Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

18 Nov 2024

Do Not Be Afraid

While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Mark 5:35-36 NIV

Jairus, a synagogue leader, had left his sick daughter at home to seek help from the healer – Jesus. He must have known how serious her condition was and that her recovery was tenuous at best. And now, having recruited help from the One who would heal his daughter, he was returning with Him to his dying daughter. But along the way, tragic news arrives from home – his daughter has died and the Healer was too late in arriving.

Jesus, upon overhearing the sad news from several of Jairus’ messengers and their counsel not to bother Jesus anymore, for the crisis was over and the outcome was heartbreaking, addresses Jairus. He exhorts him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Jairus now has a choice to make – believe the news and give way to fear or believe what Jesus was assuring him of – just believe in Me and it will all work out. It was time for Jairus to step up and step out in faith, or choose the logical path of loss and grief.

While we do not have Jairus’ verbal response to Jesus, we see that he continued on with Jesus back to his home in spite of the news that his daughter had passed. He chose to believe that Jesus could help – no doubt wondering what exactly He would do. He only had a promise – don’t give way to fear, just believe in Me and it will work out.

Kingdom leaders regularly face situations where plans do not go as hoped. The execution of what seemed so good and right when we began, now in light of our current reality seem tragically hopeless. What do we do? We fear failure, loss, embarrassment as we lead others through the ‘valley.’ Will we try and ‘fix it’ ourselves, relying upon our limited resources and ability? Is it continuing on in faith or just a stubborn refusal to admit defeat?

We humble ourselves, acknowledging that God does direct our steps and He has the right to determine whether our outcomes are accomplished in the ways we thought best or His unimagined ways. We do not demand our ways, but commit ourselves and our endeavors to His loving, perfect outcome for us. There are times when we proceed as before (i.e. Jairus) or there are times when we must adjust our plans. Both require faith and courage. The key is obeying His direction and the Spirit’s leading.

We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9 NLT

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT

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04 Nov 2024

Dealing with Opposition

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth… 2 Timothy 2:22-25 ESV

Note Paul’s admonitions to his son in the faith, Timothy. He instructs Timothy to flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness – run from the flesh and run to Christlikeness. And Timothy is told to align himself with those of like heart.

Paul’s second warning is to avoid at all cost – have nothing to do with foolish controversies. These types of interactions only breed quarrels and fights and result in little good. But also note that after reminding Timothy to avoid quarrels and ignorant controversies, he instructs him in how to handle such. It seems that some things can’t be avoided all the time. Don’t be quarrelsome he says – in other words, don’t go looking for a fight. But when it comes, here’s how to handle yourself.

First, you must be kind and gentle in your responses. You are to instruct those who oppose you and patiently correct them in their error. Note that Paul refers to these people as ‘opponents’ or ‘those who are in opposition.’ They are entrapped in evil and Timothy is to deal with them in such a way that they repent of their evil and find the truth.

Remember to respond, don’t react. Be quick to listen and slow to speak. The goal in handling opposition is not to ‘win’ but to be obedient to Christ.

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21 Oct 2024

Growing Weary in Doing Good

…how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. Acts 10:38 NIV

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:9-10 NIV

Kingdom leaders want to use their leadership for good – for furthering God’s overall purposes, accomplishing their God-given mission, blessing those they lead, lifting burdens others can’t, etc. But the concerns and responsibilities of leadership can be weighing and cause one to forget our reality. Here’s a short list of what is true for believers who follow Christ and what awaits us.

