S3.E8 - Don't Miss Out

Leadership Lesson Podcast: Season 3 Episode 8 - Don’t Miss Out

Pastor Daniel talks about not missing out on what God has for you in your life and ministry. Based on 1 Samuel 1-4, Daniel recounts the failures of Eli the priest and how the Lord instructs us through failure. Eli had a clear calling by God. He was around the things of God, but he wasn’t worshipping God. He missed out on seeing God work in Hannah’s life when she prayed in the temple for a son. God wants us to focus on Him, on the Giver over the gift. We can get so busy in ministry that we neglect our relationship with the Lord. Eli was fulfilling basic duties, but we are told in 1 Samuel 3:1, 3: And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision…The lamp of God had not yet gone out. Eli was not hearing from God. We are exhorted to abide in Him. Unless we abide in Jesus, we cannot produce fruit. (John 15:4,5) Finally, don’t miss out by compromising your character. Eli made this mistake as well. He did not rebuke his sons and honored man over God (1 Samuel 2:25-30). When we sin and compromise our integrity and character, it produces death. It’s knowing what’s right and not doing it. God gives us these warnings because He doesn’t want us to lose out. Acknowledge His grace and focus your life on Jesus.

QUOTES:

“We need to learn from our mistakes. We need to have humility.”

“As John Maxwell always says, ‘We need to fall forward,’ walking in humility, because God pours out His grace on those that are humble.”

“When we come together and lead His church, this is the grace of God.”

“God is always working, but we have to be looking for it.”

“The task of every generation is to discover in which direction the Sovereign Redeemer is moving and then move in that direction.” - Jonathan Edwards

“Busy-ness doesn’t equal effectiveness.”

“Just because you’re doing good things doesn’t mean you’re doing God things.”

“The most effective way to make Christian leaders is to be one ourselves.”

“God takes sin seriously in our lives as church leaders.” 

“We will not miss out if we are able to abide in Jesus.”

3 MINUTE MESSAGE:

LISTENING by Joe Williams | Proverbs 19:20

"Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future." Proverbs 19:20

LINKS:

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

Leadership Lessons/One Piece of Advice/Blog/Recommended Books: eeleaders.com

S2.E20 - Working Hard

Leadership Lesson Podcast Season 2 Episode 20 - Working Hard

Pastor Daniel talks about the importance of hard work in the ministry, sharing what the word of God has to say about this vital subject. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10) God wants us to be doing the good work He has prepared for us. Work is a response to God’s grace. What should be our attitude toward work? Is it a curse? How does the gospel redeem our work? This is a message of hope as we reset our perspective on the nature and purpose of work. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24)

QUOTES: 

“Work is a big deal. It’s a big deal to God.” -Daniel Williams

“Being a church leader is incredible, but it is also hard work.” -Daniel Williams

“We aren’t saved by works, but we are saved to work.” -Daniel Williams

“Man is made in the image of God and made to work, made to create.” -Daniel Williams

“God can use the gift of work to bring value to our lives, to bring Him glory, to be a witness to this world in how we work, as unto the Lord.” -Daniel Williams

One Piece of Advice | Working Hard for the Lord

Pastor Cameron Barber, Calvary South Sound, Lakewood, Washington, shares his advice from Proverbs 6:6-8—Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. These are a particular type of ants. When it is time to work, they work—and when it’s time to rest, they rest. That is a lesson we need to learn. 

“We make idols out of work.” -Cameron Barber

“God blesses in times of work and times of rest.” -Cameron Barber

“God is in control and we’re not.” -Cameron Barber

LINKS: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

Leadership Lessons/One Piece of Advice/Blog/Recommended Books: eeleaders.com

S2.E19 - Studying The Bible

Leadership Lesson Podcast Season 2 Episode 19 - Studying The Bible

Pastor Daniel talks about the importance of studying God’s word, following the example of the Bereans in Acts 17:1, who…received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. The practice of studying God’s word is essential in growing as a disciple of Jesus. Daniel shares a Bible study tool from Greg Laurie’s book, Start to Follow. It is the 3 Rs: Read: What does God’s word say?; Reflect: What does this teach me about God?;  Respond: What will I do with what I just learned? Teaching people to read the Bible is no small matter in a culture where the vast majority of people do not read a book after finishing high school or college. It needs to be taken seriously. If you don’t like to read, ask God to change your heart. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. Psalm 119:18. A practical message and a great encouragement!

