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Have you ever noticed how capable humans are at ignoring the things that we don’t want to deal with? We construct blind spots simply because we do not want to face the reality of our situation.
This also happens in groups. Here is a case in point.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10
In my humble opinion, this is the most power-filled verse in the entire Bible. Three of God’s “power” words are included:
- Be strong (endynamoō): The root is dynamis – the explosive power of God.
- Power (kratos): The dominion of God – the power of His authority to reign.
- Might (ischys): The ability and force of God – to accomplish what He intends.
This is what Paul is talking about when he goes on to encourage us to put on the whole armor of God. This is what it takes to stand against the wiles of the devil. Get your head around that!
As leaders in the Workplace – that includes all segments (business, religion, education, government, etc.) – we are responsible for leading others into this kind of radical life. Note carefully: This is the normal Christian life!
But how can we lead them into something that we have not experienced ourselves? Are you as frustrated as I am? Where is the power? What are we doing wrong?
I recently heard a successful business owner share his heart for his employees, and what he was doing to better understand who they were as people. One thing stood out to me: This owner’s heart was for their success – and not just success in their vocation.
This owner wanted to know how they defined success in the whole of their life – vocation, family, and personal/spiritual health. He also wanted to know what he could do to help them.
His comments got me wondering what our businesses (and church organizations) might look like if they were truly mission fields – and not just to the “customers”, but to the employees, as well.
Think about that for a minute.
Don’t be frightened by the prospect until you have considered it before God. Is He not your CEO? Does He not have access to cattle on a thousand hills? Is He not looking to and fro to show Himself strong on behalf of those that will be loyal to Him?
It will help to acknowledge that He is infinitely wise with His resources. If He truly owns “your” company, He will see to its success.
How does God measure the success of His company in regards to employee relations, if not by the way we love those He has brought under our leadership?
In his book, The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, John C. Maxwell encourages us: “… the best leaders desire to serve others, not themselves.” Servant Leaders lead in service toward others.
Workplace Ministry Tip: Every godly leader has the desire in their heart to serve others in their spheres of influence. Surrender to that desire and the Lord will give it to you (Psalm 37:4). In the process you will become the best leader you can possibly be.
Ask God to reveal the desire He has placed in your heart for your employees. Remember, He is a process-oriented problem solver, who will direct your steps in this adventure. Start with those that report directly to you.
Once you show them you care about their success – in their whole life – bring them into the adventure. Encourage and enable them to serve those under their leadership. Contact me (rob@inlightconsulting.com) if I can help you become one of the best leaders.
Humbly yours and forever His,
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. John 14:12
Have you ever wondered: Where are the “greater works” that God has made possible for His children? What must we do to walk in them?
Many will say that faith is the issue; the lack thereof. The greater works are for all who believe in Jesus. So, what then do we make of the faith of a mustard seed moving a mountain?
Are those that claim to believe simply deceived about their faith? Or, is something else contributing to our lack of greater works?
As we explore this possibility, keep in mind that God is raising up Christians in the workplace to be disciple makers and transformation agents – to lead others into this life. Furthermore, Jesus has given pastors and teachers, as gifts to the church, to encourage and equip them for this ministry.
So, how does a leader in the workplace (and the pastors/teachers leading them) become transformation agents?
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
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
No one can be an agent of transformation without first experiencing the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, through the renewal of their mind.
Many times, the gap between our hearing and doing greater works exists because we do not participate with the Holy Spirit in His renewal work. Consequently, the faith that comes from the word of God gets stuck in our hearts, failing to come alive in the greater works of faith.
So, how do we actively participate with our Transformer – the Holy Spirit? Read the rest of this entry »
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24
Work is a part of the normal Christian life. It is not a deviation; and it is not God’s intention for work to be a distraction from our living that life. Work is a place where the Christian life is to be lived – in fullness. Grace and faith are necessary at work. Salvation happens at work. So does transformation, sacrifice, making disciples and every other Christian activity and process.
There is nothing in the kingdom of God that does not belong in the workplace. In fact, it is God’s intention for all of the workplace to come under His reign. Whether we want Him to or not, God is at work in the workplace. It is a sobering fact: We are either for Him, or against Him; victor, or victim.
Ask God to give you a new paradigm regarding His kingdom in the workplace. Why has He given you authority and influence there? What might the normal Christian life look like – for you – in the place where you, and most everyone else, spend most of your waking hours?
Humbly yours and forever His,
P.S. – This is the first of a new series I am calling “A Moment with the Map Maker”. These will be quick read devotions (200 words) that are easy to share with those in your spheres of influence. Let me know what you think.
