Hey Called Creative!
This is one of those messages in which I need you to have a little forbearance (shoutout to the KJV shorties) with me as I lay down a good, sturdy foundation before we hop into the meat of this thang.
Living in today’s times, when we think of the word “influence” , we typically think of a large social media following, notoriety, fame, Youtube vlogs, TikTok and IG personalities and content creators but the world’s definition of influence is completely different than the kingdom of God’s.
The influence that comes from the Lord couldn’t be further from the world’s definition (even if it looks that way sometimes). Kingdom influence is not for aesthetics, product sales or great content capturing, it is an assignment and labor of love, service, humility, prayer, and sacrifice.
Influence:
the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others:
the action or process of producing effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of another or others
We all currently have a sphere of influence whether it be large or intimate. For example, you may currently be influential in your family, among your friends, within your department at work or even within your church.
The Lord plans to stretch the spheres of influence and power for many as He promotes us both in the spirit and in the natural.
But it is important to mention that promotion of influence (like anything else dealing with our walk with Christ) happens in the spirit realm first. It is a spiritual assignment that requires our stewardship; and that stewardship determines the natural manifestation of such.
Kingdom influence is not celebrity status. Kingdom influence is humble intercession.
Influence and intercession go hand in hand.
Influence without intercession is not Kingdom; It is vain glory.
The Lord will not entrust us with power and influence with a person, a community, nor a nation if we have not been good stewards over the sphere of influence we currently have.
What does good stewardship look like within our current sphere of influence?
Praying for and with those we are assigned to
Serving alongside the people within our sphere
Hearkening unto the instructions of the Lord concerning us and others regardless of how we feel
Using our influence with others for Kingdom expansion (connecting and parterning with others to benefit and enrich the lives of the other people we’re called to influence)
Let’s talk about the parable told by Jesus in Matthew 25:14-28.
You’ve probably heard this Scripture as it relates to money or giftings. But let’s take another look.
Take a moment to go read the entire parable, Called Creative, then come back so we can chit chat.
Let’s look at verses 20 and 21 together:
So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’
His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
Matthew 25:20-21 NKJV
Interesting.
The parable begins in verse 14 explaining that the master gave to each of his servants the number of talents according to each of their abilities, with the expectation for them to work with what they were given and bring an increase on that investment.
Let’s meditate on that from the perspective of our current sphere of influence.
As we work with what we’ve been given (ministering unto them, serving them, laboring in prayer and intercession on their behalf), there is an expectation of an increase on the investment the Master has entrusted to us.
The people we are called to influence are supposed to experience the increase of the power, healing, peace, deliverance, and revelation of the Master, the Most High God.
Notice the response from the master to those who doubled their investment:
“Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.”
If your faithfulness in prayer, service, sacrifice and obedience led two or three others to salvation, then how much more when He adds to your sphere 5 more or 10 or 20?
Now let's get into the MEAT!
Kingdom influence is Holy Ghost power.
Why do I say that?
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
Genesis 32:28 KJV
When the Lord began ministering this verse to me about two years ago, it was from the vantage point of how persistence begets blessing; and that's true, of course.
Today as I meditate on it, the Lord has highlighted a new perspective to me consisting of three points:
1. The Sovereign God says “I am/I have promoted you in the spirit and you will see great promotion in the natural.”
"Your name shall no more be Jacob but Israel for as a prince..."
He is raising up Called Creatives, those with the mandate to pioneer, trail blaze, do something new and innovate for the glory of God, to be in positions of POWER, authority, wealth and INFLUENCE for the advancement of the kingdom of God in the earth!
You have been promoted to rule as a prince, to disrupt and dominate in the field, industry, sector assigned to you.
Because our spheres of influence are expanding, so is our level of intercession.
You will be put into these promoted positions not to flex, but to pray, to minister, to serve and to intercede from a heart posture of humility; to pull down the will and Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.
2. You have power with men.
"for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men"
Remember the definition of “influence”?
the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions , etc., of others :
You will flow in the power of God among people. This power of the Holy Ghost (not our own power or abilities) will rest on you and draw people into you so that the Spirit of God in you can draw them to Christ Jesus! (Read that again).
You have and will have the anointing of influence on you so that the people you influence can be saved, be correctly disciplined, learn to be faithful tithers, learn how to efficiently build the businesses the Lord has given them, and learn to be obedient servants of the Most High God.
Remember what the Spirit of God said in ARISE! Don’t Miss Your Opportunity?
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Isaiah 60:1, 3
Note a few things:
This glory or luminous brilliance is loaned to us from the Lord; it is given to us as a gift but it is not of our own doing/being.
Unbelievers are supposed to (and will) be drawn in by your light/brilliance/glory/influence.
This glorious power resting on you will also draw in kings, or those with power, resources, influence, and authority. This influence with men will afford you connections with those who will have the resources to help you do the work of the Lord.
3. You have power with God.
for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men
Now this point right here blessed me some kind of good, Called Creative.
While recently meditating on this verse, The Lord said “Khiara, you also have power with me”. And so do you, His good and faithful servant!
Don’t worry, I have Bible for that but just once more, let’s consider the definition of influence:
the action or process of producing effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of another or others
By definition, Moses was the prototype of a Kingdom Influencer. This man had power with God and with men, as a prince, or one of authority, position, power and influence. He was an intercessor on the behalf of an entire nation of people.
And I’m not talking about a small group or community of folks. The nation of Israel consisted of about 1-2 million people in the nation of Israel at the time of Moses and Aaron’ reign.
Can you imagine?
Now, let’s get into this Bible:
Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; for the Lord heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the Lord burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp.
Then the people cried out to Moses, and when Moses prayed to the Lord, the fire was quenched.
Numbers 11:1-2
“The people cried out to Moses” = power (influence) with men
“And when Moses prayed to the Lord, the fire was quenched” = power (influence) with God
Are you running yet?
Sit down. I have more Bible.
Read the Exodus chapter 33 and come on back!
So the Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.
Exodus 33:17
POWER WITH GOD!
The action of Moses’ prayers and intercession was a compelling force on and produced effects on the behavior, actions, and even the opinion of the Almighty God who considered him His friend.
Influence is intercession.
So it is and will be with us, Called Creative!
Because of our sacrifice, obedience, and testing, the Lord is able to trust us with new power and new glory that will be a compelling force not only on the people we are assigned to but on Him as Righteous Judge, all for His glory and kingdom establishment in the earth!
WHEW, Lawd!
As influencers for the kingdom of God, we are to be on our faces at the feet of the Father more than anything else. We are to have an intimate relationship with our Creator and speak with Him face to face as Moses did.
Our influence shall be a resource of reformation!
There is a reformation that must take place. Remember from Dominate & Disrupt?
Reform (verb):
to change to a better state, form, etc.
improve by alteration, substitution, abolition, etc.
To cause a person to abandon wrong or evil ways of life or conduct
Reformation:
the act of changing to a better state or character, way of operating, lifestyle, etc.; the correction of abuses and bad habits or practices:
an improved state or way of functioning that results from the correction of abuses and bad habits or practices:
We will be effective & efficient in our assignments of reformation because of the anointing of influence and power with both God and with men.
But it begins now, Called Creative.
Ask Holy Spirit to help you conduct a good audit of how you are stewarding your current power and influence with both Him and the people you are currently assigned to minister unto.
Convene with the All Wise God on how you could better steward your power so that you can be trusted with the more needed to reform.
Comment below and share your thoughts.
xoxo,
Khiara
A Called Creative for Called Creatives
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