QUOTES

“We are to be in God’s word, under God’s authority, men and women of the word.” -Daniel Williams

“People who want to know God need to learn how to study the Bible, to build their faith.” -Daniel Williams

‘We can go to God’s word and know who He is, and know God’s heart.” -Daniel Williams

“The discipline of reading has been lost, but it’s important for us as Christians to know that it’s part of our faith. It’s part of our education to learn what God has said.” -Daniel Williams

“The Bible is a supernatural book.” -Daniel Williams

“God’s word is the final authority.” -Daniel Williams

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16,17)

How To Read The Bible Series: 

Can we trust the Bible? Is it full of errors? Is the scripture we read today the same as what was written thousands of years ago?

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This video is Part 2 of 3 of a video series on How To Read The Bible. This was part of a talk that Bryan & Katie Saylor shared at The Harbor, the young adult ministry of Calvary Chapel Melbourne. In this video, they share 3 reasons that the Bible is trustworthy. Reason #1 - External Evidence, Reason #2 - Internal Evidence, and Reason #3 - Fulfilled Prophecy.

LINKS:

How To Read The Bible Series with Bryan & Katie Saylor:

Part 1 - 3 Reasons Why People Don't Read Their Bible: https://youtu.be/7_JbvSPjEU4

Part 2 - Is The Bible Trustworthy?: https://youtu.be/jYQZs5rNc9A

Part 3 - 5 Steps Toward Bible Reading: https://youtu.be/Rl4lUEahnsY

Evidence For The Bible by Charlie Campbell:

https://www.alwaysbeready.com/bible-evidence

CanWe Trust The bible by Charlie Campbell: 

https://www.alwaysbeready.com/can-we-trust-the-bible

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

Leadership Lessons/One Piece of Advice/Blog/Recommended Books: eeleaders.com

S1.E23 - The Weapon of Prayer

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 1 Episode 23 - The Weapon of Prayer

In this episode, Pastor Daniel gets excitied, encouraging everyone to pray! Understand this: prayer is a spiritual weapon. “You are in spiritual battle. If you are ignorant or ignore that fact, you probably aren’t winning the battle.” (David Guzik) The Apostle Peter describes this reality in 1 Peter 5:8: Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. No amount of studying or skill can overcome a lack of prayer. God’s power is activated through prayer. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 John 5:14-15) We all need this reminder of the amazing access to God’s strength and power through prayer.  

In this week’s One Piece of Advice, Pastor Julius Sanna, Joy Church, Delray Beach, FL shares from Proverbs 3:5 about trusting in God with all of our heart.

One Piece of Advice - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart

Pastor Julius Sanna, Joy Church, Delray Beach, FL shares his insight into the wisdom of Proverbs 3:5 to trust in the Lord with all of your heart. The limits of our own understanding of situations as leaders forces us to sometimes stop or take a pause to ask God what’s next. “God is always available for us to approach. When you lean on God, God is able to direct your path.” During times of adversity and challenges, we need to remember this. Adding fasting to your prayer life can clarify God’s leading. “When I’m calling on God..and I add fasting…it clears my ears so that I’m not only calling on God, but when He speaks, I can hear Him so clearly.” Make fasting a habit of your prayer life. Like Jesus, we need to separate ourselves from the noise of life and listen to the Father. Prayer gives you the strength to apply what God has instructed you to do. 

