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

The Seeds of Service

Leaders are responsible for managing the atmosphere and “managing out” any barriers to peace and unity.

As I was reading this morning, I was drawn to the passage concerning the hearts of the leader and how we can get distracted by titles and positioning to the point where strife is ever present.

This can be in a home, in a community, in a business, in a family to the point where gods glory can not prevail.

As leaders, when we see strife, we need to:

⁃ Recognize it.

⁃ Rebuke it.

⁃ Have the courage to humble ourselves and focus our efforts on sowing the seeds of service to others.

So simple but so true as we are responsible for managing the atmosphere and “managing out” any barriers to peace and unity.

Be blessed!

Be a blessing!

“Now an eager contention arose among them [as to] which of them was considered and reputed to be the greatest. But Jesus said to them, The kings of the Gentiles are deified by them and exercise Lordship [ruling as emperor-gods] over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors and well-doers. But this is not to be so with you; on the contrary, let him who is the greatest among you become like the youngest, and him who is the chief and leader like one who serves.”

Luke 22:24-26 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/luk.22.24-26.AMPC

Your journey is protected

Our responsibility is to focus on the promise and keep moving forward.

As leaders, we are challenged when we face the ups and downs associated with our transformational work.

But I was reminded in this passage how even in the mist of trouble and what appeared to be “apprehent victory” of those who were greater or mightiest than we, two things were true:

⁃ The Lord had and has a hedge of protection over each of us that are pursuing his Devine purpose. This hedge is designed to prepare the way as we travel and move forward to ensure that his purpose is achieved.

⁃ The Lord will bring us through the various twists and turns as he has a destination awaiting us. It is already done. It is already prepared. It will be beautiful when we arrive. It will be a sanctuary.

Leaders, our responsibility is to focus on the promise and keep moving forward.

Our confidence is that the Lord will prosper our work so that His purpose shall be revealed and that he gets all the glory.

Stay strong

Stay focused

Press forward

“Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of Your arm they are as still as a stone–till Your people pass by and over [into Canaan], O Lord, till the people pass by whom You have purchased. You will bring them in [to the land] and plant them on Your own mountain, the place, O Lord, You have made for Your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established. The Lord will reign forever and ever.”

Exodus 15:16-18 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/exo.15.16-18.AMPC

The Reward for Results

There are many that will see your successes and realize that there is something about you.

I was reminded in reading this passage that not everyone has honorable intentions especially when we the leaders begin to produce results.

There are many that will see your successes and realize that there is something about you that is different: real and expansive in impact.

Some will support your devine purpose and others will resist for a variety of reasons – one being that your success and authentic leadership will reveal their insecurities or the shallowness of their intentions.

Some may feel threatened that all they have built is at risk because the light of glory has arrived.

When these moments come, we as leaders need to be prepared to act and to be prepared to respond by:

Praying for our enemies.

Praying for those who spitefully used us.

Praying for wisdom on how to combat the situation (the principality).

As we pray, we may not like the instructions (revelation from God) because it may be contrary our old way in which we would have addressed similar issues.

But

We need to understand that even this situation (yes this present situation) is working together for our good and is going to perfect us and our relationship with Christ.

Be encouraged.

Stay the course.

Be blessed.

“So the chief priests and Pharisees called a meeting of the council (the Sanhedrin) and said, What are we to do? For this Man performs many signs (evidences, miracles). If we let Him alone to go on like this, everyone will believe in Him and adhere to Him, and the Romans will come and suppress and destroy and take away our [holy] place and our nation [our temple and city and our civil organization].”

John 11:47-48 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/jhn.11.47-48.AMPC

It is worth the price

Often as leaders we wonder whether the effort exerted is worth it or not.

Today, I ran across this passage and just kept reading it and reading it because it was so rich that I could not move forward.

Often as leaders we go through the process of pondering whether our purpose, our vision, our dream is truly worth the effort that we are exerting- I know that I do.

Then we get little glimpses of confirmation that just sets our minds and hearts at ease and then we just get back to work.

In this passage are several promises and assurances that we leaders can take away as we move into a new year:

1. When we have the courage to take action and pursue our devine vision and purpose, we will see “manifold more” in this life and this season.

