NEED A BREAKTHROUGH IN YOUR LIFE OR BUSINESS?

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HAVE YOU SERIOUSLY GONE TO GOD FOR HELP?

God’s Word gives us many examples of people who went to God for help but David is a standout

David had just been anointed King over Israel and the Philistines heard of it and searched for him.  

“So David inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I go up against the Philistines?  Will You deliver them into my hand?’ The Lord answered, ‘Go up for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.’ So David went and at Baal Perazim, there he defeated them.  David exclaimed, ‘the Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.’ Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim (Master of Breakthroughs).” (2 Samuel 5:17-20)

The Philistines went up once again and deployed themselves in the valley of Rephaim (giants.) David enquired again of the Lord. This time the Lord said, ‘you shall not go up: circle round behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the trees advance quickly. For then the Lord will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.’ And David did what the Lord commanded him, and drove back his enemies.

available on Amazon as an ebook or trade paperback book

There are times when we need a breakthrough from the Lord. The problem is beyond us, we need Him to act. Wisely David enquired of the Lord and very wisely he followed the Lord’s instructions and there was a breakthrough.  

In itself, that breakthrough was a battle rather than the whole war, for the Philistines returned and threatened again.  Very wisely David enquired again and did not repeat the previous strategy. This time the Lord’s plan was different. Again, following the word from the Lord, David had victory over his enemy.

When we need a breakthrough, for the problem is greater than us, we can enquire of the Lord. We can listen for His answer but note that it may need patience which is difficult when we are under threat. Yet scripture assures us that we will receive an answer –

‘Ask and it will be given to you…For everyone who asks, receives.’ Matthew .7:7-8

The apostle Peter confirms that the breakthrough will come if we stand firm. He says ‘Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God…cast all your care on Him…be sober and vigilant… The devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him and stand firm in the faith…  Then after you have suffered a while the God of all grace will give you the breakthrough – He will perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you.’  (from 1 Peter 5:6-11)

Paul wrote to the Ephesians telling them to stand and when they had done everything to keep standing – always looking out for the sword of the Spirit – that specific word (rhema) from God, that specific instruction just like David received when he enquired of the Lord.  Our breakthrough comes in the same way – ask, listen and obey the specific instruction, not relying on previous victories for God’s strategy is always right for every problem. Patience is needed!

Why is patience needed? Because patience is having its perfect work in us. Patience is abiding under pressure – enduring. So we keep standing and waiting for the breakthrough which will surely come at the right time.

Go to http://www.transformedworkinglife.net for more helpful articles and videos. This article was written by Peter Mitchell of ICCC UK.

TRIP TO AFRICA

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This afternoon I am on a flight from Sydney to Nairobi, Kenya via Dubai. The prime reason for the trip is a three-day meeting with the 20 plus House Church leaders in Kenya. As followers of my post will know, I have been supporting the Kenya House Church Movement for nearly three years now. It has grown from six house churches to over twenty today. We would appreciate others joining us as well, both on Zoom and to help support mission trips to grow the movement. I have a Donations icon on the Home Page for this purpose.

Another important reason for the trip is to determine where the leaders are at in their Christian walk and to determine what training may be needed. Using Zoom, Creation Ministries Africa (CMI) will give a presentation to our meeting and I will also use Zoom to connect KHC leaders with other ministries I believe will assist the Movement.

I am also involved with the International Christian Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) and will be speaking at ICCC meetings in Kenya and Rwanda. The President of ICCC Kenya is also on the International Board of ICCC, Rene Kiamba. Rene is connected to KHC and has been involved in teaching them on at least one Zoom Meeting.

Each ICCC member attending the meetings will receive a copy of my book, Build a Kingdom Business – Empowered by the Holy Spirit.

I am also travelling to Arusha, Tanzania to meet up with a pastor friend, David Owens who is working with African Enterprise. I hope to connect him with the KHC Movement.