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Quotes:

“Many people devote themselves to studying God’s word and preparation but not necessarily prayer.” -Daniel Williams

“If you are strangers to prayer, you are strangers to power.” - Billy Sunday

“We must be aware of the fact that we are in a battle. And we must know how to fight as men and women of God.” -Daniel Williams

“As soon as you pray, God is on the move.” -Daniel Williams

“There is a huge impact on our world when we are men and women of prayer, trusting in God, depending on Him.” -Daniel Williams

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Links:

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

Leadership Lessons/One Piece of Advice/Blog/Recommended Books: eeleaders.com

S1.E15 - Spiritual Disciplines

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 1: Episode 15 - Spiritual Disciplines

In this episode, Pastor Daniel talks about ways to cultivate our faith through the practice of  spiritual disciplines and why these disciplines are so vital. In his book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Donald Whitney says, “In my own pastoral and personal Christian experience, I can say that I have never known a man or a woman who came to spiritual maturity except through discipline. Godliness comes through discipline.” In 1 Timothy 4:7-8, Paul instructs Timothy to undertake this training: Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. Spiritual disciplines do not need to be complicated. It is more about seeking to be in the presence of God and using spiritual disciplines as a way to get to know Him and trust Him. Making the word of God your first priority, worshipping God through singing, fasting and praying, practicing a Sabbath day of rest, giving thanks to God, having fellowship/community with other believers, serving others—these are just some examples of spiritual disciplines that will draw you closer to Jesus. How are you seeking God’s presence through spiritual disciplines? What is the next step for you? “From faith to faith. Step by step. There is profit in godliness. The way that we become godly is by being with God.”

One Piece of Advice | Proverbs & Spiritual Discipline

This week’s One Piece of Advice, is actually taken from a 3-Minute Message series on  Proverbs that Redemption Church did last summer. In this video, Pastor Robby Christmas, from Family Church in West Palm Beach, FL encourages the church to be diligent in practicing spiritual disciplines. 

Link: https://redemptiondb.com/the-book-of-proverbs-3-minute-messages

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QUOTES:

“To have spiritual disciplines cultivates our faith, it takes work, it takes time, it takes effort—but it is definitely worth it.” -Daniel Williams

“So many times in our life, we don’t want to do things that make us uncomfortable, that are hard—even the word discipline, that you practice this effort—but the Bible says if we are going to grow in our faith we need to practice spiritual discipline.” -Daniel Williams

“We want to do things that help our faith grow, to trust in Jesus more. In any good relationship, there’s work.” -Daniel Williams

“We can actually limit God in our lives because we lack faith and trust in Him. We don’t do what He says because we don’t believe what He says.” -Daniel Williams

“The best thing for you as a ministry leader is this—to be in the presence of the Lord. This is how I view spiritual disciplines. We get to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord, and we get to seek Him. That should be your top priority. And that should be my top priority.” -Daniel Williams

“Knowing the living God—Jesus, the King—changes everything. Out of that intimacy flows ministry.” -Daniel Williams

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Links: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

Leadership Lessons/One Piece of Advice/Blog/Recommended Books: eeleaders.com

3 Minute Messages by Redemption Church Delray Beach: https://redemptiondb.com/3-minute-messages/

S1.E14 - From Faith to Faith

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 1: Episode 14 - From Faith to Faith

In this week’s episode, Pastor Daniel talks about having faith in different seasons of life and ministry, how important it is for us as church leaders to trust God no matter what is going on at any given time. “It is from faith to faith that we are to live, to walk by faith and not by sight.” This type of faith is cultivated. It grows and changes. What may have taken a huge step of faith in our life three years ago may not be the same today. God grows our faith step by step. What is faith and why is it important for us as ministry leaders? “Faith is trust in someone or something. Our salvation comes by faith. We are saved by grace through faith. We trust that God has the power to do this.” In Chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews, we are given great examples of faith and this definition: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) One of the temptations of having the gift of leadership is to begin to trust in our own abilities rather than trusting in God. But we need to constantly remind ourselves, through prayer and intentional reliance upon Him, that God Himself is the source of our plans and any success we may have. Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? (Galatians 3:3) How can you cultivate your faith today? What is God telling you to do that requires faith? Daniel gives four reasons why faith is important in this and every season of life. You don’t want to miss it. You will be encouraged.

In this week’s One Piece of Advice, Ben Courson, founder and director of Hope Generation, shares his advice about how to cultivate our faith by taking risks in ministry.

