How important is it for Christians to have a vision?

In the business world, and in the personal development and self-help movements, it is common to promote the setting of goals. Defining objectives is considered foundational to directing individual and corporate efforts. In Christian circles the usual way of describing this is as “having, or getting, a vision”. In other words, setting one’s mind and heart on a desired future outcome. The only goal or vision that counts in the Christian life is that His Kingdom come in the hearts of all people and His will be done. (Matthew 6:10, 2 Peter 3:9)

It is remarkable that in the Bible, which addresses every aspect of life, and the ways of God, there is not one word on goal setting.

The verse that is quoted by some ministers, in support of a teaching on setting goals, is:

“ Without a vision the people perish.”  (Proverbs 29:18)

The quotation is from the King James Bible. It is not an accurate translation from the original Hebrew text, in the way we would understand it in modern English usage.

Up-to-date versions of the Bible translate this to bring out the true meaning. It is not intended as a proposition to encourage goal-setting, but as the truth that without the revelation, and implied admonition, of the Old Testament prophets who received the Word of God, the people would have had no restraint on their behaviour.

The focus of the Christian life is Jesus Christ and His glory – nothing more and nothing less.

This is what the Bible says about your plans and dreams.

Do You Have a Vision for Your Future?

The older we get, the faster time seems to pass. Before we know it, the ambitions, hopes and dreams of our youth become absorbed and forgotten in the background of life, until one day we reflect back and wonder, Should I have done things differently? Did I choose the right path? Is it too late to be what I wanted to be?

I want to encourage you that, no matter how old you are or what you’ve been through, God has a good plan for your life. He wants to fill your heart with a sense of destiny and purpose that will satisfy your soul. 

God knows the thoughts and plans He has for us; plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give us hope in our final outcome. (Jeremiah 29:11)

So what is your vision? If you don’t have a vision, it’s time for you to get one!

A vision doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be just about anything. Maybe your vision is to remodel a home, to lose weight, to get out of debt, to achieve a career goal…or work in full time ministry. Whatever your vision, it’s important to keep moving toward it! God is always on the move, and we need to continually move forward with Him.

God did not create us to be passive individuals who live every day with a “wait-and-see” attitude. He has chosen to partner with us. God has a part and we have a part in everything we do. He does His part by guiding, helping and protecting us daily and we are responsible for doing our part.

The journey toward our plans, goals and visions is just as important as the destination itself. The journey is what builds our patience, faith, endurance, and self-discipline. God has equipped you and me with gifts and talents to achieve our visions, and He wants to prepare us by building our character so we are able to handle future challenges.

To put it plainly, if you don’t have strong character, you will set yourself up for failure, and will not be able to sustain your vision once it comes to pass.

So how do you make progress toward your vision?

I’d like to share three points of wisdom with you that may help you achieve your goals, plans and visions.

(1) Ask for God's Direction

The first one is to pray and ask God for wisdom, direction and ability to hear the Holy Spirit and to obey His promptings.

The second one is to embrace the process and maintain a healthy perspective, especially during times when you feel discouraged.

(2) Stick to the Process

For every vision we set, we must go through a process to get there. I encourage you to be determined—no matter what happens—to stick to that process. It can be challenging to maintain a good attitude during what I call the “silent” seasons—when God is quiet. When we don’t understand and cannot see what God is doing.

During such seasons, your faith will be tested and stretched to your limits. You may be tempted to question your ability to succeed, the decisions you made, and your reasons for pursuing your vision. These are the times when your perspectives matter most. Your thoughts and how you speak are powerful, because they can either breathe life and hope into your vision or condemn and terminate it altogether. So in order to continue moving forward, you need to maintain a good attitude so that your faith remains strong and you are able to see things God’s way instead of your own.

The third point of wisdom I’d like to share with you is to record your vision and journal your progress.

(3) Write It All Down

And the Lord answered me and said, write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by.For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behind hand on its appointed day. (Habakkuk 2:2-3)

The Bible tells us to write down our vision so we can see it plainly. I would also encourage you to record your victories, challenges and thoughts along the journey toward your vision. The reason is, when you go through difficult seasons, you will be encouraged when you see how God has helped, guided, and strengthened you along the way. It’s wonderful to have a record of what God has brought you through. Sometimes I dig up my old journals to see how God brought me through times when I didn’t think I could make it. Those journals not only encourage me, they are a testimony of my progress.

