SELDI Podcast with Tony Williams Tony Williams

Greetings, Leaders. As we journey daily, we often find ourselves in a spiritual battle. With discernment from God, these battles transform our perspective and revolutionize our approach to life and career. Jehoshaphat, a great king in ancient times, gives us God's blueprint for victory. Jehoshaphat and his people are enjoying God's blessings when Jehoshaphat receives an alarming message that three armies are coming to attack them. What steps should we take for victory? First, understand that you are in a battle.Next, remember who you are and to whom you belong because identity is essential in keeping calm in the battle. "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" Isaiah 26:3 NLT Now, seek the LORD and follow His instructions on what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. Remember, God has a plan; trust in His guidance.  In believing faith and trust, Jehoshaphat prays to God with his people,  "We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help." 2 Chronicles 20:12 NLT This collective prayer and reliance on God is a powerful testament to the strength and unity God gives us in times of spiritual battle. Then, God gives us fantastic insight.  "This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you." 2 Chronicles 20:15-17 Your faith and belief in God are your most valuable assets. When we unite our faith with another like-minded person, our "Victory Mindset" empowers us. "I tell you this: if two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, My Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as My followers, I am there among you."   Jesus - Matthew 18:19-20 Ask God to give you a prayer partner with whom you can pray in unity concerning whatever God wants you to accomplish.  Expect God to instruct you and resolve to follow His instruction even if you can't tell the why. God instructs us through Jehoshaphat;  "Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in His prophets and you will be successful."  After consulting the people, he appointed people to sing to the LORD and praise Him for the splendor of His holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever."  As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against their enemies, and God defeated the enemy's armies. God will empower us to win every battle when we trust and rely totally upon Him for victory!  Begin now, relying totally upon God for everything. We will rejoice in the victories He gives.  "How the king rejoices in your strength, O LORD!He shouts with joy because you give him victory.For you have given him his heart's desire;you have withheld nothing he requested."  King David- Psalm 21:1-2 Victory!

 Greetings, Leaders. A leader recently shared this perspective with me: "Most people are living their lives on the jagged edge." Many of us live fragmented lives lacking order and direction.  But what if we could change that? Imagine the transformative power of living our lives and careers based on proven principles rooted in the wisdom of the Bible. A principle is a fundamental truth that serves as the foundation for a system of belief and behavior. A great leader from ancient times named Joshua received insight from God when chosen to lead over two million people on an assignment from God.  "Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do." Joshua 1:8 NLT Then, God encouraged Joshua with this reminder.  "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 Vision is essential in life and career. As a person thinks in their heart, so they are.  I became a follower of Jesus Christ on January 31, 1979. That year, I discovered how I see myself is essential to my vision. We are created in the image of God and made for a specific vision for our lives.   This fundamental truth inspired and set me free to envision God's vision for me, which I now pursue. "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 Embracing a vision inspired by God can ignite a fire within you, promoting personal growth and leading to positive outcomes in all aspects of your life and career. We can only be the person we can envision in our minds. Discovering who you are as a leader can impact family, friends, neighbors, clients, companies, communities, and the world. With your new identity, write the vision and make it plain so that those who read it may run and experience the results and outcomes. Our thoughts are powerful and influence our thinking and our words. "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:1-2 KJV The renewing of our minds and thinking of ourselves as God sees us changes everything.   What are the outcomes of your identity and vision for life and career based on Biblical Principles for "success" in life and career? Begin now to see yourself as Jesus sees you.  The awareness of Him, His help, and His presence will energize you and help you accomplish more than you can ask or imagine. God wants us to have a vision for life and careers and, most of all, to be complete in Him. Ask Him, "What is your vision for my life and career?" Then, listen and write in your journal what you sense He says.  He promises, "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." Jesus - Matthew 7:7 NLT  Victory! 

Greetings, Leaders.Our most significant tests as leaders come in times of prosperity and success. When you earnestly seek God and diligently apply His wisdom, insight, and guidance, you will find yourself on the path to great victories and success in your life and career.God desires our success! "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." 3 John 2 NKJVGreat leaders throughout history have accomplished great things, and many enjoy a life of victory by paying attention to God in their lives and careers.My journey of seeking God's wisdom and applying His insights began early in my career. I vividly remember the thrill of receiving my first sales commission check. It was a testament to the power of God's guidance in my professional life.So, I began acquiring many things I had desired for many years. As I share this message, God reminds me not to forget the consequences of drifting away from His leadership.I did, and the cost was significant in terms of lost time, leadership position, accomplishments, and humiliation caused by my lack of wisdom and discernment to continue practicing what God was teaching me.Pride, the enemy of every leader, gradually dominated my decisions. The outcome was as predicted; "Pride goes before destruction,    and haughtiness before a fall." Proverbs 16:18 NLTKing Uzziah, a leader in ancient times, comes to mind. He started well, but his pride became his undoing."He did right in the sight of the Lord... he continued to seek God... and as long as he sought the LORD, God prospered him." 2 Chronicles 26:4-5 NASBHe reigned as king for fifty-two years! He was a builder, engineered great inventions, a warrior, a strategist, and a prosperous cultivator of the land.However, his story ends in destruction. Why? "...hence his fame spread afar, for he was marvelously helped till he was strong. But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the LORD his God." 2Chronicels 26:15-16 NASBKing Uzziah was not remembered for his accomplishments, instead "for they said, "He is a leper."How, then, are we to protect ourselves when the success and prosperity of God come upon us as leaders?First, acknowledge God for every accomplishment in your life and career."Lord, you establish peace for us;    all that we have accomplished, you have done for us." Isaiah 26:12 NIVRemember, God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humility comes before honor from God.  "God resists the proud,But gives grace to the humble." James 4:6 NKJVSecond, we trust God for everything in life and career."Trust in the Lord with all your heart;    do not depend on your own understanding.Seek his will in all you do,    and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3: 5-6 NLTThirdly, prepare to enjoy a lifetime of victory by keeping our focus on God."...as long as he sought the LORD, God prospered him. "2 Chronicles 26:5Victory! 

