A Christian blog designed to encourage believers in their walk with Christ.
Granted, some will argue that you can distract your mind with music, movies, novels, etc., and that is true, but those things do not foster trust in the Author of the Bible. Memorizing scripture is more than meditation; it is an act of filling the well with God’s promises to draw from later.
Jesus proved to the crowd that He would meet their physical needs, but what mattered most to Him was their spiritual blindness, which deterred them from seeing their Savior, who stood before them.
For someone to truly see another person’s heart with all their faults and flaws takes time and effort. Yet, God does not need time, nor additional information. He is omniscient, all-knowing, and without limitations.
The world is in an uproar over the assassination of well-known political Activist, Charlie Kirk. Kirk, known for his conservative values, support of the traditional family, and voice for Christianity, challenged everyone to open a dialogue about their faith.
It was Kirk who gave everyone the verbal license to act with courage, to speak when people hate your message, and to listen to those with whom you disagree. In the end, dissenters heard supporters repeat, “We are Charlie Kirk” throughout the world.
Matthew 5:11 says, “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you, because of Me.”Kirk lived out that verse, knowing that God sees all and knows the intentions of his heart. Unknown to Kirk, his desire to pique the interest of unbelievers came to fruition when Bible sales jumped 36 percent, or 2.4 million, in September 2025, following his death.
Likewise, in July 2025, a lion of the faith, Pastor John MacArthur, passed away after 56 years in the ministry at Grace Community Church. MacArthur became a warrior for the gospel, advocating a straightforward, unadorned preaching of God’s Word. MacArthur, through many question-and-answer encounters, became a wellspring of knowledge for many generations, both within and outside the church. He likewise faced harsh criticism that ranged from personal to spiritual attacks.
What these two men have in common is that they suffered for their faith and for the messages they proclaimed. They left a hole in their realm of influence. Leaving their supporters to question, “Who will lead us now?”
Christian leadership is something to aspire to, as it benefits so many. Yet, the Bible discourages people from pursuing positions of authority. To lead people astray is an affront to God’s design for ministry. James 3:1 says, “Do not, many of you, become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment.”
So, what are the requirements for biblical leadership? In his book, “Spiritual Leadership,” J. Oswald Sanders says, “If the world is to hear the church’s voice today, leaders are needed who are authoritative, spiritual, and sacrificial. Authoritative, because people desire leaders who know where they are going and are confident of getting there. Spiritual, because without a strong relationship to God, even the most attractive and competent person cannot lead people to God. Sacrificial, because this follows the model of Jesus, who gave himself for the whole world and who calls us to follow in His steps.”
For believers, Jesus is the example of leadership. The Bible tells of his decisiveness, courage, humility, sincerity, and ability to resist temptation. In the last years of his life, he challenged his disciples to remain obedient to the Word of God. Yet, Jesus also had a strong passion for righteousness. He did not hold back when he acted with authority to clear out the temple of the crooked moneychangers who delighted in swindling the people at the temple.
Further, no one is perfect. Perfection is the only characteristic that people cannot emulate in the life of Christ. However, those are the moments that reveal the heart’s intentions. How someone resolves those issues of failure is a sign of how worthy they are to follow.
J. Oswald Sanders continues, “God will defend the leaders he has chosen. He will honor, protect, and vindicate them. Leaders need not worry about defending their rights or their office.”
Both Kirk and MacArthur are now in the presence of their Savior; one by assassination, the other from natural causes. Although they led their followers in different ways, they brought glory to our Father, who is in heaven, and that example is always worth following.
A Tree Firmly Planted 