Elton Strickland

King Rehoboam lost his kingdom by choosing bad advisors who told him what he wanted to hear instead of wise elders. As Louisiana veterans, we know the importance of honest counsel in leadership. Don't surround yourself with yes-people who feed your ego. Seek experienced mentors who'll tell you the truth, even when it's hard. Right voices lead to right choices.

Mephibosheth was born into royalty but had been crippled in an accident and ended up living in poverty for many years. He had gone around living inferior, feeling less-than, for so long that it had become normal to him. He let that recording play so long that he accepted it and developed a dead-dog mentality. Mephibosheth believed that he didn't deserve to be blessed, that he wasn't attractive, that he wasn't talented, that he didn't have a good personality.

None of us has gotten to where we are by ourselves. Somebody encouraged you, taught you, brought you to church, believed in you, took a chance and gave you a position, prayed for you. They were instrumental in you being where you are, so why don't you reach out and help somebody else? Give away what's been given to you. Sometimes we live ingrown, focused on ourselves. We're grateful, we thank God for what He's done, but that's not going to sustain His blessings.