Tag: equip

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

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

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

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

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