Taking the Lead: Understanding Timing

When I was younger, I was ready to take on the world and wanted to do something great. I had zeal, excitement, and a lot of energy but I didn’t have a lot of understanding or wisdom. We must realize if we are to have authority in any area we must have the favor of God AND the favor of man on their lives. In fact, even Jesus himself kept “increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men,” (Luke 2:52).

King David is a great example of this principle. Samuel the prophet was instructed by God to anoint a man king from the house of Jesse. The Prophet went to Jesse’s house and commanded all of his sons to pass before him. When the last of seven sons stood before Samuel, the Prophet was bewildered, “are these all of your children?” Samuel inquired. “No, there remains yet the youngest, and he is tending the sheep,” Jesse replied. “Send and bring him to me,” Samuel insisted.

When David finally arrived at the house, the Lord said to Samuel, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward,” (See 1Samuel 16:1-13). If you didn’t know the biblical account, you probably would assume that David became king that day. But the fact is David didn’t become king for fourteen long years! 

Finally King Saul died in battle and “the men of Judah came and anointed David king over the house of Judah,” (2 Samuel 2:4). And then seven years later, “all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them before the LORD at Hebron; then they anointed David king over Israel,” (2 Samuel 5:3). It’s important to note here that David was anointed to be king three different times; once by God (through Samuel), and twice by men.

The point that I’m trying to make here is that God may have called you to be in a specific area, but until the leaders in that metron (sphere of authority) recognize, invite, and empower you to have influence and authority, you are only a leader to yourself. And John Maxwell says, “He who leads and has no followers is only taking a walk.”

What is your testimony?

If you are on a walk with Christ, you have a testimony. Often we only consider the start of our relationship with Him as our testimony. But it's an ongoing story, and we write a chapter each day. 

Too often, we focus on the bad moments that God turned around for us, and not the minor ways in which He talks to and interacts with us. 

But those little things are daily miracles. 

Do you notice them? Do you hear God when he speaks to you?

Those are excellent questions to ask yourself. And if you think that you don't hear God or that you don't know how to hear Him - that's where a church community and your pastors can help. 

For me personally, God often speaks to me when I am reading His Word, or completely lost in worship, or deep in prayer, or even working out at the gym (without distraction). 

When we eliminate distraction and seek Him, we often hear God with clarity. Sometimes it's a thought, a dream, or an idea to take action on. 

The thing is, God wants more of us. He wants to be able to speak with us and to be in a relationship. He wants relationship with us in the highs and the lows of life. Our testimony is formed through every season of life.

As humans, we tend to go to Christ most often when we need something. But He wants us to be His daily ambassador; to treat people as He would, to pray with and over His children, to serve Him by serving others. Maybe most importantly, He wants us to lead others back to Him.

So, as we gear up for a new year, let's reflect on how we serve God. 

Do we do it daily? 
Or, do we only turn to him in times of need? 

Regardless of the answer, you can write a new chapter in your testimony starting now. 

-Jim

An Opportunity To Be A Blessing

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. This holiday is a fantastic opportunity to slow down and reflect on all of the blessings in your life. I encourage you to start a Thanksgiving list and write down everything for which you are thankful. I’ll get you started: God’s love for each of us, our amazing town, the renovation of the Armory, the kids that come to Joshua House, and HoopsFest! There you go, you are off and running. What else can you identify and thank God for in praise? Psalm 100:4 is a pattern that we should live our lives by, “Enter His gates with Thanksgiving, and His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.”

Keeping in mind that for some people, the holidays are not pleasant, what can you do to bless your neighbors or people in your community? For the last 19 years we have provided a Thanksgiving dinner for the community, and it is such a joy seeing friends, family, and newcomers gather together. Last year we served 450 meals, and we expect to do so again this year.

Many times we focus only on ourselves and ask to be blessed, but we have an amazing opportunity to go be a blessing. Ask your pastor or a community leader how you can serve during these holidays, and then go step out of your comfort zone. It is truly amazing how much it will bless your heart when you intentionally reach out and bless someone else.

I want to encourage you today to go be a blessing!

Blessings, and see you soon!

Jim

What Is Your 'WHY'?

What’s your WHY? Every leader has a ’why’, something that drives them, something that motivates them, something that moves them. I have run 4 marathons in my life and each time I hit a wall where I was tempted to give up and walk off of the course. A marathon is 26.2 miles if run perfectly along the tangent but often it is longer because of making wider turns or running around people. During my first marathon, I hit the wall at mile 20 and didn’t know if I could go on as my legs cramped terribly. I realized I did not train adequately for the speed I was running at that distance but I resolved deep inside of me I would not quit and I would finish.

Those next 6.2 miles were painful, miserable, and dare I say comical (I can elaborate if you ever want to hear about it more). You see, I had a ‘why’ behind my first marathon. Yes, it was the pride of finishing and getting that Runner of Steel medal but it was more about running on behalf of Joshua House. I was representing the organization and vision of Joshua House and that kept me going as each mile I dedicated to something or someone within this amazing organization. My ‘why’ was the young man who decided not to commit suicide but is now a dad, a family man, and business owner. My ‘why’ was the young girl that was forgotten about and never given a chance who later traveled to Guatemala and Belize to minister to kids in the Ghettos and orphanages and now has a family and is a supervisor in her place of work. My why was for my kids to see that with hard work and determination you can accomplish some crazy exciting feats.

Your ‘why’ will change at times in your life and that is ok. Vision is always developing and adjusting but what should never change is your values. When you walk with God, it is an amazing journey and He has put a ‘why’ deep inside of you. Today I pray that you step back to look and listen to what that ‘why’ is so that it can and will drive you to pursue the very things that God has created you to fulfill. You were made on purpose for a purpose and your ‘why’ is what helps you push through those dark times because it is what helps you focus on keeping the main thing, the main thing.

Keep Focusing on Him,
Jim Kilmartin, Founder

In the Absence of Leadership, Lead!

Edmund Burke, an Irish Orator stated, The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” This quote has rocked my life for a long time and has driven me to want to stand up and make a difference. It was 21 years ago that I heard God call me back to my hometown, and there He broke my heart for the youth in our communities. Just the other day, I was asked to speak at a high school class, and I recalled to them why I started Joshua House. The reason was simple; there was a void, an absence, a lack of direction, and hope for the younger generations! There was a real need to reach out to these kids and inspire them with a message of hope, purpose, and destiny.

Life is different 21 years later, but the message of hope and purpose is still very relevant. We see too many young people’s lives swept away by addiction, suicide, and depression. Our heart is to create more than just a refuge for the kids to retreat to but to provide a community of support to empower them to overcome obstacles and generational cycles that have held them back. Joshua in the Bible could have looked at the giants in the promised land or the fortified wall at Jericho and retreated in despair. Instead, he was known to be of a different spirit, the spirit of an overcomer. At Joshua House, we want to educate and encourage young men and women that will be world changers.

We are looking for more people that have the heart to help inspire young Joshuas. We have many activities and programs, consider getting involved and leading with us to impact a generation for the Kingdom of God!