You Can’t Connect If “You” Are In The Way!
Billie Miller
“Your connection determines your direction.” ~ Eddie
Connor
When I’m invited to speak at a church or conference, I
always show up early. I do this to set up my book table,
but that’s not the main reason why. The main reason is
because I want to see each person that comes through
the door. I walk up to them, introduce myself, shake their
hands, and get to know them a little. So before the service
even starts, I would have met at least 90 percent of the
people in the room.
Why do I do this? I want to connect with people. And
I’ve discovered that the best time to connect with people
is before I speak. In other words, there’s a message that
people receive before you can even preach your prepared
message. People usually discern this message in the
meet-and-greet or in the first seven seconds of your
presentation. That message is either, “I’m here for YOU”
or “I’m here for ME.” If people don’t believe that you’re
there for them, it’s going to be very difficult to connect
with them.
“You can talk till you are blue in the face, but people
know in their gut if you really care about them.” ~ Bridget
Haymond
It’s easy to tell if you’re just here for yourself. Here are a
few signs:
• You use big words to impress the people, to make
yourself look good.
• You speak more about what you’ve done rather than
showing people what they can do.
• You view your interests as most important.
• You blame your audience for not understanding you
or for not catching the vision.
• You’re more focused on your image than the message.
• You see yourself as an expert with an i nferior
audience.
• When the group succeeds, you take credit. But when
they fail, you blame them.
• You’re self-centered and it’s all about you.
“When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be
your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to
others than to yourselves. Do not be interested only in
your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.”
Philippians 2:3-4 NCV
If you really want to connect with people, you have to
say to yourself, “It’s not about me—it’s about them.”
It’s hard to connect with others when you leave them
out. This is why your staff resents you. This is why your
employees won’t go the extra mile. Now you know why
your members don’t give to your church as much. Now
you see why no one is supporting your vision. There’s no
connection!
“If you want to connect with others, you have to get
over yourself. You have to change the focus from inward
to outward, off of yourself and onto others.” ~ John C.
Maxwell
The foundation of your message has to be, “It’s not about
me—it’s about you. I’m here for you.” This will be the start
of your connection. Once people connect with you, then
it’s on! There’s power in connection.
“If you will first help people get what they want, they will
help you get what you want.” ~ Zig Ziglar
BILLIE MILLER, “The Motivational Minister,” is a Bible
teacher, speaker, and the #1 Amazon Bestselling Author
of Life in Righteousness: The Word is Your Life and 30
Days of Righteousness: The Word is Your Life Action Plan.
Thousands of lives have been changed through Billie’s
powerful teachings. For more information please visit www.
BillieMiller.com. Follow Billie on twitter @BillieMiller7 and
on facebook BillieMillerFan Page.
Leadership with A Purpose ~
Who’s Leading Who?
While sitting in my husband’s recliner I heard this
song by Aretha Franklin titled, “Who’s Zoomin Who?”
In the song it was being indicated that the person
who she was in relationship with thought he had her
all wrapped up and tangled up in him. Then all of a
sudden she made a quick move and got from under his
spell and zoomed him.
She did what is called a
suddenly.
Then I heard, “Who’s
leading who?” in my
spirit. In the song
mentioned above the
man was leading Aretha,
but in this instant God is
asking who’s leading you?
God is not looking for
leaders who can’t think,
who can’t see and who
can’t be responsible or
accountable. This is not
your frequented visit to
a 9-5 place of employment, but a place of purposeful
work for the Kingdom. You are the Executive of your
vineyard and you are responsible for making it fruitful.
You are not to have a weak spine or an emotional
crisis. Punks need not apply for servitude in this army;
gladiators are needed. Men and women of God who
are ready for battle and can stand on their own two
feet.
Since you say you are called, why not allow the one
who called you to lead. Don’t go ahead of him, and
never think you are doing it alone. This is a big error of
leaders. The moment you start believing that you built
this and you established that, a haughty spirit will enter
in with pride and you will fall. Boom!!!
The purpose of a leader is to provide direction and
guidance to a destined place you have never traveled,
so what makes you think you know the way?
Proverbs 3:6-7: In all thy ways acknowledge him, and
he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes:
fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
It is such a trick of the enemy to make one feel more
superior than one actually is. With men it is their egos
and with women it is their beauty. If you know your
weakness you will also learn how to resist the enemy
Pastor Monica Lloyd
so that he can flee (James 4:7). No need for you to run;
just remain still. Stay attuned to God’s voice and his
instructions.
As a Kingdom Leader your assignment is to get
the people which you lead to their proper place.
You are running the vision of
your organization (within the
church body) off of a Theocratic
Government, not a Democratic
Government. The people do not
have the final say so, but God. No
voting needed here, just faith.
2 Corinthians 5:7: (For we walk by
faith, not by sight:)
The people can only run with the
vision once it is placed before
them and it is your responsibility
to lay out the blueprint as it has
been provided and downloaded to
you by your leader (God). Where
there is no clarity, there will be no building with a
faithful following. No one wants to follow an arrogant,
prideful leader that says, “Do as I say, not as I do.” The
first set establisher of any ministry is the Headship
and your head need to be on correctly for you set the
tone. If you don’t listen to God and follow His statues
and commandments, neither will your people and
therefore you need to remove yourself.
• Adam allowed Eve to lead which resulted in being
removed from the Garden of Eden.
• Moses allowed the people to lead with their
mumbling and complaining and it prevented him
from entering the Promise Land, Canaan.
• King David was led with his loins which didn’t
allow him to build God’s house, but his son
Solomon did.
These three examples are tools the enemy uses to get
leaders away from being led by God: spouses, people
and sex. Be careful Kingdom Exec. Leaders. You
have been warned. Leadership is purposeful. Just ask
yourself, “Who’s Leading Who?”
You are called into the Kingdom for such a time as this.
Not of your own self-will, but by the will of God. Make
it fruitful.