Abide in My Word; Know the Truth

I was reflecting on a couple areas in this passage as it reinforced that much of our behaviors and habits that we exhibit as adults, we have learned from our parents (the reference in the passage is from our father) and from others that we chose to emulate.

But what is true is that many of the things we learned, when they are exposed to the light of God’s Word, they may prove to not be edifying, biblical or Kingdom truths- no matter the best intentions.

The second thought that just stirred up my soul is when the scripture talks about “abiding in His word”. I see this image where the word is like a heavy rain that just soaks us through and through until it reaches our very core- the roots of our trees.

Naturally speaking, when it rains and no matter how parched or hard the land is, with time the water will penetrate the soil, make it soft, porous and ready to accept seeds of new growth. So can the Word of God- the truth.

As leaders, we are always seeking or needing wise counsel. Many of us have Boards of Directors, coaches, bosses, mentors and advisors. The scripture speaks about “iron sharpeneth iron” and “ in the multitude of counselors, there is safety”.

It is my sincere hope and prayer that we will place Christ and his Word as the Chairman of “our board “ and just make time daily to just soak in his word and to listen for his voice so that He gets all the glory for the mighty works we will perform.

Be Blesses!

Be a Blessing!

“So Jesus was saying to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then] you are truly My disciples.

And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin].”

They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been enslaved to anyone. What do You mean by saying, ‘You will be set free’?”

Jesus answered, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, everyone who practices sin habitually is a slave of sin.

Now the slave does not remain in a household forever; the son [of the master] does remain forever.

So if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free.

I know that you are Abraham’s descendants; yet you plan to kill Me, because My word has no place [to grow] in you [and it makes no change in your heart].

I tell the things that I have seen at My Father’s side [in His very presence]; so you also do the things that you heard from your father.””

John 8:31-38 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/jhn.8.31-38.AMP

I Am Waiting on You

When I was reading this passage this morning, my mind was captivated by the awesomeness and patience of God.

He clearly is stating that He has provided provision for our rest since the foundation of the world. Thank you Lord!

He is just waiting on us to believe and receive the provision. Selah

Today, leaders, I just want to encourage us to set aside all the things that are tormenting our minds, stealing our peace, stealing our joy, stealing our hope, causing us to fear and causing us to doubt.

Provision for peace has already been made available to us. Amen

All we have to do is believe and personally trust and confidently rely on God.

It is in that place of rest where dreams are renewed, visions are clarified and hope is reborn.

It is never too late as God has also made provision to start , TODAY!

I pray that all grace abound toward you, in Jesus name. Amen

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“For we who believe [that is, we who personally trust and confidently rely on God] enter that rest [so we have His inner peace now because we are confident in our salvation, and assured of His power], just as He has said, “As I swore [an oath] in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest,” [this He said] although His works were completed from the foundation of the world [waiting for all who would believe].”

Hebrews 4:3 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/heb.4.3.AMP

What if?

I was reading this morning and my mind started to reflect on, “What if?”

What if we took the Word as it is written? No filters No doubt. No unbelief.

What if we just soaked ourselves in the Word of God until we are saturated through and through? It would just exude out our pores.

As leaders, we are responsible for casting the vision based off revelation we receive from the Lord.

How much greater could our impact be with a few adjustments:

What if we believed that all things are possible to him who believes?

What if we believed that we are the head and not the tail, always above and never beneath?

What if we believed that if we decree a thing, it shall be established?

What if we believed that we have angels, ministering spirits, looking after and protecting us so that our foot does not dash against the stone.

What if we believed the promise that with long life, we will be satisfied?

What if we believed that his word is like medicine to all our flesh?

What if we believed that Gods kingdom rules over all?

What if we believed that we have dominion over the fouls of the air, the fishes in the sea and everything that creepeth on the earth?

What if we believed that words were used to create the heavens and the earth? When we decree a thing and it shall be established.

What if we believed that if we sow a seed in the famine that we will reap a hundred fold? We have all sufficiency in all things.

Be encouraged and have faith in God to live a life with no limits.

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“Jesus said to him, “[You say to Me,] ‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes and trusts [in Me]!””

Mark 9:23 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/mrk.9.23.AMP

“Jesus replied, “Have faith in God [constantly].”

Mark 11:22 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/mrk.11.22.AMP

“The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.”

Psalm 103:19 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/psa.103.19.AMPC

“My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh.”

Proverbs 4:20-22 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/pro.4.20-22.AMPC

“Then Isaac sowed seed in that land and received in the same year a hundred times as much as he had planted, and the Lord favored him with blessings.”