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 »
I know a young man who, having run afoul of the law in a city over four hours from his home, has had to appear before a judge twice; only to be told that the court was postponing his trial date. In the meantime, his life is on hold. He cannot start a job; nor can he start attending college. He has no idea what his punishment will be: Jail time, fines, public service, or a combination of all three. In short, failure to face the consequences of his actions is inhibiting his life.
It occurs to me that the same can be said for many Christians. We have sinned and refused – in one way or another – to face the consequences of our sin. The result? Our failure to face the consequences of our actions is inhibiting our life in Christ. Some would go so far as to say we are giving our enemies the right to deceive and oppress us.
Don’t get me wrong. I believe, as the Good Book says, that Jesus Christ has paid the price for our sin, sins, and the sin. However, this does not change the fact that we reap what we have sown. We do have planks in our eyes that must be dealt with. We must lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus laid hold of us. We must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Read the rest of this entry »
In anticipation of the coming storm, I have decided to request a house inspection. I want to know that my roof will not go flying off in the high winds and turbulence. I want to know that my house will not float away in the flood – to know that it has been securely anchored to a firm foundation. I want to be reasonably confident that the walls and ceilings of my house will hold up under the storm’s pressure; and that my whole house is water tight.
In anticipation of the coming storm, I have decided to request a heart inspection. I don’t want to be surprised by a weakness in my relationship with the Lord, a fault in my character, or a lack of faith in His keeping power. I want to know that I will trust Him and keep my eyes on Him, even in the most violent storm. More than anything, I want to know that I will remain steadfast in my commitment to His reign in my life.
I want the same for you. So, I hope you will join me in my request for an inspection. It’s actually a very simple process: Read the rest of this entry »
Sometimes we use a phrase so much, it loses its meaning. Greetings are the most obvious; phrases like: “Good morning, isn’t it?”, “How’s it going?”, and “What’s up?” come to mind. I wish I had a nickel for every time somewhat asked me those questions without pausing for a moment to hear my answer. Let’s face it: We say some things without really knowing what we mean, or really expecting an answer. I think it has something to do with our hurried life.
Some phrases are more important than others. One in particular has caught my attention… and won’t let it go. So, I think I will bring it to yours. I hope you will slow down enough to consider the deeper meaning of it.
The phrase I have in mind is a particularly Christian one. It is simple, but profound. We Christians read it, hear it and say it all the time. I am not sure we always consider all that it means. Read the rest of this entry »
Sometimes I think, if God gave me salve for my eyes (Revelation 3:18), I might try to eat it. I’m serious! As much as I have “searched out the matter”, surrendering to the Holy Spirit’s destruction of my erroneous paradigms, I still catch myself thinking like the world. Consequently, I have grown more suspicious of the way I think; and I believe that is a good thing.
1Corinthians 2:16 proclaims “we have the mind of Christ”. I believe this is the truth; but, what I also believe is that we have become so dependent and secure in our own mind, that we do not use the supernatural and holy mind we have been given.
We have not pressed on to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus laid hold of us (Philippians 3:12). Like so many things we have been given by God, we have been passive in our laying hold of the mind of Christ. This is part of a deception meant to trap us in the worldly limits of our unrenewed mind.
Thankfully, the truth will make us free (John 8:32). The word of God is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). Let’s embrace that life, power, truth and freedom as we find it in the following passages. Read the rest of this entry »
I believe a storm is coming. That storm will test what we believe in our hearts – about the LORD and His kingdom. We will learn just how spiritually prepared we have become. That storm will test our houses.
It is comforting to know that I am not alone in my beliefs about the storm; nor am I alone in my preparation. Just in my community, God is raising up a good number of houses that will stand in the storm. He is preparing a people that will be a light and a refuge to those who lose their houses – perhaps even those that have no houses at all. I am sure He is doing the same all over the country.
As we explored earlier, spiritual preparation is paramount. Yes, as with any storm, there are physical/practical things that God has given us wisdom to pursue. Still, we must ensure that these are done in faith, with God’s wisdom. We must be careful to avoid ungodly fear and the wisdom of man.
So, how does one prepare for a storm? I have been thinking about this a lot lately (no surprise there); and I have been discussing the subject with everyone that seems interested. I recently met with 21 other mature Christian men to discuss what it means to be spiritually prepared. You can review the notes from that meeting here.
One of the things I have learned, and humbly offer to you today, is what I believe to be the obvious first step in building a house that will withstand the storm. It comes to us from Matthew 7:24-27. Read the rest of this entry »
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