FIND YOUR VOICE

As a leader, you must find your voice. If you don’t see, develop and mold your leadership voice, others will shape it for you.

On INC.com; Peter Economy, The Leadership Guy; listed five qualities in the article, “The 5 Traits That Define Great Leadership” that every leader should possess:

We have all been there. You have had a productive week, and you are catching your breath and refreshing your coffee when a coworker enters the break room, and the quack attack begins. Why did you…? Who do you think you are…? What were you thinking…? How come you…? Have you ever considered…? When are you going to…? Suddenly, all the satisfaction you have felt from a well-done week disappears. You can feel the air being let out of your emotional balloon. Here are some tips for surviving the dreaded yet inevitable quack attack:

HANNAH: FOR THIS CHILD, I PRAYED

This message,
“HANNAH’S PRAYER OF COMMITMENT –
FOR THIS CHILD, I PRAYED”
by Rev. Bobbi Morehead, PH.D. was preached at
The Potter’s House Church on December 1st, 2021

Pastor Hopper asked me to teach this lesson about Hannah’s prayers. So I knew that there was something or somethings that God specifically wanted me to learn through preparation to teach this lesson. I will share with you what God impressed upon me, and I believe that you will hear and receive a God nugget to challenge you to allow Scripture to lead, guide, and direct your life.

MOREHEAD “20TH ANNIVERSARY” POEM

Today’s post is the 20th Anniversary acrostic poem I wrote for my wife for our Anniversary. Enjoy.

We have reached our 20th wedding anniversary! I wanted to tell you 20 reasons why I still love you “Bobbi Fae “Wife” Morehead! (It takes a lot of words to generate 20 letters)!”

BEAUTIFUL – You are my beautiful wife, and you are more gorgeous today than the day that I married you.

OPTIMISTIC – No matter the circumstances, you can see the good in situations and people. You are a persistent, positive, problem-solver.

REFUEL

The message, “REFUEL,” was originally preached at Adrian United on 7.31.11. Below is an edited and abbreviated blog transcript of that message.

I will never forget the month of March in 2020. My schedule was packed, I had already traveled to several States, and suddenly, Covid stopped everything. Then after a year of being cooped up, I couldn’t wait to get back out and go again. I was so tired of being quarantined, and then on June 1st, 2021, the mask mandate lifted, and we all just took off again.

DDIY: DON’T DO IT YOURSELF

This was a sermon preached on Pentecost Sunday

Pentecostals of South Haven – South Haven, MI – May, 3rd, 2020

The Potter’s House Church – Battle Creek, MI – July 19th, 2020

and transcribed to text.

As Americans, we love to roll up our sleeves and do it ourselves. We have an entire television channel, the DIY Network, dedicating to helping us tackle projects on our own—without relying on professional help. Rightfully, we feel a sense of pride after mastering new skills and empowering ourselves to build or fix something around the house.

THE REGENERATION OF YOUR MIND

This was a sermon preached on

Saginaw Valley UPC – Saginaw, MI – November 10th, 2013

Pentecostals Of South Haven – South Haven, MI – June 9th, 2019

and transcribed to text.

Today we are going to look at the importance of our minds from a Biblical perspective. However, before we dive into scripture, I would like to share a humorous analogy that shows the nature of our minds. When it comes to our attitude, we are usually either dog people or cat people. The literary genius, Max Lucado, shares the two following examples:

FIRE CHANGES EVERYTHING

This was a sermon preached on Pentecost Sunday

The Potter’s House Church – Battle Creek, MI – March 29th, 2020

Apostolic Faith Tabernacle – Ferndale, MI – June 9th, 2019

Life Church – Roseville, MI – June 9th, 2019

and transcribed to text.

A year after my wife and I got married, we purchased our first home together. It was a Victorian-style home that was built over 100 years ago. As we were viewing the home for the first time, I noticed fire damage in the basement. The house was structurally sound, everything had been cleaned up, but you could still see the remnants of the fire. There were marrings on the walls and ceiling as a reminder that fire had been present. My father came from Arkansas and worked on our home for two months, and when he was finished, the home was beautiful. However, the markings in the basement remain. Fire always leaves a mark!

