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For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. Romans 8:19
The birth of inLight Consulting came when God asked me, “What is the desire of your heart?” I looked into my heart to find that He was stirring the desire “to help Christian leaders find joyful, Spirit-filled ministry” (and yes, that is a quote).
Through many subsequent conversations with Him, and His careful orchestration of events, I discovered that His mission for us is to “encourage, edify and equip workplace leaders to become disciple makers and transformation agents in their spheres of influence.” One product of our mission has been the capture and communication of a disciple-making and transformation process, in a book entitled The Map Maker. Note: I was just the pen.
Several years ago, God began stirring a new and related desire: To be His instrument in building houses that will stand in a storm (from Matthew 7:24-27). When storms come into the lives of individuals and groups in our spheres of influence, many will experience the destruction of their house. In that season of chaos, they will turn to God or to the world for help. My hope is there will be a strong house standing nearby – a Christian leader that can show them the way to restoration; and to walk with them into a strong relationship with the LORD.
The Church at this moment needs men, the right kind of men, bold men… They will make no decisions out of fear, take no course out of a desire to please, accept no service for financial considerations, perform no religious act out of mere custom; nor will they allow themselves to be influenced by the love of publicity or the desire for reputation (A. W. Tozer; Of God and Men, pp. 11-13).
Tozer wrote Of God and Men in the middle of the 20th Century. “The right kind of men, bold men” are needed now more than ever before. For some reason only known to Him, God has determined to use me to help Christian leaders become bold and courageous. If you want that kind of help, here is your invitation.
The Invitation
An individual I have been discipling for some time recently asked me to teach The Map Maker to a group of workplace leaders in his church. This has been a triple blessing: Coming along-side a disciple to help him make disciples is what inLight is all about. Being used by God to teach the foundations and mysteries of the Kingdom is my passion. Developing new approaches to teaching The Map Maker will enable us to reach similar groups.
I believe God would have me continue teaching The Map Maker to small groups – either in person or online. This can be done in as little as eight weeks. As always, He would have me do it at no charge. It is His investment of me for the advancement of His kingdom. That is blessing enough.
This offer is my part. I will wait to hear from those that desire to be encouraged, edified and equipped. Please share this with Christian leaders that God puts on your heart.
Humbly yours and forever His,
Rob
If we keep doing the same thing, we will continue to achieve the same results. The crises within the church will continue. The societal chaos that is eroding our footing – and infecting our spiritual health – will continue. We must quickly find God’s way through and out of the crisis and chaos (and I don’t mean the rapture).
Somewhere, somehow, we took a wrong turn. When this happens during a road trip or hike, our inclination is to forge on ahead while attempting to find our way back to the main path. Sometimes this works. Most times, we discover that it would have been better to turnaround and backtrack to the where and how we first got lost.
With that in mind, I want to recommend a couple of resources. In doing so, I need to be clear: I am not suggesting either one as a program – something to go do. You will get the most out of these resources if you use them as conversation starters with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Ask the Father, “What is your will here?” Ask the Son, “How do these fit into your church building plan?” Ask the Holy Spirit, “What parts of this are for the renewal of my mind?”
The subtitle for The Benedict Option is “A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation”. This is our reality, and we desperately need a strategy. The Benedict Option will raise your awareness and give you some good points of conversation with the LORD.
Just this morning, I came across a concise and thought-provoking article on church worship. You can access it here. As you read, keep in mind that what matters is what God says. Is this God’s truth? If so, how does it line up with the way we have been worshipping Him? Again, use this for conversation with Him.
In closing, let me encourage you: These are must reads for every workplace leader. We are called to use our influence to advance the kingdom of God. That includes returning to the foundations upon which Christ will build His church. I entreat you to prayerfully, grace-fully, and intentionally use your influence to restore your church fellowship. Be God’s instrument of righteousness.
Humbly yours and forever His,
Rob
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Ephesians 5:14-16
Some of you might be new to Workplace Leadership. Some of you may have simply forgotten. And, yes, some of you are actively resisting what you know is God’s purpose for your life.
It has been a while, so let me lay out some fundamental truths about God’s intention for the Workplace.
- Most people spend most of their waking hours in the Workplace.
- God has not turned the Workplace over to His enemies.
- Every person that has influence over one or more other persons, in the Workplace, is a Workplace Leader. Your position in the hierarchy does not matter. Their age (and yours) does not matter.
