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In the postscript of the previous article in this series, I promised to share a method of positioning that has been particularly helpful to me. We will do that in (at least) two parts. We begin with the model for positioning that Jesus left us.
Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” So He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us day by day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.” Luke 11:1-4
Notice that the disciple did not ask Jesus “how to pray”. Interestingly, “how” is a very common word in the Bible. In fact, it appears 550 times in the New King James Version. So why is it absent here?
I am convinced, and I hope you will consider, that the disciple was asking for more than instruction in prayer. He recognized that Jesus’ way of prayer was so far removed from their own that what they had been calling prayer might as well have been called “apple”.
The disciple was asking Jesus to make them men of prayer. This He has promised to do – for them and those that desire to know God’s purpose and plan for this season of transition. Read the rest of this entry »
Do you feel like God has you in transition – that He has something else for your life? Jesus said we would do more. We cannot follow Him and remain standing in the same place. Running the race to win means covering new ground.
As mentioned in the introduction to this series, I personally know more than a handful of Workplace Leaders who are feeling God’s call to more – myself included. Responding to that call – particularly in this season – is critical, for us and those in our spheres of influence. So, for the next couple of months, we will be walking together through a discovery and response process. God bless you with ears to hear, and a heart to respond to His call.
There are three general steps in our process. We will call them: Position, purpose and plan. The order is important. If you are reading this, it is likely that you are someone that gets things done. You are not a pew sitter. That’s a good thing; but, it must not be the first thing.
Executing the plan before knowing the plan can lead to some dangerous presumptions. The same is true – to a greater extent and impact – for those that start making plans without first understanding God’s purpose.
I recognize that this is obvious to most of you. Still, it happens more often than we would like to admit. Why is that?
Most of us are simply too busy to stop and plan, much less revisit the purpose(s) behind the non-plans we are trying to follow. We fall into the trap of “flying by the seat of our pants”; and presuming the Holy Spirit is directing our steps. We are enamored by the success stories of those that claim to operate in this manner, and we quickly forget the failures.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m all about following the Holy Spirit’s leading. I’m familiar with “man makes his plans, and God directs his steps”. That is a major step in the process. It’s just not the best first step. God has something more in mind. Read the rest of this entry »
It has been some time since I have been challenged with this question. Has inLight changed? Has God shifted, or expanded, our core purpose? How are we fitting into God’s will for the church in this season? Is He stirring up new desires/burdens?
These are some of the questions the leader of a ministry must ask from time to time. It is the same for other workplace ministries – including those that are embedded in the workplace.
Whether you are the president of a ministry, the owner of a business, a leader in another professional field (e.g., education, government, medicine) – if you are a church leader or home maker – it is good to expect change. If we are pursuing the will of God, we will be regularly called to a higher level of glory (2Corinthians 3:18).
Over a half-a-dozen people I know well are sensing God’s call to them for something more; that a transition is underway. Some have been through this before, and are familiar with the process.
Others, not so much. They are wondering how to proceed. How do they respond to God’s prompting? How do they discover God’s purpose in this season?
God has a process for answering these questions. It is one of the things inLight offers to workplace leaders. I am feeling that now is an appropriate time to apply what we teach to ourselves.
Perhaps it will help you to follow along – to learn the process for yourself and those you are discipling. In the meantime, you may come to understand how God intends to use inLight to help you discover and walk into your kingdom work. Read the rest of this entry »
When needs converge, there is great potential for synergy; and the advancement of God’s kingdom. Here is a great example.
Need One: You do not have time to reach your community (much less “all the nations”) with the Gospel. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matthew 28:18-19). Time is the Pastor’s most precious commodity. Investing it wisely should be one of his chief concerns.
Need Two: The King needs more disciple makers. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” (Matthew 9:37). God has positioned Leaders in the Workplace, giving them authority and influence for the advancement of His kingdom.
Need Three: Disciple makers in the Workplace need a shepherd. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd (Matthew 9:36). Workplace Leaders desire to make a difference for the kingdom, but they lack true discipleship.
If you are a Pastor, consider this: Of all the demographic groups in your fellowship, none has more potential for kingdom impact than the Workplace Leaders whom God has placed under your care. These individuals are in contact with hundreds of people every week. Why are they the only group without a focused ministry? Why are they the most neglected disciple makers in your congregation?
Mobilizing Workplace Leaders is not as hard as you might think. They are industrious self-starters. Most are process oriented problem solvers. God has positioned them, with heart desires for kingdom success.
The investment you make in the lives of Workplace Leaders will be multiplied 100 times over. The risks are negligible. The kingdom returns are exceedingly abundantly more than you can ask or think. I am here to help you get started.
