Word for the day: “Leadership is influence.”


Numbers 14:37 (HCSB) Those men who spread the negative report about the land were struck down by the Lord.


Good Morning Leaders,

“Leadership is influence nothing more and nothing less,” according to the leadership Goat John Maxwell. However, today’s message illuminates that influence can be used positively or negatively.

 WE NEED TO BE HONEST ABOUT OUR DEFICITS AND SHORTCOMINGS.

From many of our experiences, we know it is easy to criticize others. And we know that finding faults is usually far easier than finding solutions.

Still, the tendency to criticize others remains a powerful personal vice and trapping for many of us.

Sometimes, we need to be honest about our faults and deficits to overcome them wholesomely.

Negativity and toxicity are highly contagious: We give them to others who, in turn, give them back to us.

This endless negative cycle can be broken only by intentional, wholesome thoughts, heartfelt prayers, encouraging words, meaningful acts of kindness, and God's grace.

  WE ARE CREATED BY GOD TO BE LEADERS WHO ADD VALUE TO THE LIVES OF OTHERS.

As thoughtful servants of a loving God, we have no valid reason or legitimate excuse to be toxic influencers.

So, when we are ready to be overly critical of others or unfairly critical of ourselves, we must use the transforming power of God’s love to break the chains of negativity.

  We must defeat negativity before negativity defeats us. I concur with motivational and leadership guru Jim Rohn: "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with."

 CONSIDER TODAY’S MESSAGE INSIGHT AS VALUE TO DISTINGUISH THE NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE INFLUENCES IN YOUR LIFE.

In today's reading, we read a compelling account of how the Lord would literally grant the children of Israel their negative and toxic complaints. In other words, they would suffer by wandering in the wilderness for forty years, one year for each of the forty days they explored the land (Numbers 14:34).

Furthermore, God would give them what they asked for.

 “I will do the very things I heard you say: In this desert, your bodies will fall, every one of you twenty years old or more” (Numbers 14:28-29).

 Additionally, the ten men who had given the bad report were struck down and died of a plague before the Lord (Numbers 14:37).

 Only Joshua and Caleb survived this peril, and the two faithful spies believed in God’s promise to give the land over to them.

 God had promised them victory, but the Lord removed the ten men who had a negative and toxic influence on the people of God except Joshua and Caleb, who believed and had a positive influence on the people of God.

 Most of us understand how toxic it can be to interact with negative people with their critical and harmful views on life, which can literally influence our outlook on life.

 Negative people with their pessimistic attitudes can, too often, discourage us from giving our best or taking the necessary steps to improve our future success.

 POINT TO PONDER

God will never lead us where His grace cannot provide for us or His power cannot protect us. I pray today’s message provides some insight that strengthens your leadership and life in a more increasing way.

 Indeed, the Israelites saw God's powerful hand at work during the plagues and miracles of the Exodus.

 This particular account in the Old Testament book of “Numbers” has left an indelible mark on my life. I pray you are inspired to walk in the victory God has for your life while being careful of those negative influences in your proximity.

 Yet, like many people, they walked by sight and not by faith, and those who had unbelief displeased God.

However, those who believed in God for victory entered the promised land and had victory.

I believe in my heart this holds true for us today. Have an amazing day, and don’t forget to believe in God for your victory.

Special thanks!

Chief Encouragement Officer (CEO) James Baker, Jr. and our leadership team are especially thankful for those of you who provided financial donations and support in February 2024, by partnering with us in efforts to advance the kingdom of God in this 21st century season: Special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. David and Annette Straker, Mr. Kenneth Washington, Ms. Itholear Abbott,  Mrs. Barbara Mason, Ms. Rita McGuffin, Ms. Jeanette Grant,  Ms. Cynthia Artis-Waiters, Ms. Michelle Winder Branch, Ms. Brenda Spoach, Ms. Angie Scraders-Murphy, Mr. Calvin Jackson,  Mr. William Jones, Mr. William Buchanan, Ms. Judith Battle, Mr. William Wilson, Mrs. Angela Harrison, Ms. Sonja McRae, Mrs. Ranghill P. Walker-Philip, Ms. Gertrude Scott.

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Kingdom Blessings,

 

 

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Word for the day: “2024 is the year many of your prayers will be answered.”