And You Did Not Abandon Them

A Leadership Insight from Vision Multiplier International https://visionmultiplierllc.com/

I was reflecting on these scriptures this morning and the thought that we, the leaders, serve an awesome god who is loyal, faithful, trustworthy, dependable and reliable. 

His unwavering consistency and dedication towards us remains true, despite how we react or respond. 

The Bible tells us:

““For I am the Lord, I do not change [but remain faithful to My covenant with you]; that is why you, O sons of Jacob, have not come to an end. 

“Yet from the days of your fathers you have turned away from My statutes and ordinances and have not kept them. 

Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’”

‭‭Malachi‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

  1. The answer is “Seek my face”:

“…Seek My face [in prayer, require My presence as your greatest need],” my heart said to You, “Your face, O Lord, I will seek [on the authority of Your word].” 

Do not hide Your face from me, Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not abandon me nor leave me, O God of my salvation!”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭AMP‬‬

2. And know that His Word will prevail: 

    “So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”

    ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭11‬ ‭AMP‬‬

    “For I assure you and most solemnly say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke [of the pen] will pass from the Law until all things [which it foreshadows] are accomplished.”

    ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬ ‭AMP‬‬

    Amen and Amen

    Because God is sovereign and knows us intimately, we can rest in His presence:

    “You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And You are intimately acquainted with all my ways. 

    Even before there is a word on my tongue [still unspoken], Behold, O Lord, You know it all. [Heb 4:13] 

    You have enclosed me behind and before, And [You have] placed Your hand upon me. 

    Such [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high [above me], I cannot reach it. 

    Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?”

    ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭3‬-‭7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

    Thank you Lord!

    He loves us so much that He often shares mysteries and secrets with us as we draw nearer to Him. What a privilege!

    ““Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument], And before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own]; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” [Ex 33:12; Is 49:1, 5; Rom 8:29]”

    ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭AMP‬‬

    “…To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. [Mark 4:11]”

    ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭11‬ ‭AMP‬‬

    So let us get to the place where we resolve in our hearts that it is all about Christ and Christ alone:

    “be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 

    This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 

    Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

    ‭‭Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

    Amen

    Lastly, let us be courageous and walk in the confidence that all things are working together for our good:

    “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble in dread before them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.””

    ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭31‬:‭6‬ ‭AMP‬‬

    “And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.”

    ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭AMP‬‬

    Amen and to God be the Glory!

    Be Blessed!

    Be a Blessing!

    ““You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger, And brought water for them out of a rock for their thirst, And You told them to enter and take possession of The land that You swore to give them. [John 6:31-34] 

    “But they, our fathers, acted arrogantly; They stiffened their necks and would not heed Your commandments. 

    “They refused to listen and obey, And did not remember Your wondrous acts which 

    You had performed among them; So they stiffened their necks and [in their rebellion] appointed a leader in order to return them to slavery in Egypt. 

    But You are a God of forgiveness, Gracious and merciful and compassionate, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness; And You did not abandon them. [Num 14:4]”

    ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭9‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭AMP‬‬

    https://bible.com/bible/1588/neh.9.16.AMP

    Endure to the End

    A Leadership Insight from Vision Multiplier International https://visionmultiplierllc.com/

    I was reflecting on these scriptures this morning and the present urgency we, the leaders, must have in developing our “finishing what we started” mindset – one focused and determined to ensure that the issues and challenges of life don’t deter us from our kingdom assignment. 

    Sometimes situations may shake our foundations due to rapid successive events which create a feeling of destabilization and doubt – where we wonder if we are in the right place or whether we are making a difference. 

    • Yes, adversity will come. 
    • Yes, doubts will try to creep into our hearts and minds. 
    • And Yes, people may seem to be blinded by the truth and resist us, our ideas and our god. 

    In times like these, we must hold steadfast to our trust in Jesus, believe that a heavenly solution is possible and pray until we hear His voice for direction as He is our good shepherd. 

    He will shield us and hide us in His secret place so that we are hidden from the wiles of the devil. The Bible says:

    “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With people [as far as it depends on them] it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” [Gen 18:14; Job 42:2]”

    ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19‬:‭26‬ ‭AMP‬‬

    “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 

    I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust. 

    Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the noisome pestilence. 

    He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”

    ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭91‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

    “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 

    Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

    For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

    ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

    Selah

    When we stand on the solid rock of Christ, we find purpose and strength in Him. 

    The Bible says: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and the One who rescues me; My God, my rock and strength in whom I trust and take refuge; My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower—my stronghold. [Heb 2:13]”

    ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭2‬ ‭AMP‬‬

    It also says: “For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

    ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭AMP‬‬

    We must choose today to lighten our loads to run our race and if we faint not, the Lord will be faithful to do all that He has promised:

    “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”

    ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

    “and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

    ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

    ““If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the best of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

    ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭AMP‬‬

    In conclusion, it is my prayer that we faint not but earnestly pray so that we may endure to the end:

    “Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. 

    For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 

    that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,”

    ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬-‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

    Amen

    Be Blessed!

    Be a Blessing!

    “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 

    All these are the beginning of sorrows. 

    Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. 

    And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 

    And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 

    And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 

    But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 

    And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”

    ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭7‬-‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

    https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.24.13-14.KJV

    That Bread!

    A Leadership Insight from Vision Multiplier International https://visionmultiplierllc.com/

    I was reflecting on these scriptures this morning and the thought that we, the leaders, need to constantly improve our spiritual diets for strength to exercise our faith at higher levels – more specifically, nourishing our inner man with the bread of life – YES, THAT BREAD!

    THAT bread, once ingested, changes us from the inside out including our eternal future, our perspectives, our visions, our hopes, our motivations, our purposes and our why’s. 

    Jesus has declared that He is the Bread of Life:

    “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 

    For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 

    Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 

    And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”

    ‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭32‬-‭35‬ ‭KJV‬‬

    Amen

    So let us feast at a higher level as Christ has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness:

    “according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 

    whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

    ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

    As His children, we have the responsibility to follow and call unto Him:

     “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

    ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭33‬:‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

    “For we [believers] have become partakers of Christ [sharing in all that the Messiah has for us], if only we hold firm our newborn confidence [which originally led us to Him] until the end, while it is said, 

    “Today [while there is still opportunity] if you hear His voice, Do not harden your heart, as when they provoked Me [in the rebellion in the desert at Meribah].” [Ps 95:7, 8]”

    ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭AMP‬‬

    Selah

    As followers of Christ, we have assurances that He will sustain us and provide us with the necessary tools to expand His kingdom: 

    “Now He who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed for sowing [that is, your resources] and increase the harvest of your righteousness [which shows itself in active goodness, kindness, and love]. [Is 55:10; Hos 10:12] 

    You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous, and this [generosity, administered] through us is producing thanksgiving to God [from those who benefit]. 

    For the ministry of this service (offering) is not only supplying the needs of the saints (God’s people), but is also overflowing through many expressions of thanksgiving to God. 

    Because of this act of ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to the gospel of Christ which you confess, as well as for your generous participation [in this gift] for them and for all [the other believers in need], 

    and they also long for you while they pray on your behalf, because of the surpassing measure of God’s grace [His undeserved favor, mercy, and blessing which is revealed] in you.”

    ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭10‬-‭14‬ ‭AMP‬‬

    Amen

    When we are willing and obedient to sow a seed, we have a biblical example of how God allows us to be a blessing and be blessed at the same time: 

    ““There is a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are these for so many people?” 

    Then Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed them to those who were seated; the same also with the fish, as much as they wanted. 

    When they had eaten enough, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover pieces so that nothing will be lost.” 

    So they gathered them up, and they filled twelve large baskets with pieces from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.”

    ‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬, ‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭AMP‬‬

    In conclusion, let us pray continually that the Lord will give and we will receive our daily bread:

    “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 

    Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 

    Give us this day our daily bread.”

    ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

    Amen and thank you for the bread of life!

    Be Blessed!

    Be a Blessing!

    “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 

    Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 

    For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 

    He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 

    As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 

    This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.”

    ‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭53‬-‭58‬ ‭KJV‬‬

    https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.6.55.KJV