SERVANT-HOOD: LEADERSHIP TURNED INSIDE OUT!

PREAMBLE:
I am really sorry, but please, I want to ask you a question: How many times have you gone to the library or the bookstore to pick up or buy a book on “servant hood” or ‘’how to be a good servant’’? You probably haven’t, seen or bought one yourself.
People will rather prefer and readily pounce on any written matter on “How to Be an Effective Leader.”
This is where many get it all wrong – serving others sincerely is the route to becoming a good, effective or super leader.
Servant hood is leadership turned inside out.
THE LEADING LEADER
True leaders are hard to find. The world is not inundated with excellent leaders. Africa is a continent in dire need of leaders. The Church is plenteous of weak and pretentious men and women masquerading as leaders. Fortunately the Church is the most opportune of having a perfect leader in the person of Jesus Christ, who bequeathed and left a legacy of words and deeds to be imbibed by His followers and admirers.
A LEADER: Defined
Thoughtfully, the word leader has its equivalent in almost all the languages and dialects of the world. What is the meaning of the English word LEADER? The dictionary defines it as ''A person who leads a group of people etc; A person or thing that leads''.
Having understood the word LEADER; it naturally leads me to a question “who is a True Leader?
THE TRUE LEADER
To be a good leader you must have been prepared in the secret and desire to take the lead and forefront. I believe that reluctant leaders never make good leaders, because they lack genuine motivation, insight and foresight. Little David’s bold dash towards the menacing and awesome Goliath, was a keen demonstration of the leadership qualities in him. David showed initiative, courage, guts, confidence, skill, determination, motivation and loyalty, not to man but to God. All qualities found abundantly in excellent leaders. For one to take up that mantle – you must be prepared and desire to lead.
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
“It is the ability to influence others to perform”. Nearly every individual has the ability to do it, that is, influence another individual. Before God created man, God had purposed man to be a leader. He (God) fashioned and equipped man during and after creation to carry out His mandate and intent. And that is, to be a LEADER holding forth on earth. In Genesis 1:28 you will find out that God enabled man to be “fruitful, to multiply, to subdue and to have dominion”, tools without which the mandate from God would have been defeated and the ability of man to lead will be futile.
LEADERSHIP CONTINUITY
At some point in your life, as you grow and progress, you sharpen your leadership skills and express your leadership skills; you learn and improve upon your leadership skills, getting ready for the next challenge level and responsibilities that comes your way.
Every man is a leader in his own right. You are first a leader of yourself, perhaps your siblings or friends, your spouse or family, your colleagues, kindred or community and then on and on.
However, genuine leadership is predicated on humility and a strong desire to empty oneself for others. These are very rare combination to be found to the full in men to propel them to attaining true leadership. What you may want to call “A natural born leader” but I call “A natural bred leader.”
LEADERSHIP: THE BANE OF AFRICA
I was born in Africa, bred in Africa, schooled and trained in Africa. I am an African. I am an African who early in life was not satisfied with any given status quo, who realized that there was something of certain and intrinsic value that was missing or not found in copious quantity and where minutely available was somehow viciously attacked with the intent of wiping away any trace of its presence.
I found out that Africa and Africans are at the mercy of men and women who have made a mockery of God’s intent and purpose; that is, to offer the world and creation good leadership anchored on the ethos of service and reverence to God. Africa lacks leadership; Africa is in dire need of LEADERS. The biggest result of good and purposeful leadership is ORGANIZATION and PROGRESS.
Africans have lacked to my consternation and sadness, the ability to organize herself at every level and thus progress.
A simple task of organizing oneself whole heartedly and creatively is bungled, dumped and made to appear like an impossible and uphill task for momentary convenience and gratification precipitated by greed, self-centeredness and wickedness.
I declare to post independent Africa that any action that is not geared towards collective progress and well being, no matter how laudable and grandiose, it is anti-human. Any intent and action that is devoid of insight, foresight and perception is plain bondage for the asking.
African leaders have led Africans for decades on these myopic basis. Dehumanizing her people the more and making a mockery of what colonial powers entrenched.
Poverty is rife in Africa, wickedness thrives in Africa, underdevelopment and backwardness in Africa seems to be the norm because there is a grandiose plan to collectively dis-empower and disenfranchise Africans.
Africa is denied by the powers that be the benefit of godly and goodly leadership. Africa has been held tightly by the jugular and viciously by the scrotum; therefore Africa and her people have been incapacitated and her growth arrested from all sides.
Movement is not essentially progress, for decades we have moved from pillar to post. A sad reality indeed.
