Genesis 41:38-42 NKJV
“And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God? Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.”
INSIGHT
-Leader in Hebrew is written as Nagiyd and Archégos in Greek, which means a ruler, official or a person of influence. A leader provides guidance and vision, while leadership involves influencing a group to reach its goals. Leadership is a blessing that the Lord gives to people according to His great purposes. Joseph the son of Judah had the ability of interpreting dreams. He spoke by the indwelling and guidance of the Holy Spirit, as referred here as the Spirit of God. Through his leadership, Joseph was able to preserve grain in Egypt and offer providence to his brothers, the nation of Egypt and other regions. Joseph was the governor of Egypt and received the signet ring as the seal bearer of the king who executed all financial matters in the nation. God gives responsibility to leaders of His choice and it vital that we are sensitive to His voice so as to be properly guided for the glory and honor of His name.
PRAYER
Almighty and Everlasting Father how great are You in all the heavens and the earth. You are the One who changes times and seasons. You are the One who deposes kings and raises up others. You are the One who gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. May You sharpen all current and upcoming leaders in Your wisdom so that only Your name will be glorified through them. May You make a way for each one of us to succeed in the purposes that You have designed for us since You established the foundations of this world, and opportunities for Your children in leadership roles. May You cleanse us from all unrighteousness and wash us with Your precious blood. May You provide for all our needs and open double doors for us to prosper in all things. May You guide us through out this week and grant us success in every sphere of our lives. We honor You Lord and give You praise, and it is in Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen
Further reading: Daniel 2:21
Joshua 1:5-7 NKJV
“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.”
INSIGHT
–Joshua ascended to a leadership position after the death of Moses as his successor. The reassures Joshua of His help and support offering his divine protection as a Shield that none shall stand against him. God encourages Joshua that e only needs to be strong and courageous and keep his commandments that he may prosper. Joshua conquered the city of Jericho whose walls collapsed at the sound of trumpets (Joshua 6:1-7), city of AI (Joshua 8:1-29), and the towns of Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir. Like Joshua, God is inviting us to be strong and courageous, keep His Word and be encouraged in Him for He will never us nor forsake us which is a covenantal covenant promise to us.
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus You are Immanuel God with us. You have promised that You will never leave us nor forsake us given any circumstances but we should be strong and courageous. Keep us healthy and strong always dear Lord Jesus. Encourage us to dwell in Your presence and in Your courts each day for there we find safety and peace. In Your presence there is fullness of joy, teach us and enable us to always rejoice in You. May You strengthen all those who are bereaved dear Lord Jesus. May You protect, sustain and offer guidance to our children as they go back to school merciful Savior. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forever more. Amen
Further reading: Deuteronomy 31:1-8
Psalms 78:72 NIV
“And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.”
INSIGHT
–King David was a man after God’s own heart and he observed justice for all. He followed after the leadership design of his father Solomon, who put the interest of the people first before his own. When given the golden chance to ask for everything he desired in the world, Solomon said, “so give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” (1 Kings 3:9). Good leadership is having attentive and caring, understanding and looking after the needs of those they lead. Philippians 2:3-4 exhorts us saying, “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.“ We are called as leaders in various capacities to have humility of heart and put the interests of others first, showing care for the well-being of all.
PRAYER
Dear Almighty Father we thank You for this day that You have made, we rejoice and are glad in it. Thank You for the breath of life that You have given us free. Thank You for the gift of salvation that You have given us free. It is by faith through grace that You have given unto us. Thank You for You are exulted on high dear Lord, and at Your name every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus You are Lord to the glory of the Father. May You forgive us all our sins and iniquities merciful Savior and wash us with Your precious blood. Thank You Lord for You have made us leaders in various capacities. May You anoint us afresh and fill us with Your Spirit of integrity and wisdom that we may rule righteously in our various areas of influence. We honor You Lord and give You praise and it is in Jesus name we pray. Amen
Blessed Wednesday
Further reading: Proverbs 11:3, Psalm 144:1
Acts 10:1-2 NKJV
“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.”
