God’s Leadership Attributes 2

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with are; thy staff they comfort me; thy rod thy staff they comfort me.

Leaders don’t leave even at the face of dangers. They are protective of their followers in such a way that they are made not to be afraid of difficulties. God is always around to see His disciples through whatever situation they’re in. He doesn’t hide when things may be rough, only to show up when it becomes smooth despite oppositions.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Kindly consider the issue of enemies. Enemies are opposing forces which could be through man, harsh economic conditions or spiritual forces. Yet amidst these adversities, God prepares a table; a suitable platform full of provisions.

Leaders don’t hide under the guise of oppositions rather they make provision suitable for their followers despite oppositions. With this wonderful provision, promotion, attention and increase normally come the way of the led. As leaders let us have our focus on creating avenues of provision for those that look up to us instead of concentrating on the oppositions. Because when we do we sink the boat in which we and our followers are in, thus leading to destruction.

Once this godly attributes of leadership are put in place be sure that you will not only have followers but loyal followers. Followers that will also confess as David did when he experienced God’s guidance....

 Excerpts from Be Our Leader written by Oluwaseyi Alamu

God’s Leadership Attributes

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want

God’s leadership ensures that His followers do not get unnecessarily stranded no matter how difficult or cruel the environment may be. And that is a vital strength that any leader can exhibit.

 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me besides the still waters

He makes sure that those led by Him are taken to a place of comfort where there are available resources (green pastures) to meet any scarcity experienced. God creates opportunities and a level playing field for His followers. Leading them beside still waters: a place where needs are met in an atmosphere that void of rancour. Please note that any leader that cannot create a peaceful environment amongst the led has fallen short of his purpose.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

God wants His followers to live rightly even when others around them do the wrong things. This is because He has a name, in other words He has integrity and He’s concerned about the soul of His followers. Here, it is also worthy to note that leaders are not only concerned about an aspect of the led but all that concerns them.

              

                                                                 Excerpts from Be Our Leader written by Oluwaseyi Alamu

Do Not Judge Others

We are now in an era where we are quick to condemn our neighbours without hearing from them. Even when we hear from them we do not believe in them. This is similar to what happened in the book of John Chapter 8.

And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery, and when they had set her in the midst,

They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned, but what sayest thou?

                                                                                  John 8:3-5

 

In the passage above, certain people caught a woman in sinful act and were ready to judge as laid down by law. Thank God that they sought the opinion of God by asking Jesus – What sayest thou? In other words we should not ascertain events based on passed judgements alone but we should be current with God on all matters. God is not interested in the death of sinners. He desires that all should live and not die. There was a time when people were planning to invite a minister for a particular programme in church and a particular minister pencilled down but someone objected because that minister did not stay in the village he was posted to serve. However, God sent this word to the Church –

For this reason let there be no judging before the time, till the Lord comes, who will make clear the secret things of the dark, and the designs of the heart; and then will every man have his praise from God.

                                                                   1 Corinthians 4:5 (BBE)

This word kept everyone quiet. It declares that we should be patient enough for God. Do not be hasty to condemn anyone. Allow the Spirit to judge not your imaginations or friends’ opinion. Jesus’ said “I judge no man” (John 8:15). Adding that His judgement is true because God the Father is with Him (John 8:16). Man can make mistake not God. God seeks and knows why certain things occur. May be you have condemned someone for taking another man’s money to eat A MEAL or condemned a man for not being able to meet up with family expenses. Have you thought of what could be behind it? PLEASE AVOID JUDGING OTHERS HASTILY. It is for our own good. I conclude with this verse of the Bible in Matthew 7:1 – Be not judges of others, and you will not be judged (BBE). It is my prayer that God will forgive us our sins for judging others and most especially for judging wrongly. SHALOM.

Candid Advice to God's Ministers

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his, And, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

                                                                          2 Timothy 2:19

God’s candid advice to ministers or as many that declare Christ is that they should depart from iniquity. Iniquity is a reducing agent. It makes the great small. Samson was no doubt a great man of God but iniquity turned him to a ‘stand up comedian’ (Judges 16:25). When I see churches/men of God invite stand up comedians to perform in church programs I perceive that something has gone wrong somewhere just as it went wrong with Samson. Yes, it is good to be excited and joyful in church and that is God’s own idea too but not a mechanical thing. It is meant to be orchestrated by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life in THY PRESENCE IS FULNESS OF JOY; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

                                                                           Psalms 16:11

The passage above says IN GOD’S PRESENCE THERE IS FULNESS OF JOY. It means that His presence alone releases joy. The difference between the joy of His presence and that engineered by men of God through invitations of comedians is that inner strength comes from that of God (Nehemiah 8:10) while that of stand up comedians is superficial. Jesus never sought to use stand up comedians before preaching the gospel, so where are we getting it from? In the beginning it was not so. This is not to say making people to laugh is wrong but it is vital to draw lines between church activities and entertainment. Church activities must be kept spiritual rather than being reduced to mundane activities.  God is counting on us as ministers to put things right. We should not adopt any strange method to draw people into the church. Let us keep the standard of the Holy Apostles and Prophets of old (Ephesians 2:20). God is watching our activities and church programs. Let us be more attentive to the Holy Spirit. May the Lord find His ministers and church worthy of the call in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Open Not Your Mouth

 

I strong sense in my spirit that I should tell Christians to guard their mouth in terms of watching what comes out from their mouth most especially during the trying times.

This know also, that in the last days, perilous times shall come.

                                                         2 Timothy 3:1

First, Christians need to know that ‘perilous times’ shall come and nothing can be done about that. However, at such periods the devil takes advantage of quite a number of Christians by preying on them through numerous complains, negative words and grumblings. These makes God look as if He is powerless. Joy in marriages is weakened daily through complaints either from the husbands or wives; many have lost their jobs and breakthrough opportunities through grumblings. The question then is what should be done? The answer the Lord wants me to pass across may seem unpopular but useful.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, So he openeth not his mouth.

                                                                       Isaiah 53:7

Open not your mouth! When you are being persecuted, do not complain or grumble just keep your mouth closed at such periods. There is a saying in Africa that says ‘concentrate on who you are dealing with in the market and other market activities is none of your business. This should apply to Christians too. Christians should focus on Christ (Hebrews 12:2) and not on the present persecutions. When this is done, strength will be released to overcome the pains. We need not give explanation for everything. Jesus never did. There is a minister of God that faced persecutions from fellow brethren in faith- they lied about him and accused him wrongly but in order to save his face he started explaining to the people trying to defend himself. However, this did not work rather the persecution increased. Then the Lord spoke to him saying “you ought not to defend yourself because I am your defence. When you defend yourself you are counting me out”. Brethren kindly consider this. Let God be your defence. I know that there are times that we cannot hold back from speaking but we need to during hard times. At such periods we should look up to Christ. David wrote many Psalms during trying times but these Psalms was directed to God. David’s focus was not to his persecutors. No matter how he was persecuted he only turned to his focus. God is also saying it is time to focus on Him alone, stop trying to defend yourself, allow God do the defending. David said I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me (Psalms 39:1). It is our responsibility to keep our mouth especially when we are before persecutors. Do not let pressure force words out of your mouth. If you have made the mistake in time past just turn to the Lord pray like the Psalmist did in Psalms 141:3 and all will work for good again.

Set a watch, O LORD before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

                                                                 Psalms 141:3.