Leadership Tips & Training Be Strong and Courageous!

Thanksgiving is about giving thanks to God for His abundant blessings. The Lord has given us life eternal and abundant through Jesus Christ. Many, however, do not experience this abundant life due to fear, doubt, and deception. This is where leadership comes in! Leaders must lead those whom the Lord has put in their care to renew their minds with truth—God’s truth.

God’s charge to Joshua as he was presented the leadership role was, "Be strong and courageous!" Today, as never before, we need to hear these words. In the midst of an uncertain world, with terrorist attacks ever on our minds, we need the reassuring words of God, "Be strong and courageous!" We began the study of Joshua in my Sunday school class this week and it is an especially timely word to us as First Place leaders. As we read through the first chapter of Joshua, I felt the Lord speaking directly to my own heart. He said, "Nancy, you have been called to be a leader with courage to lead others to their promised land." He did not speak audibly, but through His Spirit He inspired me once again to pick up His orders and lead on with a strength and courage that only He can give.

Be Strong!

The First Place ministry is a wonderful tool that the Lord uses to enable people to experience their promised land. People have often believed a lie that says, "If I can be good enough or work hard enough, then I will be blessed. Ephesians 1:3 states, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." He has already blessed us with all we need. God had provided the Promised Land for the Israelites, but fear and weakness kept them from ever being able to take possession of what God had already provided for them. God appointed Joshua to lead the people into the Promised Land. God has appointed First Place leaders to lead their members into the Promised Land of total wellness. I have often relied on my own strength as a First Place leader. Wrong! God is our strength and our shield (Psalm 28:7). When we are weak, He is strong! Admit your weaknesses to God and He will provide strength through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:16). A strong leader will remind their First Place members that strength comes by trusting the One who is faithful, just as God reminded Joshua, "I will not fail you or forsake you." God is the one who will supply strength; He is the one who will empower each member and leader to reach the goal of complete wellness and effectiveness.

Be Courageous!

The Lord told Joshua to be courageous in the midst of adversity and change. Moses, known as the greatest of leaders, must have been a really hard act to follow! Joshua could have easily fallen into self-doubt and insecurity if he had trusted in himself. Instead, God reminded him of His promises and His Word. If you are following someone who was a beloved strong leader or if you are the very first First Place leader your group has known, don’t allow anxiety or fear of failure to enter your mind. Joshua 1:5 reminds us that God will never fail us or leave us. God also reminds Joshua in the very next verse that He plans to keep His promises. We do not need to fear because God is faithful and worthy of our trust. Find courage in the words of Paul, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

Where did Joshua find courage? He found it in meditating on God’s Word day and night and then carefully doing what it said. God instructs Joshua and leaders of today that success can only be found by following the wisdom and instructions of His Word. Hiding God’s Word in my heart has given me freedom and taken away my fear in leading others, especially in difficult situations. The more acquainted you become with God’s Word, the more comfortable you will be using it to instruct and encourage others. You no longer rely on your own knowledge or words, but depend on the only
truth that can set people free. (John 8:32)

Do you lack strength or courage? Run straight to the One who is not only your shield, but also your glory and the One who holds your head high. "Thou O Lord art a shield about me, my glory and the One who lifts my head." Psalm 3:3. Strength, courage and blessing are found in God alone. Today, you are called to be a strong and courageous leader for those who are following you into their promised land of wellness. Lead on!

Nancy Taylor
Leadership Training Director



Nancy Taylor is the First Place Leadership Training Director and joined the First Place staff in 1997. Nancy teaches leadership principles to First Place Leaders throughout the country and at Houston's First Baptist Church where she coordinates all the First Place groups. Nancy also speaks at First Place workshops, rallies, retreats, and conferences, where she delights her audiences with humor and encourages them with boldness. She writes a monthly article, which includes helpful tips for leaders, for the First Place E-newsletter, and was a contributing writer to the Today is the First Day devotional book. Nancy is the resident First Place Bible Concordance because of her love for Scripture memory.