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Leadership Tuneup

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Lifting

Did you know that every time the moon's gravity causes a ten-foot tide at sea, all the continents on earth rise at least six inches. Wow! For me this adds a new level of understanding to the words “A rising tide lifts all boats.”

Today, I would like to for us to think about this principle in our leadership path: Who are we lifting. Too often in our Western idea of leadership; it is about what people can do for us, rather than what we can do for people. Simply put, if we are not lifting, we are not leading. Anthony D’Angelo puts it this way, “Build your reputation by helping other people build theirs.” John D. Rockefeller states it this way, “Good leadership consists in showing average people how to do the work of superior people.”

I have always been blessed by the experience of King David—particularly his experience in the cave of Adullam. In I. Samuel 22: 1-3 we are told that four hundred men came to him. However, they were “distress, in debt, and discontented. But later many of these men become David’s “mighty men of valor.”

David lifted them! Average people—with all of their issues, under his leadership did the work of superior people. We do well to notice, David did this while he was running for his own life! He did this while dealing with his own issues! Wow! That’s good leadership.

So, today let’s commitment to lifting and who know, the person that you life today; may the very person that has to lift you tomorrow! Anthony Payton, Pastor/Teacher


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I Am Weak

Who Has Your Ear

1 Kings 13:15-19 (HCSB)
15 Then he said to him, “Come home with me and eat bread.” 16 But he answered, “I cannot go back with you, eat bread, or drink water with you in this place, 17 for a message came to me by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water there or go back by the way you came.’ ” 18 He said to him, “I am also a prophet like you. An angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord: ‘Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.’ ” The old prophet deceived him, 19 and the man of God went back with him, ate bread in his house, and drank water.

This morning for my devotional, I was reading I. Kings 13. I invite you to read it as soon as you can. It is the story of a prophet who is told one thing to do—by God, and does another. Why? An older prophet lies to him. As a result of following the false prophet, the prophet loses his life! Whether prophet and/or leader, we must be careful of who has our ear. Lies to you and about you will often come on the heels of your most successful moments. Today, please remember; you are in a war, and in the words of Aeschylus, “In war, truth is the first casualty.”

As a leader, there are always forces attempting to take you out. The bible says that in the multitude of counselors there is wisdom. Make sure you have people around you that will tell you the truth in love. These are wisdom keepers, and transmitters. We need them. The interesting thing in this story is that the “prophet of God” is bamboozled and loses his life and the false prophet, lives to bury him!

Today, watch out for lies, stay the course. Do not be bamboozled!

Anthony Payton


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The Breakfast of Champions

I like old comics. They could tell a joke that could stay with you for years. W. C. Fields is a classic example of this. He always did his act with a drink in hand. He once said with (a drink in hand), "Once, during Prohibition, I was forced to live for days on nothing but food and water." I like that joke.

Speaking of food, Would you believe that the breakfast of champions is not cereal, but opposition? That's right, opposition. Chances are you tried to skip breakfast this morning. However, please allow me to remind you that this breakfast is not self-service, but forced fed! Go head, ask any one that has achieved anything and you will receive a healthy and hearty amen to that fact!

But you know what? You can handle it. Correction, please, with and through God you can handle it. The duty of Opposition is very simple... to oppose everything, and propose nothing. A champion views resistance as a gift of energy. Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre minds.

So, go head, eat your breakfast, and say amen! Anthony Payton



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“I’ve Got Your Back”

When someone says, "I've got your back," it means that they are watching out for you.  A true friend is someone who cares so much about you that he's watching your back to look out for you.  He's a back watcher.

 
 

We want to look at the life of someone almost everyone has heard about, King David. 

       David was a mighty warrior.

       David killed the giant Goliath.

       David became King of Israel, conquered many enemies, and ruled effectively.

       David was a "man after God's own heart".

       David had many friends who "watched his back".

 
 

David's friends were back watchers.  You and I can learn to be good "back watchers" from these friends of David. Also, we can learn from these people if the people who say they are our friends really are.  A friend will mess up once in a while, but if a person isn't watching my back on a regular basis, he's not my friend.  If I'm not watching his back on a regular basis, I'm not his friend.