PPAYERS AND PETITIONS

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“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7

What an amazing and encouraging Scripture. Do you believe what is says? Is it your experience? It should be, it is mine. Mind you, I am 85 years old and have been serving the Lord many years. For 30 plus years, I owned and managed Christian Press and Care & Share Products distributing Christian materials to Christian and secular gift shops. Over those years I have seen God answer our prayers in amazing ways. You can read about those in my book Build a Kingdom Business – Empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Available on Amazon as an ebook or from me as a trade paperback book – ron@bakb.com.au

CHAPTER 5

God’s Provision and Protection
God miraculously intervenes in a watershed event at Care & Share Products to dramatically impact two organizations and the lives of a number of individuals.
The following scripture is appropriate to this story.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
As I previously explained, I purchased Christian Press Pty Ltd from Bill Dalrymple in October, 1983.
Bill owned the premises and was very generous in giving us a low rent. One consideration in that decision was the fact we employed his two sons. Both were mentally retarded, one significantly so.
In early 1988, Bill advised me that he needed to sell the premises and he gave me 18 months notice so that I had sufficient time to look for a new home for Care and Share.
We had only just changed the name of the company from Christian Press to Care & Share and our customer focus from Christian Bookshops to Card & Gift Shops. As this was God’s call, we knew Care & Share had a future so were confident He would provide a new home for His company.
Bill employed a major real estate group, Raine & Horne, to look after the property sale. Enter Ted Angus – the protagonist of the story. He is our hero.

Ted Angus was our contact at Raine & Horne. Ted was in his 50’s and I knew on his first visit to inspect the premises that the Holy Spirit was “knocking on his door”. He was not attending a church but had Christian friends and was clearly searching for meaning and purpose in life. Every time he brought people to view the property, we had deep and meaningful discussions. At times, embarrassingly, he was oblivious to the fact that his clients were ready to leave. Over the course of about nine months that it took to sell the property we became friends.
During this time, I gave Ted a number of Christian books to read. As well, he became a regular visitor at the Christian Bookshop in Bankstown which was walking distance from Ted’s, Raine & Horne office.
Cecil, the owner of the bookshop and Ted also became good friends. It was a joy therefore, for both of us when Ted finally came to know his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ about 6 weeks before we moved out of 3 Harley Crescent, Condell Park.
I remember the phone call when Ted told me (“the penny had dropped” – his phrase) he had come to realize who Jesus Christ really is. Ted subsequently repented and accepted Jesus as His Lord and Saviour. The circumstances were interesting; Ted had just finished reading a Christian book Cecil had sold him. Whilst I can’t remember the title, I do remember Ted telling me, the author died before the book was published.
The book was about the gospel accounts of the life of Jesus. The author had had problems with
what he perceived as discrepancies in the different Gospel accounts. I remember Ted’s excitement as he explained to me how the Holy Spirit had given the author understanding. “It was like he was at a football match and realized that a person on the other side of field would have a different perspective on the match and therefore give a different report on it”.
Amazingly, the Holy Spirit’s inspiration prompted the author to write the manuscript. Though he died, it was the instrument God used to convert the author’s brother and get the book published so it could
aid the Holy Spirit to change the lives of people like Ted Angus.
Also, if Bill had not sold number 3 Harley Crescent, I would never have met Ted and be used by
God in his conversion. No doubt, God could have done it differently but as you will see, God had
much more to show Ted through the relocation of Care and Share.

If you want to read the rest of this amazing story which includes God using a hail storm to get us into the right premises, you will need to purchase the book.

UNLEASH SUPERNATURAL POWER

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Unleash Supernatural, Holy Spirit Power

It is important to remember what Paul told the Corinthian church:

“I was with you in weakness, in fear and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:3-4

BAKB book pic

Every believer has within them the potential to release kingdom power in their sphere of influence. The keys:

1) Believe you have the right to His power

2) Understand how to use His power

3) Be willing to release it when He directs you to.

Millions of Christians have been taught that salvation is enough, simply a get-out-of-hell-free promise. Do kind works and pray for the rapture.

Some do recognise the existence of Holy Spirit power and are willing to release it at His direction, exactly as Jesus taught in John 14:12, “Truly, truly I say to you, he who believes in Me will do the works that I do also. And he will do greater works than these because I am going to My Father.”

Jesus gave His disciples training in how to properly release Heaven’s supernatural power on earth.

Holy Spirit will guide you, ask Him. (Matt. 7:7, Luke 11:9).

Holy Spirit will teach you. (John 14:26).

Fortunately, in these last days, we are seeing a return to church as described in the Book of Acts. Check out Torben Sondergaards website Last Reformation and Francis Chan YouTube videos. Also my website http://www.powerpointsermons.net for videso and sermons.