Genesis 26:12 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/gen.26.12.AMPC

Strongholds

I was reflecting on this passage this morning and the many habits that we have been blessed to change over the years. We may not see the incremental daily progress but one day we see the growth and are grateful.

Todays passage really requires focused effort in areas of life that others call “strongholds”. They may or may not be strongholds classified as sin but may be beliefs or behaviors that prevent us from living a guilt/ condemnation free life.

This passage is the antidote to that thought, “ It feel like we will never overcome this thing”!

The truth is that”EVERY” plant which our Heavenly Father did not plant will be torn up by the root.

How?

“Christ purchased our freedom and redeemed us from the curse of the Law and its condemnation by becoming a curse for us…”

As leaders, it is important that we identify, understand and address the things that slows us down and prevents us from running toward the fight: animosity, anger, doubt, unbelief, unforgiveness, mistakes, bruises, abuse, low self esteem, loneliness, strife, etc.

Today is the day to rejoice and to be free to pursue our devine purpose because we are covered by the blood of Jesus that blots it all out.

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].”

Amen.

Be encouraged!

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“He answered, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant will be torn up by the roots.”

Matthew 15:13 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/mat.15.13.AMP

Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord…?

When I was reflecting on this passage, I was reminded of the power of relationships in that the most fruitful relationships require giving of ourselves to benefit someone who we value highly.

Not so much the case with Christ in that if we give of ourselves (trust), we will reap a better version of ourselves if we would just obey (or simply take action on his guidance).

As leaders, one of the most frustrating challenges is when those whom we are selected to lead may ask for advise or solutions to their challenges and then they take actions which are contrary to the guidance. When they receive unexpected results, they are upset.

I am sure that I have frustrated a many mentors and managers because of such behaviors. Though my intentions may have been honorable, my execution may have been flawed.

“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not practice what I tell you?”

Fair question. Why don’t we practice what we are told? Here are a few ideas:

⁃ Lack of a decision to commit to authority and to trust the person or the process.

⁃ Lack of Discipline. We make a decision to commit but we achieve consistently inconsistent outcomes.

⁃ Lack of know how and the resolve to press through being imperfect until achieving mastery.

⁃ Not counting up the cost. It was simply harder than we thought. Now what?

“Now thanks be unto God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ and who maketh manifest through us the savor of His knowledge in every place.”

Thank God for grace!

We have an opportunity to begin again,today, to lay a solid and secure foundation in Christ.

He is always ready to receive us.

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

““Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not practice what I tell you?

Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and obeys them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a [far-sighted, practical, and sensible] man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and yet could not shake it, because it had been securely built and founded on the rock.

But the one who has [merely] heard and has not practiced [what I say], is like a [foolish] man who built a house on the ground without any foundation, and the torrent burst against it; and it immediately collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.””

Luke 6:46-49 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/luk.6.46-49.AMP

Have you not heard?

When I was reading this morning, I was amazed at the fact that the Bible specifically states that the Lord never becomes tired or weary.

That is almost beyond my natural comprehension as the scripture tells us to not be weary in well doing.

We are in a season where rhetoric is increasing and lies are being spoken as truths to confuse the people.

There is a growing anger, distrust and discord amongst brethren.

Many followers need a standard against which to measure for truth or they have possession of the truth but not the understanding,

As leaders, it is comforting to know that the one who we are following is battle ready and will not waiver because of fatigue.

It is also comforting to know that the Lord has an unlimited supply of hope, clarity, encouragement, ideas, creative solutions, resolve, and energy for us- when we are in need.

Our daily work must be to first prepare ourselves and then to prepare those within our inner circles. This will provide the exponential affect that is lasting.

When we rise and before we engage in battle, we must tap into the unlimited supply only provided by the Lord thru Christ Jesus.

Through prayer, we can tap that unlimited supply of grace, mercy, wisdom, courage, strength, resolve, encouragement,love, direction, guidance, hope and peace.

It is my prayer that we will continue to grow in the Lord and the power of his might so that we will have the power that is needed to achieve the purpose we are called to achieve. In Jesus Name.

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become tired or grow weary; There is no searching of His understanding.

He gives strength to the weary, And to him who has no might He increases power.

Even youths grow weary and tired,

And vigorous young men stumble badly,

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired.”

Isaiah 40:28-31 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/isa.40.28-31.AMP

No Recovery Time Required

When I read this familiar scripture, it really stayed with me what was the value and impact of the word “immediately”.

Anyone who has had a fever or a major procedure knows that under normal conditions, there is usually a time from when the fever breaks until a person is back to 100% physically.

Even with an operation or procedure, there is usually post operation/ procedure recovery and maybe even rehabilitation that is required to return to the activities of daily living.

