1 00:00:01,840 --> 00:00:06,800 Speaker 1: Now we exhort you, brethren, Warn those who are unruly, 2 00:00:07,440 --> 00:00:13,319 Speaker 1: comfort the feeble minded, support the weak, be patient toward 3 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:22,319 Speaker 1: all men. First Thessalonians five fourteen. Dear Heavenly Father, you 4 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:27,319 Speaker 1: have called me to something beautiful. You have called me 5 00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:33,840 Speaker 1: to correct, comfort and support those around me. I pray 6 00:00:34,320 --> 00:00:37,559 Speaker 1: that you would give me eyes to see the needs, 7 00:00:38,400 --> 00:00:43,800 Speaker 1: ears to hear the cries, and the strength to respond. 8 00:00:44,360 --> 00:00:47,920 Speaker 1: I want to be a voice of reason to the foolish, 9 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:52,400 Speaker 1: So would you make me wise? I want to be 10 00:00:52,479 --> 00:00:56,720 Speaker 1: a source of comfort to the broken, So would you 11 00:00:56,880 --> 00:01:01,120 Speaker 1: make me compassionate. I want to see support those who 12 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:06,800 Speaker 1: can't support themselves, So would you make me strong? I 13 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:12,760 Speaker 1: know you can do all these things and more. In Jesus' name, Amen, 14 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:16,720 Speaker 1: Thank you for joining me in prayer. Stay tuned for 15 00:01:16,760 --> 00:01:21,320 Speaker 1: today's free podcast Meditative Prayers with Zach Clinton, where you 16 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:25,080 Speaker 1: can draw close to God and find strength in him. 17 00:01:25,840 --> 00:01:28,840 Speaker 2: My friends, welcome to your meditative prayer on Stoic Leadership. 18 00:01:29,240 --> 00:01:31,160 Speaker 2: To get the most out of your spiritual journey, use 19 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:34,320 Speaker 2: pray dot com every day and make prayer a priority 20 00:01:34,360 --> 00:01:37,319 Speaker 2: in your life. Again. Our goal for today's meditative prayer 21 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:41,120 Speaker 2: is all about stoic leadership. So right now, in this moment, 22 00:01:41,160 --> 00:01:44,160 Speaker 2: let's separate yourself from all else and just take a 23 00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:48,680 Speaker 2: moment to calm and cool down. Breathe in and out, 24 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:54,400 Speaker 2: and just let your body relax. As you do so, 25 00:01:55,280 --> 00:02:00,360 Speaker 2: concentrate on quieting your mind, and now turn your thoughts 26 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:03,400 Speaker 2: to the word of God by opening your heart to 27 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:07,160 Speaker 2: receive from the Lord. Today we'll be meditating on First 28 00:02:07,160 --> 00:02:11,800 Speaker 2: Thessalonians five fourteen from the King James version, it says, 29 00:02:11,880 --> 00:02:15,480 Speaker 2: now we exhort you, brethren, warn those that are unruly, 30 00:02:16,240 --> 00:02:20,919 Speaker 2: comfort the feeble minded, support the weak, and be patient 31 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:26,120 Speaker 2: toward all men. Right now, my friends, pour out your 32 00:02:26,160 --> 00:02:30,680 Speaker 2: adoration to the God of all flesh. God, I praise 33 00:02:30,800 --> 00:02:35,920 Speaker 2: you for supplying all my needs, for your tender mercies, 34 00:02:36,760 --> 00:02:41,040 Speaker 2: and for your unending patience towards me. I worship you 35 00:02:41,080 --> 00:02:46,120 Speaker 2: for your direction and guidance provided in scripture, your unmatched 36 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:51,400 Speaker 2: wisdom and infinite knowledge that changes my life. I exalt 37 00:02:51,400 --> 00:02:55,520 Speaker 2: you Lord, for your extravagant love which sustains me and 38 00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:59,920 Speaker 2: lifts me up. And Father, I bless your name forevermore. 39 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:05,640 Speaker 2: You see, leadership requires patience and willingness to meet a 40 00:03:05,720 --> 00:03:11,760 Speaker 2: present need, whether it's for correction, motivation, or help. A 41 00:03:11,880 --> 00:03:16,079 Speaker 2: leader should be patient and encouraging without being harsh or overbearing. 