our homes, our vocations, or in our churches. Leadership is not about a title, position, or platform; it’s about influence.
Become a fruitful, productive leader who edifies others
The Christian life is a marathon, not a sprint, and we need these essentials to finish our race well, without becoming needless casualties. These Top 10 are not just helpful ideas—they are absolute necessities for life and leadership. God has called us to be leaders in His Kingdom and in our witness of Jesus.
The leadership essentials in this resource are like water, food, and air for our lives in God’s Kingdom, our longevity in leadership, our fruitfulness, and our influence.
This comprehensive package is perfect for individual study or group discussion, equipping you with foundational teaching from the Word of God to understand the essentials required for leadership and life.
What’s Inside the USB Package:
- The printed booklet entitled Essentials in Leadership and Life
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