Africans, who by God’s providence are now located and resident in the massive continent south of Europe and the Middle-East; a continent so rich in all natural resources, despite the plundering of colonial masters, and the endless looting of her ruling class; a continent that is relatively immune from natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, landslides and floods etc recorded constantly in other continents; a continent so blessed, yet, her people have been unable to turn to haven.
Americas, formerly the new world was virgin land sparsely populated by Indian tribes; Australia, New Zea land and the Islands were once wilderness sparsely occupied by Maoris and Aborigines.
Today, they are called developed world; why, because former convicts, fugitives, refugees, religiously persecuted men who relished their freedom offered leadership with vision, purpose and love, thus transforming their lands to a commonwealth for her people.
In Africa, collective purpose, vision and focus is subverted and circumvented for self-purpose, vision and self-focus. The truth is that, Africa is under a rampaging occupation force. Africa seems to be in trouble and my question is “WHO WILL BAIL AFRICA OUT?”
NO EXCUSES
Colonialism, slavery, wars, military dictatorship, civilian sit tight rulers are no excuses for our lack of progress and advancement. Rather they are good reason why Africa should not fail nor slumber. They are reasons for us to be dissatisfied and disenchanted with the status-quo and prompt us to ask pertinent questions that will produce several revelations and insights. The quality of questions will determine the quality of answers.
Africa must move from a position of set back to a position of come back. Africa must recover what was lost; and only restlessness, and hard work embedded in leadership will do this.
Esau, the son of Isaac having lost all (birthright and inheritance), but having just the remnant of his father’s blessings (Genesis 27:21-41), coupled with the gift of restlessness and hard work (i.e. eternal dissatisfaction with the status-quo) moved from a position of set back to the position of a comeback by the time he was meeting his brother, Jacob again (Genesis 33:1-16).
PROPHECY
Africa, thus says the Lord: ‘‘and it shall come to pass when thou shall have dominion, that thou shall break their yoke from off thy neck’’ – Genesis 27:40b.
Every challenge and problem confronting Africa and militating against her progress; problems that are not limited to Africa but somehow appearing indigenous to Africa can be solved and eradicated within a decade.
If Africa is offered true leadership; a leadership that is godly, goodly, purposeful and for the collective progress, well being and advancement of all-where the interest of all is far above self. A leadership that has as its bedrock: service and stewardship to the people. It will not only suffice, but it is a sober heart cry of the continent and her peoples.
LEADERSHIP AND THE CHURCH
The Church of Christ, a body of believers, sanctified by Jesus Christ and aiming towards perfection; a role model of what is good and noble should as a matter of fact no fail to take charge and offer the world true leadership. The world and those outside of the faith of the followers of Jesus Christ somehow, even if they may not admit it, look up to the Church for genuine leadership and whether the Church lives up to her ideals.
But often, what do we have, when the Church needed to take charge or take a stand, it fails, vacillates and disappoints.
I am relieved because the word of God says if and when men are faithless; He (God) remains faithful – for He cannot deny Himself – 2 Timothy 2:15 (paraphrased). The Church is full of pretentious spiritual and flock leaders: leaders who their belly-filling and ego massaging is their goal and god.
Apostle Paul warned us of them “Beware of wolves in sheep clothing destroying and upsetting the faith of some’’ – 2 Timothy 2:18.
When the Church abdicates its role, mediocre and fakes will as a matter of necessity take over and fill the vacuum. They are the obnoxious Church leaders who call Jesus “Lord, Lord” but will not do what He did or say what He did(Luke 6:46).
Jesus stood up to counterfeit mediocre and wicked leaders, calling them exactly what they are “white washed tombs, brood of vipers, workers of iniquity, who will not lift up with a finger a burden; who will not do good but discourage those who want to do good.” Indeed the judgment of God will certainly begin in the Church, because in the justness of God, charity must begin at home.
Those who profane the name and word of God and who create opportunities for God and His family to be derided will pay the hard price. The Church after having the opportunity of being bequeathed life giving leadership precepts and the accomplishing power of the Holy Ghost has no excuse not to deliver copious examples to the world.
LEADERSHIP GOD’S WAY
This is what God says concerning those who lead His way ‘‘… when one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God, He dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth upon a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth’’ – 2 Samuel 23:3-4.Finally on Leadership:
LEADERSHIP GREATEST LESSON
One of the greatest lesson in leadership is the spiritual truth of being trusted in small things and found faithful; therefore such a person can be trusted in greater matters (Luke 16:10-12). It is a law or principle of God that cannot be circumvented, climbed over or side stepped. Even Jesus had to keep faith with the law – Hebrew 12:2, Philippians 2:5-11.
In the final analysis, God has an intent; an irrevocable intent to hand over true riches and unbelievable mind blowing benefits to those who served others diligently and dispensed resources entrusted to them faithfully (Matthew 24:45-47). Such are indeed the people God considers true LEADERS – but actually SERVANTS, because in serving others, they invariably served Him (God).


