Jesus Marketing Plan!

Jesus marketing plan

Matt 8:1 ¶ When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

As I work in ministry, how tempting it is to start networking, and knocking on doors to get speaking engagements, because truly, the Word of God burns within me, like a fire shut up in my bones!

Yet, instead, I have chosen Jesus method of public ministry, spending the needed hours quietly with my Father, praying, listening, and worshipping, so that I allow Him to open doors for my gift…He will do this for any of us, if we come away, come up the mountain, and spend the time needed in prayer.

Joshua 6:27 So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land.

He will be with you, in your ministry, your business, your promotion, if you are seeking Him first, and His leading, timing, and way of doing things.

After prayer and fasting, and clear miracles from heaven we read in  Luke 4:14 “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.”

Again we see our heavenly Father promoting Jesus here several verses later:

Luke 4:37 And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.

When Jesus walked with our heavenly Father on the earth, even the king knew about it:

Matthew 14:1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus

When we walk with our Father, in spirit-led obedience, there is an honor that comes from heaven, that will bring promotion that no amount of networking can produce.

The ways of the kingdom, are often contrary to the ways of the world:

John 12: ²⁵ He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

²⁶ If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.

Walking correctly with heaven is supernatural!
Needs will be met, miracles will be wrought, and people will seek you out for a Word from heaven.

I believe this works not only in ministry, but also in business, in our day to day jobs. God sets up divine appointments, and opportunities for promotion, miracles, and people who need ministry, for it is written: Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Truly, we do have friends in high places, the highest – the throne of God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

Let us live to please Him, and He will promote us His way, in His timing.

Let’s pray:
‘Father, I thank you for surrounding me with your favor, as with a shield. Thank you for grace, and intimacy with you today. I believe that you are opening doors for me, granting me favor, promotion, and fame, Your way. I choose to believe you are making a way for me, according to your perfect will, in Your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen!’

Ravenous Wolves….

As I learn to walk with Jesus, I again read this verse this morning, and see within it, deeper truth:

 

Matthew 7:15

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves

 

I know many people of God, who name the name of God, even Jesus, yet I watch the way they are treating people around them, manipulating, slithering around them, to get their own needs met.

 

Not just financial needs!

 

Sure we have seen people merchandise the ministry, making some practices look like the old fashioned ‘snake oil salesmen’ or schemers out of the proverbial shell game.

 

Yet it is not just ministry leaders that prey upon God’s sheep. I see it in business and politics too, ambitious, passionate people making merchandise of people with no concern for the care and needs of those they are using.

 

Ezekiel 22:27

Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain

Isaiah 56:11

But the dogs have monstrous appetites. They never have enough. They are shepherds who don’t understand. All of them have turned to their own ways, every last one greedy for profit.

So what makes a spiritual wolf?

I believe it is all about hungers….appetites designed to be legitimately met by Jesus and the bread of His Word,  that feed on the flesh and brokenness of others.

It is all about the heart. We have passions that rage within ourselves, needs for love, intimacy, sex, food, success, to be noticed…

God will supply all of these, if we allow Him to break our hearts, and give to us the living waters of His Spirit that Jesus promises, but this is not a quick, microwave thing, it takes hours, daily, alone with Him in prayer, as He gently soaks us with His Spirit, washes us with His Word, feeds our heart of heart with His love, understanding, revelation, and peace, quieting our raging passions in the ocean of His presence.

Yet, I have learned that most leaders are way too busy for this degree of intimacy, and they gotta GO!

No realizing that in many cases the ‘gotta’ is an unmet appetite, that they are going to get fed in the rough and tumble of life.

Gotta make that deal, sign that contract, make that buck, conquer that person, have sex with the object of my desire.

Self…

Ravenous passions….

The tyranny of unmet expectations, the pursuit of unholy desires….

Jesus saw all this while He was on the earth, which is why I believe He told His disciples:

Matthew 10:16

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

He knew the pride and passion of sinful people, wolves, bloodthirsty predators…

So we walk with Jesus, allowing Him to meet with us deep within the secret places of our heart, and each day, He gently sends us out into this broken world as His sheep, in the midst of people who are as ravenous and predatory as wolves…

Yet His command is clear, walk with Him in their midst, as wise as a serpent, as gentle as doves…

Not all leaders are false, God does still call leaders!

