Reflection – Page 22 – Vision Multiplier International, LLC

Run your own race – the race of one

Leaders focus on “Effective Efforts”

When I was reading the passage below, I was amazed at how my minds eye did not previously see the statement about coveting your “neighbors house”.

Today that just caught my eye and my mind was flooded with many thoughts.

There are many leaders that invest a significant amount of time and effort comparing themselves to others and most importantly looking at the fruits of others.

As leaders, we must turn our focus towards executing our plan as we truly are in a race of one.

We are given devine purpose and plans for which we alone are distinctly created and prepared to perform.

If we focus our efforts on our plan and ponder on it day and night while seeking counseling and wisdom, it is then that favor, blessings and wisdom can overtake us.

We will take the needed actions of “effective effort” to manifest the outcomes that we truly desire.

We can not afford to be distracted as this can impact the thousands for which we are caretakers.

We must truly focus all of our beings on the real work of sowing seeds, planning, managing our emotional energy, and relentless execution.

This is the groundwork to clarifying our vision for what is to come.

That is the work of leadership that we must strive to achieve.

Then and only then will the fruits that we so desire and delight for in our hearts will begin to be manifested

We will have BECOME that which we desire.

Be blessed!

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s. [Luke 12:15; Col. 3:5.]”

Exodus 20:17 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/exo.20.17.AMPC

Merry Christmas

I wanted to just send a note of thanks and gratitude to you – my Vision Multiplier extended family.

It is my prayer that you have and will continue to be blessed by the weekly posts.

On this most blessed day, I wanted to offer this prayer for you and your family:

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

3 John 1:2 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/3jn.1.2.KJV

We are Ambassadors

Whether in the community, our family, the church, or the marketplace, people need us to lead them and guide them to a better place.

We are Ambassadors

I was reflecting on this passage and a few that follow it and I think what struck me was just how powerful our presence and actions have as leaders.

Whether in the community, our family, the church, or the marketplace, people need us to lead them and guide them to a better place.

We have visions and dreams that are the solutions.

Our kindness and understanding provides places of comfort and respite.

Our counsel and advice provide resolve and direction.

That is an awesome privilege and responsibility.

In closing:

Sometimes, we feel inadequate, but great things can still be accomplished. Ask Gideon.

Sometimes, we make mistakes but still can be mighty. Ask David.

Sometimes we overestimate what we can and will do and fail. Ask Peter.

But through it all, we are still Blessed.

Be encouraged Leader and keep pressing forward.

“THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound, [Rom. 10:15.]”

Isaiah 61:1 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/isa.61.1.AMPC

When did progress become a shortfall?

Renewing our minds with the TRUTH helps us recognize many of the unfruitful thoughts we have acquired which are lies.

When did progress become a shortfall?

As leaders, we often have big audacious goals that we are striving for and will achieve.

Sometimes as the calendar comes to a close, we realize that our timeframes for achievement may be the issue and not so much the goal.

There is a constant struggle with finding the right balance between aiming high and the required efforts of execution.

When we aim high with the strategy of personal growth as the pathway, progress is ultimately achieved however circular it may feel.

Working through the layers of limiting beliefs that we must combat may often be a surprising as these beliefs tend to surface throughout the process. Some may have been learned as early as childhood or unconsciously acquired recently.

They are like barnacles underneath a ship and often slow down our progress or worst yet, they become a part of our speech. Words are creative.

Renewing our minds with the TRUTH helps us recognize many of the unfruitful thoughts we have acquired which are lies. With focused effort of cleansing our minds, our goals become manifested in reality.

Be encouraged as we are growing from faith to faith. Reflect on these things and progress is assured:

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. As one who reckons, he says to you, eat and drink, yet his heart is not with you [but is grudging the cost].”

Proverbs 23:7 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/pro.23.7.AMPC

“For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].”

Philippians 4:8 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/php.4.8.AMPC

“For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will confess and praise You for You are fearful and wonderful and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are Your works, and that my inner self knows right well.”

Psalm 139:13-14 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/psa.139.13-14.AMPC

The Top 10%

We recognize that our success is an outward expression of the divine favor and Blessing that that is on our lives.

The Top 10%

When I was reflecting on the passage below, I was struck by the thought of the 10% – the top 10%

There are many that have a dream, desire or goal and are actively pursuing them. They seek advice and help. They take actions from their advisors and they see results.

These are the 90% ‘ers who are doing what is needed to strive and achieve. They sought out advice and had the discipline to take the necessary actions to achieve their goal.

This discipline and action of faith also accelerated their outcomes.

They are the “cleansed”.

But

There are a few of us, the leaders- I call the top 10% ‘ers, that go above and beyond.

We remember, think of and take time aside to thank and glorify god for his mercy, compassion, provision, faithfulness and for his works.

We show our reverence and appreciation through the behaviors of praise, gratitude and adoration.

We recognize that our success is an outward expression of the divine favor and Blessing that that is on our lives.

This sensitivity and awareness not only gets us “cleansed” but we are also made “whole”- nothing missing, nothing broken.

That is so powerful.

That is so moving.

That is so awesome.

Be encouraged.

Be Blessed.

Be Whole.

“And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests.

And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”

Luke 17:14-19 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.17.14-19.KJV

Character DOES matters!

Your character determines you destiny.

Character DOES matters!

Yes it matters

I was reading this passage this morning and was moved emotionally.

As leaders, we are in an environment where integrity and character matters in every area of our lives.

We are and will never be perfect but there are foundational traits and behaviors we have to strive to exhibit and ultimately BECOME.

People forget and forgive mistakes when they feel that our heart is right but they never forget when they feel that our character revealed issues in our hearts.

Leadership is a heart issue.