  1. Forgiveness of sin – 1 John 1:9
  2. Inward cleansing – Psalm 103.:12
  3. Peace with God – Romans 5:1
  4. Eternal life – John 3:16
  5. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit – Galatians 2:20
  6. Victory over temptation – 1 Corinthians 10:13
  7. Resurrection from the dead – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
  8. A new, glorified body – 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
  9. Immortality – Revelation 21:7
  10. Dwelling place in the house of God forever – John14:1-3

So, as you ‘go about doing good’ do not grow weary in your efforts. Remember your reality. Yes, the headwinds of the world may be in your face, but do not lose heart. Your eternal destiny is assured.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV

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07 Oct 2024

Risk Management and Faith

He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. … In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good. Ecclesiastes 11:4, 6 ESV

Life is full of risk and there are always risks to be considered in every decision or endeavor. To simply ignore potential threats and hope for the best is foolishness. In the above passage, it there is a sustained 50 mph wind blowing, a farmer who sows by hand scattering seed to the wind would be very foolish to assume that his sowing would yield a good harvest. Better to wait, let the wind die down, and then act. But if the farmer waits for the ‘perfect weather’ he probably will never act. Don’t ignore risk, but don’t let possible difficulty paralyze you to inaction. As the author states several chapters before, “There is a time for everything…” Ecclesiastes 3:1

In Ecclesiastes 9:4 (NIV) the author states, “Anyone who is among the living has hope–even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!” Yes, death is the destiny of all of us (see Ecclesiastes 7:2). The dead lion could have assessed the risk of attacking the water buffalo and decided the risk was worth the reward. Or he could have ignored the potential threat of the buffalo’s horns and paid the ultimate price. In both cases the lion died and lost chance for future conquests. Yes, there is a time to die, but don’t go there while foolishly ignoring potential risk.

Having assessed the potential risk in a decision, there comes a time to act. Faith calls us to focus our attention on Christ, trusting in Him for the outcomes. “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.” (Proverbs 21:31 NIV) We consider, we assess, we decide and then we act. But those actions are steps of faith, not flesh, for “…we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7) ESV

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23 Sep 2024
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Leadership Conversations

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20 ESV

While James is not writing specifically to Kingdom leaders, his counsel is especially applicable to all leaders as they interact with others. For leaders, due to their position and authority, are heard at a volume of 9 even when they speak at a volume of 3. This can be of great advantage when affirming another for a job well done. But it can be tragically wounding if words are said in anger or without self-control.

James gives three actions when in interpersonal communications with others. Let’s look closer at these.

1. Be quick to hear – Have you ever been in conversation with another when they seemed not to be listening to you, but rather only waiting for the opportunity to speak? As leaders you will often be deferred to for speaking first or your words will be given more weight due to your role or position. Rather than sharing your thoughts, train yourself to ask questions and let others speak. And when they talk, really listen to them. Jesus asked over 200 questions and not one time did He need more information!

2. Be slow to speak – If you are quick to hear, you will be slow to speak. But you may hear and truly not be listening. Instead, you may be giving an outward appearance of listening, but inwardly you are formulating your response and ignoring what is being said. It is so important for leaders to think before they speak – to respond and not react. Wait before you send that email response. Put it into your draft folder and sleep on it. You’ll find many times that the next day you will reword it or not send it at all.

3. Be slow to anger – Note that James does not say, ‘and never become angry.’ Anger is a God-given emotion that, like other emotions, are morally neutral. God becomes angry, yet without sin. It is how we express our anger that determines whether we sin or not in our anger. Before we chastise or rebuke another, remember to take the log out of your own eye first (see Matthew 7:1-5). Words spoken in anger, though they may be forgiven, are not forgotten and the scars may be lasting.

Stewarding your leadership influence for good is more than accomplishing mission. It also includes caring for the flock entrusted to your leadership. Watch your interpersonal comms! You will be quoted!

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09 Sep 2024

Do What You Can, Not What You Should

But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. … She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. Mark 14:6, 8 ESV

And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:42-44 ESV

Many Kingdom leaders are often driven by an inner ‘voice’ to do more. They work very hard every day, sometimes neglecting their own spiritual or physical well-being, for the sake of the great responsibilities given them. Their ‘to-do’ list is ever lengthening – they cross two items off the top and add four more at the bottom. And when they put their head down on the pillow at night their minds race with the many things yet undone.

