Leaders Must Be Disciplined

Hello Everybody!
I hope you slept well and are having a great day! Our attitude has A LOT to do with how our day is, doesn't it??

Today's bold print is in verses 4-5. This chapter is better known as the "Virtuous Woman" chapter and I have been blessed to have married a virtuous woman! :) However, today I find something new; at least for me...

We are in the Message version:

Proverbs 31:4-5
"4 Leaders can't afford to make fools of themselves, gulping wine and swilling beer,

5 Lest, hung over, they don't know right from wrong, and the people who depend on them are hurt. "

Leaders must be disciplined! This passage warns against excessive drinking, but if you don't drink; don't think that this has nothing to do with you!! All areas of excess and lack of self-control can hinder a leader's effectiveness. You fill in the blanks in your mind with the areas that you struggle to be disciplined in. Those are the areas that YOU "cannot afford to make a fool of yourself" in!!

As it says in verse 5, there are many "people that depend on you that will get hurt". So, our lack of discipline as leaders doesn't just hurt us as individuals, but it also hurts the people that we lead!!!! WOW!

Well, make the wise choice and work on being disciplined -- people are depending on us!!

Mobile post: Run To Protection!!

Good morning folks!
I had a fantastic weekend! My mom was in town visiting from NC and she spent the day with my family! Good to see you, Mom! (She reads my blog sometimes) :-)

Well, we are in Proverbs 30:5, NLTse:

"Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to Him for protection"

Have you ever bought a new gadget or appliance? You open the box, take everything out, look it over and turn it upside down and then say, "how do you use this thing"? Then after a little more struggle you finally resort to "the instructions" - that were waiting all along and then say, " ahhh now I understand"!! This has happened to me MANY times!! LOL!

Well, that is our heavenly Father; waiting to instruct us, protect us and show us the right way to go. All we have to do is go to him and ask for protection. The key is: WE have to GO! God has made us free moral agents with the ability to make choices. Unfortunately for us, if we choose the wrong path we are out from under God's protection and then we will suffer the consequences of our bad choice. AR Bernard puts it succintly: "Our greatest place of protection is obedience"... WOW!

So, let's make a wise choice TOGETHER. Instead of worrying about something, or being stressed by a situation or tough decision; let's ask God for His protection and take refuge! (protection and shelter from danger)

What an AWESOME promise!!

Fear The Lord & Respect Your Leaders!!

Good morning!!
It's a chilly morning here in NYC; but I am looking forward to a great day nonetheless!!

Our bold print is in verse 21-22 today, NLTse:

Proverbs 24:21-22
"My child, fear the Lord and the king. Don't associate with rebels,
22 for disaster will hit them suddenly. Who knows what punishment will come from the Lord and the king?"

Who we associate (hang out) with does affect us and our future!!! We have been instructed many times in Proverbs to "fear the Lord". It is the "beginning; the foundation of wisdom". We understand that, no? But in this passage we are also instructed to "respect our leaders (or the King) and not to associate with rebels". Their behavior will infect us and we will be treated like a rebel!!

Associating with rebels is not just about overt or obvious bad behavior, rebellion can be quiet, like a strong undercurrent; hidden in a body of water. It can't be seen and it grows out of sight. If left unchecked, it will grow into a root of bitterness that will infect many (Hebrews 12:15). This is why loyalty and trust are so important to a leader.

Now, we understand that no one - including a leader is perfect! They will make mistakes; oh YES they will, but the Bible is clear here, we are to respect them and not join in with the crew of people that rebel, or are defiant. (as described in the Message version) This behavior can seriously RUIN your future!

So, make a wise choice and be careful who you associate with at work, home or where God has placed you to minister! Find good, success minded, respectful people that fear God!! They are NOT hard to find if you are looking in the right place...

Experiment: Let's See Who is Out There!!

Good morning all!
How was your weekend? My college prep ministry team and I had a great event on Saturday morning! It was fantastic and further evidence that God answers prayer!!!

