I remember hearing my grandmother say, "It's coming up a cloud."

At first, I thought that meant I was about to be sent to cut a hickory switch. 

I soon learned she meant it was going to rain real hard.

Leaders know a lot about storms. Like summer rains in Florida, we should not be surprised by a daily storm.

Bad storms happen to good leaders. In the course of day-to-day interaction with people, it seems certain that clouds will form. Sometimes the strongest storms come in the center of obedience.

These are the storms which cause leaders the greatest opportunity to slip. The disciples were in shock that such a storm rocked their ship while Jesus slept.

We learn a valuable leadership lesson from Jesus in how He handled the storm. He spoke to the storm with a faith bullet:

"Peace. Be still."

Jesus spoke His words to the disciples as well as to the storm.

"Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"

Both of our Lord's questions are appropriate to ask in the center of a storm.

The disciples were in obedience in the presence of Jesus. The storm revealed a faith crisis in this instance. If ever there could be full faith, I would think it would occur in a boat with Jesus.

We must be so close to Jesus in our walk as leaders that we radiate peace, not lightning bolts.

It's coming up a cloud. Respond in faith.

P.S. Do you subscribe to Ministry Today? Will you please consider doing it? 

With the link below you will receive my special publisher's offer. Our baseline subscription is $24.97. My offer to you is a one-year subscription (6 issues) for $10.00.

I'd like to know what you think of Ministry Today and would love to hear from you.

Please click here today for the Dr. Greene special.

Today's Scripture

"A great wind storm arose, and the waves splashed into the boat, so that it was now filling the boat. He was in the stern asleep on a pillow. They woke Him and said, 'Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?' He rose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still!' Then the wind ceased and there was a great calm. He said to them, 'Why are you so fearful? How is that you have no faith?' They feared greatly and said to one another, 'What kind of Man is He, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?'" (Mark 4:37-41).

Platform Tip No. 76

Think of your message as manna.

The Israelites learned to consume daily bread.

Your audience wants to hear more from you.

Send your manna every day.

Do you want to learn more about developing your personal platform?

Send for my free series of lessons titled, "The Fundamentals of Creating, Curating and Developing Content for Multiple Platforms." Send your request to: [email protected].

We will not share your email address with anyone.

Dr. Steve Greene is the publisher and executive vice president of the media group at Charisma Media and executive producer of the Charisma Podcast Network. His book, Love Leads: The Spiritual Connection Between Your Relationships and Productivity, is now available.

Leaders, Dr. Greene wants to help you understand the spiritual connection between relationships and productivity. Read his new blog, here.

Get Spirit-filled content delivered right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

Dr. Steve Greene is now sharing stories, teachings, and conversations with guests who lead with love on Love Leads, a new podcast. Listen now.

Dr. Mark Rutland's

National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL)

The NICL is one of the top leadership training programs in the U.S. taught by Dr. Mark Rutland. If you're the type of leader that likes to have total control over every aspect of your ministry and your future success, the NICL is right for you!

FREE NICL MINI-COURSE - Enroll for 3-hours of training from Dr. Rutland's full leadership course. Experience the NICL and decide if this training is right for you and your team.

The NICL Online is an option for any leader with time or schedule constraints. It's also for leaders who want to expedite their training to receive advanced standing for Master Level credit hours. Work through Dr. Rutland's full training from the comfort of your home or ministry at your pace. Learn more about NICL Online. Learn more about NICL Online.