 
 

So, let's find out what makes a person a good "back watcher".

 
 

1. BACK WATCHERS LOVE
   

 
 

King Saul was King of Israel when David was a boy and a teenager.  He started well, but rebelled against God.  God, through the Prophet Samuel, had told Saul that he disqualified himself as king.  God announced that Saul and his family would lose the crown.

 
 

Then came the days when Israel was challenged by a mighty giant named Goliath.  Goliath terrorized Israel on the battlefield for many days until David, the shepherd boy, stood up to Him.  David challenged the giant and then slew him with his sling and one rock guided by God into the head of Goliath.  In true warrior fashion David took Goliath's own sword and cut off Goliath's head.

 
 

Someone was watching David that day.  That someone was the king's son and supposed heir to the throne, Jonathan.

Jonathan was a brave warrior and a godly man in his own right.  When David slew Goliath, there was an instant rapport between these two men, although Jonathan was probably about 20 years older than David.

 
 

1 Samuel 18:1 - And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

 
 

As we'll see in a few moments, Jonathan would become one of David's "back watchers".  But this friendship began with a brotherly love that was as strong as a person's love for one's self.   

 
 

Jesus tells us how important a back watching friendship is. Matthew 22:37-40, John 13:34-35

 
 

We are to love each other as Jesus loved us. Jesus loved us enough to watch on backs.  He died on the cross so that we might have forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. That's love! That's friendship! That's back watching!   

 
 

1 Samuel 18:3 - Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

 
 

A covenant is a pact. It is an agreement. It is a commitment between two individuals or families.  Because Jonathan loved David he made a covenant, an agreement to watch David's back.

 
 

1. BACK WATCHERS PROTECT
   

   
    

   1 Samuel 19:1-2
   And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. [2] But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:
   

   
    

   You would think that David's life became easier after he became a national hero having slain Israel's biggest enemy, Goliath.
   

   
    

   But that was not so.  It wasn't long before King Saul figured out that the person who was going to succeed him as King was David.  Saul didn't like that.  He wanted to remain King in spite of what God said. He wanted his descendants to reign in his stead.
   

   Saul became David's enemy.  It wasn't long before Saul "put out a contract" on David's life.  He told Jonathan and all his servants to kill David.
   

   
    

   Because Jonathan loved David, he was watching his back. The first thing he did was to tell David to hide or "lay low" for a while. He warned David to stay out of sight so he didn't get himself killed.
   

   
    

   In 1 Samuel 19:4-7, Jonathan went and spoke up to his father in David's behalf.  He went to his father and spoke of David's innocence and faithfulness.
   

   
    

   The end result was a temporary reprieve for David.  For a time, the death wish on David by Saul was suspended. David was back in King Saul's good graces.
   

   
    

   Jonathan watched David's back by protecting him. Part of protecting somebody is warning them.
   

   
    

   Just as Jonathan warned David, you and I as good back watchers need to warn our friends when they are in danger.
   

   
    

   You are not being disloyal to a friend when you tell him or her the truth! You are protecting them!
   

   
    

   Galatians 6:1
   

   
    

   Notice also that part of protecting a friend is to speak up in his or her behalf.
   

   
    

   Jonathan not only warned David, but he spoke up for him. Jonathan approached his father, King Saul, and pointed out that a death wish against David just wasn't right!  He pointed out what David had done to prove that he was a loyal servant.  He championed David's innocence.
   

   
    

   There are times when we are to speak up for our friends to protect them. Back watchers protect their friends by warning them and speaking up for them.
   

2. BACK WATCHERS ENCOURAGE
   

   
    

   1 Samuel 23:16 - And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
   

   
    

   We are skipping a bunch of history here.  Saul's antagonism against David escalated. David's life was in danger big time. David had no other choice but to flee. While Saul was doing all he could to kill David, David was hiding.  Jonathan made a secret and dangerous trip to David in order to encourage David.
   

