Influence

I have become all things to all men so that by all means possible I might save some (1 Cor 9:22) Whatever a person is like I  I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him ( 1 Cor 9:22 The Living Bible). We as uncommon people have to find something in common with those who live in a culture uncommon to us. the one thing we share is the city we live in, we both live here.

Culture and the changing of it has become a topic that has caused some buzz over the years, It sounds good, changing the culture! actually the step Paul was talking about here is "influence" I become, thats the change "I myself in becoming" a friend to you, a help to another, a friendly "good morning" to someone else can become a bridge that helps me later on present Christ to them. Through conversation I can gain influence and through Influence I can by all means win some.

Its personal "I become" all things. Its not the church changing, the church most of the time does not and maybe cannot change. The church is there after all to provide a foundation that cannot change, but I can. In my approach I can change to win others.

Secondly note that Paul said he becomes all things. could this mean he becomes approachable, yes! He become a friend, yes! He becomes a good neighbor, yes! He becomes a minister to them, yes! He becomes a pastor to them, yes! He becomes an infuencer to them, yes! He becomes all these things. Your ministry then is far bigger in the kingdom that what it is in the church, far bigger! you become "all things to all men." and so for this reason we have to see ourselves as influencers in the kingdom not just ministries inthe church.

May I suggest three simple things you can do to influence others. Build a blog or website to connect with unbelievers and not so much believers. Let's face it most of the blogs you read are probably geared to church stuff! you know what I mean. Secondly offline, begin to chat, talk to the unsaved, periodically and intentionally, see yourselves as a kingdom pastor and pastor in the city. yes "you," even if you have no role in the church you can shepherd in the city. The one two or more in your city. Thirdly, if the church dont change, you be the change! Speak words of hope and confidence to those around you, get together and start a group,a coffee, chat group on the bible or Life. Bit by bit, little by little, you are by all means winning some.

Blessings and may 2018 be your year of divine favour in the city!
Paul.

Overcoming the fear of "Outshining Leadership."

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God (Acts 3:1-8).

When serving is wrong and taking a lead is right.

Why are some Christians resentful against the church and leadership. It is because their leadership expectation have not be realised in the house of God and their individual potential and calling of God has not beeen fulfilled in ministry.

Allow me to expain. You have served others yet you yourselves have not done that which the Lord called you to do. In fact you find it easier to serve another mans dream yet find it most nerve-racking to step into your own rightful place of leadership, after all, most churches encourage us to serve authority rather than to be the one in authority!

Many have grown up with the subliminal notion that to out-serve and do bettter than those in authority is wrong. Because we are so focused on serving, in fact when we do this we disannul God's agenda in our lives. You may know that you can do something remarkable yet you are so bound to serving another mans vision that to serve your own would be anathema.

Sometimes, serving others is camouflage to disobeying God. Serving others is not always obeying God in fact its better to obey God than serve or obey man, especially when God calls you to rise up and take a lead. I believe a good leader will let you know of your mistake. A good leader will get you to obey God first. A bad leader will say follow me do my thing, serve me, take my class, a good leader would say, you take this and do it.

The fear of "outshining leadership."

Some folks are so humble that they don't want to be seen as doing something great. They dont want to be seen as elevating themselves so they keep their ideas and projects pent up and bound up. This is fear bound up. The fear of expression, is often bound-up in the fact we dont want others to look bad or less than us. Sure you know you are better than the leaders around you. You know you can preach better, lead greater, build bigger, this is not a pride issue but rather a call inside you to see excellency come forth and God is calling forth that excellency out of you, yet your unwillingness is really a weakness, disguised as humility. Deep deep down youre bound by the fear of outshining leadership.

The lower limit hinders you from God's best. When we are ruled by the fear of the upper limit, we never succeed. The lower limit to many may be the place where they do good and excell in ministry too, but if God's will for you now to be on the upper level then seeking to excell at the lower level is not God's will.

This is not a call to rebellion it's a call to submission, submit to God first, then serve in that order. I know folks who in their older age are bitter and resentful of leadership and for the very reasons I have stated above they have not moved into their own field of excellence.

We find it easy to say Brother you can do it, we find it easy to say brother the call of God is over you, yet find it hard to recieve the fact that the call of God is all over us too. We find it easy to tell others lay hands on the sick while we ourselves dont believe we can tell others God will use them, yet find it hard to believe ourselves that God will use us. Friend it your turn now and here's the scripture. Peter and John had followed Jesus, Jesus had passed on to them the mission and it was their time to step into their upper level. Jesus had promised them that they would do greater works than him and this was their time.  Peter was at the temple and saw a lame man there. The man was expecting alms, but Peter fixed his eyes on him and said "Look on us"

Peter said "Look on us"

Peter does not tell him "You can do it" "you can get up" or "if you believe," no, he said look on us. silver and Gold have I none but such that I have give I unto you..

Look on us...

Its time to say I have this ministry in me. I am anointed. I am called. I am chosen

Look on me !

Stand up today and declare by faith look on us.