The most significant shift in the Kingdom is servants moving into sonship, From intellectual adherence to intimate hearing and seeing. Servants know they can’t serve God and mammon (those carnal appetites others have). But in reality, servants are led by their own ego needs, and even spirit-filled believers are amateurs at having conversations with Father in the Council. The result is shattered realities; many wonderful works that don’t work, even in business!
Matt 7:21 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you… ESV
The Fog of War – The level of confusion in politics and the media is intentional and orchestrated. No one can intellectually get to the bottom of what defines reality in history, the present, or the future. Business decisions are precisely the same; we make choices with imperfect data, and risk is always present. Even if we make the right decision, circumstances change, and the old answers become dated and wrong!
Servants try to protect their interests and meet their ego needs in this intellectual fog. Sons are present in the Council and make decisions based on Father’s purpose. They can see and do what He is doing with Him (Jn 5:19). Sons are thoughtful and intelligent, but their initiatives flow from their Father’s heart, not their heads. What Father speaks to us is new every day; not the stagnant letter; it’s living words that clarify His purpose so sons can share it and run with it (Mt 4:4).
Cognitive Dissonance is the psychological term for the mental stress caused by conflicting narratives that define our reality. The deception of rationalization or confirmation bias is servants fabricating a narrative so their lives make sense. They are painted in a corner needing miraculous intervention because their dreams are just schemes that won’t work, and neither do their lives! They are easily ensnared in debt or fraud in the hope of making their dream come true. Ego drives their haste and fuels the dead works intended to salvage the story of their life. Servants start down a path of dictating the will-of-god to God! Hearing, seeing, and following Jesus is the only way out.
Prov 13:11 – Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
12 – Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. ESV
The Accusation – We all scroll through our history, recount failures, and wonder why. We wonder what tragedy awaits when we extend our checkered past into the paper-thin story of our future. The enemy’s accusation is, Did God really say? (Gen 3:1). Servants fabricate a justification and present a clever rationalization in response. Sons go to the Courts of Heaven and agree with their adversary quickly (Mt 5:25). It sounds something like this:
Lord, I agree with this accusation that I didn’t hear God, and I’m taking it to the cross along with every excuse that goes with it. I’m trading mammon, and all my ego needs for my book and the decrees that will bring your purpose from heaven to earth. Break this accusation at the covenant root of my deafness and blindness. Show me where it started. I am your son and want to be present in your Council, hear your voice, follow your purpose, and co-labor with you.
Sons overcome by the blood of the lamb (Courts of Heaven) and the word of their testimony (their purpose/Book from the Council), and they love their lives less than their egos (Rev 12:11). Yes, it is a change from the way we’ve done things in the past, for all of us! This is a movement of sonship that leads to Reformation. We are all fragile sons and daughters navigating this transition from servants to sons and from Crumbs to Conversations.
God’s Kingdom is a place of purity, clarity, and simplicity. It’s full of courageous Caleb’s doing exploits. But it’s also a place of humility and rest where there is no haste or anxiety. It’s finally OK to be myself; money doesn’t define success. We can have it all when we realize love is all we can have. There is trust in Father who loves His sons and daughters, who is committed to leading us, working through us, and showing us greater works.
Sons have these Kingdom trademarks (Rom 14:17):
- Righteousness – on the same page with Father; shared purpose
- Peace – my needs (ego & $’s) are met (prosperity of identity and finances)
- Joy – Calm delight… in the Lord, who grants the desires of my heart (Ps 37:4)
Purpose Profiles – We help businesses transition to the joy and prosperity of a Kingdom business culture by leveraging your unique purpose to ignite your staff and customers. The fun begins when you discover “the why” God wrote in your heart. We marry the cultural and practical side of sound business practices. Cash flow comes from a well-motivated, engaged staff and a wisely managed, value-based business built on a Kingdom purpose already written in hearts. We have the coaching resources to help you shift the culture and respond to the challenges. The starting place is a Purpose Profile (see examples).
Here is where to start:
- Discover Your Purpose Profile via 1-on-1 help
- Get started with a self-help option, the Nail Your Purpose Field Guide.
- Glance at the Kingdom Business Coaching Intro.
- Set up a conversation with John on Zoom or text 509-308-6873.
This blog and Video were inspired by a Council Session – Much more Here.