   
    

   If Saul found out what Jonathan had done, Jonathan would have been in big trouble! Jonathan went and encouraged David in the things of God. David was getting pressured by Saul. David was probably getting discouraged. Jonathan, watching David's back, came to David and encouraged Him in the things that mattered, the things of God. You call yourself a Christian. A Christian uses the Word of God with the help of the Spirit of God to encourage his or her friends. If your friend is not a Christian, you should encourage him or her to become one, even if that person becomes angry with you. If your friend is a Christian, encourage him or her using the principles of God's Word. Watch your friend's back by encouraging him or her!
   

 

1. BACK WATCHERS ARE TESTED
   

   
    

   2 Samuel 15:19, 21 - Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile. [21] And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
   

   
    

   David did eventually become king. Many years later after his kingdom was well established, his son, Absalom, staged a rebellion against David. David again had to run for his life.
   

   
    

   Many of David's loyal subjects fled with him. One of those people was a relative new comer and someone who was an exile from his own country, Ittai the Gittite.
   

   
    

   I don't know whether he meant to or not, but David tested his friend. He told his friend that he could back and be loyal to the new king. David was saying, "This isn't your battle Ittai. Go on home and don't worry about me!"
   

   
    

   Sometimes you will be tested by your friends. They will tell you "Don't worry about me. Go live your own life. This isn't your battle. It's mine. Don't get yourself involved." And sometimes we tell our friends the same thing. The temptation, the test, is to distance ourselves from the problems of our friends and not get involved.
   

   
    

   That is not what Ittai did.
   

   
    

   2 Samuel 15:21 - And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
   

   
    

   Ittai told David, "As God lives, I'm with you wherever you are!" Yes, we will be tested and tempted to distance ourselves from the problems of our friends.  But a real friend, a real back watcher sticks with his or her friend to the end!
   

 

1. BACK WATCHERS ARE FAITHFUL
   

   
    

   Having said what I just said about friends sticking with friends, sometimes we help our friends best by not being right with them, but by supporting them at a distance.
   

   
    

   The religious leaders, the high priests, were on David's side.  So they picked up the most sacred piece of religious furniture, the Ark of the Covenant, and left Jerusalem!
   

   
    

   David would not allow them to do that! 2 Samuel 15:25-28
   

   
    

   David was basically sending the priests back for two reasons.  First, he was sending them back to be faithful to God.  God had called them to be priests and in Zadok's a prophet. They were to remain faithful to God.
   

   
    

   They were also to be part of David's intelligence system and report to David through their sons, what was going on in Jerusalem.
   

   
    

   The best thing you can do as a back watcher is to be faithful to God. When you are faithful to God you will do what is best for your friends!   
   

   
    

   2 Samuel 15:29 - Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
   

   
    

2. BACK WATCHERS ARE TRUSTED
   

   
    

   2 Samuel 15:34 - But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.
   

   
    

   There was a man in David's court whose position was "friend of the King".  He was to be a loyal, faithful friend.
   

   
    

   Hushai was the man's name. Logically, "the friend of the King" planned on leaving with the King. He was his friend. David sent him back as a spy and as someone to confuse the counsel of a very wise man, Ahithophel.  Ahithophel was out to get David. Hushai was to prevent that from happening.
   

   
    

   David trusted Hushai. We are to be equally trusted. Our friends should be able to trust us to do what is right and what is best for them even if it is dangerous, unpleasant and different. We watch our friends' backs when we are faithful
   

   
    

3. BACK WATCHERS SHARE
   

   
    

   2 Samuel 17:28-29 - (They) Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse, [29] And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.
   

   
    

   David had friends who took care of the physical needs of David and those that fled with him.
   

   
    

   Sometimes we as friends watch our friends' backs when we share with them and meet their needs in tough times.
   

