Personal site Ed Arcton

SERVANT LEADERSHIP

Osofo — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 23:28:43 GMT

Servant Leadership

It has been variously stated that the crisis in Africa, and some part of the world which is also responsible for her underdevelopment, is not lack of resources (because Africa is the most endowed continent on the globe) but it is lack of authentic leadership. This lack is expressed in three fundamental areas:

1. lack of Servant Leaders

2. lack of impeccable leaders,

3. And massive manifestation of mediocrity.

In many African countries, both in the church and in politics and business, the clarion call is for the supply of Servant Leaders who are upright and effective. The issue of quality services and products is a far cry for Africans. It is recorded that David governed his people with integrity of heart and with skillfulness of hand (Palm 78:72). These two characteristic qualities are the hallmark of the biblical leadership and the church has a mandate to model and teach the world these qualities.

Jim Collins, in defining successful leaders who lead Good-to-Great organizations, observes that this kind of people are not “…high-profile leaders with big personalities who make headlines and become celebrities; the good-to-great leaders seem to have come from Mars (meaning they are not like the usual leaders you and I know today). (They are self-effacing, quiet, reserved, and even shy – these leaders are a paradoxical humility and professional will…” (Good to Great, Jim Collins, page 12) Jim calls them Level 5 leaders who are the top of a Pyramid – meaning that they are scarce. They combine humility and will.

What type of leader are you today in your Home, Church, Community and Society.

Wake up every day and ask God to reveal, manifest and use this hidden born leaders to affect and impact many life and our world today. They are with us but cannot recognize them or do we appreciate them.

God knows them and can use them mightily.

Is your heart responding and accepting this leadership calling of God upon your life.

Today, right now talk to God about your life and your calling to the office of responsibility, accountability and trust.

God will help if you are willing. It is your time and your season.

SIX TRUTH FROM PSALMS 19:7-9

Osofo — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 10:42:46 GMT

Rev Arcton Preached 6 Truths from (Psalms 19:7- 9) at a new Missionary Church Planted in the city of Accra North

Six result from Scripture engagement according to Psalms 19

The Bible transforms you. “The instruction from the LORD is perfect, renewing one’s life” (v.7)
The Bible gives you wisdom. “The testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise”. (v.7)
The Bible brings you joy. “The precepts of the LORD are right making the heart glad” (v.8)
The Bible dispels darkness “The command of the LORD is radiant, making the eye light up”. (v.8)
The Bible adds stability. “The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever” (v.9).
The Bible promises justice. “The ordinances of the LORD are reliable, and altogether righteous” (v.9)

MY BROTHER'S KEEPER

Osofo — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 03:44:18 GMT

My Brother’s Keeper

Jesus tells us, “Free you have received freely give” (Matt10:8). Our devotion to God is seen in how we care for others. When we truly love God, we respond with His heart of compassion to those around us. Jesus is there to help us meet those needs if we ask Him, listen to Him and do what he says.
“Opportunity to give and to show compassion are all around us. Start today with those in your Church who are need of support ---- what is being done now? What more can be done? What groups, local or international, support the needy? Can you help them today? Ask the Holy Spirit’s guidance in how and who to help.
Key Verse
“He that is faithful in that which is lease is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the lease in unjust also in much” (Luke 16:10) KJV
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much” (Luke 16:10) NIV

MY BROTHER'S KEEPER

Osofo — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 03:41:56 GMT

My Brother’s Keeper Jesus tells us, “Free you have received freely give” (Matt10:8). Our devotion to God is seen in how we care for others. When we truly love God, we respond with His heart of compassion to those around us. Jesus is there to help us meet those needs if we ask Him, listen to Him and do what he says. “Opportunity to give and to show compassion are all around us. Start today with those in your Church who are need of support ---- what is being done now? What more can be done? What groups, local or international, support the needy? Can you help them today? Ask the Holy Spirit’s guidance in how and who to help. Key Verse “He that is faithful in that which is lease is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the lease in unjust also in much” (Luke 16:10) KJV Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much” (Luke 16:10) NIV

You will know them by their fruits

Osofo — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 17:56:57 GMT

Text for today: Matthew 7:13-29 You will know them by their fruits Has Christianity become easier or more difficult to practice today than when it first began? Read carefully Matthew 7 vs.13-14. Which way does Christ Jesus recommend for those who wish to have eternal life? The massive proliferation of prophets and teachers into the Christian arena in African and even European countries today is amazing! How are we to determine the true prophets and teachers from the false ones? Jesus says watch their fruit. Read Matthew 7 vs.15-23 again. In recent times, the media in some countries have exposed the idolatrous and adulterous practices of some of these self-acclaimed prophets and teachers. Note from Christ's word sin Matthew 7 vs. 21-23 that performing miracles and even the use of the name of Jesus does not necessarily imply that the person is a true prophet or teacher of God. The Gospel of salvation in Christ Jesus has been preached to many today, and especially through Christian churches and the media. How seriously do people take the gospel? Thought for the Day Are you standing on sinking sand? Please stop now and examine your life thoughtfully and see if you are in Christ and Christ is in you. Prayer: Dear Lord, touch my life today and open my eye and deliver me from all deceivers in name mighty Jesus. Please help me to know you and worship you with all my HEART, SOUL and SPIRIT in Jesus name.

THE LOG IN YOUR EYE

Osofo — Mon, 06 Oct 2014 17:19:51 GMT

The log in your eye

Matthew7:1-12

vs2, 3 says

Do you realize how easy it is to criticize others? Others talk too much, others are greedy, others gossip and many more vices which others commit. How about you? Take a piece of paper and quickly write down some of the vices you suspect yourself to be guilty of. This is what Christ is talking about in Matthew 7vs. 1-5. Ask God to forgive you your own sin of criticizing others.

