 A Kingdom Leader has to focus on today. The moment can compete with the past and the future! You can't be diverted from the present situation and find yourself anticipating past failures or future disappointments.
Do you find yourself looking back at the past? Do you feel anxious of what might go wrong? Are you able to focus on the situation you face at this moment? What takes your focus away? Paul understood the competing mistakes, failures and sins of the past. He had lived with heartaches and discouragement. His hopes and plans were to stop the church! Philippians 3:13 (NIV84) Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Do you completely forget the past? That is the full meaning of the word forget in the Greek. Set the past behind you and strain toward the goal Christ has put in front of each of us. Look around you and find those who need encouragement to focus on the moment. You can lift a burden from their shoulder and help them run the race set before us. Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions@gmail.com _______________________________ The Holy Bible: New International Version (Php 3:13). (1984). Zondervan. Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved. Photos taken by Cathy and Danny Sartin in Africa. Kingdom Leadership is written for missionaries and ministers serving our Lord in various parts of the world. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.
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 A Kingdom Leader walks a path with the lion of Judah. Jesus is clearly that lion! But each of us has had moments of failure when we left the side of the savior. Peter does so as he denies his relationship with the Lord during his trial.
How have you recovered from your mistakes? Who came along side you and restored your heart, mind and soul? Who have you lifted from the battle field of life and made them useful again? Do you want to understand their weaknesses? Do you just want to glue them together and fill the cracks with wax? Proverbs 18:2 (NIV84) A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions. Sincere leaders know they are jars of clay. Their behavior is guided by humility and love that we seldom see. Seek to understand the failures of others and gently and humbly restore them to usefulness. Peter was different after Jesus asked him to feed his sheep. Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions.com _________________________ The Holy Bible: New International Version (Pr 18:2). (1984). Zondervan. Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved. Photos taken by Cathy and Danny Sartin in Africa. Kingdom Leadership is written for missionaries and ministers serving our Lord in various parts of the world. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.  A Kingdom Leader has a tender heart for other people. He remembers his past and the great gift of Jesus.
Titus 3:3–5 (NIV84) 3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, Give the gift of mercy to someone today. Lift their spirits with encouragement. Remember the fresh feel of mercy and give that cleansing soft rain that makes everything feel fresh. It can change someones day including yours. Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions@gmail.com _______________________________ The Holy Bible: New International Version (Tt 3:3–5). (1984). Zondervan. Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved. Photos taken by Cathy and Danny Sartin in Africa. Kingdom Leadership is written for missionaries and ministers serving our Lord in various parts of the world. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.  A Kingdom Leader is a humble servant of all those whom they lead. Jesus presented himself as an example of kind servant-hood. His selfless washing of the disciples feet presented the complete picture of servant leadership.
 A Kingdom Leader is always sensitive to the needs of others. Cathy always reminds me that we must be flexible as we serve others. But a healthy leader is also aware of his needs while giving attention, love, and availability to others.
Do you change your schedule to make yourself available to serve? Are you frustrated when you are forced to change your approach? Are you alert and constantly watching for needy people who can be served? Are you looking for new ways to connect with others? You see us pictured as we walk through the woods with a cheetah. He never stopped turning his head from side to side. He was constantly alert for another meal. But he also knows his limitations. He has a small window of 300 meters to catch another animal and then he must stop to recover his breath for thirty minutes! Ministry requires a flexible mind and continual self awareness. Do you need to change? Consider how God changes things. Revelation 21:5 (NIV84) 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” God is not content to restore the world to its former glory. He wants to make everything new! Are you reaching others with the love of Christ or the judgement of the law? Do you participate in shooting the wounded or coming alongside and healing those who struggle? Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions.com _________________________ The Holy Bible: New International Version (Re 21:5). (1984). Zondervan. Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved. Photos taken by Cathy and Danny Sartin in Africa.Kingdom Leadership is written for missionaries and ministers serving our Lord in various parts of the world. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.  A Kingdom Leader has his heart and mind cultivated on a regular basis. The affairs of life are constantly tilling the soil of practical knowledge and application. The eyes of his heart are opened by the constant turnover of thought. The constant upheaval of life can make all of us weary.
Does God bring issues into your life that turn your schedule upside down? Do you struggle to keep balance in your thinking, feeling and how you live at home? Do you find yourself in need of a break from the daily pressures? Are you making progress despite the blows to your carefully laid plans? Life always seems to have a new wrinkle that is given to help us develop wisdom. From the childhood of Jesus, God the Father was cultivating an instructed tongue. He specifically wanted him to know the words that sustain the weary. (See Isaiah 50:4-5) Hebrews 5:8 (NIV84) Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered The experiences of life can feel like constant cultivation of your mind and heart. But the turnover of thought reveals new seeds of thinking, feeling and behavior. It brings a new perspective and new results that can make you even more effective. See the cultivation as a blessing from God. The residents of Nazareth were amazed at the wisdom of Jesus. He was clearly skilled in the affairs of life. It was practical wisdom that came from the cultivation of his mind and heart. Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions.com _________________________ The Holy Bible: New International Version (Heb 5:8). (1984). Zondervan. Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved. Photos taken by Cathy and Danny Sartin in Africa. Kingdom Leadership is written for missionaries and ministers serving our Lord in various parts of the world. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.  A Kingdom Leader is highly sensitive to the impression he leaves on others. He needs to show, with his behavior, that he is dependable and disciplined. You are to teach in such a way that it molds the character of other ministry partners. You want to enforce correct behavior. They learn by watching you!