   
    

   Galatians 6:10 - As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
   

   
    

   Are you a good back watcher? Are you watching the backs of your friends and loved ones? GOOD BACK WATCHERS:
   

   
    

   •       LOVE
   

   •       PROTECT
   

   •       ENCOURAGE
   

   •       ARE TESTED
   

   •       ARE FAITHFUL
   

   •       ARE TRUSTED
   

   •       SHARE
   

Let Love Lead The Way

Leading plus loving equals legacy. Without love the burden of leadeing will turn into bitterness. Harry Emerson Fosdick once remarked, "Bitterness imprisons life love releases it. Bitterness paralyzes life love empowers it. Bitterness sours life love sweetens it. Bitterness sickens life love heals it. Bitterness blinds life love anoints its eyes." A leader must love as Christ loved, if he desires a legacy that lingers in the heavenlies. So, today let love lead the way. Anthony Payton




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Look For Movement

Did you know that Turkeys can see movement almost a hundred yards away? That's amazing to me. Visionary leadership--among many other things is about seeing movement from afar. Yet most of us have eyes and yet not see. When a leader doesn't see movement from afar; he
allows tradition to become the cornerstone of his leadership, and "Traditions are group efforts to keep the unexpected from happening."




So, today, look for movement from afar! Anthony Payton



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There is an African Proverb that says, "Where there is no shame there is no honor." Christ could not do miracles in his own home town, because of the people’s lack of faith. He later says, "A prophet has no honor in his own home town." so, there was a lack of faith, and subsequently limited miracles, due to their lack of shame revealed in
their refusal to honor the God man.

We don't often link shame, honor and miracles, but the bible does. God gives gifts to us in the persons of His leaders. Failure to honor those gifts is often the results of a lack of shame on our part. You will never truly honor the anointing
on someone's life; until you embrace your own shame! And this is often the result of a failure to embrace and except the shame of one's sin.

Yet, when we do so; we open the door of faith and release our
miracles. So, embrace your shame and deal with your sin and honor the leaders God has given. Your miracles depend on it!

Peace

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Motives

This morning has been a particular day of refection. You could say that I have been dealing with the man in the mirror. I have been questioning my motives in a number of different areas. Why? Because while a good motive cannot sanction a bad action, a bad motive will always vitiate a good action. Our motives matter in leadership. One's motives can either add value or devalue one's leadership. For me, my motives are filtered through three lenses: 1. Does it glorify God 2. Does it honor God’s word to me and 3, does it validate my leadership? So, what decisions do you have to make today. Check your motives. Try filtering them through these three lenses, Anthony Payton



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WINSOME TO WIN SOME

It is our being purposely gracious or winsome that will help bring or win people to Christ.

Matthew 5:13 - Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Jesus calls Christians "salt".

Salt is a preservative.

The world is morally and spiritually rotting away.

As Christians we act as preservatives against the rottenness.

We should be living in such a way that we are doing what is right.  The world should see us as standing against the trends of wickedness. Salt spices things up. When a Christian is "spicy" he is giving excitement to a dull world that only thinks that life is exciting. The Christian has more abundant life in Christ. Salt makes one thirsty. The Christian should make non-Christians thirsty for a better life, for Christ, for having what the Christian has.

 Jesus warns about salt that loses its savor or saltiness. If Christians are not salty they are not effective. Also, salt does no good if it's in the salt shaker and not be spread around.

How do we become "Winsome to Win Some" I have a few suggestions.

1. BE CONSISTENT
   

   
    

   Consistency is something non-Christians lack. In order for us to act as preservatives and to make people want we have we need to be consistent in at least two ways.
   

   
    

• WE NEED TO BE CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE BELIEVE
  

  If we believe in Jesus as our Savior, we also need to believe that Jesus has called us to live a holy life. Titus 2:11-12
  You will not win anyone to Christ by being just like them. If your Christianity has not made you different, why should anyone else want it? I'm not saying you should walk around preaching everywhere you go.  I am suggesting that the way you live should reflect an element of righteousness that is noticeable. As you live a holy life, one that is different, you will have opportunities to share your faith. 1 Peter 3:15
  

  
   

• WE NEED TO BE CONSISTENT WITH WHO WE ARE.
  

  
   

  We will not win anyone to Christ by pretending to be something we are not. People do not like hypocrisy even when they are hypocritical themselves. One of the worst things we can do as Christians is to pretend everything is okay when it isn't. Some have this convoluted idea that Christians are to always smile, always laugh, always appear on top of things even when they are not. They are to never get angry or hurt.
  