Today's Prayer:

Pray with Os Hillman

Invite God into your work life and experience His presence.

Biblical Principles in Network Marketing

As a Pastor, Bill Nissen was against Network Marketing for years.  In 2003, a friend helped 
him see a new perspective.  He still dislikes the ethics of many who do it, but he sees a 
biblical perspective that allows him to not only support network marketing, but embrace it as
a way to serve people.  Watch This Video. It is longer than most (20 minutes) but carries essential information.

Decision-making

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5).

This is one of the most quoted verses in the Bible related to gaining wisdom and direction from God. Yet, I have never heard one teaching on this passage that teaches what I believe the Psalmist is really saying. The first part is pretty easy; we are to trust with all our heart. But the next part is not so clear. We are not to lean on our own understanding. If we are not to lean on our own understanding, who's understanding are we to lean? God's!

Throughout the Old Testament we find that God set up structures in which those in authority made decisions. God has always set a principle whereby we are to seek Him in all our decisions that He might truly make our decisions. In the Old Testament, the priest made decisions based on which way the Urim and Thummin fell inside his breastplate. The casting of lots was another means of allowing a decision to be left with God. Proverbs says that "the lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." Still another means of making a decision was through the agreement of two or three. No one could be guilty of any crime without the witness of two or three. This was a Biblical way of confirming a matter. Still another means of making a decision is through a multitude of counselors.

Given all of these scenarios, what are we to gain from these examples? We are told in (Jeremiah 17:9) that "the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure." So what really protects each of us from the deceit of our own heart? I believe it is the combination of all of the above. When we get to a place with God that our decisions are accountable to others, whether that be a wife, a board, or a few close friends who are committed to the same Godly ideals, this is when we are protected from the deceit of our own heart. This is one of the hardest things to yield to God -- the right to make our own decisions. Yet, it is the most elementary principle. God requires of us to receive His blessing in our lives.

This principle took a long time for me to appropriate. However, today I can tell you I would never make a major decision without the counsel of others who are close to me. Relational accountability has become lost in our culture due to our hunger for independence. I have experienced too often the hardship that results from making decisions that God isn't behind. Walking in obedience is the only real freedom in Christ.

Obedience-Based Decisions

We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him. (Acts 5:32)

So often we as a society equate numbers with success. The larger the conference, the more successful we deem it. The larger a church, the more we believe that God is blessing. And so on. I recall planning a conference one time. Registrations were not where I felt they needed to be a few weeks before the date of the event. It wasn't long before I began to get "under the pile" about the level of attendance. My friend, who was organizing this conference with me, called and asked how I was doing. I had to confess where I was. He immediately reminded me of my own teaching in this area. We are all called to be led by the Spirit, not by outcomes. "If God called us to put on this conference, then the outcome is up to Him if we have done our part." He went on to explain how he learned this lesson in a similar way a few years earlier.

He and a friend were led to host a Bible study group. His friend was to speak. It was nine o'clock and they were the only two people there. His friend was discouraged and was ready to leave.

"No," said my friend. "We have done what the Holy Spirit directed." He then stood up and began to welcome people as though there were many in the room. (No one was in the room.) He introduced his friend and they began the meeting. A few minutes later, people began to straggle in. By the time the meeting was over, ten had shown up, and one man in particular was impacted by the meeting.

Being led by the Spirit often means we must not use the world's standard for success as our measuring stick. You never know what an act of obedience will yield at the time. We must leave results to God. Our role is to obey. His role is to bring results from our obedience.


Do you make decisions based on the potential outcome or by the direction of the Holy Spirit in your life? Do you overly evaluate the pros and cons without consideration to what the Holy Spirit might be saying deep inside? We are all prone to make decisions based on reasoning alone. Ask God to give you a willingness and ability to hear the Holy Spirit and to obey His promptings.

