The Craig T. Owens Audio Blog: Recent Episodes
Craig T. Owens
What's more impactful: living a good life or doing good deeds? Let's talk about that on this episode of The Podcast.
Watch the video version of this episode.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Psalm 98 is a call to worship because our King is coming to judge the world. Does that seem like cause for rejoicing? It certainly is when you consider how our King will carry out His judgments.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
If you've missed and of the other messages on these Royal Psalms, you can find them all here.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Even Charles Spurgeon—a man called "the prince of preachers"—recognized the heavy responsibility of God's call on someone to serve as a pastor.
The best resource a pastor can tap into is prayer, and I would suggest that the first person a pastor should pray for is himself. This is where my book Amen Indeed can be a huge blessing. This is a book that helps pastors turn the Scriptures into prayer. If you are a pastor who has been wounded in your ministry work, you may also want to check out my book When Sheep Bite.
Andrew Murray claimed that a careful study of the longest chapter in the Bible is a key to unlocking the study of the rest of the Bible. Here he gives us six things to notice in Psalm 119.
I took time with my congregation to look at each 8-verse section individually, and then see how those sections amplified the entire 119th Psalm. You may want to use this series as a means of helping you study this amazing chapter.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Being reminded and assured that Jesus is the all-powerful, all-knowing King of kings should give Christians a sense of security like nothing else will. Living from this place of security becomes a powerful testimony to the world.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Here are all of the Scriptures referenced in this message → http://bible.com/events/49643192
If you've missed any of the other messages about the Royal Psalms, check out our series All Hail King Jesus by clicking here.
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The longer someone is a Christian the more they should look like Jesus.
Watch the video version of this sermon clip.
You can check out the full sermon that this clip came from by clicking here.
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A sneak peak at Chapter 1 of our "Business by the Book" book for CEO's in their role as vision-casters.
You can check out this episode of The Craig and Greg Show where we talk more about this project. And then pick up a copy of Business by the Book: A CEO's Vision-casting.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
King David composed a psalm of praise in which he expressed his desire for all nations and all people to know the King of kings personally. That is still the invitation Christians should be extending today.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
If you've missed any of the other messages on the Royal Psalms, you can find them all here.
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An insidious killer may be stalking your organization. As you look around at your team some of them may have already resigned. They might be showing up every day, but mentally and spiritually they have already quit trying. Join Greg and I as we discuss how resignation can creep in, and how your example of resilience can help stave it off.
Check out the video version of this leadership conversation.
Greg and I have co-authored the first book in our new series Business By The Book. Get your copy today. Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Screwtape, the wily demon in C.S. Lewis' book about the strategies used to tempt Christians, knows the importance of getting Christians to yell "Mine!" about their daily agenda.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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An outstanding year-long read for both those who are already fans of G.K. Chesterton and for those who have never before heard of this amazing author.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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There is no finish line for you while God still has you on earth. If you're still here, He's still working on you so that He can work through you. So take a deep breath. If you're still breathing, God still has a plan for you. Don't worry about the finish line (God will take care of that), but keep learning, growing, and serving all the way to the end.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
Check out all of the verses in this sermon → http://bible.com/events/49636879
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Is it really true that practice makes perfect? And if so, what exactly does perfection look like? Check out this episode of The Podcast.
Watch the video version of The Podcast.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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The "Hall of Fame of Faith" in Hebrews 11 tells us about people who saw and heard what God promised them long before those things came to be.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Psalm 95 is both an invitation and a warning, and it's important that we heed both of them.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
Here are all of the Scriptures referenced in this message.
If you've missed any of the other royal psalms which we have already explored, you can find them all by clicking here.
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Gentleness is both a safe word and an unsafe word, which makes gentleness such an indispensable trait for shepherd leaders. Check out this clip from my time on the Leading from Alignment podcast.
Watch the video version of this conversation.
Please check pick up a copy of When Sheep Bite today.
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The Bible has much to say to those who talk about others, and none of it is good.
You may also want to check out a couple of related posts:
- Exposing the bitterness of gossip
- Slander don'ts and dos
- [Video] Goals instead of gossip
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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The clothing of King David not only points us to the clothing of King Jesus, but also the clothing of the saints as well.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
Here are all of the Scriptures referenced in this message → http://bible.com/events/49631557
If you would like to check out the other Royal Psalms that we've already looked at, you can find those here.
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A storm is coming. What are you going to do: brace for it or run for cover?
Watch the video version of this episode.
The Scriptures I reference in this video are Proverbs 27:12; Matthew 6:8, 32; James 1:2-4; and Romans 5:3-5.
I also mentioned a previous related blog post entitled Faith Over Fear.
One of the storms many leaders face is the attack from those whom they lead. I address this topic extensively—and a better alternative to a fight-or-flight response—in my book When Sheep Bite.
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As our lives are transformed, we become living, breathing testimonies to others of the life-changing power of God's love in us and through us.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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This prayer of King David not only points to the advent of King Jesus, but it outlines a pattern for the servants of the King to live out every day.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
If you would like to check out the other Royal Psalms we have already unpacked, please click here.
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Greg and I promise we aren't here to nitpick your grammar, but in some instances understanding the full meaning of words can help us to realize how they are affecting our patterns of thinking. In today's episode we are discussing cooperation and collaboration—two words that are often used interchangeably. However, a deeper examination reveals that their differences can be the deciding factor between a surviving team and a thriving team.
Watch the video version of this conversation.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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This is a vital book to helping you live in a way that brings God glory and fills you with a sense of purpose and satisfaction. Check out my review of " Why Is Greater Than What" by Jim Wiegand.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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A righteous father who came on the scene some 2800 years ago is still speaking valuable lessons for men (and especially fathers) today.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Charles Spurgeon, the man called the Prince of Preachers, knew how important it was for his congregation to be praying for him.
Check out the video version of this episode.
Order a copy of Amen Indeed today for your favorite pastor.
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Our King wants our lives to be valuable currency for His kingdom.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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The Book of Proverbs anticipates the role of the Holy Spirit who will bless us with "skillful and godly Wisdom" and help us "get understanding...from God's Word and life's experiences."
Watch the video version of this sermon.
Check out all of the verses in this sermon → http://bible.com/events/49621450
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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One of the most difficult—but rewarding—decisions a leader will ever make is to honestly confront themselves on their part in a relationship or organizational problem.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Check out the full conversation Greg and I had on the Craig and Greg Show episode called Growth from the Hard Road. And you may also want to check out a whole series of messages I shared in the series Thankful in the Night.
Get more information on my book When Sheep Bite by clicking here.
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As the writer of Hebrews instructs saints on how they should interact with their leaders. But what if we flip the script to see how leaders should live in a way that allows others to follow them.
This is part 88 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here. And you may also want to check out my books for church leaders—Shepherd Leadership and When Sheep Bite.
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Jesus was sustained in doing His Father's work by the joy that He knew would be realized in the completed work. This joy in the Holy Spirit is the same thing that keeps Christians delighted in their duties today.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
Check out all of the Bible verses in this sermon.
Check out all of the messages in this series about the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives by clicking here.
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If you are reading the Gospels with the words of Jesus printed in red, there is one place where the red ink virtually disappears: When Jesus is on trial before Pilate, Herod, and the Sanhedrin. There's an important lesson here for us.
Check out the video version of this clip.
This clip was from a sermon entitled The Essential Confession. The Scripture I reference in this clip is Matthew 16:24-27.
I allude to three related blog posts:
- The point of the Gospel
- Eloquent silence
- Should Christians debate?
My book When Sheep Bite addresses some biblical responses to the attacks that come our way. I encourage you to check it out.
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A true-life story that reads like a fictional crime story. Check out my book review of "Night of the Assassins."
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Temptation isn't sin, but it's an invitation to allow the Holy Spirit to help us overcome temptation's pull, just as He helped Jesus when He was tempted.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Check out all of the other messages in our series We Are: Pentecostal by clicking here.
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When some sort of chemical or toxin is spilled in the environment it doesn't just stay put, it spreads, corrupting everything around it. The same principle is true in our organizations—toxic behaviors that are allowed to fester will spread until they consume your entire team. So put on your hazmat suit and join Greg and me as we address common toxic behaviors and offer strategies on how to root them out before they can take hold.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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There is a once-in-the-Bible word used in the New Testament, but it's a longing that is seen all throughout the Scripture—a desire for a place of eternal rest in God's presence.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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The Holy Spirit wants to develop the mind of Christ within us. With this mind, our lives will be transformed and we will be empowered to be His witnesses.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Here are all of the verses in this sermon → http://bible.com/events/49612621
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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It's amazing to think that the way I pray could result in Jesus saying, "Amen" at the end of my prayer!
Check out the video version of this clip.
I wrote a book of prayers to help pastors pray for themselves and their ministries. Check out Amen Indeed and order a copy today.
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Your daily race, run in the perfection of Jesus, matters!
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Have Christians today accepted a life that is sub-normal to what Jesus promised and what we read about the first Christians? If so, how do we address this?
Watch the video version of this sermon.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Accountability is a word you might have some negative connotations attached to. Many people have only heard the word in the context of taking ownership for a mistake or a "shape up or else" talk with the boss. In today's episode Greg and I offer a different perspective, discussing how a healthy accountability culture can strengthen and grow your organization.
Check out the video version of this leadership conversation.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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There is a massive difference between serving words and smooth words. This will be made abundantly and eternally clear when Jesus returns and judges our words.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Godly mothers and grandmothers, know that your life has power today and it has influence that will continue to be felt long after you are gone!
Watch the video version of this sermon.
Check out all of the Scriptures I use in this message → http://bible.com/events/49606740
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Nearly every church has a pulpit where the pastor stands to deliver the weekly sermon. And almost every evangelical church gathering has the same order of service. Where did these things originate?
Check out the video version of this podcast.
I talk more about biblical and non-biblical issues in this video, and in my blog post and video called "Use the right term."
The full sermon from which this clip came is here.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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When culture gets a hold of it, morality always decays. But this example from Jesus shows us the cure.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Christians have precious, invaluable, life-changing treasures to share, but some aren't ready for it yet. We must be discerning with what we share and with whom we share it.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
Check out all of the Scriptures I use in this message.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Gut instinct, a feelings, a sixth sense—we have a lot of different phrases for intuition. Whatever you want to call it, we all have those moments where we just know what the right decision is. Join Greg and I as we discuss why it's important to develop this skill, and how to find the right time to turn your intuition into execution.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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God created me to be me. I am the most alive when I am allowing God to work thought my plans, thoughts, and actions.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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How a person dies and how their body is disposed of makes no difference to where that person will spend eternity.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
Check out all of the Scriptures I use in this message → http://bible.com/events/49599760
Check out more of the questions we have covered in our Is That In The Bible? series by clicking here.
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I want to give you a life-changing Bible study tip in just one word.
Check out the video version of this podcast.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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It all starts with what we are looking at the most attentively.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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It's a well-known and longed-for sentiment: The lion will lay down with the lamb. Is that in the Bible? You may be surprised by the answer.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
Check out the previous statement we have discussed in this series by clicking here.
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Think back to some of the hard times you've been through. Do those times conjure up fond memories and a longing to return to yesteryear? Of course not! Most people do their best to forget these moments as quickly as possible, but a mature leader recognizes the value of the suffering they've endured. Join us for today's episode as we discuss how your most painful moments have the potential to be your biggest opportunities for growth.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
In this episode I talk about my book When Sheep Bite. You can find out more about that book here.
Christians should be known as the best of gentlemen or gentlewomen wherever they go and in whatever circumstances they find themselves.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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The Bible uses three pictures of the saints that make up the Church. In all three of these images, if we are not maturing in our involvement, then we are declining.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Check out all of the Scriptures I used in this sermon → http://bible.com/events/49592516
If you've missed any of the messages in this series, you can check them all out here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
I was asked to share one of the funniest things I've seen in church. I didn't exactly "see" this one, but it still ranks as the funniest things ever!
Check out the video version of this story.
In all seriousness, we often are looking for "a sign" to help us confirm the direction God may be leading us. I would invite you to check out Knowing God's Will, especially if you are contemplating God's direction for you.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Other notable people in history have a legacy that lives on after their death, so does it really matter for Christians that Jesus was resurrected from the dead?
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Check out all of the messages in this series "I will build My Church" by clicking here.
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A lot of people have offered a lot of opinions on Jesus of Nazareth, but let's explore what He said about Himself, His mission on earth, and His eternal Kingdom.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
We have been learning what Jesus said about His saints and His Church in our series "I will build My Church." Check out all of the sermons in this series.
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Are you in touch with your emotions? While it might sound like something out of a Hallmark movie to some, having a robust emotional quotient is a vital skill for a leader. Join Greg and me as we get all emotional in this episode.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Check out my other podcasts, my books, and so much more by clicking here.
God wants to protect you with His peace. However, if you begin to feel anxiety taking control of your mind, here are two surefire steps to regain the protection of God's peace.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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If Christians have a hard time defining what "Christian" means, is it any wonder that people outside of our church circles sometimes look at us like we're a bit off?
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Check out all of the other messages in this series by clicking here.
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I've got something to share with pastors, but for the rest of you—who love your pastors—I hope you will listen in!
Watch the video version of this episode.
A couple of other blog posts that may help you on this topic of servant leadership are:
- From "servant" to "shepherd"
- Serve more to lead better
- CEO or pastor?
- Praying for your pastor
My books are for my fellow pastors. Shepherd Leadership will help us keep the biblical metrics in mind when we are thinking about our leadership roles. When Sheep Bite is an invaluable resource to help pastors continue to serve their flock, even after being painfully attacked. And Amen Indeed is a book of prayers for pastoral effectiveness.
It's very interesting that when Paul writes about "the last days," he warns us about our misplaced love.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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There is a way to ground our life so that no storm can make us frustrated, afraid, or doubtful.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Check out all of the Scriptures I used in this sermon → http://bible.com/events/49582494
Check out all of the other messages in this "I Will Build My Church" series here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
There is nothing in your spiritual armory that makes the devil afraid of you. But there is one thing that will always cause him to flee from you: When you bow to Jesus.
Check out the video version of this clip.
You may also be interested in these related blog posts:
- The devil isn't scared of you
- The tactics of fear
- Devilish scheming
My book Amen Indeed is a book of prayers for pastors who are in the midst of spiritual warfare.
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Two epistle writers single out mercy as being vitally important for church leaders.
If you are interested in going deeper on the topic of pastors as leaders, please check out my book Shepherd Leadership.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Tough times come to every organization. This book from John Maxwell will help leaders not just go through those difficulties, but to grow through those difficulties.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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A Christian's essential confession is a lifestyle confession that aligns with a verbal confession.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you've missed any of the messages in our series "I Will Build My Church", you can find them all here.
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Everyone wants to fit in—it's an entirely natural human instinct to desire the approval of those around you. However, when this instinct causes us to change who we are it can become very destructive to us both personally and professionally. In today's episode Greg and I discuss how being a poser is a sneaky leadership killer that can creep in without you even noticing.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
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There are words we need to let go, and there is the Word for which we must stand without wavering or backing down. We must stand firm on God's Word to give biblical meaning to everything we say and do.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
You can find all of the other messages in this series called "I will build My Church" by clicking here.
You may also be interested in these posts and videos:
- When non-biblical becomes unbiblical
- Use the right term
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Consistent leaders are exemplary leaders, but consistency doesn't happen automatically. Effective leadership of others starts with effective leadership of yourself.
Watch the video version of this clip.
Check out the full conversation Greg and I had about leadership consistency.
You may also want to check out a couple of related posts:
- Good habits make great leaders
- Difficult times reveal our habits
- Self-leadership
And I take several chapters in my book Shepherd Leadership talking about the habit that are necessary for us to excel in our ministry positions.
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The Don'ts need to be attended to first, which will then enable leaders to do the Dos.
This is part 87 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
P.S. You may also want to read my post I Checked Nothing Off My To Do List Today.
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A military officer's authority comes from ensuring everyone follows the proper chain of command. As Christians, there is an authority—a chain of command—to which we must bow to be victorious in battle.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you've missed any of the messages in this series on spiritual warfare, check them all out here.
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Like many popular phrases in the lexicon you've probably heard "consistency is key" thousands of times and rarely given it a second thought, but Greg and I want to challenge you to revisit this vital area. In today's episode we discuss how an intentional focus on consistency will make you a better leader—which in turn will make your team more effective and productive.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Three Roman soldiers show us the life-changing power in simply doing our duty.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Greg and I took some time to discuss some of the best traits we've experienced in some memorable leaders in our work careers. Three traits are linked together in a powerful combination.
Watch the video version of this clip.
You may also want to check out a blog post and video I shared previously called "Speak the Truth in Love."
And speaking of leadership models, my book Shepherd Leadership calls us back to the leadership model that is most consistently used throughout the Bible.
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Influence doesn't try to get a following, but people naturally follow a leader who quietly, consistently, and effectively shows up for them.
Check out my book Shepherd Leadership where I dive deeper int the leadership Jesus shows us.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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What do you want people to remember about your leadership? It's an easy question to overlook, but striving to be remembered well can help you to be a better leader every day. In today's episode Greg and I discuss the attributes of a memorable leader and reminisce about past leaders in our lives.
Watch the video version of this conversation.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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"Real Christianity" is a great read for anyone who is frustrated by the state of affairs in our nation, and is desperate to see a true return to the biblical values of Christianity. Check out my book review.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Imperfect people design imperfect tactics, but the Holy Spirit can give us perfect tactics for each and every situation we face. This is part two in our series "The Lord's Army."
Watch the video version of this sermon.
If you have missed any of the messages in our series called The Lord's Army, please click here.
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Paul gives us a phenomenal prayer for love that endures productively until the end.
Check out the video version of this podcast.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Can I truly say that whatever changes I am making in my life are motivated correctly?
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Throughout history, all members of any military have trained using a precise and detailed training manual. This is just as true—and just as vital—for Christian saints.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
Follow along with all of the messages in our series on The Lord's Army.
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On the Leading From Alignment podcast, I was discussing my book When Sheep Bite which is about leadership pain. John Opalewski asked me to share some things leaders should consider when they get bit.
Watch the video version of this conversation.
You can get more information on When Sheep Bite here. And also check out my book of prayer for pastors called Amen Indeed.
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It takes strength to keep on praying, but consistent prayer builds our strength. This is an incredibly virtuous cycle!
Check my blog for the downloadable version of the strong prayer cycle graphic.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Jesus wants us to come to our Heavenly Father like children. "Like a little child" means childlike, which is the exact opposite of being childish. We mature best by coming to God in prayer just like a child comes to his loving father.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
Speaking of prayer, check out my book of prayer for pastors called Amen Indeed.
If you've missed any of the other messages in this series on how prayer changes us, you can find them all here.
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Sometimes when Christians get anxious about a situation, it appears that they have forgotten that God is just as loving and strong today as He was in the good ol' days. We need to guard against this misunderstanding.
Watch the video version of this clip.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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In topsy-turvy times, the Bible gives saints two little words that powerfully remind us of our certainty and security in God's loving hands.
I shared more details about this in an exclusive 5-minute video for my Patreon supporters. You can become a supporter and get access to all of my exclusive content by clicking here.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Whether you are an emerging leader or a veteran leader, you are still a leader-in-training. I would highly recommend Spiritual Leadership as part of your ongoing leadership development.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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If we focus on the dark thing, we will inevitably become dark and bitter. But prayer helps us change our focus from the big, black dot to what God is doing because of that big, black dot.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
If you've missed any of the other posts in this series on prayer, you can find them all here.
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Sales is a battle! While there (hopefully) isn't any real bullets flying, the stress and exhaustion can make it feel like there is at times. To stay in the fight and avoid defeat in these situations you need preparation and planning. This is where Greg's new book Sales Armageddon comes in. Here is a sneak peek of a couple of chapters in this entertaining and educational book.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
I also have a new book out for ministry leaders called Amen Indeed.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Perhaps our God-centered, Christ-exalting, prayer-saturated lives may be just the catalyst that leads to the salvation of one of the most unlikely world leaders.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Hello, my brothers and sisters! On this episode of The Podcast, let me tell you how much power is packed into that simple greeting.
Watch the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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The God who gives you faith wants to reward that faith. Your faith raises your expectations as you go to God in prayer again and again.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
If you have missed any of the other messages in our series Prayer Changes Things, you can find them all by clicking here.
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You are lovingly and securely held in the most powerful, the most loving Hand imaginable!
Check out the video version of this episode.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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The description of King Jesus exceeds our vocabulary to define Him! The more you get to know Him, the more you want to know Him as your King and Savior!
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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When prayer changes our attitude—when we know the sweetness of God's loving deliverance—our attitude of rejoicing not only keeps us climbing, but it helps other find their way to God too.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
Keep up with all of the messages in this prayer series by clicking here.
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One of a leader's most important jobs is guiding the vision of their organization. Much has been said about getting others to follow that vision, and in our most recent episode Greg and I talked about being careful to stay true to the vision you have set.
Check out the video version of this segment.
You can watch this full episode of The Craig and Greg Show here.
The first book in our Business by the Book series is on a CEO's vision casting. This will be available soon. In the meantime, check out some other leadership resources from Greg and me:
- Greg's books Sage Advice and Sales Armageddon.
- My leadership books Shepherd Leadership and When Sheep Bite.
- My ongoing series of blog posts on godly leadership.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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A catalogue of all of the sermon series I shared with my congregation in 2025.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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We tend to distrust those in governmental positions who wield too much power. When Jesus came as the undisputed and unrivaled King of kings, He flipped the script on what people had expected.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
If you've missed any of the previous messages in our series looking at the titles and roles of the Messiah, you can check them all out here.
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Greg and I have enjoyed bringing you quality leadership content this year and we look forward to another great year ahead.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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The message of "Peace on earth" is so simple and yet so profound. This ultimate and eternal peace is only possible because of the advent of the Prince of Peace.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you've missed any of the other messages in this series, you can find them all here.
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Christians need to be known more for what is good than for what is bad. Jesus hasn’t called us to point out what’s bad, but to point out how good Jesus is.
Check out the video version of this episode.
The parable that I reference in this video is found in Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.
You can watch the full sermon from which this clip came by clicking here.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Jude calls on saints to “contend for the faith.” To truly learn what this means, we need to consider the context of both the author and the audience of this powerful epistle.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Follow along with all of the sermons in this series called Earnestly Contend.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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“Kids these days just don’t understand!”
That’s probably a phrase you’ve heard more than a few times from members of generations your elder, and there is some truth to it! Each generation has very diverse experiences which make them unique from the groups before and after them. In today’s episode, Greg and I want to encourage you to understand and embrace generational differences to make your team stronger.
Check out the video version of this episode.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Looking at how such noteworthy people in the Bible viewed themselves, how could I ever claim a title any higher than servant?
I get much deeper into this topic of biblically-grounded leadership in my book Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Jesus calls us to be involved in our communities—in our personal mission field. In order to do this in a Christ-honoring way, we have to know what the Bible says about our interaction with others.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Check out all of the Scriptures in this message → http://bible.com/events/49498639
If you’ve missed any of the previous messages in our series B.A.S.I.C. Christianity, you can find them all here.
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One of the most important boundaries that shepherd leaders need to establish—especially when contending with biting sheep—is the protection of their family.
Check out the video version of this clip.
You can watch the full episode in which Greg and I talk about some of the principles in When Sheep Bite by clicking here.
Please pick up a copy of When Sheep Bite for yourself by clicking here.
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The approval of Jesus eternally outweighs the approval or even the persecution of men.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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The first two brothers in biblical history teach us what it really means to be a “brother’s keeper.” The New Testament builds on this to show us how saints are to step-in for each other.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in this series, you can find them all here.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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In the wise words of John C. Maxwell, “He who thinketh he leadeth and hath no one following him is only taking a walk.” As always Maxwell is right on the money. And the first step to getting others to follow you is trust.
If you want to lead your team into uncharted territory they have to first trust that you’re not going to lead them off a cliff! In today’s episode Greg and I cover why trust is so vital and offer suggestions on how to build and maintain trust.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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The deadliest enemy is not “out there” but “in here.”
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Why do Christians minister? The “why” is vital for us to get right.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Can we take just a couple of minutes to talk about fear on this episode of The Podcast? This isn’t on the list of anyone’s favorite topics, but it is something we all have to confront.
Check out the video version of this episode.
I shared a whole series of messages called “Do Not Be Afraid” which you can check out here. Some other related posts are:
- Unlearning limiting fears
- Scarecrows in the melon patch
- Fear vs. hope
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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On the Church Lobby podcast, Karl Vaters asked me for the best piece of advice I have received as a pastor. Here’s what a wise mentor told me that changed my leadership style.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Leaders can individualize their care for those around them by slowing down. Here’s another conversation I had with Karl on this topic.
You may also be interested in my full interview on The Church Lobby podcast.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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The apostle Paul makes it so clear that the Holy Spirit is a Person with Whom I should be in regular and intimate conversation by using five different word pictures for the Spirit-led life.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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The pain you are experiencing from those who attacked you will negatively impact those around you unless you take time to recover.
You can check out the article I wrote for Influence magazine here, and then pick up a copy of When Sheep Bite to help your recovery time. Check out what the public ministry of Jesus teaches us about the healthy practice of sabbathing.
I also recommend these related posts and videos about self-care:
- Playtime can be a leadership tool
- Leaders need to refresh
- The importance of margin
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What a testimony it is to a watching world when the saints in the church love and serve each other.
If you’ve missed the “B” or “A” in our series B.A.S.I.C. Christianity, you can check those out here.
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Everyone knows that we all make mistakes. Good leaders know more than this: They know that it is their responsibility to help those around them recover from those mistakes.
Check out the video version of this clip.
You may also want to check out these videos:
- Learning from mistakes
- Mulligan! Embrace do-overs
And these blog posts may be of interest too:
- Learning life’s lessons
- Leaders lift up or push down
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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God may send you into a spiritual battle without a sword, but you must trust Him. He can deliver you far better than you can deliver yourself.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Did you know that’s possible for your greatest strength could become your most limiting weakness? Let’s learn how to spot and avoid this pitfall on this episode of The Podcast.
Check out the video version of this episode.
As leaders, we need to continually work on the “unconscious” areas of our lives. Here are some additional resources to help you.
These blog posts:
- My blind spot
- How to be wholly healthy
These videos:
- Natural strengths can become limiting weaknesses
- The Craig and Greg Show: Blind spots
These books:
- Shepherd Leadership
- When Sheep Bite
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We all have blind spots and weak areas. If we don’t want these places to derail our Christian walk, we are going to need the accountability of other Christian saints.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you would like to check out the other messages in our series B.A.S.I.C. Christianity, you can click here.
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From the vast cosmos, to the sub-atomic level, and everything in between, God made it all perfectly—including the way He made you!
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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I am so excited to announce that my co-host Greg has written a new book called Sales Armageddon. As anyone in the profession knows, sales can be a battlefield. Through fables and insightful teaching Greg’s book will equip you with new strategies you can implement right away to keep yourself and your team in the fight.
Check out the video version of this episode.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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When you’ve been hurt, you probably want someone to tell you that it was all the other person’s fault. That’s what you may want, but a true friend will tell you what you need to hear.
Check out the video version of this clip.
Check out my book When Sheep Bite which is a helpful guide to dealing with the painful attacks from those under your care.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Your times of distress call the Comforter to your aid. From the comfort He provides you, three invaluable things will be revealed in your life.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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The Bible makes it clear that Christians need to allow the Holy Spirit to help them develop a biblical worldview, or else we risk becoming bogged down in a fruitless and ineffectual life.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Follow along with all the other messages in our series on B.A.S.I.C. Christianity by clicking here.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Just one word crept into King Solomon’s life that led to his collapse. We have to guard against this same word from creeping into our life today!
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How do leaders make sure that obstacles to their personal or organizational growth don’t become permanent?
Check out the video version of this clip.
This clip is from a lengthy conversation Greg and I had about leaders being like gardeners. You can check it out here. The main point is this: The seeds have what they need to grow, so the gardener-leaders simply has to remove the obstacles to growth.
You may also want to check out a couple of related posts:
- Learning perseverance
- Toughen up, Buttercup
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Trying to please people is not serving people but serving my own ego. There is only one Voice that we want to hear saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
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No earthly king can ever stand-in for the Eternal King so we have to be careful to not let ourselves get caught up in this temporary moment, but we must keep our eyes on the eternal.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages on these Royal Psalms, you can find them all here.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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If you lead anything, you are going to have to bring correction at some point. Samuel gives us 7 strategies to make correction effective.
P.S. You can also check out this post where the apostle Paul gives us another example of how to handle correction properly.
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Throughout history, kings had their own “signature scent”—an incense that was exclusively theirs. This is true for King Jesus as well!
Check out the video version of this clip.
You can check out the full sermon from which this clip came here.
I’ve blogged previously about the powerful things the Bible says about this aroma from Jesus and the aroma from our lives too:
- Your incense
- Mmmm, you smell good
- Acceptable and pleasing
- Do you smell like Jesus?
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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How can we tell if God is trying to get our attention through the words of somebody else? Let’s unpack that on this episode of The Podcast.
Check out the video version of this episode.
You may also want to check out my blog post and video The Value of Journaling where I talk about how I capture thoughts, prayers, conversations from others, Scripture verses and more when I’m facing a big decision.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Godly leaders should be secure enough to think of themselves as servants and stewards—nothing more, nothing less.
Check out my book Shepherd Leadership.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Our unique abilities are God-given. When we see an opportunity to use those abilities, the resulting God-ability is a blessing to so many! This was a sermon I delivered as our church joined with Hillcrest Community Church for a combined service in the park.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
You may also be interested in a related series of messages in my series Saints Together.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Have you made any mistakes lately? Let’s talk about what we do next on this episode of The Podcast.