Read vs. 7-11 again. What is Christ encouraging his followers to do? Have you been asking, seeking and knocking at God’s door through daily prayer and study of His word, the Holy Scripture? You will experience the good things God gives if you are careful to always be at his door knocking!

So read the golden rule in verse 12 and note exactly what it says.

PRAYER

Then make this your own Prayer right now: “Lord Jesus, please help me to live an honest Christian life toward others”.

LIVE FOR CHRIST AND NOT YOURSELF

Osofo — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 11:36:39 GMT

Live for Christ and not for Yourself

If you’re still alive, one possible reason is that God still has important work to do through

you. But perhaps you’re not doing God’s work at all. In that case, perhaps God has a very

different reason for keeping you alive. Perhaps it’s because you're not ready to die. You're still far from Christ, and God knows you wouldn't be better off dead. God knows that if you had died last night, you'd be in hell right now, suffering forever with no escape. You’re alive right now because God in his mercy is giving you more time to reject your sin and seek his mercy in Christ.

But some day your time will run out. Only God knows when. Don't waste the opportunity the Lord is giving you. You've heard God's wonderful promises of heaven. What a shame it would be to hear all this, only to shrug and walk away and end up dying without Christ. Don't be foolish. Set your heart on the Lord. Set your desires on spending eternity with him. Plead for God's mercy until he grants it. Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Honor him as your supreme satisfaction in life and in death.

If you're not ready to live for Jesus, you're not ready to die. But once you are ready to die, you'll also be ready to live for him, fearlessly and joyfully. Once you know you'd be better off dead, you also know God must have an important purpose for keeping you here for awhile yet, and you serve him with all your heart. May God grant you grace so that you can truly say, "I’d be better off dead, but I’m glad to be alive, serving him. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Be Different

Don’t assume that something must be okay just because everyone around you are doing it. Almost everybody worshiped the king’s image. Almost everybody in Germany went along with Hitler. When “everyone is doing it,” dare to be different. “Resist Satan, standing firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9)

Choose to be different and distinguish yourself by your character and quality of your life for Christ and His Service.

Learn to pray like the men and Women of old PRAYED..........“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.” In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen. (Psalm 17:8-9)

FAILURE

Osofo — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 03:37:30 GMT

Failure

Don’t expect failure just because of a painful childhood, unfair treatment, discrimination, or whatever else makes your life difficult. Such things are challenges to overcome, not excuses for giving up or going bad. Trust God and try your best. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23-24).

Please pray this PRAYER with me now—“O Lord my God fill thou my life, in every part with praise, that my whole being may proclaim thy Greatness and thy ways.” in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

LOVE AND THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Osofo — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 02:00:07 GMT

LOVE AND SPIRITUAL GIFT

Let us work together in love, using our own gifts and delighting in each other’s gifts. So important is love in the use of spiritual gifts that God repeats it over and over. So let’s conclude with this biblical passage where love and spiritual gifts go together.

In 1 Peter 4:8-11, the Word of God says,

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use

whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s

grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the

very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God

provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Christ Jesus. To him

be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”

FEAR OF THE LORD

Osofo — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 11:54:18 GMT

THE FEAR OF THE LORD

When the psalmist saw the transgression of the wicked his heart told him how it could

be. “There is no fear of God before his eyes,” he explained, and in so saying revealed to

us the psychology of sin. When men no longer fear God, they transgress His laws

without hesitation. The fear of consequences is not deterrent when the fear of God is

gone.

In olden days men of faith were said to “walk in the fear of God” and to “serve the Lord

with fear.” However intimate their communion with God, however bold their prayers, at

the base of their religious life was the conception of God as awesome and dreadful. This

idea of God transcendent rims through the whole Bible and gives color and tone to the

character of the saints. This fear of God was more than a natural apprehension of

danger; it was a nonrational dread, an acute feeling of personal insufficiency in the

presence of God the Almighty.

Wherever God appeared to men in Bible times the results were the same - an

overwhelming sense of terror and dismay, a wrenching sensation of sinfulness and guilt.

When God spoke, Abram stretched himself upon the ground to listen. When Moses saw

the Lord in the burning bush, he hid his face in fear to look upon God. Isalah’s vision of

God wrung from him the cry, “Woe is me!” and the confession, “I am undone; because I

am a man of unclean lips.”

Daniel’s encounter with God was probably the most dreadful and wonderful of them all.

The prophet lifted up his eyes and saw One whose “body also was like the beryl, and his

face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his

feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a

multitude.” “I Daniel alone saw the vision” he afterwards wrote, “for the men that were

with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide

themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no

strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no

strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words,

then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.”

These experiences show that a vision of the divine transcendence soon ends all

controversy between the man and his God. The fight goes out of the man and he is

ready with the conquered Saul to ask meekly,

”Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Conversely, the self-assurance of modern Christians, the basic levity present in so many of our religious gatherings, the shocking disrespect shown for the Person of God, are evidence enough of deep blindness of heart.

Many call themselves by the name of Christ, talk much about God, and pray to Him

sometimes, but evidently do not know who He is. “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of

life,” but this healing fear is today hardly found among Christian men.

Once in conversation with his friend Eckermann, the poet Goethe turned to thoughts of

religion and spoke of the abuse of the divine name. “People treat it,” he said, “as if that

incomprehensible and most high Being, who is even beyond the reach of thought, were

only their equal. Otherwise they would not say ‘the Lord God, the dear God, the good

God.’ This expression becomes to them, especially to the clergy, who have it daily in

their mouths, a mere phrase, a barren name, to which no thought whatever is attached. If

they were impressed by His greatness they would be dumb, and through veneration

unwilling to name Him. Tozer – Knowledge of the Holy -51-

By TOZER