Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

Archive for the tag “character development”

27 Jan 2025

People Pleasing and Compromising

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 NIV

Everyone wants to be well thought of by others. And Kingdom leaders are no exception. We value the approval of others, especially the approval of those we are leading. But if we are not careful, we will begin to seek the approval of others at the expense of the approval of God. It can be a fine line between conviction and compromise.

Paul was taking the risk of offending the Galatian believers by pointing out his bold and courageous stand for the truth of the gospel he had delivered to them. This gospel message was not accompanied by other rules and regulations found in the Jewish Law. It was a matter of faith and belief in Jesus that brought their forgiveness and salvation, not the circumcision of the flesh or obedience to dietary laws or celebration of certain Jewish feasts.

Today Kingdom leaders face similar challenges when it comes to standing for the truth found in God’s Word as opposed by others who would seek to accommodate this with cultural additions. It will take boldness and courage to lead into the societal headwinds and cultural tides of our day. It will also take Kingdom leaders who are well-versed in the Bible and its application to steer a path through the cultural mine fields of our times.

May we all seek to please God and Him alone, regardless of whether we are approved by others, knowing that ‘… wisdom is proved right by all her children.” Luke 7:35 NIV

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30 Dec 2024

Launching the New Year!

2024 has ended and now we launch 2025!  As we end one and begin a new calendar year, it’s good to pause and reflect upon what was and what we hope will be.  It is through reflection that we can gain perspective and see more clearly the overarching, God-orchestrated, macro-movements of our lives.

Leaders are often too busy to stop and reflect.  We always have more things to do and people to see.  We take one item off the do-list and add three more!  Who has time to stop and think?

Today…..now is the time to stop and reflect upon who you are becoming and what you are doing!  Your personal diary, journal or devotional notebook can be of great help to you as you look back and observe themes or topics the Lord has been addressing in you.  Here are some questions to get you started in this reflection time.

Are you satisfied with your own personal spiritual walk and growth?  More importantly, is Jesus pleased with your pursuit of Him?  How’s your current pace of life?  Is it sustainable long-term?  Do you have a margin in your schedule?  Are you living and leading from an overflow?  How’s your family doing?  Are you paying the price to experience the marriage you committed to on your wedding day?  Are you investing deeply in your children and grandchildren, knowing that the years for significant influence are rapidly passing you by?

What fears are you trying to ignore related to your leadership?  Are you leading with faith and courage?  Are you more concerned about your reputation or God’s glory?  Is the vision of where you are leading to focused or foggy?  Do you have a team that is unified and empowered around a shared vision?  Are you making progress in the God-given mission that you intended to accomplish?

These and many more questions are helpful for taking stock of where you are today and where you intend to be/go tomorrow.  Use this season for reflection and refocus as you start a new year full of new hope and new beginnings.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.    Hebrews 12:1-2  NIV

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025!

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16 Dec 2024
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Dealing with the Unexpected

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. Philippians 1:12-13 ESV

If there ever was someone who had the ‘right’ to adopt a ‘woe is me – victimhood’ mentality it would be Paul. But he did not. Rather, he adjusted his perspective to a Kingdom one instead of a personal perspective. And that made all the difference!

At the time of writing the Philippian letter, Paul was in Rome under house arrest for two years, chained to a Roman guard continually. Two years earlier he was arrested in Jerusalem and falsely accused of bringing a Gentile into the Temple area and defiling it. He was plotted against by the Jewish leaders, given a sham trial, left to rot in prison because he refused to bribe his way out, sent under guard to Rome, shipwrecked in Malta and eventually placed under house arrest in Rome waiting for his trial.

All of this was no ‘fault’ of his own – he had done nothing deserving years of imprisonment. Yet, we do not see him complaining or questioning God as to, “Why me?” He was able to lift his eyes and mind off of himself and see a bigger purpose in all that was happening (see Hebrews 3:1 and 12:1-2). He entrusted himself to the One who was sovereign and good over all that happens, knowing that Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31 ESV

All of us deal with the unexpected, unjust, and unfair things in life. Let’s strive to keep an eternal, Kingdom perspective rather than a worldly, temporal one.

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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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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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26 Aug 2024
1 Comment

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.

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks, #2 BE - Who a Leader Is and tagged , , , , , , ,
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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01 Jul 2024

Good Beginnings Don’t Ensure Good Endings

Solomon assumed the leadership of Israel as a young man (mid-teens?). He knew he was beyond his depth and thus cried out to God for help (see 1 Kings 3). God heard his cry for help and granted him his desire which the need for wisdom to lead the kingdom. He consolidated his leadership, organized his team, and in the fourth year of his reign he began work on the temples (1 Kings 6:1).

Seven years later the construction of Solomon’s Temple was completed (1 Kings 6:37-38) and a two-week celebration occurred. A large assembly gathered to see the temple dedicated and the ark was moved to its final location. All looked good for the young king (now in his mid-20s) as he grew into manhood and his popularity grew.

The king was faithful to walk in the ways of God, “Three times a year Solomon used to offer up burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar that he built to the LORD, making offerings with it before the LORD…” (1 Kings 9:25) ESV “Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. And the whole earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind.” (1 Kings 10 23-24 ESV)

But “As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God as the heart of David his father had been.” (1 Kings 11:4) “So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David his father had done. … And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the LORD commanded.” (1 Kings 11:6, 9-10) ESV

And remember, Solomon died after 40 years of ruling Israel. If he began in his mid-teens, he was in his 50s when he died. His father David had set him up for success and the Lord had appeared to him personally twice. He had more wisdom than any other, yet his heart drifted as he grew older.

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 NLT

Be careful. Be very careful! Good beginnings do not ensure good endings!

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17 Jun 2024
2 Comments

Strive for Peace

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:16-18 ESV

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled… Hebrews 12:14-15 ESV

Differences of opinions, disagreements over decisions, or accusations about motive will occur in life and especially in leadership. How you respond to those who disagree reveals much about your heart. “For out of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). You will always believe that you are right, otherwise you would not have chosen what you did. But, when challenged or questioned about your decisions, will you seek to defend, justify, ‘return fire,’ or not?

One who finds their security and self-worth in being right or having others agree with them will have difficulty in leading others (especially leading other leaders) and the pursuit of peace. They give opportunity for an unforgiving spirit and bitterness to take root and defile their soul. The pursuit of harmony in their relationships is hindered by a self-righteous spirit and a desire for ‘justice’ as they define it.

Note how Paul and the author of Hebrews instruct those who have been wronged and face opposition. Live in harmony with each other. Strive for peace with everyone. Repay no one evil for evil. Do what is honorable in the sight of all.

It may not be possible for peace and harmony in all relationships. Doctrinal truth must not be compromised for the sake of peace or harmony. But ‘as far as it depends on you,’ forgive those who have wronged you. Let God bring about your ‘justice.’ He is more than capable of righting every wrong. He will defend you, your reputation, and fight for you, should there be a need.

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2 ESV

Strive for peace and for holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

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