By Your [patient] Endurance

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

I was reflecting this morning on these scriptures with a heavy and grieving heart and was seeking for answers because it feels like we’re living in a time where chaos is the norm.  

But, I am grateful that the Word of god reassures us that these times are expected and we shall be protected if we endure and faint not.  

“But the one who endures and bears up [under suffering] to the end will be saved.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭13‬ ‭AMP‬‬

We are living in a time where there are wars on top of wars: territory wars, cultural wars, values wars, truth vs lies wars, inter/ intra family wars and competitive market wars. 

But Christ, the solution, has come that we may have righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. 

In Him, we shall prevail and destruction is not our portion, if we heed his voice:

“He will cover you and completely protect you with His pinions, And under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and a wall. 

You will not be afraid of the terror of night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 

Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, Nor of the destruction (sudden death) that lays waste at noon. 

A thousand may fall at your side And ten thousand at your right hand, But danger will not come near you. 

You will only [be a spectator as you] look on with your eyes And witness the [divine] repayment of the wicked [as you watch safely from the shelter of the Most High].”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭4‬-‭8‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Love – not hate, will always prevail even in what seems like our darkest hour. 

“The Lord your God is supreme over all gods and over all powers. He is great and mighty, and he is to be obeyed. He does not show partiality, and he does not accept bribes. 

Have reverence for the Lord your God and worship only him. Be faithful to him and make your promises in his name alone. 

Praise him—he is your God, and you have seen with your own eyes the great and astounding things that he has done for you.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭10‬:‭17‬, ‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭GNT‬‬

Even in the midst of the turmoil, chaos, confusion and anguish, I hear the spirit saying that, we leaders, should think on these things:

“Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. 

The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Selah

Leaders, let us follow this scriptural action plan for success in this season:

“So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper];

bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive. 

Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others]. 

Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. 

To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]. 

Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 

Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭17‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Amen

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

Share with a friend!

“Then Jesus told them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. [2 Chr 15:6; Is 19:2] 

There will be violent earthquakes, and in various places famines and [deadly and devastating] pestilences (plagues, epidemics); and there will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven. “

But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, turning you over to the synagogues and prisons, and bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake. [Matt 10:19-22; Mark 13:11-13] 

This will be a time and an opportunity for you to testify [about Me]. 

So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; 

for I will give you [skillful] words and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. 

But you will be betrayed and handed over even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, 

and you will be continually hated by everyone because of [your association with] My name. 

But not a hair of your head will perish. [1 Sam 14:45] 

By your [patient] endurance [empowered by the Holy Spirit] you will gain your souls.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭10‬-‭19‬ ‭AMP‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/1588/luk.21.19.AMP

Patience

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

This morning I was reflecting on these scriptures and my heart became fixed on the subject of patience.

As leaders, when we study, learn and develop in the word we are challenged to be patient with others.

Being patient with others is critical in this Christian walk but more importantly, we need to be patient with ourselves.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

James 1:2-4 KJV

Amen.

Oftentimes, as leaders, we don’t apply the same level of patience toward ourselves as it relates to our errors in judgement and our decisions.

We expect to be perfect – which is an aspirational goal but we soon realize that it is impossible to achieve without Christ.

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 KJV

Spending time in God‘s word usually reveals areas of our life that require improvement.

Once identified, we then begin the work to change with prayer and practical application steps with the hope that we will grow to embody the new standard we desire.

But, what do we do when we fall short?

What do we do when our good intentions are not enough?

The work lies in learning to discipline our flesh and to be led by the spirit.

That’s not always easy!

Selah

I am so grateful this morning that the Lord is gracious and kind to help each of us on this journey.

He teaches us how to get incrementally better day by day, as we continue to study his word, pray and fast.

Yes, we are responsible to persist until we see that change, but, I am so grateful that His word says that his grace is sufficient and that he loved us so much to send His son Jesus.

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 NIV

“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” Isaiah 43:25 KJV

Let us recommit today to do the work, the necessary work, to pursue the mind of Christ!

“But the spiritual man [the spiritually mature Christian] judges all things [questions, examines and applies what the Holy Spirit reveals], yet is himself judged by no one [the unbeliever cannot judge and understand the believer’s spiritual nature].

For who has known the mind and purposes of the Lord, so as to instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ [to be guided by His thoughts and purposes]. [Is 40:13]”

1 Corinthians 2:15-16 AMP

In closing, let’s take time to give thanks and to let patience have her perfect work in us.

Here are a couple of scriptures to help:

“This [day in which God has saved me] is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms 118:24 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

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads and makes evident everywhere the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Him.”

2 Corinthians 2:14 AMP

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:9-13 NIV

https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.12.9-13.NIV

Perfectly and Fully Developed

I was reflecting on these scriptures this morning and the idea that we need to be patient with ourselves as we walk out this faith journey.

We live in a society that values and cherishes immediate gratification and instant results. Certain situations exist where we need an immediate need met and God is able to meet our needs immediately.

Usually, when it comes to growth and maturation, this is developed over time.

Like a plant when the bulbs are planted, there may be a period where it appears that nothing is happening.

During these times, there is the tendency to think that the seed has died and there will be no harvest- not so!

With patience, there ultimately is that glimmer of hope which is created when we see the tip of the blade. Then later, we see more and more plant growth and with hearty roots.

So is it with our personal spiritual development and growth as a leader.

We all need a little grace and patience as we press towards our breakthrough moment.

We never know the level of effort that is required to complete this process.

Many times we have confessed that “this is the time, we will stay true to our confession and be obedient in season and out of season” – only to still realize that without God we can do nothing.

Many of us, are comfortable with endurance, steadfastness and patience having “partial” access to the rooms in our heart, our minds and in our souls.

To permit them to do a thorough work, we must sacrifice our comfort for vulnerability and for growth.

When we “let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work” in us, we will see God’s handiwork.

Yes, all things are possible for him who believes”.

“We believe… so therefore all things are possible for us, because of Christ Jesus”.

Be encouraged!

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.

But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.”

James 1:2-4 AMPC