We Christians do have our sorrows. We do have our hurts, trials and disappointments. We do get angry. We do have bad days.  Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4 - To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; Unsaved people need to see that we are human, we are real. But what should they see that's different from them in this. In our sorrow we should show hope and joy and thanksgiving. In our anger we should show forgiveness. Christians should not be defeated by the sorrows.  They should use them as stepping stones towards a closer walk with God and that makes us different from the unsaved. James 1:2-4, Ephesians 4:32

 So we need to be consistent with what we believe and who we are.   

1. BE CONGENIAL
   

   
    

    Proverbs 18:24 - A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly…   
   

   
    

    Not everyone is out going. Not everyone is a back-slapper. Not everyone treats all others as long lost friends. But whether we are introverted or out going, we can all be friendly.
   

   We can take the time to say "Hello". We can take the time to ask how someone is doing. We can show interest in their answers. If a grouchy person gives you advice, are you likely to listen? If a person won't talk to you are you likely to take him seriously if all of a sudden he starts talking to you about religion? If your faith in Christ as not made you a friendly person, why should anyone want what you have?
   

   
    

2. BE COMMITTED
   

   
    

   One of the most precious commodities we have is time. None of us seem to have enough of it. Our job demands time. Keeping up with the yard and house demands time. Spending time with your family demands time. Church activities demand time. Sitting at the feet of Jesus to hear His Word takes time. Hobbies take time. Friendships take time. Developing relationships takes time. One of the most precious gifts you can give someone is your time! Using our time wisely takes discernment. Ephesians 5:16-18. If you want to win someone to Christ, it will take a time commitment on your part. One of the best things you can do is find things to do socially with an unsaved person. That doesn't mean you have to do things that you don't believe in, such as going to bars. But find things such as picnics, shopping, playing games, and hunting, going to ball games, and going out to eat that allow you to get to know each other better.  If we are committed to winning people to Christ we must be committed to spending time with them. Sometimes we will have witnessing opportunities when we hardly know people.  However being committed to a friendship will give you excellent opportunities to share.
   

   
    

3. BE CONCERNED
   

   
    

   Proverbs 27:10 - Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not…
   

   
    

   Romans 12:15 - Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
   

   
    

   Giving time to a friend is not just for social activities. When things are going bad for a friend, a true friend is around to listen, to cry, to help. When things are going well for a friend, a true friend is there to rejoice. Sometimes the only thing we can do for a friend is be there. Sometimes we can just listen. Showing concern begins with just checking on our friends to see how they are doing. Showing concern also means being sensitive to a person's moods, and knowing when to ask if things are okay. Showing concern may also mean tactfully warning someone when we see that they are headed in a wrong direction. Showing concern will earn you a hearing, when you are ready to share the Gospel. If a person knows that you are truly concerned for them, they are more likely to listen.
   

   
    

4. BE COOPERATIVE
   

   
    

   I realize that some of these thoughts overlap. Being concerned should lead us to the next logical step which is to cooperate with our friend in any way that we can to help. Galatians 6:10 - As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith
   

   
    

   Our cooperation should begin with our support for the well being of those who are brothers and sisters in Christ.  The demonstration of this active love for the brethren should be such in our Christian churches that the unsaved will take notice. John 13:34-2 But our cooperation is to go beyond those who are of our faith family.  We need to reach out also to our friends and even people we don't know with a compassion that says "I'll help if I can." It might be a donation of money or groceries to a family in need. It might be transporting someone to the hospital and/or waiting through surgery. It might be going with someone to a hearing or some other uncomfortable situation. It might be bringing a meal or dessert to someone during a difficult time. You can be creative. There are many ways to cooperate in friendship.
   

   
    

5. BE COMMUNICATIVE
   

   
    

   This brings us back to what we talked about last week, clear communication. We must be prayerfully looking for opportunities to share our faith, even if it is in little does. We should not rush the process in wanting to witness if the door is not open. However, when God opens a door we need to be ready to move right in and speak up for Christ. Remember, the soul winning is a process.
   

   
    

   1 Corinthians 3:6 - I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
   

 

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