2. When we humble our selves in serving and praying for others, we also prosper. See the example of Job below when he prayed for his friends.

Wow, that is so powerful.

My prayer for you is that you will:

Be encouraged and achieve much.

Be blessed to be a blessing.

Make an impact today!

“And He said to them, I say to you truly, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God Who will not receive in return many times more in this world and, in the coming age, eternal life.”

Luke 18:29-30 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/luk.18.29-30.AMPC

“And the Lord turned the captivity of Job and restored his fortunes, when he prayed for his friends; also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. [Deut. 30:1-3; Ps. 126:1, 2.]”

Job 42:10 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/job.42.10.AMPC

Uncommon results thru common people

Extraordinary miracles will be performed that all will see and cannot deny

When I was reading this passage, the thought that crossed my mind was how the people marveled at and were perplexed by how these common men could achieve uncommon results.

This is EXPONENTIAL IMPACT where the results (fruits) are so overwhelming, undeniable and far above what we (as leaders) could ever think or to ask.

Just imagine when, not if, this day comes for us as leaders, we will have to be prepared for moments like these to be able to give an account and to give glory and honor to Jesus because of his mighty works and for empowering and equipping us for our devine purpose.

It shall come to pass as I remember reading that if we harken diligently to the voice of the Lord our God and to observe and do his commandments, we will be set on high.

We will be blessed in the city and in the field and everything we do shall prosper.

Be encouraged today.

Be bold.

And to God be the glory for the things that he has done.

“Now when they saw the boldness and unfettered eloquence of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and untrained in the schools [common men with no educational advantages], they marveled; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus. And since they saw the man who had been cured standing there beside them, they could not contradict the fact or say anything in opposition. But having ordered [the prisoners] to go aside out of the council [chamber], they conferred (debated) among themselves, Saying, What are we to do with these men? For that an extraordinary miracle has been performed by (through) them is plain to all the residents of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.”

Acts 4:13-16 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/act.4.13-16.AMPC

Just a scent of living water

The work for us as leaders is to just stay next to and connected to the living water as that is our source of renewal.

When I read this passage a couple of thoughts came to my mind and I was just in awe:

The thought struck me that the regardless of the age of the tree it can be renewed with just the scent of the living water.

Oftentimes as leaders we are faced with a situation where there appears to be “no life – or solution”.

This can be in business, a family, a church, or a community.

But the passage talks about the power that comes from just the “scent of the living water” and how the situation can and will be changed.

I also remember reading in Psalms where we can be like a tree planted by the living water and whenever we do so, we shall bring forth fruit in our season and we will prosper.

The work for us as leaders is to just stay next to and connected to the living water as that is our source of renewal.

Be encouraged.

Be renewed.

Be blessed and know that we are created in advance to do good works for this time and this season.

We are the chosen generation.

We are the royal priesthood.

We are the solution to the ailments of this world because we dare to believe and pursue our God given purpose!

“Though its roots grow old in the earth and its stock dies in the ground, Yet through the scent [and breathing] of water [the stump of the tree] will bud and bring forth boughs like a young plant.”

Job 14:8-9 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/job.14.8-9.AMPC

What will thou that I shall do unto thee?

Clarity in “the ask” yields immediate results/ outcomes.

Clarity in “the ask” yields immediate results/ outcomes.

I was awe struck by this passage and the actions taken by the blind man.

The Assessment:

1. He had a need.

2. He pursued the One who could solve his need.

3. He was not moved by others opinions.

4. Transformation was a priority- an urgent imperative.

5. So he RESISTED RESISTANCE. HE REFUSED TO BE DENIED!

What about us?

We, the leaders can have this same mindset.

We sometimes lose the power of the moment because our lack of clarity of “The Ask” combined with faith.

Our most intimate and personal desires are but “An Ask” away.

We just need “to ask” with clarity, conviction AND resolve!

So simple, so powerful and so awesome.

Lets take the step by faith and just watch the manifestations.

He reigns forever!

“Then Jesus stood still and ordered that he be led to Him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, What do you want Me to do for you? He said, Lord, let me receive my sight! And Jesus said to him, Receive your sight! Your faith (your trust and confidence that spring from your faith in God) has healed you.”

Luke 18:40-42 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/luk.18.40-42.AMPC