Today's bold print is in chapter 23, verse 12, NLTse:

Prov 23:12
"Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge"

I am going to try something new today: I would like to hear from YOU! What does this verse say to YOU?? Please respond today and I will post your comment on the main page by tonight. If it makes it easier, you can send your comments re verse to 12 to my email: otishjr@gmail.com

I hope to hear from you soon & make wise choices today!!

Mobile Post: Avoid Gossips!

Good morning folks,
I am glad to see you this morning! We have a chance to have another this day successful one!!

Our bold print today is in verse 19, the Message version;

Proverbs 20:19 (MSG)
"Gossips can't keep secrets; never confide in blabbermouths".

How many of you have been burned by a "blabbermouth"?? You shared something in confidence and then found out that this person has told other -- sometimes MANY people!! It has happened to me a lot!!

What is our typical reaction? We get very angry at them, don't we? Well, according to this verse, its kind of our fault!!

Ok, now you all really think I am crazy don't you?

But, it says it right here: "Gossips can't keep secrets"! As we seek to be wise, "God grants us common sense" (Prov. 2) and "eyes to see" (Prov. 20:12) & if we pay attention, we can tell a blabbermouth, can't we? It's usually the one talking about someone else's secrets to YOU!!

I heard a great quote at a leadership conference "never confide in someone who can't help you with your problem"!! That means you choose who you confide in, not just the first available ear...!!

We have all be burned by an "undercover blabber-agent", but after we get "hood-winked", wise people learn from their mistakes!

Listen, a "liar" will lie to you so you shouldn't get upset when they lie to you. Therefore, if you confide in a blabbermouth, they are going to burn you - so don't even hang around with them!

Make a wise choice and choose carefully who you confide in!!

Listen...listen...listen!!

Good morning and how are you?
I pray all is well with you and you families!!

Today's bold print is found in chapter 18, verse 13, in the NIV version:

Prov 18:13
"He who answers before listening — that is his folly and his shame."

We all do it: someone starts to tell us something and we finish their sentence in our mind, or we think we know where they are going...and we jump right in there -- usually mouth first, followed by "foot in mouth" disorder. One of the greatest things we have to learn to do as leaders is to LISTEN first then speak. When someone comes to us and wants to talk, they want to be heard first!! They want to vent - to get it all out...

We can really make a fool of ourselves ("that is HIS folly") when we don't listen first, but we ALSO tell the person that came to us that we don't really care about them!! What do I mean? If we REALLY cared about them instead of trying to be impressive, we would listen to want they are saying and "hear their heart"!! That is why Proverbs repeatedly teaches us to control our mouths!!! (Example Prov. 17:27-28)

Well, make a wise choice today and everyday:

1. Listen...

2. Listen...

3. Listen AGAIN...

4. Then Speak!!

God Bless you!!

Good Leaders Cultivate!!

Hello my friends!
How was your weekend? Mine was REALLY busy!! So, today I am "vegging out" and relaxing...it's good to take a break, no? But, NEVER a break from the Word!

Today's bold print is in chapter 16, verse 10, The Message version:

Proverbs 16:13
"Good leaders cultivate honest speech; they love advisors who tell them the truth"

As a leader, I have learned that it is important to have smart, successful, and HONEST people around me. I do NOT want a "yes person" who just blindly agrees with everything. I love having respectful debate because it can help you avoid deception or a bad decision!! I think most leaders feel this way. Well, that is part of what verse 10 is saying...

This verse also shows the leader's responsibility if he wants to have good advisors around him - he must cultivate them! Cultivate means "to promote the growth or development of something". A farmer cultivates his land because he wants to grow crops for a plentiful harvest. Therefore, a leader should cultivate his relationship with his advisors; his "inner circle", so that they feel free to be honest and upfront, even if they respectfully disagree with the leader. If your advisors express their honest assessment and you constantly take their heads off, soon you meetings will always end early because NO ONE will say anything again!!!

The leader is really a servant then, isn't he? He is helping to develop the talents (visible and hidden) of his team -- helping them to grow and serve others as well as the team! When the atmosphere of a team is permeated by "a Leader who cultivates", that team has unlimited potential!!

So, make a wise choice and cultivate your people so they grow and develop and they will help your team grow immeasurably!!

