Saturday, April 22, 2017

7 Steps to Gain Authority

 7 Steps to Gaining Authority

Authority is defined as: “the power or right to give orders or make decisions: the power or right to direct or control someone or something.” The source of authority may be internal (residing within), or external (authority vested by an external agency.)

External Authority

As a new president takes authority over the government of the United States, he or she is given great authority by the office. But he or she is also under the authority of the constitution and those who elected him or her. While this authority is external. It comes with the job. It is great but the success of the presidency is determined not by this eternal authority but by internal authority.

A policeman with a badge and uniform has the power and right to direct automobiles and trucks to stop, turn, or proceed. His authority has been vested in him by a governmental agency. His authority is identified by his badge and uniform. An impostor could steal the uniform and badge and go out in the street and direct traffic and the drivers of the vehicles would not know he was an impostor and would probably follow his direction. His authority is in his appearance. The policeman does not have the physical strength to stop a truck coming at him at a high rate of speed, but he is able to stop the truck by the authority vested in him by the government.

In a traditional business organization, there is a hierarchy of authority. The Board of Directors - whose authority is vested in them by the stockholders or owners - has authority over the president, who has authority over vice presidents, etc. There is a hierarchal structure of authority throughout the entire organization.

Similarly, a military officer gives orders to troops who are trained to be obedient and to respond quickly to proper commands. The officer’s authority is vested in higher authority and backed by the government. Uniform insignia designates the rank. Rank determines the level of authority of the officer. The officer, in turn, is also is under authority. The military is a hierarchal organization where orders come down from the top to the lowest echelons and obedience looks up for direction.

There is one major problem with external authority. It can be taken away quickly without any warning. As a result, the external authority must be guarded and protected. When protecting a position, you will inevitably encounter someone who challenges your authority, leading to conflicts. The external authority may lead to compliance from underlings, but it does not always warrant respect.

Internal Authority

Internal authority is based upon character. Organizational psychologist and author of “Give and Take,” Adam Grant, states "there were two ways to gain influence (have authority); dominance or prestige." Internal authority is all about “Prestige.” The internal authority may be difficult to explain but it is one of those things that “we know it when we see it.” Those with internal authority know who they are, why they are where they are, and what must be done. A person develops internal authority by growing in individuality, self-confidence, conviction, integrity, and having a servant attitude.

Individuality

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”  R[Ralph Waldo Emerson]

Every individual in the world is unique. Unfortunately - because we have a desire to fit in - we try to hide our uniqueness and become like others around us. We see this in teenagers who dress alike, talk alike, and act alike. There are some who rebel and dress and act differently, but soon the rebels will come together and share their dress and actions as they fit together.

In the business world, there is a tendency to dress, think, and act alike. In many large corporations, you see individuals who dress alike, have similar facial hair and walk with a certain gait. Most of them are inadvertently imitating their immediate boss who in turn is copying the chief executive.
Individuality is important. It is the quality that makes one person or thing different from all others. It is not easy to be different, but you cannot develop internal authority if you are trying to be like someone else. Today we have too many people in politics, business, and the church who are not sure of their own identity, so they put on masks and try to become like the ones they care about, or what they think others want them to be. They do all of this in the hope that they will be accepted.

Individuality requires an understanding of one’s gifts, talents, and purpose. While you can grow in knowledge and ability, the only way you can grow in individuality is by being yourself and not trying to emulate someone else.

Self-confidence

Self-confidence is confidence in oneself and in one's powers and abilities. It is not prideful but it is being totally honest about who you are. You know your weakness and limitations as well as your strengths. Self-confident people have a peace about them. There is an internal strength which allows them to handle criticism and failure without reacting in self-pity and defensiveness. Self-confidence allows one to react appropriately to criticism - to be objective, analyze, and accept appropriate criticism.
Anyone who is active bringing in new ideas will be criticized. It is the nature of the game. Self-confidence allows us to look at the criticism objectively, evaluate it to determine the validity, and take action when necessary.