Jeremiah 3:15

I will appoint shepherds with whom I’m pleased, and they will lead you with knowledge and understanding

John 10:11

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

There are still servant hearted servants of the Lord, laying down our lives for the feeding and leading of God’s people, because we honestly care…

Let’s Pray:

‘Father, thank you for Jesus. May we continually seek You First, and allow you to meet our deepest needs, directly by Your Word and through Your presence Holy Spirit. Protect us from our own raging passions and appetites, and may they rage only for You and Your kingdom. As leaders, may we gently lead, feed, protect, and empower your people, as You gently give us a good word in season, knowledge from heaven to meet the needs of your people. I ask this, looking to You Lord Jesus, the chief shepherd, my Lord, and my King, Amen’

Teach us to number our days….

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12.

Redeem your time!

I guess I could subtitle this article as ‘How to make an Eternal Impact with your Life!’

Is Jesus Lord of your time?

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Today we are going to talk about the Lordship of Jesus in our personal lives. We see here that making Him Lord, is a condition for salvation.  If Jesus is the Lord, He must be our Lord. If His is our Lord, we must do what He says.

Previously, I have talked about the Lordship of Jesus in our personal lives. We saw how the first commandment, commanding us to love God, precedes service. We talked about seeking first the kingdom of God, before doing anything else. Making Jesus our personal Lord. We ended with ACTS, as a simple method of placing Him first. What does ACTS stand for?

ACTS

Adoration: Praise and Worship

Confession – Confess God’s Word back to Him, expecting Him to perform it in your life.

Thanksgiving – Thank Him for your life, your family, His Word, for answered prayer, for this church.

Supplication – Ask Him for those things you need that day. Wisdom, strength, courage to make changes in your life, to talk to others about Him. For your daily needs.

Again, this is not a legalistic formula, the question is simply one of the heart: Are we seeking first Jesus and His will for our lives, today?

Okay, today we are going to look at another aspect of Jesus Lordship. Today we are going to see from the Word of God if Jesus is Lord of our time.

Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Do you realize that this age, the church age, is the greatest season any person serving God has ever seen upon the earth?

God is not just for us, but lives in us. Our bodies have become His temple. When He decides to act in the earth, He has obligated Himself to work through one of us!

Daniel 11:32 (AMP)

³² And such as violate the covenant he shall pervert and seduce with flatteries, but the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God].

 That would be you and I!

Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Jesus has redeemed us, is redeeming us, and will redeem us. At the cross, He said “It is finished.”

Yet Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

He is redeeming us. Changing us, molding and making us into His image and likeness.

Soon, whether by way of the grave or with the triumphant shout of an archangel, we will see Him face to face.

He will redeem us.

Yet in this verse it clearly states that we are to redeem our time.

It has been said that the average Canadian spends 2-1/2 hours each day watching Television. Probably, here in the United States it is greater, because of the internet, and the availability of programming.

80% of Hollywood executives think there is a link between TV violence and real-life violence.

– 91% of children say they feel upset or scared by violence on television.

– 12 medical studies since 1985 link excessive television-watching to increasing rates of obesity.

– 202 junk food ads are generally aired during four hours of Saturday morning programming.

– TV-Free America

– 200,000 – the number of violent acts the average American child sees on TV by age 18; 16,000 – the number of murders witnessed by children on television by age 18.

– 10% of youth violence is directly attributable to TV viewing.

– 73% of Americans believe TV and movies are responsible for juvenile crime.

– TV-Free America

Proverbs 23:7

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he….

2-1/2 hours per day. That is 912.5 hours, or 38 days every year, laying there in front of the TV! There are only twelve months in every year. That means that Canadians spend over one month of every year, feeding their flesh.

Sure it gets cold outside, but there are tons of winter activities that are fun, good fitness, and free!

This message was originally preached while we pastored five years in Canada. Where temperatures often hit -30C, where there was often two feet of snow on the ground. Yet, here, in Tulsa, clearly people still spend hours in front of the screen, and this time could surely be spent more profitably for the kingdom of God.

