Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Our Call to Influence



This week, Michael's question is, if our church could never meet again, would it make a difference in your family, your neighborhood, your community?  If we closed our doors today, would it make a difference in your culture and your society?  If the Holy Spirit left a lot of churches, would anyone notice?  We have been called to influence others for Christ and to make a difference – Matthew 28:18-20. God has called us as His Ambassadors ... to be on duty at our post in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation until the Lord releases us from our call of duty. 

Do we go to church just to fellowship with those of like-minded faith? God has called us to be good to one another, especially those of the household of faith. However, He has also called us to shine as lights in a world of darkness – Philippians 2:15.

Our prayer is, "God give me that which is my portion." According to Proverbs 30:8-9, “Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:  Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”  Influencers, who because of this Christian ministry, have allowed God to help himself to their lives. People's lives are transformed by fellowship with other Christians who have decided to live in close proximity with Jesus Christ. 
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."
Those who come to Christ must come to him with total abandonment of self and absolute trust in God. Jesus Christ died in our stead even while we were yet sinners.  For he who knew no sin was made the perfect sin sacrifice on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in him2 Corinthians 5:21. Without Christ, we cannot understand why bad things happen to good people. However, in the presence of Christ, the eyes of our understanding are enlightened that we may understand that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose - Romans 8:28

There has never been a time where ministry has been more urgently needed.  Ministering to men and women is training Christian soldiers to become the tip of the sword of the spirit, the Word of truth. It is training laborers for the harvest of God's people ... for the harvest is plenteous but the laborers are few – Matthew 9:37. Oswald Chambers wrote a book about spiritual leadership, where servant leaders are called to serve the Lord Christ from a heart of meekness, humility and love.


Our mission is to create an environment where the Holy Spirit can come help Himself to our lives. We make faith-based and not fear based decisions. We exist at God's pleasure to influence people of God to become just like Jesus Christ. The devil has sold most Christians a bill of goods that our Lord is a hard task master and that His love is contingent on our performance. On the contrary, Jesus said, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest" – Matthew 11:28.


Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.”

We can never out give God. Our prayer is that we may endeavor to give to missions to minister in various ways to God's purposes.  As we reach out to others, God says "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again"- Luke 6:38. We're here to fan one another's flame that we may set ourselves on fire that others may come from miles around to watch us burn. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven!" – Matthew 5:16.

May God richly bless you,
Your brother in Christ, Michael

No comments: