When Leaders Fail

Today I want to talk to you a little about the lesson I had to teach on Sunday.  It was taken from I Samuel 2-3.  This is the story of  the priest Eli and his 2 wicked sons and the boy Samuel that delivers God's message of judgment on them.  The moral of this story is: Parents correct your children when they are young or God just might have to take you and them out!! Not a pleasant lesson indeed.  We look around today and see many leaders that are failing.  Financial, political, and yes, even religious leaders are failing God and this nation.  But do you realize that you too are leading somebody!!. None of us are exempt from that role.  Moms those children are watching and listening.  Dads those children and wife are watching and listening.  God gave Eli many chances to do the hard thing and discipline his boys, but he turned a blind eye and a deaf ear.  God finally had to raise up a young boy to deliver a message of judgment to this servant of God. The verse that was so convicting to me was I Samuel 2:23: "Why do you do such things"? Now this was a question that Eli asked his boys.  We have all asked our children this question.  You know the answer we always get is :  "I don't know"!  Well, the Holy Spirit asked me this week: Has God ever asked you this question?  He has!! Why do you do some of the things that you know is not on my approval list?  Why do you procrastinate in doing those hard things that you do not want to do?  Why Lanita, do you do such things?  You can fill in the blank for your life.  But just as the case with Eli and his sons, it is not sufficient to just ask the question.  You must determine to DO those things that are pleasing to Him and will make a difference in your family's life.  We must be the leaders that God has called us to be.  The risk is too great and the consequences too severe to not do those things that make a difference now and for all eternity.  We do not want to be leaders that fail.  It was Israel's downfall and I fear America's too.  But it all starts in the home with the family. Next week is : When Religion Fails. Can't wait to see how God is going to direct my thoughts in that area.  Be the leader God wants you to be and your legacy will last.