Visionmultiplier

Little boats

Recognize that we each have other little ships in our convoy.

I was reading this passage and I was intrigued at the leadership principles that just jumped off the page.

There is a significant amount of references to the events of this passage which included Jesus being awakened and rebuking the wind with the words “Peace, be still”.

Those closest to him showed utter amazement when they said that “even the wind and the sea obey him. ”

Think about that.

What stuck with me was:

⁃ After they launched to go to the other side,

⁃ and After the crowds went away,

⁃ There were still other little boats that followed.

This is not the dignitary boat full of disciples and Jesus but other little boats.

We do not know much about them or how many there are but they are mentioned – which is not by happenstance.

This got me to thinking about all the “little boats” that are watching and following us a leaders because they just want to study us, emulate us, support us, or maybe hope to be a part of something great and impactful.

These are not the folks that leave at the end of the meeting or event and go home. They want to be a part of the “after meeting” conversations.

They just want to be amongst the group of leaders to just soak up the vision, just hear the discussions, or to just be in the room.

Now today, you may be the little ship to someone else trying to get that nugget of wisdom or that glimpse of glory – which is fine.

I also want to encourage us a leaders to recognize that we each have other little ships in our convoy.

They are not satisfied with just the “message for the masses” but they desire and need a word, insights and strategies for differentiation – a nugget from us.

Let’s ensure that we recognize and invest into them.

Be blessed.

Be a Blessing!

“On that [same] day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee].”

So leaving the crowd, they took Him with them, just as He was, in the boat.

And other boats were with Him.”

Mark 4:35-36 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/mrk.4.35-36.AMP

Why me Lord?

This morning I started my reading when a verse dropped into my heart- in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.

A couple of cross references later, I landed on this set of passages and just could not let them go.

Here is a great warrior David processing the question many of us may ask. In short the question comes down to – Why me?

Out of billions of people and souls that exist in this vast universe and God chose him and his house to execute a Divine purpose.

As leaders, we may never have battles as great as David but we see a glimpse of his thought process and his adoration.

Why me?

The answer for each of us may just simply be:

⁃ Because I AM the sovereign god and I chose you.

⁃ Because I saw you before the beginning of time and I see the end as I am all knowing and all present.

⁃ Because he sees his magnificent work and says- it is good.

⁃ Because he says that we are beautifully and wonderfully made.

⁃ Because he is not a God that makes mistakes.

⁃ Because he loves us and trusts us with his precious vision.

If we just surrender and say:

As for me and my house, we choose to serve you.

And

Nevertheless, according to your word, we will execute the order.

Be blessed

Be a blessing!

“However, the Lord, the God of Israel, chose me before all my father’s house to be king over Israel forever. For He chose Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah he chose the house of my father; and among the sons of my father

He was pleased to make me king over all Israel; And of all my sons, for the Lord has given me many sons, He has chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel.

And He said to me, Solomon your son shall build My house and My courts, for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his father. I will establish his kingdom forever if he loyally and continuously obeys My commandments and My ordinances, as he does today.”

1 Chronicles 28:4-7 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/1ch.28.4-7.AMPC

Reversals are Not Fatal

When I was reflecting on this passage, I was reminded of the goodness of God. He has said that we have a responsibility to pursue and become pure and upright through the righteousness of Christ.

When we do this as leaders, we have assurances that this action on our part arouses a reaction from God to the point where our dwelling is prosperous again.

It further reinforces where in Deuteronomy that if we harken diligently unto the voice of the Lord and to do his commandments that there will be a blessing on us.

This is the leadership daily groundwork that we must do.

What was even more encouraging for me was that when we as leaders fall or maybe even stumble, there are consequences which may cause our divine vision to be aborted or delayed; however, the latter portion of the passage discusses how through God, that our latter end shall be greater.

What a promise.

What a responsibility

It is all up to us a leaders.

By sowing the seeds of faith in God and trusting in his word, we will see 100 fold harvests in health, healing, territory, relationships, customers, engaged employees, peaceful marriages, spiritual growth.

Our roots will be so planted by the rivers of living water that we will not be impacted by the adversaries of life.

We can and will be renewed and reestablished.

“Then, if you are pure and upright, surely He will bestir Himself for you and make your righteous dwelling prosperous again.

And though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase.”

