2 Peter 1: 3 says, "His Divine power has given us everything we need for life & Godliness." This verse is very encouraging & is often quoted in sermons and teaching materials. We can safely assume that we have everything we need to do what God has called us to do. However, the verse does not stop there. The verse actually says, "His Divine power has given us everything we need for life & Godliness through our knowledge of Him." The vehicle by which we receive everything we need from God for leadership is; "our knowledge of Him!" In order to have knowledge of God, we need to have had a revelation of Him and also know what he is saying to us through the Word of God; Rhema words, spiritual gifts and all the other ways God speaks.

In order to acknowledge Him, we need to know what He is saying to us. The Bible on my desk has 1094 pages, full of God's words for me. My study & understanding of it increases my capacity to hear from, embrace & follow what He is saying to me

Proverbs 3:1 is clear that we "remember His teaching" by following his advice for our lives. If Jesus did only what His Father was doing, the question for you is, "Are you doing what your Father in heaven wants you to do!" Jesus mandate for leadership in effect was to "see it in heaven & copy it on earth!" Your method of acknowledging God is to "get the words of heaven for you & follow it!" When you have done that, then you can declare the words of Acts 13:36 over your life, "David (insert your name here) served the purposes of God in his generation & then he died!"

What is God saying to you about your leadership role?

3. Delve into God's treasure box

Proverbs 3:3 says; "Let love & faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck."
My Daughter Georgia is six years old. One of her prize possessions is her treasure box. She will often run upstairs into her room, and bring out this pink; love heart shaped, furry box which is filled with plastic necklaces, bangles & rings. She will then adorn herself with these beauties & parade for all to see, ensuring all the onlookers respond with the appropriate ooohs & aaahs.

It is natural in our leadership development to delve into different arena's in order to progress; relationships, financial investments, new teaching resources etc. This is all well and good, however Proverbs 3:3 encourages us first to delve into God's treasure box & wear "love & faithfulness" for all to see. God's promise to us, is that if we wear "love & faithfulness" then he will give us "Favour & a good name" two ingredients of leadership that we all seek.

All too often we seek the; favour; influence & reputation. These are examples of us "playing God's role again!" Simply, if we wear "Love & faithfulness", God will grant us influence.

The Love we are talking about, is the selfless, expect nothing in return love that Jesus so willingly displayed when He died on the cross for us. Imagine what your city or village would be like if every Christian lived such a "love giving" life?

Faithfulness on the other hand is many things, but one thing it certainly is, is "Honour!" Recently my wife and I saw the movie "The Last Samurai" starring Tom Cruise. In this incredibly uplifting movie, the samurai (meaning; to serve) willingly served & gave their lives for their lords. After the movie, Sophia thought out loud & mused as to why movies like that made you feel good and had the effect of lifting your spirit. The answer is simply that man was created to Honour! That's why when we see honour portrayed, we are lifted to a new level.

Choosing to live the leadership lifestyle of; love & honour is living to acknowledge God.

Who could you love more today? Who could you honour more today?

4. Practice the bend & snap

Proverbs 3:5 says; "Trust in the Lord with all your heart & lean not on your own understanding!"
In marriage, it is common place to do things you would not naturally be inclined to do. For example take out the garbage! The bin in the kitchen & the emptying of it is a job I am inclined not to do, but somehow the lot in our house falls on me & so my job is to take it out. (I especially hate it when something falls out & onto the floor meaning that I have to get old stale food on my hands - yuk!)