Tag: isaacboluwatise

Leadership Is through Servanthood

December 4th, 2024

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Mark 10:45, NIV)

Servanthood is at the heart of leadership in God’s kingdom. Jesus, the ultimate leader, embodied this truth. Though He held all authority, He chose to serve rather than demand service. His life and death illustrated that leadership is not about status but sacrifice.

It was difficult for the disciples to grasp the principle. The request of James and John for power (Mark 10:35-45) mirrored the natural craving in humanity for attention and recognition. Jesus however, in a gentle manner, yet firmly, corrected their perspective. True greatness is in service, not superiority. It was with humility that Christ healed the sick, fed the hungry, and ultimately gave His life for sinners. His approach was not mere charity; it was transformative leadership.

Think of leaders in your life who left an indelible impact. Chances are, their influence came not from authority but from selfless service. True leadership commits to lifting others, empowering their grow, and pointing them to God. An unknown writer expressed this idea well. They stated: “The measure of a man’s greatness is not the number of servants he has. It is the number of people he serves.”

Servant leadership finds joy in uplifting others, not in seeking rewards. This true leadership echoes Christ’s call to prioritize the needs of others above personal needs. When we lead through service, we showcase the values of God’s kingdom. We do this in a world desperate for hope.

Challenge, Prayer, and Further Reading:
Pray for a leader’s heart—one that seeks to serve rather than dominate. Find a way to lead others by example. You can mentor someone, help a neighbour, or offer a listening ear. Look further into Luke 22:26–27 and John 13:3-5 for deeper insights about Christ’s servant leadership model. Meditate also on Galatians 5:13, which calls us to humbly serve one another in love.

Authentic leadership transforms because it flows from a heart anchored in Christ’s humility.

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Love in Action

November 26th, 2024

“Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39, NIV)

Love for others isn’t a choice—it is a mandate, a hallmark of Kingdom citizenship. Jesus’ words challenge our biases, compel forgiveness, and demand empathy. This is not a sentimental affection but a deliberate act of will that prioritizes the well-being of others.

In a world plagued by division, Kingdom Love offers a radical choice. It dares to extend kindness to strangers and enemies alike. It embraces the wounded, reconciles the estranged, and uplifts the forgotten. It moves beyond words into action, meeting practical needs and soothing emotional wounds. Such love is costly but profoundly rewarding.

In the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “We must learn to regard people less in light of what they do or omit to do and more in the light of what they suffer.” Christlike love observes suffering and responds with mercy. It transcends race, class, and offense, reflecting God’s boundless mercy.

The modern world often builds walls of exclusion and judgment. Kingdom love dismantles those walls, paving the way for unity and peace. Reconciliation flourishes when we embody this love, and the Kingdom’s light shines brighter. But this love requires purposeful action. It calls us to see others through God’s eyes and value their worth.

Our love for others reflects our love for God. According to 1 John 4:7–21, without love, our faith is incomplete. When we choose to love our neighbours, we mirror Jesus’ compassion and invite others to experience His grace.

Pray for someone you have struggled to love. Ask God to soften your heart and renew your perspective. Take one practical step toward reconciliation this week. Send a note, make a call, or offer a helping hand. Record the outcome and think about how your obedience affected you. Read Romans 12:9–21 and Philippians 2:3–8. Let these passages challenge and deepen your commitment to love in action. Pray: “Lord, teach me to see others through Your eyes and love them as You do.”
Walking Humbly with God

November 22nd, 2024

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” — James 4:10

Humility lays the foundation for justice and mercy to flourish. Without it, noble intentions risk becoming self-serving. In chapter 4:10, James asked believers to embrace humility. This attitude and virtue will create space for God’s transforming empowerment in their lives. Humility magnifies God’s greatness by shifting the focus from personal ambition to His sovereign will.

Jesus consistently exemplified humility in His ministry. Although He held the right to divine exaltation, He chose servanthood instead. In John 13:1–17, Jesus knelt to wash the feet of His disciples—a task assigned to servants. This act challenged cultural norms and revealed that true leadership in God’s Kingdom begins with humility. He referred to this ethos in John 13:14. He said, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”

Walking humbly with God requires surrendering self-directed agendas and recognizing Him as the source of all gifts. Mary, the mother of Jesus, exemplifies this surrender. Faced with the extraordinary call to carry the Messiah, she declared, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38). Her humility allowed God’s divine plan to unfold through her obedience.

In a culture fixated on pride and self-promotion, humility disrupts societal expectations. It compels believers to prioritize God’s glory over personal advancement, to listen before speaking, and to elevate others above themselves. Humility builds unity, strengthens relationships, and invites God’s wisdom to shape decisions and actions.

Consider areas in your life where pride may obscure your relationship with God. Reflect on how you can relinquish control and embrace humility in your interactions. Surrender fosters divine strength, enabling God’s presence to guide and sustain your journey.

Pray to the Lord to lead you to walk humbly before Him, entrusting His plans above your ambitions. Ask for His help to elevate others and reflect His humility through your service. Resolve today to humble yourself and actively seek opportunities to uplift others for His glory.

For further reflection, read Psalm 103:8–13. In this passage, God reveals His compassion and mercy by forgiving sins and remembering human frailty. Further in Micah 6:8, God calls His people to embody justice, mercy, and humility. In James 2:13 also, we see that mercy triumphs over judgment. It encourages believers to extend grace to others as they have received it.
The Essence of True Worship

November 18th, 2024

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” — Micah 6:8

The enduring question of what God desires from His people echoes through generations of faith. Micah 6:8 provides a concise yet profound response. It presents the essence of true worship through three foundational practices: justice, mercy, and humility. These are not abstract ideals but practical expressions of God’s nature in daily life.

Justice embodies God’s unwavering commitment to righteousness. It requires believers to defend the marginalized, confront injustice, and pursue fairness in all relationships. Jesus exemplified this divine standard in His dialogue with the Samaritan woman (John 4:7–26). His willingness to engage her transcended societal norms and dismantled cultural prejudices. In their exchange, Jesus revealed love as a conduit for truth. Justice extends beyond legal adherence, calling believers to reflect God’s integrity in every decision and action.

Mercy reveals the limitless compassion of God. It addresses suffering and bestows undeserved grace on those in need. The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) vividly portrays this virtue. The Samaritan interrupted his journey, treated a stranger’s wounds, and demonstrated care that defied cultural divisions. Mercy demands visible actions that echo God’s care and uplift the dignity of others.

Humility is the foundation that supports both justice and mercy. It grounds believers in the sovereignty of God, acknowledging His supreme authority. Humility also redirects recognition for success and achievements back to God. Jesus exemplified this virtue when He knelt to wash His disciples’ feet (John 13:12–15). Despite being their teacher and Lord, He took on the role of a servant. His humility highlighted God’s greatness, demonstrating obedience and servanthood in action.

Micah 6:8 serves as a timeless guide for authentic faith. It challenges superficial worship and calls believers to embody God’s values. Practicing justice, mercy, and humility confronts the world’s obsession with self-promotion and pride. Although these virtues may be countercultural, they reflect God’s transformative love and lead believers toward true discipleship.

Lord, guide me to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You. Show me opportunities to reflect Your values in my daily interactions. Today, I commit to living a life aligned with Your heart and demonstrating Your love.
Further Reading: John 13:12–15; Matthew 23:23; James 1:27