Tag: renewal

Build Again

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

I was reflecting on these scriptures this morning and the thought about how we, the leaders, respond to “right now” challenges and obstacles will determine our success or failure. 

There are many paths and causes that can lead us to this place of pain, discomfort, and confusion – usually it’s because of a consequential loss or a catastrophic event. 

This place where every fiber of our being wants to just quit and give up; however, we have matured enough to know to first seek the Father for comfort and direction. 

When we do, we hear the message in that still small voice – “build again”. 

Oh my Lord!  

How do we do that? 

How do we navigate this gut wrenching moment?

How do we find a spark or an ember in our hearts to muster the will to build again?

Selah

We recognize that we need and are desperate for His healing grace, His anointing, His direction, and His strength.

And the Bible reveals a path forward that is already provided:

“To grant to those who mourn in Zion the following: To give them a turban instead of dust [on their heads, a sign of mourning], The oil of joy instead of mourning, The garment [expressive] of praise instead of a disheartened spirit. So they will be called the trees of righteousness [strong and magnificent, distinguished for integrity, justice, and right standing with God], The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61‬:‭3‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“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.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Instead of your [former] shame you will have a double portion; And instead of humiliation your people will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore in their land they will possess double [what they had forfeited]; Everlasting joy will be theirs.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61‬:‭7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Trust in the LORD, and do good; So shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 

Commit thy way unto the LORD; Trust also in him; And he shall bring it to pass. 

And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, And thy judgment as the noonday.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭37‬:‭3‬, ‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Thank you Lord!

Let us reverently remember to sing, praise and worship Christ the King while in our places and during our times of weakness:

“Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. 

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. 

Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭105‬:‭2‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 

And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭26‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Selah

Let us be thankful to God as we have the promise of victory even as we do the work to turn the waste places into the garden of Eden:

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭57‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“especially in Jerusalem. He sent me to give them flowers in place of their sorrow, olive oil in place of tears, and joyous praise in place of broken hearts. They will be called “Trees of Justice,” planted by the Lord to honor his name. 

Your descendants will be known in every nation. All who see them will realize that they have been blessed, by me, the Lord.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61‬:‭3‬, ‭9‬ ‭CEV‬‬

In closing, let us never forget that Christ is our hope of glory and in Him we have all sufficiency in all things for every good work- including building again!

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 

He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Amen

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins, They will raise up and restore the former desolations; And they will renew the ruined cities, The desolations (deserted settlements) of many generations. 

Strangers will stand and feed your flocks, And foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers. 

But you shall be called the priests of the Lord; People will speak of you as the ministers of our God. You will eat the wealth of nations, And you will boast of their riches. [Ex 19:6; 1 Pet 2:5; Rev 1:6; 5:10; 20:6] 

Instead of your [former] shame you will have a double portion; And instead of humiliation your people will shout for joy over their portion. 

Therefore in their land they will possess double [what they had forfeited]; Everlasting joy will be theirs. For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery with a burnt offering. And I will faithfully reward them, And make an everlasting covenant with them.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61‬:‭4‬-‭8‬ ‭AMP‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/1588/isa.61.4-8.AMP

Try Again

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, often face critical decision points in life. 

Despite our present adversity, what we see and what we feel, we must choose today to simply trust God, believe and just “try again”!

Life, with all of its twists and turns can sometimes leave us with questions. We may be wondering and reflecting on:

How did we arrive at our current destination in life?

How did we miss seeing our current challenge approaching us?

What could we have done differently to achieve a better outcome than the one we have today?

Selah

Others in our circle of influence may believe that the root cause is sin, but that may not be true. 

Sometimes it is discouragement or the recognition of our mortality and that our previous decisions did not yield the ideal outcomes. 

No matter the journey, we can find ourselves  suddenly in a place where we feel we have more questions than answers. 

The Bible describes it this way:

“We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; 

hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed;”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Selah

Let us be encouraged today as in Christ we still have options! 

We can follow the instructions in the Bible which says:

“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

“Trust [rely on and have confidence] in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭3‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Amen

By seeking comfort and renewal in the presence of Christ, we can be empowered with renewed energy, strength and purpose. 

He tells us in His Word:

““Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭24‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

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

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭13‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Thank you Lord!

In conclusion, as leaders, we must remind ourselves that in Christ, we have everything we need and have all sufficiency.

Here are a few parting scriptures from the Bible:

“Working together with Him, we strongly urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain [by turning away from sound doctrine and His merciful kindness]. 

For He says, “At the acceptable time (the time of grace) I listened to you, And I helped you on the day of salvation.” Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”— [Is 49:8]”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“Commit your way to the Lord; Trust in Him also and He will do it.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭5‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Amen and to God be the Glory as we try, again!

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. 

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.16.2-3.ESV

I Thank Thee That Thou Hast Heard Me 

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

I was reflecting on these scriptures this morning and the thought that, as leaders, we have many dreams, goals and initiatives that seem dead with no viable options to the natural mind – based on what we see.

