Becoming a Greater Light

During the evening session of the first day of the Art of Shepherding Conference, Bishop Ogoe noted, "The pastor with 3,000 members is not better than you; he only knows something you don't... your ministry can travel with the acceleration of a rocket if you lay hold on the ministry materials. Run with the materials and your ministry will transition from walking to running."

He indicated that the writers of the vision are special but the readers of the vision are also special. Adding, he pointed out that what you don't know will keep you on the ground floor!

Reiterating his message from the morning session, the man of God charged participants to decide to be obedient, saying, "Don't allow mediocrity to bloat you. Stay low in your eyes. Fight pride. Never allow anything to make you proud."

He emphasized that those who become greater lights are humble souls.

He thus outlined the next ingredient for become a greater light, which is excellence. He challenged, "Put away shabby, messy, unkempt things." Reading from Daniel 6:3, the man of God hinted that excellence comes from the Spirit of God.

He indicated that in order to be excellent, you must develop joints (Ephesians 4:16). By joining yourself to excellence you will produce excellence.

He said, "Certain things will come into your life only because you are joined to somebody with an excellent spirit. Allow your ministry to be joined to somebody with the spirit of excellence. Our Father Bishop Dag has an excellent spirit."

He pointed out, "Excellence is a spirit not a degree."

Alluding to Reuben, the man of God noted that whenever there isn't stability, you can't excel.

Just as Elisha said to Elijah, you must decide to connect to the joint that has the spirit of excellence as long as the Lord lives and as long as the man lives!

He urged, "Nothing should separate you. Be fully persuaded and stay connected."

The next ingredient for becoming a greater light is righteousness. Hebrews 1:9 says, "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."

You are not only righteous because you love righteousness; you must hate iniquity.

The people God exalts are those who honour Him.

Bishop Ogoe intimated, "Anything you will do that will break the heart of your pastor, don't do it...no instruction that comes from God destroys."

To be a greater light God has to make you so. Don't like sin in any form.

The next ingredient for becoming a greater light is rejoicing in salvation. You must focus on, emphasize, preach and understand salvation. Greater lights are lovers of souls.

Bishop Ogoe quoted Oswald J. Smith as saying, "If you cannot cross the road to win a soul, you cannot cross the ocean to do so."

The sixth way to become a greater light is by looking to God for promotion. Psalm 75:6 says, "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south."

You must be strong so that you don't seek the approval of men. Your waiting on God will bring showers of blessing.

God surely has been transforming participants into burning and shining lights since then!