Tag: scripture

Be Careful therefore How You Listen

I was reflecting on these passages and what really stuck with me is how we as leaders, must continue to prepare and nurture our soil if we want to continue to grow with God.

Nothing stands still and we must show continuous engagement with actions to continue to grow with Christ.

Since we desire the unlimited wisdom supply that comes from above, there is a demand of meaningful engagement and willful change – on our behalf.

As leaders, we desire an unlimited harvest but do we invest daily the time, energy and attention to study, ponder and meditate on the seeds of the Word while sowing them into our soil: our minds, wills, emotions and spirit?

Quality time invested in shaping our faith visions brings tangible clarity and is time well spent.

Our visions are becoming so real that we already see and possess them in our minds and hearts?

This relationship requires engagement, communication, patience, tenderness, listening, hearing, empathy, and connection to grow and thrive.

So true this is in the spiritual realm that “For to him who has [spiritual knowledge] will more be given; and from him who does not have [spiritual knowledge], even what he thinks and guesses and supposes that he has will be taken away.”

There is a risk of deterioration and loss of ground.

Not for us as I decree that the blood of Jesus covers us, our households and our visions. In Jesus Name Amen

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“For there is nothing hidden that shall not be disclosed, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come out into the open.

Be careful therefore how you listen. For to him who has [spiritual knowledge] will more be given; and from him who does not have [spiritual knowledge], even what he thinks and guesses and supposes that he has will be taken away.”

Luke 8:17-18 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/luk.8.18.AMPC

You will be a blessing

I was reflecting on this scripture as my thoughts kept coming back to the importance of having a “more than enough” vs. a “just enough” mindset.

As leaders, we must always look for opportunities to be “change agents” with adding value to others as the foundation premise for success.

Our impact flows when we focus on being a blessing to or the burden remover for someone else, each day.

Yes, we have our own issues and needs but, our solutions are our seeds of service.

Remember:

⁃ When we feel stuck, we should focus on serving.

⁃ When we are not sure what to do, we should serve (teach, pray, build, enhance, intercede, sow- give of ourself).

Scripture reminds us that: “The liberal person shall be enriched, and he who waters shall himself be watered. [II Cor. 9:6-10.]” Proverbs 11:25 AMPC

Our blessings and rewards come as a result of how well we succeed in serving others. The truth is that “he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.”

2 Corinthians 9:6 AMPC

Lastly, “God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to us in abundance, so that we 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

Trust the process and be intentional about sowing seeds of blessings into others.

Do not become weary as we proceed in faith knowing that what we do matters. “For the Lord will comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places. 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 song or instrument of praise.”

Isaiah 51:3 AMPC

My prayer is that we will be faithful in words and deeds for the glory of Gods Kingdom.

“Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]– To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).”

Ephesians 3:20-21 AMPC

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others].”

Genesis 12:2 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/gen.12.2.AMPC

Agreeable to His will

I was reflecting on this scripture this morning because it really helped bring calm to my spirit: “He will cause our thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall our plans be established and succeed.”

While on this growth journey, a periodic and persistent question arises: “how” do we know whether we are in and doing gods will for our lives? We ask because we want to ensure that our lives matter.

As leaders, we live our lives with the strategy “to win”. We think all our actions are right but god looks at our ways, intentions, our motives – our whys.

Yes, we are blessed to have grace and mercy available but we don’t want to live our lives on the edges of his will. We desire to be in the center – the place of safety.

Scripture reminds us that: “Through skillful and godly Wisdom is a house (a life, a home, a family) built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation], And by knowledge shall its chambers [of every area] be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” Proverbs 24:3-4 AMPC

Sounds simple but, it is a journey.

God is faithful to lead us if we stay close to him – even when we discover we are not where we desire to be.

⁃ Fear not!

⁃ Be not anxious!

⁃ Trust the process!

⁃ Continue to yield to the Holy Spirit!

Know that God has good plans for us.

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart). [I Sam. 16:7; Heb. 4:12.]

Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.”

Proverbs 16:2-3 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/pro.16.2-3.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

Love

When reflecting this morning, I was lead to just study characteristics of love – Godly love.