But I hear the Word of the Lord reminding us that when Jesus arrives and takes charge of the situation even the dead things shall rise again. 

All hope may feel lost but in Christ, we have the hope of glory! Old things are passed away and behold all things become brand new. 

Thank you Lord!

Maybe we are facing a “Lazarus like”situation today in our family, our health, our minds, our peace, our businesses, our community or even our country. 

No matter the challenge and bleakness of the moment, we, the believers, still have hope in Christ – if we faint not in our faith!

Let us be reminded of a “truth” example found in the Bible:

“And when he [Jesus] thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.”

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭43‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Selah 

We can also find comfort in knowing how Jesus was moved in the moment when many were weeping and mourning the death of Lazarus, the scripture says He groaned in the spirit:

 “When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,”

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭33‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This scripture equally validates other scriptures that tells us that we have a high priest who is touched by our infirmities and cares for us – so much so that He even calls us His friend. 

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Amen and at the end of the day or the conclusion of the matter,  He is our lifeline that we should hang on to for dear life as our very lives and salvation are dependent on Him and His provision, His comfort, His protection and His love. 

So whatever the situation we are facing and no matter how large the giants appear, we still have that blessed hope in Christ Jesus because when He arrives the impossible becomes possible!

Selah

Maybe we are facing what feels like a “dry bones” season and we need a Word from the Lord to strengthen our faith. The Bible reassures us that even then, there is still hope:

“The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, 

and caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. 

And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. 

Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. 

Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭37‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Amen

To God be the glory for all the wonderful things that He has done in our lives and for who He is to us. 

Words cannot explain or describe the precious gift that Christ is to those who follow Him. 

In conclusion, let us, the leaders, execute upon our right now faith to just trust, obey and praise the King of Kings and Lord of Lords for hearing us and  for  all of His great and mighty works!

In Jesus Name, Amen. 

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. 

And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 

And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 

And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 

And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. 

Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.”

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭36‬, ‭41‬-‭44‬ ‭KJV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.11.36.KJV

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

Teach Me, O Lord

As I was reflecting on the scripture this morning, I was reflecting on how important it is to build the discipline of renewing our minds on a daily basis and learning of Gods ways and thoughts. A continuous journey.

How do we know that we still have more to learn? Evaluate our results (our fruits)/ physical, spiritual and/ or mental. Is our fruit today fresh fruit or spoiling fruit?

Are we getting better and growing or are we seeing signs of deterioration in our performance because we have deviated from the daily activities that produce consistent results.

Maybe, we lack some understanding in an area. The scripture says “Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law…” as a pathway to closing knowledge and understanding gaps that need filling and to teach us to walk in his ways consistently.

Questions like: “what”, “why” and “how” demand answers. Learning from these answers helps us to grow in wisdom and strength.

Lastly, I read, “Make me go in the path of Your commandments, for in them do I delight” and was fascinated because we have free will. How does this happen? A yearning is placed in our hearts that creates desire which pulls us toward the center of his will.

Thank you Lord for not giving up on us so easily. We may loose the will to fight but you find a way to renew us again and again- restoration!

As leaders, we must learn to hear what is not being said by those around us. There are needs that we are able to meet through prayer, covering, coaching, mentoring and example. We are that beacon of light and hope that shines brighter as we draw closer to God.

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I will keep it to the end [steadfastly].

Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law; yes, I will observe it with my whole heart. [Prov. 2:6; James 1:5.]

Make me go in the path of Your commandments, for in them do I delight.

Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetousness (robbery, sensuality, unworthy riches). [Ezek. 33:31; Mark 7:21, 22; I Tim. 6:10; Heb. 13:5.]

Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity (idols and idolatry); and restore me to vigorous life and health in Your ways.”

Psalm 119:33-37 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/psa.119.33-37.AMPC

Just a scent of living water

The work for us as leaders is to just stay next to and connected to the living water as that is our source of renewal.

When I read this passage a couple of thoughts came to my mind and I was just in awe:

The thought struck me that the regardless of the age of the tree it can be renewed with just the scent of the living water.

Oftentimes as leaders we are faced with a situation where there appears to be “no life – or solution”.

This can be in business, a family, a church, or a community.

But the passage talks about the power that comes from just the “scent of the living water” and how the situation can and will be changed.

I also remember reading in Psalms where we can be like a tree planted by the living water and whenever we do so, we shall bring forth fruit in our season and we will prosper.

The work for us as leaders is to just stay next to and connected to the living water as that is our source of renewal.

Be encouraged.

Be renewed.

Be blessed and know that we are created in advance to do good works for this time and this season.

We are the chosen generation.

We are the royal priesthood.

We are the solution to the ailments of this world because we dare to believe and pursue our God given purpose!

“Though its roots grow old in the earth and its stock dies in the ground, Yet through the scent [and breathing] of water [the stump of the tree] will bud and bring forth boughs like a young plant.”

Job 14:8-9 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/job.14.8-9.AMPC