Check out the video version of this episode.
The Scriptures I referenced in this video are Psalm 25:4, 8, 10; James 1:5; Jeremiah 33:3.
I also referenced my blog posts Self-Talk During Fearful Times and Refined By Fire.
My book When Sheep Bite is all about recovering after difficulties—whether they were created by your mistakes or someone else’s mistakes.
Check out When Sheep Bite for yourself.
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This is a very challenging book, but I promise you that those who persevere through “God in the Dock” will be the better for it.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. Today, my Patreon friends have access to a whole bunch of quotes from this C.S. Lewis book. ◀︎◀︎
Just as the Israelites had no fear of enemies because David was on the throne, the people who reverence God have no fear of their enemies because the Most High God is on His throne.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you have missed any of the other royal psalms we have covered, you can find the full list by clicking here.
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The more you pour out into others, the more room there is for God to pour into you.
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What does it mean when we really believe the words, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1)?
Check out the video version of this episode.
You may also want to check out this related post—The Path Ahead Of Me.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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It is the highest form or arrogance to think we can out-maneuver God’s plan, or that we can even begin to know what’s best for our lives.
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Calvary Assembly of God joined with Hillcrest Community Church of God for a service to send a message. We want to show that the Body of Christ is more than just multiple buildings where people meet on Sundays.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
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Serving is not something that comes naturally to most people, as typically we prefer to be served. Jesus flipped this attitude upside down.
Check out all of the other messages in our series Live Together by clicking here.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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The multitude of books written about business and leadership is nearly incalculable. If you began reading now and did nothing else you could spend the rest of your life reading business books and still have many unread at the end of your life. Yet the wealth of knowledge contained within these books still pales in comparison to the insights provided to us by THE book—the Bible.
In this episode Greg and I are happy to announce we are working on a new project called Business By The Book, which combines biblical insights with real-world applications.
Check out the video version of this episode.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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I was absolutely fascinated by a Messianic Jew’s insights on the Old Testament Tabernacle, and how every aspect of it pointed to Jesus the Messiah.
Watch the video version of this episode.
All of the Scriptures I mention can be found here.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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If you are ready to help heal what divides us, “High Road Leadership” by John Maxwell will become your go-to resource.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Just as royal weddings on earth captivate people who are watching the fairy tale-like wedding celebration, so will our devotion to the King intrigue and captivate a watching world.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you have missed any of the other messages in our series looking at the Royal Palms, you can find them all here.
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If our Heavenly Father runs to another’s pain, what right do we have to ever run away from it?
Check out all of the other messages in our series Live Together by clicking here.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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We rob ourselves and diminish the other person with whom we’re conversing if we aren’t fully listening. Listen, listen, and (really!) listen some more before you share your opinion.
Check out the video version of this clip.
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These two qualities give a godly leader moral authority like nothing else can. It’s authority that is felt as well as seen—it’s the “It Factor” that marks the Holy Spirit’s anointing on a leader.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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I would like to ask you a simple question: What are you reading?
You may have heard the phrase, “Leaders are readers.” Is that true? Is that the best use of your time? If this phrase is true, how do we know what to read?
Check out the video version of this episode.
Here are some related blog posts I would suggest you peruse:
- My favorite Book
- Leaders are readers
- Read more, read better
The post from Scott Hubbard that I mentioned is called “What Should I Read Next?”
If you are a pastor or ministry leader, I would humbly suggest that my books might be a good addition to your reading list:
- Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter
- When Sheep Bite: Help For Shepherd Leaders Who May Have Felt The Painful Bites
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What did David know in part and Jesus know fully that we can all know today? These Scriptures will give us the key to hold on tightly to God’s promises in the darkest places.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you have missed any of the messages in this series on the Royal Psalms, you can find them all here.
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As in everything He did, Jesus was masterful even at conveying truth in bite-sized statements.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Misunderstandings happen all the time. Leaders can help their teammates navigate these verbal landmines—and avoid a lot of trouble—by asking the clarifying questions that will bring the whole team together.
Check out the video version of this clip. Or check out the full converation from The Craig and Greg Show.
We would love to serve as your leadership coach, so get in touch with us. My book Shepherd Leadership also has some biblical principles that leaders can immediately apply to their organizations.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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In a really, really dark time, there was a light that shined out brightly. This light continued to make me smile for years to come and I think it will help you as well. Enjoy this excerpt from my book When Sheep Bite.
If you are a church leader, please pick up a copy of When Sheep Bite to help you on your healing journey. And if I can be of assistance to you, please get in touch with me.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Ungodly leaders can get so intoxicated by their positional power that they cause those around them to suffer the drunken consequences as well.
This is part 86 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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When we get shoved around, we want to make things “right.” But to do that means taking matters into our own hands. Instead, as this royal psalm tells us, the King of kings takes care of those who are shoved around.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our series looking at the royal psalms, you can catch up by clicking here.
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The higher the stakes, the stronger your teammates’ opinions on how the organization should move forward. Leaders who take the time to walk their teams through this process will develop a stronger, more unified team. Check out this clip from The Craig and Greg Show.
Check out the video version of this clip.
Check out the full conversation on The Craig and Greg Show in our episode Unity Not Conformity.
Find out more about how Greg and I can coach you to leadership excellence. And get more information on my leadership-development books here:
- Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter
- When Sheep Bite
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People won’t care to listen to my counsel or correction until they know how much I truly care for them.
Please pick up a copy of When Sheep Bite to learn more biblical strategies for handling biting sheep and for healing from biting sheep. If I can be of help to you, please get in touch with me.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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If Jesus needed to be empowered by the Holy Spirit in order to do His Father’s business, how much more do we need this anointing today?
Check out the video version of today's podcast.
You can check out the full sermon from which I took this clip: The Father’s Business.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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In the face of an unwarranted attack, Paul and Barnabas did the opposite of what their natural instincts would have told them to do. Here is a valuable resources for pastors.
I believe When Sheep Bite can be a huge assistance to you as well. Please pick up a copy and reach out to me if I can be of assistance to you.
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This is a great story that reminds us: Don’t miss God’s everyday divine moments!
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Imagine your organization as a cruise ship you’re the captain of. It is your responsibility to man the helm, keeping the vessel away from danger and navigating to the correct destination. Along the way you decide that the guests’ towels need to be folded a particular way, so you step away from your post for hours to meticulously fold them to your exact specifications. You do a great job but in your absence the ship is listless, veering off course into dangerous waters.
Of course it’s very likely you won’t find yourself in this exact situation, but the same logic can be applied to our terrestrial pursuits as well. In today’s episode, Greg and I discuss why it’s important for leaders to remain in control, but also vital that we don’t become controlling.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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We live in a celebrity-obsessed culture. Sadly, this unbiblical pursuit has infected our churches too. Let’s talk about this on this episode of The Podcast.
Check out the video version of this episode.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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There is only one metric of success we should ever give weight to. Anything else will keep us perpetually going from thrilled to disappointed.
If this topic intrigues you, please consider checking out my book Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Those who lived under a monarchy knew what it was to show reverence to their beloved king. Psalm 2 is a call for us to recover that lost culture of reverence for our King of kings.
This is the first message in our new summer series looking at the royal psalms scattered throughout the Psalter.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Follow along with our look at all of the royal psalms by clicking here.
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Second Thessalonians is a short letter from the apostle Paul to the church in Thessalonica. It is a masterpiece on how to correctly correct fellow Christian brothers and sisters.
You can download the PDF of this flow chart → Paul's correction of the Thessalonicans
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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When people lash out at us—when they bite us—they could be giving us invaluable insight into what is truly in our heart. Before we respond too quickly, we need to take some time for introspection.
Check out this part of my conversation with John Opalewski and Jim Wiegand on the Leading From Alignment podcast. If you would like to watch this interview, please click here.
Please check out my book When Sheep Bite to both heal from past bites and prepare yourself for the bites which are inevitably coming in the future.
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Godly leaders are always all-in for the people around them.
This is part 85 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
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In organizations I have had the privilege of leading, I have had to make numerous hiring, firing, and promotion decisions. As a Christian, I needed to go to the Scripture to help me make biblically-sound, God-honoring decisions. If you are a Christian leader thinking about hiring somebody in your organization, I’ve got some thoughts for you on this episode of The Podcast.
Check out the video version of this episode.
I’ve shared a couple of other blog posts and videos about this idea of our ladder of success versus what the Bible calls success. You may want to check out:
- An unimpressive but praiseworthy resume
- Whose ladder?
You can watch more videos based on Shepherd Leadership here. I would also encourage you to check out my new book When Sheep Bite.
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In order to grow in any area of our lives—physically, emotionally, mentally, relationally—we have to go through a certain amount of pain. But the results make the pain worth it!
Check out all of the other messages in our series Live Together by clicking here.
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On a recent episode of The Craig and Greg Show, Greg noted that my book When Sheep Bite isn’t just for church leaders, but business leaders can benefit from reading this as well.
Check out the video version of this clip.
You can check out the full conversation Greg and I had on this episode of our leadership podcast.
I recently shared a series of messages for all Christians about how to handle the painful bites that sometimes come from other Christians. The series was called When Sheep Bite Sheep.
Please check out both of my books Shepherd Leadership and When Sheep Bite.
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Far from damaging or ending a relationship, a rebuke delivered in love can strengthen, enhance, and honor a relationship for years to come.
You may also be interested in—
- These blog posts: Painful Words and Good Grief From a Friend
- This video: Speak the Truth in Love
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The Holy Spirit inspires, illuminates, and gives boldness like no one else ever could!
You may be interested in some additional posts and sermons where I discuss more about the initial physical evidence of speaking in tongues as the Holy Spirit empowers Christians—
- Confirmation of the baptism in the Holy Spirit
- Church on fire
- Unmistakable evidence
- The wonderful works of God
You may also be interested in an extensive series of messages I have shared called We Are: Pentecostal.
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Jesus used more work examples to talk about the Kingdom of God than He did worship examples. He also said the Holy Spirit would teach us to work as Jesus did while we are on earth.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our We Are: Pentecostal series, you can check them all out here.
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If you’re leading a team, then Greg and I feel pretty confident in assuming that you’ve got them all working, thinking, and behaving exactly like you work, think, and behave, right? Of course not! The differences in personality and thought within your team are what makes it special.
Check out the video version of this episode.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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What began as a resource to help me in my personal Bible study time is now being downloaded thousands and thousands of time each year.
Check out the video version of this episode.
You can find all of the download information for this chart by clicking here.
A few of my other popular downloads:
- Sinful nature vs. spiritual nature
- Persecution flowchart
- The goal of confrontation
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Both the eyewitness testimony and the embarrassing details in the Bible attest to its accuracy and historicity.
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The Holy Spirit teaches us best when we are willing to learn from our painful mistakes. Our “misses” can become sanctified experiences.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the other lessons in this series, you can find them all here.
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When Jabez and Joseph were successful on the job, everyone around them knew it was because they did things God’s way.
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Does it sound loving when the Bible says that God’s hand was against His people to defeat them when they went out to battle? It’s actually one of the most loving things God could do for them.
Watch the video version of this clip.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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It appears there are too many CEO-like metrics being used to gauge the success of a church. There is a better way.
You can check out the rest of T.M.’s thoughts here.
Learn more and pick up a copy of my book for yourself. I would also encourage you to check out this list of blog posts and video clips where I discuss in more depth the right and wrong metrics for our churches and para-church ministries.
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Believe it or not, an article about A.I. bots got me thinking about temptation.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Here are some other blog posts you could read to go deeper on this area:
- Victory!
- Never Invulnerable
- The Pittsburg Steelers, The Devil & Me
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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It’s great hearing the Holy Spirit’s Voice, but He also empowers us to know the Mind of God. The examples throughout the Bible should encourage us to seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in this series, you can check them all out here.
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I think we rush too quickly through our celebrations. It seems that at each milestone, we pause only briefly to move on toward the next milestone. But if we don’t celebrate well, we are actually setting ourselves up for a disappointing future.
I was honored to be invited to offer the commencement address for some amazing students graduating from the Parent Teacher Co-op program.
Check out the video version of this commencement address. My Patreon supporters had early, exclusive access to this video.
You may also be interested in a couple of related blog posts and videos:
- Forgetfulness can be fatal
- Grateful remembering fortifies us against temptation
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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How would the words of John the Baptist sound coming out of the mouth of today’s ultra-popular preachers and evangelists?
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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When Christians are doing good in the world, why do non-Christians fear them and quite frequently lash out in anger at them? A well-known story in the Bible gives us some perspective for today.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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The Holy Spirit wants to be in constant communication with us—directing our actions and words at each step of our day. But in order to be tuned in to His voice, we have to be willing to obey whatever He tells us.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Check out all of the messages in our series leading up to Pentecost Sunday by clicking here.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Have you ever had someone tell you, “Fake it until you make it”? Not only is this not in the Bible, medical science says it’s not good for you either.
I talk a lot about dealing with our strong, negative emotions in my book When Sheep Bite.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Leaders need to pay very careful attention not to disregard the signals others are sending them.
Watch this video clip.
Check out the full conversation Greg and I had about blind spots.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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We tend to look at the external signs of “success” and conclude God is blessing that bigness. But God is looking for faithfulness more than He is bigness.
Check out my book Shepherd Leadership.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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God calls His leaders to know His ways, to walk in integrity in that way, and then to call others to walk in that way too.
This is part 84 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Leaders have to be very careful of the trap of measuring the growth of their teammates by the wrong metrics. The things that matter most are often the things that are the most difficult to measure, but leaders must find a way.
Check out the video version of The Craig and Greg Show clips in this episode.
Check out the full conversation we had on this topic on this episode of The Craig and Greg Show.
Find out more about Shepherd Leadership.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Aimee Semple McPherson noted, “The Holy Spirit...puts a real ‘stand up for Jesus spirit’ within you.” Check out how the Bible tells us the Holy Spirit does this.
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Here in West Michigan, the city of Holland has a yearly festival that has just begun called Tulip Time where attendees will see millions of the most beautiful flowers growing everywhere. It is a stunning display, but perhaps even more impressive is the hard work and care that goes into the cultivation of these flowers. In today’s episode, Greg and I want to encourage you to bring the mindset of a gardener to your leadership. With hard work, patience, and just the right amount of careful pruning, your team will grow from small seeds in the ground to a dazzling beauty that rivals any horticultural display.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Leaders not only go first, they stand courageous and unmoving to help their people see God’s path and step into His blessings.
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No one wants to over-stay their welcome, but it seems that frequently pastors are a little too quick to want to move on to a different pasture. Check out my thoughts about this which I shared on the Leading From Alignment podcast.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
The New Testament stories I reference are found in Acts 8:4-8, 26-40; 16:6-10. I blogged about both of these experience in more depth:
- Philip’s story in Don’t Try To Grow Your Ministry
- Paul’s story in Interrupted But Not Discouraged
If you are in a difficult place in your leadership assignment, I encourage you to check out When Sheep Bite.
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God places fellow saints in our lives to make our journey more enjoyable and to help keep us from wandering off God’s path. Here are four ways Christians can help each other through good grief.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
This is the final message in our series Grief Into Joy. If you missed any of the messages, you can check them all out by clicking here.
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Jesus says that nothing else on your To-Do list is more important than this.
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If an organization is going to grow in a healthy way, leaders must learn how to correctly address wrong attitudes and behaviors. They do this best when they use confrontation only as a means to restoration.
Check out the video version of this podcast.
You can watch or listen to the full conversation Greg and I had on this topic on this episode of The Craig and Greg Show.
You may also be interested in a couple of previous posts I have shared:
- The Goals of Confrontation
- Is Confrontation a Dirty Word?
And to really go deep on this topic, please check out my book When Sheep Bite.
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Just like farmers know the proper season to plant, to weed, to harvest, and to rest, the devil knows the best season and strategy to attack us. We need to remain ready because we are never invulnerable.
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Sir Isaac Newton may have said for every action there was an equal and opposite reaction, but that’s not true for God-fearing leaders.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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God is trying to speak to us in our grief. Sometimes the grief we experience is God-sent as He lovingly prompts us to move off the path that is leading us away from Him.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
You can check out all of the other messages in this series by clicking here.
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This is an audio portion of a video teaching I recently shared with my Patreon supporters.
My supporters received the full teaching video and audio, along with some supporting resources.
Would you consider supporting this teaching ministry for just $5 per month? My supporters get exclusive content that no one else receives, as well as early access to content that will eventually be shared publicly.
In our last episode, Greg and I discussed how vital it is to focus on your own internal development. If you’ve been doing that, chances are you have identified a few blind spots in yourself. While it might feel more comfortable to simply hide these away and hope nobody notices, we would like to encourage you to be vulnerable: Drag your blind spots into the light, address them, and watch how your leadership improves as a result.
Watch the video version of this leadership conversation.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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One of the reasons that the consistent message of the Scripture is repeated again and again and again is so that everyone will have a chance to hear it and believe it.
Check out the book reviews I’ve shared on these study Bibles:
- Halley’s Study Bible
- Quest Study Bible
- Life in the Spirit Study Bible
- Archeological Study Bible
- Thompson-Chain Reference Bible
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While we follow God, He will never forsake us. When we don’t follow God, He still never forsakes us. But what do we do with the fear of being left behind?
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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The best testimony of a risen Savior is a life freed from the gripping grief that used to plague their life before they became a Christian.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Please check out the other messages in this series called Grief Into Joy by clicking here.
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A gruesome aticle in the Archeological Study Bible details the horrors of crucifixion. As you remember what Jesus did for you on the Cross atop of Golgotha, may you be overwhelmed by the love which held Him fast to such a horrific instrument of death.
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Quite a few psalms in the Bible are prayers against our attackers. Is that an acceptable prayer for us to still pray today?
Watch the video version of this podcast.
You can read more about this kind of praying in my posts: Still Maturing, Trespassers, and When You’re Unfairly Attacked.
The full sermon about dealing with slanderers is here, and you can also go much deeper with this subject in my book When Sheep Bite.
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If you’re a leader, I have a very interesting challenge for you. I would like to challenge you to let other people eat the first pancakes.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
If you would like to hone your leadership to be more Christ-like, check out my book Shepherd Leadership and When Sheep Bite.
This is part 83 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
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Esther was unsure if Xerxes would extend favor to her, but God is already extending His favor to you even before you approach Him. He wants to turn your grief into joy.
Check out the video version of this podcast.
The story of Esther and her adoptive father Mordecai is an amazing story of God’s provision! Check out the full sermon from which I took this clip.
I also shared a whole series of message on God’s favor, which you can check out here.
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When we have come to realize that our lives are being constricted by grief, there is only one place we can go. An honorable man in the Scriptures shows us what to do with that pain.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in this series Grief Into Joy, you can find them all here.
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Watermelon is a great summer treat. However, sometimes a nice green exterior can hide rotten fruit on the inside. When this happens we don’t say, “Well, at least the outside was nice,” but we throw the whole thing out! We can fall into a similar trap in our leadership, focusing on creating a great exterior while we let our vital interior development rot away. In this episode, Greg and I encourage you to focus first on your internal development, and through that your external image will improve as well.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Reach out to us at https://maximizeleadership.com if you’re interested in personalized coaching.
Get in touch with me, and check out my blog and my books at http://craigtowens.com.
Grief comes to all of us in our lives. God doesn’t want to just rescue us from our grief, but He wants our lives to be a testimony of His rescuing power!
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Follow along with all of the messages in our series Grief Into Joy by clicking here.
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Why does the apostle Paul begin a lengthy series of commands for Christians with the words, “Love must be sincere”?
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Do your gigantic problems feel like they are crushing you? Do they feel like they’re undefeatable? That’s because they are. You cannot defeat these giants on your own, but you will need another strategy.
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The bite of slander is the bite that will have the strongest tendency to pull us toward the natural response, which means it will also require our greatest reliance on the Holy Spirit to respond supernaturally.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in this series, you can find them all here. And if you are a pastor, please check out my book When Sheep Bite, which will help you both respond to sheep bites and teach others how to respond as well.
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Do you enjoy struggling? Odds are the answer to that is a resounding “No!” because struggling is difficult, uncomfortable, and frustrating. However, without struggle it is impossible for us to develop to our full potential in our personal and professional lives. In this episode Greg and I encourage you to embrace struggle, and allow your team to struggle as well so that you all can grow to your very best.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Check out my written blog, my books, and my other podcasts at http://craigtowens.com
Simply doing what God has gifted you to do with those whom He has placed in your life is both a blessing to your companions and is pleasing to your God.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Waiting for God to answer doesn’t mean sitting still and doing nothing. Sometimes we have to work, and plan, and strategize while we are praying. Check out this example from Nehemiah.
Check out the video version of this podcast.
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Gossip can be hard to detect because of the candy-coating of truth on the outside, but under the surface, gossip is a bitter destroyer of relationships! Let’s learn how the Bible tells us to handle this particular bite.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the other sheep bites we’ve talked about in this series, you can find them all by clicking here. And if you are a pastor, check out my book When Sheep Bite, where I address the bites of sheep from a leadership paradigm.
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If leaders say or do the right thing in the wrong way, it really becomes the wrong thing. This is why leaders—especially those who have been sheep-bitten and want to bring corrections—need to take a pause.
Check out the video version of this interview.
Check out more videos from my book here.
And you can learn more about When Sheep Bite and order your own copy here.
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Have you ever been going through a storm in your life and wondered, “God, why are You allowing me to go through this?”
Check out the video version of this episode.
My book When Sheep Bite is available here.
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Five powerful rhetorical questions to reassure your anxious or doubtful heart.
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There is a way that we naturally want to respond to our critics and their unkind criticism. But the Bible consistently calls us to follow a supernatural course, just as Jesus did.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you have missed any of the other messages in this series When Sheep Bite Sheep, you can find them all here. And if you’re a pastor, be sure to check out my book When Sheep Bite.
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When you say, “May God bless you” to someone, you are saying one of the most powerful, loving things that you could ever utter.
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If the expected target metrics of today’s program are met, we expect significant workflow performance advancements from team lead positioned individuals.
Does that seem a little complicated? Jargon in the workplace can very quickly cause significant problems, leading to confusion and disengagement in your team. The solution is simple—clear, concise communication. So let’s try this again without the jargon: Greg and I hope that this episode inspires you to remove the jargon from your communication, and as a result you will see your leadership influence grows.
Check out the video version of this episode.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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There is one word that people seem to speak that is blocking the blessings that God wants to send to them.
Check out the video version of this episode.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Part of the priestly blessing God gave to Moses included the instruction to “put My name upon the Israelites.” What does that mean for us today?
P.S. You may also be interested in another take on the priestly blessing in my post The Blessing.
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Flattery crosses a line from a genuine compliment to become a sneaky bite. Jesus showed us how to be on-guard against this bite and protect our hearts from its evil designs.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Check out the other messages in this series called When Sheep Bite Sheep by clicking here. And if you are a pastor, check out my book When Sheep Bite.
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Three times the last book of the Bible records Jesus Himself saying, “I am coming soon!” As certainly as Jesus rose from the grave, He is returning soon.
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Christians should always be striving for a win-win in our relationships. If we try to “win” at the expense of other saints, we all end up losing.
Check out the video version of this episode.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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The apostle Paul loved the word “gospel,” using it more than anyone else in the Bible. What did this word mean to him? What should it mean to us?
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Far too many leaders spend more time making sure things look good on the outside than they do addressing whether things are good on the inside. Of course, I’m talking about issues like character, and humility, and servant-mindedness.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
I dive a lot deeper into the issue of true leadership coming from the inside out in my book Shepherd Leadership.
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When it appears we have been unfairly attacked, let’s not react immediately in a natural way. Instead, let’s allow the Holy Spirit to empower us to respond in a supernatural way.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Please follow along with all of the messages in this series by clicking here.
P.S. If you are a pastor, you may want to check out my book When Sheep Bite.
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Could it be that Jesus died and rose again just like the Bible says? Or does it need to be more complicated than that?
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Every business owner needs to be prepared for an eventual transition. Whether it be retirement, moving on to a new opportunity, or an M&A offer, nobody can run their business forever. In today’s episode Greg and I sit down to discuss Greg’s new book The Business Baton.
Check out the video version of this episode.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Far from teaching us to provide for ourselves, Jesus wants us to remain vitally dependent on Him.
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A leader’s attitude toward his or her teammates either starts an upward cycle of success or a downward cycle toward poor performance and frustration.
This is part 82 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
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When God has brought us through a dark valley, the lessons we learned in that time are to help us pray for other saints.
Watch the video version of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in this prayer series, you can find them all here.
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Don’t assume you’re doing right in God’s eyes; KNOW that you’re doing right in God’s eyes by following His Word.
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My podcast partner Greg Heeres asked me if I had found one thing that really worked in developing or deepening relationships. My answer is short and to the point.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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What you consider “a little” is still enough to accomplish the purpose God has for your life.
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f you’re a shepherd leader, what do you do when the sheep under your care go, “Grrrr!”?
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
I would encourage you to pick up a copy of When Sheep Bite to help you handle your murmuring sheep in a productive and God-honoring way.
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God loves to answer the prayer requests of His children. But He is too loving to give us just anything—He only wants to give us His best.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in this series, you can find them all here.
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In today’s episode, Greg and I discuss what it means to be a healthy leader. We break down the various facets of leadership health, and highlight why each piece is part of an essential structure that supports all of the other parts. This was a very important part in my book Shepherd Leadership.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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In one short question, the apostle Paul gives a master class for preachers today to design a sermon that is both applicable and memorable.
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Who does God love to guide and teach? Check this out!
Watch the video version of this episode.
You may also want to check out two related blog posts:
- Signing a Blank Check
- Two Ways to Handle a Crisis
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Just as parents and grandparents are thrilled when young children continue to look to them to supply all their needs, Jesus tells us our Heavenly Father is even more delighted to be our perfect Supplier.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Check out all of the other messages in this prayer series by clicking here.
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Love is supposed to be growing up.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Politics are a reality for anyone who lives under a human government. But Christians need to be cautious that we don’t put more weight on temporal politics than we do on the eternal Kingdom of God.
Check out the video version of this clip.
And check out the full sermon from which this clip came here.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Could it be that the enemies that are dogging your footsteps are doing so because God incited them to do it? If so, what could God possibly be up to?
I wrote about this story from a different angle in my post Between a Rock and a Hard Place. And check out my video clip Different Thinking in Difficult Places.
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King David said that after he laid his prayer requests before God, he waited in expectation. What exactly does that kind of waiting look like? I think the Bible gives us three vital activities.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you want to check out the other messages in this prayer series, please click here.
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God’s blessing always follows our obedience. Check out this example from the life of Noah.
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To you the term “silent killer” might conjure visions of a lone assassin from a spy movie, or perhaps more mundane but equally deadly things like high blood pressure or carbon monoxide leaks. In today’s episode Greg and I are discussing toxic behaviors that creep into the workplace. They aren’t quite as deadly as the ones listed above, but can still cause massive anger, frustration, and discord in your organization. Join us as we discuss some of the most prevalent toxins we’ve seen, and highlight how you as the leader are responsible for being the safeguard against them.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
The growth of a leader’s maturity and influence grows more and more evident with the simple recognition of where his or her strengths originated.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Jesus taught us to keep on asking, seeking, and knocking in prayer, but He didn’t tell us how long we should keep on doing this. The “How long?” cry echos through the pages of the Bible, which can teach us the invaluable lesson of how to answer this question.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you have missed any of the other messages in our prayer series, you can find them all here.
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When Christians put aside some of their minor differences and are unified in their worship, it becomes a testimony to a watching world.
Watch the video version of this episode.
This whole series of looking at the Songs of Ascent comes from Psalms 120-134, but I especially notice the unity in Psalm 133.
This unity is seen during the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2. But unity is not the same thing as conformity, as I shared in this message.
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Some time on the playground with some little kids taught me some great lessons about leadership.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Check out all of the posts in my godly leadership series and the article from T.M. Moore I mentioned in this video on my blog.
This is part 81 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
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Both Jesus and the apostle Paul warned shepherd leaders to be on guard against the wolves in sheep’s clothing that would seek to destroy the flock from within. Here is the best wolf deterrent shepherds can use.
Find out more about my book When Sheep Bite.
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Charles Spurgeon reminds us that we can have a “hopeful expectation” after we have prayed. So when we consider how prayer opens our eyes to the resources God has for us, we cannot help but make prayer our highest priority!
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you have missed any of the messages in our series called Our Prayer Book, you can find them all by clicking here.
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How do we express our faith in God to fulfill His promise to us? It starts with our everyday vocabulary choices.
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The dictionary’s definition for “joy” is missing just a couple of words to make it align with the biblical definition of joy. Christians need to be aware of this so that we don’t confuse fleeting pleasure with lasting joy.
Check out the video vesion of this podcast.
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Jesus said His Second Coming would occur at a time in history that was just like the behaviors during “the days of Noah.” For Christians, I think this means there are two vital things we need to be doing.
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There are two errors that can keep us prayerless. In order to have our hearts prepared to meet with God, we need to pray before we pray.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our prayer series, you can find them all here.
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This is the audio of an exclusive video that I shared with my Patreon supporters. We are currently in a series of lessons learned from Paul’s second missionary journey. This is the third lesson in this series.
My Patreon supporters get exclusive content, as well as early access to content that will be shared publicly at a later date. You can have access to all of this for just $5 per month.
As Christians, our growth is not always upward, but it looks more like a staircase.
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One of my friend Greg’s passions is helping business owners with the final step of their journey—succession of the organization. It was this passion that drove him to write his new book The Business Baton.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Visit Maximize Leadership to learn more about how Greg can help you as a succession navigator.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
Don’t be too quick on this one: I’m wondering if criticism can ever be a good thing?