Are you positively influencing other staff members? Do you instruct younger staff on how to accomplish goals that are mutually agreed upon? Do they see you making mistakes and view your corrective steps? Do you reinforce good behavior with compliments and encouragement? There are two sides to a coin as there are two sides to discipline. One side is chastisement, correction, warning or rebuke. The other is instruction, training, upbringing or education. The most effective mentors in my life used the more positive synonyms. They impressed my heart, mind and soul to be the best that I can be. They were like a loving father to me! Ephesians 6:4 (NIV84) 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. I was deeply blessed by so many leaders in my lifetime. They invited me into their world and let me patiently ask questions. They treated me like I was a son. They allowed me to fail! Then they left a strong impression when they gave me guidance on how to improve. Today you have the opportunity to leave a loving impression on the hearts of ministry partners. Give them focused attention and loving discipline. Allow them to see some of your world. Invite them in. The fingerprint of your heart leaves a forever impression. Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions.com ________________________ The Holy Bible: New International Version (Eph 6:4). (1984). Zondervan. Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved. Photos taken by Cathy and Danny Sartin in Africa. Kingdom Leadership is written for missionaries and ministers serving our Lord in various parts of the world. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.  Kingdom Leadership requires that you keep a clear head and an anchored connection to God and His Word. There is a pestilence moving among us that seeks to remove the anchor of thought and belief. Not only do we need to know what we believe but why we believe it!
There is a leprosy of thought that is eating at common sense and truth as declared by God himself. Have you recently heard the words. . . did God really say? Are you comfortable teaching the Word of God? Do you seek to twist the Word so it matches popular thought and behavior? Before attending seminary my pastor told me to be very careful. There are people who love to twist the Word of God because they want to alter what God has said. They will tell you that the Bible can not be trusted! I say to you, Lean on God's Word and His truth! 2 Timothy 4:2–3 (NIV84) 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. Know that God is faithful to us. The Lord abides and his truth will endure for all generations. We take great comfort in knowing the creator and listening to His Word. Don't let the prowling lion catch you unaware. Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions.com _________________________ The Holy Bible: New International Version (2 Ti 4:2–3). (1984). Zondervan. Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved. Photos taken by Cathy and Danny Sartin in Africa.Kingdom Leadership is written for missionaries and ministers serving our Lord in various parts of the world. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.  Kingdom Leadership goes through phases over the years. You remember the stalwarts of the faith when you first came into ministry. They were the oaks that gave you shade, protection, shelter, and stability during those young years. But a day comes when God visits the oak and removes him from the forest. Then you recognize that your protection has been removed and the elements are directly shining on you. You must grow and secure your roots in the forest.
Who has been your shade in the blistering heat of ministry? Who kept the winds of criticism from uprooting God's call on your life? Have the storms of life put you in peril of drowning? When did you first feel the fresh sunshine of God on your face? Have you seen flowers blossom in ministry that were a surprise to you? There are seeds which developed and sprouted in the hearts of others. God removed the protection so you could fully grow and give a clear gift to the Kingdom of God. All of us have experienced this during the worldwide pandemic. 2 Chronicles 20:9 (NIV84) ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’ God is our refuge when the oaks in our life are stripped away. Do all that you can to comfort one another and give shade to the younger leaders. Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmission.com _______________________ The Holy Bible: New International Version (2 Ch 20:9). (1984). Zondervan.2 Chronicles 20:9 (NIV84) Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved. Photos taken by Cathy and Danny Sartin in Africa. Kingdom Leadership is written for missionaries and ministers serving our Lord in various parts of the world. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.  A Kingdom Leader seeks the virtue of humility so they can serve others. You see Cathy in the photo on the left attempting to hold the tail of a lion cub. The cub was not excited about her doing that! Outside of biblical faith, humility is not considered a virtue. Loss of power and prestige is seen as an affliction of weakness and lowliness.
Do you desire to have others acknowledge your ministry titles? Are you accessible and approachable? Are you genuinely interested in hearing about the needs of others? Do you make eye contact with those you pass in the hall? Do you speak to others and call them by name? Jesus was the ultimate example of humility. Even though he was God he took the role of a servant to care for us! Jesus is our king and savior. But He is mild and gentle like a wild animal that has been tamed. Matthew 21:5 (NIV84) “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”a Check your heart and see if you find His humility in you. Can others see that humility? Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions.com ________________________ a Zech. 9:9 The Holy Bible: New International Version (Mt 21:5). (1984). Zondervan. Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved. Photos taken by Cathy and Danny Sartin in Africa. Kingdom Leadership is written for missionaries and ministers serving our Lord in various parts of the world. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions. |
Danny SartinFour decade veteran of youth ministry in churches, Youth For Christ and now is the Founder and Executive Director of Deeper Still Missions. Danny and his wife Cathy spend most of their time mentoring missionaries in Africa, Europe, Central America and North America. Future opportunities include South America and the Asia Pacific area. Archives
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