If you are a Workplace Leader, consider this: God has given you influence and authority for the advancement of His kingdom. He may be calling you to ignite such a ministry in your fellowship. You will need your Pastor; and he may not know it. Warning: Do not try to give him this task, nor do it on your own. Instead, ask him to be your covering in it. Then go find the other Workplace Leaders God has called to join you. I am also here to help you get started.
Humbly yours and forever His,
Every organization has a structure. That structure tends to be hierarchical and based on worldly principles. Its primary purpose is to support organizational governance. We are all very familiar with these structures. I want you to ignore them for a moment.
Instead, I am encouraging you to consider a different structure – a structure that also exists in the place where you work. I am encouraging you to consider the spiritual structure that God intends to establish in your workplace.
Depending on the workplace, spiritual structures can be very hard to see; but, make no mistake about it: They are real. Spiritual structures do not readily align with hierarchical structures; primarily because they are organic in nature (think vine and branches). Spiritual structures do have an authority component, but the manifestation of that authority seldom looks like a worldly hierarchy (e.g., the greatest must be servant of all).
Point: Jesus is building His church outside the boundaries of meeting time and place. In fact, there is growing proof that He has turned His attention to the place where most of His followers spend most of their waking hours – in the workplace.
Point: Jesus gave gifts to the church; that we might grow up into the vision of the church He is building (Ephesians 4:11-16). Whether these gifts are real people or people that have these gifts, Jesus is working through designated individuals in the workplace.
Point: God is a careful orchestrator. There are no coincidences for His children. He has positioned leaders in the workplace to help assemble and supply a platoon there.
Question: What is your role in this movement of God? How has God defined and described your role? Are you an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher? Are you an elder; or a deacon? Is your role something more supportive; like watchman, or prayer warrior? 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,
All followers of Jesus Christ eventually recognize that there is a fierce battle being waged for the kingdom of God. It is the responsibility of Leaders in the Workplace to wade into the battle with truth, faith and courage; while encouraging others to do the same. God has promised to go before them, and be their rear guard.
The Scriptures hold great encouragement in regards to the battle preparations that have already been made, as well as the weapons that have been provided for our participation. There is nothing to fear. Those that answer the call to war will discover that David’s Mighty Men are but a shadow of what God has empowered us to be as His Mighty Men, Women and Children.
This lesson explores the Bible’s great encouragements for those engaged in the battle, and God’s way for fighting our enemies. Read the rest of this entry »
Recently, I was encouraged to write my testimony. Like me, you may have done this sometime in the past. If so, then I am writing to encourage you to write it again. This time, write it with the understanding that your testimony is an asset for the kingdom of God – a disciple making asset. Use it to encourage others and bring glory to our Father in heaven. If you have not written your testimony, then I am writing to ask you, “What are you waiting for?”
I humbly offer my own as an example.
This is a story about the making of a man. This man’s name is Rob Streetman. Rob is not a great deal unlike many men; but Rob is unique. Consequently, parts of Rob’s story – His being made – will be familiar, and parts will be strange. Hopefully, you will be encouraged by the former, and challenged by the later.
The important thing to keep in mind is that we are all being made into something… by someone. We are all “in process”. As you will see in his story, Rob is not a self-made man; and he is most grateful to God for that. He tried that approach for a season. It didn’t go well for him or anyone else. Fortunately, The Maker is patient and persistent in His love. That is the testimony of Rob’s making.
Read the rest of this entry »
… that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him… that you may know… what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places… Ephesians 1:17-20
God intends to exercise His mighty power toward those that believe. Think about that for a minute. We are talking about the same power that He exercised in raising Jesus Christ from the dead! Who in their right mind would ignore such an offer – the exceeding great power of God in their personal, family and work life?
This leads us to a couple of important questions: Why aren’t we seeing more of God’s power in the Workplace? What can we do as Leaders in the Workplace to experience that power in our spheres of influence?
In this lesson, we will explore two sources of God’s power for ministry in the Workplace: Unity and prayer. Both are particularly important in our efforts to make disciples God’s way. Both may be familiar topics. My prayer is that you will not allow your familiarity to get in the way of God’s encouragement to you for the power that can be found in them.
It is the desire of His heart for you to walk in His power for ministry in the Workplace. He has put that desire in your heart, as well. Let’s go find it! Read the rest of this entry »
Imagine for a moment that you are a good and faithful steward of a rich man’s estate. As that good and faithful steward, you would be encouraged to hear your master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.” It would be right to expect such a response to your wise investment of his resources.
This is true in the world; and more so in the kingdom of God. In fact, these are Jesus’ words; words He used in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). It is His desire to reward those that take their stewardship seriously. He is looking for those that will invest His talents faithfully. Read the rest of this entry »
inLight Adventure 