Real Leaders Expand Their Dreams

                                             When The Door Slams

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.                                                                                                 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 NIV

            Even as we become self-reliant and take responsibility for planting the seeds that will grow into the trees of our own success, we face an equal responsibility of planting shade trees for the benefit of others. One of God's great rules for the harvest of success is that the crops we sow and reap must be for the benefit of others, too--not crops grown and reaped at their expense. The harvest of seed of selfishness always results in personal and group famine, pestilence, and drought.

            Success does not mean standing victoriously over a fallen enemy. It is standing side by side with persons you have helped. Success is a matter of raising not only your own water level but the water level of all around you so that all the ships in the harbor can embark on prosperous voyages.

            You are truly successful when you can extend a strong hand to someone who is reaching, searching, or just trying to hang on. There is divine purpose in bringing out the best in one another. Selfish people have narrow thinking and live in a narrow world. Real leaders expand their dreams, goals, plans...and efforts...beyond themselves to say, "I live every moment, enjoying as much as I can, relating as much as I can, doing as much as I can--and giving as much as I can."  

            We live in a "me" world--facing the challenge of turning a "me" generation into a "we" generation. The elusive preoccupation we have in self-gratification and self-indulgence has too often been defined as personal success. Personal success, in my opinion, is only success if it also results in success for those with whom your life is intertwined. 

            Think about this: Giving changes us deep down, deep inside. It is more blessed to give than to receive. That is not just a truism stated by Jesus; it is a reality substantiated day in and day out by observing what happens to people when they give. 

Confession: The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve." (Jeremiah 17:9-10 NIV)  

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.         

                                                Never Rest Ministries