Quotes from J Oswald Sanders

Knowledge and wisdom, far from being one, Have ofttimes no connection. Knowledge dwells In heads replete with thoughts of other men: Wisdom, in minds attentive to their own. Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much, Wisdom is humble, that he knows no more.

Vision involves optimism and hope. The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.

Our example in this is the ultimate Servant Jesus, who came to serve but graciously accepted the service of others—people like His hosts Mary and Martha, the use of the colt He rode into Jerusalem, and others.

The young man of leadership caliber will work while others waste time, study while others snooze, pray while others daydream. Slothful habits are overcome, whether in thought, deed, or dress. The emerging leader eats right, stands tall, and prepares himself to wage spiritual warfare

Lazy and disorganized people never rise to true leadership. Many who aspire to leadership fail because they have never learned to follow.

The power of inspiring others to service and sacrifice will mark God's leader.

As Jesus dealt with sin's cause rather than effect, so the spiritual leader should adopt the same method in prayer.

To get at the root of problems, a leader must develop into a skillful listener. Too many strong personalities are compulsive talkers. "He won't listen to me," complains a missionary. "He gives the answer before I have had a chance to state the problem.

God will not cooperate with prayers of mere self-interest, or prayers that come from impure motives.

The quality of a person's leadership will be in part measured by time: its use and its passage.

Time is precious, but we squander it thoughtlessly

Spiritual leadership requires Spirit-filled people. Other qualities are important; to be Spirit-filled is indispensable.

Selecting leaders apart from spiritual qualifications leads always to unspiritual administration.

Our problem is not too little time but making better use of the time we have.

Every Christian is obliged to be the best for God. Like any other worthwhile activity, if leadership can be improved, we should seek to improve it. In so doing, we prepare ourselves for higher service that may be just around the next corner, though unseen at the present.

Not every Christian is called to major leadership in the church, but every Christian is a leader, for we all influence others. All of us should strive to improve our leadership skills.

The leader who intends to grow spiritually and intellectually will be reading constantly.

These days, the practice of reading spiritual classics is on the wane. We have more leisure today than ever before in history, but many people claim to have no time for reading. A spiritual leader cannot use that excuse.

Leaders should determine to spend a minimum of half an hour a day reading books that feed the soul and stimulate the mind.

Indeed, if we read merely to stock our head with ideas, to feel superior to others, or to appear learned, then our reading is useless and vain.

When we invite the Spirit to fill us, the Spirit's power grips our lives with this kind of strength and passion.

To be filled with the Spirit is to be controlled by the Spirit. The Christian leader's mind, emotions, will, and physical strength all become available for the Spirit to guide and use. Under the Spirit's control, natural gifts of leadership are lifted to their highest power, sanctified for holy purpose.

The filling of the Spirit is essential for spiritual leadership. And each believer has as much of the Spirit's presence as he or she will ever need. Our task is to remain yielded to Him.

The leader cannot spend time on secondary matters while essential obligations scream for attention. A day needs careful planning.