If you would rather pick a fight than solve a problem, do not consider leading the church

If those who hold influence over others fail to lead toward the spiritual uplands, then surely the path to the lowlands will be well worn.

It is very possible to be proud of the spiritual gifts God has entrusted to us and to strut about ostentatiously, forgetting that we have nothing which we have not received, that grace is a gift, an undeserved favor. We can actually be filled with pride at the eloquence and brilliance of our sermon on humility.

Our problem is not too little time, but making better use of the time we have. Each of us has as much time as anyone else.

Will the leader reflect the ugliness of egotism or the transfigured glory of Christ the Lord?

It is impossible for a believer, no matter what his experience, to keep right with God if he will not take the trouble to spend time with God. Spend plenty of time with him; let other things go, but don't neglect Him.

We are at this moment as close to God as we really choose to be. True, there are times when we would like to know a deeper intimacy, but when it comes to the point, we are not prepared to pay the price involved.