The video version of this newsletter is available on the Link.
Tele-Seminar – Beverly Lewis and I discussed Kingdom impacts in an interview, “Have fun, make money and love people.” Listen to the recorded version here. Ray Edwards and I did a second interview that is just as good. Both are about an hour and give a great summary of marketplace ministry.
Wow, 2012 is already here! Two of my favorite newsletters came on the way home from conferences in Poland. I think you will enjoy them. Have Fun, Make Money and Love People and A Kingdom Primer.
We are seeing a shift toward Kingdom and wisdom that is very healthy. Wisdom is really just the practical application of what we know. We have been prone to accumulate and preach revelation and knowledge, and to be weak at making the application that produces fruit from our knowledge… in measureable things like money and changed lives. Sound doctrine and correct theology produce disciples that can create wealth and build the Kingdom. I really believe that the next spiritual discipline is wealth creation.
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Eph 1:17-18 NIV
People in touch with the desires in their own hearts don’t expect God to guide them with special revelations on every issue. They give themselves permission to make decisions based upon wisdom and mentoring: “If I make a decision, and it’s the wrong one, I make another one.” They have a better balance between revelation and wisdom. They use both, and function in a spirit of wisdom without special revelations on every detail. They can easily discern the difference between heart’s desires that overlap the will of God and the stray winds of emotional feelings. The former exists in a written plan that they are intentionally working; the latter can come and go.
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,
for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. Prov 3:13-18
An eternal perspective – the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. In other words, instead of waiting for the interview at the pearly gates, I’m having that conversation with God now about how to spend my life. I understand that I have a destiny and a responsibility / opportunity to make it real.
So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Rom 14:12 NIV
There is a plan – I know that God has big plan (His will). Wisdom is knowing that I have a responsibility to have a plan for my portion of the big plan. We each have a “measure of faith” or metron that represents my specific life purpose. Wisdom is also the awareness that God has written that plan on the desires of my heart. I was created in His image with unique gifts, talents and personality traits that exactly fit my purpose in life. It’s something I enjoy.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11 NIV
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. 5 We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests. Ps 20:4-5
The plan is in writing – Writing the desires of your heart as goals on a piece of paper is the first step toward making them real. Most people don’t… and that’s why most of us coast through life with no real direction or satisfaction. You and I were not designed to just do what we’re told for a lifetime. It’s fine for an apprenticeship, but maturity is realizing your own dream.
Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. Hab 2:2 NKJV
The Plan has a mentor – We all need help. Successful people always have mentors, and surround themselves with the help they need. That’s just wisdom.
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Prov 15:22
Make plans by seeking advice; Prov 20:18
The Plan has a financial component – Every initiative (including yours) costs money to implement. If your plan depends on someone else to fund it, then you’ve just created someone else’s plan. God gives us the wisdom to find both the vision and the provision. Plans lead to profit. That’s God’s way of sustaining the dream. Fantasies float around in our minds and lead to nothing, but plans of the heart executed with diligence create wealth.
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. Prov 21:5
He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. Prov 28:19 NIV
Your dream will keep you young – Having a dream literally gives your heart a reason to live. It will keep you from disease and add years to your life. That’s wisdom! I see two characteristics in older people with a dream: they are youthful, exuberant and vital, and their labor of love has produced wealth and joy. Their cups overflow spiritually and practically with ministry and finances.
Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Ps 103:5 NIV
So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. Josh 14:10-12 NIV
In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:23-24
Make it happen – Have you captured your destiny in writing? Are you intentional about fulfilling your purpose in life? Here are some practical suggestions on connecting with your own heart and tapping your Kingdom purpose to have fun, make money and love people. My biggest recommendation is step 5… go through our coaching module. Your dream is worth some one-on-one time with someone who can help you make it real.
- Read Releasing Kings and Desire to Destiny (See our store page or Amazon.com).
- Get the free newsletter and connect on Face Book to stay in touch. We use Skype to talk to people all over the world. Networking is a huge Kingdom dynamic.
- List to the sound… Beverly Lewis and I discussed Kingdom impacts in an interview, “Have fun, make money and love people.” Listen to the recorded version here. Ray Edwards and I did a second interview that is just as good. Both are about an hour and give a great summary of marketplace ministry.
- There are two newsletters that summarize key elements of Releasing Kings: Have Fun, Make Money and Love People and A Kingdom Primer.
- Go through the coaching module and clarify your dream – we can help you if you’re stuck.
- Get connected with a coach or mentor who can help you take the next step.
- Create the wealth and convert the money into your ministry dream to build the Kingdom.