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
You can find the Scriptures I reference in this episode, the blog post about Peter’s unusual vision and how he came to understand it, and you can get more information about “When Sheep Bite” at http://craigtowens.com
What do you do when a message from God seems to be confusing or unclear? The apostle Peter experienced this, so let’s learn from his example of how to find clarity.
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You don’t have to let your negative circumstances hijack your gratitude, but you can follow a repeated example in the Scriptures that will help you remain thankful.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Check out the other messages in our Be Thankful series by clicking here.
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We need to spend less time looking for the things going wrong, and more time looking for the going right.
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It’s the age-old question of which came first. I think I’ve got some insight for you. Check out this episode of The Podcast.
Check out the video version of this episode.
You can get more information on both of my books here:
- Shepherd Leadership
- When Sheep Bite
Amazing things happen all around us—unmistakable signs from God every single day. Does it get our attention? Or do we shrug it off?
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The well-known Cleveland Clinic reported that an attitude of gratitude leads to overall wellness. Here are five things you can start doing today that will increase your gratitude levels, enhance your Christian testimony, and generally improve your life.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Follow along with all of the messages in this series called Be Thankful by clicking here.
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This is a really cool cycle! I know I love God because I obey His command to love others, which I can only do because I love God and obey His commands.
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When we cross-reference biblical passages, the confirming details build both out trust in the divine inspiration of the Bible, but also its historical reliability. Check out one example that Luke gives us in the Book of Acts.
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In someways, my new book “When Sheep Bite” came out of my first book “Shepherd Leadership.” And yet, in many ways I consider “When Sheep Bite” to be the prequel of “Shepherd Leadership.”
In either case, you can find out more about both of these books at http://craigtowens.com
Check out the video version of this clip.
We can learn about our giftedness on our own, but our involvement with other brothers and sisters in Christ will also help us see our gifts and soar in the use of our gifts.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our Living in your gift zone series, you can check them all out here.
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Make some time for face time, and you’ll be increasing both your joy and the joy of your friend as you talk with each other.
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As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. You might be motivated by a feeling of limitation where you are, excited by a new opportunity, ready to retire and soak up some sun, or many other reasons. Whatever your reasons are, Greg and I would like to give you practical advice to apply when you’re considering moving on.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
Successful ministry shouldn’t focus on bigger numbers, but on faster obedience to God’s voice. There is a short but invaluable biography from the Book of Acts that godly leaders would do well to study.
To order a copy of Shepherd Leadership, to check out some reviews of this book, and to watch some related videos about Philip, go to http://craigtowens.com.
I’d like to ask you a simple but important question, “How are you doing?” Let me also give you a better way of asking and answering this question. Check out this episode of The Podcast.
Check out the video version of this episode.
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What do you do that thrills you because you ran to it because it was killing you, and now it fulfills you to keep doing it? This is where you find your “sweet spot” in how God has gifted you.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
With all three of these circles, please take some time to ponder what your sweet spot is. And if you’ve missed any of the messages in this series, you can find them all here.
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Because Jesus overcame the temptations of satan as a human, you can too!
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John Stonestreet used an interesting term (pre-political) that got me thinking about how many government programs would be unnecessary if the Church was doing what Jesus called the Church to do.
Check out the video version of this episode.
If you would like to watch the full sermon from which I took this clip, you can find that here.
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Be careful if you find yourself thinking, “Look what I have done!”
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When unexpected difficulties crash into our lives, let’s re-frame our thinking. It may be that our greatest opportunities may come through our greatest hardships.
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The things that thrill us give us an indication of an area of giftedness, but so do the things that kill us. Our passion and our pain are frequently two sides of the same coin, so we need to pay attention to both of those things.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series Living In Your Gift Zone, you can find them all here.
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Peter summed up the ministry of Jesus: “He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil.” What kind of influence might we have if we were as missions-minded as Jesus was?
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It’s good to be good, but good is never great. As leaders we have to consciously work to avoid the trap of good. Join Greg and me as we discuss how to make your good better, and your better best.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
If you’d like help getting better in this or any other area of leadership, Maximize would love to help you! Head over to https://maximizeleadership.com and fill out the form at the bottom of the coaching page for more information on how a leadership coach can explode your growth.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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I want to give you some thoughts to take your Bible studies even deeper. Here are three strategies to make your Bible study time stickier—sticking in your heart and your mind.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
On my blog I have numerous Study Bibles that I hav reviewed.
And iIf you are interested in the posts and videos where I talk about how to handle difficult-to-understand passages of Scripture, check out Handling Tough Texts and The Lens for Difficult Biblical Passages.
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Ungodly leaders are also unsure and unstable. Here is a great case study for what godly leaders can and should avoid.
I talk more about a godly leader’s sure calling in my book Shepherd Leadership. And in this blog post, I give a three-word statement that can help godly leaders navigate through the toughest of decisions.
This is part 79 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
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I am deeply concerned about the words and actions of Christian saints during these past election cycles. Here is what I believe the Bible shows us our words and lifestyle should be.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
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Growth is not automatic; this is especially true for spiritual growth.
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In my book “When Sheep Bite,” I not only wrote about biting sheep, but I also wrote about wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing, and wolves who aren’t trying to hide themselves at all!
Watch the video here.
I have a related blog post that may interest you as well: When Shepherds and Sheep Talk. And you can check out more of this podcast I interview I did here.
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The way Jesus gives commands to Christians is exactly the same way Christians understand and obey those commands.
I discuss the role of the Holy Spirit in a Christian’s life in much greater detail in my series called We Are: Pentecostal.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Would you like to be known as somebody who’s “full of it”? I know that phrase usually has a negative connotation, but I would like to make the case that this is actually a really good thing. Check out this episode of The Podcast.
Check out the video version of this episode.
There are lots of supporting posts and videos available on my written blog. You can check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
We will be more likely to persevere through the challenging times when we are doing what we are gifted to do. One of the ways we discover our God-giftedness is by what thrills us. Here are three things to notice.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series Living in Your Gift Zone, you can find them all here.
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When Jesus proclaimed His “I Am” statements in the New Testament, He was tying Himself to all of the “Jehovah” titles of the Old Testament.
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The game-winning field goal, the bottom of the ninth home run, the last-second fadeaway jumper! In sports we are quick to recognize a clutch player. You might not perform in front of millions of fans, but you can be a clutch player for your organization as well! Join Greg and me as we discuss what it means to be clutch for your team, and lay out how your leadership can help empower others to do the same.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
The Bible calls on Christians to work with excellence, to be both efficient and effective in our daily lives. Let Regan Rose’s “Redeeming Productivity” be your guide to help you get started or improve what you’re already doing.
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God created you as a gift to the Body of Christ. Your gift is absolutely essential if the Body is going to grow into the vital, life-changing, God-glorifying force it is intended to be.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in this series, you can check them all out here.
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Following rules just to follow rules misses the point.
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Both mentoring and coaching are valuable skills in leadership development, but they are not interchangeable skills. Check out how Greg and I unpack this important distinction.
Watch the video of this clip here, or check out the full conversation from The Craig and Greg Show here.
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I’d like to teach you an important lesson from 2nd Grade. I had the opportunity to interact with some young students, and I think we all learned something valuable.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
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The Church heard the threats from the Sanhedrin, warning them not to talk about Jesus anymore. Their first response was to go to God in prayer.
You may also like my blog post and sermon 4 Holy Spirit-Enhanced Habits, and my whole series on prayer called Be A First Responder.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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God has gifted us to soar, but we have mostly limited ourselves to our comfort zone. God is calling us to get uncomfortable with staying comfortable by confronting the lies that have kept us trapped.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
How do you discover your gifts? That’s what we are going to unpack in this series over the next few weeks, I hope you will continue to follow along. And you can catch up on anything you may have missed in our series called Living in Your Gift Zone by clicking here.
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Say what you mean and mean what you say. Jesus said, “Anything beyond this is from the evil one.”
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You might be checking out this episode with the hope of one day being a leader. Well, Greg and I have good news for you—you already are! Leaders are not just the person at the top, but if you have a leadership mindset you can be a leader in whatever position you currently occupy. Join us as we chat about how important it is to start being a leader before you have the “leader” title.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
If you’d like help getting better in this or any other area of leadership, Maximize would love to help you! Head over to https://maximizeleadership.com and fill out the form at the bottom of the coaching page for more information on how a leadership coach can explode your growth.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
The first Church in the Book of Acts could have easily become the first two churches right from the beginning. It’s instructive how these groups were able to maintain the unity of just one Church.
Check out the video version of this clip.
This is a clip from a sermon I shared called Unity Is Not Conformity.
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Jesus—the Good Shepherd—gives His sheep reasons to trust Him, and He gives His under-shepherds an example to follow.
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Both Christians and non-Christians alike quote the words, “Do not judge.” Is that in the Bible? If so, is that phrase being applied correctly? Check out the next installment in our series “Is that in the Bible?”
Check out the video of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in this installment of our series Is That In The Bible?, you can find them all here.
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Perhaps the best way to make your “Yes” mean “Yes” is to say “No.”
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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If you’re going through a dark time in your life right now, I’ve got a word of encouragement from you. Well, actually three words of encouragement!
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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In the middle of the horrific treatment that Jesus endured during His Passion, I found one of the silliest statements I have ever read in the Bible! But it’s a silliness that could easily apply to you and me still today.
You may also be interested in these related blog posts:
- The silence and the words of Jesus during this sham trial—Eloquent Silence and Respectful Boldness
- Some more thoughts about God’s rules versus man’s traditions—What Are Rules For? and Use The Right Term
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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There are some know-it-alls who want to tell pastoral leaders how they should have done things differently. Much like the “armchair quarterbacks” that seem to know all the right calls a team should make, even though they have virtually no experience.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Please check out both When Sheep Bite and Shepherd Leadership. And get in touch with me if you would like someone to talk to.
You can check out the full conversation I had with John Opalewski and Jim Wiegand on their Leading From Alignment podcast here.
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An important principle in biblical interpretation is learning the context of a statement. From Moses to Jesus, what is the context of the phrase, “An eye for an eye”?
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Check out all of the other topics we have covered in our “Is that in the Bible?” series.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Jesus talked a lot, but He never had to apologize. Is it possible for this to be said of us too?
Check out my video called Time To Check The Mirror where I talk about so-called Freudian slips, and my blog post A Leader’s Sincere Apology.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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In today’s episode we’re going to—IMPATIENCE! Yes, we’re talking about impatience. As a leader it can be hard to resist the temptation of impatience, but Greg and I believe that developing patience is a vital skill for leaders. In this episode we’ll explore some of the pitfalls of impatience, and share strategies for you to develop into a more thoughtful and patient leader.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
I would like to give Christians an apologetic about Christian apologetics.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Invaluable lessons from two lifelong friends on how to honor both those close to us and those who seem to be enemies.
ou may also be interested in a related blog post: How to pray when you’ve been stabbed in the back.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Is the Serenity Prayer in the Bible? If it’s not, is it acceptable for Christians to pray man-made prayers?
This is the next installment in our series “Is That in the Bible?”
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Check out some of the other topics we have covered in this Is That in the Bible? series here.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
Whenever you walk through a dark time, you too might be tempted to say, “God, this isn’t fair!”
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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All leaders—but especially pastoral leaders—need to work on a better response when we are bitten by a sheep in our pasture.
Get a copy of my book “When Sheep Bite” and check out other resources I have available at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
Unity is not conformity nor is it mimicry. The Holy Spirit unites Christians in their message of hope to the world, but He does this by empowering each of our unique testimonies to our culture. This is a message I shared with the congregation at Country Chapel during their week-long revival meetings.
Check out the video of this sermon.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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You don’t have to try to make a name for yourself—let God do that for you!
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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God-fearing servants follow the example of Jesus and use their leadership position to bless and serve as many people as they can. In blessing others, we are blessing the God who has already blessed us and who longs to bless us for all of eternity!
Watch the video of this sermon here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages looking at the fifteen Songs of Ascent, you can find them all here.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Loyal friends give their friends the gift of life.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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God wants us to progress to the next level in our Christian walk, but we need to know what we’re ready for that. Just as a teacher in school prepares us for a test, administers the test, and then gives us the result of the test in order to promote us to the next level, so does our loving Heavenly Father.
Check out the video version of this clip.
And if you would like to watch the full sermon from which this clip came, it is here.
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Like it or not, your example as a leader is making an impact on all the people around you—including the next generation of leaders who will take their positions after you have passed away.
This is part 78 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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God is looking for one righteous man or woman who will hold to His righteous standard, and who will stand in the gap to intercede for rebellious, hellbent people.
Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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A Christian’s joyful and selfless interaction with other saints brings a strength and unity to the Church. This choir of joyful saints is a compelling testimony that draws others to Jesus!
Check out the video of this sermon.
If you’ve missed our look at any of the other Songs of Ascent, you can find them all listed here.
Check out my blog, my podcasts, my books, and more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Religious leaders (who should know God’s Word the best) are usually the ones who persecute those who truly live out God’s Word.
Check out my blog posts, leadership podcast, books, and more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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As humans, we long for a hero that will save the day and fulfill our expectations. One Song of Ascent tells us to “remember David” and his longings for great things, but that same song also tells us that David needed a Hero to save the day.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Check out all of the other Songs of Ascent by clicking here.
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Drifting can happen so slowly that we may not realize what’s happening until it’s too late.
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It may sound counterintuitive at first, but a little bit of stress is actually a good thing for you physically, emotionally, and mentally. It’s also a good thing for leaders who want to grow thriving organizations.
Check out the video version of the short clip I’ve shared today.
Here is the video link to the full Craig and Greg Show conversation about stress and leadership.
For more thoughts about healthy stress, to order a copy of my new book When Sheep Bite, or to learn other ways I can help you, please go to http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
Sadly, many mature Christians allow their years of experience to create an unhealthy pride in their hearts. King David shows us that the closer we get to the end of the journey, the more childlike we should become.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages on the Songs of Ascent, you can find them all here.
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Church leaders frequently have to deal with Mr. Anonymous. What is the best way to handle his criticism?
I discuss the bites of critics and criticism in my book When Sheep Bite.
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When people attack their leader—or when sheep bite—it hurts! Our best first response is to acknowledge the pain, but the next step takes more effort. Check out this conversation I had with Greg Heeres.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
If you would like to watch the full episode of our leadership podcast, you can find that here.
I am getting ready to facilitate a cohort for pastors who have gone through painful sheep bites—or perhaps they are feeling them right now! If you are a pastor, or if you know of a pastor who has been bitten, please check out this cohort here.
And if you would like to pick up a copy of When Sheep Bite for yourself, you can get that here.
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I want to give you a leadership practice that is going to set you apart from the crowd. It’s all about leveraging an amazing feature God has designed in our brain.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
The blog post I referenced in this episode is If only I would have thought that through....
I also talked about the power of our reticular activating system (RAS) to improve our attitude in the post and video Gratitude is a shield.
On our leadership podcast called The Craig and Greg Show, Greg and I discussed the added benefit of remembering and using details about people’s lives in our episode Be a noticer.
Keep up with everything else I have going on, including my newest book and the cohort I am facilitating by clicking here.
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Anti-anxiety medications are prescribed at a higher rate than any other medication. As a nation, we have become—literally—a nervous wreck!
You may also want to check out:
- My blog post The Carbon Monoxide of Anxiety
- A series of sermons called X-ing Out Anxiety
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A psalmist says that God sows light like seed in our hearts. What are we to do with these precious seeds?
Get more information on my new book When Sheep Bite.
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We all face storms in life. My friend Tom Kaastra gives us a 5-step plan to rise above those storms.
Check out my new book When Sheep Bite.
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Have you ever been obediently sailing along smoothly, and then a storm threatens to swamp you?
You may also like to check out:
- Where’s God? part 1
- Where’s God? part 2
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Stress might have six letters, but it seems like some leaders have a knee-jerk reaction to treat it like a four-letter word. While it might be nice to fantasize about an stress-free life, this is both entirely unrealistic and detrimental to your leadership. The truth is, a mild amount of stress can be helpful to you personally, as well as your organization as a whole. Join us as Greg and I unpack why you should embrace a bit of stress in your life.
Check out the video version of this episode of our leadership podcast.
If you’d like help getting better in this or any other area of leadership, Maximize would love to help you! Head over to https://maximizeleadership.com and fill out the form at the bottom of the coaching page for more information on how a leadership coach can explode your growth.
Shepherd leaders need to be in the pastures where God has placed them, faithfully caring for the sheep under their care, and individualizing that care for each and every sheep.
Check out the video of my conversation with Karl Vaters.
You can check out more clips from this Church Lobby interview here.
Check out my book Shepherd Leadership for yourself or for a pastor that you love. And also check out my latest book When Sheep Bite, which I think of as the prequel to Shepherd Leadership.
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Pastors can wrestle with questions about why God called them to their ministry. It is important to remember the honor that it is to serve in this role.
Check out my book Shepherd Leadership. And also check out my newest book When Sheep Bite.
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Jesus was continually and intimately aware of His Father’s plan and the Holy Spirit’s empowerment to help Him live out His Father’s mission. We can live like this too!
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Jim Wiegand shares three important questions to help us clarify the “sweet spot” that God has uniquely created for each and every person. Here are a few quotes from Jim’s book “Recruiting to Releasing.”
Watch the video of my interview with Jim Wiegand.
If you would like to join my Patreon supporters for just $5 per month, you will have access to all of the exclusivie resources I share with them.
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National sin is always the culmination of unrepented individual sins. So in order for us to see a national revival, it will take the culmination of individual Christians repenting of their sins.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the Songs of Ascent we’ve looked at, you can find them all here.
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How do you know if something is lavishly beautiful or a totally inappropriate wastefulness? Let’s talk about how people worship God on this episode of The Podcast.
Check out the video version of this episode.
The blog post and video I mention in this episode is Awesome God, Awesome Praise.
Keep up with everything else I have going on—including my newest book and the cohort I am facilitating— by clicking here.
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Sometimes people mistakenly think that their Christianity matures to a point where they no long have to face difficulties. In actuality, the difficulties are bringing a greater maturity and fruitfulness in that Christian’s life that could be realized in no other way.
Check out the video of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our series looking at these songs of ascent, you can check them all out here.
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Pride deceives. Pride perverts. Pride corrupts. Pride brings God’s punishment. And persistent pride brings utter destruction.
Check out my book Shepherd Leadership here.
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Empathy is an essential trait for leaders, but it’s not innate in any of us. As I joked, “behind ‘mama’ and ‘dada,’ the first word most babies learn is ‘mine.’” The skill of empathy is like a muscle, the more we practice, the stronger it gets. In this episode, Greg and I discuss why empathy is so important for leaders, and give helpful advice on how to remain proficient in your use of empathy.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Craig and Greg Show.
If you’d like help getting better in this or any other area of leadership, Maximize would love to help you! Head over to https://maximizeleadership.com and fill out the form at the bottom of the coaching page for more information on how a leadership coach can explode your growth.
Keep up with all of the content I am producing for you every day—including where you can order my new book “When Sheep Bite”—at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
Fight-or-flight may be a natural response for shepherd leaders who are being bitten by sheep, but it’s not the response that glorifies God, strengthens our leadership, and heals the flock.
You can watch the video of my training with that group of pastors.
I would like to invite you to join a cohort of pastors that will be dealing with the same painful sheep bites you have experienced. We’ll meet together online every other week for 10 sessions to discuss the biblical principles that will help us all respond in the supernatural ways that strengthen our leadership, heal our flocks, and bring glory to the Chief Shepherd.
This cohort is limited to just 10 pastors so that we can develop some solid friendships that will last well beyond the cohort, so please sign up today.
Check out more information on my book When Sheep Bite here.
Before you recruit someone to fill that next opening in your organization, I’ve got a resource that you should definitely check out. The resource I am referring to comes from the book Recruiting to Releasing by Jim Wiegand. I had a chance to sit down with Jim to talk about this eye-opening book.
Watch the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Purchase your copy of Recruiting to Releasing on Amazon here, or on Apple Books here.
If you would like to check out when Jim interviewed me about my book When Sheep Bite, check out that video here.
Here are a bunch of ways to get in touch with me and follow along with other projects on which I am involved.
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Climbing is hard work, especially when we’ve been climbing for years and years. The enemy would love to convince us that there is an “easy out” along the journey, but God promises us His immeasurable blessings if we will continue to climb up into Him!
Check out the video of today’s sermon.
If you would like to check out the other songs of ascent that we’ve already studied, please click here.
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My logic always has a dark edge that I cannot see past. But the logic of God has no dark places because He can see from beginning to end perfectly.
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The word sounds as painful physically as it is emotionally. I am talking about the word “fester.”
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
I truly believe that When Sheep Bite will be a healing resource for shepherd leaders who are still feeling the pain of their latest sheep bite. Please pick up a copy today!
Register for my upcoming cohort here. Space is limited to 10 cohorts, so register soon.
If you would like to check out the full conversation Greg and I had on our leadership podcast called The Craig and Greg Show, you can find that episode here.
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Godly women can use their God-given superpower to unlock the potential of the men in their lives. Then it’s up to godly men to use their God-given superpower to steward this unlocked potential. It’s God’s delight when men and women do this!
Watch the video of this sermon here.
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When you have to deal with a crisis, there are two options: (1) Use your common sense and the good ideas of others, or (2) Do it God’s way.
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As you may have heard, I have written a new book! In this episode Greg and I sit down and chat about When Sheep Bite, and discuss how the valuable lessons it provides are critical for leaders of any organization.
Watch the video version of this episode of The Craig and Greg Show.
For more information on how personalized coaching can help you as a leader, visit https://maximizeleadership.com and fill out the form at the bottom of the coaching page.
Order a copy of When Sheep Bite here.
How exactly should we pray for those who have so badly mistreated us? There’s a natural response, and then there’s a supernatural response that Jesus calls us to.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
The Scriptures that I reference on this episode of The Podcast are Matthew 5:44; Psalm 109:4; Revelation 12:10; John 10:10; Luke 23:34; Psalm 139:23-24; Romans 12:18-21.
And the blog posts I mention are: Unexpected Response and Choice Four-Letter Words.
I truly believe that When Sheep Bite will be a healing resource for shepherd leaders who are still feeling the pain of their latest sheep bite. Please pick up a copy today!
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Jesus didn’t say, “All of your efforts at sharing the Gospel will be successful.” In fact, He said some efforts would appear to be failures. But Jesus also assured us that every Spirit-empowered word that we spoke would make an impact, so we sow our seed in that expectation!
Watch the video of this sermon here.
If you’ve missed any of the message in our series Takin’ Him to the Streets, you can find them all by clicking here.
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Words have consequences. Idle, careless words may have eternal consequences. I’ll have to stand before God to explain my careless words some day. And so will you.
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Critics and their biting words may seem to serve no purpose except to bring you down. But I have two questions you should consider before you dismiss your critic.
Watch the video of my time on the Alibe podcast here.
You can check out the full conversation I had on the Ailbe podcast here.
You can order a copy of When Sheep Bite here. And you may be interested in two related blog posts: 20 helpful thoughts on criticism and What is valid criticism?
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We are robbing ourselves of growth potential if we avoid every stressful situation. Moderate, healthy stress is good for you, so lean into it!
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Anyone can start a fight—it's not hard at all! But only strong people can walk away from a fight. Check out a couple of helpful examples.
If you are a pastor, you know the painful bites of gossip. This is just one of several sheep bites I diagnose to help shepherd leaders find a healing, biblical response. Please check out my book When Sheep Bite.
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Hollywood Boulevard probably has a greater impact on the culture of every other street than anything else does. How are Christians to take the Good News of Jesus to this street? I’ve got four key thoughts for you to consider.
Check out the video of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our series Takin’ Him to the Streets, you can find them all here.
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Don’t get caught up in others’ ideas of what God said. Read the Scriptures—or better yet, let the Scriptures read you—with the help of the Holy Spirit.
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Greg and I think that a great way to take your leadership to the next level is by paying attention to people. Keeping an eye out for the small details and remembering them shows people you care, which in turn makes them much more receptive to the leadership you want to pour into their lives.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Greg and I can help you grow as a leader—get in touch with us!
I would like to take you behind the scenes to the origin of my second book. In this video, you will hear how I first came up with the idea for When Sheep Bite, and how the Holy Spirit redirected my original book design.
Check out the video version of this episode.
I truly believe that When Sheep Bite will be a healing resource for shepherd leaders who are still feeling the pain of their latest sheep bite. If you are a pastor—or if you love your pastor—please pick up a copy today!
It may seem that Easy Street and Skid Row are as far apart as any two lifestyles could be. But when it comes to sharing the Good News about Jesus to those who live on those streets, the approach is exactly the same.
Check out the video of this sermon here.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our Takin’ Him To The Street series, you can find them all here.
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My leadership podcast partner Greg Heeres and I were discussing a leader’s epitaph. Greg asked me an unusual question: What did I want to be said on my own epitaph?
Check out the video version of this episode here.
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When we empathize with a friend’s painful story, we have to find a way to relate to their pain and encourage them in their healing without one-upping their story with our own.
You can watch the video I reference in this episode here.
I truly believe that When Sheep Bite will be a healing resource for shepherd leaders who have been there, done that, and have the sheep bite marks to prove it. If you are a pastor—or if you love your pastor—please pick up a copy today!
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Sometimes the way that we show our faith in Jesus is that we hit the road! Check out this important lesson in faith from a loving father.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Here are a bunch of ways to get in touch with me and follow along with other projects on which I am involved.
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Jesus sent us to all people—even those with whom we have hardly anything in common. How do we take the Good News of Jesus to these people? Jesus Himself gives us a great example of follow!
Watch the video version of this sermon here.
If you’ve missed any of the others messages in our Takin’ Him to the Streets series, you can find them all by clicking here.
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The apostle Paul shows us how simply sharing the good news about Jesus opened a door for him to speak to a very influential group in Athens. I experienced something similar that I think will be helpful for you to hear.
Check out the video version of this short clip here.
You can watch the full sermon this clip came from by clicking here.
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Have you ever thought of Jesus as a gentleman? His kind, affirming interaction with an unlikely woman shows just how kind and gentle He truly is. And it also show us how to be be the same kinds of gentlemen and gentlewomen.
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I want to make sure there are misunderstandings on this, so please stay with me! I realize that the title of my newest book—When Sheep Bite—may bring a picture to your mind that I never intended.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
If you would like to watch the full interview I did on the Converge Coaching podcast, check that out here.
Order your copy of When Sheep Bite here! Here are a bunch of ways to get in touch with me and follow along with other projects on which I am involved.
When a pastor flips to Proverbs 31 and begins to read the description of the noble wife, I’m afraid many women—both moms and not-yet-moms—wonder how they could measure up to this list! The proverb itself really starts out with a question, “Who could find such a woman?!” But this proverb then goes on to outline the superpower that God has given to women who will faithfully follow Him.
Check out the video version of this sermon here.
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Live today like you are in the very presence of God. Because you are.
If you are walking through a dark time right now, perhaps wondering just exactly where God is, I have a whole series of posts and videos you should check out called Where’s God?
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When you are in a leadership role it is unavoidable that you will occasionally have to talk about people. Perhaps it’s gathering more information or discussing an incident with a fellow leader. However, we have to be very careful that these discussions don’t cross the line into gossip. Gossip is toxic for your organization, and left unchecked can lead to disastrous results. Check out this episode where Greg and I discuss how to make your conversations about goals instead of gossip.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Craig and Greg Show.
May we all make this prayer from Francois Fenelon our own.
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This is a book that I wish I didn’t have to write. But it needed to be written, so let me tell you what it’s all about.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
If you would like to watch the full interview I did on the Converge Coaching podcast, check that out here.
Order your copy of When Sheep Bite here!
This is a book that I wish I didn’t have to write. But it needed to be written, so let me tell you what it’s all about.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
If you would like to watch the full interview I did on the Converge Coaching podcast, check that out here.
Order your copy of When Sheep Bite here!
The people who frequent Rodeo Drive in California tend to be self-sufficient and self-assured. How do Christian take the message of Jesus to the people on that street? We can learn a valuable lesson from Paul’s visit to Athens.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
If you’ve missed any of the other “Streets” we have discussed in this series, please click here to get caught up.
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When we have a difficult coworker or team member, it’s very easy to fall into the trap of talking about them to others and avoid talking directly to them. This is what Greg and I have to say to leaders about that.
Check out the video version of this clip here.
You can check out the full Craig and Greg Show episode on this topic here.
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David learned this lesson the hard way. Men may give you logical-sounding counsel, but you must always make sure that advice aligns with God’s omniscient wisdom.
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Something from J.R.R. Tolkien and something from the Bible collided on the exact same day. Let’s talk about it on this episode of The Podcast.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast here.
The Scriptures I referenced are 1 Samuel 30:1-19 and John 10:10.
David learned how to find his encouragement in God from his friend Jonathan. Check out The Jonathan Experience.
I have a lengthy series of posts on the attributes of godly leaders which you can find here.
My new book When Sheep Bite is available for pre-order!
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As our witness for Jesus expands, we are going to encounter people whose traditions and beliefs are often at odds with Christians. These twists and turns may seem like they are going to limit our testimony, but they actually simplify it to something very doable for every Christian.
Watch the video of this sermon here.
Follow along with all of the streets we are looking at in our series Takin’ Him to the streets by clicking here.
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Free time is not me time, where I get to decide what to do, when I want to do it, and with whom I want to do it. That’s actually slavery to my passions.
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Have you thought about what you’d like said at your funeral? This isn’t an episode about contemplating your death, but Greg and I want to encourage you to begin with the end in mind, and live as the type of leader that you want to be remembers as.
Check out the video version of this episode.
Please subscribe on YouTube so you can watch all of the upcoming episodes.