Now, if every Canadian were watching two and half hours a day of good anointed television ministry, what a difference we would see.

For it is written: Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

We had this verse framed on our wall for many years…It is still true, 25 years later!

If what you are watching is not true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of a good report (the news is not generally a good report), full of virtue (not lies), does not cause you to praise God, do not watch it.

It is not bringing life to you, but is taking life from you.

Even one of our favorite family activities, Facebook, can quickly become an electronic tabloid, broadcasting what satan is doing in the earth, instead of glorifying God. Yes, our Social Media need to bow to the Lordship of Jesus!

Psalm 101:3(KJV)

 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me

It is sucking the anointing, joy, fruitfulness,presence and prosperity of God out of you, like a giant leech.

Killing your dreams, desires, vitality and polluting your mind.

Kill it, before it kills you!

I asked my congregation at one point, for all of us to take a television fast. To spend our daily TV time in the Word, job hunting, volunteering, taking a course, reading our Bible (what a concept), or telling someone about Jesus.

If you seek Him first, and 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

So, you have made Jesus your Lord, you are praying every morning, seeking Him, craving Him, diligently reading His Word and seeking to do what it says. Your due time is coming. He will exalt you.

Now, we need to do something. You must act. Now!

Faith is an act!

“If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” – Eccl. 11:4 (NLT)

Proverbs 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

NOW faith is, and His name is I AM! Our ever-present help in time of need!

Confession alone will not bring godly success, we must do what we confess. We need to begin the do’s of the gospel.

The most important thing we can do is to share the gospel. Only the gospel has the power to turn men from darkness to light. To separate them from hell to turn towards heaven.

In Reinhard Bonnke’s book ‘Time is running out” he makes this statement:

“If 10,000 people live near your church, according to statistics, four of them die every week. Is it satisfactory then, if only one of the 10,000 is saved every month, or even every week? I find it is impossible to exaggerate the urgency of sharing the gospel! The greatest work on earth is to preach the good news, and the greatest need in the world is the need of the gospel.”

We believe in healing around here, but Jesus taught, preached and healed.

If you want some simple ways to share the gospel, you are reading this on-line. Here are some articles I wrote to allow you to simply cut and paste these links, to share eternal life, the power of God in speaking in other tongues, or the message of divine healing. You must know someone on-line, you can share one of these with, NOW!

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/11/10/the-gospel-the-power-of-god/

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/11/27/is-speaking-in-other-tongues-of-god/

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/10/30/be-healed-jesus-wants-you-strong/

First of all he went.

Perhaps all God would have you do today is cut and paste one of these articles, or one of the links above to one of your friends, that you know needs eternal life…

Honestly, are you comfortable with them going to hell?

This can affect your finances, as you get involved in God’s work, He gets involved in your business.

Deuteronomy 8: (KJV)

¹⁸ But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day

Acts 1:(KJV)

⁸ But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

We believe in financial prosperity around here, yet the power to get wealth is ‘to be my witnesses.’ In the earth.

We must use our time to win souls for eternity.

This life is but a dressing room for eternity.

People we know are going to die. We could of shown them the love of Jesus, fed them clothed them, served them, given them money, even healed them, yet if they are not born-again they will go to hell. Hell is not some theological concept but a very real place.

Acts 4:12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

We are called with a purpose. We are redeemed. Yet, there is a time to grow up, and recognize our responsibility to the family business. Our Father in heaven is in the redemption business. Everything we are or hope to be must revolve around that.

I heard a minister state that the secret of successful people is in their daily routine. Stephen Covey, a leadership expert talks about 7 Habits of Sucessful People. The secret of your success is in your daily routine, the daily disciplines that create incredible realities over time.

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12.

Matthew 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

God uses people according to their ability.

1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Yet abilities can change. You take a night course to improve your ability. Take a college course, or take a course on-line through one of the great Bible schools in the earth:

http://www.vbctulsa.com/

http://www.rbtc.org/

http://www.elim.edu/

You deliberately find someone gifted in a certain area, and ask them to teach you what you need in that area. When I ran our construction companies, I deliberately cultivated relationships with skilled mentors.

