To lead after a great leader is one of the worst things that can happen to a leader.

It’d be one thing if the person before you was crappy–cause all you could do is go up! But a great leader? How do you fill such shoes?

That’s what Joshua had to deal with. He had to take over Moses’ job and lead Israel into the Promised Land.

Moses!

The man who led Israel out bondage and, with God’s help, overthrew the greatest nation at the time. The man who gave them a vision of a land flowing with milk and honey. The man who, with his staff, opened the Red Sea. The man who talked with God so much his face shined—and he didn’t even know it. God loved Moses so much that when people opposed him He defended him…and quickly!

Read more on my guest post at Jonathan Pearson

“That’s absolutely ridiculous!! If that’s what people want to do outside of church that’s fine, but that has no business in the House of God!!!”

That’s what a minister told me when I tried (emphasis on “tried”) to show him how effective social media, especially Twitter, would be for ministry. And you guessed it: after that response I backed off. No sense in going to war with one of God’s minister’s about ministry strategies in Jesus Name!

And so since he wouldn’t listen, I thought, maybe there are some ministers here who will listen.

Twitter is an essential tool for ministry–I mean considering the fact that almost EVERYONE is on Twitter (the Dalai Lama recently joining).

Understand this:  Twitter is growing at a MIND-BOGGLING pace! Currently, Twitter sends over 50 million Tweets per day:

Read more on guest post at Church Brand Architect

This is the age of amplification–where news, opinions, and reviews go further and faster than ever before. This is both good and bad for the Christian Entrepreneur.

It’s good because if what you’re selling is great, with just a little bit of communication, you can get it in to the hands of people quicker. But, if what you’re selling sucks [1], there isn’t enough PR out there to change the opinions of people. Because people are quicker to believe their friends than your ads.

Read more on my guest post at Rod Kirby’s Success Center

Last week I told you I was at a church convention and I used the time to engulf myself in worshiping God. I mean I went all out and focused on Him and Him alone. Now during the service (or services) there was a speaker. And for some reason I was unsettled around him. I mean he could preach, had musical ability, and had a tremendous amount of influence.

I couldn’t even look at the guy straight–I was so impressed! And in the middle of worship I had an urge to read my Bible…Galatians specifically. And right there in Galatians 5 it hit me:

“If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another.” [1]

“You’re jealous of him,” I heard in my ear.

You would think I’d be humble at this point, receptive to hear what the Spirit was was saying…but you obviously don’t know me that well!

“Me?! Jealous?!! Of him!!!!!!!!!! Get outta here!!!!!”

Very mature don’t  you think??

But after a few minutes of thinking about it…I realized He was right. I was jealous of him. Well, right then and there I apologized to God for my behavior, repented of my sin, and went back to the overflow.

Great leaders understand worship

When my heart was fully submitted (or somewhat submitted…pray for me because I am a rebel) God was able to show me some character flaws.  Kind of like when Isaiah saw God and saw himself in the process:

“Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.”

In other words, “I am so screwed up!”

And that’s why worship is a powerful leadership strategy, because:

• Worship takes the focus off you
• Worship gives you insight
• Worship re-energizes you
• Worship shows you who you are (with all your imperfections)
• And etc…

“Bless the Lord O my soul…”

I know you’re busy…

And tired…

And have a lot on your plate…

And a have lot to contend with…

But why don’t you take a break, get in that prayer closet of yours, take the focus off you, put it on God, and worship Him with EVERYTHING you got!

When you’re finished come back and tell me if those problems, responsibilities, deadlines, and issues seem so looming.

But let me ask: how does worship help you?

1. Galatians 5: 25-26 (NLT)
2. Isaiah 6:5 (NKJV)

Taking the throne at age 25 he instituted reforms that made a person’s head spin! He was awesome.

But what made him stand out in my mind apart from the other “good” kings like Asa, Jehosophat, Amaziah, Uzziah, Jehoash, Jothan, and Jehu is that he went further than them in instituting reform.

• He broke down the pagan shrines which many failed to touch.

• And he broke up the bronze serpent Moses made because the people worshiped it.

Think about that last one for a second: he broke the serpent Moses made!

Moses!

The man that led them out of Egypt, instituted worship, delivered the Law, and brought them to the edge of Canaan. You just don’t touch, much less alter ANYTHING anyone that great did–and yet Hezekiah did it. Why? Because the people worshiped it and not God.

Find out more here on my guest post on JonathanPearson.net