Click here to see Prayer Archive

Lead With Integrity
By Oleda Atkinson

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Things we can learn from these verses:

Lead by example!
Do not seek the best seat!
Lead by serving!
Lead with humility!

Matthew 23 is a scorching expose’ by Jesus of the hypocritical Pharisees. We may not consider ourselves worthy of such scrutiny. Whatever level of leadership in which we find ourselves, integrity is at the top of the list.

1. Our motive should never be to show off or gain recognition for ourselves. We should not feel resentful when our ministry is unrecognized. One who leads with integrity will have no concern for recognition.

2. Do we role model our teaching or leading? When we ask others to give, do we? When we ask others to pray, do we pray? When we ask others to share their faith, do we? If we want to lead with integrity, then we must practice what we preach!

3. When we offer challenges, do we provide resources and assistance to help our followers achieve? We should not expect the women in our sphere of leadership to do that which they have not been assisted to do.

4. A leader with integrity will rejoice when a sister excels and exceeds! We are not in the business of "one-up-man-ship.” Women who lead with integrity will seek to launch her followers beyond what she has accomplished.

5. We are not "substitutes for the Savior.” Don’t attempt to mold your followers into your image, but Christ’s.

6. Women who lead with integrity major on the majors and not the minors. If you win every award given but have a family who cringes because of your anger, what are you winning?

7. Women who lead with integrity will not think more highly of themselves than they ought. We must never lead from a lofty leadership position but walk alongside, willing to get down and get dirty.

8. How do we maintain leadership integrity: Stay in the Word! Make prayer a priority. Women will think it a privilege to follow you!

Praise
By Oleda Atkinson

Adoration and thanksgiving are powerful parts of our process of worship. Too often we just "storm the throne” and forget to adore God for who He is.

God must be the force and focal point of our praise. We need to stop praising Him just for things in our lives and praise Him because of His timeless and everlasting love, excellent faithfulness, power, accessibility and because He is victorious.

Praise Him because He is holy, measureless, majestic, forgiving, steadfast, changeless and sovereign.

Praise comes alive when you give God the gift of praise. This one is for You!

Leah in Genesis 29:31 and 32, is a beautiful example of a woman who praised even in her adversity. She birthed praise! Birth is a joyous thing!

Leah, and Rachel were sisters. Leah was unloved. Jacob was tricked into marrying her. There was no sparkle in Leah’s yes. She lived with deception. The older sister had to marry first—she knew she wasn’t Jacob’s first choice. Leah competed for her father’s love and then for her husband’s love.

But Leah could give birth. Rachel was barren. Leah bore four sons:

Reuben (seeing—look upon) — When she hurt—God looked on her.

Simon (hearing) — God had heard her prayer.

Levi (joined together) — She deserved a family—now she could be emotionally joined. But Jacob still didn’t love her.

Judah (praise) — Now will I praise—point to God. Judah would be a ruling tribe and the Messiah would come from this lineage.

Leah had a bad marriage. But she lifted her Judah like a trophy, "Now, will I praise!”

We birth circumstances. Some are blasters. Some are blessings.

Call your Canaan — Judah
Call your rejection — Judah
Call your rough times — Judah

Lift up a sacrifice of praise . . . "God . . . this one is for You!”

When you don’t feel like it—praise! You will be a mystery to the world. Call it Judah! Be a woman of faith. Be a woman of possibility. Take care of your circumstances. Bless the name of God. Call it Judah!

David was king. His baby was sick . . . he died. David got up and changed his attitude. I can go to Him! He called his grief Judah!

Christ wants us to experience and enjoy a personal and intimate walk with Him. He wants us to abide in Him—take up residence. He inhabits the praise of His people.

Praise Him for the strength for your day.
Praise Him for giving you wisdom for your tasks.
Praise Him for the comfort He gives your soul.
Praise Him for the grace He delivers for your every battle.
Praise Him for understanding when you fail!

You can birth praise!

Back to LDC Home Page

Site by WinWorld