GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: March 24, 2026

Leadership

Followers are so important that the role of leaders is to serve them. (James Emery White, TV host)

White adds, “No one can be an effective leader until they first learn how to follow.” Some people want to be leaders right away. They might take leadership training, but they’re reluctant to spend time following other leaders. Yet,  as White suggests, learning to be a good follower is essential in developing leadership skills.

Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me . . . And the Father will honor anyone who serves me (John 12:26).

Stop & Think: March 23, 2026

Leadership

The leaders who make the most progress make the fewest excuses. (Bart Blair, church planter)

Everyone—even the most effective leaders—makes mistakes from time to time. It’s how you handle those missteps that ultimately determines how successful you are. From the very beginning, we have tried to blame others for our errors (Genesis 3). Successful leaders, however, soon learn that making excuses only makes problems worse.

He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity (Proverbs 2:7).

Stop & Think: March 22, 2026

Leadership

Leaders aren’t people who are served but who serve the people around them. (Daniel Reinhardt, author)

A high school graduate shared a very important lesson with his classmates. It’s one that many young adults have yet to learn. Graduates today are too often focused on “what’s in it for me”—a good salary, great job benefits, and opportunities for prestige. It would be better to find a place where you can serve others and make a worthy contribution to your community.

Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant . . . just as [Jesus] did not come to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:26, 28).

Stop & Think: March 21, 2026

Leadership

If serving is below you, leadership is beyond you. (Anonymous)

When some people are given positions of leadership, it seems to go to their heads. They become proud, arrogant, and demanding. Everyone is expected to serve their needs and follow their directions. More effective leaders, however, have learned that they lead best by serving. Such an attitude attracts followers and encourages them to do their best in serving.

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them . . . eager to serve (1 Peter 5:2).

Stop & Think: March 20, 2026

Leadership

Great leaders never give up. (Jim Hines, medical doctor)

Perseverance is an essential quality in the pursuit of achieving worthy goals. Most often, wannabe leaders who give in to the pressures of politics, societal demands, or distractions cannot recruit others to work with them. Wanting to lead demands the perseverance that involves diligence, focus, and commitment.

Be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded (2 Chronicles 15:7).

Stop & Think: March 19, 2026

Leadership

I’m continually reminded that most times influence is not big and flashy. It’s not done in large gulps or in front of the masses, but in small quiet doses over long periods of time. (Suanne Camfield, church women’s leader)

We would like to think that we can have a positive influence on others, and we look for some great opportunity to make a big contribution in their lives. But, as Camfield suggests, the most frequent occasions we have to positively affect someone are usually simple, ordinary chances to encourage, motivate, or challenge a companion.

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. . . . So encourage each other and give each other strength (Hebrews 10:24; 1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Stop & Think: March 18, 2026

Leadership

Leadership is the art of accomplishing more than the science of management says is possible. (Colin Powell, late U.S. military leader and statesman)

People who lead must understand their role. Whether a business executive, a labor manager, or a teacher, leaders must appreciate their responsibility to prepare and challenge their workers or learners. Leaders are managers, of course, but successful leaders are artists, too. Their handling of programs, people, and problems demands the finest of skills.

In your teaching, show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned (Titus 2:7, 8).

Stop & Think: March 17, 2026

Leadership

You are the only person on earth who can use your ability. (Zig Ziglar, late motivational speaker)

Some people fail to use their abilities, perhaps because they don’t realize how gifted they are.  Everyone, however, has something of value to contribute to society, and as Ziglar suggests, he or she is the only one who can exercise that gift. We must use our talents for the benefit of others and encourage others to discover and exercise their abilities.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. . . . Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others (Romans 12:6; 1 Peter 4:10).

Stop & Think: March 16, 2026

Leadership

Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course. (John Maxwell, leadership guru)

Maxwell calls this “The Law of Navigation. The functions of steering and leading are similar but quite different. Give the helm to a seaman with clear instructions as to where he is to go, and he can probably bring the ship to its destination. But someone has to chart the course, and charting takes a qualified leader.

You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny (Psalm 73:24).

Stop & Think: March 15, 2026

Leadership

Equipping and mentoring are more important than directing. (Sam Ranier III, pastor and consultant)

When developing leaders, rather than just giving students the facts, which is merely the transferring of knowledge, educators must teach students to think for themselves. In order to gain good leadership skills, potential leaders must be given the tools for study and be trained in how to use them The result, then, will be useful wisdom and wise leaders.

Now may the God of peace…equip you with everything good for doing his will (Hebrews 13:20-21).

Stop & Think: March 14, 2026

Leadership

A good leader relates to others not for who they are, but for who they have the potential to become. (Kary Oberbrunner, writing and speaking coach)

Leaders often look for people who show potential for success by their achievements. Oberbrunner suggests, however, that we should not look, just for potential accomplishments but also for potential personal growth. Good leaders want to help their followers do more than complete tasks; they want to develop people with character and integrity.

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account (Hebrews 13:17).

Stop & Think: March 13, 2026

Leadership

Leadership is . . . leading others to the next level. (Tom Roy, sports coach)

When we think of leaders, we often picture the end of their pursuit, the goal they wish to achieve. That’s critical, of course, but an equally important facet of leadership is how the leader interacts with those he leads. What have they achieved personally in the pursuit of their mission? Are they more skilled? Have they grown? What have they learned?

Join together in following my example. . . and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do (Philippians 3:17).