LEADERS ARE READERS - PART 2

 LEADERS ARE READERS - PART 2

Earlier this week, we were made to understand that one very important skill a true leader must possess is the skill of Reading. Your thirst or desire for knowledge is the basis for the Reader in a Leader. This is because he has an understanding that if he does not acquire the way to go about things either through experience or seeing from the views of others, then he cannot really lead his followers successfully. As believers who are leaders, we must understand that the nature to lead is deposited in us at new birth. Matthew 5:14 says "ye are the light of the world, a city set on a hill that cannot be hid. Verse 13 says "ye are salt". This scripture only refers to them that are born again in Christ. So, if you are the light that shines for others to see, and also the salt for the  unsalted generation; you are a Leader. 

Also as leaders, we must understand that we are potentially empowered when we become born again and though this power be ignited when we are baptized with the Holy Ghost; the fire is kept alive by Knowledge. This is why Paul was admonishing us in 1Peter 2:2, that as newborn babes, we should desire the sincere milk of the Word. You are a born again leader with the inherent abilities to lead at redemption, but still you have to pay attention to Reading, as it is the Word you have seen and believed that you have the capacity to become. And one way we see this Word is through Reading.

I have come to understand that there is no prayer that can empower you above insight; the prayer you need is to know what materials to read and pray for Grace to understand what you read; this understanding is what actually empowers you. Every spiritual leader today with proofs in their Leadership journey did not attain this stage just by praying for knowledge or praying for wisdom. They went in search of it. This is why you would always hear them say "I caught this light when I read this particular book or a chapter in this book". You don't pray for knowledge, you simply search it out. We see in Proverbs 4:5, the Bible says "get wisdom, get understanding". Knowledge has to be gotten not prayed for. 

Moreover very important to note, the leader within every man comes alive when he discovers his purpose, sees the vision and sets out to fulfill them. Once again, we see Purpose and Vision coming out as two inseparable brothers. These are two important factors that we must consider as leaders; and both factors still revolve around us READING. Purpose is the intent for our creation i.e. the reason why God created us on this Earth, while Vision is knowing the path to get there and this requires divine direction. Vision is also the unfolding of God's plans for our lives from His Word.  The latter part very important "from His word". We see even, everything that is given to us in Revelations and all, they are all based on the Word. This is how we determine their truthfulness or their capacity to perform. Psalm 138:2 "For thou hast magnified they word above all thy names". Isaiah 14:24 "surely as I have spoken (the Word), I will bring it to pass"

Let us look at the story of the greatest leader that ever lived, our role-model as believing leaders; the person of our Lord JESUS CHRIST. Yes, He was born of the Spirit and of water, but he still needed to read to locate his purpose. Luke 4:17-19paraphrased "And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written". Jesus could only find out what was written concerning him i.e. his purpose for existing, from THE WORD, not by praying and fasting. Purpose became clear, vision became accessible and it was easier to set out in the direction of fulfilment. Verse 21 says "and he began to say unto them, Today is this scripture fulfilled in all ears". However, we must understand from the earlier verses in that same Luke 4, Jesus was always in the synagogues. This is the attribute of someone seeking to know more, desiring to understand more. And this should be every believer's call.

If Jesus Christ of Nazareth, born of the SPIRIT, on whom these words came, "this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased, could read the Word; there is no reason we should be lacking in that regard. Jesus also knew the paths to follow (Vision), after this encounter with the Word. The Bible didn't say after reading, he took his books and left the synagogue for his house. Immediately, the manifestations began. He started preaching in the synagogues, going about healing and raising the dead; to prove that those Words were indeed fulfilled. This could only have been gotten on the place of searching out knowledge and understanding. 

One other way we know Jesus was a person of the Word was how he used the knowledge of the Word and who he was from the Word to overcome the devil's temptation in Luke 4:1-13. "It is written, it is written, it is written". My brethren, the Word you are ignorant of, you are permitted to suffer. If Christ had not the word, then the devil would have been in control and maybe there would be no Christianity as we have it today. Hence, the place of the Word can never be outmatched. 

TO BE CONTINUED...

THE MEN THAT LEAD

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