"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel."
Gen 3:15
When man committed the first sin, God was not left stranded. God had already put a plan in place before the beginning of time for man's redemption. Eph 1:3-5. God was not confused in the face of man's betrayal. God did not give up in the face of the mistake by His most precious creation. When the original plan did not work because of man's transgression God was not depressed.
This is a word for someone out there. Whatever God has said about you or whatever He has called you to do does not have to be cut short. Irrespective of where you are right now, the setbacks you may have suffered on the journey or the mistakes you have made so far, God's purpose for your life remains the same. As a child of God you can never lose hope. God still intends for you to be all that you were created to be. His plan for you has not changed.
As you face the rest of 2013 I want to encourage you to go back to what God has called you to do; go back to the places you may failed at in the past. We are made in the image and likeness of God. Gen 1:26. Just as God demonstrated in Gen 3:15, stay committed to the plan and walk with God into the fullness of His plans and purposes. God loves you and He will never leave you nor forsake you. Arise and be who you were called to be.
I look forward to hearing about your victories as you walk with God and go back to places of previous defeats.
Showing posts with label diligent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diligent. Show all posts
Friday, April 12, 2013
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Be Faithful With the Resources that God has Given You
God hates waste. All of the gifts and resources that He has given you are meant for a purpose. They are not meant to be wasted.
The disciples of Jesus illustrated this. After all the men and women were done eating they still ensured that all the remnants were collected; twelve baskets full. They made sure that it was not wasted.
God expects you to be a good steward of resources and to be diligent about how those resources are used. He wants to ensure that you can be trusted with what you have in this season before He entrusts more into your care.
So in order to qualify for divine promotion you must handle what you have now effectively and ensure that there is no waste.
The disciples of Jesus illustrated this. After all the men and women were done eating they still ensured that all the remnants were collected; twelve baskets full. They made sure that it was not wasted.
God expects you to be a good steward of resources and to be diligent about how those resources are used. He wants to ensure that you can be trusted with what you have in this season before He entrusts more into your care.
So in order to qualify for divine promotion you must handle what you have now effectively and ensure that there is no waste.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Fight to Succeed
In Php 3:14, Apostle Paul said that he pressed towards his goal, his assignment. He pressed so that he could attain the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Friend it is going to take maximum effort on your part to accomplish all that God has called you to do. You will have to fight in order to succeed. You will have to resist diverse temptations and distractions, and remain focused on the ultimate goal.
It is time to take a stand concerning your God-given purpose. Make a decision today that you will not be distracted off course and you will be disciplined. As you press in the grace of God will multiply your efforts. Then you will enjoy good success and attain your higher calling.
Friend it is going to take maximum effort on your part to accomplish all that God has called you to do. You will have to fight in order to succeed. You will have to resist diverse temptations and distractions, and remain focused on the ultimate goal.
It is time to take a stand concerning your God-given purpose. Make a decision today that you will not be distracted off course and you will be disciplined. As you press in the grace of God will multiply your efforts. Then you will enjoy good success and attain your higher calling.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Keys to Success (1)
Keys to Success (1) - Abide in God's Word
Jos 1:8.
When Joshua assumed leadership of the people of Israel from Moses, the instruction to Him was clear. The key to his success would lie in his abiding in the Word of God. God instructed Joshua to abide in His Word by meditating on His word all the time. In so doing Joshua would remain conscious about God's Word and God's promises.
The scripture in Jos 1:8 goes on to say that by abiding in God's Word, Joshua would make his own way prosperous and will enjoy good success. Herein lies the missing link for many children of God.
We have spent too much time waiting on God to do something when His word is clear about what He expects us to do. You make your own way prosperous and you determine your own success by whether you abide in God's Word continuously.
The concept of prosperity doesn't just refer to finances. It speaks of success, goodness, wholeness, etc. in every aspect of life. It is a reference to having nothing missing or broken.
