praise

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

I was reflecting on these scriptures this morning and the thought that as our territories and responsibilities increase, we, the leaders, must stay rooted and grounded in Praise!

We must understand, appreciate and leverage “praise” in season and out of season so that our strength is renewed.

The Bible comforts and tells us that we are not alone as God is always with us:

““When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.

“For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt [to the Babylonians] as your ransom, Cush (ancient Ethiopia) and Seba [its province] in exchange for you.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Amen

Let us prioritize getting understanding:

““The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]. [James 1:5]”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

We should also learn that praise IS our battle strategy:

“You need not fight in this battle; take your positions, stand and witness the salvation of the Lord who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.’

” When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in their holy (priestly) attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Praise and give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy and lovingkindness endure forever.”

When they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were struck down [in defeat].”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭20‬:‭17‬, ‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭AMP‬‬

We now know that Jesus is our bridge and solution as we cross over the troubled waters of life:

“And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship.

And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭35‬-‭40‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Selah

In conclusion, let us simply pause and be reminded that we must be thankful in all we do:

“Enter His gates with a song of thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, bless and praise His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy and lovingkindness are everlasting, His faithfulness [endures] to all generations.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭100‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭33‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And Amen!

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty heavens.

Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to [the abundance of] His greatness. [Deut 3:24; Ps 145:5, 6]

Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with tambourine and dancing;

Praise Him with stringed instruments and flute.

Praise Him with resounding cymbals; Praise Him with loud cymbals.

Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭150‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭AMP‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/1588/psa.150.1-6.AMP

But a Time is Coming and is Already Here

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

I was reflecting on these scriptures this morning and the thought that often, we leaders, can be snared by the traps of the enemy – even when we are trying to do things god’s way.

We can be entrapped with our words spoken in innocence or ignorance and/ or because of past decisions or deeds – even when they are based out of love.

The entrapment can be accompanied by a sense of shame or regret if we allow it to persist. The end game of the enemy is often to have us, the free in Christ, to be bound by condemnation and ineffectiveness. No more!

The Bible tells us that enemy is an accuser of the brethren:

“And the great dragon was thrown down, the age-old serpent who is called the devil and Satan, he who continually deceives and seduces the entire inhabited world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. [Gen 3:1, 14, 15; Zech 3:1; John 13:2; 2 Cor 11:3; Rev 20:8]

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom (dominion, reign) of our God, and the authority of His Christ have come; for the accuser of our [believing] brothers and sisters has been thrown down [at last], he who accuses them and keeps bringing charges [of sinful behavior] against them before our God day and night. [Job 1:6-11]”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Amen

But I am so grateful for the next verse which broke something in my spirit and released all pain and hurt from my soul:

“And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death. [Zech 3:1-10; Rom 8:33, 34]”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭12‬:‭11‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Selah

The Bible tells us that:

“God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], A very present and well-proved help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains be shaken and slip into the heart of the seas,

Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains tremble at its roaring. Selah.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭AMP‬‬

When adversity does not feel justified, we still must praise and worship the God of the heavens and the earth. We must worship Him in spirit (love) and in truth.

When we do this, the Holy Spirit empowers us to love those who are liars, back stabbers and who conjur up evil continually.

Scripture reminds us of our journey which helps us be grateful for His mercy:

“He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭21‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Christ is our Advocate:

“My little children (believers, dear ones), I am writing you these things so that you will not sin and violate God’s law. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate [who will intercede for us] with the Father: Jesus Christ the righteous [the upright, the just One, who conforms to the Father’s will in every way—purpose, thought, and action].”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Christ is our Refuge:

“I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust [with great confidence, and on whom I rely]!””

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭2‬ ‭AMP‬‬

In closing, let us surrender and declare that our souls are anchored in the Lord:

“This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells], [Lev 16:2]”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬ ‭AMP‬‬

When we do, we know that:

“The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]. Selah.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“But a time is coming and is already here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit [from the heart, the inner self] and in truth; for the Father seeks such people to be His worshipers.

God is spirit [the Source of life, yet invisible to mankind], and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.””

‭‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭AMP‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/1588/jhn.4.23-24.AMP

For I Shall Yet Praise Him

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

I was reflecting on this scripture this morning and my heart and mind was captured by this phrase- “for I shall yet praise Him”.