Conviction/purpose/focus

Individuals with internal authority have a conviction regarding what they are doing. By focusing on their purpose, they will not be sidetracked by unimportant issues which could distract and keep them from reaching their goal. Strong leaders are gifted with the ability to see long range goals and not chase down rabbit holes. Focus is derived from a conviction or purpose which evokes passion and a willingness to make sacrifices to achieve that which they seek. Passion is contagious and draws others to the battle. Others catch your passion and are led toward the same goal. People will follow leaders who have a passion about their purpose.
“I just set myself on fire and people come to watch me burn.” [John Wesley]
Each of us has a destiny, or purpose, in life. But we often dilute our efforts by chasing after things we are not called to chase. It is better to be good at a few things than mediocre at many things.

Integrity

Integrity is measured by what you do when no one else is looking. It is the quality of being honest and fair - the state of being complete or whole. Integrity seems to be lacking in many leaders today. We are witnessing the lack of honesty and fairness by politicians, business executives, religious leaders, and individual citizens in today’s world. Integrity seems to have been lost in this egocentric Post-Modern world.
“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.”  [Albert Einstein]
Leaders with integrity will stand out and be followed by others seeking truth. Integrity requires us to speak the truth without exaggeration, follow through when we say we will do something, be careful in money and moral issues, live what we preach, and be a servant to those we lead - willing to sacrifice our own desires to help others.

Servant Attitude

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”   Mother Teresa
A Servant attitude will always result in internal authority. A servant leader wants to benefit the group and desires to make other people successful and see them grow. It is a way of honoring others. There are too many leaders today that sacrifice the people that they have authority over, to further their own personal agenda.
Ezekiel 34:2 (MSG) "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherd-leaders of Israel. Yes, prophesy! Tell those shepherds, 'God, the Master, says: Doom to you shepherds of Israel, feeding your own mouths! Aren't shepherds supposed to feed sheep?

Increase Your Internal Authority

Internal Authority cannot be taken away. People with internal authority will always rise to the top of an organization. They do not have to be afraid of other people, they can take risks and be innovative, and they end up with external authority given to them. They will be recognized by higher authorities and do not have to rely on the external things to be successful.

Those with authority must be under authority. If they cannot be under authority, they cannot be trusted to be given greater authority. If they can relate well to those over them, they will be able to relate well to those under them.

Internal authority can be increased by following the steps listed below.

1. Know yourself: 

Understand who you are; your abilities, your strengths and weaknesses, and your purpose in life.

2. Eliminate Fear of failure: 

Develop a Godly self-confidence. Baseball player, Sammy Sosa broke the record for strikeouts in a single season.  He hit 62 home runs breaking the record of Babe Ruth, but he struck out more often than he hit a home run.  Most people who have accomplished great things have failed a couple of times.  Good people only condemn others for not trying, not those who try and fail.

3. Eliminate Fear of Rejection: 

Do not be afraid of what others might think. Attempt something great. It is far better to attempt something great and fail than to attempt nothing and succeed. 

4. Accept what you cannot change, be thankful for what you have:

5. Believe in the importance of your purpose:

6. Walk in integrity:

Be honest about your weaknesses and limitations. Be a learner, don’t be afraid to say, I don't know. Change your mind once in a while.   Allow others to change your mind once in a while. Ask for help and advice once in a while. When you are wrong, admit it and repent quickly.

7. Have Faith in the future. Expect success.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Jesus Last Words on the Cross

When someone is about to die or leave us, it is important to hear and understand the words that they leave us with – their last words. When Jesus was on the cross crucified, He gave us seven significant things to take into our heart.

THE FIRST WORD

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." Gospel of Luke 23:34
Jesus asks his Father in heaven to forgive the soldiers, who have scourged him, mocked him, tortured him, and - just now - nailed him to the cross. But could this not also apply to his Apostles and companions who have deserted him; to Peter who has denied him three times, to the fickle crowd, who only days before praised him on his entrance to Jerusalem, and then days later chose him over Barabbas to be crucified? Could this not also apply to us, who daily forget him in our lives? Does he react angrily? No, he asks his Father to forgive them, because they are ignorant!
At the height of his physical suffering, his Divine love prevails and He asks His Father to forgive his enemies. Right up to his final hours on earth, Jesus teaches forgiveness. In the Lord’s Prayer, He teaches forgiveness, "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us" (Matthew 6:12). When asked by Peter, how many times we should forgive someone, Jesus answers, “seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22).
On Good Friday and throughout the year, we followers of Jesus need to live in forgiveness.