Job 8:6-7 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/job.8.6-7.AMPC

Goodness and Mercy

For a couple of days, I have been reading on the goodness of God and his mercy.

The first passage just resonated with me because of the simplicity of the truth – “the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord”.

There are images of strife, conflict and moral decay that seems to be on every hand. These are symptoms of what man, who chooses not to recognize God as their shepherd and when left to their own devices, creates.

The truth is that the earth is STILL full of the goodness of the Lord.

Next I reflected on Psalm 23 where it starts out stating that the “Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want”and ends with the passage below-“only goodness, mercy and unfailing love will follow me all the days of my life…”

Amen

As leaders, we are closing out the first quarter of this year. We may not have yet achieved what we had planned.

Fret not, press forward toward your high calling and know that Gods goodness and mercy is not in short supply. Stay the course.

Be encouraged.

Be blessed.

Be a blessing.

“For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.”

Psalm 33:4-5 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.33.4-5.KJV

“Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.”

Psalm 23:6 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/psa.23.6.AMPC

Be it unto me

The power of agreement.

I was reading this passage and was moved by a couple thoughts as…

There are some passages that are so simple yet are so profound that you can spend a lifetime learning about and growing into until the Word becomes you.

That is what I feel when I read the Word that says that with God nothing shall be impossible.

Nothing.

That is almost hard to comprehend as on a daily basis, we may hear it be told that you “can’t” do this or that “won’t” work or that “no one has ever done this before” or whatever phrase that can and is a limiting belief- and contrary to the truth!

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

I was also amazed at the simplicity of agreement that came from Mary with her saying “be it unto me according to your word”. Period

Be it unto me that:

⁃ I am the head and not the tail

⁃ I am healed of all manner of sickness and disease

⁃ My latter days shall be greater than the former

⁃ You delight in the prosperity of your saints

⁃ Your kingdom come and that thy will be done

⁃ You have assigned angels to me and one angel can put thousands to flight

⁃ That you would lead me and guide me into all truth

⁃ That you will order my steps in your word

⁃ I will be fruitful, multiply, have dominion and subdue

⁃ That I am blessed in the city, blessed in the field and that everything that I put my hand to will prosper

⁃ That if I lack wisdom that I just need to ask

⁃ That now there is no condemnation

⁃ That I shall have faith to decree a thing and it shall be established

⁃ That I am yours and beautifully and wonderfully made

⁃ I have all sufficiency in all things

Be encouraged.

Be blessed

Be a blessing!

“For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”

Luke 1:37-38 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.1.37-38.KJV

Be not Dismayed by Unbelief

The road to revelation even for the inner circle takes time.

When I was reading this passage, I was simply amazed at the reactions of those that were closest to Jesus but the more I pondered the situation it really provided a principle that is worth noting.

We see people who spent significant amounts of time with Jesus simply amazed and perplexed when the vision he talked about over the years truly materialized.

A few remembered, were excited, and tried to share the good news with the inner circle; but to my amazement, the inner circle did not believe what they heard.

This is not a new phenomenon but an example and reminder that as leaders, we often wonder whether our vision or message is resonating with the masses; however, in reality, it may not even be fully appreciated or internalized by those that are closest to us.

We can cast the vision, we can execute the vision, we can engage our inner circle, we can have them by our sides when we have critical meetings but at the end of the day, those closest to us will get a revelation at different times- if ever.

Wow.

Our jobs as leaders is to be consistent in performing the tasks and doing the necessary work while praying for those inside our inner circle that our vision moves from head knowledge to capturing their hearts. This is a process and a journey.

Stay committed to your divine vision.

Stay the course in executing your plan.

Communicate the vision and plan early and often.

Love the people where they are and realize that they are each walking down their personal revelation journey.

“And they remembered His words. And having returned from the tomb, they reported all these things [taken together] to the eleven apostles and to all the rest.

Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who reported these things to the apostles.

But these reports seemed to the men an idle tale (madness, feigned things, nonsense), and they did not believe the women.”

Luke 24:8-11 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/luk.24.8-11.AMPC

Tender moments

When I was reading this passage, my heart just became full as it truly demonstrates a glimpse of a tender moment in just how personal and personable Jesus was in that he even allowed one disciple close to him to lean on his chest just as a child.

There are many moments in life when the world did not make sense, there was a yearning to just be comforted and we needed something precious that could not be met or resolved by simple proximity or through words.