- God is a very careful orchestrator. There are no coincidences for God’s children. You are a Workplace Leader because God wants you to be; and because He has intention in your positioning.
- It is your solemn responsibility to discover how God intends to use you in your current position – and to surrender to His intention. If you do not, the Master will label you as lazy, wicked and unprofitable; and He will have you cast into outer darkness (Matthew 25:14-30).
- On the other hand, God knows something about you that has led Him to position you in the Workplace. He has favored you in His wisdom and grace. He is offering you an opportunity to walk in His glory.
- God has promised to prepare you, and go before you. The first step is simply a choice – to surrender to His will for you. His grace will accomplish the rest.
Do not settle for “church” that is a group of people gathered in a place. We are the called out ones! We are set apart to be holy salt and light! We are the instruments of God’s glory – everywhere and all the time!!
If I can help you experience God’s joyful and Spirit-filled ministry in the Workplace, please let me know. It is the desire of my heart to be a part of Him giving your desires to you (Psalm 37:4).
Humbly yours and forever His,
Rob
Beth and I are having a particularly blessed Christmas season. I find myself – like so many others – wanting to hang on; and I will, at least through the end of the year. Thankfully, the reason for this season stays with us for eternity.
But still, 2017 is coming up the driveway; and will be soon knocking at our door. I am already thinking about next week’s meetings and writing deadlines. There is no stopping the movement of time.
So, how do we move on from Christmas? How do we hold onto the reason for the season, as we move into the promise of New Year adventures?
Being a child that likes to ask questions, I asked those questions of our Father in heaven. Being a Father that likes to talk to His children, He answered. Being a brother who likes to pass on the Father’s encouragement, I am sharing with you, the beginnings of that answer.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8
Finding the mind of Jesus, in His “coming in the likeness of men”, is the beginning point for our transition into the New Year. As the Father sent Jesus, so Jesus sends us (John 20:21). The parallels here are astounding. Read the rest of this entry »
A dear friend of mine, who owns a business directory company (ChristiansinBusiness.com), recently asked me to search out and write an article about God’s way for resolving conflict between businesses and their customers – particularly in light of the growing importance of online reviews. I am blessed and excited that he intends to develop a system that will honor and please God. As a business owner or customer, I hope the following encourages you to find God’s way for conflict resolution.
The Potential Impact of Online Reviews
Customer reviews and ratings have become the “word-of-mouth” for 21st Century shoppers; with two noteworthy differences: Their reach is exponentially broader and, consequently, their impact can have significantly greater impact. This is particularly true for the small business owner.
According to an article on Psychology Today, “People are more likely to choose things based on their need to avoid negative experiences, rather than their desire to get positive experiences … psychologists concluded negative experiences or the fear of them has a greater impact on people than positive experiences.”
According to USA Today, “Harvard business school research says that a one-star increase on Yelp can lead to a 9 percent increase in sales. Four out of five consumers, or 80 percent, reverse their purchase decisions based on negative online reviews.”
If people remember negative reviews more than the positive ones, which one would you want your small business to be remembered for? This is an important question for both business owners and their customers – particularly when those owners and customers are brothers or sisters in Christ. Read the rest of this entry »
A brand is what someone feels, thinks or discerns about a company or person. This is the outside-looking-in perspective; the end product of a discovery process focused primarily on what other people think.
I want to suggest a different way; a way focused on what God desires for you and your company. I like to call it the inside-shining-out perspective. Consider the most powerful brand image:
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
This saying of Jesus is something we must do if we want our business to stand the tests of time and storm (Matthew 7:24-25). Notice His command is to “let your light so shine”; and not do good work. This, in and of itself, may challenge your way of thinking; and that is good.
Now, what is that light?
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 1:4
When others see our good work, they will be led to glorify God by the life of Christ that abides in us. How does this light become so impressive?
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2Corinthians 3:18
The Holy Spirit uses the transformation process to create a supernatural brand. That process begins with our beholding the glory of the Lord, Jesus Christ. How does that happen?
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. John 14:21
Jesus will manifest Himself to those that have and keep His commandments.
Honoring God with our business is a challenging adventure; particularly in challenging times. We are continually tempted to take control and seek success the world’s way. Be encouraged that He is faithful, He loves you, and He has a plan for you. Trust and obey; for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey.
