“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” - I Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV).
The Apostle Paul might not have gone to a School of Management but his relation with those around him shows one who had mastered leadership principles. Writing to the Romans he went at great length to enumerate all those whom he had served with, name by name, expressing gratefulness.
He mentioned “our sister Phoebe” (Romans 16:1) and called any to assist her as needed. Then he added “Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus” (vv 3). Paul went on, “Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia” (vv 5). He moves on to add, “Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you” (vv 6). Then there is “Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me” (vv 7).
Almost the entire Chapter is about people. One great management theorist, Mary Parker Follet, described a manager as one “who gets work done through others.” The success of Paul’s ministry, can be linked to, among others, his knack at knowing and valuing people as we see here. He remembered those he had served with in great detail recognizing their role: “Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord” (vv 8), he adds. “Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test” (vv 9-10).
Who are the people around you and do you often pause to recognize them for their role in your work? No leader excels by themselves, but it is through the cooperative effort of people around him that he accomplishes results. Today, just like Paul, go back and remember those who have made things happen and possibly it is only you whom everybody recognized. A note, a text or even a call, wouldn’t do bad to motivate them more.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I thank you for all the people around me and their contributions in my life and help me honor them, as is fitting, for the extension of your kingdom, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
Related upcoming events
-
20/04/2024 - 21/04/2024 All day“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Cor 16:13)
Tourists who happen to visit Bukingham palace will be expected to notice the King’s royal guards. Dressed in colorful often red uniforms and adorning tall black helmets they stand on guard and no one dare cross them. Elsewhere in life we find guards in all manner of places quite firm on deterring any intruder wherever they may be.
For us Believers being on constant guard is a calling we must permanently observe. And why? Once in the course of his work, “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (Mathew 16:23). Peter had just protested that he would not deny Jesus only to be sported out!
There is something for us to note here. Satan had penetrated the ranks of Jesus and was going through his closest disciple. It is clear that Peter was not even aware that he was being used. Anyway, he found his target, Jesus, was on guard. Immediately Satan was sent packing.
No Believer is immune to attacks from Satan. After all when once the Lord asked Satan his whereabouts: “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it” (Job 1:7). Clearly the guy is out there 24/7 looking for whom to devour. “Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as you have warned us to be on “guard” help me ever to be on the watch out for the attacks of the enemy and with your word rebuke Satan, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