Bro. Yusuf Rufa’i
Is your Brother and Servant in the Lord
www.ambassadoryusufrufai.blogspot.com
www.redeemedpeople.blogspot.com
Email: yusufrufai2@gmail.com
Tel: +234 80 28 78 28 91

THE CHURCH, THE NATION, THE LEADERS, THE CITIZENRY – Part 1

“But Jesus answered them “you are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God’’ –Mathew 22:29.
“Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit” – Mathew 15:14. 

The above scriptures is the truth about most people in our society and the world today, including the Church of God.
If the word of God will be our guide we will avoid many pitfalls and errors.
Knowing the word of God does not actually mean, ability to quote scriptures, rather it means being able to quote and have an understanding of the word of God as it relates to the situation at any given time.
Why do we pray for our corrupt, wicked and diabolical leaders in churches, in the several camps and in our homes, thus giving them, what I call” Spiritual Immunity” and making the conditions more favourable for them to perpetuate their dastard acts.
By implication we are telling God “We can still tolerate them, just do some “acadabra” and change them”.
We forget that God will never override man’s power of choice – men must repent and come to God willingly. God that I know coerces no one.
Rather, why don’t we pray them out of office and positions of authority?
Why don’t we pray that God should raise upright and forthright leaders amongst us?
And then we back up our prayers with actions by taking steps to bring about a fulfillment of our prayers.
We must participate effectively, constructively and strategically. We must participate! Take it or leave it.
All it takes is for good people to be silent and inactive for evil to take over.
Understand this clearly, if God has given you a wife, it is your duty to sleep with your wife and get her pregnant.
Our God is a faithful God. His part is to raise men and women, make a way where there seems to be none by removing the obstacles and oppositions, knock down the odds against His own people and make them emerge to the consternation and admiration of all.
Man has his part and God certainly will play His role and not man’s.
The Israelites in Egypt groaned under wickedness and oppression, they cried to God for deliverance and God heard and raised a family: Moses, Aaron and Miriam for their deliverance. God has done it severally.
Prayers for Our Leaders
Those Christians and Christian leaders in defense of prayers for our leaders will often quote 1Timothy Chapter 2 verse 1 to 3.
I am at loss if they lack an understanding of that scripture and that is why they often leave out verse 4 of that chapter.
When “praying for leaders and men in high position for them to do right so that the citizenry should lead a quiet life and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1 -2, RSV); And yet wicked and corrupt regime after regime pauperize the people, milk the resources of the country, rundown the country and set the country back ward in the committee of nations.
Then something is wrong somewhere and somehow. And this is definitely not good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour (as we are told and is expected in 1Timothy 2:3).
When praying for our leaders and men in high positions, yet they are not allowing the citizenry (by their action and inactions) lead a quiet and peaceable life godly and respectful in everyway, such “Leaders are not saved, and if they are saved they have (certainly) not come to the knowledge of truth’’ (1 Timothy 2:4, RSV).
A diligent study of the Bible will help you discover, that it is certainly more scriptural to pray for good and righteous leaders than wicked and diabolical leaders.
This calls for 3 things, which is wisdom and of course the solution.
1. Look Inwards:
The followers must change their wicked ways -2 chronicles 7:14, Isaiah 1:19-20.
And assuming they have already or long changed; then they must:
2. Change Their Prayers:
The followers should pray correctly and pray wicked leaders out of office and power and pray in Gods choice and persons into leadership positions.
3. Engage Wholeheartedly and Strategically:
Finally the followers should take participatory civil and legal actions to effect the desired change.
I am reminded of what I occasionally read on the rear of some Lagos “Molue’’ buses. ‘A good master deserves prayer”.
It again reminds me of Psalm 72; there wondrous and beautiful prayers are uttered on behalf of a wonderful leader.
Read Psalm 72 whole-heartedly and diligently to know who is a good leader, what a good leader does and the blessings of God upon the head of a good Leader.
It speaks volume. God’s word will do you good! 31/12/09