When trust in worldly wealth replaces trust in God who is eternally trustworthy, we will experience an inverse proportion that will leave us sad. But there is also a way to realize the proportional blessing of God that is without earthly comparison!
You may also want to check out:
- Faith over fear (another inverse proportion)
- Marriage math
- Illogical but true
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Without a doubt, a leader plagued by feelings of guilt is a leader that is operating well-below his or her full potential.
One of the best ways to avoid these feelings of limiting guilt is for the leader to admit that he or she isn’t an expert in every aspect of their organization.
In this short clip, Karl Vaters and I are specifically addressing pastoral leaders, but the principles can be applied to leaders of any organization.
Check out the video of this conversation here.
You may also be interested in a whole series of posts on godly leadership and in my book Shepherd Leadership.
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Jesus commissioned His followers to take the message of His forgiveness to everyone everywhere. We are to start in our hometown, so let’s talk first about takin’ Him to Main Street.
Click here to watch the video of this sermon.
Follow along with all of the messages in this series Takin’ Him To The Streets by clicking here.
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Disaster is right around the corner if I insist on figuring things out on my own.
I have to make it a habit to pray about EVERY decision. It might only be a 5-second prayer, but I must inquire of the Lord.
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Good leaders hold themselves—at a minimum—the same standard for the rest of their team. But the best leaders hold themselves to an even higher standard.
Check out this humorous story that makes this point so clear.
Check out the video version of this conversation here.
Check out this full conversation Greg and I had on an episode of The Craig and Greg Show called “Be honest with yourself.”
In Proverbs 19, wise King Solomon shares a whole list of blessings for those who live with integrity. And on the flip side, you may want to check out my post Don’t putrefy your leadership.
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I’d like to tell you about a book that I think is an absolute must-read for those in church leadership. Check out my interview with Karl Vaters, the author of De-Sizing The Church, on this episode of The Podcast.
You can watch the video version of this interview here.
And if you would like to check out when Karl interviewed me about my book Shepherd Leadership, those videos are here.
Here are a bunch of ways to get in touch with me and follow along with other projects on which I am involved.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
The Holy Spirit uses a Christian’s witness as the catalyst to open people’s minds to receive the forgiveness that Jesus made available and then to repent of their sins.
Check out the video version of this sermon here.
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49244016
Please follow along with all of the messages in this series called Takin’ Him to the streets by clicking here.
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True love shows up in work clothes, with callouses on its hands and knees, because it’s determined to serve someone else no matter what!
If you missed any of the messages in our Loving the Unlovable series, you can check them all our here.
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Honesty is a vital part of a successful organization, something that every good leader is well aware of. However, when was the last time you asked the question, “Am I being honest with myself?” In this episode, Greg and I unpack how honest self-reflection is a powerful tool to help improve your leadership.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Craig and Greg Show.
Get in touch with me at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
This many seem like an obvious question—who exactly am I trying to make look good: me or Jesus?—but a biography in the Gospels caused me to ponder this question in a different way.
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I wonder how well you know the word “know”? Let’s find out on this episode of The Podcast.
Check out the video version of this episode here.
Here are some helpful resources from this episode:
The Scriptures I referenced are 1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22; Genesis 2:25; John 1:4-5; Psalm 119:18; Ephesians 1:17.
I mentioned a blog post and video in this podcast about the work Jesus did on our behalf on the Cross. That was called Right Remembering.
My new book When Sheep Bite is available for pre-order!
Here are a bunch of ways to get in touch with me and follow along with other projects on which I am involved
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
Some claim that the promises in the Bible—especially the promise of eternal life—are just too good to be true. But the death and resurrection proves that Jesus made all of the promises true!
To watch this sermon, please check out this YouTube link.
To go deeper on some of these topics, go to http://craigtowens.com and type either “Resurrected from the dead?! Really?” or “Who can claim God’s promises?” in the search box.
You can download the notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49236909
If you missed any of the messages in our series looking at how Jesus fulfilled the smallest of details of prophecy, check them out here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
Get in touch with me at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
The system of sacrifices centered in the tabernacle or the temple had been trying to show us something. But they were only shadows. Jesus showed us the Reality that would help us remember correctly what He did for us.
Check out the video of this sermon here.
You can download the notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49235489
The other sermons I mentioned in this video can be found at http://craigtowens.com. Type “Confessions of a Dying Man” and “Fearless Stewards” in the search box.
Get in touch with me at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
If you have missed any of the messages in this series looking at some of the jots and tittles of prophecy that are fulfilled in Jesus, you can check them all out by clicking here.
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Joseph Hart and Charles Spurgeon remind us of the horrific treatment Jesus endured because of His love for us.
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When every quality is distilled down, the two things a leader is looking for in a teammate are skill and will. Which one should come first, and what happens if you identify a deficiency in yourself or others in one of these areas? Greg and I tackle these questions, and much more, in this episode of The Craig and Greg Show.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Check out this episode and subscribe on YouTube so you can watch all of the upcoming episodes. You can also listen to our podcast on Spotify and Apple.
Just because something was successful in the past—even something directed by God Himself—that doesn’t mean we can simply repeat it again without consulting God again.
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I would like to make a case for you to really slow down this week.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
I have two series of messages focusing on the Passion Week that will help you go deeper in your Bible study time: Christ’s Passionate Journey (which I mentioned in this podcast) and Bold Claims.
My new book When Sheep Bite is available for pre-order!
Here are a bunch of ways to get in touch with me and follow along with other projects on which I am involved
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
The thought of God’s approaching fills many people with fearful thoughts. But the way Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday should demonstrate for us that instead of fear, we can be both fearless and rejoicing at His coming.
Check out the video of this sermon.
The two additional sermon series mentioned in this video can be found by going to http://craigtowens.com and then typing either “Christ’s Passionate Journey” or “Fear Not” into the search box.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in this series, you can find them all here.
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Sadly, we tend to put limiting labels on other people. Sometimes even on ourselves. When you know what label God places on you, you will begin to treat everyone differently!
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I was so thrilled to join John Opalewski and Jim Wiegand on the Leading From Alignment podcast!
This is part 1 of my interview with them about my new book When Sheep Bite.
Check out the video version of this interview.
If you would like to pre-order a copy of When Sheep Bite, go to http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
When we are treated unfairly or even insulted or abused for our faith in Jesus, it stings and we want to defend ourselves. There is a time to speak, but there is also a time for silence. Jesus can show us what time it is.
(You can check out all of the Scriptures I referenced in this post by clicking here.)
You may also be interested in a previous blog post Winning the Argument or the Battle or my short video How Should Leaders Handle Pushback.
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One of the most effective leadership tools is, sadly, one of the tools that is used the least by most leaders. Let’s figure out how to make it work for you.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Some resources from this episode:
I shared a clip from a Craig and Greg Show episode. You can check out that full episode here.
The Scripture I referenced is John 10:3-5. I unpack this idea in much greater depth in my book Shepherd Leadership: The metrics that really matter.
My new book When Sheep Bite is available for pre-order!
Here are a bunch of ways to get in touch with me and follow along with other projects on which I am involved
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
When people reject our message of love or even attack us, it is natural to feel angry. Jesus did. But He also showed us how to respond in a way the world would never have expected.
Check out the video version of this sermon here.
You can download the notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49227357
To check out the other messages in this series called Jots and Tittles: Why it matters that God is in the smallest of details, please click here.
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I love turning Scripture into prayers. Here is one based on a passage in 1 Peter.
Here is a video where I explain how I turn the Bible into a prayer. And you may also like this video as well.
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Are you a person that likes to meticulously plan every detail, or are you more comfortable planning as you go? In this episode, Greg and I say leaders should strive for both! Join us as we discuss the art and science of balancing planning and spontaneity to hit the golden mean of the two.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Check out my newest book and more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
Worldly minded leaders are always trying to leverage their positional authority to force people to follow them. But Jesus shows us that godly leaders have a moral authority that draws people to them.
This is part 78 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
You can order my book When Sheep Bite here.
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If you want to experience something usually powerful in your life, you may need to add something usual to your life.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
My new book When Sheep Bite is available for pre-order!
Here are a bunch of ways to get in touch with me and follow along with other projects on which I am involved
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
It appeared that the ministry of Jesus hit a snag right at the beginning when He was rejected by His hometown. But this was actually a part of God’s plan so that people living a dark place would experience His light. This should help us walk boldly in our dark places today.
Watch the video of this sermon here.
If you would like to follow along with all of the messages in this series called Jots and Tittles, you can find them all here.
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We often live as if our popularity was the answer to a prayer.
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If God has given you influence as a leader, it is never to further your agenda but to help others grow. Leadership is about servanthood. If we try to make leadership about others serving me, we will quickly get ourselves in trouble.
Check out the video version of this clip.
Check out this full conversation Greg and I had on an episode of The Craig and Greg Show called “The responsibility of power.”
I unpack this idea of servant-leadership in my book Shepherd Leadership: The metrics that really matter.
A related blog posts I reference in this clip is—Live like a star.
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When God brings needy people across my path, He has done this so that I can give them something substantial—something eternally significant.
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Have you ever been going through a difficult time in your life and wondered to yourself, “What in the world is going on here?” I might have a different way for you to think about that!
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
My new book When Sheep Bite is available for pre-order!
Here are a bunch of ways to get in touch with me and follow along with other projects on which I am involved
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
What do we do with the parts of the Bible that seem to have been moved to a footnote? Do we ignore them? Do we excuse them? Or can we use them to point people to the glory of God?
Check out the video version of this sermon here.
If you missed any of the other messages in this series, you can check them all out here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
Christians should be first-rate thinkers.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
If you are a leader in your organization, there are a couple of often overlooked actions that are sending clear signals to your teammates. The question is: Are those signals telling them how valuable they are to you and your organization?
Check out the video version of this short clip from The Craig And Greg Show where we discuss how performance reviews can be a great opportunity to move your team forward.
If you would like to watch the full Craig And Greg Show episode on performance reviews, check it out here.
You may also be interested in two previous blog posts where I unpack some ideas on how to improve all of the relationships that are meaningful to us—Missing Ingredient and Be All There.
My new book When Sheep Bite is available for pre-order!
Here are a bunch of ways to get in touch with me and follow along with other projects on which I am involved.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
As goes the leader, so go the people. The sooner godly leaders leverage this truism, the more of God’s blessing their people can experience.
This is part 77 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
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God’s honor is at stake in how I live, so I must constantly allow the Holy Spirit to help me answer the questions, “How am I living?” and “How am I representing God?”
Pre-order my new bokk When Sheep Bite and check out other projects I am working on at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
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Do you need to have a coach? If you answered “yes” then you’re already on the right track! If you said “no,” Greg and I would like to challenge you a little. Join us as they discuss how coaching isn’t just about correcting mistakes, it’s also about maximizing your existing skills to the highest level possible.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Craig And Greg Show.
If you don’t already have a coach, we would love to help you out! Visit the coaching page at https://maximizeleadership.com and fill out the form at the bottom. We have a great group of experienced coaches that can help you reach the next level in your leadership.
The thing that people need most to move ahead might be right on the tip of your tongue.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Some resources from this episode:
The Scriptures I reference: Proverbs 27:5-6; Proverbs 12:18; Ephesians 4:15
Check out my blog post True Friends.
And a couple of related videos where I talk more about this topic: We need loving friends and A true friend loves you enough to confront you with the truth.
My new book When Sheep Bite is available for pre-order!
Here are a bunch of ways to get in touch with me and follow along with other projects on which I am involved
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
God lovingly prepares us for the tests and temptations we are going to face so that we will be victorious in them. This is what happened to Jesus and it’s how He wants us to pray.
Check out the video version of this sermon.
Download the sermon notes for this message here → http://bible.com/events/49214591
Check out all of the sermons in this series here → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL80P8Ab2wQPIJKzhIzYZx-EnY67bq8Ohh
You may want to check out “No Condemnation” and “Fight Like Jesus” on my blog. Go to http://craigtowens.com and type those posts in the search box.
Get in touch with m at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens.
If you’ve missed any of the previous messages in this series looking at the model prayer Jesus taught us, you can find them all here.
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Do you want to mature as a Christian? If so, here’s the first step.
Pre-order my new book When Sheep Bite and discover other places to connect with me at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens.
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There is a way we can keep the door cracked open for the devil to whisper his slander to us, and there is a way to slam the door shut! Jesus said one of the best ways to shut the door on the slanderous lies of the devil is to forgive people who have injured us.
Check out the video version of this clip.
The verses I reference in this clip are John 10:10; John 8:44; Revelation 12:10; Luke 17:-5; Psalm 103:12; Isaiah 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21.
The full sermon that this clip comes from is Faith to Forgive.
And check out this post where I talk about the Security we have in standing on God’s promises of forgiveness.
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When Jesus spoke, His audience hung on His every word. Can the same be said of us today? I believe it can!
To go a little deeper on this topic, check out Whose Words Have Weight? and The Timeliest of Words.
Pre-order When Sheep Bite at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens.
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Our society seems to have a growing communication problem. I’d like to talk with you a little bit about that, and share four things for us to try.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Check out my blog post Interruptions: The relationship killer.
Here’s a video where I talk more about the Golden Rule.
My new book When Sheep Bite is available for pre-order!
Here are a bunch of ways to get in touch with me and follow along with other projects on which I am involved
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
Jesus taught us to pray to be thankful for our own forgiveness and to ask for our Heavenly Father’s help in giving forgiveness to others. The disciples of Jesus found this so challenging that they asked Jesus to increase their faith. Truly we need faith to be forgiving people!
Watch the video version of this sermon here.
Check out my written blog, follow my podcasts, and even pre-order my newest book When Sheep Bite at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens.
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49209509
One man broke the unbroken chain of “and then he died” epitaphs of everyone who came before him. You can do the same thing!
Pre-order my new book When Sheep Bite at http://craigtowens.com
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As leaders, we are called to set the example for our organization. As Greg and I discuss in this episode, the quickest way to make a positive change in your organization is to exhibit the traits you want to see. Do that with consistency, and your team will begin to reflect those traits back to you.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Craig And Greg Show.
For more information on how our coaching services may help you, or to book Greg or I as a keynote speaker, please visit Maximize Leadership.
As Christians, how are we supposed to handle those who complain about Christianity or things in the Bible?
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Some resources from this episode:
- The sermon I mentioned where I talk about the complainers in the Old Testament is here.
- The Scriptures I reference in this video—Exodus 16:7; Luke 5:27-32.
- Check out this blog post where I talk more about Jesus getting the final word—The Tactics of Fear.
- My new book When Sheep Bite is available for pre-order!
Here are a bunch of ways to get in touch with me and follow along with other projects on which I am involved
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
Those who walk with the Good Shepherd never walk an unknown path.
Pre-order my new book When Sheep Bite at http://craigtowens.com
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Jesus reminds us to ask our Heavenly Father to supply what we need for each day. Many forget this because they are more focused trying to get more than they need for the day.
Watch the video of this sermon here.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in this series on prayer, you can check them all out here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. Like some exclusive quotes from a book I just reviewed. ◀︎◀︎
There’s one important thing that could be holding us back from living the way that God wants us to.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Some resources from this episode:
- The passages of Scripture I mention in this episode are John 21:15-21; Luke 19:1-9; Luke 18:18-23.
- I talked about the danger of comparisons in relationships in the blog post Comparisons Are Killers.
- Here is a 1-minute clip from The Craig And Greg Show where I talk about the danger of comparisons.
- My new book When Sheep Bite is available for pre-order!
Here are a bunch of ways to get in touch with me and follow along with other projects on which I am involved
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. Like some exclusive quotes from a book I just reviewed. ◀︎◀︎
I’ve been spending some time reading through the Book of Psalms. I want to get back to the essence of worship.
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Pastors are called to be shepherd leaders. Karl Vaters points out that some pastors get caught up in “the green room syndrome” that disconnects them from their sheep.
If you would like to watch this clip from The Church Lobby Podcast, please click here.
The biblical passage I reference in this interview is John 10:1-16.
Check out other parts of my interview on The Church Lobby podcast here. Or check out the full conversation Karl and I had on The Church Lobby podcast here.
Get more information on Shepherd Leadership here. And pre-order my newest book When Sheep Bite here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. Like some exclusive quotes from a book I just reviewed. ◀︎◀︎
Jesus wanted us to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Before we pray that way, we need to know what God’s will is. The key to that is in the first two words of this prayer: “Our Father.”
Watch the video of this sermon here.
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49204327
This is part 4 of our series on prayer called Kingdom Praying. You can check out all of the other messages in this series here.
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What greater proof is there that God chose you than He sent His Son to earth to make it possible for you to live with Him forever!
Pre-order my new book When Sheep Bite here.
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Goal-setting and change-making are integral parts of a leader’s job. However, it can often feel like actually accomplishing these tasks is one of the hardest parts of the job! In this episode, Greg and I dive into how to successfully set and accomplish goals, and how to strategically create change in a way that doesn’t disenfranchise your team.
Check out the video version of this conversation.
Get in touch with me at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
Trying to gain a leadership position or favor with people by compromising godly values is a strategy with disastrous consequences.
This is part 76 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
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We would do well to pay attention to what the Bible doesn’t say—especially when we have to interact with ungodly leaders.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Some resources from this episode:
- The passages of Scripture I mention in this episode are Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; 1 Peter 2:13-17
- Three of my blog posts that also address our interaction with earthly governments are Misbehaving Government, Alien Government, and Christian Citizenship
- You may also be interested in my video Praying for our Governments
- My new book When Sheep Bite is available for pre-order!
Here are a bunch of ways to get in touch with me and follow along with other projects on which I am involved
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. Like this exceptional Bible study tool to help with Creation apologetics. ◀︎◀︎
Jesus tells us to pray for God’s Kingdom to be seen on earth. We want people to see our Heavenly Father in all His hallowed majesty and glory—not merely in the ways we attempt to “Christianize” life on Earth.
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49199676
Check out the video version of this sermon here.
Check out the other messages in our series Kingdom Praying by clicking here.
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Sometimes our prayers have to have feet.
To check out the others messages in this series on prayer called Praying Circles, please click here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. Like this exceptional Bible study tool to help with Creation apologetics. ◀︎◀︎
Godly leaders are always striving to use their leadership power to serve others. What exactly does this look like? On a recent Craig And Greg Show episode, Greg and I discussed this important leadership tension.
- Check out the full Craig And Greg Show episode here.
- I talked about this confident-humble tension in much greater detail in this interview on the Thriving in Ministry podcast.
- Check out the video of my superhero Plungerman.
- And you can also read more in my book Shepherd Leadership.
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There’s an interesting verb used with both Enoch and Noah that denotes intimate fellowship—the word is “walked.” The way we choose to walk with God today is just as vital.
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Have you ever felt like a nameless face in the crowd? Let me tell you what you should do with those thoughts.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Some resources from this episode:
- The biblical passages I referenced are Psalm 139:13-16; Isaiah 49:16; Ephesians 2:10
- Three of my blog posts that will help you go deeper with this topic: The Everlasting Hope in our Everlasting Lord, What Are You Doing with God’s Story?, and Ruth + Boaz
- My new book When Sheep Bite is coming soon!
Here are a bunch of ways to get in touch with me and follow along with other projects on which I am involved
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. Like a first look at the cover of my brand new book. ◀︎◀︎
When we pray, “Hallowed be Your name,” that prayer is both an acknowledgment of God’s greatness and a request that He would empower us to live in ways that makes His greatness seen by others.
This is the audio from the second sermon in our prayer series “Kingdom Praying.” Watch the video of this sermon here.
To follow along with all of the message in this prayer series called Kingdom Praying, please click here.
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When we think we can figure out how it will all end, our faith is too small.
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My new book is coming soon...
It goes without saying, but leadership positions confer a level of power to the people who occupy them. This power is necessary for us as leaders to do our job effectively, but if we're not very careful it can begin to corrupt us and poison our leadership. Tune in as Greg and I tackle this tricky issue.
Check out the video version of this episode here.
For personalized coaching, info on Greg’s book, or to book Greg as a speaker visit https://maximizeleadership.com
For info on my book and my daily blog posts visit https://craigtowens.com
“God said” is the encouraging, faith-building promise I cling to!
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Is New Year’s Day really the best time to make a resolution? Well, maybe! Here are some thoughts to help you be more successful whenever you resolve to make some healthy changes in your life.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
If you would like to go a little deeper on this, check out these posts I previously shared:
- Resolutions
- 4 tips for making better goals
- Find your new motivation
- New year, new attitude
Here are a bunch of ways to get in touch with me and follow along with other projects on which I am involved
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. Like a first look at the cover of my brand new book.
Every world leader has protocols for anyone who wishes to see them. Similarly, many people behave as if God has a similar list of protocols in order to have access to Him. Is that correct? If so, what are our prayer protocols?
Check out the video version of this sermon here.
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49192264
Check out the others messages in our series Kingdom Praying by clicking here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. Like this exceptional Bible study tool to help with Creation apologetics. ◀︎◀︎
God puts Himself in a place where we can find Him when we are praying. We must tenaciously pursue Him in prayer!
Check out this video where I talk more in-depth about this persistent mother.
To check out the others messages in this series on prayer called Praying Circles, please click here.
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When fear seems to be griping a leader’s heart, how can that leader respond in a way that benefits both themself and their team? One important strategy is paying attention to how we talk to ourselves during our battles with fear.
- Check out the full Craig And Greg Show episode here.
- Two of my related blog posts on this topic are Try Reverse Thinking and Good For What?
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An overview of all the sermon series at Calvary Assembly of God in 2023.
Watch the video of this message here.
To go deeper on any of these sermon series, go to http://craigtowens.com and type “Year-end review 2023” in the search box.
Get in touch with me at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens
2024 promises to be an exciting year! If you don’t have a home church in the northern Kent County area, I would love to have you join us!
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Religion is concerned with the outside, but relationship focuses on the inside. Yet the inside can beautify the outside, so we need both.
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It may be the world’s best-known song, but I wonder when was the last time you really listened to its message?
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Some resources to go along with this video:
- The story of the lost sons is found in Luke 15:11-32.
- One of my most-viewed sermon series on God’s grace is God’s Favor.
- Another blog post that may help you is What if I sin?
- If you are the parent of a “prodigal son,” you can be encouraged by this post: The Wait of Parenting.
- Here are a bunch of ways to get in touch with me and follow along with other projects on which I am involved
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. Like this video where I explain what the Bible means when we “examine” our lives. ◀︎◀︎
For those who are skeptical of the claims of Jesus the King, we have to live in a way that makes it real. We have to help them come and see the King of kings!
If you’ve missed any of the messages in this Advent series, you can check them all out here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. Like this video where I explain what the Bible means when we “examine” our lives. ◀︎◀︎
The First Advent of Jesus revealed to us in the Gospels reassures us that the promise of an eternal King is true. Jesus came to earth to reveal His majesty to us. The First Advent is so important because it bolsters our faith for the imminent Second Advent when Jesus will return as the King of kings! Christmas is a great time for us to remind ourselves of this truth. Join me for part 4 in our series Long Live The King Of Kings.
You can watch this message here → https://youtu.be/Vwkx1j3jC38
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49187082
Mary, like many of us today, didn’t think she was worthy of God’s attention, let alone His special blessings. But Jesus made God’s favor available to all of us!
If you have missed any of the messages in our Fear Not! series, you can find them all by clicking here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
Telling stories will help your message “stick” better. To be a better storyteller, you need to learn to be a better story-listener.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Some resources to go along with this video:
- Greg and I talked about the power in a leader’s storytelling on this episode of The Craig and Greg Show.
- Here are two related short videos I shared about stories that you may want to check out—The power of a story and You can trust the history of the Bible.
- Here is a good playlist of Fibber McGee & Molly radio broadcasts to get you started.
- The book Heavenly Days is available here.
- Here are a bunch of ways to get in touch with me and follow along with other projects on which I am involved
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. Like this video where I talk about the logic in Psalm 119. ◀︎◀︎
When godly leaders are the first in obedience—no matter how difficult it may seem in the moment—they make it possible for others to obey God themselves.
This is part 75 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. Like this video where I talk about the logic in Psalm 119. ◀︎◀︎
Romans 8:28 assures us that God uses everything for His glory. Even our pain. Here is when I learned this painful but precious truth.
On the Leading From Alignment podcast, John Opalewski asked me about lessons I have learned from painful experiences.
Check out the video of this short clip here.
- Check out the full conversation John, Jim Wiegand, and I had here.
- Another related video is Don’t dwell on the “What ifs”.
- And you may also like two other blog posts—Don’t Quit and Learning Perseverance.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. Like this recent post where I shared a map and an app to help with your Bible study time. ◀︎◀︎
Throughout the Bible, when people came near God’s glory they collapsed in His presence. But we also find that the Incarnation of Jesus makes it possible for us to joyfully stand in His presence forever!
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our series Long Live the King of Kings, you can find them all by clicking here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. Like this video where I talk about the logic in Psalm 119. ◀︎◀︎
The First Advent of Jesus revealed to us in the Gospels reassures us that the promise of an eternal King is true. Jesus came to earth to reveal His majesty to us. The First Advent is so important because it bolsters our faith for the imminent Second Advent when Jesus will return as the King of kings! Christmas is a great time for us to remind ourselves of this truth. Join me for part 3 in our series Long Live The King Of Kings.
You can watch this message here → https://youtu.be/RZrXlwwbfYg
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49182755
The previous Christmas series I mentioned in this sermon:
- The Carol of Christmas
- Fear Not
Where are your thoughts today? If they are on what you can do to defeat temptation, you’ll be disappointed in the outcome.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. Like this video where I talk about the logic in Psalm 119. ◀︎◀︎
If God is giving me eternity, that means there is never a cause for me to worry about infinitesimal things!
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. Like this video where I talk about the logic in Psalm 119. ◀︎◀︎
I just discovered a way that Michael Jackson was like Jesus Christ.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Some resources to go along with this video:
- The biblical verses I referred to in this video—Luke 6:7, 14:1, 20:20; Acts 9:24; John 12:49-50
- Here are two related blog posts you may want to check out—Eloquent Silence and No Fear of Inspection
- Here are a bunch of ways to get in touch with me and follow along with other projects on which I am involved
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. Like this video where I talk about the logic in Psalm 119. ◀︎◀︎
Sometimes we can “miss the forest for the trees.” We can get so focused on the obstacle in front of us that we forget about God’s big promises. A fresh look at the Advent of Jesus should re-fuel our faith to believe that God will fulfill what He has promised.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series called Long Live the King of Kings, you can check them all out here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. Like this video where I talk about the logic in Psalm 119. ◀︎◀︎
The First Advent of Jesus revealed to us in the Gospels reassures us that the promise of an eternal King is true. Jesus came to earth to reveal His majesty to us. The First Advent is so important because it bolsters our faith for the imminent Second Advent when Jesus will return as the King of kings! Christmas is a great time for us to remind ourselves of this truth. Join me for part 2 in our series Long Live the King of Kings.
You can watch this message here → https://youtu.be/se6Rxe088E4
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49179823
If God spoke it to you, He has not forgotten you! Don’t believe the lie that the window of opportunity has closed!
If you have missed any of the messages in our Fear Not! series, you can find them all by clicking here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
Christmas seems to be the one time of year when everyone loves to share their traditions, both in their families and in their organizations. As leaders we should embrace organizational traditions, and use them to show our team the culture of our organization. We also need to be aware that the personal traditions of our team members might make their lives a bit more hectic, and understanding and flexibility on our part will go a long way for them.
Books make great Christmas gifts! Pick up a copy of my and Greg's new books to give to the leader in your life. Greg wrote Sage Advice and I wrote Shepherd Leadership.
Check out the video version of this episode here.
Watching a documentary about an octopus reminded me of something new about God’s Word.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Some resources to go along with this video:
- The biblical verses I alluded to—Psalm 19:1-2; Psalm 139:13-15; Luke 13:20-21; Proverbs 6:6; Psalm 33:7; Genesis 1:1
- Here are three related blog posts on how science supports the Bible—Medical Science and the Bible, The “Ologies,” and The Perfection of the Universe
- Here are a bunch of ways to get in touch with me and follow along with other projects on which I am involved
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
Before the First Advent of Jesus, many people were beginning to lose hope that God would keep His promise. Many feel the same way today. But the fact of the First Advent of Jesus should build our anticipation for the fulfillment of God’s promise of the Second Advent.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our Christmas series called Long Live The King Of Kings, you can find them all by clicking here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
The First Advent of Jesus revealed to us in the Gospels reassures us that the promise of an eternal King is true. Jesus came to earth to reveal His majesty to us. The First Advent is so important because it bolsters our faith for the imminent Second Advent when Jesus will return as the King of kings! Christmas is a great time for us to remind ourselves of this truth. Join us for part 1 in our series Long Live The King Of Kings.
You can watch this message here → https://youtu.be/2F1FQGpBO50
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49177196
My presence in another’s life can be my present to their life.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
The First Advent is so important because it bolsters our faith for the imminent Second Advent when Jesus will return as the King of kings! Christmas is a great time to be reminded that even now we can confidently declare, “Long live the eternal King of kings!”
God’s servants never waste time on frivolous matters, but they strictly focus on what matters for eternity. They are ready, waiting, and watching.
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Leaders earn some of their credibility when they lead through difficult or chaotic times. But it is also during these times that a leader can un-do all of the good things that he had already accomplished.
On a recent episode of The Craig And Greg Show, Greg Heeres and I discussed how leaders can learn to control their reaction. In this clip, I share one simple strategy that has been so helpful for my leadership growth.