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One Piece of Advice | Don’t Be Afraid to Take Risks

Pastor Ben Courson, Medford, Oregon shares his advice based on Proverbs 14:14—Where no oxen are, the trough is clean. But much increase comes by the strength of an ox. Ben describes this as a farmer who is proud of his pristine barn when, in reality, he has no animals. What is the point in having a clean barn if there is no produce? “I would rather have a messy, pig stye, productive life than a pristine, problem-free, pointless life.” Sometimes we think the purpose of our lives is to to keep our lives clean, to never take any risks. But the truth is, every failure and mess you learn from is a step toward the victory. “God turns massive messes into messages for the masses.” Many famously successful people have a long track record of failures: Reggie Jackson, Walt Disney, Dr. Seuss, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Abraham Lincoln…they didn’t let their failures keep them from pushing headlong into life. “We might fail, but God’s love never fails—that’s what counts. Don’t be afraid to take risks. You might have a messy barn, but at least you’re going to have some produce! It ain’t about how high you climb, it’s about how high you bounce back when you hit bottom.” You can follow Ben and his ministry, Hope Generation, at bencourson.com

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Quotes:

“Seasons were given to us by God. They’re for a reason. Without change, without seasons, we can become stagnant and just take for granted the season we are in.” -Daniel Williams

“We need to cultivate our faith. We need to exercise our faith to get stronger like a muscle, and we need to continue to put on more weight and to continue to walk by faith, one step after another.” -Daniel Williams

“As Christians our faith is based on God’s word, based on what He is telling us. He asks us to listen to His voice, to understand who He is, and to base our lives off of who He says He is and the promises that He tells us to walk in.” -Daniel Williams

“We will be blessed when we trust in Jesus and His word.” -Daniel Williams

“You are the mission of Jesus…He puts us in situations to build our faith. He is sovereign. He is good.” -Daniel Williams

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Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

Leadership Lessons/One Piece of Advice/Blog/Recommended Books: eeleaders.com

S1.E11 - The Importance of Prayer

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Season 1: Episode 11 - The Importance of Prayer

Pastor Daniel talks about the overarching importance of prayer in leadership. Prayer comes first. Everything we do must be surrendered to God in prayer. A simple definition of prayer is talking and listening to God. “We need to be men and women of prayer who prioritize talking and walking with God, and relying on His strength, His will, His power.” Jesus taught us that when we pray we ought to be asking for God’s will to be done, not our own. Daniel shares his own story of how he grew in this area of prayer through the experience of church planting In Delray Beach, Florida, and being totally dependent upon God. “We really saw God direct us over and over and over again through prayer.” Asking God for opportunities, not knowing anyone in the city, then going out and sharing the gospel with people wherever they went—and people responded to the power of God’s grace. “We got to see God do His greatest miracle—saving a soul.” All of these things happened as a result of God’s response to prayer. When we ask, He moves. Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2). Jesus modeled this for us in His ministry and taught His disciples to pray. Not if you pray, but when you pray. We need to see prayer as a great privilege and to grasp that it is God’s desire to know us and for us to know Him. Prayer should be an integral part of every area of ministry. Seeing God work through prayer builds confidence and trust in Him so that we know whether He says yes or no or not yet, He knows what we need and when we need it. Ultimately prayer changes us. We were made to worship and just as Moses was changed by being in the presence of God, so, too, as we worship Him we reflect Him to the people. Daniel discusses practical ways to build the habit of prayer in your life, For more information and great resources on prayer go to redemptiondb.com/30for30prayer. In this week’s One Piece of Advice, Pastor Eric Souza talks about having godly character (that part of us that is changed to reflect God through prayer) and why it is essential in ministry.

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One Piece of Advice | Having Godly Character

Pastor Eric Souza, Jacksonville, Florida, talks about the importance of having godly character. Having godly character is crucial, really, for leadership but also for Christian living in general. In      Timothy 3, Paul lists the expectations for bishops and elders and other church leaders. And in 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul says to “imitate me as I imitate Christ.” “This should be our verse as leaders. The people we shepherd need to be able to see Jesus in us. They need to be able to look to us as that positive example.” This is the only way to have an effective and fruitful ministry. “If we expect to lead anybody, we need to show them.” The fact is, godliness needs to be real to you. Christianity needs to be real to you. Godly character is incredibly important because it validates our ministry to people. It makes us authentic because we are living what we are preaching. 

