Author Os Hillman wrote that our own strengths and talents often can be a barrier to our faith. When we are skilled in an area, it is easy to depend on that strength instead of depending on God. In Luke 5, Jesus challenged Simon (soon to be “Peter”) to trust God for his work outcomes. Jesus tells Simon to drop ...
Arizona Christian University’s most recent American Worldview Inventory report addressed the level of Biblical worldview in eight different categories. For the marketplace, I believe their category, Lifestyles, Behaviors, and Relationships is critical. Unfortunately, according to the report, only 10% of adults are integrating the Bible into their behaviors and relationships. Our biggest opportunity, however, lies with what the report calls ...
We all want to imagine that our work is important and lasting. We want to make a difference. But the truth is that much of what we spend time working on won’t last. Days before his death, Jesus was at the house of Simon when a woman poured out a jar of expensive perfume over him. Although most of the ...
The executive erupted as the employee described the team’s mistake. The executive didn’t want to hear about what led to the mistake or how the team was working to mitigate the problem. He wanted the offending employee to feel his anger and the consequences of the error. How do you react when a team member admits an honest mistake? Paul ...
Over 1200 people were packed into the Iowa Governor’s Prayer Breakfast this year. One of the things I appreciate most about this event each year is that there are no denominational turf battles. Instead, it is an event for the capital C church. In John 17:20-21, Jesus said, “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their ...
Houston Christian University recently conducted a survey of Christian business leaders. One of the issues discussed was the challenge of living an ethical life in the workplace. The research revealed that sixty-one percent (61%) of Christian leaders feel that moral conflicts put the impact of their faith expression at risk. In my opinion, the core of this conflict is often ...
The biggest limiting factor in business leaders putting their faith into action is usually time. With the fast pace and demands of life, our tendency can be to become so self-absorbed, we don’t see the needs of the people around us. As leaders, we need to listen and care for those we are called to shepherd. But sometimes that requires ...
I was thrilled to get my first job out of college, but it wasn’t long before I wanted more. I wanted to be a leader. I thought being a manager would be the best way to assert my ideas and my will. I also desired the benefits I saw from moving up in the organization – more money, prestige, and ...
Nehemiah had an amazing 52 days. He had cast vision for people who didn’t know him, yet he convinced them to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem. This impossible task was made even more difficult due to his enemies constantly attempting to distract and destroy him. Additionally, there was considerable infighting. But the work continued with God’s constant and miraculous help. ...
In Nehemiah 4, the Israelites rallied together to fight off their enemies while rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls. But by Chapter 5, the strain of the work, plus the impact of famine, caused the people to begin complaining about the oppression they experienced by their own leaders. Due to oppressive debt, these leaders had put their own people into slavery and bondage, ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