Lastly, besides, the physical process of recovery, there may also be emotional recovery that is needed.

But we see here where Jesus entered the scene and not only cured the mother in law of her issue but there was no recovery time or delay. I really like how the account was a bit more prescriptive in that Jesus held her hand, raised her up and the fever left.

As leaders, there are certain ailments (worries/situations/ assignments/ obstacles) that we may be struggling thru that simply need the authoritative yet gentle touch from Jesus and his interference/ rebuking of the forces that are coming against us ( our family, bodies, minds, purpose, assignment , project, marriage).

I suspect that there may be one in many areas of our lives.

It is my prayer that we take the time to identify those areas of struggle and hopelessness and that we simply humble ourselves to invite (ask for) the touch of the master.

By doing so, we come into agreement with the word and he is able to and desires to make the situation whole – without the required recovery time.

In Jesus name amen.

Be blessed!

Be a Blessing!

Be free!

“Then Jesus got up and left the synagogue and went to Simon’s (Peter’s) house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Him to help her. Standing over her, He rebuked the fever, and it left her; and immediately she got up and began serving them [as her guests].”

Luke 4:38-39 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/luk.4.39.AMP

Consistent Leadership

I was reflecting on this passage this morning and several thoughts just stuck with me:

1. Despite doing good and showing grace, Jesus was still sought out to be killed.

2. Despite the harmful intentions of others, there is a miraculous way of escape available for us so that the will of the father is still achieved.

3. Despite opposition and threats (personal harm), Jesus demonstrated consistent leadership by being faithful in performing the required task and doing it with authority and power (maximum impact).

As leaders, there is an ever present price that we must pay to achieve devine results.

By Gods grace and the direction of the Holy Ghost, we will and must “show up” and execute His plan with authority. This is not easy but this is why it is called leadership.

To be clear, we will and are often misunderstood.

We will and are often speaking, living and sharing biblical truths with Jesus’ authority that are unpopular and could place us in harms way (whether verbal, reputational, or physical), but to God be the glory for providing us with ways of escape- unscathed.

It is my prayer that, today, our hearts are not troubled and that our strength fail not.

We have all sufficiency in all things by Christ Jesus.

No weapon that is formed against us shall prosper.

We will accomplish that which God has sent us to do- it shall come to pass!

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“As they heard these things [about God’s grace to these two Gentiles], the people in the synagogue were filled with a great rage; and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the crest of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to hurl Him down the cliff.

But passing [miraculously] through the crowd, He went on His way.

Then He came down [from the hills of Nazareth] to Capernaum, a city of Galilee [on the shore of the sea], and He was teaching them on the Sabbath; and they were surprised [almost overwhelmed] at His teaching, because His message was [given] with authority and power and great ability.”

Luke 4:28-32 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/luk.4.32.AMP

Devine Appointments

I was reflecting on this passage and just kept reading it over and over.

I believe that we, as leaders, are set up with devine appointments where people are placed into our lives so that we can prepare them for life’s journey.

Sometimes, by simply being a sounding board or sharing our experiences, we are able to open up others eyes so that they might see a path forward, receive encouragement and hope again as they experience pain and challenges.

It is my prayer that we are open to seeing and recognizing these devine appointments and are able to ease the pain of others.

Be blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“Many hardships and perplexing circumstances confront the righteous, But the Lord rescues him from them all.”

Psalms 34:19 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/psa.34.19.AMP

Provision During Famine

I was reflecting on this passage today because it reminded me of how God is faithful to provide forbid through the famine (droughts of life) if we would only listen to his voice.

What was so moving about this passage is that it reinforces the fact that solutions are not always found in the places of familiarity but only at the place – people and geography- where God leads us.

As leaders, we will face famines as we move forward in battle. We just need to ensure that we have set time aside to be able to hear the word of the Lord as to what to do, where to go, when to go and with whom we should partner. Then take action.

We have to choose to believe that God is orchestrating our steps and is commanding others to meet our needs so that we can also be a blessing to them – even in the famine there is supernatural provision.

Lastly, as leaders, we have a responsibility to articulate our needs through prayer and to trust the process of the Lord.

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

Trust God!

“Then He said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown.

But in truth I say to you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was closed up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land; and yet Elijah was not sent [by the Lord] to a single one of them, but only to Zarephath in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.”

Luke 4:24-26 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/luk.4.25-26.AMP

“After a while the brook dried up because there was no rain in the land.

And the word of the Lord came to him: Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there.

Behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.”

1 Kings 17:7-9 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/1ki.17.7-9.AMPC