Assignment
- Take inventory. Are you more concerned with the world’s opinion, or God’s? Are you willing to do things God’s way, regardless of the cost? Are there commands of Christ that you are not obeying?
- Once you have reconciled with the Boss, ask Him to show you the desire He has put in your heart for this season. This desire is His purpose for you and your company. It will become a huge part of your brand.
Humbly yours and forever His,
When natural storms come, the wicked prey on the helpless. Scams and price gouging are common themes in every disaster. The chaos gives opportunity for the strong to take advantage of the weak.
The spiritual storm that lays on our horizon, and the chaos it will bring, will give the same opportunity to our enemies. They will fight us tooth and nail to keep the knowledge of God hidden from His children and the world. The agents of deception are all around us.
So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:9
And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.” Matthew 24:4
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. James 1:26
So let’s take an eyes-open and honest inventory of the deceptors in our lives: Satan, the world, and even our own minds are potential sources of deception. Of course, this is true in every minute of every hour of every day in a Christian’s life. We don’t always notice; for that is the nature of deception – it is… well, deceptive.
The thing about storms is they tend to intensify the opportunity for deception; particularly if the storm we see approaching is a part of the end-of-days tribulations that will usher in the Day of the Lord, and “The Tribulation”. Jesus, Paul and Peter warned of such things. Read the rest of this entry »
With a storm on the way, it is more important than ever to find the center of God will. That place is the safest place. It is the place where chaos turns to adventure; where fear has no place; where our houses will stand as a refuge for others. This is the place we want to be; so how do we find it?
God’s eternal will is for the restoration of the three things that He lost in man’s rebellion: His reign over our hearts, His intimacy with us, and His habitation in us. I believe that our pursuit of His purpose in these three areas will supernaturally propel us into His will for this strategic season.
This article relates to the restoration of God reign over our hearts. The articles and assessments for the remainder of this series can be found at the following locations:
Our Preparation as His Habitation
Our Preparation for Intimacy with Him
Many in the body of Christ are recognizing the inevitability of the storm. That recognition has created urgency for preparation; and a desire to know how we are doing in that preparation. Assessing our preparation under His reign is critically important.
Is there a biblical way to assess our preparedness, and receive wisdom and revelation in the ways God would have us strengthen our house? I believe so. In fact, we are encouraged and commanded to do exactly that: Read the rest of this entry »
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says:
“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”
…And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ… Ephesians 4:7-11
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit…
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all… to another prophecy… But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 1Corinthians 12:4-11
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy… he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 1Corinthians 14:1-3
There has never been a greater need for the gift of prophecy in the church than the season we are now facing. This gift, in all its forms, has been dismissed and abused, shunned and neglect.
I was not raised in a stream that talked much about prophecy; and I recognize that I am not an expert. But this I know, prophecy is a gift of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. It is time we searched it out seriously for our personal preparation and for the edification, exhortation and comfort of those in our spheres of influence.
As a start, let me offer a brief perspective on the ways prophecy has been offered as a gift to the children of God. Read the rest of this entry »
God has a way for everything – including a Workplace Leader’s relationship with his employees. There have been many books – both secular and Christian – written on the subject. We read so much, sometimes we lose track of the more basic. As a quick reminder, consider these simple, but critical, principles:
The principle of making disciples: The Christian Workplace Leader should recognize that every person they hire is someone that God wants to use them (the leader) to disciple. No, this does not (necessarily) mean you have to spend 90 minutes a week with them in formal Biblical training. It does mean that, as the leader, you are responsible, in the workplace, for their spiritual growth.
The principle of peace: Peace in the workplace is evidence of the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Even in the trial and tribulation of termination, the peace of God that transcends all understanding should be present – particularly in the leader. Furthermore, the leader is responsible for keeping the peace in the workplace; protecting the environment from unnecessary inhibitors to the Holy Spirit’s supernatural peace.
The principle of hope: Every employee should know where lasting hope is to be found – even those that are not followers of Jesus Christ. They need to learn that true hope is not found in their job or their paycheck. No one should leave your company without knowing, from you, this eternal truth. As you might imagine, it is best not to wait until their termination to share what you believe.
Workplace Ministry Tip: Reexamine your management policies and procedures in light of these principles. Make the necessary changes, and train your management team in their implementation. Inspect what you expect.
Contact me, at rob@inlightconsulting.com, if I can be of assistance.
Humbly yours and His forever,
inLight Adventure 