The Power of an Example in Converting

We can’t push and force what we believe on another person. I can tie a man’s hands and shackle his feet and dangle him over a fire and force him to accept my way of thinking, but really did I change his heart or did he just say it to stop me from destroying him. So really what did I accomplish? Why not allow people to make up their own minds and then accept their decision without exacting any form of revenge. If you want someone to convert or come to your way of thinking – why not do it like the sun did in the following story.

The wind and the sun were arguing one day over who could get a man’s coat off. The wind blew and blew, but the man just wrapped the coat tighter. That’s exactly how being pushy works. After the wind failed to blow the coat off, the sun simply shone and the man took it off by himself.

Matthew 5:14-16 (KJV)
¹⁴ Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
¹⁵ Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

This puts the responsibility on me to live honestly and place importance on exerting my beliefs into action. I do not convert by force but by compelling others through my quality of living.

Even Mahatma Gandhi understood this principle when he said  "To believe in something and not to live it is dishonest."

Influence requires integrity to provide force for change. Integrity is the unity of thought, speech, and deed. In other words it is the complete opposite of hypocrisy.

Be like the sun – SHINE!

It’s Okay to be Number Two

Everyone wants to be number one but what if you are number two? Is being second a bad thing? Joseph in the bible was never number one but he changed nations being number two. John the Baptist took second so Jesus could take first place. Daniel always had someone over him, he was usually third in line but he changed leaders and nations. Be an influence no matter where you stand in line.

We must understand it is never a one man show. We don’t make it to the top alone nor do we fail alone. People that surround us provide support by adding to or taking away and thus deteriorating our effectiveness. Quality in our friends, co-workers, associates, and consultants, can never be underestimated. Proper vetting is worth the time and investment that will reward us with success, less regret, and fewer painful experiences. 

Jealousy is the number one tool of destruction that brings about the demise of a person who otherwise could have been impactful in increasing the forward progress in a church, organization, and community. Not everyone can be number one. That doesn’t mean that number two, three, and four are of no value. Leadership is the power of influence not a title. Understanding my role in a church, government, or organization is key. Knowing the value of my God-given gifts and talents goes a long way in keeping my mind free from the cataracts of jealousy perverting my vision.

One thing to remember, when I know the success is not about me getting the glory, that my happiness is to see the success of the whole, then satisfaction will keep me in the lane of my contribution.
Whether your title is the CEO or the water boy, without your contribution it will not run effectively. Nor, does it work when the water boy tries to be the CEO. Stay in the lane where you have been placed until another door opens.

Here are some Scriptures to ponder.

Song of Songs 8:6 
⁶ Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

1 Corinthians 12:14-31 
¹⁴   For the body is not one member, but many.
¹⁵ If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
¹⁶ And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
¹⁸ But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
¹⁹ And if they were all one member, where were the body?
²⁰ But now are they many members, yet but one body.
²¹ And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
²² Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
²³ And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
²⁴ For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
²⁵ That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
²⁶ And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
²⁷ Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
²⁸ And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
²⁹ Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
³⁰ Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
³¹ But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

 

Do Good Anyway

Doing good and being a Christian goes together like a nut and bolt. One without the other serves no purpose and things fly a part when they are not connected. Doing good is not a problem when people are appreciative and thankful for your contribution to their lives but it becomes laborious and discouraging when they are not. Picking and choosing who you express goodness to eventually becomes determined by the response or anticipation of one. In other words, I reward those who can reward me, love people who love me back, give to those who can give back. However, this is not what determines my doing good according to the Bible. I am even to love my enemies! Love in the word of God is a word of action meaning I don't just say it I do it. 

 

 Galatians 6:10 (KJV) 10  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Does my doing good depend on anything?

The “ifs” of life and the Christian’s response.

• If people are unreasonable, hateful, spiteful, self-centered, and self-consumed – love them anyway!
• If you do good and people accuse you of ulterior motives and being selfish – do good anyway!
• If being honest actually causes attacks and creates enemies – be honest anyway!
• If the good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow – do good anyway!
• If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.Succeed anyway.
• What takes a person years to build can be brought down in seconds – but build anyway!
• If you give the world your best the world will kick you in the teeth – give the world your best anyway!
• If you speak well of people and they gossip about you – speak well of them anyway! 

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.

WHY DO GOOD?

(1) It is a sin NOT to do good!!!
 

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

(2) We are created to do good:

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

(3) Doing good pleases God:

Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Colossians 1:10 (KJV) That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

(4) Gives suffering a purpose:

1 Peter 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

(5) Confirms your Christianity:

1 Peter 2:13-14 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
¹⁴  Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

1 Peter 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

(6) God equips you to do good:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
¹⁷  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Hebrews 13:20-21 (KJV)
²⁰  Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
²¹  Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

2 Corinthians 9:8 (KJV)
⁸  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

(7) Rewards for doing good:

Romans 2:6-7 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
⁷  To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

Romans 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

Galatians 6:9-10
⁹  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
¹⁰  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

1 Peter 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 

                                                                  Dr. Reuben Egolf

Leadership Integrity

In speaking with Ambassador Dr. Clyde Rivers for Burundi concerning the subject of what it means to grow a nation. It is not the political maneuvering and mere titles that affect a nation to become something better than it currently is. It all starts somewhere and it begins with leadership INTEGRITY.  The integrity of leadership is the rock which a country anchors itself to. It provides stability, protection, and a hope for a better future. Interestingly, forces for change are found within leaders whose character doesn’t change. How does a nation such as Burundi experience peace between two opposing tribal factions? How are they progressing out of abject poverty. How will they continue this upward movement within their society? It does not happen automatically as a big bang theory of national success. It begins with leadership and their integrity! President Nkurunziza has championed and epitomized how influential integrity is.

When an earthquake happens you will see yellow caution tape placed around certain buildings, warning of the possible danger of collapse. The authorities will use the phrase “the integrity of this building has been compromised.” It is now to dangerous to interact with it. Integrity is measured by how much pressure the individual or thing can withstand before compromising and becoming weak which can lead to collapse.

Leadership of nations need the cooperation of the citizenry to accomplish the vision and goals it has set before them. People willingly follow when they can trust leadership. The foundation of trust is integrity. Charisma grabs the attention of people but character sustains their gaze. Ultimately they follow in agreement because of character and integrity which has produced in their heart “I trust you!” Even when they may not understand completely all of the “ins and outs” of legislation and political tools to get somewhere, but because they trust you, they will share the dream.

Integrity is not created overnight but is the result of being forged in the fires of adversity. When a person does not agree with you on a certain subject, they will respect you because of your integrity. That gives you the opportunity to be heard at all times.
Integrity is attractive. For example, when a fruit tree bears fruit it does not bring you the fruit. You are attracted to the tree. It in itself becomes a force of influence that draws people to you and your vision instead of driving them away.

Remember, a thousand right acts can be nullified by one wrong. One lie can call into question every truth I ever told. Integrity is worth every storm of temptation you have to endure to maintain the necessary influence.