INSIGHT
–Cornelius was a Roman Centurion stationed in Caesarea. He was a God-fearing man who abandoned paganism and was worshipping God together with his household. The Lord showed him a vision of an angel who advised him that his prayers and alms have come up for a memorial before God. Peter was sent to preach to him and his household, and they received Christ in their hearts. According to Micah 6:8 God requires that we love mercy, act justly and walk humbly before God, and He will hear our prayers. We are called to lead justly by demonstrating mercy and humility in our actions and decisions.
PRAYER
Abba Father You have say in Your word that true and undefiled religion before God and the Father is to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. May You grant us hearts of compassion dear Heavenly Father so that we may demonstrate mercy and love to others. Remember Oh Lord all the street families that You may restore them and grant them rest from their troubles. Those who lack food, house rent, shelter, clothing, school fees dear Jehovah Jireh, may You provide for all their needs. May You hear our deepest prayers and answer our hearts desires precious Holy Spirit. May You help us to forgive all those who have offended us and forgive our trespasses too. May You fill us with Your fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control dear Holy Ghost. We give You praise and worship You Lord and it is in Jesus name we pray. Amen
Further reading: James 1:27
Mark 10:42-45 NKJV
“But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
INSIGHT
–Jesus demonstrates true leadership through His life. In the incarnated self He served humanity with love and sacrificed His own life for the salvation of mankind. Jesus emphasizes servant leadership, where greatness is found in service to others rather than personal satisfaction. Christ lives in every believer, our hope of glory (Colossians 1:27), and gives us sufficient grace to take the mantle of leadership that He gives us to achieve success in every good work.
SUMMARY
Leadership is the mandate of influencing and serving others through Christ’s calling in their lives so that we may accomplish God’s purposes for and through them. This text thematically exposes the introduction and examples of effective leaders or leadership but does not evaluate all the values and characteristics of leadership. Joseph was a godly leader who was filled with the Holy Spirit and able to interpret Pharaoh’s dream together with his servants. Joseph was then given the mandate to rule over the Egyptians under the rulership of Pharaoh (Genesis 41:38-42). Like Joseph, Daniel had the ability to interpret dreams and was filled with the Spirit of excellence. Daniel was able to administer justice boldly and he faithfully relied on God even when threatened by death through ravenous lions. Joshua was also a strong and courageous leaders having been encouraged by God assuring him that no man shall be able to stand before him all the days of his life, as the Lord was with Moses. The Lord has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Joshua 1:5-7). David like these great men was also a brave warrior. He killed Goliath with a sling and a stone in the name of the Lord (1 Samuel 17:49). David was chosen king of Israel even as the people thought his brothers were more qualified and handsome. God looks at the heart of our leaders and anoints them for His great purpose. David shepherded the people with integrity of heart and with skillful hands he led them (Psalm 78:72). Like these leaders, God is reminding us that He has a great plan for each one of us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a great future, and therefore we are exhorted to rely upon God and be faithful to His call.
PRAYER
Our dear Heavenly Father we love You, thank You for loving us first. You demonstrate true and effective leadership through Your own life. We acknowledge that You are our King of kings and Lord of lords. We honor You and fear You dear Lord Jesus, which is the beginning of wisdom. We respect You and believe in You Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, our Provider, our Shield, our Protection, our Sustainer, our Helper, our Source, our All in all. None can be compared to You dear Lord Jesus. May You forgive us for every offense and iniquity that we have committed either knowingly or unknowingly, willingly and unwillingly. May You cleanse us and our bloodlines with Your precious blood. Dear Lord Jesus may You anoint us afresh for the great work that You have chosen us to do for the glory and honor of Your name. May You grant us Your enduring favor, and grant us the grace to move from one level to the next. May You fill us with the grace of endurance that we may overcome every temptation that comes our way. Lord may You do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask of or think of according to the power that is at work in us. Lord we trust in You and exalt You. We believe that You are able to do more than we can think of or imagine. We believe that we shall be extremely fruitful since we abide in You and You in us. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives and we shall dwell in Your house forever. May You bless us and keep us loving Father, may You shine Your face upon us and be gracious to us. May You lift up Your countenance towards us and give us peace. Amen
Blessed Weekend
Further reading: Romans 8:10, 2 Corinthians 4:6-7