As leaders, there are many moments along this leadership journey that we hit a “rough patch” or sometimes a season of sequential rough patches where we are caught off guard.

Even then, the scripture declares that despite it all, we shall rejoice always in the Lord and shall yet praise Him.

The Bible commands us to:

“Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice! [Ps. 37:4.]”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

“IT IS a good and delightful thing to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises [with musical accompaniment] to Your name, O Most High,

To show forth Your loving-kindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night,”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭92‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

For this, we shall yet praise him!

When doubt tries to come against us, we are reminded that by being on Gods side, we always have options and will prevail because we are never alone. He has our backs!

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“…and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

For this, we shall yet praise him!

When we question our worth, scripture reminds us of our value in Gods sight:

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

““Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭28‬:‭13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

For this, we shall yet praise him!

When our peace needs restoration, the joy of the Lord becomes our strength as we turn to and simply trust God:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.

I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.””

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

For this, we shall yet praise him!

Lastly, when we don’t know what to do, scripture shows us the way forward:

“But I will sing of Your mighty strength and power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy and loving-kindness in the morning; for You have been to me a defense (a fortress and a high tower) and a refuge in the day of my distress.

Unto You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my Defense, my Fortress, and High Tower, the God Who shows me mercy and steadfast love.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭59‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

“Let the saints be joyful in the glory and beauty [which God confers upon them]; let them sing for joy upon their beds.

Let the high praises of God be in their throats and a two-edged sword in their hands, [Heb. 4:12; Rev. 1:16.]

To wreak vengeance upon the nations and chastisement upon the peoples,

To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron,

To execute upon them the judgment written. He [the Lord] is the honor of all His saints. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭149‬:‭5‬-‭9‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

“For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭4‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

Amen

For this, we shall yet praise him!

“Let every thing that hath breath Praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭150‬:‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“Vindicate me, O God, And plead my cause against an ungodly nation;

Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!

For You are the God of my strength; Why do You cast me off?

Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!

Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle.

Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy;

And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God.

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him,

The help of my countenance and my God.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭43‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.43.1-5.NKJV

The Increase of His Government and of Peace

A Leadership Insight

I was reflecting on this scripture this morning and my heart just began to fill up with praise and adoration for our King- Jesus Christ.

As leaders, it is important to pause and give alms where due. So today we will simply celebrate Christ with words of praise and adoration. He deserves all the glory and he alone is worthy. Let’s begin:

”For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder..” Isaiah 9:6 AMPC

Joy to the world, the Lord has come

”And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men.“

Luke 2:13-14 KJV

”O come, let us worship and bow down: Let us kneel before the LORD our maker. For he is our God; And we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,“

Psalm 95:6-7 KJV

Let us thank him as He has overcome the World on our behalf:

”The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.“ Psalm 103:19 AMPC

”The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).“ John 10:10 AMPC

”I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]“

John 16:33 AMPC

Oh Come Let is Adore Him

Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His commandments, hearkening to the voice of His word.

Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, all you His hosts, you His ministers who do His pleasure.

Bless the Lord, all His works in all places of His dominion; bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul!“

Psalm 103:20-22 AMPC

”I WILL bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.“ Psalm 34:1 AMPC

Relationship Matters

”And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever–“ John 14:16 AMPC

”He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.“ John 7:38 AMPC

My prayer is that your peace be multiplied, in Jesus Name:

”May grace (God’s favor) and peace (which is perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity, and freedom from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you in [the full, personal, precise, and correct] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.“ 2 Peter 1:2 AMPC

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

”For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace. [Isa. 25:1; 40:9-11; Matt. 28:18; Luke 2:11.]

Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from the [latter] time forth, even forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. [Dan. 2:44; I Cor. 15:25-28; Heb. 1:8.]“ Isaiah 9:6-7 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/isa.9.6-7.AMPC

Praise the Lord

I was reflecting this morning on this scripture and just how wonderful God is. As godly leaders pursuing godly visions, sometimes our agendas are “disrupted” by an unction of the Holy Spirit. In these moments we are lead to take a pause or a brief detour so that Gods kingdom is blessed, we are refreshed and His perfect will is done.

Today, it is my hope that we stop and simply say – “Thank you Lord”.