If there ever was someone who could do more, it was Jesus. For He had the power and ability to do more at any moment. With a simple word or wave of His hand He could change everything in an instant. Yet, He did not do so. He confessed to being able to call a legion of angels to help Him in an instant of great stress at His trial and crucifixion, but He refused. He chose to live within the limits of His incarnation.

These two women above also lived within their limits. Both did what they could, not what they ‘should’ or perhaps even desired. One anointed Jesus with expensive perfume and was criticized for her seemingly wasteful act. The other, a poor widow, gave two small copper coins – what she could give – as an act of worship to the God she loved. Both of these acts are small in the grand scheme of things, yet they illustrate a profound truth.

Kingdom leaders must accept our limits, do what we can do, and leave the rest for another day or another person. A mark of maturity is being able to live with unfinished tasks. Don’t be driven by those inner voices telling you what you ‘should’ be doing. Do what you can and not what you think you should!

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26 Aug 2024
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Is God Alone Enough?

We hear a lot today about the immense importance of ‘community’ in the life of a follower of Jesus. And if by that we mean our connection to the broader Body of Christ and our part in it as we live and labor for Jesus then there is merit in this. But I’ve begun to wonder if we are striving to find something in our ‘community’ of believers that God does not intend? Are we looking to others to meet needs that only God alone can?

It would seem that for many life is teetering on disaster if we can’t connect with our friends daily. We have to check in with those we ‘do life with’ to know how it goes, but maybe more importantly, so we can tell them how it’s going with us. We must gather physically or electronically, plugging in our emotional and sometimes our spiritual umbilical cords seeking soul nourishment to be able to make it through life’s challenges. But it often seems to be a gathering of two ticks in search of a dog!

I don’t believe Christ is calling us to be hermits or live isolated, cloistered lives. We are to be in the world and not of it, being salt and light. We are reminded not to give up meeting together that we may stimulate one another towards a life pleasing to God. (Hebrews 10:25) But are we striving to find in others what only Christ can deliver? Is fellowship with the living God, our Creator enough? Or is it God plus my worship music, my fellowship with others, my beautiful surroundings, my financial security, or even my ministry activities for Him?

Now some will point out that when God created Adam He did say, “It is not good for man to be alone,” and thus He created a woman. But we must be careful not to conclude from this narrative that God’s calling to singleness is in some way less than or incomplete when compared to those who He calls to marriage. Singleness or those married believers who lose a spouse are not in any way lesser than or missing out, for God alone is enough for both.

Allow God to meet your every need. Cry out to Him to fill your cup until it overflows. Find your everything in Him and then join with Paul in saying, “For me to live is Christ.” (Philippians 1:21) For He and He alone will meet your every need.

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12 Aug 2024

Fear God, not People!

Then the angel of the LORD said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So he arose and went down with him to the king. 2 Kings 1:15 ESV

Twice before the wicked king Ahaziah had sent groups of 50 soldiers to capture Elijah as he sat on a hill and bring him back. And on each occasion the Lord had miraculously intervened with fire from heaven killing those who had come to take him captive. Now a third group of fifty soldiers arrives with the same intention, but having a captain with a different attitude. This captain pleads for the life of his men, asking Elijah to spare them and have mercy on him as well that they might not suffer the same fate as the previous two companies.

Now one might expect that God would once again do what He had done twice before – fire falls from heaven and consumes the soldiers. It makes sense. But this time God tells Elijah to surrender himself to the captain and willingly go with him. And God adds an interesting reminder for Elijah, “…don’t be afraid of him.” And so, Elijah got up and went down the hill with the captain and his men to the king. There Elijah faithfully delivers the message to the king that he will soon die because of his evil actions. And Elijah leaves the king unharmed.

