Summary: One day Jesus is coming. He brings his reward with him. He will repay with unbelievably humongous dividends to the faithful. What was done in secret, will be rewarded.

The apostle John, while sitting on the island of Patmos closed off the book of Revelation by quoting Jesus Christ, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.”

One day Jesus is coming. He brings his reward with him. He will repay with unbelievably humongous dividends to the faithful. What was done in secret, will be rewarded. A prayer offered for a child in secret will be rewarded. An act of compassion to a lost and straggling sheep, will be rewarded. That extra effort and intentionality that was placed in preparation for a Sunday school lesson, by faith, will be rewarded. He is coming soon and his reward is with him.

Oh that we would have discerning eyes to see the special way we could minister on any given day. I want to see where his love is most needed, and be moved by the Holy Spirit to administer the healing salve of Jesus Christ on a wounded soul. Ask where you could be used, this week, in the life of a kid. Faithfully obey God’s leading in the small things. No one knows how your joyful greeting to a kid in your small group just might mean. By faith, in the Lord, I believe it will be rewarded. The apostle John closes the book of Revelation which also closes off the entire Bible by saying these words, “He who testifies to these things says, Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come Lord Jesus! His reward is with Him.

Summary: When we are upset, confused and feel disheveled, we should not be dictated and dominated by our feelings. I do not want to be unnecessarily burdened and confused by the fickle nature of my emotions. Emotionally strong leaders seek to understand what is happening so they can move forward in a healthy way.

When we are upset, confused and feel disheveled, we should not be dictated and dominated by our feelings. I do not want to be unnecessarily burdened and confused by the fickle nature of my emotions.

It could be my Physical Considerations: If there is something not right physically, it influences how I feel and perceive life. Am I tired from lack of rest? Am I experiencing physical pain? Am I hungry? Am I tired from stress?

It could be circumstances OUTSIDE my control. In life, there are items in my control and outside of my control. An example might be awaiting an interview. There is nothing you can reasonably do to make a prospective job provide the second interview faster.

It could be circumstances WITHIN my control: There are things I can proactively do. Stress often comes not from what you are doing, but from what you think you should be doing. Stress might come from NOT having an updated resume and NOT submitting applications. Guess what? I can DO SOMETHING about these!

However, it could be unconfessed sin. David said, "When I hid my sin, my bones wasted away." Negative mental manifestations and physical maladies are associated with UN-confessed sin. Why? It tears us up. Confess it to God. Clear it up now.

Finally, it could be a relationship issue that needs repaired or addressed: Broken relationships add strain and stress to our lives. Can you take reasonable actions to set up a time with this person? Relationships are messy and take a toll on our emotions. When we are upset, confused and feel disheveled, there are typically reasons why. Emotionally strong leaders seek to understand what is happening so they can move forward in a healthy way.

Summary: Daniel was stripped of his culture, his family and even his first name. Yet his core conviction remained the same. He honored the One-True God. Let’s ask the question, “How can I honor God under these conditions?” from a heart of hope and not despair. Let’s ask that question from the perspective of longing to do the right thing and I believe God will show the way.

I have been all over the country. I have seen some super hard conditions that seemed to make it tough to lead ministry at a particular church. And, I have to say, I have had my fair share of hard things that have caused me to question and ask, “How can I honor God under these conditions?” Leadership can be hard.

Let’s look at Daniel. Daniel rose to positions of influence under three separate pagan kings. The conditions could not have been more challenging for Daniel or should I call him Belteshazzar. He was stripped of his culture, his family and even his first name. Yet his core conviction remained the same. He honored the One-True God. Daniel was never the boss. He was, however, a very influential second. Daniel was part of a corrupt system. Daniel was surrounded by power-hungry people vying for positions of influence. They wanted power and they wanted Daniel removed. Cunning leaders wanted Daniel out of his position as second in command so they could exert their influence. They manipulated the king. This, of course, landed him in the lion’s den. These seem like hard conditions, don’t they? Regardless, Daniel was quite successful, supremely influential and yet maintained his integrity.

I often wonder if Daniel and his friends asked, “How can we honor God under these conditions?” Whether it was eating the right foods, interpreting an unknown dream, not bowing to an idol and more, they tried to find a way to honor God.

Let’s ask the question, “How can I honor God under these conditions?” from a heart of hope and not despair. Let’s ask that question from the perspective of longing to do the right thing and I believe God will show the way.

Summary: One of the hardest parts of serving in the local church is seeing upcoming or impending problems on the horizon and yet lack the authority to do anything about it. Looking at the example of Nehemiah, consider if you have the insight to see problems others do not see, and a walk with God that allows you to pray at a moment’s notice when you are called upon to provide a solution.

