OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...

DATE : SATURDAY 28 MAY 2016

THEME : LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE

Memorise :

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. John 13:14

Read : John 13:12-17

12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?

13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Message

There is nothing more fulfilling than a life of service. Jesus Christ washed the feet of His disciples to set an example of what leadership is. Jesus Christ being our Lord and Saviour, our master and instructor has proven to us that leadership is not title but service. It is service that show relevance, one may have title and not be relevant in the scheme of things. That should not be heard among the children of God. Even though He was the master,yet, He condescended so low in humility to serve His disciples. This means a leader irrespective of the position he occupies, must never forget that essence of that position is to serve the people that God has entrusted in his care. Every leader must emulate people like Gideon and Abimelech who led by service. Judges 9:48 says:

"And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done."

As ministers of the gospel, we are to show grave, humility and love at every given time. We must serve the interest of those the Lord has put in our trust at every given time. You as a leader should not lord it over people. People should should not obey you simply because of the office you occupy. They should respect you for the value you adding to their lives. Our knowledge of Jesus as the creator of all things who still stopped low to clean the feet of those people He created should make us think twice. We must be able to go extra mile for physical and spiritual needs of the people we are leading. The Bible demands that whoever will be great should be a servant ( Mathew 20:27 ).

The essence of the anointing of God in your is not for show but for service. Service is a fundamental aspect of leadership. The moment you remove service from your life,there is no room for good leadership. People should see the good example you are showing and praise God for your life. There are people occupying one office or the other and they have become principalities and powers to those they are supposed to serve. They use the instrument of office to oppress others. This is not the example that Jesus set. Invest in people, and they will give you their commitment and loyalty. Value people genuinely, and they will respect you. A true leader is identified by the value he places on those under him. You must labour more than those under you. Apostle Paul was a latecomer but he laboured more than others, and he admonished us to follow in his footstep as he followed Jesus Christ. Leadership is awesome, but you need the wisdom of God to be able to lead well. The Lord will assist you in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:

Father, let my life be a good example for others to follow.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 Chronicles 1:1-5:1 and Proverbs 30:18-33

AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 14: ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS

1. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle, see his banners go!

Chorus:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

2. At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory! Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

Chorus:

3. Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

Chorus:

4. Crowns and thrones may perish, Kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never 'gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail.

Chorus:

5. Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.

Chorus.