“For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that we are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of ourselves [of our own doing, it came not through our own striving], but it is the gift of God;”

Ephesians 2:8 AMPC

We have reassurances and rest in the scriptures that reminds us:

⁃ “Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name. [Lev. 7:12; Isa. 57:19; Hos. 14:2.]” Hebrews 13:15 AMPC

⁃ “And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him.” 1 John 4:16 AMPC

⁃ “And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].” 2 Corinthians 9:8 AMPC

⁃ “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in mercy and loving-kindness. The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works [the entirety of things created].” Psalm 145:8-9 AMPC

In closing and most of all, God is faithful and can be trusted:

“According to Your steadfast love give life to me; then I will keep the testimony of Your mouth [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it].

Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven [stands firm as the heavens]. [Ps. 89:2; Matt. 24:34, 35; I Pet. 1:25.]

Your faithfulness is from generation to generation; You have established the earth, and it stands fast.”

Psalm 119:88-90 AMPC

Yes, He truly deserves ALL the glory, honor and adoration. Let’s praise him today!

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“PRAISE THE Lord!

Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the heights!

Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers and judges of the earth! Both young men and maidens, old men and children!

Let them praise and exalt the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted and supreme!

His glory and majesty are above earth and heaven!

He has lifted up a horn for His people [giving them power, prosperity, dignity, and preeminence], a song of praise for all His godly ones, for the people of Israel, who are near to Him.

Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) [Ps. 75:10; Eph. 2:17.]”

Psalm 148:1, 11-14 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/psa.148.1-14.AMPC

Why me Lord?

This morning I started my reading when a verse dropped into my heart- in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.

A couple of cross references later, I landed on this set of passages and just could not let them go.

Here is a great warrior David processing the question many of us may ask. In short the question comes down to – Why me?

Out of billions of people and souls that exist in this vast universe and God chose him and his house to execute a Divine purpose.

As leaders, we may never have battles as great as David but we see a glimpse of his thought process and his adoration.

Why me?

The answer for each of us may just simply be:

⁃ Because I AM the sovereign god and I chose you.

⁃ Because I saw you before the beginning of time and I see the end as I am all knowing and all present.

⁃ Because he sees his magnificent work and says- it is good.

⁃ Because he says that we are beautifully and wonderfully made.

⁃ Because he is not a God that makes mistakes.

⁃ Because he loves us and trusts us with his precious vision.

If we just surrender and say:

As for me and my house, we choose to serve you.

And

Nevertheless, according to your word, we will execute the order.

Be blessed

Be a blessing!

“However, the Lord, the God of Israel, chose me before all my father’s house to be king over Israel forever. For He chose Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah he chose the house of my father; and among the sons of my father

He was pleased to make me king over all Israel; And of all my sons, for the Lord has given me many sons, He has chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel.

And He said to me, Solomon your son shall build My house and My courts, for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his father. I will establish his kingdom forever if he loyally and continuously obeys My commandments and My ordinances, as he does today.”

1 Chronicles 28:4-7 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/1ch.28.4-7.AMPC

The Top 10%

We recognize that our success is an outward expression of the divine favor and Blessing that that is on our lives.

The Top 10%

When I was reflecting on the passage below, I was struck by the thought of the 10% – the top 10%

There are many that have a dream, desire or goal and are actively pursuing them. They seek advice and help. They take actions from their advisors and they see results.

These are the 90% ‘ers who are doing what is needed to strive and achieve. They sought out advice and had the discipline to take the necessary actions to achieve their goal.

This discipline and action of faith also accelerated their outcomes.

They are the “cleansed”.

But

There are a few of us, the leaders- I call the top 10% ‘ers, that go above and beyond.

We remember, think of and take time aside to thank and glorify god for his mercy, compassion, provision, faithfulness and for his works.

We show our reverence and appreciation through the behaviors of praise, gratitude and adoration.

We recognize that our success is an outward expression of the divine favor and Blessing that that is on our lives.

This sensitivity and awareness not only gets us “cleansed” but we are also made “whole”- nothing missing, nothing broken.

That is so powerful.

That is so moving.

That is so awesome.

Be encouraged.

Be Blessed.

Be Whole.

“And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests.

And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”

Luke 17:14-19 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.17.14-19.KJV