Tag: knowledge

Believe and Decide to Trust

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

I was reflecting on this scripture this morning and the thought of how we, the leaders, must continually make three fundamental decisions to successfully follow Christ and to maximize our effectiveness in the kingdom- believe, know and trust. 

We must also know that various areas of our lives could be in different stages at different times. 

Because of this faith growth journey we study the Word of god to build up our most holy faith in all areas. 

BELIEVE

The Bible tells us that:

“But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Now I hear the word of the Lord saying: 

“…“Do not be afraid any longer; only believe and trust [in Me and have faith in My ability to do this], …””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭50‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Selah

KNOW 

The second decision step occurs as we  walk with Christ and experience a level of truth and understanding where certain issues or questions are just settled – truth is revealed and accepted. 

Below are just some scripture to help manifest our “knowing”:

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:”

‭‭Job‬ ‭19‬:‭25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“The Lord will accomplish that which concerns me; Your [unwavering] lovingkindness, O Lord, endures forever— Do not abandon the works of Your own hands. [Ps 57:2; Phil 1:6]”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭138‬:‭8‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: For thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭9‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Amen

TRUST

Our measure of success is getting to the place where we say, “ Lord, I trust you and you alone!”  This milestone is liberating and creates a deeper relationship that man cannot understand. 

It is a place where favor and the blessing are activated and our eyes see His wondrous works and new mercies everyday. 

“Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who makes the Lord his trust, And does not regard the proud nor those who lapse into lies.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭40‬:‭4‬ ‭AMP‬‬

““Blessed [with spiritual security] is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord And whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord. 

“For he will be [nourished] like a tree planted by the waters, That spreads out its roots by the river; And will not fear the heat when it comes; But its leaves will be green and moist. And it will not be anxious and concerned in a year of drought Nor stop bearing fruit.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭AMP‬‬

In conclusion

“It is because of the Lord’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, Because His [tender] compassions never fail. [Mal 3:6] They are new every morning; Great and beyond measure is Your faithfulness. [Is 33:2]”

‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of your wonders, They would be too many to count.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭40‬:‭5‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Let us say: Thank you Lord for your love, kindness, and mercy towards and anointing in me!

Amen

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“Whoever believes and has decided to trust in Him [as personal Savior and Lord] is not judged [for this one, there is no judgment, no rejection, no condemnation]; but the one who does not believe [and has decided to reject Him as personal Savior and Lord] is judged already [that one has been convicted and sentenced], because he has not believed and trusted in the name of the [One and] only begotten Son of God [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, the One who alone can save him]. 

This is the judgment [that is, the cause for indictment, the test by which people are judged, the basis for the sentence]: the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. [Is 5:20] 

For every wrongdoer hates the Light, and does not come to the Light [but shrinks from it] for fear that his [sinful, worthless] activities will be exposed and condemned. 

But whoever practices truth [and does what is right—morally, ethically, spiritually] comes to the Light, so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are—accomplished in God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence on Him].””

‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬-‭21‬ ‭AMP‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/1588/jhn.3.18-21.AMP

Spiritual Ignorance

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

I was reflecting on these scriptures this morning and the thought that, as leaders, being in a place of spiritual ignorance can be extremely costly. 

The Bible says it this way:

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, And he who hurries with his feet [acting impulsively and proceeding without caution or analyzing the consequences] sins (misses the mark).” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19‬:‭2‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Amen

The solution is for us to choose to study and apply Gods word in our daily lives:

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And by developing simple success behaviors, we make our way prosperous:  

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Selah

As we continue on this journey, our partial understanding becomes clearer as Christ reveals the mysteries unto us.

“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭KJV‬‬

In closing, it is my prayer and decree that we are and remain diligent students of His Word!

“My son, attend to my words; Incline thine ear unto my sayings. 

Let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep them in the midst of thine heart. 

For they are life unto those that find them, And health to all their flesh. 

Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭20‬-‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Amen

Let us fight the good fight of faith against spiritual ignorance. 

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“As He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it [and the spiritual ignorance of its people], 

saying, “If [only] you had known on this day [of salvation], even you, the things which make for peace [and on which peace depends]! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. 

For a time [of siege] is coming when your enemies will put up a barricade [with pointed stakes] against you, and surround you [with armies] and hem you in on every side, [Is 29:3; Jer 6:6; Ezek 4:2] 

and they will level you to the ground, you [Jerusalem] and your children within you. They will not leave in you one stone on another, all because you did not [come progressively to] recognize [from observation and personal experience] the time of your visitation [when God was gracious toward you and offered you salvation].””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭41‬-‭44‬ ‭AMP‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/1588/luk.19.41-44.AMP

Holy Spirit

I was reading these scriptures and was reflecting on the Holy Spirit and how vital it is to our success and growth as a believer and as a leader.

It is and will be the most powerful influence on our lives as we transform daily to be like Christ.