Obedience-based Decisions vs. Skill & Ability

As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle.   (1 Chronicles 14:13).

The Philistines are attacking. David wants to know how to respond. His first inquiry of God reveals that He is to attack the Philistines straight away. God will give him victory. David follows the instruction of God and gains victory. Shortly after, the Philistines are mounting another attack. David inquires again, "So David inquired of God again, and God answered him, "Do not go straight up, but circle around them and attack them in front of the balsam trees."

This is a most interesting thing that David does. Consider that David is a well-trained warrior. He is a strategist. Yet, we find that David's dependence upon God to direct his efforts is very great. In fact, after he wins the first battle he goes right back to inquire again. This is the most important lesson we can learn from this story. God tells David to attack, but only after he hears the marching in the balsam trees.

How many times have you or I operated in the marketplace based only upon our skill and ability without seeking to know the details of the will of God in the matter? David could have simply assumed since he won the last battle, surely God would automatically give him victory the same way. No. David had learned that communicating with the living God is the only sure way of victory. His skill was not enough. He had to have the blessing of God.

How many times have we worked in our business life the same way each time only because it was the way we did it last time. What if God has a better way for you? What if God has a different plan than ours? "So David inquired of God..." These are the important words that we are to learn from. We must be in such relationship with God that we are constantly inquiring of His mind on the matter. When we do this we can expect the same results that David achieved...success in our endeavor and recognition by God.

"So David's fame spread throughout every land, and the LORD made all the nations fear him." This is the reward of obedience to God. We don't have to build a name for ourselves. God will see to it that you are honored for your obedience. He wants to make known those servants who are willing to obey Him at all costs.


Obedience With A Cost

"Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and you have not rescued your people at all" (Exodus 5:23).

Have you ever felt like you have been obedient to the Lord for something God called you to do and all you get are more roadblocks? This is the way Moses felt. When Moses went to tell Pharaoh to release the people because God said so, Pharaoh simply got angry and made the people make bricks without straw. Moses caught the blame for this from the people. It is interesting to see that Moses is just learning what obedience really means in the realm of God's Kingdom. You see, Moses has not even begun to release plagues upon Egypt. He hasn't even gotten started yet in his calling, and he is complaining about his circumstances. There are many more encounters with Pharaoh to come and many more plagues with no deliverances in sight. Why would God tell Moses that he is going to deliver them and not do it?

It was all in timing. God never said when He was going to deliver. He just said He would. In the next chapter, we find Moses arguing with God about not being capable of the job God has called him to, "But Moses said to the Lord, 'If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me since I speak with faltering lips?' Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron about the Israelites and Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he commanded them to bring the Israelites out of Egypt.'" Do you get the feeling God was losing His patience?

God had a good reason for His delays. He said, "And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it." God not only wanted the people of Israel to know Him, but also the Egyptians. It would be the greatest show of God's power on earth.

In your life and my life, God often causes delays that we cannot understand. Our obedience sometimes seems it is not getting rewarded. Jesus said He learned obedience through the things He suffered (Hebrews 5:8). Imagine that. Jesus having to learn obedience. What does that say for you and me? Sometimes God's delays are simply because He wants more glory in the situation, more recognition, more Christ-likeness in you and me through greater patience and obedience. Faint not, for the promise may yet come.


Placing Trust in Our Strength

"So the LORD sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead"                      (1Chronicles 21:14).

When is the last time your overconfidence cost the lives of 70,000 men? That is exactly what happened to David. David made what might appear to be an innocent request of his general, Joab. But, the minute Joab heard the request, he cringed. He knew David was in big trouble for this one. You see, to number the troops was a great sin in Israel because it was against the law of Israel to do this. Why? Because it demonstrated that you were placing more trust in numbers than the living God. David displayed enough pride to cost the lives of 70,000 fighting men. God gave him three choices of punishment for his sin. A plague was the one he chose that resulted in the loss of 70,000.

Throughout the history of Israel, God set the stage for battles to be won, miracles to take place, and people to exercise faith. The stage was always set so that man could not take credit for what God did. Consider Gideon who was only allowed 300 to fight 100,000. Consider Jehoshophat, who had to lead his army with his singers. God defeated the enemy. Consider Joshua, who was told simply to walk around Jericho seven times, and they would get victory. God did things in some very unconventional ways!