Bro. Yusuf Rufa’i,
Is your Brother and Servant in the Lord
www.ambassadoryusufrufai.blogspot.com
www.redeemedpeople.blogspot.com
Email: yusufrufai2@gmail.com
Tel: +234 80 28 78 28 91

SLUMBERING CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD NEGLECTING YOUR CORE ASSIGNMENT

Why Is The Church Of God Chasing Shadows And Not The Substance?
Hordes and hordes of people are languishing and are daily being goaded into hell. Millions of potential Christians perish because the Church is complacent.
The Church is too comfortable and thus neglects its core responsibility.
The Church is too busy rabble-rousing and channeling its energy and resources to what God has not assigned.
The Church must be held accountable for lost souls.
The Church of God must repent now, turn a new leaf and stop paying lip service to missionary work; The Church must stop relegating the task of reaching the unreached to the background; The Church must stop starving the work of missions of funds, strategy and robustness and pray more of this very important prayer “Oh Lord of the harvest, send harvesters” (Luke 10:2); The Church must stop patronizing the work of missions and think about the lost world.We must  stop arguing about church doctrines and controversies while the gates of hell opens wide its mouth to receive its prey.We must  stop the comparison, the competition and rivalry amongst yourselves, while men die in their thousands unsaved.We must stop ‘eying’ the tithes and offerings.We must stop the carnally inspired endless activities and instead assault the Kingdom of hell – we must snatch many out.We must stop the rat race and the quest for material prosperity, acquiring of properties, positions, honorarium and fame.We must  stop hob-nobing with corrupt politicians, contractors and business men, while many candidates for heaven are consumed by satan.We must stop being satisfied with our salvation, while many are unsaved- you were saved to be a savior (Obadiah 1:21).We must stop being ignorant and lazy and work earnestly that the reign of Jesus might come where it is not yet.
Hey General Overseer, General Superintendent, Presiding Bishop and Senior Pastor rise on your feet there is work out there to be done.
There is a likelihood of a pending curse on your head if you do not act or change, “woe to them that are at ease in Zion'' (Amos 6:1, 4-7, Luke 12: 47 -48).
Yes, we have the power of the Holy Ghost to speak in tongues and cast out devils but the power is also for winning souls; this is the heart beat of God and the Knell of Jesus earthly sojourn.
Repent and obey Jesus’ last command.
The population of the world is increasing and the challenge of evangelizing the whole world grows greater every day.
It is an unfinished task and the greatest challenge of our generation.
It’s time to look beyond our little corner and enlarge our vision.
Let us cry to God “give me the unreached people or I die” and in faith match our prayer and proclamations with action.
Let’s do the reaching out and God will do the converting.
God is waiting; heaven is crying, ‘‘who will we send, and who will go for us’’.
In the unreached areas Coca-cola, Michael Jackson or 50 Cents, Chelsea FC, Barcelona FC and AC Milan should not be more widely known than Jesus Christ as it is today.
Where are the advertisers and promoters of Jesus? What help and support are we giving to those who take it upon themselves to translate the Bible - Gods written word to us.
Many people still do not have a single portion of the Scriptures in their mother tongue.
Pastors, when last did you preach or teach about the last command of Jesus.
Church your sins are many!
The time is far spent. The midnight is here. The untouched people of the world are crying-‘‘the harvest is past, the summer is ended and we are not saved’’.
Church rise up from your slumber, take the nations and deliver them to Jesus. This is God’s greatest concern-WORLD EVANGELISM & GLOBAL MISSIO-EVANGELICAL MANDATE
Hell’s increase must be hindered; it must be depopulated and decimated.
Obey the command, now! (Mt 9:35, Mt 28: 18-20, Mark 16:15-16, Habakkuk 2:14).
Get into God‘s word and get it into you!

Bro. Yusuf Rufa’i,
Is your Brother and Servant in the Lord
www.ambassadoryusufrufai.blogspot.com
www.redeemedpeople.blogspot.com
Email: yusufrufai2@gmail.com
Tel: +234 80 28 78 28 91

OPERATION PROCLAIM!: PROSPERITY (MESSAGES) AND THE PALAVER OF PROSPERITY - Deuteronomy 8:18, Psalms 115:16

OPERATION PROCLAIM!: PROSPERITY (MESSAGES) AND THE PALAVER OF PROSPERITY - Deuteronomy 8:18, Psalms 115:16