- Check out the full conversation Greg and I had on this topic
- This blog post is a good follow up on this idea—Reaction Action
- And here’s a conversation I had on another podcast with Jeff Keady where I discussed a concept from my book Shepherd Leadership about how Jesus always reacted appropriately.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. Like this recent post where I shared a map and an app to help with your Bible study time. ◀︎◀︎
It’s not true that “words will never hurt me.” The sharp, criticizing words can injure us deeply. Fortunately, gratitude is our best medicine for healing from these painful wounds.
This is the short recap of my full sermon. You can watch the whole message here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in this series on power of gratitude, you can check them all out by clicking here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
There’s something about gratitude that distinguishes people. Think about it: would you rather hang around with grumblers or grateful people? For Christians, an attitude of gratitude becomes an attractive testimony of the goodness of God. Join us for part 6 in our series The Great Attitude of Gratitude.
You can watch this message here → https://youtu.be/tcykAnL3doI
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49173258
The devil loves to use times of turmoil to confuse, deceive, and mislead people. But Christians are called by Jesus to be alert to his tactics and then to cut down his lying words with the Sword of the Spirit.
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Are you willing to put in all the time and effort it takes to be effective as your could be?
Check out the video version of The Podcast here.
Resources mentioned in this video:
- The Scriptures I referenced in this video—Genesis 37:5-8, 42:6; Psalm 105:17; Acts 7:23-34; Galatians 1:15-24; 2 Timothy 4:7-8
- You may also want to check out my blog post Learning Perseverance
- And this post: Keep Moving Forward
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The key phrase is “so that”: Each individual Christian saint gets stronger so that they can invest in other saints, so that those saints can invest in us. Each of us needs all of us, and all of us need each of us!
Watch the video of this full message here.
If you would like to follow along as we learn about these six spiritual disciplines, you can find all of the messages by clicking here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
None of us can develop into the full-fledged Christians we were meant to be on our own. We all need each other. More specifically, we all need the most mature version of each other. Employing spiritual disciplines in our individual lives will not only make us stronger, but it will strengthen all of the saints.
Join me for part 1 of this series called Saints Together.
Watch the video of this message here.
Download the sermon notes for this message here → http://bible.com/events/49134302
Humanly manufactured success rarely lasts. But the success God gives endures!
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials, like this recent Bible study tip from the Book of Ecclesiastes. ◀︎◀︎
If you said, “No,” are you sure? Sometimes micromanagement can come out of good intentions, or as we focus on a project, we as leaders can slide into it without even realizing it. In this episode, Greg and I discuss why micromanagement is bad for your leadership, how to identify if you've fallen into this trap, and, most importantly how to free yourself to soar into a place of macro-leadership.
Watch this conversation by clicking here.
If you're in a place of micromanagement and not sure how to get out, we would love to come alongside and coach you. Visit https://maximizeleadership.com and fill out the contact form for more information on how we can help you grow as a leader.
Following the example of Jesus, godly leaders are not trying to lead others, but they are trying to out-serve all.
This is part 74 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
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Would you like to avoid having a bad day? I have the solution for you!
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Biblical passages I mentioned in this video—James 4:13-15
- My blog post I checked nothing off my To Do list today
- My blog post How I learned to stop sabotaging my sabbath where I discuss I.T.L.W.
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When strong emotions begin to rise in our hearts, it can feel a bit like a rollercoaster that we cannot avoid. We don’t want to escape these emotions, but we do need to get a new perspective to help us flatten the rollercoaster.
Check out the video of this full message here.
If you’ve missed any of the other mental health strategies we’ve already covered in this series, you can find the full list by clicking here.
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Luke the physician observed the growth of Jesus and tells us that it all began with Jesus having a robust mental health. From that foundation, everything else—physical, spiritual, relational—all could develop properly. We must learn from this example and pay careful attention to our own mental health.
Join me for part 7 in this series on a Christian’s mental health.
Watch the video of this message here → https://youtu.be/Tu8rEsIT48I
Download the sermon notes for this message here → http://bible.com/events/49132343
The principle is pretty simple: The more you serve others, the better you will lead others.
I take a deep dive into this kind of leadership in my book Shepherd Leadership.
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All of us can benefit from having someone wise speak into our lives. That is the message of Sage Advice. Here is part 2 of my interview with the author of Sage Advice. Greg Heeres is my friend of 30+ years and my podcast partner on The Craig And Greg Show.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Resources for this episode:
- Check out part 1 of my interview with Greg
- My book review of Sage Advice
- Get a copy of Sage Advice for yourself
- Check out our leadership podcast called The Craig And Greg Show
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The Holy Spirit is always maturing godly leaders. Check out this conversation I had on the Leading From Alignment Podcast where we discussed some important things to keep in mind so that we don’t become frustrated during the growth journey.
If you would like to watch this full interview on the Leading From Alignment podcast, please go here.
I’ll be sharing more clips from this interview soon, so please stay tuned. My book Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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Every day you will be around people who are in need of love. Are you ready to love them? Two examples from the life of Jesus show us how to be ready.
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Resources to go along with this podcast:
- The biblical passages I mentioned: Luke 7:11-15; Matthew 8:1-3; Mark 12:28-31; John 3:16
- Check out another post I wrote called Gut-level compassion
- On this episode of the Craig And Greg Show, we talk about how leaders demonstrate their love
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Parenting is not easy—there is an immense weight that parents have to shoulder. God’s promise is that we never carry our children on our own. We do our best to raise our kids to follow God and then we trust Him in the waiting.
Check out this full message on video here.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our series looking at these songs of ascent in the Book of Psalms, you can find them all here.
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The Psalms of Ascent were sung as people literally journeyed upward to Jerusalem. There are so many lessons for Christians on their journey today too. Join us for part 8 in this series of messages called Ascending.
You can watch this message here → https://youtu.be/O9QL61945Nk
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49128557
Valley times come to all people. Even Christians. Here are 12 blessings we can expect while we are in the valley times of our lives.
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Periodically, Greg and I like to revisit the topic of leadership builders and killers. In this episode, you get two leadership killers, as we tackle the two-headed monster of ignorance and arrogance.
You can watch this episode by clicking here.
The little compromises eventually strengthen and blossom, and we are undone by our sin. No matter how “little” we may think our sin is, “little sins” are anything but harmless indiscretions.
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My, my, my, how quickly things can change! Unfortunately, the constant changes usually lead to feelings of instability. Fortunately, Jesus told us the surefire way we could find the stability, security, and confidence we all crave.
Check out the video version of The Podcast here.
Resources to go along with this podcast:
- The biblical passages I mentioned: Luke 6:46-49; Psalm 16:8; Psalm 55:22
- Check out another post I wrote: Security beyond comprehension
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We show our faith in God’s eternal victory by lifting up our voices in song today. Our song is a testimony to sinners and an encouragement to saints, and an anticipation of Heaven’s final and eternal song!
To watch this full message, please click here.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our Ascending series, you can find them all here.
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The Psalms of Ascent were sung as people literally journeyed upward to Jerusalem. There are so many lessons for Christians on their journey today too. Join me for part 7 in this series of messages called Ascending.
You can watch this message here → https://youtu.be/wMImwEfxubQ
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49123937
The best way to learn how to pray is to pray! We can learn four practical prayer applications from the prayer life of Jesus.
You may also be interested in my post Continually learning to pray.
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On a recent episode of The Craig and Greg Show, Greg and I discussed the fears that can paralyze leaders. In this short clip, I talk about an acronym I learned years ago that has helped me tremendously in evaluating my fears.
Watch this short clip by clicking here.
Check out the full Craig And Greg Show episode on fear by clicking here.
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Any sinful expression we observe should send us to our knees in personal searching and confession. Revival will never be a widespread response until it is first an individual response.
If you are a pastor and would like to join other pastors in a weekly prayer time for revival, please email T.M. Moore to get plugged into this strategic online gathering.
Check out some other thoughts I have shared about revival here.
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Staying power is something special. It especially stands out to us when someone holds their position for years and continues to remain one of the go-to people in the organization. For Christians, the key to staying power may not be as difficult to obtain as you may think.
To watch the video version of this episode, please click here.
In a world where politicians use their “scepter” of power to try to bend things their way, God’s followers are warned not to grab that scepter for themselves. Instead, there is a better way that results in God’s eternal blessings!
Watch the video of this full message here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our Ascending series, you can find all of the previous messages here.
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The Psalms of Ascent were sung as people literally journeyed upward to Jerusalem. There are so many lessons for Christians on their journey today too. Join us for part 6 in this series of messages called Ascending.
You can watch this message here → https://youtu.be/pX3XhjmDoBY
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49121813
We are bombarded by noise. Are we missing God in all the noise?
Check out another post I wrote: 4 Practical Prayer Tips From Jesus.
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On this episode, we are celebrating Greg! His new book Sage Advice has just been released, and everyone at Maximize Leadership is incredibly excited for you to be able to finally get your hands on the finished product. In this episode, Greg and I discuss the new book, and talk about how each chapter pairs a story from Greg’s childhood with a helpful leadership lesson.
Be sure to pick up a copy of Sage Advice today!
Watch the video version of this conversation here.
Check out my totally(!) unbiased book review of Sage Advice here.
Pastors don’t need to try to be clever or witty or even memorable. They just need to follow the clear example given to them by Jesus.
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What are you doing with the opportunities that God has given you?
Check out the video version of The Podcast here.
Resources to go along with this podcast:
- The biblical passages I mentioned: 1 Kings 17:1; 18:1-4; Esther 3-4
- A blog post and helpful chart I shared about the persecution Christians may face
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Most of us don’t live with the facts of yesterday, but with the edited stories we tell ourselves about the facts of yesterday. This thinking can keep us stuck on yesterday and stressed about tomorrow. But there is a way for Christians to tell a new story that gives strength for today and assurance about tomorrow.
To watch the full message from which this shorter recap came, please click here.
If you’ve missed any of the previous messages in our series on a Christian’s mental health, you can find them all here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
Luke the physician observed the growth of Jesus and tells us that it all began with Jesus having a robust mental health. From that foundation, everything else—physical, spiritual, relational—all could develop properly. We must learn from this example and pay careful attention to our own mental health.
Join me for part 6 in this series on a Christian’s mental health.
Watch the video of this message here → https://youtu.be/AozYYbD_QHY
Download the sermon notes for this message here → http://bible.com/events/49116976
In the New Testament and you will find that the word saint never appears in the singular form—it’s always plural. Don’t ever buy into the lie that you can be a Christian and live an isolated life.
And check out a short clip from an interview I did where I talked about the power of saints as our soul friends.
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It has always been extremely heart-wrenching for me to see pastors and other ministry leaders get so frazzled that they throw in the towel. Many of them not only resign from the churches where they served, but they end up resigning their ministerial credentials too.
I know this breaks God’s heart as well.
When I was interviewed on The Church Lobby podcast, Karl Vaters wanted to discuss some preventative steps that pastors could take to avoid this ministry burnout.
Check out the video version of this podcast here.
In my book Shepherd Leadership, I devote five chapters to the mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health of those in ministry leadership. I hope you will pick up a copy for yourself or for your pastor.
To listen to the full interview on The Church Lobby, please click here.
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There is only one way for Christians to address the moral decay we see in our world today.
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When the culture becomes increasingly angry and loud, how are Christians to respond?
Check out the video version of this episode of The Podcast.
Resources I mentioned in this podcast:
- The verses I referenced: Luke 6:1-11; 2 Timothy 3:1-4, 9; Ephesians 4:15; James 1:19-20; Proverbs 26:4; 1 Peter 3:15-16
- Here is another video where I discuss answering or not answering a fool based on Proverbs 26:4-5
- My book review of Roger Parrott’s book Opportunity Leadership
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“If” is a word of uncertainty for many people, but David uses this word in a Song of Ascent to tell us about the eternal certainty we have when we keep our eyes on the Maker of heaven and earth.
To watch the full message on this song of ascent, please click here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our Ascending series, you can find all of them here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
The Psalms of Ascent were sung as people literally journeyed upward to Jerusalem. There are so many lessons for Christians on their journey today too. Join us for part 5 in this series of messages called Ascending.
You can watch this message here → https://youtu.be/NfCyAtwM9E8
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49114016
Christians cannot celebrate their growth and then stop. Instead, we must be going on to more and more.
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Fear is something every leader struggles with, but great leaders learn to reframe that fear into an opportunity to grow. Join Greg and me as we discuss overcoming fear, reframing fear, and helping your team to do the same.
Check out the video version of this podcast here.
If you’re struggling with fear and would like some more personalized strategies to help you overcome, Greg and I would love to coach you. Reach out to us at https://maximizeleadership.com
I am thrilled to introduce Greg Heeres to you! He’s not only a great friend and my podcast partner on The Craig And Greg Show, but he is also a published author. We chatted recently about why he wrote “Sage Advice” and how it can benefit every reader.
Check out the video of of this interview here.
Resources:
- My book review of Sage Advice
- Get an autographed copy of Sage Advice for yourself
- Check out our leadership podcast called The Craig And Greg Show
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
The principles in this book may sound revolutionary, but they are actually grounded in the biblical values we should have been following all along. Check out my book review of Roger Parrott’s Opportunity Leadership.
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When we keep our eyes exclusively on our Heavenly Father, we experience blessings that are unearned, undeserved, and unending!
To watch the full message from which I wrote this recap, please click here.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our series looking at these Psalms of Ascent, you can find them all by clicking here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
The Psalms of Ascent were sung as people literally journeyed upward to Jerusalem. There are so many lessons for Christians on their journey today too. Join us for part 4 in this series of messages called Ascending.
You can watch this message here → https://youtu.be/16oDQ6EO1Rg
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49110520
If anyone had “arrived” as a leader in the first Church, it was James. That is why it is so instructive to notice how he refers to himself.
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It is important for leaders to use the right words to encourage their teammates. The most memorable, motivating, and beautiful word a leader can use is their teammates’ names.
Watch the video of this short clip here, and you can also check out the full conversation Greg and I had about taking people up with our words on this episode of The Craig And Greg Show.
I would also invite you to check out this blog post and this blog post about significant name changes recorded in the Bible.
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I read something which is really challenging my leadership paradigm. It’s a challenge to look at successful organizations through the lens of both a servant-hearted leader and a servant-hearted follower.
Check out the video of this episode of The Podcast.
Resources I mentioned in this podcast:
- The verse in Proverbs I quoted
- Dick Brogden’s book Proverbs: Amplified and Applied
- My book on leadership—Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter
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How easy it is to get caught up with the loud voices of the hour and to join our voices and actions with theirs! But Jesus showed us how NOT to succumb to the pull of the mob.
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As David was longing to ascend to the Eternal Jerusalem, he shows us that it makes all the difference which throne we stand before on Judgment Day, and he rejoices in the shalom we can all experience forever!
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our look at the Psalms of Ascent, you can find them all here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
The Psalms of Ascent were sung as people literally journeyed upward to Jerusalem. There are so many lessons for Christians on their journey today too. Join us for part 3 in this series of messages called Ascending.
You can watch this message here → https://youtu.be/rXV4V8KHrkM
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49107492
A little habit started for me as a kid. I’d put things on the bottom steps of the stairway, so I’d be sure to see them and grab them as I went upstairs to my bedroom. After awhile, everyone in our family had his or her own “step.” I called these asyougos: as you go upstairs, please take these with you. The principle was pretty simple, as I would naturally see these things going about my regular route. Jesus had a similar idea for His followers.
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Words are incredibly powerful! With our tongues, we can elevate others to amazing heights, or tear them down completely. In this episode, Greg and I discuss how, as leaders, it is critical that we are mindful of our everyday words so that we ensure we are taking our team in the right direction.
Watch the video version of this podcast here.
To get more info about personalized coaching, or to learn more about Maximize's other projects, visit https://maximizeleadership.com
Books referenced in this episode:
- Shepherd Leadership by Craig T. Owens
- Leadership Jazz by Max DePree
- Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People by Richard M. DeVos
In Psalm 136, the psalmist doesn’t miss a single opportunity to give God thanks for His ever-enduring love. We would do well to emulate this!
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It was really hard for me to be unbiased about this book because the author is my lifelong friend. But I still think you will love “Sage Advice” as much as I do. Check out my (totally impartial!) book review.
You can pick up a copy of Sage Advice by clicking here.
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We can only keep God’s commands because we are kept secure by God. The promise of His watchful keeping and preserving should fuel our prayer to watch over ourselves with all diligence.
You can watch this full message by clicking here.
If you’ve missed any of the others messages in our look at the Psalms of Ascent, you can find them all here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
The Psalms of Ascent were sung as people literally journeyed upward to Jerusalem. There are so many lessons for Christians on their journey today too. Join us for this new series of messages called Ascending.
You can watch this message here → https://youtu.be/vHqNxc-_OFU
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49104705
The gauge of a leader’s level of servant leadership is measured by how that leader interacts with their most difficult teammate.
Watch the video of this conversation here.
Check out this full conversation from The Craig And Greg Show here.
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Leaders are wired to be either naturally confident or naturally humble. God designed each leader that way on purpose, but we still need to put intentional effort into bringing humility to our confidence or confidence to our humility.
You can watch the video of today’s podcast here.
Check out some other posts and videos I’ve shared on this important topic here.
This discussion was based on back-to-back chapters in my book Shepherd Leadership. You can find out more and pick up a copy here.
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Thermometers are passive, they cannot change a thing. But thermostats can respond to the environment to make change happen. Good coaches help their people learn how to respond.
Watch the video here.
Check out this full conversation from The Craig And Greg Show here.
Happy birthday, USA! 🇺🇸
If we want to keep the freedoms we enjoy, it doesn’t really matter what political party is in power. But it does matter if we are bowing our knees to King Jesus. Psalm 2 tells us how to lose God’s blessing (throwing off our dependence on God) and how to keep God’s blessing (honoring Jesus as Lord).
Today is a day of celebration, but it should also be a day of reflection. Let’s make sure we are all bowing our hearts to Jesus, and let’s pray for our elected officials, that they will also acknowledge Jesus as their King.
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The Bible is the inspired Word of God and it is also an accurate historical record. We need to keep both of these facts in mind if we are going to be able to apply biblical principles to our lives.
You can watch the full video of this message here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our look at the Songs of Ascent, you can find them all here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
The Psalms of Ascent were sung as people literally journeyed upward to Jerusalem. There are so many lessons for Christians on their journey today too. Join us for this new series of messages called Ascending.
You can watch this message here → https://youtu.be/ktByG6kp0P8
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49100660
Coaching should be focused on correcting and improving for the next time, not berating for things in the past. This is how good leaders coach up!
Check out this latest episode of The Craig And Greg Show. If you would like to watch this conversation, please click here.
Leaders never “arrive” but they have made a commitment to lifelong learning.
This is part 73 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
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Joseph Loconte gives us side-by-side biographies of two of the most beloved authors in modern history: C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Check out my book review of “A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, And A Great War.”
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When people ask me about end times events, it is usually from a posture of hand-wringing worry. But when Jesus told His followers about what is to come, He repeatedly told them not to be afraid.
To watch the video of this lesson I taught, please click here.
Some resources from this video:
- The Scriptures I reference—Mark 13:5-37; Matthew 10:18-20; John 14:26, 16:33; Acts 9:31
- Another lesson I taught on a Christian’s blessed hope at the end of time
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When my prayers shift from petition to intercession, as other people grow in God, they build me up!
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I was asked to share an article on the Converge Coaching blog giving us a more precise definition—a biblical definition—of success.
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The one Jesus called the greatest prophet who ever lived had a resume that probably wouldn’t have gotten anyone’s attention today.
You can get more information about Shepherd Leadership here.
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The Book of Acts tells us about a man who is so encouraging to the early Church, that they literally changed his name to honor his investment in their lives. His Spirit-empowered life is a great example for godly fathers today.
You can watch this message here → https://youtu.be/O_BQGhn1r8g
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our series We Are: Pentecostal, where we’ve been learning about the blessings that come to those who are baptized in the Holy Spirit, you can find all of those messages here.
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We’ve been studying the empowerment that comes to our lives when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit. We continue that series today with a specific look at a spiritual father who was able to encourage others because of what the Holy Spirit had put inside of him.
Join me for this special Father’s Day message.
You can watch this message here → https://youtu.be/O_BQGhn1r8g
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49094257
You attend a church with people who stumble, and offend, and mess it up. Your pastor stumbles, and offends, and messes up. And so do you! This is actually wonderful news!
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Too often we fall into the trap of seeing meetings as perfunctory, tedious, and downright boring to attend. In this episode, Greg and I are here to tell you, we like meetings!
If managed correctly, meetings can be an impactful leadership tool that helps grow and bond your team. So set aside any of your preconceived notions, and let us tell you why they think you should embrace opportunities for meetings.
Watch the video version of this conversation by clicking here.
Mary’s song of worship gives us a preview of Heaven that should prompt us to worship just as Mary did.
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In the First Testament, we read consistently that the Holy Spirit came on God-followers, but seldom remained. In the Second Testament, we see an important shift: The Holy Spirit now comes in Christ-followers.
You can watch this full message by clicking here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series on the Pentecostal experience, you can find all of those messages by clicking here.
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Pentecost was a celebration in Jerusalem that brought in Jews from all over the world. But on the Day of Pentecost which came after Jesus ascended into heaven, the meaning of Pentecost was forever changed! Followers of Jesus began to take the good news of the Savior all over the world. These Spirit-filled Christians preached the Gospel and won converts to Christ even among hostile crowds, performed miracles and wonders, stood up to pagan priests and persecuting governmental leaders, and established a whole new way of living as Christ-followers.
Join me for the next message in this exciting series.
You can watch this message here → https://youtu.be/eFzgjMqwkvw
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49092395
I created an alter-ego superhero to help me learn to add humility to my naturally confident leadership style.
Watch the video of this interview here.
- Check out a little more of the origins of Plunger Man here
- You can see the animated story of Plunger Man here
- And if you would like to watch my full interview on the Leading From Alignment podcast, that is located here
You can also check out more of my book Shepherd Leadership by clicking here.
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T.M. Moore is an esteemed theologian and a good friend. I was excited to discover someone who shared my passion for viewing pastoring as “pasturing”—seeing ourselves as under-shepherds following The Chief Shepherd Jesus.
Check out the video here.
More resources:
- Check out some interviews I did on the podcast launched by T.M. Moore’s ministry The Fellowship of Ailbe
- Get more information on my book Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter
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Our mental health affects our physical, spiritual, and emotional health. And our physical, spiritual, and emotional health affects our mental health. What do we need to do to be wholly healthy? Check your inputs!
To watch the video of this message, please click here.
This is part 5 in our series on a Christian’s mental health. If you’ve missed any of the other messages I’ve shared, you can find them all by clicking here.
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Luke the physician observed the growth of Jesus and tells us that it all began with Jesus having a robust mental health. From that foundation, everything else—physical, spiritual, relational—all could develop properly. We must learn from this example and pay careful attention to our own mental health.
Join me for part 5 in this series on a Christian’s mental health.
Watch the video of this message here → https://youtu.be/W7dX4dNJ6j4
Download the sermon notes for this message here → http://bible.com/events/49072749
I never want to be out-of-step with the Holy Spirit, but I want all my thoughts, words, and actions to be Christ exhibited in me.
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When was the last time you noticed your team? Not just on a surface level like saying hello in the hallway, but really truly paying attention to what’s going on with your team. Noticing is easy to do, but it does require you to spend time doing it. It’s impossible to see what your team is doing locked inside your office, so get out there and notice!
Watch the video version of this podcast here → https://youtu.be/CCYfFIKf680
For anyone in a leadership position, success can easily inflate our ego. Here are some thoughts to help us keep that ego in-check.
Check out the video version of this podcast here.
The Scriptures I reference in this video—Mark 12:38-40; James 3:1; Mark 10:45
Some other blog posts and videos that can help you go deeper on this topic:
- Beware of “I’m owed this”
- 4 reminders to avoid pride
- The EGO that God blesses
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Never forget that we live among giants. Greg and I would like to encourage you to honor those who gave their lives so we could enjoy the freedom that we have today 🇺🇸
Video → https://youtu.be/1bcPNeFI4Mc
One of the important things the Holy Spirit does for us is bring us into a more intimate relationship with the full Godhead. As that intimacy grows, our Christian testimony becomes even more evident and influential.
Check out the video of this message here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series called We Are: Pentecostal, you can find them all by clicking here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
Pentecost was a celebration in Jerusalem that brought in Jews from all over the world. But on the Day of Pentecost which came after Jesus ascended into heaven, the meaning of Pentecost was forever changed! Followers of Jesus began to take the good news of the Savior all over the world. These Spirit-filled Christians preached the Gospel and won converts to Christ even among hostile crowds, performed miracles and wonders, stood up to pagan priests and persecuting governmental leaders, and established a whole new way of living as Christ-followers.
Join me for the next message in this exciting series.
You can watch this message here → https://youtu.be/2hGAKPYNu4U
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49083782
Reading the Scripture and living by the Scripture makes a good life a better life!
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We are more likely to act ourselves into feeling good than we are to wait until we feel good about something before we act on it. That self-initiative is a true leadership separator.
Check out the full episode of The Craig And Greg Show where we talk about grit, perseverance, and resilience → https://youtu.be/Q8RDwHrDMWE
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False prophets trade truth for a popular message because godless people reward those popular messages with their applause. But to both, God says, “Woe!”
This is part 72 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
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Debating, arguing, reasoning. It happens all the time in our lives, but is this something in which Christians should be engaging? Can arguing be God-honoring?
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All seven of the Jewish feasts in the Old Testament point to Jesus the Messiah and are fulfilled in Him.
Watch the full video here → https://youtu.be/djbAckv2FOE
Jesus said of Himself, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8). Jesus is THE Reality and THE Fulfillment of all of these celebrations!
Check out all of the Scripture verses Doug references by clicking here.
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The apostle Paul gives his friends a short list of items to help them expand their influence. A short list, but it will take a lifetime of growth!
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Performance reviews are a great tool to help leaders measure and celebrate the growth of their team, but the standard model of quarterly and yearly reviews is a terrible way to go about it. In this episode, Craig and Greg suggest a different approach to reviews that relies on frequent coaching and giving your team “the answers to the test” to set them up to succeed.
To watch the video version of this conversation, please check out https://youtu.be/7eWHSS6eFpg
If you would like individualized advice on how to implement better coaching in your organization, visit https://maximizeleadership.com and click on the coaching tab to learn more about how we can help you flourish as a leader.
The attitude that turned Lucifer into satan is an effective weapon that the devil still wields today. We must be on guard against this!
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If you’re the new leader coming into an organization, how do you keep from messing with the sacred cows? Greg and I discussed this on a recent episode of our leadership podcast.
Check out the full episode this clip came from by clicking here.
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What a legacy for Moms to hear their children declare, “I serve You just as my mother did” (Psalm 116:16)! Today we will meet an unnamed woman whose legacy of faithful persistence is still serving as a faith-builder for godly mothers today.
Watch the full sermon here → https://youtu.be/Y_Ms3z0t9BA
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There is an unnamed mother we meet in the Bible that is still an encouragement to Moms today.
Watch the full sermon here → https://youtu.be/Y_Ms3z0t9BA
Download the note for today’s message here → http://bible.com/events/49076893
Leadership is necessary, and it is meant to be shared. Check out this example that Moses left us.
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Balanced leaders are the most effective leaders. On “The Church Lobby” podcast, Karl Vaters and I discussed an effective action plan for confident leaders to add humility to their leadership, and a plan for humble leaders to add confidence to their leadership.
Check out the video of this interview here → https://youtu.be/H47O_6glPAk
If you would like to grow your leadership effectiveness, please pick up a copy of Shepherd Leadership for yourself.
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Unhealthy leaders don’t admit their need for help, and as a result they put a lid on their leadership potential.
Check out the video of my training time here → https://youtu.be/ZncUhh1fUuM
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When we are asked questions about the Bible, let’s let the Bible do most of the talking.
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A valuable mental health practice is to talk back to our thoughts to determine what we should do with them. Here are five helpful questions to ask your thoughts.
Check out the video version of this full message here → https://youtu.be/tgvVC3RogLU
This is part 4 in our series on a Christian’s mental health. If you’ve missed any of the other messages I’ve shared, you can find them all by clicking here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
Luke the physician observed the growth of Jesus and tells us that it all began with Jesus having a robust mental health. From that foundation, everything else—physical, spiritual, relational—all could develop properly. We must learn from this example and pay careful attention to our own mental health.
Join me for part 4 in this series on a Christian’s mental health.
Watch the video of this message here → https://youtu.be/tgvVC3RogLU
Download the sermon notes for this message here → http://bible.com/events/49072749
Man was created good, but his sin separated him from God. Now what is mankind to do?
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Recently Greg got a call from an educational institute asking him for advice on how to help their athletes “toughen up.” Unfortunately, they’re not alone, it seems like resilience is in increasingly shorter supply across the board these days. As a leader, it is your job to help instill grit into your team. Not tearing them down, but showing them that you view them with more potential.
Check out the video version of this conversation here → https://youtu.be/KllhZDW0cjI
Leaders keep going first in following God so that they can continually be empowered to lead others in the right paths.
This is part 71 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
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The age-old maxim has been, “The shortest distance between two points is a straight line.” It might be the shortest route, but not necessarily the best route.
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The Holy Spirit brings individual Christians together to form the Church. How does He do this? What benefits does the Church experience when all Christians are unified?
I wrote much more about biblical, unbiblical, and non-biblical issues here, and how to correctly apply the principle of confrontation here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series We Are: Pentecostal, you can check them all out by clicking here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
Pentecost was a celebration in Jerusalem that brought in Jews from all over the world. But on the Day of Pentecost which came after Jesus ascended into heaven, the meaning of Pentecost was forever changed! Followers of Jesus began to take the good news of the Savior all over the world. These Spirit-filled Christians preached the Gospel and won converts to Christ even among hostile crowds, performed miracles and wonders, stood up to pagan priests and persecuting governmental leaders, and established a whole new way of living as Christ-followers.
