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Last week we looked at the 1st 2 Ps - Purpose and Passion. If you missed that edition, you can
go to the website and see a copy in the archive. Today, we will be looking at the
remaining two Ps. The 3rd P is People. All that Jesus lived and died for was
for people. The greatest asset of any church is the people therein. As a
leader, how well are you taking care of the people the Lord has
brought your way? Jesus so cared for the people that He was never
too tired to minister to them. Now, let me strike a balance
here; I have received report not only here but all
over the world of some people who think the way to live is to
live off people. So rather than work, they go about begging
and attempting to intimidate people with the scriptures. Beloved,
the Bible says "he that does not work should not eat". God does
not expect you to live as a beggar. There is dignity of labour.
Find something doing. It might not be what you were trained for;
but it is a starting point. Where you are in a peculiar situation
and you need help, don't go hanging around cars and people, go to
the We Care department, they are there to help you. There is nothing
to be ashamed of, because you know that this too shall pass. In talking
about people, it is not only for the key leaders of the church, everyone
is a leader even if you are leading one person. Care for that person, pray
for those you are leading, be passionate about everything that concerns them
and make it your goal to contribute in every possible way to their
fulfilling destiny. Remember the saying: people don't care how much
you know until they know how much you care.
The 4th P is Power. I have found out that many people want to
exercise power without purpose, passion and people qualities. Beloved,
it never works that way. You must learn to connect with people if you
will ever exercise any influence over them. In talking about power,
there is a key principle I want to remind you of, learn to commend
before you condemn. That person that you are about to condemn, if
you look closely there is something the person is doing excellently;
commend that attribute. Make the person feel loved and appreciated,
then you can correct and your correction must be in love.
Let us look at the story of the woman of Canaan who wanted a
miracle from Jesus in Matt. 15. First she had a purpose; she
needed her daughter to be healed. She was passionate about it
and really didn't care what came her way on the path to receiving
the miracle. That was why when Jesus said to her in verse 24 that
He was not sent to her, rather than get deterred, she pressed on the more.
Even in verse 26 when Jesus literally equated her to a dog, rather than
get upset and walk away, purpose, passion & love for her daughter brought
her to the place of worship and of course, she got the miracle. She had so
much passion that she was more interested in getting her daughter healed
than her reputation; that was purpose, passion and people in action and of
course it produced power. Power came on the scene as soon as other
areas were set right.
Beloved, if you must fulfil the call of God upon your life
and be effective in this end time move of God, then you must
flow in the sequence of purpose, passion, people and power
and you will see God move in a dimension that you never dreamt of.
The time is indeed very short. God is hastening His word to perform
it and at this time, speed is of essence. You cannot afford to
jump the gun - there is a process that you must follow. Remember
there is a crown to win but like Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:5
"And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned,
except he strive lawfully." Beloved, if you must get the crown,
then you must follow the rules.
Also as you go into this week, I want you to make up your mind that
whatever the word cannot give you: 1. You don't need it and 2. It does
not exist. Don't play games with God; He cannot be mocked. One more
thing to remember is that God is a jealous God. Go into this week
determined to be all for Him and He will honour your faith.
Maranatha!
In His Royal Service,
Dr. Mike Okonkwo
The Presiding Bishop
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