One of the hardest parts of serving in the local church is seeing upcoming or impending problems on the horizon and yet lack the authority to do anything about it. Maybe you can relate. I mean, how uncomfortable is it to have the gift of foresight, the ability to see around corners, and lack the power to avoid the disaster your fight has allowed you to see. You might say, “Josh, I see problems needing addressed, but lack the power and authority to bring about change.” I have been there and I have done that. However, there is hope.

Let’s look at Nehemiah. Nehemiah had been carted off from Israel to Babyalon during the deportation. He was in a foreign country. He was serving under a pagan and ruthless king. He held a position, but not the ultimate position. Nehemiah was not a decision-maker. Nehemiah saw a problem. He was grief stricken as he learned about the drama and trauma surrounding his beloved Jerusalem. He saw problems needing addressed. But he did not hold the keys to the car. He was in the passenger seat of a foreign regime. It was from this position that he humbly leveraged his influence, prayed an instantaneous prayer and was used greatly of God to rebuild the city gates and walls of Jerusalem.

Let me challenge you with several things: First, do you have the insight to see problems others do not see? Second, do you have the ability to create solutions when others only see problems? Third, do you have the type of walk with God that allows you to lob up a prayer at a moment’s notice when you are abruptly called upon to provide a solution to the problem?

Let’s be like Nehemiah.

Summary: Leadership in ministry is truly a long game. Let’s not seek to think of ourselves more highly than we ought and unintentionally grab at the mantle of leadership before our time. Trust in His sovereignty.

Leadership in ministry is truly a long game. It takes years of faithfulness and perseverance before we begin to see the grander fruitfulness we dream of. Sometimes you may feel like your dreams of leading at higher levels of leadership are so far off. You might say, ‘But Josh, I am growing so tired of waiting for MY TURN to lead.” I understand. I believe it is deep within us all to want to contribute at ever increasing levels of significance.

Let’s look at Elisha. Elisha found it an honor to follow Elijah. Elisha was second for a really long time. He would not step into his leadership role until Elijah had completed all God had for him to do. This took years. Some scholars believe it was 25 years or more before Elisha received his double portion and was now positioned to lead. God had things to do through Elijah. Elisha’s turn to lead was coming. Elisha remained second. May I suggest that if your rise to leadership brings dishonor to another leader, it is likely premature.

Think of all the things Elisha saw as he was second. Think of all the lessons and all the things he was able to glean. I want to be a leadership sponge and soak all that I can. I want to pick up and learn as much as I can from those above me and around me.

I had a wise national leader say to me that his most significant ministry was not realized until he was in his mid-50’s. This gave me great hope. Ministry is a long haul. Let’s not seek to think of ourselves more highly than we ought and unintentionally grab at the mantle of leadership before our time. Trust in His sovereignty.

Summary: Samuel learned to hear God’s voice, yet he did it under a bad leader and his two wicked sons. He was subject to a corrupt religious system, yet learned true temple service. God protected him. God taught him. You are not alone in having experienced hard things. In Samuel, God raised a leader that ultimately changed things for the better.

Church leadership can be hard. You can find yourself looking at the underbelly of an organization. I heard someone once say, “If you way how they made the sausage, you would never want to eat it anymore.” I get it. There are times when we are exposed to the darker and more human side of those in leadership of the church. It can be hard. You may say, “Josh, I feel surrounded by corrupt and deceptive leaders.” I get it. I honestly do. Sometimes leaders are not presenting things as they really are, at best and sometimes they outright deceive, at worst.

Let’s look at Samuel. Samuel learned to hear God’s voice. Samual learned true temple service. He learned these things under a bad leader and his two wicked sons. Samuel was subject to a corrupt religious system. The oppressive and dark leadership of Phineas and Hophni were deplorable and wicked. Beyond this, the man in charge, Eli, knew of their corruption and did nothing about it. Samuel found himself under a corrupt and sketchy leadership team. Samuel was not in charge. However, the scriptures say that Samuel grew in stature and favor with God under that oppressive regime. Long before he was elevated, Samuel was under some pretty oppressive leaders and in some pretty oppressive conditions.

Sadly, we will serve under and next to leaders who make choices not in line with what we think should happen. This can be hard. However, we have an example in Samuel. God protected him. God taught him. God raised a leader that ultimately changed things for the better. You are not alone in having experienced hard things. Be like Samuel and grow in wisdom and godliness.

Summary: Ministry can seem lonely and it can be hard to see where you fit. Ruth, the Moabite, was an outsider not likely to shape the kingdom of God. Yet ultimately she would be named in the lineage of the Messiah. God has been at work long before you were born. God will continue to be at work long after you are gone. Play your part well and trust Him with the results.

