Skilled leaders encourage their team by recognizing their contributions. Read Mark 12:41-44.

Jesus was in Jerusalem in what would be the last few days of His earth-bound life. During those days He spent some time in the Temple interacting with the people. On one of those occasions He was watching people put their offering into the treasury box. When Jesus saw a poor woman drop in two coins that would not equal a penny, but were all she had to live on, He called His disciples to Him and pointed out this woman’s sacrificial gift, giving her a great compliment. Jesus understood the importance of celebrating other’s sacrifices.

Encouragement is one of the greatest tools in a leader’s toolbox. Read Matthew 17:1-13.

Peter, James and John were three of the twelve disciples who Jesus relied on heavily to complete His mission even after He was no longer living on earth. In today’s verses these men accompanied Jesus to a remote area in the mountains of Judea and to their great surprise Jesus was suddenly transfigured from a man they worked with everyday to a heavenly being, the man of grace, who was joined by Moses, Israel’s first lawgiver, and Elijah, Israel’s greatest prophet. As if this were not enough they heard the very voice of God giving Jesus’ work His approval from heaven. Can you even imagine how encouraged these men were from what Jesus revealed to them concerning the scope of their mission? The impression was so lasting that Peter later writes about it in one of his books, 2 Peter 1:16-18.

When leaders express vision their team will be encouraged. Read Zechariah 2:1-13.

Zechariah was writing to people who had recently experienced a seventy-year exile from their homeland to Babylon. The small contingent who had returned to Judah and Jerusalem were being challenged to finish the temple construction when Zechariah gave them this message of hope and encouragement. Zechariah encouraged the people to complete the rebuilding project by giving them a vision of the Messiah who would come to this temple and bring salvation to the people.

Wise Christian leaders will find ways to offer encouragement and hope to their team even during a process of correction. Read Amos 9:11-15.

For eight and one half chapters Amos had given warnings of God’s coming judgment to the people of Israel. Amos’ sharp declarations required a response; Israel’s sin had to be dealt with and that meant some very difficult times ahead. But, the book concludes with hope for the future. In the last half of chapter 9, Amos’ words were full of hope, healing and the vision of a positive change that once again would bring God’s blessing. Through Amos’ closing words, God illustrates how much people need both admonishment and affirmation.

God longs to bless and reward obedient leaders. Read Jeremiah 29:1-14.

Jeremiah had warned Judah for decades to repent of their violations of the covenant they had made with God. Eventually God gave Babylon military success against Judah. Babylon invaded Judah three times. Once they simply made Jerusalem and Judah subject to their rule and forced them to pay an annual tribute, once they took several thousand captives back to Babylon including the king and his family, Daniel and others that were the brightest and best Judah had to offer, and during the third invasion they destroyed the city of Jerusalem, mercilessly massacred thousands, and took virtually all the able bodied back to Babylon in chains.