MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE, MFM DAILY DEVOTIONAL [VOLUME 8, JAN-DEC], SATURDAY  9 DECEMBER  2023:-ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS FOR EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP {6}

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Philippians 2:5-11 (KJV)

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

MEMORY VERSE:
“But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” – Matthew 23:11 (KJV)

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
The servant leader believes that “my success is your success”

9~~~12~~~23 PROPHETIC WORD:
THE GRACE TO BE A HUMBLE AND FAITHFUL SERVANT-LEADER IS YOURS FROM TODAY, IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

09~~~12~~~23 MESSAGE:

We shall conclude our discourse on the essential ingredients of effective leadership today. The fifth important ingredient is servant-heartedness. Moses, Nehemiah and Jesus Christ were shining examples of servant-leaders in the Bible. Their servant-heartedness makes them to stand out among other great leaders in the Bible.

Humility is a major hallmark of a servant-hearted leader. Jesus, the greatest leader of all times said, “I am among you as one who serves.” In John 13, He gave the clearest example of servant- heartedness by washing the feet of His disciples. He gave us all an example to follow. If the God of eternity could humble Himself to change roles, and the Master could become the servant, you too should humble yourself to truly serve the people you lead! In John 13:15, He said, “For I have given an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”

Another hallmark of a servant-hearted leader is faithfulness. In Matthew 25:21, Jesus said, “And the Lord said unto him, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou has been FAITHFUL OVER A FEW THINGS, I will make thee rule over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

In a nutshell, to be servant-hearted is to be like Jesus.

The New Testament says a lot about servant-heartedness and presents servanthood as a stepping stone to greatness.

Some examples include:

(1) Matthew 20: 27: “And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave.”

(2) Matthew 23:11: “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.”

(3) Philippians 2:7: “Jesus made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men.”

One of the benefits of servant leadership is that it inspires vision. In Joshua 23:3 and 23:10, Joshua, who had accomplished so much as a leader in Israel, did not arrogate the credit or glory to himself. Rather, He gave all the glory to God, “And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for you… One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.”

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING
1. Father, make me a servant-hearted leader, in the name of Jesus.

2.Father, help me to follow the example of servanthood that Jesus gave me, in the name of Jesus.

3. I shall rise to the top by serving faithfully, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING
4. Spirit of humility, envelop my life, in the name of Jesus.

5. Father, make me an exemplary leader like Moses, Nehemiah and Jesus Christ, in the name of Jesus.

6. Anointing of ease, fall upon me and make me an excellent leader, in the name of Jesus.

7. I declare that Jesus is my shield, my glory and the lifter of my head, in the name of Jesus.