Use Your Words Carefully!!

Good morning everyone!
I pray that you slept well last night. If you are feeling groggy every morning; ummm, longer than you should, that is :) - try going to bed a little earlier; turn off the TV, have a nice cup of tea. Letting you body rest more helps your thinking and decision making!!

So, today we are in chapter 13, verse 3, in the Message version:

Proverbs 13:3
Careful words make for a careful life; careless talk may ruin everything.

How many times have careless words escaped your lips? Countless times for me!!! Every time it happens, I wish I had thought before I spoke. Thought about what I was about to say and held it back. In verse 16 of this same chapter it says: "Wise people think before they act".....

We must be careful what we say, especially as people who want to be wise. People look to us as an example. In Proverbs 2, it says that God grants common sense, so we have a choice to keep our mouths closed. We don't always have to say something!! I have found it quite illuminating when I consciously close my mouth and listen to those around me. It's amazing what I learn about people and human nature!!

I have also found that when I discipline (which we touched on last post) my mouth, it makes me careful about everything I do! I make the conscious decision and tell myself to "zip my lips", this energizes the Holy Spirit to remind me to control my mouth...when I listen!

So, make a wise choice and watch your mouth; careless talk can ruin EVERYTHING!

Love Discipline!!

Good morning!
It's a beautiful day here in NYC! The sun is shining and the Son is about to shine on our hearts as we study his Word! (that was kind of poetic, huh?) :-)

*** Special note from Coach: I want to apologize for yesterday's incomplete post. Something happened that I could not correct. But I know what i did wrong and it shouldn't happen again!! Now, let's get to work!!

We are in verse 1, of chapter 12, The Message version today...

Proverbs 12:1
"If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it — how shortsighted to refuse correction!"

Another great quote/principle from my mentor, AR Bernard; "The true evidence of learning is application". (I am paraphrasing because I dont remember it verbatim) The gist of the quote is that you haven't really learned something until you apply it to your life!! The other fact about learning is that it always exposes the things you are doing wrong to the correct way of doing! After yesterday's post error; I discovered (learned) what I did wrong, and to prevent it from happening again, I have to be disciplined to apply the right way that came from learning.

Let's face it, we don't usually like discipline - don't want to hear people talk about it, we don't even want to SAY the word, do we? When I think of the word; the next thing that comes to my mind is: PAIN!! But, God says to us in his Word, "If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it". So, there is NO getting around the important of discipline in our lives because we want to learn to be wise, no???

So, make a wise choice, LOVE discipline!!

I love you & appreciate you!

Pray For "The Advisers"!!

Grace & Peace!
I am so happy to see you today! I think we may have some new people to The Smart Game plan blog this week. Welcome!

We are in Proverbs 11 today, corresponding with today's date; verse 14, NLTse:

Proverbs 11:14
Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers

I heard a great quote this weekend from my mentor, AR Bernard, that I think fits here today: "Counsel determines our destiny." Those of you that study leadership know the axiom of surrounding yourself with successful people and the benefits derived from that philosophy. We have also heard our parents say: "You are known by the company you keep."

When you have trusted people in your life whose input and advice you value, it helps you in your decision-making process. The really trusted ones in our lives don't always agree with us either, do they? Those are the advisers that we really value because they "kick it" to us straight!!! When you are being advised by godly people, their advice plays a big part in informing your decisions...

Well, my challenge to you today is to pray for our president's advisers --- those that he trusts and listens to! Pray that he has godly advisers that have a true relationship with the one true God and therefore will offer him godly advice. Pray that there are also spiritual advisers in his inner circle that can guide him to the knowledge and fear of the Lord. As students of Proverbs we know that the "fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"

So, make a wise choice today and pray for the president's and all our leaders' advisers. But not just for today, I encourage you to make it a habit!! "Counsel determines destiny."

How To Become Wiser

Happy Monday, people!!
The weekend is over and it's time to get back into the "grind" AND it's another opportunity to study Proverbs together!!

We are in chapter 9, verse 6, NLTse:

Pr 9:9
Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.