God’s ways can change, but God Himself never changes (Malachi 3:6). It would be easy for Elijah to question why should I surrender the third time, when I know this captain and the king he represents have plans to harm me? God anticipates this response from Elijah and reminds him not to be afraid just because it’s a new way of doing things this time. He is capable of protecting Elijah using a variety of means.

Kingdom leaders must not be presumptive upon how God will act based upon previous experiences. God may continue to follow a previous pattern or He may change His ways. “Our God is in heaven and He does whatever pleases Him.” (Psalm 115:3) Elijah himself had been fed by ravens for a season and then was told of a change. He was to go to a widow who would feed him in the next season of his life.

The constant and dependable is God Himself and His Word. The ‘how’ of His actions are varied. Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV) says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Nothing that God directs us to do will be contrary to His Word, the Bible. Remember A.W. Tozer’s words, “Be assured that anything that comes to us from the God of the Word will deepen our love for the Word of God.”

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29 Jul 2024

God is Generous

And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Mark 6:42-43 ESV

What’s your attitude about God’s provision for you and your ministry? Is He a God who provides? Is He a God who provides just enough? Or is a God who provides abundantly – above and beyond what we could ask or imagine? “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” Ephesians 3:20 NIV

Note the abundance of God’s loving provision in the following examples:

2 Kings 4:1-7 – The widow needed to pay off a debt. God’s provision of oil paid the debt and allowed her to live from the extra.

2 Kings 6:43-44 – Elisha feeding 100 prophets with 20 barley loaves. They ate their fill and had leftovers.

Mark 6:30-44 – Jesus feeding 5000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fish. They all ate and were satisfied and collected 12 basketfuls of leftovers.

Mark 8:1-10 – Jesus feeding 4000 people with 7 loaves and a few small fish. They all ate as much as they wanted and there were 7 basketfuls of leftovers.

God is not stingy or stretched for resources to meet our needs. He is generous beyond our understanding. His ways are not our ways. We submit to His ways and accept His provision knowing that when, how, and how much He provides is in perfect alignment with His perfect plans for us. He is good and all that He does is good.

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15 Jul 2024

Come to Grips with the Possible

Some years ago, I spent a day with J.O. Sanders, assisting him in his travels from one end of the island of Java to another. As we transited from trains, planes, and automobiles we discussed much about life, ministry, and leadership. He asked me questions that caused me to reflect upon my plans, hopes, and dreams for ministry in Indonesia. It was a wonderful day!

Somewhere during this day, he said this, “Tom, I have something I’d like to say to you.” Well, as you can imagine, that got my attention. “Of course,” I said, “Please do so. I’m interested to hear what you have to say.” “Tom, you need to come to grips with the possible,” he said. Hmmm, I thought. I wonder what he means by that. So we continued our conversation with me asking him to please explain further.

“Tom, you’ve told me about your hopes and aspirations – your plans and your initiatives. But your youthful zeal and idealism has set you up for daily frustrations and great disappointments. It’s not wrong to have those future goals and dreams. But don’t live there. Live and labor in the present and trust God for whatever outcomes He deems best from your effort. Come to grips with what’s possible today, work hard at what He gives you to do, and leave the outcomes to Him who is good and always does what is good. Don’t be so focused on what remains undone. Do what you can, today. There will be time and resources to accomplish all He intends for you tomorrow.”

It was only later that I realized this was the same counsel Jesus gave His disciples when they questioned the effort of a women who anointed him with expensive perfume. There was much left undone that the money from the sale of the perfume could have been used for. Jesus’ reply was poignant, “Leave her alone. She has done what she could.”

That short dialog with J.O. Sanders marked me. Since that day I have sought to apply his counsel to work hard each day, do what I can, and leave what is undone for tomorrow. Jesus said it another way, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34 ESV

Another leader once counseled me, “A mark of maturity in leadership is being able to live with unfinished tasks.”

Therefore, work hard each day. Do what you can. Tomorrow will come with its own special challenges. Come to grips with the possible!

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