Do  like me, endeavor to read a new book every week…All that college taught me is how to learn, to research, to grow…face the truth: we are all students for life!

What is you daily schedule? Do you just get up and let things happen? Or do you deliberately decide that this week is going to be different, that you are going to make changes for the better.

Are you seeking First Jesus and His Kingdom? Nothing else works unless He is our personal Lord!

There are several great books written on the power of daily disciplines. May I recommend just two? ‘The Slight Edge’ by Jeff Olsen, and ‘The Compound Effect’ by Darren Hardy. I do not know if these guys know Jesus, but they have sure figured out the secrets of daily disciplines that produce success!

In summation:

Win souls!

Get involved with something that actually presents the gospel to an unsaved person.

Proverbs 11:30

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that winneth souls is wise

Think Harvest thoughts! I have learned that everything in the kingdom of God revolves around the harvest. If you are spending your life reaching people with the love of God and the gospel, you will see the presence and power of God daily, and your life will be blessed of heaven.

Improve yourself. Apply for a better job. Take a night course. Improve your ability. If you want a change, you need to make a change. The second commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. If you don’t take time to develop yourself, your neighbor is in trouble!

Don’t know how to start? PRAY!

John 16:13

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come..

God will show us things to come! You have specific, unique fingerprints – and a specific, unique destiny and calling upon your life. As you seek Jesus, He will lead and guide you, to maximize your impact in this life, for eternity – yet, always remember, that He walks with you in the journey, His joy is relationship – He is drawing you to Himself, in the incredible pilgrimage of life, and life more abundantly – you were never designed to be alone, nor to do life alone.

John 3:27  John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

Question: What are you going to do with your time tomorrow? How are you going to use it to affect eternal result and reward?

Let’s pray:

‘Father, teach me to number my days right. Make my life count for eternity! Use me today to make a difference in someone’s life. Deliver me from time-wasters! I ask, knowing I am heard, for I ask in Your name Lord Jesus, Amen!’

If you enjoy my thoughts on leadership, from a Biblical perspective, read my book:

http://www.amazon.com/Parable-Sower-Kingdom/dp/1491207825/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418750194&sr=8-1&keywords=parable+of+the+sower+a+kingdom+parable

Or, If you are a Christian Leader, here are some articles that I will use in my next book: Feel free to preach, teach or use them as you see fit:

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2015/07/09/leadership-bullets/

For prayer, comments, or to donate online:

Email: chris.aomministries@gmail.com

Donate on-line:https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=95XHSDDXDS7MC

Give in faith!

1 Corinthians 9:11 If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits?

1 Corinthians 9:14 [On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel.

Paul goes on to say, that he did not use his position as a minister of the gospel to take up offerings, rather he worked, making tents, to support himself. You might notice here, that Paul was not married, nor did he have children. Family responsibilities take time, and just as you bust a move on your job to provide for your family, I work every bit as hard, doing this, faithful to the Lord in prayer and the ministry of His Word, to you.

I will never charge for this: it my responsibility to God, my calling. Freely I have been given, now, I freely give…

As you give, hear Holy Spirit what to give, and honestly expect God to reward you for your giving.

Matt 10: 41 He who receives and welcomes and accepts a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives and welcomes and accepts a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones [in rank or influence] even a cup of cold water because he is My disciple, surely I declare to you, he shall not lose his reward.

I am a five-fold ministry gift and office – this is my life – I pray, I hear, I write, and wonderful things happen. You have your job description, I have mine – this is mine….

I have ‘see through’ faith for you, in this: Gal 3: 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

I believe I have a responsibility before God to be like Jesus, in every offering I receive. I receive it with thanksgiving, just like Jesus did the little boys lunch.

Then, because I walk and live by faith according to the blessing of Abraham, I believe that God will take your seed sown, and multiply it, according to what the blessing of Abraham promises:

Genesis 22:17 In blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And your Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies

It has been a joy to me, to see the hand of the living God act in the lives of those of you who have supported us this year!

Many have seen tremendous blessing come into your households, and for this we give thanks, and give Jesus all the glory!