This is simple today...two things:

1. YOU be the wise person: that allows your mentor ("live" or "distance") to speak into your life; to instruct (teach) you, and you will grow wiser! Let them teach you so that you will learn more!!

Example: one of my live mentors instructed me regarding an area that I made a big mistake. They got on me for making the dumb move, but then showed me what I should do in the future. After I got over the embarrassment I decide to learn more about decision-making and thinking before acting because I didn't want this to happen again. The thing about me is I get angry at myself when I make a bad decision, but disappointing my mentor REALLY hurts too!!

2. YOU be the mentor: I am sure you can think of at least one person in your life that comes to you for advice or counsel. They value you what you say and respect your opinion. WELL, pick one or two and "instruct them" in the things you are learning from Proverbs! Don't go around like an "annoying instruction machine", but using the common sense that God grants (Pr. 2) and the leading of the Holy Spirit, speak into someone's life this week!!

Believe me, you either have someone is mind right now, or they will be drawn to you because of how your life is changing as you study Proverbs. What we learn and experience is not just for us, but to "teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2)

Make wise choices today and include helping someone become wiser as YOU become wiser too!!

Love you Guys!!

The Pain of Discipline

Good morning Wise Ones,
That sounded kinda corny right? Well, I am trying to think of a name for US....those of us that are seeking to be wise. Do you have any suggestions? Please post them...

Well, we are in chapter 5, verses 11-13, NLTse. Let's jump in there!!

Proverbs 5:11-13
11 In the end you will groan in anguish when disease consumes your body.

12 You will say, "How I hated discipline! If only I had not ignored all the warnings!

13 Oh, why didn't I listen to my teachers? Why didn't I pay attention to my instructors?

In an earlier post, we discussed that this chapter obviously is a warning against the "immoral woman"; being adulterous, or not being faithful to the wife of your youth. We discussed that it also pertains to the sin that we always seems to fall for and we concentrated on verse 8: "staying away from her door". If you are trying to resist something you should not be near the door of temptation. As we have been instructed in several verses in Proverbs: "a prudent man gives thought to his steps"...he pays attention to where he is going!!!

The is a great quote from one of my mentors: "In life you will suffer the pain of discipline or the pain of regret". Our bold print speaks of what can happen if we ignore the pain of discipline. To correct a bad behavior, to resist a sin in our lives, it takes discipline. "Discipline means doing what you need to do, when you need to do it; no matter how you feel". To be wise and live the life God has called us to, it takes discipline. If we ignore the Holy Spirit; the mentors (teachers) in our lives that look out for us, or don't read God's word and apply our hearts to wisdom, we set ourselves up to suffer the pain of regret.

Pain of regret is after you do something dumb, you are sitting or on your knees ashamed and upset at what you did, and all that goes through your mind is "I should have done that and not THIS, why didn't I listen to my husband or wife?, what is wrong with me?", etc., etc. Have you been there? I know I have!!

Folks, this is serious stuff!! Study Proverbs, maintain your quiet time/devotions with the Lord on a consistent basis. Seek counsel from your mentors...do WHATEVER you have to to keep discipline in your life. Don't get lazy, stay focused!! Then you will stay away from the door of the immoral "woman" or that sin that always messes you up! "Discipline is the bridge between thought and accomplishment"

Make a wise choice and suffer the pain of discipline to keep you on the right path!! It's not easy, but it is easier than suffering the "pain of regret"!!

Stay on the "PATH"!!

You Will Make Mistakes

Hello my friends...hello!!
It is really good to see you this morning!! I am really inspired by your desire to diligently study the Proverbs!

Here we are in Proverbs 4 today, verse 5, NLTse. It was hard settling on a bold print today because this chapter is so RICH! (smile)

Proverbs 4:5
Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don't forget my words or turn away from them.

We know that the writer of Proverbs has been encouraging us to "apply our hearts to wisdom"; "To get understanding". What I find interesting in this verse is that we are also instructed to develop good judgment!! Develop!! To me that means we will make mistakes!! I don't think that is a surprise to any of us that we will make mistakes; I think it's encouraging to know that even though we will make mistakes there is hope that we can have good judgment. The key is in the second part of the verse: "Don't forget my words or turn away from them". So, as we make decisions (good or bad) we are to learn from them, then we remember the words of Proverbs and get back on the path...the path to developing good judgment!