How does this relate to you and me as business people? Well, the minute you and I place more trust in our abilities than in God, we are guilty of numbering the troops. How does He punish us? Sometimes it's through letting a deal go sour. Sometimes it's through problems with a client or vendor. Sometimes situations just blow up in our face. Other times, He lets us go on for a long time enveloped in His mercy, but eventually He deals with it.

The lesson here is to learn daily and complete dependence upon God. Use your gifts and abilities through the power of the Holy Spirit. Ask Him daily for direction and wisdom. His ways won't always line up with conventional wisdom. When we begin depending on our abilities only, God has a responsibility to make known to us who is the giver of the blessings

Today's Prayer

Pray with Os Hillman

Invite God into your work life and experience His presence.

Biblical Principles in Network Marketing

As a Pastor, Bill Nissen was against Network Marketing for years.  In 2003, a friend helped 
him see a new perspective.  He still dislikes the ethics of many who do it, but he sees a 
biblical perspective that allows him to not only support network marketing, but embrace it as
a way to serve people.  Watch This Video. It is longer than most (20 minutes) but carries essential information.

God's Test

"What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to take my life?" (1Samuel 20:1).

The cost of being one of God's anointed can be great. Those whom God has anointed for service and influence in His kingdom go through a special preparation. David was anointed to be the next king over Israel. Shortly after this he was brought into King Saul's service as a young boy to play music in Saul's court. While there the opportunity to stand up against Goliath elevated David for his next stage of development as future king. As his popularity grew so did Saul's jealousy. However, even Saul's jealousy was the instrument of God molding and shaping David.

Saul finally decided he could no longer tolerate David's success and popularity among the people. He tried to kill him. David finally comes to "wit's end" in his own life. He cannot understand why someone he has blessed and served wants to kill him. It would be many years of fleeing the sword of Saul and living in the caves living with the down-and-outs of life before David could see the hand of God in all of this. No doubt David thought that when he was anointed by Samuel he would be conveniently raised up to be King with all the accompanying fruits of kingship. Not so. God's preparation of David involved much persecution, disloyalty, and hardship. These were the lessons necessary to be a Godly king. God brought many tests in David's life, just as He did with Saul. David passed these tests. Saul did not.

When God anoints us it often is accompanied by some severe tests. These tests are designed to prepare us for the calling God has on our life. Should we fail these tests God cannot elevate us to the next level. For the Businessperson, these tests often involve money, relationships, and other issues of the heart.

What if God has chosen you for a specific purpose in His kingdom. Are you passing the tests He is bringing about in your life. These tests are designed to bring about greater obedience. In most instances it will involve great adversity. The Bible tells us that the King of Kings learned obedience through the things that He suffered (Hebrews 5:8). If this is true, why would it be any different for His children. Be aware of the tests God may be bringing before you in order to prepare you for His service.


Tests of the Heart

Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands (Deuteronomy 8:2).

Has God performed a heart test on you lately? There are times in our lives when God leads us into the desert in order to let us find out what is in our heart. These times can be very difficult and humbling. They can test our meddle like no other time. Desert times often mean we are living without those things we are normally accustomed to: water, food, limited supplies, few comforts. In modern terms, it may mean a different environment. God is performing a very important work during these times. He wants to know if we can be obedient to Him in these times, or will we be obedient only when times are good?

He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you. (Deuteronomy 8:3-5)

The Graduate Level Test: Self-defense

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun (Psalm 37:6).

As a believer grows in trusting obedience and love, God often brings a test that seems uncharacteristically cruel. That test is being wrongfully judged by those close to you. It is not for the reactionary. It cannot be passed over by simply gutting it out. Supernatural grace is the only means of passing this one. It is one of those tests the savior had to experience Himself when being tried by the court of public opinion, the religious community, and the government of His day. His response to the government was silence. His response to the religious establishment was silence at the final judgment. To the rest of His accusers He remained quiet and left vindication to the Father. He lived the commandment He gave to the disciples. "But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked" (Luke 6:35).

