The video is here.
One of the most exciting things happening right now is that people are being invited into the Kingdom. Both believers and unbelievers are being chosen first and sanctified second. People of all faiths and of no faith are being invited into this place of being ourselves and co-laboring with the Father at the same time. Finding the synergy and fellowship in your own mountain cuts through every religious barrier and unites people around the themes of their heart instead of the politics and denominations in their head. We’ve had people saved in a business conference because of this compelling invitation from the Father to join the party that is Kingdom – they heard the music and said, “yes Lord” and they long to know how to be connected to God’s Kingdom and experience even more. Can you see why it’s called the “Gospel of the Kingdom.” It’s good news.
3 Ingredients of Kingdom – Most of us are a little fuzzy on what Kingdom really is and how we can be part of it. It’s really an invitation to become yourself, and to connect the desires of our own heart with the desire of the Father’s heart and to see the fruit of that synergism in our vocation. It takes three things: Industry, Initiative from our heart, and Intercession to pull the curtain back on our “why.”
#1 Industry/Vocation – The very first Kingdom value is the integrity of a work ethic. Throughout the Bible (and the real world) wealth creation (and fruit of any kind) is always connected with the practical wisdom of working smart, not just hard. Business people have an innate understanding of this truth that doesn’t need explanation. They are naturally persistent, creative and industrious. Their energy might be pointed in the wrong direction; they might even be playing for the wrong team, but they are productive, persistent and hardworking… it’s a Godly value.
I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; 31 thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. 32 I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: 33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest — 34 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. Prov 24:30-34 NIV
#2 Initiative – The second ingredient is the personal passion that allows us to take a risk and try – entrepreneurial. One of the secrets of Kingdom is that God wrote His passion into our DNA or heart’s desires when He created us. Whatever our calling in life is, we can rest assured that it’s something we will enjoy and have passion for. Religion is sacrificing our passion to do from obedience what we have little heart for. Kingdom is a party where our dreams come true. Sure, it’s work and warfare, but we are always fueled by the joy set before us to ask whatsoever. Giving our hearts permission to pursue the desires God wrote there is a foundation.
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. John 15:15-16 NIV
3. Intercession – The third piece of the puzzle is that we have a sense of what is in our book and we can contend for it in the courts of heaven. Knowing our call or role in the Kingdom is not obvious. It unfolds over a lifetime and the starting place to seek God in prayer is knowing that we are chosen for a reason… even though it’s hidden, we can search it out and find the “why” of our life. Having someone with an apostolic / fathering flavor to pray with and for us is huge… and hugely encouraging and confirming.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Ps 139:15-16 NIV
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. Prov 25:2 NIV
Most people and most movements specialize in one of these three. Expressing our calling in the Kingdom takes all three: a work ethic, recognizing and writing your own heart’s desires, and connecting with your Father to know your reason why. When passionate people, who are connected with their Kingdom purpose, report to “work” in the mountain of their calling… that’s when Kingdom happens. Careful, it’s contagious!