Now, let's interject something in here: in Proverbs 2, it is mentioned that God grants a treasure of common sense. When we search for his wisdom and common sense then "we will know what is right, just, and fair, and we will know which way to go" (Pr 2:9). Therefore, we know that God's wisdom will guide us onto the RIGHT path...so then: "don't forget HIS words or turn away from them (today's bold print ties in)!!!!! Our lives will be victorious as a result! WOW...

The Lord knows what he's doing doesn't He? So let's make a wise choice and get some wisdom and develop good judgment!!

Make Kindness An Everyday Thing!!!

Good morning everyone!
How was your day yesterday? Did you make wise choices? As those seeking to be more wise, we should be reflecting on our days to learn from our victories AND mistakes...

Today we are in verses 3 & 4 of our Proverb for the day, NLTse...let's get to work!!

Proverbs 3:
3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.
4 Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.

Simply put: "make kindness and loyalty a habit in your life." "Remind yourself to do it"!! We have talked about making the study of Proverbs a habit. We have also discussed creating reminders, or "proverbs checks" in your day. As I shared, my Outlook gives me a "pop up window" and an audible alert to remind me to review the Proverbs bold print verses I read that day.

Our bold print today is reminding us the importance of being kind!! When is the last time you said a kind word to someone? Sometimes we get so caught up in "catching people doing something wrong". We are so quick to point out someone's faults; as if we don't have any ourselves, right? LOL! When was the last time someone said something kind to you or paid you a compliment? How did you feel when they said it? Amazing right? Well verse 3 is asking us to make kindness a habit!! "Tie it around your neck as a reminder".

I mentioned to you that one of my distance mentors, Dr. John C Maxwell, has a 30-second rule: within 30 seconds of his encounter with anyone he looks for a way to say something to add value to them. He says a "kind word, encourages and or compliments them". He FINDS a way!! HOW ABOUT YOU FINDING A WAY to be kind? Not just today...but everyday...find a way to remind yourself until it becomes habit!!

Then take a look at verse 4 and see what it will do for your life & reputation...hehehehe!

Make wise choices today - remind yourself to be kind to someone...

Trust In God Not Man!

Good morning my friends!
I pray you had a great weekend. Did you study Proverbs on your own on Saturday and Sunday? Hmmmm?

Well anyway, we are back together today and we are in chapter 29 verse 25, using the Amplified version:

Proverbs 29:25
"The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever leans on, trusts in, and puts his confidence in the Lord is safe and set on high." AMP

Has God placed a vision/mission in your heart? Do you have an overwhelming desire to accomplish that mission? I believe that we all do!! Whether it's at work, your church, at home, or a combination: we ALL have a mission to accomplish! Well verse 25 tells us to "lean on, trust in, and put your confidence in the LORD" and not in man!! People are people...and as people they will LET US DOWN from time to time!

If you place all your confidence in a person to help you reach your vision, at some point you will be sorely disappointed! People fail! I mean haven't WE failed sometimes? Haven't WE failed to live up to OUR OWN expectations for ourselves? When you place you confidence in the LORD, our verse tells us that we will be safe!! SAFE!! We all know what safe means: protected, sound, guarded...that is what happens when we put all our confidence in God!

So, right now I want you to think of what your vision is -- right now! Do you have it in your mind? (One of my missions right now is to serve the youth of my church with an awesomely successful tutoring and mentoring program)

Okay, now that you have it in your mind; regardless of the protocol in place to make your dream happen; (proposal submission, approval, staffing, etc.) I want you to consciously take your confidence off of all the people and procedures - and place them in God and Him alone. (Of course you STILL follow policies and procedures, folks!)

I encourage you to stop reading right now and pray and ask God to forgive you for trusting in people and things, and tell Him that your full confidence is in Him!!! Did you pray that prayer? I did and I am ready to GO!!

You made a wise choice today!!