How do you react when you are accused or mistreated for no reason? Do you listen quietly, or do you justify each and every action? Most of us take pride in doing what is right and expect the same from others, especially our brothers and sisters in the faith. Jesus knew that if you were to be a true follower of His, you would enter this test eventually. It is part of the program. The marketplace gives ample opportunity to be wronged, misunderstood, and maligned. When God brings a measured assault against one of his children, it is to find out if he truly believes in the cross. The cross is where each of us is given the opportunity to die from our pride, our reputations, and our ego. When He allows a measured assault upon us, it is to find out if the cross is sufficient. He wants to see if we will seek to rescue ourselves. Jesus said if we die with Him, we will be raised with Him. When God allows Satan to bring the measured assault, ask Him for the grace to cling to the cross. Let the pride and arrogance that Jesus wants to remove from our lives be crucified. Thank God for the opportunity to be crucified with Christ. Then your righteousness will shine like the noonday sun and the justice of your cause will be in His hands.


These desert times may mean experiencing new ways of provision from the Lord. Like manna from heaven. It may mean seeing miracles we've never seen before. Like clothing that never wears out, it may mean seeing your normal capabilities expanded. Like walking hundreds of miles without pain, desert experiences provide new lessons and new experiences that only these times can teach us.

What desert experience has He brought into your life lately? Perhaps it is a lean time in business. Perhaps it is a new environment. Whatever it is, when God decides to bring new disciplines into our lives by bringing us into the desert, do not fear the heat that is sure to come. He is walking beside you in order to test you and find out what is really in your heart. Ask for His grace to pass the test. He wants to bring all of His children into the Promised Land.

Created for His Good Pleasure

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

Eric Liddell was an Olympic runner from Britain who won a gold medal in the 1924 Paris Olympics. He was a man who had a deep commitment to the Lord and had future plans of being a missionary. In the meantime, he knew God had given him a special gift to run, and he often said, "I feel God's pleasure when I run."

He spent years training for the Olympics. He passed each hurdle and qualified for the Olympics. Finally, the day came for him to run in the games that were held in Italy. There was only one problem. One of his running events was held on Sunday. Liddell refused to run on Sunday, believing it dishonored the Lord's Sabbath. He held to his convictions and brought great persecution on himself. He made a decision that even if it meant losing his opportunity to compete, he would not run. God's laws were greater than man's applause. Just when the circumstances seemed hopeless, another situation arose that allowed Liddell to run on a different day.

So often this is the case in the spiritual realm. God tests our hearts to see if we will remain faithful to Him at the cost of something important to us. Once He knows where our loyalty lies, He opens a new door that meets the desires of our hearts.

God takes pleasure in seeing His creation used for His glory. Liddell understood why he was made to run; he used his gift of running to bring pleasure to his Creator. Later, Eric Liddell went on to serve God on the mission field.

Does your life work bring pleasure to the Lord? Do you understand that God instilled certain gifts and talents in you so that He might find pleasure in His creation of you? Take pleasure in the gifts God has given to you this day. And let His glory shine through you.

Passing The Tests

"The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors - to David" (1 Samuel 28:19).

When God anoints a person, a pattern of testing appears to take place at specific times in the leader's life. There are four major tests I believe God takes each person through that determines if that person will achieve the ultimate call of God on their life. Their response to these tests is the deciding factor whether they can advance to the next level of responsibility in God's Kingdom.

Control - Control is one of the first tests. When Saul received the kingdom as king of Israel, he spent the rest of his days trying to prevent others from getting it. Saul never got to the place with God that he was a grateful recipient of His goodness to him. He was a religious controller. This led to disobedience and ultimately being rejected by God because he no longer was a vessel God could use.

Bitterness - Every major character in the Bible was hurt by another person at one time or another. Jesus was hurt deeply when Judas, a trusted follower, betrayed him. Jesus responded, knowing this was going to happen, by washing his feet. Every anointed leader will have a Judas experience at one time or another. God watches us to see how we will respond to this test. Will we take up an offense? Will we retaliate? It is one of the most difficult tests to pass.

