Day 70: Colossians 1:11

“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy”



Power is one of the biggest idols in our world today. If you’re honest with yourself, deep down most of us crave power.


Power is one of those things that we can easily be consumed with, and when we are, we do all sorts of terrible things to gain power and keep it. We step on people. We cheat, we lie, we steal, and we turn our backs on God.


Funny thing is, God wants to give us power. Let me put it another way. God wants to exercise power through us. He doesn’t want some egotistical alpha-dog brat running around abusing power. He wants a humble servant that allows God to do amazing things through him and then turns around and gives God all the credit.


Paul prays that the Colossians are strengthened with all power. Think about that. Paul wants the Colossians to experience strength based on all of God’s power. That’s a lot of strength, and it’s available to those that will accept it for the glory of God rather than for their own empire-building.


Notice something else really cool here. Most people assume that power is used to overcome, to win, to destroy, and to lead. Paul is praying power for a different reason: endurance and patience.


Weird, right? Paul wants the Colossians to have power so they can be patient and endure what they are going through. Not to overcome it, not to destroy evil, not even to defend themselves, but to endure the hardship at hand and to be patient for God’s working.


The Christian leader does not crave power. They rely on God’s power, which He gives us freely in the Holy Spirit. We use this power not for our gain, but to strengthen us in godliness.


Christian Leadership Principle: Power is not something that we should want or use in our discretion. God exercises His power through us as He sees fit, and we are to glorify Him in it’s use.


Here’s a set of verses to meditate on today: Ephesians 3:14-21


Prayer: Father, help me not to crave power. Help me to recognize Your power and to glorify You for it. Give me your power to strengthen me for patience and endurance. In Christ’s name, amen.

Day 61: 1 Thessalonians 2:5-6

“For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.”



Motivations is a very important thing. God doesn’t only judge us for our actions, but for our motivations as well. Unfortunately for us this means that we can do good things for the wrong reasons, thus sinning, and also have good things we try to do go completely bad. Kind of a bummer.


Here’s three motivations that you don’t want to get caught with as you spend your time as Christian leaders: flattery, greed, or glory. These are three killer motivations. Notice they have nothing to do with bringing glory to God, but rather to yourself. Notice they don’t benefit the Kindgom of God, either. They benefit the kingdom of you.


This world is full of salesmen. If you’ve ever been on the wrong end of a sales pitch, you know what it’s like, and usually, you can tell what the salesman’s motivation is. Usually they want to sell you something so they get paid. It’s their job. Sometimes they are trying to sell you an idea, and they tell you how smart you’ll be or good looking you’ll be if you will only use their product or adopt their idea. Commercials are good at this. Other times, they are selling themselves. They want you to know how good they are.


Please don’t misunderstand me: I’m not beating up salespeople; I’m just saying a Christian leader doesn’t employ the motivations of greed, glory, or flattery when we tell others about Jesus Christ, or lead in our businesses or ministries.


Our motivations must be pure, love for God, which leads us to share the gospel because God wants us to, and love of others, which will lead us to take care of others and do things for them, not us.


A Christian leader has to live of course, and we’re all prideful enough that sooner or later we’ll attempt to bring glory to ourselves, but remember: God knows what we need, and He will not leave us to ourselves. If we obey and honor God, He’ll take care of the rest. We don’t need to help Him out. He’s got it covered.


CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE: Beware of motivations other than love of God and love of others. They give way to greed, flattery, and glory.


Here’s a set of verses to meditate on today: Matthew 6:31-33


Prayer: Master, keep my motivations pure. Help me to remember that You will take care of me, and that You are enough for me. Keep me from greed, glory, and flattery. In Christ’s name, amen.

Day 50: 2 Timothy 1:9

“who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began…”



Has it ever occurred to you to ask God “why me?” It has me. I wonder all the time. I don’t deserve anything God has given me, and I deserve even less to be used by Him to bring fame to His holy name throughout the earth.


So why did He save me and call me? Why did He save and call you? Paul gives us the answer right here: because of His own purpose and grace. Further, and to really cap it off, God did it before there was even time. Before we were even born, our salvation and purpose were just as sure as they are right now.


That’s incredible, and worthy of worship, love, and adoration.


God doesn’t need us, and He didn’t have to save us; but for His glory and purpose He did, and then gave us a purpose and a job even after that.


Your task, your purpose, was set for you before you were even born. That’s gotta give you some confidence. That means that God’s plan for you and everyone you come into contact with was in place too. We have a big God.


We didn’t do anything that deserved this, or drew God to us. We have nothing that we can offer him. Our good is filthy before God.


That’s a real miracle. That God can take me and make me into something that honors Him. And He’s done the same thing with you.


CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE: God doesn’t need us but gives us the honor of serving Him and bringing Him Glory in this life.


Here’s a set of verses to meditate on today: Isaiah 64:6


Prayer: God, thank you for choosing me and for giving me purpose. In Christ’s name, amen.

Day 47: 2 Peter 1:3

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence…”



Are you looking for something new from God? So many of us spend so much time running through life looking to God for something new when we already have this promise.


We already have everything we need to live life and be godly. When you think about it, that’s pretty deep. God has given us, through his “divine power,” everything we need to live in a godly manner.


When did He do that? What are these things? What does this even mean?


First, as a believer, you have the Holy Spirit. That alone is enough to live in a godly manner. We have God within us. That’s amazing. Second, He has given us His word, which instructs us in God’s ways and His paths. Thirdly, He’s given us the church, of which we are a part, to give us community where we can help and be helped in turn. Last, but definitely not least, He has given us salvation. In this there is truly life.


This is all we need to live and to be godly. Really.


Usually, our issue with looking for something new from God is a matter of contentment or pride. We don’t think what we’ve been given is glamorous enough, or exciting enough. We aren’t content, or worse, we aren’t grateful for what we do have.


Take a look at the second part of this verse. These things that God has given us are for His glory and excellence. That means a lot to me. God’s not giving us these things for us, but rather for Him to be glorified in the world and amongst His creation.


Remember, the next time you go looking for something new from God, He’s already given us everything we need for life and godliness.


CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE: God has given us everything that we need, and He has given it to us for His glory and excellence.


Here are some verses to meditate on today: Ephesians 2:1-10


Prayer: Father, help me to be content with what You have given me. Help me to remember you’ve given me everything I need. In Christ’s name, amen.