Love is definitely an action word and it sets a high but noble standard that is worth pursuing with “all our heart”..

Before Christ, most people have false perceptions and a surface understanding of the word LOVE. As we learn of Christ, we get a glimpse and understanding of what is love and how to recognize it.

As leaders, it is my prayer that we examine ourselves today and kneel at the feet of Jesus for direction, strength and wisdom on how to become and embody these scriptures so that we are equipped to lead.

Love characteristics and scriptures:

⁃ Love your Enemies: “But I say to you who hear [Me and pay attention to My words]: Love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, [make it a practice to] do good to those who hate you, bless and show kindness to those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. But love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; for your reward will be great (rich, abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High; because He Himself is kind and gracious and good to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful (responsive, compassionate, tender) just as your [heavenly] Father is merciful.” Luke 6:27-28, 31, 35-36 AMP https://bible.com/bible/1588/luk.6.27-36.AMP

⁃ Love is Sacrifice: “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.”John 3:16 AMP https://bible.com/bible/1588/jhn.3.16.AMP

⁃ Love is Commitment : “No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends.” John 15:13 AMP https://bible.com/bible/1588/jhn.15.13.AMP

⁃ Love Overlooks Unkindness: “Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].” 1 Peter 4:8 AMP https://bible.com/bible/1588/1pe.4.8.AMP

⁃ Love is Patient and Kind: “Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant.” 1 Corinthians 13:4 AMP https://bible.com/bible/1588/1co.13.4.AMP

⁃ Love is not Provoked: “It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured.” 1 Corinthians 13:5 AMP https://bible.com/bible/1588/1co.13.5.AMP

⁃ Love Rejoices in Truth: “It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail].” 1 Corinthians 13:6 AMP https://bible.com/bible/1588/1co.13.6.AMP

In conclusion, Love is the Greatest level of Grace: “And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 13:13 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/1co.13.13.AMP

Be Blessed !

Be a Blessing!

The end of the matter is: Fear God

When I was reflecting on this scripture, I consider for a moment that there are many troubling works that we pursue “under the sun” where we are exerting a significant amount of effort and energy.

If these efforts are not pursuing Christ and his kingdom, it seems that “all is vanity and vexation (def. the state of being annoyed, frustrated, or worried) of spirit”.

As leaders, we live in a day where we pursue knowledge which continues to increase, we wonder whether knowledge ever has an end, and how do we acquire enough to be able to compete, create, innovate and thrive. This is the cycle of the knowledge of man.

But there is a higher level and realm of knowledge: revelation knowledge that comes with the fear and reverence of God. This is the type of knowledge with solutions that “flesh and blood” cannot reveal to us and it often “confounds the wise”.

There is nothing wrong with the judicious pursuit of growth and knowledge. We just need to realize that at some point, man’s knowledge will hit a natural limit which can create a sense of “grief and sorrow”.

When we hit that limit, we have to remember and trust that at the conclusion of the matter our rest, progress and peace comes when we Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments! That is our duty.

We must continue to commune with the Holy Spirit knowing that there is a “heavenly solution” to every problem – NO MATTER HOW LARGE OR SMALL. Amen

Be Encouraged and may the peace of Christ be with you this season.

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“I entered into counsel with my own mind, saying, Behold, I have acquired great [human] wisdom, yes, more than all who have been over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has had great experience of [moral] wisdom and [scientific] knowledge.

And I gave my mind to know [practical] wisdom and to discern [the character of] madness and folly [in which men seem to find satisfaction]; I perceived that this also is a searching after wind and a feeding on it. [I Thess. 5:21.]

For in much [human] wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.”

Ecclesiastes 1:16-18 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/ecc.1.16-18.AMPC

“All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God’s providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/ecc.12.13.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

I Am Waiting on You

When I was reading this passage this morning, my mind was captivated by the awesomeness and patience of God.

He clearly is stating that He has provided provision for our rest since the foundation of the world. Thank you Lord!

He is just waiting on us to believe and receive the provision. Selah

Today, leaders, I just want to encourage us to set aside all the things that are tormenting our minds, stealing our peace, stealing our joy, stealing our hope, causing us to fear and causing us to doubt.

