Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7-9
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
How do we lead with love in times of conflict? Resolve to Inquire of the Lord—this doesn’t come natural, but supernatural by allowing the Holy Spirit to make us aware that we are afraid—But God is Awesome and in absolute control. The question we need to ask ourselves is: “What is my Response when I encounter threatening news that will affect me or my ministry? Prayerfully instead of falling apart we would practice falling into place—Seeking His Face—Hearing from Him—and be Obedient to React in love! To do this we must understand (EQ) and (IQ)—Our emotional reaction (EQ) is more important than our (IQ)—The (EQ) gives you the ability to respond with the reasoning part of the brain not on the emotional part.
Predetermine be Prepared to have a Reaction of love. Patience + Predetermine + Persistence = Progress.
5 P’s to Remember: Patience—Predetermine—Persistence = Progress not Perfection. Most of the time there is not a perfect solution to the problem but a practical and powerful one. Our emotions should be Indicators, not Dictators of how we react in a situation—God gives us emotions to Enjoy not Destroy life.
Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard 2 Chronicles 20:3-5
Some time later, the armies of Moab and Ammon, together with the Meunites, went to war against Jehoshaphat. Messengers told Jehoshaphat, “A large army from Edom east of the Dead Sea has invaded our country. They have already reached En-Gedi.” Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he asked the Lord what to do. He then told the people of Judah to go without eating to show their sorrow. They immediately left for Jerusalem to ask for the Lord’s help. After everyone from Judah and Jerusalem had come together at the Lord’s temple, Jehoshaphat stood in front of the new courtyard and prayed: You, Lord, are the God our ancestors worshiped, and from heaven you rule every nation in the world. You are so powerful that no one can defeat you. 2 Chronicles 20:1-6
Until we resolve to know the Battle Belongs to God—we will chase everything but the Lord’s Solution. In the middle of conflict our eyes must stay on the Master—Because we will STEER where we STARE! As leaders we are to Plant, Plow, and Perspire—Be obedient to God—He will bring Strength, Strategy, and Solution to see His Vision become Reality! If His Power is at work in us the Influence of Reach is UNLIMITED! Remember, Leaders Lead, if we get there first and turn around and there is not anyone there we are not Leading!
He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’” 2 Chronicles 20:15-17
Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. 2 Chronicles 20:27
The Bottom Line Is This:
- We need Healthy Relationships to be Better Leaders!
- Every Person matters to God!
- Our Reactions determine our Reach!
- The Battle is God’s not ours!