Join me for the next message in this exciting series.
You can watch this message here → https://youtu.be/fTC-EEKI778
You can download notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49069352
If you want to be used as a leader, you must allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate this others-first attitude in you.
I unpack this idea in even great detail in my book Shepherd Leadership. If you want to be used as a leader, you must allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate this others-first attitude in you.
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If you’ve been promoted to a new position, be very aware of how you arrive. If you come in overly confident, you could alienate your new teammates before you even get a chance to get started with them. We have an idea that will help you arrive well and make great connections right from the beginning.
Check out this full conversation on The Craig And Greg Show here → https://youtu.be/MjcUndWxF7w
Get more info on my book → http://ShepherdLeadershipBook.com
One survey reports that 90 percent of church leaders are experiencing feelings of burnout. This doesn’t make for healthy churches! Here are some helpful ideas I shared on a recent podcast interview with Kyle Willis.
In my book Shepherd Leadership, I have a section of five chapters where I talk about the example that Jesus set for us to be mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally healthy. I encourage you to check out this book for yourself.
If I can be of help to you, I’d love to talk with you more. Please get in touch with me!
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There is only one place to find the timeliest of words for each and every situation!
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Jesus gave Christians the mandate to tell all people everywhere about Him. In order to do this, He promised the empowerment that comes from being baptized in the Holy Spirit. One of the things the Spirit does is remind us of just how blessed we truly are, and just how desperate the world is for that blessing.
If you would like to check out all of the other messages in our series called We Are: Pentecostal, please click here.
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Pentecost for over 1500 years was a celebration in Jerusalem that brought in Jews from all over the world. But on the Day of Pentecost which came just ten days after Jesus ascended back into heaven, the meaning of Pentecost was forever changed!
Followers of Jesus—now empowered by an infilling of the Holy Spirit—began to take the good news of Jesus all over the world. These Spirit-filled Christians preached the Gospel and won converts to Christ even among hostile crowds, performed miracles and wonders, stood up to pagan priests and persecuting governmental leaders, and established a whole new way of living as Christ-followers.
Join me as we discover more about how we can experience an anointing and an empowering in our lives that turns ordinary Christianity into extraordinary Christianity!
Download the sermon notes for today’s message here → http://bible.com/events/49066085
Watch the video of this message here → https://youtu.be/8Uwf8yEQdQQ
Accepting a new position is a very exciting experience! In this episode, Greg and I discuss the necessity of maintaining a balance between that excitement and recognizing that the people on your team now still need your leadership.
Watch the video version of this conversation here → https://youtu.be/MjcUndWxF7w
In order for leaders to effectively cast vision for their organization requires both confidence and humility. Check out this conversation I had on the Leading From Alignment Podcast where we discussed how leaders can find this balance.
Check out the full Leading From Alignment Podcast by clicking here.
If you would like to watch this full interview on the Leading From Alignment podcast, please go here. And if you would like to check out other clips I’ve already shared, please click here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
Instead of trying to follow the cultural definition of a leader, check out the definition Jesus gave us.
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The resurrection of Jesus is an indispensable part of our Christian life, but our race isn’t over. While Christians are here on earth, we still have a race to run, and Jesus tells us how to get to the finish line.
To watch the video of this message, click here → https://youtu.be/zCLBmuLtdlo
If you’ve missed any of the bold claims we have unpacked during this series, you can find a list of all of the messages by clicking here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
After Jesus is arrested by the religious leaders there are some incredibly bold claims spoken by key people. For the most part, these are claims that we don’t read earlier in the Gospels, but as this story is heading toward its most crucial moment, we have these audacious statements pronounced.
Join me today for the last message in this series.
Download the sermon notes for this message here → http://bible.com/events/49062418
Watch the video of this message here → https://youtu.be/zCLBmuLtdlo
The devil is looking for any opening at all where he can pounce on you. Unaddressed anger is just such an opening.
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When leaders have to deal with a difficult peer, it can become quite draining. Greg and I discuss how to keep ourselves from giving in to defeatism.
Some additional resources for you to go deeper on this topic:
- The story of the prodigal father is in Luke 15:11-32
- Check out my book Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter
- You can watch the full episode of The Craig And Greg Show where we talk about leading difficult peers
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Fear can paralyze followers or tempt them to run away. Jesus shows godly leaders how to effectively counteract this fear.
This is part 70 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
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When to speak up and when to remain silent is a huge issue for Christians. We have to learn to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit telling us when to hold our tongues and when to speak out boldly.
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The resurrection of Jesus is THE foundational issue for not only Christianity but for the Bible itself. What reason do we have to trust that Jesus was truly resurrected? And if Jesus is resurrected, what does that mean for us today?
Watch the video of this message here → https://youtu.be/S9JC54QPZls
If you’ve missed any of the other bold claims that we have discussed, you can find them all by clicking here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
After Jesus is arrested by the religious leaders there are some incredibly bold claims spoken by key people. For the most part, these are claims that we don’t read earlier in the Gospels, but as this story is heading toward its most crucial moment, we have these audacious statements pronounced.
Join me today for part 8 in this series.
Download the sermon notes for this message here → http://bible.com/events/49059598
Watch the video of this message here → https://youtu.be/S9JC54QPZls
Trying to evaluate every voice that is trying to give you instructions can be so exhausting and mentally draining. Jesus shows us that good mental health comes from knowing how to easily identify which voices you need to listen to.
You can watch the video of this message here → https://youtu.be/CFbPcz7wm6E
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our mental health series, you can find all of them by clicking here.
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This is a poem I wrote for my congregation after we talked about the eloquence silence of Jesus as His response to foolish heckling.
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As Christians, we never arrive at perfect maturity. But each day should be a growing day toward that Christlike maturity.
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No need to call anyone out, but when I say “difficult peer” at least one person probably comes to mind right away, right? So what’s the solution: ignore them, scream, tear your hair out? Greg and I think there’s a better solution. In this episode, we walk through how we’ve dealt with difficult peers in the past and give actionable advice on how your leadership and coaching can help them improve.
Watch the video version of this conversation here → https://youtu.be/WQ7ak1fm0SU
One thing that distinguishes a godly leader is an all-in attitude that begins as soon as God calls.
Check out the video version of this podcast here → https://youtu.be/ulVKKQnuXac
Here are the biblical passages I referenced in this video—Hebrews 11:8; 1 Kings 19:21; Daniel 1:8; Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 2:14.
This is part 69 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
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We may initially come to Jesus in full faith, but sometimes doubts begin to creep in if we don’t get an immediate to our prayer. Jesus helps us even in this time of wavering faith.
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Pilate’s bold claim about Jesus (which he repeated again and again) is also a bold claim that God can make about forgiven Christians today.
To watch the video of this message, please click here → https://youtu.be/t_569I4_n-Q
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our series of Bold Claims, you can find them all here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
After Jesus is arrested by the religious leaders there are some incredibly bold claims spoken by key people. For the most part, these are claims that we don’t read earlier in the Gospels, but as this story is heading toward its most crucial moment, we have these audacious statements pronounced.
Join me today for part 6 in this series.
Download the sermon notes for this message here → http://bible.com/events/49050794
Watch the video of this message here → https://youtu.be/t_569I4_n-Q
It’s been said that action has killed its thousands; reaction its tens of thousands. The one who hurt you played the fool, don’t sink to his level and play the fool yourself!
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When it comes to churches, big is not bad, and small is not spiritual. Instead, we need to pay attention to the kind of ministry that Jesus rewards.
Watch the video of this conversation here → https://youtu.be/c_R0L_wRJBo
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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The Holy Spirit knows better than we do the places and timing for our next steps. This is why we are told by the apostle Paul to “keep in step” with Him.
To watch the video version of this lesson, please click here.
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If I let my natural mind have its way, I can easily go from praising Jesus in one breath to rebuking Him in the next breath. Here’s a daily prayer to help me avoid this.
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Christians should expect increasing pushback and even persecution because they stand for Jesus. How are we to respond? Jesus shows us when to be silent and how to be respectfully bold when it’s time to speak up.
To watch the video of this full message, please click here → https://youtu.be/gvncV6Ib7dY
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our series of Bold Claims, you can find them all here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
After Jesus is arrested by the religious leaders there are some incredibly bold claims spoken by key people. For the most part, these are claims that we don’t read earlier in the Gospels, but as this story is heading toward its most crucial moment, we have these audacious statements pronounced.
Join me today for part 5 in this series.
Download the sermon notes for this message here → http://bible.com/events/49048174
Watch the video of this message here → https://youtu.be/gvncV6Ib7dY
Finding a likeminded friend is the rarest of treasures!
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I am not a very good golfer, so when Greg and I hit the course together Greg is generous enough to give me a mulligan—sometimes a lot of them! In the same way, we as leaders need to be willing to give our team members chances to learn from and improve upon their mistakes. In this episode, we discuss how embracing a “mulligan culture” in your organization helps everyone grow and thrive.
In this episode of The Craig And Greg Show, we discuss how embracing a “mulligan culture” in your organization helps everyone grow and thrive.
Watch the video version of our podcast here → https://youtu.be/T9Iyk9HdDhY
I had such a great time with Karl Vaters on his podcast called The Church Lobby! Right at the beginning of the conversation, Karl wanted to talk about the subtitle of my book: The metrics that really matter.
Some resources for you to check out:
- My full interview on The Church Lobby podcast
- Another video where I discuss the terms unbiblical, biblical, and non-biblical in more detail
- Information on my book Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter
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Our selfless, Christ-like compassion paints a vivid picture for a skeptical world to see and embrace the love of God that sent His Son to ransom us.
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Sometimes the most profound thing we can say is nothing at all! Check out how Jesus demonstrated this for us.
You can watch the video of this message by clicking here.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our series of Bold Claims, you can find them all by clicking here.
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After Jesus is arrested by the religious leaders there are some incredibly bold claims spoken by key people. For the most part, these are claims that we don’t read earlier in the Gospels, but as this story is heading toward its most crucial moment, we have these audacious statements pronounced.
Join me today for part 4 in this series.
Download the sermon notes for this message here → http://bible.com/events/49036900
Watch the video of this message here → https://youtu.be/lloRuUwSe_0
Jesus didn’t have a home church (or possibly even a home) where He could conduct ministry. That meant Jesus had to go where the people in need were. This ministry was messy, but it was also eternally meaningful.
To watch the video version of this lesson, please click here.
Here are some resources I mention in this video:
- Some further thoughts on messy and meaningful ministry
- The story from Mark 5:1-20
- What is the church supposed to look like?
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On the Thriving In Ministry podcast, Kyle Willis and I talk about the different kinds of rest that each part of our life requires.
In my book Shepherd Leadership, I take five chapters to unpack how we can improve our health in all four of these areas. I encourage you to check it out by clicking here.
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The power of one little word.
When you say, “I don’t know how to do this,” your mind stops looking for answers. But if simply add one word—“I don’t know how to do this yet”—your mind will stay active. Adding this one word will unleash the creative, solution-finding part of your mind.
In our gardens, weeds grow by apathy, they are removed with continual effort. The same is true for the “weed thoughts” that take root in our minds. How are Christians instructed to remove these weeds? Jesus points the way for us to grow in part 2 of my series on a Christian’s mental health.
To watch the video of this message, please click here.
If you would like to download the graphic of this reminder for your phone, simply leave me a comment with the model of the phone, and I’ll get the right-sized graphic right out to you. And if you missed the first message in this series, you can review that lesson by clicking here.
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Luke the physician observed the growth of Jesus and tells us that it all began with Jesus having a robust mental health. From that foundation, everything else—physical, spiritual, relational—all could develop properly. We must learn from this example and pay careful attention to our own mental health.
Join me for part 2 in this series on a Christian’s mental health. To watch the video of this message, please click here.
To follow along with the sermon notes for this message, please click here.
My book gets 5-star reviews even from business leaders.
You can find my series of posts on godly leadership by clicking here.
The special offer I have for pastors is found by clicking here.
What can we learn from Christ’s statement that the parable of the sower is the key to unlocking every other parable?
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Humility is so admirable in God-honoring leaders, but if the humble leader doesn’t learn to add appropriate confidence to that humility, problems will quickly arise. Check out this conversation I had on the Leading From Alignment Podcast.
Check out the full Leading From Alignment Podcast by clicking here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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Many times as we pastors debrief our Sunday services on Monday morning, we can become discouraged by what we didn’t see. But this parable from Jesus reminds us to gauge success differently.
The first two bold claims of Jesus combine the two offices of Head of the Church and Head of the State into one. Jesus is the only One who could do this perfectly.
Watch the video version of this message by clicking here.
If you would like to explore this topic further, check out my series of messages from 1 Peter called Aliens and Strangers.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series called Bold Claims, you can find the full list of messages by clicking here.
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After Jesus is arrested by the religious leaders there are some incredibly bold claims spoken by key people. For the most part, these are claims that we don’t read earlier in the Gospels, but as this story is heading toward its most crucial moment, we have these audacious statements pronounced.
Join me today for part 3 in this series.
Download the sermon notes for this message here → http://bible.com/events/49036900
Watch the video of this message here → https://youtu.be/XZbzwD4Km4w
As I mature in my relationship with Christ, shouldn’t my need for Him and my want of Him become more and more similar?
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As a leader, you will have to deal with very emotional situations from time to time. While you may not always have control over when these situations arise, you do have the ability to control your reaction to them. In this episode of The Craig and Greg Show, we discuss emotional regulation and how keeping your emotions managed can be a powerful tool for leaders.
To watch the video version of this podcast, please click here.
Just because your life is hard doesn’t mean you’re out of God’s will. Check out this Q&A session with some young ministry interns.
Check out the video of this Q&A by clicking here.
Resources:
- The value of journaling
- Some perspective on hard times
- The Bible verses about Paul’s struggles
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There is a power in touching someone that goes beyond words or any other actions. When we’ve first touched Jesus ourselves, our loving touch to someone in need is an anointed touch.
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Is your verbal and lifestyle testimony as a Christian bold and unmistakable? Or do you simply hope others will hear it and see it? Jesus and the first Christians show us what a bold testimony looks like!
Watch the video version of this message by clicking here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series called Bold Claims, you can find them all by clicking here.
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After Jesus is arrested by the religious leaders there are some incredibly bold claims spoken by key people. For the most part, these are claims that we don’t read earlier in the Gospels, but as this story is heading toward its most crucial moment, we have these audacious statements pronounced.
Join us for part 2 of our series Bold Claims.
Watch the video version of this message by clicking here.
Download the notes for today’s message here → http://bible.com/events/49032931
When everything is going well, we tend to become complacent. But when we hit a few snags along the way, it helps us learn some valuable lessons about how to keep learning and leading.
You can check out our full conversation by clicking here.
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The one with an experience is never at the mercy of the one with an argument. Life-changing encounters with Jesus give us all the proof we will ever need!
Check out the video version of this message here.
Some of the resources I mention in this video:
- The earlier video I mentioned is found here
- The story of the healing of the paralytic is found in Mark 2:1-12 and Luke 5:17-26
- The story of the healing of the blind man is found in John 9:1-34
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I’m writing two new books to help pastors, but in order to help these ministry leaders, I need some help from you. Please consider making a donation to help get this book published.
To support this project, please click here to be taken to PayPal.
Jesus has the power to do what He says He will do!
So you can take Him at His word—every single word!
Check out all of my Monday Motivation videos (and lots more) on my YouTube channel → http://youtube.com/@craigtowens1
The high priest made a very bold claim against Jesus, but the real question is: Did he have the power to back up what he said? We should also ask ourselves, “When powerful people make a bold claim against God’s plan, how are Christians supposed to respond?”
To watch the video of this message, please click here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in this series of Bold Claims, you can check them all out by clicking here.
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This is part 1 in our series looking at the bold claims made by Jesus, His rivals, and His supporters during Christ’s Passion Week.
To watch the video of this message, please click here → https://youtu.be/mDL4su3pdwc
You can download the notes for this sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49028146
In order to hear what God is saying, Christians have to make sure they get the if-then in the right order.
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Leaders get themselves into trouble when they believe they have to be “The Answer Man” for every question that comes their way.
This is part 69 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
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Have pastors put too much emphasis on preaching good sermons? Perhaps it’s better to ask: What is the purpose of a sermon?
Check out the video version of this podcast by clicking here.
If you are a pastor (or if you really want to encourage your pastor), I’ve got a super-special deal on my book Shepherd Leadership. Check it out by clicking here.
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Why do we keep responding in ways that are unhealthy for us? It’s because our minds unconsciously go down the same well-worn paths. Christians can—and should—ask the Holy Spirit to help them make new, healthy paths that lead to freedom.
To watch the video of this message, please click here.
If you would like to download the graphic of this prayer for your phone, simply leave me a comment with the model of the phone, and I’ll get the right-sized graphic right out to you. And you can also follow along with all of the messages in this series by clicking here.
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Luke the physician observed the growth of Jesus and tells us that it all began with Jesus having a robust mental health. From that foundation, everything else—physical, spiritual, relational—all could develop properly. We must learn from this example and pay careful attention to our own mental health. To watch the video of this message, please click here. To follow along with the sermon notes for this message, please go here → http://bible.com/events/49024899
It’s scary being on the record, because only then can I see how much more growth I need!
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Why do we try to help ourselves first when Jesus is standing right there waiting to help us?
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God never wastes an experience, but He uses everything we have gone through to prepare us for the next assignment He has in store for us. We never have to worry about the “what ifs” when we know God is sovereignly in control.
To watch the video clip I mention in this podcast, please click here.
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Every person who has been wrongly accused, shoved, hurt, or persecuted wants justice. If we try to balance the scales, we will only make things worse, so we must put our hope in the only One who has perfect Justice.
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Whether we come to God as a Father, a Brother, or a Counselor, He wants us to keep walking with Him. He speaks our perfect love language to our hearts if we will listen to Him as we walk with Him.
To watch the video of this message, please click here.
God speaks every language perfectly!
- Words of affirmation—Hosea 2:14; Isaiah 40:2
- Quality time—Deuteronomy 31:6; Psalm 23:3-4
- Gifts—James 1:17; 2 Peter 1:3
- Acts of service—Philippians 2:13; Romans 8:28
- Physical touch—Psalm 139:13-15; Luke 24:39
(Click here to check out all of those verses.)
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our prayer series called Intimate Conversation, you can find all of the messages by clicking here.
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This is part 4 in my series on prayer.
You can watch the video version of this message by clicking here.
You may download sermon notes by clicking here.
What you put in your body in the morning determines the course of the rest of your day. What you put in your mind in the morning determines the course of the rest of your day, too.
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How do we know which things to guard in our schedule, which things to drop, and which things to add? There is an important question that leaders should be asking themselves regularly.
To watch the video snippet, please click here.
If I can help coach you through this process in your leadership journey, please reach out to me.
This is part 68 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
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The sheep aren’t in the pasture to serve the shepherd, but the shepherd is in the pasture to serve the sheep and to provide what they need to be healthy. Check out this conversation I had with a group of pastors.
You can watch the video of this conversation by clicking here.
If I can serve your staff by meeting with you, please contact me. I also have a special offer for pastors (and for those who love their pastor) which you can check out by clicking here.
My book Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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Metacognition means that we think about what we’re thinking about. Especially when we’re frustrated, depressed, or stressed out, we will do ourselves a huge favor to slow down to think about what we’re thinking about.
Walking with the Holy Spirit as our Counselor means we never have to be at a loss of what to say, what to do, or what to pray.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our prayer series Intimate Conversation, please click here.
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Walking with the Holy Spirit as our Counselor means we never have to be at a loss of what to say or what to do.
If you would like to watch the video of this sermon, please click here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series on prayer called Intimate Conversation, you can find all of the messages by clicking here.
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Pastors have to confront harmful things in the lives of their flock, but there is something so vital that must come first.
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Proper rest is absolutely vital for the longevity and vitality of godly leaders. Here are some thoughts on how to overcome the two major roadblocks to getting that rest.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
You can also check out some other posts about sabbathing by clicking here.
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The tension between a leader’s humility and a leader’s confidence is vital for leadership success. Check out the proactive steps you can take.
To watch the video of this interview, please click here.
I have a special offer just for pastors (and for those who love their pastor). For just $12 I will send you an autographed copy of my book and a download link to get the audiobook of Shepherd Leadership free of charge. All you need to do is complete this form and I’ll have the materials right out to you.
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Walking with Jesus as our Brother keeps us free from fear. His perfect love opens our hearts to have intimate conversation with our Heavenly Father.
If you would like to watch the video of this sermon, please click here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series on prayer called Intimate Conversation, you can find all of the messages by clicking here.
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Join us for part two of our series on prayer called “Intimate Conversation.”
If you would like to watch the video version of this message, you may click here.
To download the sermon notes for this message, please click here.
If you talked to your friends the same way you talk to yourself, would you have any friends left?
The things you say to yourself have got to change. The way you think about yourself has got to change.
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I know how many pastors are frustrated to the point of wanting to resign their position. My heart goes out to them! I have a word and a gift that I believe will be the encouragement that they need to tear up that letter of resignation.
To get this special offer of an autographed copy of Shepherd Leadership and the free audiobook, please click here.
You may also be interested in this 2-minute video where I explain why I wrote Shepherd Leadership.
This is an in-depth look at the Book of Proverbs that I’ve never seen before, and I am thoroughly enjoying it! Check out my review of “Proverbs: Amplified And Applied” by Dick Brogden.
You can find Dick’s book here.
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No matter what your relationship was with your earthly father, Jesus encourages us to approach our Heavenly Father in innocence, wonder, expectation, imagination, and intimacy.
To watch the video of this message, please click here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series Intimate Conversation, you can find them all by clicking here.
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The dictionary defines the word “intimate” with phrases like associated in close personal relations, characterized by warm friendship, and closely personal. These words perfectly describe the relationship God wants to have with His children through prayer.
This is part one of our series on prayer called Intimate Conversations.
To watch the video of this message, please click here.
If you would like to download the sermon notes, you may click here.
Every encounter with God’s presence requires me to make a choice, to exchange something.
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God created logic. That means He is infinitely logical. So my best move is to simply follow the premisses God has listed and then trust Him to bring about His logical conclusion.
I encourage you to look for these logic statements as you read the Bible yourself. Here is a Bible study from Proverbs 2 that can help get you started.
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When Jesus said, “Let the reader understand,” He was saying He wants us to be able to understand and apply every Scripture we read. Check out this video teaching as well as the list of Bible study resources I have for you.
To watch the video version of this lesson, please click here.
Here are the resources I mentioned in this video:
- Read the verses I mention in Matthew 24
- Here is a post where I talk about how the Holy Spirit helps us in our Bible reading
- The chart of verses where the First (Old) Testament is affirmed by Jesus and others in the Second (New) Testament
- A graphic look at the different types of Bible translations
- Biblegateway’s website and a link to the YouVersion app
And although I didn’t mention it in the video, you can check out five different kinds of Bible studies I have shared here and here.
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An overview of all the sermons I preached at Calvary Assembly of God in 2022.
To access any of these messages (both the text recap and the full sermon video), please click here.
We will be returning to a couple of these series in 2023, and we’ll be launching some brand-new ones as well. If you don’t have a home church in the northern Kent County area, I would love to have you join us!
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The apostle Peter said he wrote two letters to the church “as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking” (2 Peter 3:1). And Paul reminded his young friend Timothy to “keep reminding [your congregation] of these things” (2 Timothy 2:14).
In the spirit of those great apostles, I have made it a practice to take time at the end of each year to look back on all that we have learned in the previous year, and then to look forward to where God may be leading us in the upcoming year.
If you would like to watch the video of this message, please click here.
To access all of the resources I mentioned about these sermon series, please click here.
When Jesus says, “I know My sheep and My sheep know Me,” He is telling shepherd leaders that they must get to know the uniqueness of every person under their care. Here’s how Greg Heeres and I unpacked this.
If you would like to watch this full episode from The Craig And Greg Show, please click here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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Looking for something good to read? Here are the books I read and reviewed in 2022, as well as some thoughts about my all-time favorite book.
To get the links to all of my book reviews, please click here.
To check out the blog posts I mentioned with Bible study helps, you may click here.
Giving the right gift means we’ve paid attention to what the other person wants or needs, and then we’ve sacrificed a little bit of our time and money to bring them the right gift.
What if we kept that going all year long?
Micah prophesies not only the First Advent of Jesus in Bethlehem, but also Christ’s Second Advent as the Triumphant King! No matter how dark it may seem, the King of kings always prevails!
To watch the video of this message, please click here.
If you missed any of the messages in our Advent series, you can find a list of all of those messages by clicking here.
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When the Magi came to Jesus at His first advent they brought gifts. Isaiah also prophesies all peoples bringing gifts at the second advent of Jesus.
Have you ever wondered what gift is appropriate for the King of kings? Fortunately, the Bible tells us the gift He is happy to receive from you!
To watch the video of this teaching, please click here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in this Advent series, you can find a list of all of those messages by clicking here.
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The account of the birth of Jesus is not a “once upon a time” story, but an historically-accurate event that is verifiable.
To watch the video version of this teaching, please click here.
Here are some other resources:
- The historical details from the Gospel of Luke are in 1:3, 5-6; 2:1-7; 3:1-2
- The falsifiable prophecies and their fulfillments are found in Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:34; Matthew 1:20-23; Micah 5:2; Luke 2:4-6
- Read more information on the Second Coming (or the Second Advent) of Jesus by clicking here
- Check out other posts where I discuss the historicity of the Bible by clicking here
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Those who appreciate quality films, and especially those who have followed Cary Grant’s filmography, will learn so much more from this exceptional biography by James McCann. Check out my book review of “Cary Grant: A Class Apart.”
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Christ’s birth in Bethlehem is our proof that we should never despair when all around us seems dark. No matter how dark it may seem, we are assured that our Mighty Deliverer has won our victory!
If you’ve missed any of the messages in this Advent series, you can find a list of all of those messages by clicking here.
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The birth of Jesus the Messiah in Bethlehem was prophesied 700 years ahead of time. That sort of proof is what builds our faith in God’s promises still today.
Join me for part 3 of our Advent series “Bethlehem is Proof.”
Watch the video of this message by clicking here.
Download the notes from today’s sermon here → http://bible.com/events/49000424
It’s an inescapable fact that people are forming first impressions the moment they see me. But even though I know that I cannot dress or act in a certain way just to please or attract people. There is an important balance here.
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If you’ve been elevated to any sort of leadership position, it’s not so others can serve you, but so that you can serve others.
Today’s podcast is the audio from a video teaching I shared on my YouTube channel. If you’d like to watch the video, please click here.
Check out the resources I mention in this video:
- The story of the 10 disciples being upset with the other two disciples is found in Matthew 20:20-28
- The story of Jesus taking on the position of a servant to wash the disciples’ feet is found in John 13:3-5, 14-17
- The chapter I quote from in my book is called ‘The Wrong Ladder’
- Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple
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Jesus will be amazed at you. One type of amazement unleashes His miracle-working power, and the other type of amazement keeps His power bottled up.
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God has a specific plan for your life, and He wants to show you that plan. You have to keep your eyes on Jesus!
Not only is the Messiah born in Bethlehem our Great Shepherd, but He is also the One who brings us peace with God. When we are at peace with God, we can then be peacemakers in the world.
To watch the video of this full message, please click here.
If you’ve missed any of the message in this series, please check them out by clicking here.
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Over 700 years before it happened, God announced through the prophet Micah that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. And just as it was prophesied, it happened!
Bethlehem is our proof that God always gets the final word, the decisive word, and the best word. Join us today for part 2 in our Advent series.
You can watch the video of this message by clicking here.
You may download the sermon notes for this message by clicking here.
Oh, how often our tongues trip us up! More times than we would like to admit, our tongues completely undo the good example we have previously shown.
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Sin not only steals intimacy from our relationships, it can completely destroy our relationships. But there is a way to keep this from happening: Forgiveness. It’s tough work, but this example from Jesus shows us how it should be done.
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Our Christian faith is not rooted in some mysterious thing with an uncertain history. It is a faith rooted in real historical events. The Great Shepherd born in Bethlehem is our proof!
Check out the video of this message by clicking here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our Advent series Bethlehem Is Proof, you find the full list by clicking here.
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The Great Shepherd that was born in Bethlehem is our proof that God always gets the final word, the decisive word, and the best word!
Join us for part 1 of our Advent Series “Bethlehem Is Proof.” You may download the sermon notes for this message here → http://bible.com/events/48993705
Check out the video of this message by clicking here.
How best do Christians live out the mission Jesus gave the Church?
Check out a video where I discuss this in more detail by clicking here.
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Charles Spurgeon’s witty sarcasm is on full display as he warns us against the contagion of grumblers.
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Every honest leader will have moments when they experience a creeping doubt as to whether they are supposed to continue on a particular leadership path or not. Check out part of my autobiography where I wrestled with this, and how God made His path clear to me.
Check out the video I mention by clicking here.
My book Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook and as an audiobook.
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The word “amazed” in the Gospels can teach us a powerful lesson about faith in Jesus or about faith in our own abilities. Only one of these will unleash the amazing, miraculous power of Jesus on our behalf.
Check out a 1-minute video I shared on this by clicking here.
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Grateful people may be in the minority, but they are some of the most powerful influencers! Your attitude of gratitude is making a difference in the lives of those around you.
To watch the video of this full message, please click here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series The Great Attitude of Gratitude, you can find a list of all of the messages by clicking here.
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Join me for part 3 in our series The Great Attitude of Gratitude. Today we will learn from a man who was the 1-in-10—he was grateful while everyone else took their miracle for granted.
You can watch the video of this message by clicking here.
You can download sermon notes for today’s message by clicking here.