42 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:20,480 Speaker 2: In short, leaders are to be passionate about lifting people 43 00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:24,080 Speaker 2: up in the Lord. They are to exhort and encourage 44 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:29,240 Speaker 2: others to persevere in their pursuits and in their calling. However, 45 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:32,240 Speaker 2: giving your best and putting everyone else first that can 46 00:03:32,280 --> 00:03:36,240 Speaker 2: be really hard. Sometimes you find you're not willing to 47 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:39,880 Speaker 2: do so. It's tough to give up your time, emotions, 48 00:03:39,880 --> 00:03:45,040 Speaker 2: and resources. Sometimes you try and you fail. So right now, 49 00:03:45,080 --> 00:03:48,360 Speaker 2: just in this moment, confess those failed attempts to God. 50 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:53,280 Speaker 2: Confess your shortcomings and sins to the Lord, for he 51 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:56,240 Speaker 2: is faithful and he is just to forgive your poor 52 00:03:56,320 --> 00:04:02,960 Speaker 2: leadership and to help you overcome. And now, as we 53 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:05,520 Speaker 2: make the transition, my friends, let's consider for a moment 54 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:09,040 Speaker 2: God's divine leadership in your life, and let's thank him 55 00:04:09,080 --> 00:04:14,280 Speaker 2: for it. Thank God for his reckless love, Thank Him 56 00:04:14,320 --> 00:04:18,840 Speaker 2: for his care and for supplying all your needs. Thank 57 00:04:18,839 --> 00:04:21,479 Speaker 2: the Lord for his loving kindness and patience towards you, 58 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:24,880 Speaker 2: for his willingness to meet you at your worst to 59 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:28,720 Speaker 2: give you his best. Think for a minute on past 60 00:04:28,760 --> 00:04:33,520 Speaker 2: situations where you experienced God's guidance and aid, and thank 61 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:36,760 Speaker 2: Him for all past blessings over your life and for 62 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:40,960 Speaker 2: those still to come. You see, God is present and 63 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:44,160 Speaker 2: he is listening to you. He knows the standard to 64 00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:47,960 Speaker 2: which you strive to achieve. He is more than capable 65 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:50,520 Speaker 2: and willing to help you be the leader you are 66 00:04:50,560 --> 00:04:54,159 Speaker 2: called to be. So approach God in the boldness of 67 00:04:54,200 --> 00:04:58,320 Speaker 2: his love, believing that his promise is true and that 68 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:02,200 Speaker 2: He will sustain you. Petition God for his wisdom and 69 00:05:02,240 --> 00:05:05,560 Speaker 2: knowledge to help you lead, and ask the Holy Spirit 70 00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:08,039 Speaker 2: to teach you to give the best of yourself in love, 71 00:05:08,520 --> 00:05:11,400 Speaker 2: whether it be to another person or to a task 72 00:05:11,440 --> 00:05:16,400 Speaker 2: at hand. Remember, leaders are to be patient with everyone, 73 00:05:16,520 --> 00:05:22,240 Speaker 2: regardless of their capabilities. They are to offer Godly correction, assurance, 74 00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:26,880 Speaker 2: and support. In your role of leadership, God expects you 75 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:30,480 Speaker 2: to always give the best of yourself in love. Although 76 00:05:30,520 --> 00:05:33,920 Speaker 2: this task can seem difficult, you are not without support. 77 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:37,279 Speaker 2: You have God's Holy Spirit to show you the way 78 00:05:37,720 --> 00:05:40,560 Speaker 2: and to help you every step of the way. So 79 00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:44,039 Speaker 2: reach out to God today and call upon his wisdom 80 00:05:44,040 --> 00:05:48,799 Speaker 2: and mercy. Seize this opportunity to be the best leader 81 00:05:48,800 --> 00:05:51,520 Speaker 2: that you can be, to serve others to the best 82 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:54,920 Speaker 2: of your ability, to honor the trust placed upon you, 83 00:05:55,480 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 2: and in doing so, to bring honor to the name 84 00:05:58,440 --> 00:06:02,400 Speaker 2: of Christ. My friends, thank you for completing today's meditative 85 00:06:02,400 --> 00:06:05,799 Speaker 2: prayer on pray dot com. By incorporating this healthy habit 86 00:06:05,839 --> 00:06:08,880 Speaker 2: as a daily practice, you are making prayer priority and 87 00:06:08,920 --> 00:06:12,120 Speaker 2: I believe you're also strengthening your walk with God. My 88 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:15,080 Speaker 2: name is Zach Clinton, Vice President of the American Association 89 00:06:15,160 --> 00:06:17,919 Speaker 2: of Christian Counselors, and we love being a part of 90 00:06:17,960 --> 00:06:21,920 Speaker 2: your life. Hey. To find further information, inspiration, help, hope 91 00:06:21,960 --> 00:06:26,360 Speaker 2: and encouragement, go to our website at www dot AACC 92 00:06:26,560 --> 00:06:31,080 Speaker 2: dot net. Again, that is AACC dot net.