This year I’ve had the privilege to listen to world-famous speakers such as Pastor Alistar Begg, Pat Williams, Brian Kilemade, Pastor David Nasser, and so many others.  I’ve also been able to listen to our wonderful pastors Grant Ethridge and Tim Whitney, Chip Dean and my dear friends Tyler LeClear, Zachary Goodwyn, and Joel Austin preach the gospel!  These men continually allow God to use them to teach many people about His glory.  I have hundreds of pages of notes on messages from these men and many other men and women.

I’ve been traveling quite a bit lately, and I love the plane rides because I have so much time to study!  On these past few trips, I’ve been reading through my most recent book of notes which started March 30^th.  I wrote down a theme from each message and found four prevalent themes: Leadership, Communication, Adversity, and Serving.

Dr. John C. Maxwell taught that “Leadership is nothing more than influence.”  A grand leader must be characterized by integrity, communication, boldness, having the competence to learn from failure, and defined as a servant.  It is a struggle to live out one’s life for the Lord.  As He shows love and grace, so we must also.  There is no strength or growth without faith and struggle.  We are ambassadors for Christ (II Corinthians 5:20), showing and leading the world towards Him.  Pastor Tim Whitney asserted “Our actions can change peoples’ opinion of God.”  What seems like a daunting statement—and it is a serious matter—we aren’t on our own in this.  Regarding Ephesians 2:10, my friend Tyler simply stated: “God has already created the good works, all we have to do is live them out.”  Each day we should strive to lead others to Christ in “such a manner that others could get saved” (Pastor Chip Dean).

Communication influences just about every situation.  Something I find difficult to learn is the ability to be vulnerable.  It’s uncomfortable to share what your deepest thoughts are, but often it is that which is needed.  It’s okay to ask for help.  Chris Deaton, an RD at Liberty University, spoke saying that one must “understand that we are flawed, troubled people, and that God designed us to have deep, genuine relationships.  This process of becoming vulnerable takes patience, as I’m learning.  Patience in oneself and patience with others.  It takes courage to show this type of love, and it is worth it.”  Vulnerability brings people closer, creates an authentic relationship, and sharing our weakness can help others understand how you can grow together and serve God to your best abilities.  Author Annie Downs defines courage as “the quality of spirit the mind is in while enduring fear.”  It is these little acts of bravery and endurance that can change relationships tremendously.

The products of suffering are praise, glory, and honor.  The delayed gratification we must endure produces boldness.  No matter what, our God is King.  In times of hardship, we must remember that God’s truth holds us.  Christ has given us peace (John 14:27), which is the “inner wholeness in the presence of Christ” (Pastor David Nasser), and, because of this, we can have joy, “delight in God for God” (Pastor David Nasser), amidst the trials of this life.  “For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly” I Peter 2:19.  This struggle is God’s grace being displayed in your life.

Through these times of conflict and times of peace, we must serve the people God has placed in our lives.  As Christ came to serve, we must do likewise (Mark 10:45).  Pastor Tim stated that pretending someone did not hurt you is not a product of forgiveness; we must behold “extravagant forgiveness” and bless those who have hurt us (Matthew 5:43-46).  God has gifted us beyond what we deserve, and Pastor David Stone reminds us that we can serve using our spiritual gifts, personality, abilities, and experiences to spread God’s love and His grace.  Pray to the Lord; give and give thanks, for He is a merciful God.  Serve and give love.  Give mercy to those hard to love and remember who has shown you great mercy.  Persevere when it is hard and you feel as though you have accomplished nothing.  “What we do does not go unnoticed by God.”—Tim Whitney.  Serve faithfully.

Be aware of the influence you have.  Take risks to show the love of Christ.  Never give up on the ones who you pray for—a task I find somehow hard to continue.  Prayer is powerful.  Open up to those around you and join me in the pursuit of becoming vulnerable.  Endure the hardship and trust in the Most High God.  Make your mission to serve Christ and His people.  Give and forgive.  Make serving come naturally, and allow the Lord to work in you.

For Further Reading:

I Corinthians 9:24-27

I Peter 4:8,10

Romans 5:1

Ephesians 4:1-2