Check out my challenge for a year-round attitude of thanksgiving, not just a single day.
Watch the video by clicking here.
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John the Baptist shows us the key to keeping our confidence and humility balanced so that God can continue to use us for His glory.
I wrote about this tension between confidence and humility in my book Shepherd Leadership. This was also a topic of conversation in two interviews I did, which you can find here and here.
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Are you feeling stressed out? Psychologists say the best way to de-stress is to bless. Here is what I think that looks and sounds like.
Far too many people get so focused on grumbling about the things they don’t have that they forget to be grateful for what they do have. All four Gospels tell the same story about a woman who teaches grumblers a valuable lesson.
To watch the video of this message, please click here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series The Great Attitude of Gratitude, you can find the full list by clicking here.
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This is part two in our series The Great Attitude of Gratitude in which we will learn a valuable lesson from a woman who had practically nothing, and yet her gratefulness won the praise of Jesus.
You can watch the video of this sermon by clicking here.
Lack of awareness can undermine a leader’s effectiveness, so we need help spotting what’s hidden in a blind spot. There is a dangerous but effective prayer we can pray right from the Bible that brings the Holy Spirit’s help in this crucial area.
If you want to watch the full 30-minute interview, check out this link.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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God made His leaders unique and unbalanced on purpose. Do you know what your purpose is? Are you allowing God to use your uniqueness to enhance your leadership?
Here are some thoughts that I shared with a group of pastors who are using my book “Shepherd Leadership” as a book study.
To watch the video of this training session, please click here.
If you would like me to join your team in a similar discussion of Shepherd Leadership, please get in touch with me. Shepherd Leadership is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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Leaders cannot become self-aware nor correct the things that could derail their leadership solely on their own. Reading “The Self-Aware Leader” is a good starting point. Check out my review of this John Maxwell book.
For my Patreon supporters, I have also shared several noteworthy quotes from this book here.
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Don’t wait until you feel like doing the next good thing, just do the next good thing and the good feelings will follow. Not only that, but you will motivate others too!
People who praise when the circumstances have set them up to complain stand out from the crowd. Grateful people invite others to join them in focusing on God!
To watch the video of this message, please click here.
Follow along with all of the messages in our series called The Great Attitude Of Gratitude by clicking here.
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There’s something about gratitude that distinguishes people. Think about it: would you rather hang around with grumblers or grateful people? The distinguishing mark is actually in the title: The GReat ATTITUDE spells out GRATITUDE!
Magnifying God is the first message in this series.
You can watch the video version of this message by clicking here.
No matter what we are facing, God walks close beside us. Check out this encouraging poem from Annie Johnson Flint.
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Pride is so insidious that it can creep into the heart of any leader at any time.
Check out the excellent book from Kenneth Blanchard and Phil Hodges Lead Like Jesus.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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God wants us to be in the place where our heart’s desires are for all that God desires for us. It’s in this place that we can feast on His bountiful provision for us every single day!
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My plans for rest were frequently hijacked by something I was unaware of. Then the Holy Spirit showed me three short words in the book of Hebrews that changed everything.
Check out the full Thriving In Ministry Podcast by clicking here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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God sometimes has to use difficult things to get our attention. The question is: Will we complain about the difficulties, or will we learn from them?
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Most of us don’t get the sleep we need to keep us healthy, sharp, and personable. Let’s change that!
Whether we experience pleasant things here on earth or painful things, they pale in comparison to the unending, all-satisfying rewards God has in store for us! The rewards He gives are more than worth the wait.
To watch the video of this message, please click here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our Craving series, you can find a list of all of those messages by clicking here.
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The work ethic of Christians—both on the job and around their homes—should set an example for everyone to follow. Laziness does both the Christian and Jesus Christ a disservice.
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God doesn’t give us weaknesses, but our God-given strengths can become limiting weaknesses if we are really on them instead of on the Strength Giver. Check out this conversation I had with John Opalewski and Jim Wiegand.
To watch the video of this interview, please click here.
If I can be of assistance, please contact me.
I’ll be sharing more clips from this Leading From Alignment interview soon, so please stay tuned. Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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God doesn’t give us weaknesses, but our God-given strengths can become limiting weaknesses if we are really on them instead of on the Strength Giver. Check out this conversation I had with John Opalewski and Jim Wiegand.
To watch the video of this interview, please click here.
If I can be of assistance, please contact me.
I’ll be sharing more clips from this Leading From Alignment interview soon, so please stay tuned. Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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If we changed “Jerusalem” to “Washington, D.C.” and “Judah” to “America,” the sins of the people sound eerily the same. And just like Judah, God’s judgment must fall on us.
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If we changed “Jerusalem” to “Washington, D.C.” and “Judah” to “America,” the sins of the people sound eerily the same. And just like Judah, God’s judgment must fall on us.
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God made us relational beings with a soul that craves to love and to be loved. We are created in God’s image, so He not only helps us in our relationships, but He is pleased when our relationships point others to His love.
Check out the video of this message here.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our series called Craving, you can find a list of all of the messages by clicking here.
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God made us relational beings with a soul that craves to love and to be loved. We are created in God’s image, so He not only helps us in our relationships, but He is pleased when our relationships point others to His love.
Check out the video of this message here.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our series called Craving, you can find a list of all of the messages by clicking here.
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Doesn’t it seem like many Christians think of their relationship with Jesus as bland? After all, we’ve been told that any cravings we have should be quickly downplayed so that they don’t carry us away. But what we discover in the Bible is that God made us to be craving creatures—He wants us to long deeply and find ultimate satisfaction for those longings.
Join us for this next message in our series called Craving.
You can also watch the video of this message here.
Doesn’t it seem like many Christians think of their relationship with Jesus as bland? After all, we’ve been told that any cravings we have should be quickly downplayed so that they don’t carry us away. But what we discover in the Bible is that God made us to be craving creatures—He wants us to long deeply and find ultimate satisfaction for those longings.
Join us for this next message in our series called Craving.
You can also watch the video of this message here.
Do you want to live like a star? Not a rock star or a superstar, but a powerful influencer? Here’s how the Bible tells us to do that.
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Do you want to live like a star? Not a rock star or a superstar, but a powerful influencer? Here’s how the Bible tells us to do that.
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When I truly have repented of my sins, the Holy Spirit has given me a whole new understanding of both the pain of sin and the joy of righteousness.
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When I truly have repented of my sins, the Holy Spirit has given me a whole new understanding of both the pain of sin and the joy of righteousness.
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Handling pushback the right way is always going to be an important component of a leader’s legacy, so take some time to get it right the first time.
Check out the video of my teaching time with these ministry interns.
If you would like to go a little deeper into this, you may want to check out a couple of other posts and videos I’ve shared:
- This video on the proper application of Proverbs 26:4-5
- 5 ways Christians should handle objections
- What is “valid criticism”?
If I can help coach you through a leadership challenge you are facing, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.
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Handling pushback the right way is always going to be an important component of a leader’s legacy, so take some time to get it right the first time.
Check out the video of my teaching time with these ministry interns.
If you would like to go a little deeper into this, you may want to check out a couple of other posts and videos I’ve shared:
- This video on the proper application of Proverbs 26:4-5
- 5 ways Christians should handle objections
- What is “valid criticism”?
If I can help coach you through a leadership challenge you are facing, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
The fourth book in John Piper’s noteworthy series of biographies opens our eyes to a Christian’s joy in contending for biblical truth in a post-truth world.
If you would like to read the other book reviews I’ve reviewed in this series, check them out here:
- The Legacy Of Sovereign Joy
- The Hidden Smile Of God
- The Roots Of Endurance
- Seeing Beauty And Saying Beautifully
►► My Patreon supporters will have exclusive access to all of the quotes and notes I compiled while reading this book. Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
The fourth book in John Piper’s noteworthy series of biographies opens our eyes to a Christian’s joy in contending for biblical truth in a post-truth world.
If you would like to read the other book reviews I’ve reviewed in this series, check them out here:
- The Legacy Of Sovereign Joy
- The Hidden Smile Of God
- The Roots Of Endurance
- Seeing Beauty And Saying Beautifully
►► My Patreon supporters will have exclusive access to all of the quotes and notes I compiled while reading this book. Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
Improve your world by leaving everything better than you found it.
Every time you enter a building this week ask yourself, “How can I leave this place better?”
Every time you interact with someone this week ask yourself, “How can I leave this person better?”
God implanted in us the craving to do good work. Why? Because God Himself does excellent work. God is pleased when our attitude about work honors Him and our work ethic is Christ-like.
To watch the video of this message, please click here.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our series called Craving, you can find a list of all of those messages by clicking here.
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God implanted in us the craving to do good work. Why? Because God Himself does excellent work. God is pleased when our attitude about work honors Him and our work ethic is Christ-like.
This is a continuation our series called Craving.
You can watch the video of this message here.
Are you willing to let God use you anytime, anyplace, anyway?
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Our vocal praising of God is more powerful than we may realize. When God is worshipped, He is lifted up for all to see!
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On the 200churches podcast, Jeff Keady and I talked about what I feel is the most accurate gauge of a leader’s health. This was something Jeff said he had never previously thought of in this way.
Check out the full 200churches Podcast by clicking here.
If you want to catch up on some of the other clips I’ve already shared from this interview, you can find them here, and I’ll be sharing more clips from this 200churches interview soon, so please stay tuned. Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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Complacency leads to self-satisfaction, which stifles the voice of the Holy Spirit. This leads to dire and eternal consequences!
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Just as we could only love God because He loved us first, we could only crave God because He craved us first. His craving for us empowers us to be able to crave Him!
To watch the video of this full message, please click here.
If you have missed any of the message in our series called Craving, you can find a list of all of the messages by clicking here.
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Just as we could only love God because He loved us first, we could only crave God because He craved us first. His craving for us empowers us to be able to crave Him!
Join us as we continue this fascinating series called “Craving.”
You can watch the video version of this message here.
Pastor, when you tell your congregation how God has been working on you, the Word comes alive in a special way!
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Don’t let your worship of God become stale, routine, and out of tune. Instead, we should be finding new ways to sing our beautiful worship to Him every single day.
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In church (or in any other organization): You will get what you pursue. If you want a bigger organization, you can achieve that, but there are some costs and consequences. We’re not anti-growth, but we want to propose a better alternative than just “bigger numbers.”
Check out the video of this interview here.
I’ll be sharing more clips from this Leading From Alignment interview soon, so please stay tuned. Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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The one with a firsthand experience is never at the mercy of the one with only secondhand information.
Watch the video of this lesson by clicking here.
The biblical passages I reference in this video are Matthew 11:1-6 and 1 Peter 3:12-16.
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The more delighted we are with God, the more He is glorified and the more satisfaction we will find in Him. So God invites us to exchange the temporal things of the world for the eternal things only He can give us.
Watch the video of this sermon here.
If you’ve missed any of the message in our series called Craving, you can find all of them by clicking here.
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What food are you more likely to praise: tasteless food or savory food? What God are you more like to praise: one that is distant or one that is intimate and happy?
The more delighted we are with God, the more He is glorified and the more satisfaction we will find in Him.
You may watch the video by clicking here.
If you are waiting (and waiting, and waiting!), make sure you’re making good use of your waiting time.
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Never be satisfied with what you have already attained. Be delighted with what God has done, but crave that He will continue to do more and more and more! Check out this wisdom from Psalm 119 and Charles Spurgeon.
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On the Thriving In Ministry podcast, Kyle Willis and I talked about how pastors need to be tuned in to the Holy Spirit’s wisdom for their health and effectiveness in ministry. Jesus shows us a great example of this.
I’ll be sharing more clips from this Thriving In Ministry interview soon, so please stay tuned. Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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An encouraging word for Christian parents as they raise their children to follow Jesus as their Savior.
To read more of the story of Augustine and Monica, please click here.
If you would like to watch the video of my Leading From Alignment interview, you can find that here.
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When we gulp down our food, we aren’t really enjoying all that the Chef intended for us. The same thing happens when we don’t slow down to savor all that our loving Heavenly Father has for us.
To watch the video of this message, please click here.
We can measure success in our churches or nonprofit ministries by both quantity and quality, but it is important for the shepherd leader to make sure everyone knows which metric is being used. Sometimes leaders need to call a “time out” to get everyone on the same page.
To watch the video of this teaching, please click here.
If I can be of service to you, please contact me.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
The devil loves to whisper the lie that we’ve sinned one too many times for God to forgive us again. Don’t listen to this lie, but hear the loving voice of God calling you to confess your sin and receive immediate forgiveness.
If you would like to know more about Shepherd Leadership, please click here.
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Leadership is a high and holy calling. So a mark of a godly leader is one who joyfully and faithfully fulfills God’s leadership call.
This is part 67 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
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In mathematical circles the relationship between faith and fear would be called inversely proportional: When our faith is high, our fear is low; when our fear is high, our faith is low. Jesus tells us how to remedy this.
The audio portion of today’s podcast comes from a video teaching that I did on this topic. If you would like to watch the video, please click here.
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Over and over again the Bible shows us that only God can completely and eternally satisfy our cravings. If we try to find fulfillment somewhere else, we are setting ourselves to be plagued by three nagging questions.
To watch the video of this message, please click here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our Craving series, check them out by clicking here.
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Over and over again the Bible shows us that only God can completely and eternally satisfy our cravings. If we try to find fulfillment somewhere else, we are setting ourselves up for three nagging questions.
To watch the video of this sermon, please click here.
On the Leading From Alignment podcast, Jim pointed out the frustration many pastors have when their churches don’t “10x” in their growth. We unpack this idea that was the motivation for my book “Shepherd Leadership.”
To watch the video of this interview, please click here.
If you are a pastor, please pick up a copy of my book. I have recently been joining church staff meetings as they use Shepherd Leadership as a discussion starter. If you would like me to join you either in person or via a Zoom meeting, please get in touch with me.
I’ll be sharing more clips from this Leading From Alignment interview soon, so please stay tuned. Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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Proactive is way better than reactive when battling temptations. Check out this insight from Jesus and John Bunyan.
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Whether a beginner in studying your Bible or an old-pro, may we all continue to grow in our delight of God’s Word and our reverence of the God revealed to us in the Word.
If you would like some Bible studies to help get you started, check out:
- P119 … a section-by-section look at Psalm 119
- Character studies and a look at prophecy
- A book by book, chapter by chapter, and word by word study
And you can also check out a previous post were I shared three steps to better Bible studies.
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On the 200churches podcast, Jeff Keady and I talked about the parallels between a shepherd leader’s physical and spiritual health, and how important it is for us to operate at our optimal healthiness in these areas.
Check out the full 200churches Podcast by clicking here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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“Do not judge, or you too will be judged” is probably quoted by more non-Christians than any other verse in the Bible. Does this mean we can never point out to anyone else an area of concern? I think we can, but we have to do it in the way Jesus prescribed.
Check out the bonus video shared with this post here.
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“Do not judge, or you too will be judged” is probably quoted by more non-Christians than any other verse in the Bible. Does this mean we can never point out to anyone else an area of concern? I think we can, but we have to do it in the way Jesus prescribed.
Check out a video that goes along with this podcast by clicking here.
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Immature people always look for the least possible thing they can do to get by. Mature people are always asking, “What more can I do?” Jesus called those mature people the second-mile people. Let’s all try to be second-milers this week!
God gives us the good things we need—He even gives us a longing for them. But when we begin to crave “wants” and dress them up as “needs,” we are setting ourselves up for trouble.
To watch the video of this message, please click here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series called Craving, you can find the full list by clicking here.
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When we dress up our wants and try to call them “needs,” we will begin to crave the wrong things. Here are four questions we can ask ourselves that will help us identify if our wants have become “needs.”
This is part two of our series called Craving. To watch the video of this message, please click here.
On the Leading From Alignment podcast, we had an intriguing discussion about pastors working some sort of vocational job before stepping into the role as a pastor.
To watch the video of this interview, please click here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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God longs to bless us! Charles Spurgeon teaches us that examining our longings is the best aid of self-judgment and will help us determine our future satisfactions or disappointments.
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On the Thriving In Ministry podcast, Kyle Willis and I tried to talk about the importance of a sabbath rest for pastors, but our conversation was “interrupted” on multiple occasions. These interruptions teach us a valuable lesson.
I’ll be sharing more clips from this Thriving In Ministry interview soon, so please stay tuned. Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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God always hears us when we call out to Him in prayer, but His answer may not immediately be what we would have selected! Here’s what we need to keep in mind in those situations.
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Hedonism is something that Christians should avoid, right? Actually, there is an enjoyment that is from God and glorifies God that every Christian should desire. This is how we were created!
To watch the video of this message, please click here.
If you would like to follow along with all of the messages in this series called Craving, you can find all of the sermons by clicking here.
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A psalm of David and a prayer guide from Jesus give us the assurance that we can walk daily with God as our Teacher and our Guide.
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Too many churches and ministries have gotten so caught up in the “numbers game” of more-more-more being the only metric of success, that they’ve forgotten about quality.
Check out the video teaching here.
Shepherd Leadership is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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Leo Tolstoy gives warnings and words of encouragement for all of us who are on a spiritual journey. Please check out my book review of “Father Sergius.”
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Contentment with God kills Mammon’s covetousness! Do you want to know if Mammon has snuck into your heart? I have one simple question for you to ask yourself.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series Is That In The Bible?, you can find the full list by clicking here.
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Contentment with God kills Mammon’s covetousness! Do you want to know if Mammon has snuck into your heart? I have one simple question for you to ask yourself.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series Is That In The Bible?, you can find the full list by clicking here.
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Sigmund Freud called them “Freudian slips” when we said or did something that seemed out of character. I think we should call them eye-opening insights from the Holy Spirit.
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On the Ailbe Podcast, Rusty Rabon asked me to pray the prayer I wrote for pastors in a pivotal chapter of my book “Shepherd Leadership.”
Check out the full Ailbe Podcast by clicking here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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God loves it when we ask Him questions, and when we engage with the questions He asks us.
I’ve got some an encouraging thought for anyone who is in an intense spiritual battle right now.
As we continue our series asking, “Is that in the Bible?” we come to a place where Jesus asked His audience that same question. His unexpected answer gave us an unexpected way to live.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our Is That In The Bible? series, you can find the full list by clicking here.
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God may bring divine healing that requires no other intervention, or He may heal through medicine or counseling, but ultimately He is THE Healer.
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On the 200churches podcast, Jeff Keady and I talked about a chunk of chapters in my book Shepherd Leadership about healthiness that are some of the most discussed chapters in the entire book.
If you want to catch up on some of the other clips I’ve already shared from this interview, you can find them here. I’ll be sharing more clips from this 200churches interview soon, so please stay tuned. Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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Jesus lived dependent on the Holy Spirit to direct His daily plans. I believe we can learn from His example. Here is a prayer we all can offer up each day.
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God—your heavenly Father—knows what you need before you even ask Him! Let that assurance replace your fears today.
In our series “Is that in the Bible?” there are two phrases from Philippians 4 we are considering: “I can do everything through Christ,” and “My God will supply all my needs.” Are those in the Bible? If so, are we using them in the right context?
To watch the video of this message, please click here.
To check out other “Is that in the Bible” phrases we have explored, please click here to check out the full list.
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Don’t curse the dark times. I have learned that there are many lessons that I can learn in no other way than to go through the furnace of affliction.
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The boards of churches and non-profit ministries often find they aren’t on the same wavelength with their pastor or director. Here’s how to address and correct this problem.
To watch the video, please click here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
If I can help as a consultant in your church or non-profit, please get in touch with me.
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We all have experienced button pushers in our life. Dr. John Townsend’s book is not to help us avoid these people, but to get to a place where our relationship with these folks can become productive and healthy. Check out my book review of “Who’s Pushing Your Buttons?”
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The spiritual armor that God gives us is not primarily for us to fight in, but to shield us while we pray. We must keep on praying!
This is a really short clip from an exclusive video that I shared with my Patreon sponsors. I would love for you to become one of my sponsors for just $5 per month. Check it out here.
Habakkuk’s culture (like ours today) was increasingly unrighteous, unstable, and unsure. Habakkuk wants righteous people in an unrighteous culture to Selah so they can know for certain that they can be sure and secure.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our lengthy Selah series, you can find all of the messages by clicking here.
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Habakkuk’s culture (like ours today) was increasingly unrighteous, unstable, and unsure. Habakkuk wants righteous people in an unrighteous culture to Selah so they can know for certain that they can be sure and secure.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our lengthy Selah series, you can find all of the messages by clicking here.
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The more I study our universe, the more praise I give to our Creator!
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Pastor, I’m sure you are busy this week. But then again, aren’t you always busy? I’ve got a quick but powerful question to ask you that will make a world of difference in how you are prepared to meet the demands of your week.
Watch the video here.
On the Thriving In Ministry podcast, Kyle Willis and I talked about the importance of a sabbath rest for pastors, and also the hurdles that make taking a sabbath day so challenging.
Check out the full Thriving In Ministry Podcast by clicking here.
Check out the video teaching I did on sabbathing by clicking here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
Although this book is marketed to Christian teenagers, I believe this is a book that should be read by parents and pastors too.
My Patreon supporters also have access to the quotes that I compiled from this book.
If you would like to dig even deeper into this topic, check out my book review of Dr. Christopher Yuan’s Holy Sexuality And The Gospel.
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What if you are a Christian but your spouse isn’t? Is there hope for a happy marriage? Yes! Here is a word of encouragement for you.
Most people live under-hydrated, if not dehydrated, physically and spiritually. David helps us see how a Selah pause can quench our thirst.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our Selah series, you can find the complete list of them by clicking here.
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It’s all about Jesus being lifted up.
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God’s Word gives us ample reason to root out fear from our heart.
Read these promises for yourself in Isaiah 41:10, 13, 14; 43:1-2; 44:8; 51:12.
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There are many temptations the Bible tells us to fight. But there are two that we’re advised to flee.
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When fear tries to raise its ugly head in your heart, this is how you defeat it.
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God allows David—and you and me—to call Him, “My God.” But God wants even wicked people to also be able to call Him, “My God”!
David teaches us how to love wicked people like God loves them.
You can watch The Parable of the Lifeguard here, or you can read it by clicking here.
If you have missed any of the messages in our Selah series, you can find a list of all of those messages by clicking here.
The Bible is the most important book anyone can read, contemplate, and apply to their lives. Yet far too many people say, “I just don’t have enough time to sit down to read the Bible.”
You can download Covey’s Urgent/Important grid here → Urgent Important [Covey quadrants]
Check out my book Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter here.
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On the 200churches podcast, Jeff Keady and I talked about my unique and rather unorthodox history that prepared me to pastor a church and write a leadership book for my fellow pastors.
Check out this short video where I share a bit of my autobiography.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
On the 200churches podcast, Jeff Keady and I talked about my unique and rather unorthodox history that prepared me to pastor a church and write a leadership book for my fellow pastors.
Check out this short video where I share a bit of my autobiography.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
What does the Bible say about church growth? Does it give us any indication about whether church growth should be quantity or quality?
To watch the video of this teaching time, please click here.
My book Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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Winston Churchill said, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” Don’t stop. You can crawl and cry and sweat and yell, but KEEP GOING! Not only will your perseverance get you through, but your stick-to-it-iveness may be the motivation that someone else needs for them to keep moving forward too.
David is surrounded by enemies. As he prays for God to help him, he inserts three Selah pauses in just 13 verses. There are two lessons we can learn in these pauses that will give us the perspective we need.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our Selah series, you can check them all out by clicking here.
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John Newton shows how Aaron was only a forerunner of Jesus our High Priest.
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Wherever you are and whatever you may be facing, you can be assured of God’s unquenchable love for you!
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When the Bible tells us that our relationships should be characterized by “giving preference to one another,” what exactly does that mean?
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Pastors need to take regular sabbath breaks in order to be healthy enough to lead the sheep under their care. But this is tricky for pastors because Sunday is usually considered a “workday.” Check out this clip from a recent Bible study I was leading.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple. You can also check out some other blog posts I’ve written about sabbathing by clicking here.
To watch the video of the clip from this Bible study, please click here.
Psalm 88 ends with the psalmist calling darkness his closest companion, but Psalm 89 opens with an explosion of praise. These two psalms together form a reality for every Christian.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our Selah series, you can find a complete list by clicking here.
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Charles Spurgeon sums it up pretty succinctly: “The words are God’s words, the words of the Eternal, the Invisible, the Almighty, the Jehovah of this earth. This Bible is God’s Bible.”
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When church people give non-biblical issues biblical status, you can be sure that their reactions to the leader who deviates from this issue will be decidedly unbiblical! Check out this portion of a lesson I shared with some ministry interns.
If you would like to see the video of this talk, you can watch it here.
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On the 200churches podcast, Jeff Keady and I discussed some of the things I learned during the upheaval caused by the coronavirus.
I’ll be sharing more clips from this 200churches interview soon, so please stay tuned. Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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I ❤️ teaching leadership principles to young emerging leaders. But I still need to be learning as well. Listen … learn … pass it on!
Jesus told us that in this world we would have trouble. A worship leader named Heman confronted this temporary reality in the first of a couplet of psalms. Check out the lessons we can learn from the Selahs in Psalm 88.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our Selah series, you can check them out by clicking here. Please join me on Sunday when we will look at Ethan’s words in Psalm 89 about the certainty of the eternal light.
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Messages from God’s Word may make us uncomfortable. When that happens it is not God who needs to change but us who need to change.
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For godly leaders, the idea of responsibility gets a little tricky for some leaders because with the responsibility to their people, they usually feel they are accountable to their people as well.
This is part 66 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
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My life took a turn I wasn’t expecting, and for years I thought I misunderstood where God had directed me. Then I read a story in the Book of Acts that completely changed my perspective.
Watch the video of my teaching here.
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Is it biblical for Christians to pray for God to bless America? Psalm 87—with its two Selahs—gives us some insight into how to answer this.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our Selah series, you can find the full list by clicking here.
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Taking his inspiration from the 100th Psalm, William Kethe gives us this poetic praise.
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Let us accept the Word of God for what it is: Words that the mouth of Almighty God has spoken, not words that we think can be modified, improved, or eliminated.
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Although the Jews had been released from exile in Babylon to return to their homeland, things still were not going well for them. The prophet Haggai came on the scene and offered this solution from God.
Watch the video here.
You may also be interested in the posts I have previously shared about Haggai’s ministry, which overlapped with the prophetic ministry of Zechariah.
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Spiritual leadership is not about gaining more rights, it’s about fulfilling God-given responsibilities.
This is part 65 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
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Today you will be counting something: either the things that went wrong or the things that went right. I promise you, if you focus on the things that went right, your attitude will dramatically improve!
As we return to our series looking at the Selahs in the Psalms, we have come to Psalm 85. This psalm is not only a longing for revival, but it also shows us the path to revival.
If you have missed any of the other messages in our Selah series, you can find all of those messages by clicking here.
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I just love it when science catches up with what God has already pronounced in the Bible!
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God is looking for just one leader who will seek God’s glory and not personal gain, who will stand for righteousness even if he has to stand alone.
Will you be that one?
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You are more likely to stick with your healthy habits when you do it with friends.
Encouragement + Accountability = Consistency
A special message for the guys on Father’s Day!
We can learn some invaluable lessons from a Spirit-filled man that only appears in the biblical record one time, but what an impact he makes!
In our series We Are: Pentecostal, we talked much more in-depth about how the Holy Spirit wants to help us. You can check out all of those messages by clicking here.
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On the Ailbe Podcast, Rusty Rabon and I discussed how the cultural definition of “success” is doing immense harm to our churches and our pastors. I offer some counsel for both pastors and the board members who support them.
Check out other interviews from this Ailbe Podcast by clicking here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
Charles Spurgeon said, “Every word that God has given us in the Bible claims our attention because of the infinite majesty of Him who spoke it.” We MUST make our time in God’s Word our top priority.
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If anyone could complain about not getting His “fair share” it would be God. But instead, He asks us two questions to redirect our attitudes.
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Calvin Coolidge was a fascinating leader, one which both those in and out of politics should strive to emulate.
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Don’t waste your time inside during this gorgeous weather!
It’s time to get outside and get hiking this summer.
The Holy Spirit gives gifts to individuals so that individuals can edify the whole Body of Christ. It’s not competing with one another but completing one another.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series exploring our Pentecostal roots, you can find all of those messages by clicking here.
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Preaching God’s Word is not for the faint of heart. Charles Spurgeon gives pastors a word of encouragement that will energize them as they prepare and deliver their sermons.
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Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
Idolatry is the elevation of anyone or anything to a place of adoration. Sadly, far too many Christians have let idolatry slip into their hearts and minds.
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A winning combination for me: Charles Spurgeon talking about each chapter in the Book of Psalms.
Purchase a copy of Spurgeon and the Psalms here.
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Yes, bad things do happen sometimes. But have you taken time to be grateful for what didn’t happen?
Why does it seem that there are fewer miracles today, especially in relation to the many miracles we see in the Book of Acts? The problem is not that God’s power been diminished, but that our expectations have diminished.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series We Are: Pentecostal, you can find them all by clicking here.
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George Herbert taps into his extensive vocabulary to capture the power of prayer.
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On the 200churches podcast, Jeff Keady and I discuss why we “do church” the way we do, and how the COVID shutdowns helped us identify non-biblical words and practices.
Check out the full 200churches Podcast by clicking here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
Charles Spurgeon points us to Psalm 5 as a prime example of David’s prayer preparation, and I share six takeaways for our daily prayer time.
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It’s a short phrase—“Daniel prospered”—with huge leadership lessons for today’s godly leaders.
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You can check out more information about my book Shepherd Leadership by clicking here.
Don’t stop at salvation, but allow the Holy Spirit to baptize you and fill you. Don’t be satisfied with merely experiencing God’s presence ON you, but let His Spirit come IN you.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series called We Are: Pentecostal, you can check out all of the messages by clicking here.
