Wednesday, 10^th April 2024

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:22

Memory Verse:  ‘I try to find common ground with everyone.’ 1 Corinthians 9:22 NLT

Would you want to become a person of influence, then you must learn to keep relationships and you won’t be able to start any good relationships without understanding how to establish common grounds.

The easiest way by which God blesses us is through relationship. Hence you must know how to win the attention of men. What you are looking for is perhaps 2 – 4 relationships away from you. But, you cannot grow good relationships without establishing Common Ground. To influence someone, you must first connect with them. And to do that, you must look for common ground. Paul writes, ‘I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some’ (1 Corinthians 9:22 NLT). Another Bible version expounds on Paul’s words this way: ‘I am not anyone’s slave. But I have become a slave to everyone, so I can win as many people as possible. When I am with the Jews, I live like a Jew to win Jews. They are ruled by the Law of Moses, and I am not. But I live by the Law to win them. And when I am with people who are not ruled by the Law, I forget about the Law to win them. Of course, I never really forget about the law of God. In fact, I am ruled by the law of Christ. When I am with people whose faith is weak, I live as they do to win them. I do everything I can to win everyone I possibly can. I do all this for the good news, because I want to share in its blessings’ (1 Corinthians 9:19-23 CEV). When it came to preaching the truth, Paul wouldn’t yield an inch. But when it came to reaching and influencing people for Jesus, he tried to remove every roadblock between them and Jesus. And you must be willing to do the same. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Before someone can receive the truth you have to share, they must be convinced that you love and care for them. And that means finding common ground. Whether you’re applying for a job, trying to win someone to Jesus, counselling and advising, or correcting someone’s behaviour, to be effective you must look for common ground i.e. areas of similar interests. Establishing areas of common interest takes time. It also takes effort.

Quote: We don’t always have to agree, but we must empower each other, we must find the common ground, we must build bridges across our differences to pursue the common good.

Prophetic Decree: Any wall of Jericho standing between you and the relationship that will turn your life around for good crumbles, in Jesus name. 

Prayer Focus

1. Thank you Father for your light of understanding.

2. Holy Spirit, please teach me wisdom and skill to maximise relationships, in Jesus name.

3. Powers turning my back to men and women that will prosper me, collide with the Rock of Ages, in Jesus name.

4. I terminate the activities of cryptic demons in my relationships, in Jesus name.

5. Powers magnifying my weaknesses and shortcomings before my destiny helpers,  be wasted, in Jesus name. 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  1 Samuel 9-12