Th.1.15.15...Influence Your Father

We’ve been learning that leadership is intentional influence. Because you are seeking to intentionally influence others to join M3 that makes you a leader in that instance. How do you know if you are not a leader? Old Chinese proverb say- “He who thinketh he leadeth, but no one followeth, taketh a walk.” Okay, so how can I increase my influence? What a great question you’ve raised, worthy of a lot of discussion. But let’s start today by focusing on the most powerful principle of all to increase your influence. It’s a three letter word I’m going to reveal to you. Though it’s not used in the following story, it's well illustrated in it, and it’s crucial to seeing how it works. So please now read Ex.17:8-16. No fair going forward without first reading it.

Over the past few days we've seen how we are in an invisible, but very real spiritual war. In this story involving Moses and Joshua, we see an early battle that was won or lost in relation to the lifting up hands to heaven- a symbolic act of prayer. Paul wrote, “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer without anger or disputing” 1 Tim.2:8. Moses was symbolically revealing our “secret” power principle of influence. I’ll share it with you in just a moment. (Am I building your curiosity?)

Your children and mine are masters at using this three letter word. It’s such a power tool of influence. Let me illustrate by first asking you the following crazy question- When was the last time you went down the toy isle and bought a Hot Wheels car, Legos or a Nerf gun just for yourself? Hopefully not in a long while! But I’ve bought plenty of these things for my son when he was a boy. As a matter of fact, I ended up buying him more than one of each of those items. (I must admit, I liked shopping with him for the Nerf guns-  sure wish they came out with those when I was a boy.:) 

So why did I buy him stuff he didn’t even really need? What master principle of influence did he use on me and that your children have used successfully on you too? What is this supreme tool of influence that the greatest sales people and motivators use?

Ready for the three letter word? Here it is- ASK. My son asked! Often he asked several times. Let me repeat also three key words- “My son asked.” I never would have bought him any of that stuff except for two reasons- he was and is my son whom I love, and he asked me. Now apply this to your relationship with your heavenly Father. He invites you to influence him- to ask. Better yet, he tells you to ask. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Mt.7:7-11. Do you see how Jesus is teaching us this most powerful principle of asking? And it’s all based on the fact that God is our good and generous Father. But our generous Father waits for us to ask.

Some have gone so far as to say that earth governs heaven- that God desires to even advance his kingdom, but won’t if we don’t ask for such. I’m not comfortable saying that earth governs heaven, but I am convinced that children influence their father. I never would have bought such toys for my boy if he had not specifically asked for them. He didn’t govern me, but he surely did influence me. And God’s children influence their Father. No wonder the Lord tells us to pray and ask that God would advance his kingdom and his will on earth as it is in heaven. That's why in some places great things are happening. People are fervently asking! Jesus’ half brother, James reminds us how vitally important it is that we ask- “You do not have because you do not ask God” James 4:2. That truth sure spurs me on to ask! But we are not children asking for toys. We are men asking for victories as Moses did. We lift up holy hands Lord, and we pray that you would liberate men from the powerful enemy- “Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.” Ps.60:11-12. The warrior David penned that warrior's prayer. It also would have been appropriate for Moses to use as he lifted up holy hands for Joshua’s victory. Ask for victories. Your Father wants to answer!

1.-Write out this warrior’s prayer found in Ps.60:11-12 on your MP3 card (Then do the Did it.) May it strengthen you to ask our Father, who is also our Mighty Warrior, to give us victories in freeing and activating men.

Keep praying for certain men by name. Also keep praying that the men of New Life would hunger for God. I think of Jack’s testimony. He said he woke up one day and said to his wife, “I need God.” The Lord can and does create such a hunger and thirst for more of Himself. Only he can do this. That’s why it’s crucial that we ask him to do so. May it never be said of us in M3- You do not have because you didn't ask God. Father, we ask, “Give us Hungry men!

2.-Share one thought that was triggered from anything in the blog today.

3.-R?

4.-A? (Asking fervently for God to advance his kingdom, to give us hungry men, etc.)

Speaking of prayer, isn't it good to know that you have prayer partners who are covering you?! Please give them a call and thank them. Ask if they are getting the emailed prayer updates and what questions they may have for you regarding M3. Please do this by Monday and let me know via the blog as soon as you've contacted them. For some, you might be sowing seeds of future involvement in M3. Udabest! Want proof? Look below at the Unstoppable team you're a part of and contributing to. Way to go!

	1 Tim.4:15	G=God's Word	Right Wrongs	E	A= Attack Prayers	T=Team members recruited
		For Tues.1.13.15
	Alpha Force
	Fire Team 1
1	Jack Rogers U.1	Y			A	2	Daniel & Roger
2	Daniel Contreras U.1	Y			A	1	Vince
3	Vince Diaz	Y	R (Our Respect)		A
4	Roger Vinlasaca U.1	Y			A
	Fire Team 2
1	Israel Fuentes U.1	Y			A
2	Sam Vargas U.1	Y			A	1	Robert
3	Robert Roman	Y			A
	Delta Force
	Fire Team 3
1	Alvin James U.1	Y			A
2	Dave Heidekruger U.1	Y			A
3	Mike Pagan U.1	Y			A
4	Andy Scott	Y			A
	Fire Team 4
1	Eddie Morales U.1	Y			A	3	Gary, Ismael, Kentrayle
2	Gary Remson U.1	Y	R (Our Respect)		A
3	Ismael Andrade U.1	Y			A
4	Kentrayle Adams	Y	R (Our Respect)		A