God has packaged His Word for our deliverance, elevation, prosperity and success. The Bible says that the Word of God is spirit and life; it is full of power. In the beginning God spoke this planet into existence.
The power in His words were evident during creation. This same power backs up His written word. In order to release this power for exploits, we must remain in the Word until we come to a point of revelation. Then and only then can we on the Word, and walk in the manifestations of the Word.
Jos 1:8.
When Joshua assumed leadership of the people of Israel from Moses, the instruction to Him was clear. The key to his success would lie in his abiding in the Word of God. God instructed Joshua to abide in His Word by meditating on His word all the time. In so doing Joshua would remain conscious about God's Word and God's promises.
The scripture in Jos 1:8 goes on to say that by abiding in God's Word, Joshua would make his own way prosperous and will enjoy good success. Herein lies the missing link for many children of God.
We have spent too much time waiting on God to do something when His word is clear about what He expects us to do. You make your own way prosperous and you determine your own success by whether you abide in God's Word continuously.
The concept of prosperity doesn't just refer to finances. It speaks of success, goodness, wholeness, etc. in every aspect of life. It is a reference to having nothing missing or broken.
God has packaged His Word for our deliverance, elevation, prosperity and success. The Bible says that the Word of God is spirit and life; it is full of power. In the beginning God spoke this planet into existence.
The power in His words were evident during creation. This same power backs up His written word. In order to release this power for exploits, we must remain in the Word until we come to a point of revelation. Then and only then can we on the Word, and walk in the manifestations of the Word.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Steadfast Prayer
Col 4:2.
God expects us to be steadfast, consistent, perseverant, consistent, unwavering, and diligent in the place of prayer. As we pray we must be alert actively engaged in the prayer and have a thankful heart. This is the right way to show up in the place of prayer.
The breakthrough that we desire and the transformation that we week will manifest as we continue in prayer. You must learn to exercise your authority consistently in the place of prayer.
God expects us to be steadfast, consistent, perseverant, consistent, unwavering, and diligent in the place of prayer. As we pray we must be alert actively engaged in the prayer and have a thankful heart. This is the right way to show up in the place of prayer.
The breakthrough that we desire and the transformation that we week will manifest as we continue in prayer. You must learn to exercise your authority consistently in the place of prayer.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
The Shepherd's Model of Leadership
One of the most fascinating models of leadership that I have come across is the shepherd's model. When you think of examples of leadership, the shepherd rarely comes out at the top of the list. However there is much that we can learn as leaders from the leadership model of the shepherd.
When I think of a shepherd the following attributes come to mind: loving, patient, sacrificial, skillful, wise, caring, courageous, guide, strategic thinker, diligent and faithful. These are all attributes that a truly great leader should possess. The dictionary defines the word shepherd as "A person who protects, guides or watches over another person or a group of people". Synonyms of the word shepherd include: coach, counsel, lead, mentor, pilot, guide, and tutor. It is clear that when you dig into the true meaning of the word shepherd you will see several desirable traits of truly great leadership.
One of the greatest examples of a shepherd-leader was King David. The Bible tells us that David was a shepherd before he became king over Israel. David trained to become king by first becoming a shepherd. It was in those days tending sheep that David developed the heart to become a truly great leader. Even though David had the capacity to lead, as we all do, he had to develop his gifts before he could deploy them.
The biblical account of David's life in 1 Sam 17:34-37 describes some of the training that David underwent as a shepherd.
1 Sam 17:34-37 NKJV
34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a zlion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock,
35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.
36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.”
37 Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”
David's account of some of his experiences as a shepherd illustrates some of the leadership attributes that he had to develop and display in the execution of his role. As a shepherd David had to be a guide and a pilot in order to lead the sheep away from danger and to green pastures where the sheep could feed and be nourished (v34). It took love and courage for him to risk his life in order to protect his sheep (v35). It took strategic thinking for him, to devise tactics for defeating the bear and the lion (v35). David then acted as a coach and mentor to the rest of the army by illustrating to them the link between his successes as a shepherd and the impending defeat of the Philistine - Goliath (v37).