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Quotes:

“As His servants, serving His church, it is important to be in communion with Him, to listen to our Master. And when we pray, we actually align our hearts up with His will.” -Daniel Williams

“I think it is so important that we testify of the importance of prayer and how as leaders we see God work.” -Daniel Williams

“God expects His people to pray.” -Daniel Williams

“Jesus wants you to see the blessing in prayer. God wants to have a relationship with you.” -Daniel Williams

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Links: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

Leadership Lessons/One Piece of Advice/Blog/Recommended Books: eeleaders.com

S1.E6 - Your Schedule

EE Leaders | Leadership Lessons Episode 6: Your Schedule

In this jam-packed episode, Daniel talks about the importance of planning your schedule. Good planning is part of good stewardship, of managing your time wisely. But you can’t do that unless you know what you’re supposed to be doing. That starts with understanding the will of God for your life. Ask God to show you that. Seek it out. Hebrews 12:1 talks about the sins that “easily entangle” us. We need to be vigilant; we don’t want to be held back or tripped up by Satan’s schemes. “If God has told you to go left and you’re going right, that is not a very wise thing.” Then, based on what God has called you to do, what He says is valuable for you to do, plan your schedule. Implementing the plan is essential. Daniel shares a helpful tool for prioritizing your schedule by using four categories: 1)Important; 2)Unimportant; 3)Urgent; 4)Non-urgent. You will hear how he does it and how it can help you with your planning. God repeatedly reminds us in His word to make His priorities ours. Have an eternal perspective. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.(Colossians 3:2) Learn to say NO. This keeps you focused and productive. Go to God daily and set your schedule before Him. Then trust Him when things don’t go according to your plan. Be flexible, but schedule it. “What gets scheduled gets done.” (Michael Hyatt) Daniel walks you through his schedule to get an idea of what this looks like for him, including how to block your time and the invaluable practice of taking a sabbath day. And always remember Who your focus is; Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. (Proverbs 12:21) In this week’s One Piece of Advice, Pastor Lewis Williams reminds us of this very thing.

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One Piece of Advice - Trust in the Lord

Pastor Lewis Williams, Houston, Texas, shares the advice found in Proverbs 3:5-6—Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Everyone prizes having knowledge and being smart, but we always come up short. We think we know, but we don’t. It is the Lord who knows. “Trust means we give Him our full confidence. All our heart means we don’t have room in our heart for anything besides God.” Don’t lean on your own understanding means don’t you do the thinking. Let God tell you. “In everything that we do, God should be somehow recognized—before, during and after, as Christians.” When we go our own way without asking or trusting God, things don’t turn out very well. But when we trust God first, it goes much better. “He knows the direction that you need to go, that is best for your development.”

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Quotes:

“As a leader, as a Christian man, I want to be able to be a good steward and faithful to God and worship God with my time…and so I want to be aware of how I’m spending my time and I want to invest my time wisely." -Daniel Williams

“Just because we’re busy does not mean we’re effective. We need to make sure we understand that. You can be busy but not be fruitful. Are you busy doing the right things and are you busy doing it in God’s strength, through His Spirit? -Daniel Williams

“So we want to schedule our time, we want to plan according to the word of God and what He tells us that we should be valuing, what He tells us is important and unimportant.” -Daniel Williams

“God is a planner. Before the foundations of the earth He planned to come and save us. He is an amazing planner!” -Daniel Williams

“Planning has changed my life dramatically because it’s allowed me to say the simple word: NO.  Because when I know the things God has called me to do, I can say yes to those things and no to other things.” -Daniel Williams

“In everything that we do, God should be somehow recognized—before, during and after, as Christians.” -Lewis Williams

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Links: 

Contact Daniel: daniel@eeleaders.com

Leadership Lessons/One Piece of Advice/Blog/Recommended Books: eeleaders.com