Somebody's Watching Me

Happy Sunday!

Dr. Bill Winston and the Ministry Team were in South Africa today.  Dr. Veronica Winston preached, "Undercover Leadership".  Exodus 18:1-24 was her reference scripture.

When Moses ran from Pharaoh after killing the Egyptian he went to live in Midian.  He Worked for Jethro, the Priest of Midian and eventually married his daughter, Zipporah.  When God sent Moses back to Egypt to deliver the Israelites, Zipporah did not go with him.  In Exodus 18, Jethroe brought this daughter and grandsons to Moses.  Jethro heard about the great things God had done for the Israelites.  He watched Moses on a regular work day.  He saw that the people had to wait all day just to get an appointment with Moses.   "Jethro saw Moses judging the people. He asked, “Why are you doing this? Why are you the only judge? And why do people come to you all day?” Then Moses said to his father-in-law, “The people come to me and ask me to ask for God’s decision for their problem.  If people have an argument, they come to me, and I decide which person is right. In this way I teach the people God’s laws and teachings.”  But Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “This isn’t the right way to do this.  It is too much work for you to do alone. You cannot do this job by yourself. It wears you out. And it makes the people tired too.  Now, listen to me. Let me give you some advice. And I pray God will be with you. You should continue listening to the problems of the people. And you should continue to speak to God about these things.  You should explain God’s laws and teachings to the people. Warn them not to break the laws. Tell them the right way to live and what they should do.  But you should also choose some of the people to be judges and leaders."(Easy-to-Read Version).  

We are ALL called to lead!  No, we are not all called to be pastors, presidents, or  Fortune 500 Business owners.  But if you are any of these, keep up the good work!  Even when you don't think anyone is following you, someone definitely is following you!  Children follow the lead of their parents.  The old folks used to say, "Do as I say, not as I do!"  This is not how it works.  Even the Bible says, "The right-living act with integrity; the children who follow their example are happy."(Voice).  Co-workers follow the lead of other workers.  Dr. Veronica Winston said, "To have influence you don't have to be in charge!"  Have you ever notice how a negative co-worker can rub off on you?  Watch out!  Don't get pulled in to their negativity. Ecclesiastes 10:20 says, "Don’t bad-mouth your leaders, not even under your breath, And don’t abuse your betters, even in the privacy of your home. Loose talk has a way of getting picked up and spread around. Little birds drop the crumbs of your gossip far and wide."(Message).  There are times at work when I just have to say, "No comment!"  

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus said, "GO ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."(KJV).  We have been commanded to go out and teach the nations about Jesus.  Even if you never get to Africa or India, you are responsible to tell others about the Love of God displayed in Jesus.  Some of the best sermons are preached without words.  You can be a leader by being excellent and living with integrity.  God wants to use you to reach others.  Dr. Veronica Winston used the example of Joseph.  Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, accused of rape by his employer's wife, and thrown in prison.  In prison, he could have been sullen, and withdrawn.  But he had been given a dream by God.  He held on to that vision of a better day. Eventually, the tables turned and he was promoted to the highest authority under the Pharaoh.

Remember you are leading someone!  Lead with excellence, lead with integrity, and lead with love.

Love and prayers, Cynthia