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Go ahead and search out wise, godly books and wise, godly counselors. But remember that their word is not the final word.
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God made it abundantly clear how His leaders could lead effectively and not take his people astray.
This is part 64 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
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We need both the comfort and the terror of God’s love. His love speaks tenderly and roars ferociously because He loves you so very much!
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The Greek word for “anointed” is chiro, from which we get the word Christ. That is the same root word in us as CHRISTians. We need the Holy Spirit like Jesus needed Him.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series We Are: Pentecostal, you can check them all out by clicking here.
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Christians never, ever have to be intimidated to speak the full counsel of God’s Word. Check out this German poem translated by John Wesley.
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Amos had the unenviable calling to preach God’s word to people who were running away from God. Amos spoke boldly and truthfully because to do less than that would be unloving. This is still a vital ministry for pastors today.
Watch the video version of this post here.
The Bible is the measure of truth, the guide for our lives, and the blessed assurance we need as we anticipate the second advent of Jesus.
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On the Ailbe Podcast, Rusty Rabon and I discussed how vital it is for pastors to have strong, godly friends close by.
If you would like to check out the other clips I have already shared from this podcast, please check them out here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
There is no word of God that can ever be too hard for us to obey. Remember this: God’s word of command is also His word of enablement.
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On the Day of Pentecost, Peter quotes the prophet Joel in his sermon but with three important differences. These differences were intended to emphasize the need for Christians to receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in their lives again today!
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The Bible instructs us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Ella Wheeler Wilcox wonders why we gravitate toward the first and shrink from the second.
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No one is an overnight success. Here is a process to help you move toward success.
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The Bible is our sword, our battle-ax, our key, our map, and our life preserver. Charles Spurgeon counsels us, “Open the Book! Do it freely. Do it heartily. Do it constantly.”
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How many times have I told God, “I am Your servant. Use me as You know best”? But do I really want that?
This is part 63 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
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Whether you’ve read Kenneth Blanchard’s leadership books before, or if this is your first time picking up something he’s written this is a great book to add to your leadership library.
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Enjoy the 🌞
There are so many benefits to your physical and emotional health when you get outside and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air!
Godly mothers, please be encouraged today at how much influence you exert over others in your life.
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Isaac Watts reminds us of the immense blessings in choosing to live by God’s Word.
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On the 200churches podcast, Jeff Keady and I discussed how the challenges of a pandemic affected the thoughts that went into my book Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter.
I’ll be sharing more clips from this 200churches interview soon, so please stay tuned. Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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Don’t read only the parts of the Bible that you like. All Scripture is for All servants of God. All Scripture is applicable to All the circumstances we will ever face in life.
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Daniel prospered, but he did so because God promoted him. Daniel never sought a position, and even if he was removed from a position, he didn’t try to retain it nor regain it.
I would also ask you to consider becoming one of my Patreon supporters. For just $5 per month, you will have access to my exclusive content, and you will be helping to support the free side of this ministry.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
The biblical themes and imaginative language of “The Holy War” by John Bunyan make it a very enjoyable read.
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“Tango yankee” = thank you!
Showing gratitude wherever you can will set you apart from those with an entitlement attitude, and it will bring some smiles to other people’s faces too!
Check out more Monday Motivation here.
God’s Gift in us is both perfect and being perfected. The process is often uncomfortable work, but if we allow the Holy Spirit to continue working, we will see amazing fruitfulness!
If you’ve missed any of the messages in this series Christmas Unwrapped At Easter, you can find a list of all of the messages here.
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George Herbert longs to worship the King of Glory more greatly!
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On the Ailbe Podcast, Rusty Rabon and I discussed what Jesus did to remain at optimal physical health, and the lessons that pastor-shepherds can take away from that.
Check out the full Ailbe Podcast by clicking here.
If you would like to check out the other clips I have already shared, they are located here, here, here, and here.
I’d also encourage you to check out this post on how Jesus practiced sabbathing during His earthly ministry.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
Just as the Scriptures were to Jesus, let’s all make the Word of God our daily companion. I can promise you that the Bible is the best daily companion you will ever know!
If you would like some Bible study ideas, check these out. Or take a walk through the Psalms with me. Or begin by reading one chapter in Proverbs, or one section of Psalm 119, every day for a month. I can promise you that the Bible is the best daily companion you will ever know!
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“Highly esteemed” is the title God gives to those who live in righteousness and sustained prayer.
If you would like to dig into this deeper, check out 4 Thoughts To Help Prayer Become A Daily Habit.
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The Chief Shepherd calls sheep to serve Him and His flock as under-shepherds. This is a calling that requires a special kind of prayer life.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
Want to get some good stuff to help you grow and help the people around you? Check out the Book of Proverbs in the Bible.
If the Gift of Jesus is in you, then your life IS the sermon. Preach it well!
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series Christmas Unwrapped At Easter, you can find all of them listed here.
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Courage is a majestic thing.
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On the 200churches podcast, Jeff Keady and I discussed how I went from writing a blog to writing a book, and how the title of my book went through a significant change as well.
Check out the full 200churches Podcast by clicking here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is now available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
Being a Christian is not a role I step into; it’s who I am. It impacts everything I think and everything I do.
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Pastors often have to speak a heavy word. But how we speak that word may make all the difference in the world in how it is received.
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Words do have their place, but what value do we assign the words of leaders? Is it possible that we give a leader’s words too much weight?
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What an amazing gift God gave us in His Son Jesus! What an amazing gift Jesus gave us in His sacrificial death on the Cross! How are we to repay God for these gifts? Is that even possible?
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our series Christmas Unwrapped At Easter, you can find a list of all of those messages here.
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The solution to our endless loop of sin-confession-repentance-forgiveness-atonement must become internal.
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A special Good Friday podcast.
A word from Jesus could have crushed legions and toppled governments—yet for love’s sake, He submitted. Let that sink in—Sovereignty submitted.
To read more about what Jesus said and did on the other days of Passion Week, please click here.
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What does it mean to be in the Lord? Charles Spurgeon offers this simple definition.
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Godly leadership can be a beautiful thing! But godly leaders who stumble make a stinky mess. Here are four things that I’ve seen in the lives of those leaders who haven’t finished well.
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T.M. Moore and Jonathan Edwards call pastors back to the shepherding model shown in the Bible.
You can get more information on Shepherd Leadership by clicking here.
If you feel my book would benefit you (or your pastor) I would be happy to send you the ebook version free of charge. Just email me to let me know.
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Check your mirror! Every human brain contains mirror neurons. That means you can literally help others go from sad to happy by doing just one simple step.
God’s love is unmistakably seen in the Gift of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the Cross. Can our gratitude for this Gift be seen today just as unmistakably?
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series Christmas Unwrapped At Easter, you can find the complete list by clicking here.
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John Newton poetically reminds us of the forgiving, cleansing, and keeping power of the blood of Jesus.
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How incredibly sad the number of churches that have closed their doors as a direct result of in-fighting. Here is how my friend addressed that issue in a poem.
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Some people love wearing the label “Christian” but, sadly, they never want to surrender to the lordship of Jesus.
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The death of Jesus may be the most attested executions in all of history. The crucifixion of Jesus is not a “once upon a time” or “in the make-believe land of Israel” story, but an actual historical event.
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Leaders are solely responsible for creating the hostile or peaceful environments in which their people work.
This is part 62 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here. And I would also encourage you to check out my book Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter, where I outline in more detail the characteristics of godly leadership.
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The Gift was given to us at Christmas, but in our immaturity and shortsightedness, we didn’t realize the full impact of this Gift until Jesus rose victoriously from the grave!
If you would like to follow along with all of the messages in this series called Christmas Unwrapped At Easter, please check out the links I’ve shared here.
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George Herbert envisions why Jesus needed to take a spear thrust in His side.
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Only healthy shepherds can create a healthy environment for the sheep under their care. Here’s how you can help your pastor get to this healthy place.
Check out the full Thriving In Ministry podcast by clicking here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
If you’ve missed any of the other clips I’ve shared from this interview, please check them out here:
- Only one kind of leader can serve well
- The confident-humble tension
- The importance of margin
- A healthy on-and-off
- Recovering mentally
- Self-leadership
- Lifelong preparation
The Bible is the most practical, applicable, and timeless Book I know! In order for this Book to be of both immediate and eternal help to us, it has to be a book that is logical.
If you’re interested in digging deeper into this, I’ve shared some other Bible studies you can try:
- 3 Bible studies for you to try
- 2 more Bible studies for you to try
- Saturday in the Proverbs—If … Then
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Two verses, five Bible translations, one powerful prayer!
I used only two verses to write this post, but I read them in multiple translations. This is another great Bible study tool that any of us can use. If you would like to read more about the various translations of the Bible and how to access them, please check out this post.
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Ezekiel was mute but he wasn’t silent. He made no excuses, but instead teaches us three important lessons.
Check out the video I mention by clicking here.
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Monday Motivation
There are so many helpful and healthful benefits to drinking more water.
God will never give me more than I can handle in His tests, but sometimes I give myself more than I can handle.
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The co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous poetically shares his passion to reach those searching for help.
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There are two ways you can deal with your blind spots—ignore them or let someone who loves you help you confront them.
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There is no other way to learn to pray more effectively than to keep on abiding in Jesus, keep on claiming the biblical promises, and keep on stretching your faith to present your prayer request to Him again.
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Fear would cause us to procrastinate and only see the negative possibilities. On the other hand, hope wants us to see the possibilities and then step out in confident faith.
Check out full episodes of The Craig And Greg Show leadership podcast by clicking here.
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Louis Gerstner’s refocusing of the elephant-sized IBM will give leaders invaluable insights into how to keep their organization from sliding into ineffectiveness and irrelevance. Here’s my book review of Who Says Elephants Can’t Dance?
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Computer programmers know this: Garbage in, garbage out. It’s the same for us. If you find yourself talking or thinking negatively, it’s time to check your inputs.
We don’t use the word “shun” very often today, but both Pharisees like to use this as the sin police. Is that what Jesus intended?
If you’ve missed any of the other lessons in this series, you can find the full list by clicking here.
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My co-host on The Craig And Greg Show podcast wanted me to give an update on my book Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter.
I am so grateful that my book was listed on Amazon as a #1 new release. Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
An unhappy Christian gives God no praise, robs Him of glory, and paints God in a bad light. How much more so for a pastor! Make sure everyone can see heaven in your face!
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Either our feelings or God’s truth will drive our actions. What follows will either help or harm us, so we must choose wisely.
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Letting go of this world so that you can hold on to your Savior is the best decision you could ever make! Here’s a fantastic example from Abraham.
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Three words that will calm you down and help you speak more appropriately to others: Take a breath!
God has an unlimited supply, so Christians should be the most generous and abundance-minded people. Sadly, some Christians think that only some people can claim some of God’s promises. Is that in the Bible? Who can claim God’s promises?
If you’ve missed any of the topics we have covered in this series, you can find the full list by clicking here.
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If we never had to go through hard times ourselves, how would we know how to help others in their hard times?
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Every single thing God has brought you through has prepared you for what you’re facing now. God uses the bitter and the sweet to prepare you for the path you must walk.
I’ve already shared several clips from this Thriving In Ministry interview which you can find by clicking here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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God prunes us because He has seen fruitfulness, but He wants there to be even more fruitfulness.
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Logic tells us that there are natural conclusions for certain premises, but God frequently uses “therefore” in unexpected ways.
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The biggest victim of attempting to multitask is your relationships. Those closest to you suffer the most.
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Do you want to get more energy behind your ideas? Do you want to see your good ideas become great ideas? Then share your ideas with some sharp friends!
“Name it and claim it.” Is that in the Bible? How can we address biblical-sounding thoughts the right way?
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Shel Silverstein has a good reminder that what appears smart may be the exact opposite!
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The only way to keep God’s blessings on my initial humble choice is to continue to choose humility at every moment of success.
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Prayer should be as natural as breathing if we are abiding in Jesus. Abiding is not an occasional thing, but something that never ceases, making prayer something that naturally flows from our hearts and lips.
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It starts at the top. It starts with me. God’s leaders must be held to the highest of standards.
This is part 62 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
The behind-the-scenes video is here.
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Is that religious-sounding piece of advice actually from the Bible? Let’s find out together!
Join me as we relaunch this series called Is That In The Bible? If you have a phrase that you would like to have us explore in this series, please leave it in a comment below.
Three men, whose lives intertwined with each other, exhibit the powerful strength they found to endure intense opposition. John Piper has given us the outstanding biographies of John Newton, Charles Simeon, and William Wilberforce.
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When we think of Jesus as awesome, that doesn’t mean He is unapproachable. But neither does it mean that we can approach Him flippantly. We need to balance those two things.
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Frederick Lehman attempts to capture how wide and long and high and deep is the love of God.
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On the Ailbe Podcast, Rusty Rabon and I discussed the vital importance of a leader’s health—mental, physical, spiritual, and relational health—as we see it portrayed for us in the life of Jesus.
Check out the full Ailbe Podcast by clicking here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is now available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
The more time we abide with Jesus, the more we will get to know His heart. The more we know His heart, the more our prayers will align to His heart.
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Whether in ancient times or today, the enemy of God’s people still uses the same tactics. Here’s an invaluable lesson of how we can stand victorious.
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The non-biblical metrics of success we are using in our churches are making pastors feel like they are failing.
I wrote Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter to help ministry leaders refocus on what God calls success. If you are a pastor—or if you love your pastor—please pick up a copy today.
My book is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
Your brain will find what you tell it to look for. So tell it to look for the good stuff this week.
Our incomparable Jesus wants us to pray in His incomparable name so that our incomparable Father can answer in a way that brings Him incomparable glory!
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If you’ve missed any of the messages in this series on prayer, you can find a list of all of the messages by clicking here.
A poetic tribute to my favorite group of pastors in my favorite town.
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How does one write a book? Here’s my 6-step process.
Check out the video of this Q&A time here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
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A hypocritical Christian not only damages his own life, but he does damage to the entire Christian community as well.
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Leaders need to foster an environment for success, which means allowing people to learn and grow from their mistakes.
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Susanna Wesley thrived where most women would have given up. Arnold A. Dallimore does an excellent job telling her amazing story in this insightful biography.
I previously reviewed Rev. Dallimore’s biography of George Whitefield.
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Praying in Christ’s preeminence means that we never have to settle for less than God’s best!
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in this series on prayer, you can find links to all of those messages by clicking here.
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This poem from Juan Mascaro reminds us that as the shadow follows the body, as we think, so we become.
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As Christians, it is entirely our choice what kind of four-letter words we are going to use.
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Christians can—and should—live in such a way that everyone in their communities would sit up and take notice of the positive changes.
I’ve shared some other posts about a church’s reputation here, here, and here.
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A leader’s worst-case-scenario mindset is very limiting to the entire organization. Here are three paradigm shifts that leaders should make.
I would also encourage you to subscribe to The Craig And Greg Show on YouTube to hear more of our leadership-building conversations.
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I have full access to God’s rich treasure stores. This knowledge should help me live securely, gracefully, and nobly.
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Comparisons are killers! God made you the way He did on purpose and for a purpose, so instead of comparing yourself with others, just be who God made you!
The human Jesus knows our pain; the divine Jesus gets us to the gain. Learning to pray in the name of Jesus is vital!
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series on prayer called Awesome: Learning to pray in the awesome name of Jesus, you can find all of the messages by clicking here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
Lettie Cowman beautifully portrays the verse of Scripture “…sorrowful, yet always rejoicing….”
I never want my best days to be in my past. Every day must be a day of advancement.
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Christians are not citizens of Planet Earth. Our citizenship is in a place called Heaven. While we are here, we need to conduct ourselves in such a way that we make our Homeland desirable for others.
I shared a whole series of messages on living as “aliens and strangers” (as the apostle Peter calls Christians), which you may check out by clicking here.
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A servant of the prophet Jeremiah teaches today’s leaders an invaluable lesson.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
“Prudent” isn’t a word we use very often today, but it is one that sets God’s servant leaders apart from worldly leaders, and it is also a lifestyle that God exalts.
This is part 61 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
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Not many goals, but one mini-goal. There is a power in setting one mini-goal and sticking with it all week.
When we say that we can “pray in the name of Jesus,” what does it mean that we can pray in the human name of Jesus?
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in this series on prayer, you can find a link to all of them by clicking here.
►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
Effective and long-lasting leadership starts with the leader’s self-leadership and self-assessment practices.
Check out the full Thriving In Ministry podcast by clicking here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
Let’s all strive to not only have the form of godliness, but to have the real energizing power of godliness on full display in our daily lives.
Throughout the Scripture, God always makes clear the two options we have: Our way or His way. One plan leads to panic, and the other leads to peace.
An important book by the man who has given the world the most-beloved hymn of all time.
We’re all familiar with the cliche, “Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.” But what if we changed that to, “Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn”?
It’s only when I know how beautiful and loved I am in God’s sight that I can begin to love others and see the beauty in them. Prayer takes me to the beautiful Savior. Prayer reveals Christ’s beauty in me. Prayer brings His beauty to a vain world.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series on prayer called Awesome: Learning to pray in the awesome name of Jesus, you can find all of the messages by clicking here.
Jesus loved me—the traitor, the betrayer—and died for me.
Check out Dilip’s debut album The Great Reversal.
Christianity cannot be handed down from parents, nor can it be acquired through marriage. Everyone has to enter into faith in Jesus Christ on their own.
Do you ever struggle with something that appears to be a contradiction in the Bible? Jeremiah did. Here’s how God helped him work through this.
To check out the post where I discuss how I handle tough biblical texts, please click here.
When we are yielded to the Holy Spirit we can say with assurance that a mark of a godly leader is his irresistible, Spirit-led vocabulary.
This is part 60 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
We Christians often pray too timidly when we could be praying in the awesome name of Jesus, to an awesome God, and waiting in expectation of awesome answers!
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series on prayer called Awesome, you can find all of the messages by clicking here.
You may also watch my full message on the awesome Jesus.
Christians aren’t divided from each other by death because they are still united in Jesus Christ.
God rarely measures success the way we do. At a recent book signing event, I used a notable example from the Book of Acts to show this principle in action.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
Those who are in right standing with God should have no fear of their lives being inspected.
On a recent episode of our leadership podcast, Greg Heeres and I were discussing how easy it is for people to slip into a complaining attitude.
Check out all of The Craig And Greg Show episodes on our YouTube channel.
God knows His sheep better than we do. He knows what they need to hear, and how best to make His message stick.
God uses humans—flawed, imperfect humans—to accomplish His sovereign plan. John Piper intertwines the biographies of three notable men to show us this principle in action.
This was the first book Pastor John published in his series “The Swans Are Not Silent.” If you’re interested, I have previously shared reviews on The Hidden Smile Of God and Seeing Beauty And Saying Beautifully.
The Holy Spirit can give us eyes to see the supernatural in the most natural of things.
Just tagging the phrase “in the name of Jesus, Amen” to the end of a prayer is not a magical formula to have your prayer answered. We need to understand why we get to use that supreme name.
To see all of the messages in our series called Awesome: Learning to pray in the awesome name of Jesus, please click here.
My Mom passed away on December 26, 2021. My sister and my son each wrote a poem in honor of her life.
Usually, leaders want their lives and their organizations to be tension-free. But I’m advocating that healthy shepherd leaders actually embrace the tension. Rusty Rabon and I discussed this on the Ailbe Podcast.
Check out the full Ailbe Podcast by clicking here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is now available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
To check out the post I mentioned with my see thought, click here.
What comfort Christians have when they reach the “full age” when God calls them home! What a comfort, too, for their family and friends who grieve their death.
As I mentioned last week, if you don’t have this blessed assurance of the marriage of your soul when you take your last breath here on earth, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
The devil has a favorite tactic that he’s been using since the beginning of time. This is how we can defeat his attack.
I’ve shared a couple of other posts that expand on this idea which you may want to check out here and here.
The righteous have nothing to fear when the world is quaking in fear! Get your eyes off the world’s bad news, and keep your eyes firmly on the Good News that only Jesus has made a reality!
A bold and heartfelt appeal to pastor-shepherds to truthfully, lovingly, and consistently speak the full counsel of God’s Word.
If you’re looking to challenge yourself to be a better person in the New Year, you couldn’t go wrong with this list.
For the Christian, Death has no fear. Check out this amazing parable from Charles Spurgeon.
If you have any questions about this, please get in touch with me.
Looking for something good to read? Here are the books I read and reviewed in 2021, as well as some thoughts about my all-time favorite book.
To check out all of my book reviews from 2021, please click here.
A primary factor in a leader’s success is perseverance. This was something Thomas Edison demonstrated by the frequent notation of “T.A.” in his journals.
This is the full message of part 5 in our Advent series People Will Talk.
To watch the video of this message, please click here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in this series, you can find those messages by clicking here.
At the birth of Jesus, we meet a woman who has no quotation marks in her biography. We only read three verses in the whole Bible about her, and don’t know anything she actually said, but her very life speaks volumes to us!
If you’ve missed any of the messages in this Advent series, you can find the full list of messages by clicking here.
Advent is a celebration of the end of our struggle because Jesus has made the way for us to have peace with God.
And that means a very Merry Christmas indeed!
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our Advent series People Will Talk, you can find links to all of them by clicking here.
When our world is shaking, sometimes it seems that we have forfeited God’s promises, and so God seems distant from us. At these moments, there are two important steps that Christians must take.
Godly leaders make leading at home their top priority.
If you would like to watch this full episode of The Craig And Greg Show, please click here. And if you would like to know more about my book which I mentioned in this podcast, please click here.
This is the full message of part 3 in our Advent series People Will Talk.
To watch the video of this message, please click here.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in this series, you can find those messages by clicking here.
The religious leaders who were in power at the birth of Jesus were called experts in the law. They knew all of the prophecies about the Messiah, but what they did when they heard of His birth is quite eye-opening!
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our Advent series People Will Talk, you can find those messages by clicking here.
There are some things God wants to teach us that we can learn in no other way than to go through a dark night. During those nights we can learn to depend on the unshakable Word of God!
To check out the series of messages in the series I mention called Thankful In The Night, please click here.
When the struggles of life come, will I keep my arms wrapped tightly around my Savior and trust Him to hold me securely, or will I let go of Him and attempt to carry my own burdens?
This is a snippet from a message in our series X-ing Out Anxiety, which you can check out by clicking here.
Our lives are powered by both alternating and direct current sources, but the battle for supremacy of these sources at their very beginning is both fascinating and disturbing. Tom McNichol dives into this history in his book “AC/DC.”
This is the full message from part 2 our Advent series People Will Talk.
To watch the video of this message, please click here.
To check out part 1 of this series, please click here.
King Herod had a violent reaction when he heard about the arrival of the King of kings. We need to learn a lesson from this and check our own reaction when the Holy Spirit speaks to us about who is sovereign over our lives.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series People Will Talk, you can find the complete list by clicking here.
For leaders who have been through a draining time, mental recovery is vital. We can learn some valuable lessons from the practices athletes employ to recover physically.
Check out the full Thriving In Ministry podcast by clicking here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
Here are some thoughts from a recent sermon where I discuss why our New Testament is really the best commentary we have on the Old Testament.
I invite you to check out a couple of other resources:
- Both Testaments
- The Old Testament Affirmed In The New Testament (with a free downloadable PDF study guide)
Anyone who enjoys church history will thoroughly enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at the men and women who were so crucial to the early Pentecostal movement.
As the modern-day telling of the Christmas story becomes more and more mythical, what are Christians to do?
To catch up on all of the messages in our Advent series People Will Talk, please click here.
At a recent Q&A, I was asked how leaders in smaller markets or communities can avoid becoming discouraged if their measurable metrics aren’t continually rising.
This is an idea that I unpack throughout my book Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter. Please pick up a copy for yourself or as a gift for your friends who are in leadership positions. My book is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
We honor the forgiveness that God has extended to us by liberally forgiving others. And our forgiveness of others shows them just how loving and forgiving our God is too!
King Hezekiah teaches us two invaluable lessons about affliction and blessing.
I addressed this topic with another biblical lesson, which you can check out by clicking here.
General Hal Moore shares proven leadership principles that are literally battle-tested. This book gives leaders practical principles through the many challenges Moore faced and conquered.
The Bible tells us what to do with our anxiety-inducing burdens: Cast them off! Both King David and the apostle Peter explain how we can do this, and the blessings that come when we do.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series X-ing Out Anxiety, you can find all of the messages by clicking here.
When satan wants us to look down at our sin, this poem from Charitie Lees Bancroft encourages us to look up to our Savior in Heaven!
My friend Greg Heeres and I host a leadership podcast called “The Craig And Greg Show.” On this episode we discuss the immense value personally and corporately for leaders who cultivate a consistent attitude of gratitude.
If you would like to watch this episode, please click here.
A busy businessman teaches us an invaluable lesson about joy that overwhelms anxiety.
This is a snippet from a longer message, which you can find by clicking here.
I must deliberately and repeatedly silence the saber rattling of the enemy by standing in faith on God’s decisive word.
I recently shared some faith-filled decisive promises from God’s word in another post. If I can help you find a word of God on which you can stand in faith, please reach out to me.
Steve Young’s autobiography gives us a front-row seat for not only the growth of the NFL, but his personal growth as one of the league’s premier quarterbacks.
Clinging to the promises of Jesus means we cannot cling to the cares of the world. Jesus can help us securely face our future, regardless of the storms raging around us.
If you’ve missed any message in our series about X-ing our anxieties, please click here to find the full list.
The promises in the Bible that I mentioned in this episode can be found by clicking the URL in this post.
Oswald Chambers knew about mental darkness, but he also knew about the peace that a Savior could bring to his heart.
Far too often marriage is seen as something which diminishes life, instead of enhancing it. Perhaps this is because we have been viewing marriage with the wrong math.
When God forgave our sins in Christ, He forgave them all! Our past is wiped clean and we stand completely clean in God’s presence!
King Solomon gives leaders invaluable insight into making our leadership messages “stick” with our teams.
This is part 59 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.
John Piper weaves the biographies of three notable men from church history around the theme of affliction and suffering, and what emerges is applicable insights for all Christians battling through dark times.
If you would like to check out my review of another book in this series—Seeing Beauty and Saying Beautifully—please click here.
As I was reading my Bible this morning, I came across some fantastic promises in Isaiah 54. I shared them on my YouTube channel.
Please subscribe to my YouTube channel by clicking here.
One definition of anxiety is to be plagued by disquieting thoughts. Thankfully, we have an assured place of peace and quiet from the storms that rage in our hearts and minds. There’s a word in the New Testament that only Jesus speaks, and He only speaks it to people in anxious situations.
Please follow along with us as we learn more about X-ing out our anxieties.
Jesus showed us that the Sabbath was more than a day, but it was a healthy heart attitude. In fact, sabbathing is absolutely vital for a leader to be healthy and effective over the long haul.
Check out the full Thriving In Ministry podcast by clicking here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
Jesus took your penalty, He paid the price for your sin! The moment you believe that, you are clothed in Christ’s righteousness!
There are two different Hebrew words that get translated into the English word “woe.” The difference is profound and worth our time to examine what it means for us today.
Parents and youth pastors will especially want to check these out as a compelling way to draw young people into reading the Bible for themselves.
Check out all of the available word-for-word comics by clicking here.
These foundational belief statements about end-times events give us a blessed hope. Christians have a fantastic, unshakable, blessed hope on which we can stand not only secure but joyful!
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series exploring our foundational beliefs, you can access the full list by clicking here.
John Newton tells how powerful these four words are to our Christian faith: The Lord will provide.
Every superhero has a good origin story. Join me as I tell the origin of my alter-ego superhero named Plunger Man!
Watch the video of the origins of Plunger Man here.
Watch the video of the epic adventure of Plunger Man here.
Forgiveness may seem impossible, but the same Holy Spirit that empowered Jesus to forgive His vicious tormentors is living in you and He will empower you too.
We need true, God-fearing friends close to us. Ask God to bring those friends around you, and ask the Holy Spirit to make you into that kind of friend for those He does bring around you.
John Shey did a phenomenal job telling us about Willie Mays’ baseball career while presenting applicable life lessons. Both baseball fans and students of leadership will find many rich lessons in “24.”
If this study of the minor prophets has told us anything, it’s that God keeps His word. Malachi especially reminds us that an it’s-no-big-deal attitude is what got the Israelites off track.
The same thing can happen to Christians today. Here are six areas that Malachi tells us to keep a close eye on.
If you’ve missed any of the messages in our series exploring the powerful lessons in the the twelve minor prophets, please click here to get the list of all of those messages.
Jesus said His agenda was simply to serve others and to give His life away for the benefit of others. We see a great example of this in the life of a man named Joseph. Rusty Rabon and I discussed this on the Ailbe Podcast.
Check out the full Ailbe Podcast by clicking here.
Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter is now available in print or ebook, and in audiobook through either Audible or Apple.
Jesus showed us how to steadfastly keep our eyes on the unseen. Don’t give in to the temptation to believe only what you see. There is so much more waiting for you!
Here’s something interesting I spotted in the Proverbs that I believe will spark an interesting Bible study time for you. I also share several other Bible study ideas that will invigorate your personal reading time.
Check out the links to Bible studies and Bible study tools by clicking here.
Zechariah pronounces more messianic prophecies than any other biblical writer, with the exception of Isaiah. These prophecies are either fulfilled in Christ’s First Advent or promised to be fulfilled at His Second Advent.
If you’ve missed any of the other messages in our series looking at the major lessons from the minor prophets, you can access all of those messages by clicking here.
You may download a PDF version of the above charts by clicking here → Zechariah prophecies for the First Advent or here → Zechariah prophecies for the Second Advent