Psa 78:70-72 is another account of David's time as a shepherd.
Psa 78:70-72 NIV
70 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens;
71 from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance.
72 And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.
It is interesting to note that in Psa 78:71 the word shepherd was used to describe David's kingship over Israel. The scripture in Psa 78:72 leads us to believe that David developed great skill as a shepherd; David's leadership of the nation of Israel was described as skillful. He had to have developed these skills in his previous role as a shepherd. God allowed David to serve in the role of a shepherd over sheep in preparation for his role as shepherd over Israel. God guided David to develop the skills and display the attributes needed to eventually become king.
David was one of the greatest leaders that ever lived. He oversaw the expansion of Israel and the defeat of numerous enemies. However his apprenticeship began as a shepherd. In your journey to becoming a truly great leader you can look unto David's leadership development as a shepherd, as an example of what it will take to develop into a truly great leader. Also note that God's guidance and David's relationship with God (1 Sam 17:37, Acts 13:22) were instrumental in David's emergence as a truly great king. David ultimately accomplished everything that he was created to do (Acts 13:36). Likewise, you can become the great leader that God created you to be.
I look forward to reading your comments and questions.
When I think of a shepherd the following attributes come to mind: loving, patient, sacrificial, skillful, wise, caring, courageous, guide, strategic thinker, diligent and faithful. These are all attributes that a truly great leader should possess. The dictionary defines the word shepherd as "A person who protects, guides or watches over another person or a group of people". Synonyms of the word shepherd include: coach, counsel, lead, mentor, pilot, guide, and tutor. It is clear that when you dig into the true meaning of the word shepherd you will see several desirable traits of truly great leadership.
One of the greatest examples of a shepherd-leader was King David. The Bible tells us that David was a shepherd before he became king over Israel. David trained to become king by first becoming a shepherd. It was in those days tending sheep that David developed the heart to become a truly great leader. Even though David had the capacity to lead, as we all do, he had to develop his gifts before he could deploy them.
The biblical account of David's life in 1 Sam 17:34-37 describes some of the training that David underwent as a shepherd.
1 Sam 17:34-37 NKJV
34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a zlion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock,
35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.
36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.”
37 Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”
David's account of some of his experiences as a shepherd illustrates some of the leadership attributes that he had to develop and display in the execution of his role. As a shepherd David had to be a guide and a pilot in order to lead the sheep away from danger and to green pastures where the sheep could feed and be nourished (v34). It took love and courage for him to risk his life in order to protect his sheep (v35). It took strategic thinking for him, to devise tactics for defeating the bear and the lion (v35). David then acted as a coach and mentor to the rest of the army by illustrating to them the link between his successes as a shepherd and the impending defeat of the Philistine - Goliath (v37).
Psa 78:70-72 is another account of David's time as a shepherd.
Psa 78:70-72 NIV
70 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens;
71 from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance.
72 And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.
It is interesting to note that in Psa 78:71 the word shepherd was used to describe David's kingship over Israel. The scripture in Psa 78:72 leads us to believe that David developed great skill as a shepherd; David's leadership of the nation of Israel was described as skillful. He had to have developed these skills in his previous role as a shepherd. God allowed David to serve in the role of a shepherd over sheep in preparation for his role as shepherd over Israel. God guided David to develop the skills and display the attributes needed to eventually become king.
David was one of the greatest leaders that ever lived. He oversaw the expansion of Israel and the defeat of numerous enemies. However his apprenticeship began as a shepherd. In your journey to becoming a truly great leader you can look unto David's leadership development as a shepherd, as an example of what it will take to develop into a truly great leader. Also note that God's guidance and David's relationship with God (1 Sam 17:37, Acts 13:22) were instrumental in David's emergence as a truly great king. David ultimately accomplished everything that he was created to do (Acts 13:36). Likewise, you can become the great leader that God created you to be.
I look forward to reading your comments and questions.
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