Decisions will not be easy and may keep us up at night because of the impact to others and their families.

We have to be sensitive enough to realize when we make a mistake and responsible enough to take ownership of the issue to correct it – even if the outcome has an adverse outcome for others.

In short:

We must still make the decision because it is the right thing to do.

We must always find a way to treat others with dignity and respect.

We must guard our hearts against the misinformation of anger, bitterness or even revenge.

We must press through our disappointment of “How did I get here” and strive to make another and prayerfully a better decision.

We have to develop the capacity to move forward even in the face of conflict, adversity, ambiguity, confusion and fear.

We are the guiding light and the North Star that people crave to follow but cannot often articulate.

People are waiting on us- the leaders to provider hope, guidance and direction.

Never under estimate the power, impact and resolve of you, one committed leader with a passion to transform your environment.

Be blessed and be authentic.

Character DOES matter!

““Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”

Luke 16:10 NIV

https://luke.bible/luke-16-10

“He who is faithful in a very little [thing] is faithful also in much, and he who is dishonest and unjust in a very little [thing] is dishonest and unjust also in much.”

Luke 16:10 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/luk.16.10.AMPC

Are they really the enemy or just our “growth opportunity”?

If he is not against me, then he is for me

When I was reading this passage I was amazed and perplexed by it.

It caused me to pause and to evaluate my assumptions as to who is and should be on my team.

We have a scenario where a man was taking action that appeared to be going against “the plan “.

Sometimes as leaders, we resist ideas from people who may have a different approach or thought pattern than our own.

We may discount their thoughts or ideas because of their delivery method.

The issue may not be that there is an adversarial motive in their heart but that the issue is with us, the leaders.

I am finding that by trying to get to the heart of the person (or the message) there are usually gems of wisdom.

What if we adopted this “If you are not hindering me (active or passive) by default, you are with me”mindset.

It is a game changer and can be so powerful in fostering solutions.

It opens up the window of opportunity for growth and change.

It also may be a salve to soothe our souls.

Be blessed.

“For he who is not against us is for us. [Num. 11:27-29.]”

Mark 9:40 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/mrk.9.40.AMPC

I Must

As leaders, we need to be clear about our “Must” items -the nonnegotiables.

I Must

When I was reading this morning, I was amazed at this scripture.

There is so much more to it than I can give it justice but I was moved by the conviction and focus when it said “I Must continue on my way”- which is a mindset of total resolve and commitment.

What was so evident at the time is that this decision was made even in the face of enormous pressure, threats and adversity.

As leaders, we need to be clear about our “Must” items -the nonnegotiables! They may be family, spiritual growth, relationships, finances, sales, personal development, health.

One thing in common is that they mean something to you and not accomplishing them is not an option.

As we close out the year, now is a good time to measure the success of our efforts by our fruit: the results.

Are we pleased with our fruit/ results?

If not, why not?

Is the “must have” still required?

If so, how can you begin again TODAY to finish the year out strong?

How can you move forward toward that “I must”? What one action will make the most difference, TODAY?

I believe we will be rewarded for being relentless and doing the work to change and grow.

Be blessed.

“Nevertheless, I must continue on My way today and tomorrow and the day after that–for it will never do for a prophet to be destroyed away from Jerusalem!”

Luke 13:33 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/luk.13.33.AMPC

You cannot give what you do not have

Make Peace an imperative.

You cannot give what you do not have

“Whatever house you enter, first say, Peace be to this household! [Freedom from all the distresses that result from sin be with this family]. And if anyone [worthy] of peace and blessedness is there, the peace and blessedness you wish shall come upon him; but if not, it shall come back to you.”

Luke 10:5-6 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/luk.10.5-6.AMPC

When I was reading this passage this time, I realized that there was an assumption to this mandate – that the disciples that were going ALREADY HAD PEACE.

This was so powerful yet so simple to me. We can not give out of an empty vessel. We cannot give what we do not have- what we do not own.

What made me to question and to be convicted was that I must make having and maintaining peace one of my imperatives as a leader. Whether in the family, in the church, in the community or in business.

We the Leaders MUST pursue peace as an imperative.

How do we do this is as unique as our fingerprints; however, we must first DECIDE that peace is our priority. Not just with god but also with our fellow man. Flowing in peace allows our power to flow and for us to have maximum IMPACT.

Will this be easy, NO!

There are so many distractions to try and rob us of peace that I just can’t name them all nor to give them credit. BUT we have the power, authority and tools available to achieve daily peace.

We must be vigilant in recognizing when we have allowed kinks in our armour to rob us of this most precious place.

Lastly, we are not in a place of utopia where we are not aware of challenges. We just have the confidence to know that we are the chosen generation to solve the “impossible” through gods Grace, leading and revelation.

Pursue peace as an imperative regardless of the intense storm (s).

The effort (it is work), is worth it.

As we learn better, we do better.

Be blessed.

Relationship: The Key to Access and Understanding

I was studying this morning and I was awed by this passage and the awesome blessings that come along with relationships.

As leaders, we may have many acquaintances or we may be acquaintances to many.

But

There usually are a few key people that we know that progress to the “relationship” stage: the stage where one can say, “ I know them and their character”.

It is there where the secrets are revealed and their deep meanings.

Where not just the answer to a question is shared but the details about the process, the mindset, the pitfalls are identified and advice obtained. We may even be entrusted with the “secret sauce”.

I am finding that in order to achieve this level of “relationship” some of ourselves will have to be given in advance as it is not FREE.

I am reminded that progress is not always linear and as we learn better, we do better.

Be blessed.

“The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning. [John 7:17; 15:15.]”

Psalm 25:14 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/psa.25.14.AMPC