It is free to all who simply ask and pursue it as the scripture reminds us “how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!” Amen

There are difficult days ahead as we pursue, subdue, take authority over, dominate and occupy our designated areas of responsibility.

We need and will continue to need the guidance, wisdom and insights that can only be revealed to us by the spirit.

Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit is our teacher :

“But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.” John 14:26 AMP

The Holy Spirit guides us:

“But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]. He will glorify and honor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Because of this I said that He [the Spirit] will take from what is Mine and will reveal it to you.” John 16:13-15 AMP

The Holy Spirit encourages us:

“So the church throughout Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace [without persecution], being built up [in wisdom, virtue, and faith]; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort and encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it continued to grow [in numbers].”

Acts 9:31 AMP

The Holy Spirit empowers us:

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].”

2 Timothy 1:7 AMP

With all these benefits and more available , there is a question before us all that is found in Acts 19:

“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed [in Jesus as the Christ]?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”” Acts 19:2 AMP

It is available and free today to us all if we just ask. Amen

It is my prayer that as we continue to ask for the holy spirit to be manifested in us, to lead and to guide us in our lives:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.” Romans 15:13 AMP

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

““So I say to you, ask and keep on asking, and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking, and you will find; knock and keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who keeps on asking [persistently], receives; and he who keeps on seeking [persistently], finds; and to him who keeps on knocking [persistently], the door will be opened.

What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish?

Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

If you, then, being evil [that is, sinful by nature], know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!”” Luke 11:9-13 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/luk.11.9-13.AMP

The Wickedness of Man was Great

I was reflecting this morning and the thought that crossed my mind is how man, left to his own devices, can be a destructive force. But with Christ as our moral compass and guide, all things become new and all things are possible.

During creation, we see where God was pleased with man as the scripture states: “And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it completely. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.”

Genesis 1:31 AMPC

However, as time passed, God began to have regrets because man in his fallen state was in a place “that every imagination and intention of all human thinking was only evil continually”.

As leaders, we may find ourselves in a situation where we are building for the future with high expectations; however, we see chaos, deception, confusion, and strife surrounding us.

Despite what is happening around us the Bible reminds us that “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9 AMPC ) and therefore we also live in a time where the thoughts of Man are evil continuously. Their minds, words and deeds are toward those things which are evil.

“But Noah found grace (favor) in the eyes of the Lord.”

And so can we by declaring Psalms 91 that God:

⁃ He is our Refuge and our Fortress, our God; on Him we lean and rely, and in Him We [confidently] trust!

⁃ He will deliver us from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.

⁃ He will cover us with His pinions, and under His wings shall we trust and find refuge

⁃ His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.

⁃ We shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.

⁃ A thousand may fall at our side, and ten thousand at our right hand, but it shall not come near us.”

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination and intention of all human thinking was only evil continually.

And the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved at heart.

So the Lord said, I will destroy, blot out, and wipe away mankind, whom I have created from the face of the ground–not only man, [but] the beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the air–for it grieves Me and makes Me regretful that I have made them.

But Noah found grace (favor) in the eyes of the Lord.”

Genesis 6:5-8 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/gen.6.6-8.AMPC

How is it That You We’re Not Afraid

I was reading this passage this morning and was just amazed at how “good intentions” may have serious consequences because of ignorance.

We have the example of an Amalekite who, it appears, thought he was acting in obedience to kill Saul when Saul, the King, asked to be killed.

Maybe the Amalekite thought he was just “being obedient”, but what is clear is that when the Amalekite presented before King David, he underestimated King David’s response.

Unknowingly, perhaps, the Amalekite had violated a higher principle, ““Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm.””

As leaders, we must remember that decisions always have consequences (favorable or unfavorable) and we must understand that strategic principles (the invisible/ spiritual ) always override operational decisions (the visible/ natural).

This can be a hard lesson to understand but it is a vital lesson to grasp.

Daily, we are being challenged to evaluate each decision through the lens of strategic principles set by Christ and his Word. Ignorance of these principles do not negate their presence.

Even if our actions seem to be right, if they don’t align with the Word, it is misguided energy and effort.

There is always a higher guiding principle or principality that we need to understand and to which to adjust our thoughts and actions for long term success.

It is my prayer that we strive daily to learn of and understand the spiritual law and principles against which all operational decisions shall be judged. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“He asked me, ‘Who are you?’ I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ He said to me, ‘Stand up facing me and kill me, for [terrible] agony has come over me, yet I still live [and I will be taken alive].’

So I stood facing him and killed him, because I knew that he could not live after he had fallen. Then I took the crown which was on his head and the band which was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my Lord.”

David said to him, “How is it that you were not afraid to put out your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?” David called one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him.” So he struck the Amalekite and he died.

David said to the [fallen] man, “Your blood is on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the Lord’s anointed.’ ””

2 Samuel 1:8-10, 14-16 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/2sa.1.14.AMP