Continue reading “FIRE CHANGES EVERYTHING”

ABC’S OF BARNABAS “THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT” – PART 4: T-Z

Continue reading “ABC’S OF BARNABAS “THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT” – PART 4: T-Z”

ABC’S OF BARNABAS “THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT” – PART 3: M-S

ABC’S OF BARNABAS: THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT was originally taught in its entirety on November 17, 2017, for Purpose Institute at the First Apostolic Church of Troy Campus, Pastor Marvin Walker.

M IS FOR MISSIONARY JOURNEY

Acts 13:1-2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Encouragement will launch you out of your comfort zone. Barnabas and Saul traveled over 1,400 miles for more than two years and 14 cities. By encouraging Saul, Barnabas was able to go to places he would never have imagined. Once we encourage others, they can supersede us and go places we will never be able to go. QUESTION: What is one way you can expand your comfort zone through the use of encouragement?

N IS FOR NEPHEW

Acts 15:37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus.

He defended his nephew, Mark, to travel with him even though he had abandoned a previous mission. I have spoken with many leaders who have told me they felt they could not give someone the proper encouragement because that person was a family member. They did not want to appear in any way that they were showing favoritism. Please remember, family members are souls as well! Some people feel they should try to lead by treating everyone the same. I have found that to be extremely difficult because everyone’s needs are different. Your family’s needs will be different than everyone else’s needs. So you will have to encourage them differently. But you must still encourage your family! QUESTION: Who is a family member that you can encourage?

O IS FOR OPPORTUNITIES

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

Have you noticed that Barnabas had the habit of jumping in wherever God was working? He was asked to journey to Antioch to inspect the revival happening in the church. There was no way for Barnabas to anticipate how this small opportunity would blossom. God simply presented an opportunity, and Barnabas jumped in. After Antioch, God called Barnabas and Paul to go on a Missionary Journey. He could have easily resisted saying that he was already busy enough. Instead, he accepted the opportunity, and the Gospel was spread around the world. QUESTION: What is one opportunity that God is challenging you with right now?

P IS FOR PRAYER AND FASTING

Acts 13:3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Barnabas’ actions were led by prayer. We all talk about prayer, but not everyone knows how to pray: My family and I use the following prayer model:
- P.raise – I start by thanking God for my experiences from the previous day.
- R.epentance – I ask God for the forgiveness of sins and the power to overcome these obstacles.
- A.sk – I do this in two steps:
  - 1) INTERCESSION – Prayer for others
  - 2) SUPPLICATION – Prayer for myself.
- Y.ield – I yield to God’s will in my life. I record my prayers in my journal; This is an excellent strength of encouragement for me to be able to go back and see the marvelous things that God has done.

QUESTION: Do you have a systematic plan for prayer? What is it?

Q IS FOR QUICK TO OBEY

John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

I like to believe that I obey the lessons that God teaches me. The truth is it usually takes me a while. I have had to retake more than one of God’s character-building tests. In the life of Barnabas, it appears that he was quick to obey. Barnabas, go to Antioch and vouch for Paul, “Yes, God.” Sell your land and give to the needy, “Yes, God.” Go with Paul on a two-year missionary journey, “Yes, God.” Put your relationship with Paul on the line and defend John Mark, “Yes, God.” Instead of spending his life learning the lessons the hard way, we find a man who was willing and quick to obey the instructions of God. QUESTION: Which is the hardest part for you, quick or obey?

R IS FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS

Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

It appears that looking at the life of Barnabas that he continually did the “right things.” That is the definition of righteousness – right-living, doing right. Simply put, we see in Barnabas, a man that tried to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God? QUESTION: What is your definition of righteousness?

S IS FOR SECOND CHANCE

Acts 15:37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

Barnabas gave Paul his first chance but gave his nephew, John Mark, his second chance. I believe most people love the idea and feeling of giving someone their first chance. It is exhilarating to give someone an opportunity and watch them succeed and flourish. I also realize many of us are not as keen to give people their second chance, or 22nd chance or 222nd chance. Peter asked Jesus in Matthew 18:21, “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22. Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” Jesus’ response goes far beyond the human capacity of forgiveness. As leaders, we must give people around us a safe place to land when they make mistakes. John Mark had abandoned Paul on a previous journey, yet Barnabas was adamant of giving him a second chance even though John Mark did not deserve it. QUESTION: Who is someone you can give a second chance?