A spiritual revolution

Obedience to God means disobedience to the devil. Begin your own revolution today by accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord!

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Politicians Please Grow Up







I was recently watching a press conference with one of our leading politicians, and he was pointing out to the American people their need to trust the government again. Politicians shouldn’t lecture the American people on lacking trust in the political process. The people are not the reason for the lack of trust in our government leaders.

What has led to this demise? 

Backroom deals hammered out by deep pocketed special interest groups swaying the voting records of our members of congress instead of them representing the voters. Activist judges legislating from the bench instead of interpreting existing law has promoted a disillusionment. An Executive branch that overpowers the constitution with legislative decrees labeled as executive orders have plummeted people’s faith in our system. It is leading them to believe it's all corrupt and what’s the use. 

Instead of chastising a public who is not at fault, politicians would be better served by taking responsibility. The burden of restoring faith in their offices is all on them, not the people they are to be serving. Here is a simple thought. When you make a promise during your campaign – stick to it when elected. Start doing what you say. Trust is always lost when there is a divorce between what a person says and what they do. 

Politicians, stop being selfish and acting like spoiled brats. Instead start serving the people instead of thinking we exist to serve you. That’s why you are called a “representative” you represent. In other words, stop acting immature and do what you were elected to do. Serve the American people with dignity, honesty, and a selfless passion. Then maybe the citizens will stop being so justifiably cynical of everything you say and do.  

When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. - Thomas Jefferson
 
Reuben Egolf 

Monday, March 7, 2016

Self-Governing the key to leading instead of controlling




Vision inspires but discipline will get you there. Another word for discipline is self-governing which is the ability to control or rule over oneself. If I govern myself, I will be able to lead others.

If I don’t self-govern then I will control people instead of leading people.
Personal governance has the uncanny ability to keep our perspective clear from seeing people as servants to exalt me, but rather I am the servant to lift them up to experience success beyond me. A leader’s goal should be to get everyone to play for the name that’s on the front of the jersey, not the one on the back. The greatest words ever uttered by a leader is “this is not about me!” This requires discipline in the face of temptation to make it all about oneself instead of the people.

I know with no shadow of doubt that our current developing nations have the greatest opportunity to make the greatest lasting impact this world has ever seen. However, it requires the component of self-governing. Selfish leadership produces a culture of corruption. We can have the best system of government, policies, and organization, but if there is no self-governing in the leadership itself, then the system cannot save it. All systems depend on the quality of leadership for its success. 

A starting point for leaders to begin practicing.  

Before I speak I should ask myself the question “how would I want to be spoken to?”
Before I act I should ask myself the question “how would I want to be treated?”

Before I receive honor, I must first sow honor.

- Reuben Egolf 

A Profitable Spiritual Leader






Galatians 2:20 
  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

The above verse is the key to a profitable spiritual ministry for God. The more depleted of self I am, the more visible God becomes. His manifestation brings him glory and exalts his purposes through my existence. Though I decrease, his increase secures great rewards for me in Heaven. It reminds me that I am not living just for the now but I am preparing for a future.
Pitfalls and things to be aware of in leadership
We must be careful of confusing opinions, preferences, and personality traits, as being God ordained and anointed. Sometimes we can want to do something and find it easy to say “God told me” or “I feel led” when in reality it is not God but an origination from our own impulses. The problem with that is, when those plans go awry, then God also gets the blame and we exonerate ourselves. I can’t state the importance enough in making sure our plans and aspirations are born out of prayer and his word. 
We as ministers and spiritual leaders must resist all temptation of unfastening ourselves from the cross of self-crucifixion. The moment I begin intoxicating myself on the cocktail of self-sufficiency and self-importance, is the day I render Christ inoperative in my life. It will begin a ministry of personal hype and the creating of a personality cult.  
I see the necessity of making sure that I do not intercept God’s glory and divert it to self-promotion. Jesus made it clear that we can do NOTHING without him. Of course, I can do things that profit me temporarily but nothing will or can be done to profit the Kingdom of God without him. 
You can't build a reputation on what you're going to do. The old adage never goes out of style – talk is cheap! Pipe-dreams, aspirations, and continued talk of things that never materialize, will cripple people’s trust. Eventually, a minister like this will lose any and all power to influence and lead with any degree of effectiveness. 

Never forget - it's ALL about Jesus - it's not about us and our positions!!! 
Our love for people is no more evidenced than when we are willing to tell them the unadulterated truth. Listeners can sense when a person speaks truth in love or if they’re speaking it to elevate themselves and belittle the one listening. The bible truth was never meant to be used as a club or gavel but a tool for conviction.
The lord spoke to my heart a long time ago on effective preaching. He said “you must become the message before you preach the message.” I never forgot that. It’s not just regurgitating the words but becoming the message means I have experienced it, and the attitude of God has now become my disposition and posture.
Stay focused and remain committed. It is worth it! God bless you! 
- Reuben Egolf