THE PASTOR’S VOICE: GOD-CENTERED, NOT SELF-CENTERED LEADERS NEEDED
The globe continues to cry out for help and deliverance. Poverty is rising. People are going to and fro looking for help. Many are giving up hope because of self-centered leaders globally.
As the people of God pray for God-centered leaders to begin rising, we will see a purging of the self-centered ones and the elevation of the God-centered leaders worldwide.
The fact is self-centered leaders do not obey God; and as a result, we have been reaping the “benefits” of disobedience, which brings great suffering to the world. If leaders continue to reject the Holy Spirit while putting their trust in man rather than in God, the world will continue to go deeper and deeper into debauchery and poverty.
Christ is the Source
Every self-centered leader should keep in mind that when there is a need, Christ is the source, and He supplies all our needs according to His riches in Glory. There are many self-centered leaders who want the people to look to them as their source, and so we are seeing the “god mentality” within the political arena.
Just Vessels Used by God
God-centered leaders also need to ensure that they operate in such a way that the people understand that they as leaders are just vessels used by God. God used Moses to carry out signs and wonders. When the people began complaining about their need for water, God instructed Moses in Exodus 17: 6, “Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.”
In Numbers 20: 8 – 11, a water problem arose again – the people were thirsty. God directed Moses to “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus, you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.” So, Moses took the rod from before the Lord as He commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, ‘Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?’ Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.”
God Instructed…Moses Disregarded
God instructed Moses to speak to the rock in that instance because He was telling Moses to change the way He was dealing with the situation. However, Moses disregarded the instruction in His anger, allowing self to come to the fore and he yielded to that.
Only Jesus Christ of Nazareth Brings Peace
Leadership must always bring God glory and help the people recognize that God is the source. Politicians and other leaders continue to fool the people into looking at them as their source. As a result, they lie to the people and deceive them with false and empty promises. There are even politicians promising peace and they need to be honest with the people to let them know that only Jesus Christ gives peace, because He is the Prince of Peace. It is critical for leaders now to survive this era of political storms which include climate change, crime, violence, immorality, and foul/perverse language.
The Longevity of Some Administrations
Although Moses’ actions brought results, his disobedience still had significant consequences – it cut short the longevity of his administration. The longevity of the administration of many leaders will be cut short. Every leader in the world should know that there is a difference between the blessings of the Lord and the approval of the Lord. What this means is that the Lord can allow you to receive His blessings even if He does not approve of how you receive the blessings.
God-centered vs. Self-centered
The Self-centered focus:
- Is all about ratings of self and benefits to self
- Is all about being seen by others
- Says “it’s all about me” – when the team does well, they take the praise. When the team does badly, they throw them under the bus and disassociates themselves. They focus more on controlling the team because it is all about them looking good. They do not have the interest of anyone else in mind. Once they have gained something, they do not care about anyone else
The God-centered focuses on:
- The Kingdom – God’s Kingdom
- The needs of others
- Souls and the poor
- God getting all the glory
Also:
- They do not live for themselves; they live for others
- They do not simply criticize; they encourage
- They rejoice when others succeed
Moses became angry because He was God-centered; while the people were self-centered – concerned about themselves rather than accomplishing the will of God and seeing His plan come to fruition.
For leaders everywhere, self-examination is in order.