Provision for peace has already been made available to us. Amen

All we have to do is believe and personally trust and confidently rely on God.

It is in that place of rest where dreams are renewed, visions are clarified and hope is reborn.

It is never too late as God has also made provision to start , TODAY!

I pray that all grace abound toward you, in Jesus name. Amen

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“For we who believe [that is, we who personally trust and confidently rely on God] enter that rest [so we have His inner peace now because we are confident in our salvation, and assured of His power], just as He has said, “As I swore [an oath] in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest,” [this He said] although His works were completed from the foundation of the world [waiting for all who would believe].”

Hebrews 4:3 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/heb.4.3.AMP

What if?

I was reading this morning and my mind started to reflect on, “What if?”

What if we took the Word as it is written? No filters No doubt. No unbelief.

What if we just soaked ourselves in the Word of God until we are saturated through and through? It would just exude out our pores.

As leaders, we are responsible for casting the vision based off revelation we receive from the Lord.

How much greater could our impact be with a few adjustments:

What if we believed that all things are possible to him who believes?

What if we believed that we are the head and not the tail, always above and never beneath?

What if we believed that if we decree a thing, it shall be established?

What if we believed that we have angels, ministering spirits, looking after and protecting us so that our foot does not dash against the stone.

What if we believed the promise that with long life, we will be satisfied?

What if we believed that his word is like medicine to all our flesh?

What if we believed that Gods kingdom rules over all?

What if we believed that we have dominion over the fouls of the air, the fishes in the sea and everything that creepeth on the earth?

What if we believed that words were used to create the heavens and the earth? When we decree a thing and it shall be established.

What if we believed that if we sow a seed in the famine that we will reap a hundred fold? We have all sufficiency in all things.

Be encouraged and have faith in God to live a life with no limits.

Be Blessed!

Be a Blessing!

“Jesus said to him, “[You say to Me,] ‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes and trusts [in Me]!””

Mark 9:23 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/mrk.9.23.AMP

“Jesus replied, “Have faith in God [constantly].”

Mark 11:22 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/mrk.11.22.AMP

“The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.”

Psalm 103:19 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/psa.103.19.AMPC

“My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh.”

Proverbs 4:20-22 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/pro.4.20-22.AMPC

“Then Isaac sowed seed in that land and received in the same year a hundred times as much as he had planted, and the Lord favored him with blessings.”

Genesis 26:12 AMPC

https://bible.com/bible/8/gen.26.12.AMPC

No Recovery Time Required

When I read this familiar scripture, it really stayed with me what was the value and impact of the word “immediately”.

Anyone who has had a fever or a major procedure knows that under normal conditions, there is usually a time from when the fever breaks until a person is back to 100% physically.

Even with an operation or procedure, there is usually post operation/ procedure recovery and maybe even rehabilitation that is required to return to the activities of daily living.

Lastly, besides, the physical process of recovery, there may also be emotional recovery that is needed.

But we see here where Jesus entered the scene and not only cured the mother in law of her issue but there was no recovery time or delay. I really like how the account was a bit more prescriptive in that Jesus held her hand, raised her up and the fever left.

As leaders, there are certain ailments (worries/situations/ assignments/ obstacles) that we may be struggling thru that simply need the authoritative yet gentle touch from Jesus and his interference/ rebuking of the forces that are coming against us ( our family, bodies, minds, purpose, assignment , project, marriage).

I suspect that there may be one in many areas of our lives.

It is my prayer that we take the time to identify those areas of struggle and hopelessness and that we simply humble ourselves to invite (ask for) the touch of the master.

By doing so, we come into agreement with the word and he is able to and desires to make the situation whole – without the required recovery time.

In Jesus name amen.

Be blessed!

Be a Blessing!

Be free!

“Then Jesus got up and left the synagogue and went to Simon’s (Peter’s) house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Him to help her. Standing over her, He rebuked the fever, and it left her; and immediately she got up and began serving them [as her guests].”

Luke 4:38-39 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/luk.4.39.AMP