Ministry can seem lonely and it can be hard to see where you fit. You might say, “I feel insignificant and can’t see the big picture.” It can be hard to see where our contributions fit into the greater good. It is hard to quantify how “little old me” is making a difference in the kingdom of God. Let’s look at Ruth, the Moabite. You might be able to relate to her. The Old Testament story of Ruth is one of an outsider who was not a likely candidate to shape the kingdom of God. She was a foreigner in a foreign land. There was a famine. She was poor. She was a woman in a man’s world. To top it all off, she was a widow. She was about as insignificant as they come.

Ruth was the daughter-in-law to Naomi. Ruth stayed by her side. She took the position of a servant. Ruth followed Naomi’s instructions, not seeking for her own. This ultimately positioned her to be in the linage of the Messiah. Naomi told her what to do and she did it.

Listen, hard times will come. Ruth and Naomi experienced death, famine, societal challenges as widows and poverty. Naomi was likely a Jewish outcast and Ruth was an outright foreigner. Even as the conditions changed for the positive and Ruth married Boaz, no one could have seen the amazing future children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that would come from this marriage.

Never forget. God has been at work long before you were born. God will continue to be at work long after you are gone. Play your part well and trust Him with the results.

Summary: While serving under Moses, Joshua searched out the promised land and was confident God would deliver the inhabitants into the hands of the Israelites. But he was in the minority. You may find yourself in the minority, yet you can still walk in obedience to God.

People are fallen and sinful. This fact alone makes ministry hard. You may say, “My bosses seem weak and they cave to pressure.” This could be true. If this is the case, let me say that you would not be the first one for whom this has happened.

Let’s look at the story of Joshua. Most people think the story of Joshua STARTED ith the opening lines of the old testament book that bears his name. Joshua’s story started long before he was in charge of the nation of Israel. Joshua was 2nd in command to Moses. He was a man of God.

He was chosen to search out the promised land and had faith. He had confidence that God would mightily deliver the inhabitants of the land into the hands of the Israelites. But Joshua was in the minority. His voice was not influential enough to overcome the naysayers. Joshua’s boss, Moses was a weak leader and caved to pressure. I wonder how Joshua must have felt. Joshua had to wander for 40 years with the rest of the disobedient nation, though he had faith. It was a long time before the mantle of leadership came his way.

You may say, “My bosses seem weak and they cave to pressure.” Joshua felt the same thing. Joshua’s success was his opediance. God will judge each one individually. When we are not in charge, we must trust that God is going to reward our obedience and not the outcomes from other fallen leaders. Take courage and be like Joshua.

Summary: The life of Joseph, while full of painful trials and set backs, can be an example of growing in leadership through using our gifts and showing faithful character.

Ministry can be hard. You may have dreams and people are standing in the way. Let’s look at Joseph. Joseph had dreams. He had dreams of greatness. He was recognized early on by his father as being ultra-gifted. However, Joseph never saw his dreams come true until he started working to make the dreams of others become a reality. Joseph was a slave and yet rose to be second in command to Potiphar.

Joseph’s gifts made room for him. Then Joseph sat in a prison cell and was raised, once again, to a position of influence in that jail. Those who are faithful in little will be faithful in much. That Egyptian jail seemed like such a waste of talent. And yet Joseph, at just the right time, was elevated to second in command over all Egypt. Joseph was never the boss and yet he was greatly used of God. Joseph’s character qualified him time and time again.

Question: Are your gifts making room for you? Consider stepping up your game. Another Question: Are you showing faithfulness in small things? Consider shoring up your efforts, even in the little things. Question: Do you have an impeccable character and a sense of integrity that makes you stand out and even stand strong?

You may have dreams and people are standing in the way. So did Joseph. Be like Joseph.

Summary: When it comes to leading in ministry, your past practice is the prime indicator of your future success.

You have a past. Your reputation precedes you. If you do not realize it, let me be the one to bring you up to speed. You have a reputation. You have earned it. A reputation is earned through time plus consistency of any behavior, whether good or bad. Your boss has a set of data points about you. Those data points have been laid by you and have your fingerprints all over them.

When it comes to leading in ministry, your past practice is the prime indicator of your future success. If you are prone to dropping balls and shoddy work, your boss should expect your future to be about the same. At this point, you might cry foul and say, “But Josh, I am changing!” Good for you! Here is a quick reality check. It takes quite a bit of time and quadruple the data points to shift the graph.

Think with me for a moment. If you have 100 points of bad data, you have to have 100 points of good data to offset the bad and “shoot the middle''. At this point, you are not even close to shifting the tide and overcoming your historical track record. You need an additional set of 300 good date points to shift the line conclusively in the positive direction. Making up for lost ground is actually quite hard. Bottom line: Stop sucking and start winning right now.