THE SECOND WORD

"Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Gospel of Luke 23:43
Now it is not just the religious leaders or the soldiers that mock Jesus, but even one of the criminals - a downward progression of mockery - but the criminal on the right speaks up for Jesus, explaining that the two criminals are receiving their just due, and pointing to Jesus, says, "this man has done nothing wrong." He then turns to Jesus and makes a request, "Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom" (Luke 23:42). What wonderful faith this repentant sinner had in Jesus. Jesus, ignoring his own suffering, mercifully responds with His second word. The second word again is about forgiveness, but this time it is directed to a sinner.

THE THIRD WORD

"Jesus said to his mother: "Woman, this is your son". Then he said to the disciple: "This is your mother." Gospel of John 19:26-27
Jesus and His mother Mary are together again. At the beginning of his ministry at a wedding in Cana, Jesus reacted with His mother. Now at the end of his public ministry, she is at the foot of the Cross. What sorrow must fill her heart, to see her Son mocked, tortured, and now just crucified? Once again, a sword pierces Mary's soul, the sword predicted by Simeon at the Temple (Luke 2:35). There are four at the foot of the cross, Mary his Mother, John, the disciple whom he loved, Mary of Cleopas, his mother's sister, and Mary Magdalene. But again Jesus rises above the occasion. His concerns are for the ones that love him. The good son that He is, is concerned about taking care of his mother.

THE FOURTH WORD

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 [Psalm 22:1]
It was in the ninth hour - after three hours of darkness - Jesus cried out this fourth word. The ninth hour was three in the afternoon in Palestine. One is struck by the anguished tone of this expression compared to the first three words of Jesus. This cry is from the painful heart of the human Jesus who must feel deserted by His Father and the Holy Spirit, not to mention his earthly companions the Apostles. Jesus feels separated from his Father. He is now all alone, and he must face death by himself.  Matthew Henry writes:
“The believer may have tasted some drops of bitterness, but he can only form a very feeble idea of the greatness of Christ's sufferings. Yet, hence he learns something of the Savior’s love to sinners; hence he gets a deeper conviction of the vileness and evil of sin, and of what he owes to Christ, who delivers him from the wrath to come.”
(Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary.)

THE FIFTH WORD

"I thirst" Gospel of John 19:28
The fifth word of Jesus is His only human expression of His physical suffering. Jesus is now in shock. The wounds inflicted upon him in the scourging, the crowning with thorns, and the nailing upon the cross are now taking their toll, especially after losing blood on the three-hour walk through the city of Jerusalem to Golgotha on the Way of the Cross. Jesus was carrying out the commission the Father had assigned to Him. This commission had been prescribed by an Old Testament prophecy. The phrase "I am thirsty" recalls Psalm 69:21 "They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst." Jesus' loss of blood, his nervous tension, and his exposure to the weather had generated a raging thirst.

THE SIXTH WORD

When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished"; and he bowed his head and handed over the spirit. Gospel of John 19:30
The sixth word is Jesus' recognition that his suffering is over and his task is completed. Jesus was obedient to the Father and gave his love for mankind by redeeming us with His death on the Cross. When Jesus died, He "handed over" the Spirit. Jesus remains in control to the end, and it is He who handed over his Spirit.
During the time of Christ, when a person had been convicted of a crime and sentenced to prison, he was given a piece of paper describing the sentence he was to receive.  This paper was called a certificate of debt. When the sentence was completed, the warden of the prison stamped his paper with the word Tetelestai . Translated into English, this means,It is finished,” the sentence had been paid in full.
It was not a whimper, It was a shout of Victory, "I have completed the will of my Father, I have satisfied the demands of his justice, I have accomplished all that was written in the prophets, and suffered at the hands of my enemies; now the way to the holy of holies is made open through my blood."  The work of man’s redemption and salvation is now completed; a fatal blow has been given to the power of Satan, a fountain of grace opened that shall flow forever, a foundation of peace and happiness is laid that shall never fail.

THE SEVENTH WORD

Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit": Gospel of Luke 23:46

Just before He dies Jesus quotes Psalm 31:5 - "Into thy hands, I commend my spirit; thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God." The innocent Lamb had been slain for our sins so that we might be forgiven. Jesus fulfills His mission, and as He says so clearly in John's Gospel, He can now return: "I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father" (John 16:28). Jesus practiced what He preached: "Greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).