Influence The Influencer/ Dr. Jeff Hazim

Greetings fellow disciples,

“You will be brought before governors and kings as a testimony.” Very interesting words

from our Lord, predicting very interesting times. One may believe that Y’shua meant those

words for other disciples, for another time in history. But, I’d argue they are prophetic for more

than the twelve He addressed that day. The simple fact is that Paul was not one of them and he

was actually the first to literally be “brought before governors and kings.”

I don’t believe it was the legal issue Paul faced that was the primary reason for being put

on display in the presence of the governing authorities and royalty, nor his main motivation for

his formal request to go before Nero, Caesar of Rome, the supreme leader of the day. I am

convinced that Paul’s readiness to present before governors and kings and his boldness to go

before Caesar was based on this principle: if you cause the head to turn, the body will follow.

And he was ready, willing, and able to do so. Are you?

In his last communication, a letter written to Timothy from Rome, the location of his final

imprisonment and death as a martyr, Paul summarized the philosophy of his entire ministry.

Preach the word of God, be ready whether it is convenient or not. Reprimand and rebuke as

necessary, but also use plenty of encouragement. Do it all with absolute patience and by being

an excellent teacher, using clear instruction. Be willing to be vaporized into a mist for God, as if

your life is a cool glass of water being tossed into a blazing fire. And fight for the faith until your

last dying breath, like a sprinter straining for the tape. This is the attitude in which Paul faced

the most prominent leaders of the day. He was an influencer of people of influence. What about

you?

To influence people of influence. That is an idea close to my heart. Long ago, when I

moved away from my professional life and into full time ministry, those were the words that God

impressed upon me. Quite simply, the more you can touch the lives of those who can touch so

many more lives, the more lives you can touch. It’s been a passion of mine ever since. I pray

you too will desire to touch many lives with the truth of God’s word, regardless of your calling or

profession. One thing is for certain, to do so you must be ready and bold whether it is

convenient or not.

—Manny Fernandez & Jeff Hazim

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering,

and the time of my departure is at hand.” II Timothy 4:6