 

TRENDS IN MARKETPLACE CHRISTIANITY

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What are these trends and why are they so exciting?

Trend #1: “Less Talk, More Action”

Since the 1990s, the Movement has been focused primarily on highlighting problems such as the separations between sacred and secular, Church and the workplace, etc. Today, rather than waiting for an endorsement of their ministry calling to business, many marketplace Christians are simply doing what they are called to do.

For example, many of today’s Christian entrepreneurs are launching and growing successful companies for the foundational purpose of glorifying God in the marketplace. Telos Ventures Capital is an early-stage venture capital fund that has built and invested in aelof these “Gospel-centred, for-profit ventures” (ref. 1). The company invests $50,000 to $300,000 in viable, early-stage startups whose founders demonstrate a compelling response to the question, “How are you planning to live out your faith through this business model?”

God is revealing new technology to His servants. My eldest son’s new company is called REVELANT (Revelation from God of new technology that is relevant for today). Have you heard of nanofluidity? No! neither had I, in fact, it is new and it is about to revolutionise energy consumption and a whole lot of other industries, oil, water and even treatment of diseases. Take a look on You Tube under Revelant or nanofluidity or nanophysics or check out their website http://www.revelant.com.

Trend #2: “Division of Labour”

Every spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit to the People of God (the Church) is represented in the marketplace. As marketplace Christians are discovering their unique ministry assignments in the business world, a division of labour among the extended Church’s ministry responsibilities is emerging. The uniqueness of our different assignments is the reason for the wide variety of terms and phrases currently used to describe what God is doing in the business world:

  • Biblical Entrepreneurship
  • Marketplace Ministry
  • Business as Mission (BAM)
  • Workplace Ministry
  • The Seven Mountains Mandate
  • Work as Worship
  • Theology of Work
  • Values-Based Investing
  • Theology of Business
  • Eternal Return on Investment (EROI)
  • Christian Companies
  • Social Entrepreneurship
  • Great Commission Companies
  • Christ-Centered Companies
  • Workplace Evangelism
  • Kingdom Business
  • Values-Based Business

Let’s not worry about trying to get everyone to use the same terms. It’s actually a good thing that not every marketplace Christian approaches marketplace Christianity in the exact same way. Every marketplace Christian’s gifts and callings are essential for the fulfilment of God’s will for the business world.

Trend #3: “Ministry Collaboration”

As we recognise the variety and diversity of the Church’s marketplace assignments, many of us are realising opportunities to collaborate with other Christians for the purpose of revealing the glory of God in the business world.

Christian business consultants are providing Spirit-led, Biblically-based business advice for Christian business leaders.

Christian venture capitalists are investing in the companies of Christian entrepreneurs.

Christian chaplains are serving the employees of Christian business owners.

Christian pastors are collaborating with business professionals in their churches to host marketplace ministry equipping programs.

Christian business professionals are referring new customers and clients to each other.

In the podcasting industry (internet radio), an entire eco-system is developing around the theme of “marketplace Christianity.” Since 2013, podcast shows such as The Success Edge, Church for Entrepreneurs, Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur, iWork4Him, Gospel Driven Entrepreneur, Eternal Leadership, Theology of Business, and others have emerged with the goal of helping Christians to apply their Christian faith to their work in business.

The Mission America Coalition has launched a new initiative in which key leaders in the Marketplace Christianity Movement have united under a vision to see 56,000,000 people reached with the love of Jesus in the workplace by the year 2020.

A similar initiative has been launched with marketplace ministries in Australia which includes Business GREENhouse, Paladin Group, Kingdom Builders, Called to Business, Wealth with Purpose and others.

If 56,000,000 people are going to be reached with the love of Jesus in the marketplace by 2020, it’s going to require that we as marketplace Christians work together across denominational, racial, professional, socio-economic, and any other lines that divide us. Approximately 85 percent of Christians spend most of their waking hours working in for-profit companies, so the potential impact of our ministry collaboration for the glory of God is enormous.

Have you noticed evidence of these current trends? Have you noticed any other current trends in the Marketplace Christianity Movement?

[i] http://telosventures.com/about/

Article by Darren Shearer Theology of Business, Three trends in Marketplace Christianity.