Greetings, Leaders.Rejoice! Again, I say rejoice. You have a treasure awaiting your discovery, which has the potential to transform everything in your life and career.The treasure is God's wisdom. There are exceptional outcomes when we "Trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God." 1 Corinthians 2:5 NLTWisdom personified calls to everyone, especially those who desire God's best for their lives, careers, and all they love and serve."I love those who love me, and those who diligently seek me will find me.Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, and my yield better than choicest silver." I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice, to endow those who love me with wealth, that I may fill their treasuries." Proverbs 8: 17-21 NASBWhat an exceptional promise from God for you and me!My friends, I remember you in my prayers and believe you will find wisdom on your journey.We acquire Godly wisdom by asking God to provide it for us."If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." James 1:5 NLTBegin asking for wisdom for everything. Asking, believing, and receiving are habits in life and career. When we practice this, we will notice a shift in our thinking and how we approach every decision in serving clients, loving our families, and doing our work.I remember asking God for wisdom in serving clients and seeking a win for a significant business opportunity. He gave me wisdom, knowledge, insight, direction, and favor. We won the most critical business contract in my career!  God's promise, "For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones." Proverbs 2:6-8 NASBWhen we discover and apply God's wisdom in every area of our lives, we can expect a transformation in ourselves as leaders."The wisdom from above is, first of all, pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere." James 3:17 NLTBegin now and take the first step in discovering God's wisdom. Ask Him for His wisdom and seek the treasure for your life and career.Write about what occurs as you go on your journey. You will be amazed at your discoveries and the outcomes!Remember to share with others as you go. Your encouragement will change how they feel.Victory! 

Greetings, Leaders.Most leaders desire success. Many put in a great deal of effort and sacrifice to accomplish meaningful goals. However, what is the best goal and highest priority for great leaders?The greatest leader of all time gives us the answer."But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these other things will be added to you." Jesus - Matthew 6:33What does seeking first the kingdom of God look like in a leader's life? The answers lie in studying the lives of great leaders who came before us, such as King David, considering their outcomes, and imitating their faith.The lives to examine are those of great leaders who completed their journey, and we can see the full story of their lives.  Some may say, "I am too busy to prioritize seeking the kingdom of God. I have a quota to meet, a business to lead, stockholders, a board of directors, and family obligations to meet." God knows all this and promises to care for everything if we commit to making Him first.Begin to discover his faithfulness. Ask God to give you wisdom to put Him first. A great leader once said, "Prayer is life's greatest time saver." When I pray, my decisions are more impactful and fruitful, and my steps are firm and sure. I discovered this priority on May 14, 2015, and began applying it to my life and career. This principle changes everything! What are the outcomes of this priority in the heart of a leader?Life, righteousness, and honor come to those who pursue righteousness and loyalty as a way of life."Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor." Proverbs 21:21 NIVSome leaders desire fame and recognition. The best desire is "A good name is to be more desired than great wealth. Favor is better than silver and gold." Proverbs 22:1Humility is a prerequisite for experiencing the outcomes that stagger the imagination. "The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, honor, and life." Proverbs 22:4My friends, consider the rewards of having a mindset of humility and fear of the LORD.Great leaders from ancient times and today recognize two key truths: When we serve God with humility and gratitude, He rewards us with blessings that stagger the imagination."The LORD rewarded me for doing right; he restored me because of my innocence." King David - Psalm 18:20 NLTAs we journey through this season of leadership, let us be prepared for whatever the LORD calls us to do. You will experience the power and wisdom He provides for victory. Remember, he will never fail us. Trust in His guidance, for it is the surest path to triumph."The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?" Proverbs 20:24 NLTSeek the LORD's guidance as we plan for victory!  "Trust in the LORD with all your heart;do not depend on your own understanding.Seek his will in all you do,and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6 NLTHe holds victory in store for you and me!Victory! 

Greetings, Leaders.Every day, you craft a narrative that defines who you are and shapes the vision of who you aspire to be. This narrative, woven through your thoughts, words, and deeds, is not just a reflection of your leadership journey but a powerful tool that can steer it toward greatness."If you want to be great, you must be the servant of all the others." Jesus, Matthew 20:26Make a conscious effort to weave gratitude into your daily narrative. This simple act can transform your leadership style, foster a positive work and family environment, and boost team morale.  Paul, a great leader in ancient times, exhorted those he served to follow his example.  "What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."Paul - Philippians 4:9 ESV"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith." Hebrews 13:7 ESV"Always be full of joy in the LORD. Again, I say rejoice. The Lord is near."Paul, Philippians 4:5Let's aspire to be leaders like Paul, leading with faith and love. Strive to be leaders of influence, using our faith to inspire others to follow our example.What have you learned?What have you received? Encourage others.What have you heard?What have you seen?Take a moment to reflect on your experiences and learnings. Write your answers to these questions. This self-reflection is a powerful tool for personal growth and can guide your future leadership actions.Make it your goal to practice these things. Practice is an action we take!Ask God, "God help me to remember and gave me an internal reminder to practice these things, and the God of peace will be with me."God is faithful and will answer. "Ask and it will be given you. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" Isaiah 26:3 NLTVictory!