Maybe we were seeking understanding from someone in the natural that loved and cared deeply for us and we could just lean in and rest against their chest – and the world was good again.

These are tender moments that never expire.

As leaders, we have moments where we need answers to serious issues that our Circle of influence either cannot answer or from whom we have not sought counsel because of the sensitivity of the matter – maybe the need we have may impact a decision concerning them.

We don’t have to work through the issue alone. We always have the bosom of Jesus readily available. It is there for those who seek him and the fullness of his relationship.

This is not a place or a privilege reserved for those that seek an idle or casual relationship.

This access comes to those who have a reciprocal relationship developed over time- a relationship forged through the joys of being with him and likely through adversities.

Precious moments may be few or they may be oftern but they are impactful and meaningful exchanges.

It is my prayer that you will receive tender moments.

It is also my prayer that you will give tender moments when there just are no words.

Be blessed.

Be a blessing!

“But Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved, following–the one who also had leaned back on His breast at the supper and had said, Lord, who is it that is going to betray You?”

John 21:20 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/jhn.21.20.AMPC

Peace be unto you

This morning I just felt a need to search and read about peace and to share a word of encouragement.

Yes it is true that there are troubles that seem ever present and multitudinous but I am reminded that God is all knowing and that he was here from the beginning.

I am also reminded that all things are working together for our good because we love him and are called according to his purpose.

It is my prayer that we as leaders will not let our hearts be troubled in this season and that we will have the peace of God which passeth all understanding, and keeps are hearts and minds through Christ Jesus; so that we can help those to whom we are assigned to help them find their own place of peace in Christ.

Be strong in the Lord and the Power of his might.

Be encouraged.

Be blessed.

Be a blessing!

“IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. [Isa. 9:6.] He was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being.”

John 1:1-3 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/jhn.1.1-3.AMPC

“The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually). And they shall put My name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

Numbers 6:24-27 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/num.6.25-27.AMPC

Even the strong need support

These are the times as leaders that we need to be open to receiving support so that our faith fails not.

When I read this passage this morning I was moved by the thought of the pain that was being experienced by Jesus.

I was amazed at how the strongest person to ever walk the earth just struggled with agony to the point he needed strength and support to achieve his devine purpose.

There are and will be times as leaders that we are placed in a devinely appointed assignment to fix.

The personal consequences will never be at the same level as those Jesus faced but rest assured- our outcomes will be consequential.

Our situation may seem impossible and one we have been battling to understand, to discern a plan and path forward, and to execute that plan against unheard of resistance.

We may even be weary in our faith and all we have left is the promise from God.

These are the times as leaders that we need to be open to receiving support so that our faith fails not.

Accepting help is not a sign of weakness but I believe that this example was provided as revelation and reassurance that even the strongest among us need help and support.

Be blessed!

Be encouraged!

“Saying, Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but [always] Yours be done. And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him in spirit. And being in an agony [of mind], He prayed [all the] more earnestly and intently, and His sweat became like great clots of blood dropping down upon the ground.”

Luke 22:42-44 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/luk.22.42-44.AMPC

Freedom through Forgiveness

It is impossible to get through this life as a leader and to not make mistakes.

When I was reading this morning, several thoughts crossed my mind as I reflected on this passage.

One thought that stayed with me was the need and importance of leaders learning to asking for and forgiving themselves for the many mistakes that they have made.

It is impossible to get through this life as a leader and to not make mistakes: Mistakes in decisions, mistakes with people, mistakes due to immaturity, mistakes due to ignorance, etc.

Assuming that mistakes will continue to be made, prayerfully not with an unclean heart, there really needs to be a focus as leaders on our response when we discover that we have “missed the mark” – our response. Our genuine heartfelt responses.

The second thought was that our freedom and release is also dependent on our willingness as leaders to forgive those who have hurt or wronged us.

I will pause there.

Yes, as leaders, we need to find a place in our hearts and a way to demonstrate foregiveness toward others so that we can be free and to be able to continue to receive all that has been prepared for us.

Easy… not in our own strength.

Possible…yes with Gods help.

Necessary…absolutely.

It is my sincere prayer that each of us will find the strength to humble ourselves each day and to forgive ourselves and those who have hurt us or harmed us so that we can be free to run our Devine races.

Our destiny is worth the price!

“For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.”

Matthew 6:14-15 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/mat.6.14-15.AMPC