Influence: Gods Way

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 who believe, must be reminded that we have God – given authority to influence any situation. 

When we are presented with situations that disturb our peace or challenge our integrity, we only have to decide which tool in our Bible we will leverage!

The Bible tells us in Mathew that:

“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you bindand [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth shall have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth shall have [already] been loosed in heaven. [Matt 16:19]”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭18‬ ‭AMP‬‬

We also read where in Genesis, we are commanded to take authority over everything in this earth:

“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

In Luke, we are instructed to use our power:

“Listen carefully: I have given you authority [that you now possess] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and [the ability to exercise authority] over all the power of the enemy (Satan); and nothing will [in any way] harm you.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭19‬ ‭AMP‬‬

In Isaiah, we are instructed to turn what seems to be a desolate place into the garden of Eden:

“For the Lord will comfort Zion [in her captivity]; He will comfort all her ruins. And He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the Lord; Joy and gladness will be found in her, Thanksgiving and the voice of a melody.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭51‬:‭3‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Selah

No matter whether the situation is because of oppression like Pharaoh, deception or deceit like Laban, threats to our safety and security like the Philistine – the answer is still the same. 

“The Lord is high above all nations, And His glory above the heavens.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭113‬:‭4‬ ‭ 

We are still the head and not the tail, always above and not beneath and we are still called “Blessed”!

“The Lord will make you the head (leader) and not the tail (follower); and you will be above only, and you will not be beneath, if you listen and pay attention to the commandments of the Lord your God, which I am commanding you today, to observe them carefully.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭28‬:‭13‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“”You will be blessed in the city, and you will be blessed in the field. 

“The offspring of your body and the produce of your ground and the offspring of your animals, the offspring of your herd and the young of your flock will be blessed. 

“Your basket and your kneading bowl will be blessed. 

“You will be blessed when you come in and you will be blessed when you go out. 

“The Lord will cause the enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way, but flee before you seven ways.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭28‬:‭3‬-‭7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. 

In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous and [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; 

I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]”

‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Thank You Lord!

We must remember that: our weapons are spiritual, we speak the truth in love, we pull down strongholds and we cast down imaginations and everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.

The Bible also reminds us that:

“Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. 

In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭AMP‬‬

He says: 

“‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.’”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭33‬:‭3‬ ‭AMP‬‬

In conclusion, let us exercise our authority and work the work by faith – “Until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high, And the wilderness becomes a fertile field, And the fertile field is valued as a forest. [Ps 104:30; Ezek 36:26, 27; 39:29; Zech 12:10] 

Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, And righteousness will live in the fertile field. 

And the effect of righteousness will be peace, And the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever. 

Then my people will live in a peaceful surrounding, 

And in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭32‬:‭15‬-‭18‬ ‭AMP‬‬

In Jesus Name, Amen

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.10.19.NKJV

Egypt Welcomes Them

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

I was reflecting on these scripture this morning and the thought that we, the leaders, must reverence our positions of influence, don’t discount them and leverage them with grace and skill. 

Daily we carry the weight of responsibility, well beyond the initial enthusiasm of the assignment or task, with the goal of representing Christ well. 

We also see a biblical example in Joseph where he prospered while working for Potifer then Pharaoh – always enlarging his territory of influence; but, the process was not easy and created many challenges. 

Joseph demonstrated for us “how” to live a life with a pure heart and to honor, respect and reverence the king despite having intimate knowledge of his personality , flaws and character.  

In short, Joesph elevated his heart and mind to God’s standard. 

Selah

As we can see, this message is less about the leaders we serve and more about how we are positioned to accomplish our kingdom mandate – being strategically placed in sometimes uncomfortable places.

We may experience what seems like years of toil, obscurity, dismissal and maybe even deception; however, the Bible shows us how Joseph was elevated when he prioritized showing up God’s way as his purpose.

Scripture says:

“So Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this [a man equal to Joseph], in whom is the divine spirit [of God]?” 

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since [your] God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and clear-headed and wise as you are. 

You shall have charge over my house, and all my people shall be governed according to your word and pay respect [to you with reverence, submission, and obedience]; only in [matters of] the throne will I be greater than you [in Egypt].””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭41‬:‭38‬-‭40‬ ‭AMP‬‬

OMG

Because of Joseph’s life, God was honored and the blessing was manifested:

“And I will bless (do good for, benefit) those who bless you, And I will curse [that is, subject to My wrath and judgment] the one who curses (despises, dishonors, has contempt for) you. And in you all the families (nations) of the earth will be blessed.” [Gal 3:8]”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭12‬:‭3‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Amen

In the midst of the worst famine, we see in scriptures the following: 

“Pharaoh looked at Joseph. “So, your father and brothers have arrived—a reunion! Egypt welcomes them. Settle your father and brothers on the choicest land—yes, give them Goshen. And if you know any among them that are especially good at their work, put them in charge of my own livestock.””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭47‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Thank you Lord!

In closing, no matter what pressure points that we face, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that may be a stumbling block. 

We must run this race with patience and love so that God gets the glory and we are able to be a blessing in the famine:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us,”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“‘Thus says the Lord God, “On the day that I cleanse you from all your sins I will also cause the cities [of Israel] to be inhabited, and the ruins will be rebuilt. 

The desolate land will be cultivated instead of being a desolation in the sight of everyone who passes by. 

Then they will say, ‘This land that was deserted and desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the waste, desolate, and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited.’”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭36‬:‭33‬-‭35‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Amen

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“Joseph went to Pharaoh and told him, “My father and brothers with their flocks and herds and everything they own have come from Canaan. Right now they are in Goshen.” 

He had taken five of his brothers with him and introduced them to Pharaoh. Pharaoh asked them, “What kind of work do you do?” 

“Your servants are shepherds, the same as our fathers were. We have come to this country to find a new place to live. There is no pasture for our flocks in Canaan. The famine has been very bad there. Please, would you let your servants settle in the region of Goshen?” 

Pharaoh looked at Joseph. “So, your father and brothers have arrived—a reunion! Egypt welcomes them. 

Settle your father and brothers on the choicest land—yes, give them Goshen. And if you know any among them that are especially good at their work, put them in charge of my own livestock.” 

Next Joseph brought his father Jacob in and introduced him to Pharaoh. Jacob blessed Pharaoh. Pharaoh asked Jacob, “How old are you?” 

Jacob answered Pharaoh, “The years of my sojourning are 130—a short and hard life and not nearly as long as my ancestors were given.” Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and left. 

Joseph settled his father and brothers in Egypt, made them proud owners of choice land—it was the region of Rameses (that is, Goshen)—just as Pharaoh had ordered. Joseph took good care of them—his father and brothers and all his father’s family, right down to the smallest baby. He made sure they had plenty of everything. * * *”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭47‬:‭1‬-‭12‬ ‭MSG‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/97/gen.47.1-12.MSG