Power - Power is the opposite of servant hood. Jesus had all authority in heaven and earth. Satan tempted Jesus at the top of the mountain to use His power to remove Himself from a difficult circumstance. How will we use the power and influence God has entrusted to us? Do we seek to gain more power? There is a common phrase in the investment community, "he who has the gold rules." Jesus modeled the opposite. He was the ultimate servant leader.

Greed - This is a difficult one. Money has the ability to have great influence for either good or bad. When it is a focus in our life, it becomes a tool of destruction. When it is a byproduct, it can become a great blessing. Many leaders started out good--only to be derailed once prosperity became a part of their life. There are thousands who can blossom spiritually in adversity; there are only a few who can thrive spiritually under prosperity.

As leaders, we must be aware when we are being tested. You can be confident that each one of these tests will be thrown your way if God calls you for His purposes. Will you pass these tests? Ask for God's grace today to walk through these tests victoriously.

Today's Prayer

Dear Father in Heaven, 

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24)

Make your ways, my ways and your light, my light. Give me strength to follow Your path and share Your light with others in my personal and professional life. 

In Jesus’ name,  Amen

Biblical Principles in Network Marketing

As a Pastor, Bill Nissen was against Network Marketing for years.  In 2003, a friend helped 
him see a new perspective.  He still dislikes the ethics of many who do it, but he sees a 
biblical perspective that allows him to not only support network marketing, but embrace it as
a way to serve people.  Watch This Video. It is longer than most (20 minutes) but carries essential information.

The Skillful Worker

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before Kings; he will not serve before obscure men. (Proverbs 22:9).

The Lord has called each of us to be excellent in what we do. Those in whom God used in the Kingdom as marketplace ministers were skilled and exemplified excellence in their field. Not only were these men skilled, they were filled with the Spirit of God.

Then the LORD said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-- to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship (Exodus 31:1-5). Consider Huram, the master craftsman of bronze in whom Solomon entrusted much of the temple designs. He was a true master craftsman (I Kings 7:14).

Consider Joseph, whose skill as an administrator was known throughout Egypt and the world. Consider Daniel, who served his king with great skill and integrity. The list could go on -- David, Nehemiah, Acquilla and Priscilla.

I recall the first issue of an international publication we began. It was common to hear the comment, "It doesn't even look like a Christian magazine." They were saying the quality and excellence exceeded what they equated to Christian work. What a shame. Has inferior quality become synonymous to Christian work?

May we strive for excellence in all that we do for the Master of the universe. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving       (Colossians 3:24).

Commentary by Francis L. Harris:

Isn’t it pleasant to be around someone that works with enthusiasm and cheerfulness? And isn’t it DRUDGERY to be around someone who moans and complains constantly? As Christians, we belong to God, and all that we do should be done willingly with joy and gusto, and not with a moan and a long face. “Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Cor.6:20).

Hundreds of years before Jesus came to this earth He contemplated the self-denial, pain and suffering necessary to make an atonement for our sins. He says to the Father: “burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I DELIGHT to do thy will, O my God: yea thy law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:6-8). Since Jesus cheerfully and with delight undertook all that was necessary for our salvation, let us then do ALL that we do as unto the Lord and not unto men, not grudgingly or of necessity but with joy and grace in our hearts, LOOKING UNTO JESUS, the author and finisher of our salvation.

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With Your Whole Heart

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10, NIV)

When you do something to the best of your ability because you want to honor God, it opens the door to His blessing. That means it will be easier, it will go better, and you will accomplish more. That’s why no matter what we do, we should give it our best. This is especially true even in the little things. For example, when you’re doing the dishes or mowing the lawn, don’t drag around sour and frustrated. Mow with enthusiasm! Mow like you’re on a mission from God. With every step, thank God that your legs work.

Thank Him that you’re healthy and strong. At the office, don’t just do enough to get by. You’re not working unto people; you’re working unto God. Do it with your whole heart. When you volunteer at church, don’t wake up and think, “Awe, man. Why did I volunteer? I want to sleep in!” No, serve Him with all your heart because that’s what honors God. When you honor God, He’ll honor you. He’ll open the door to His blessing, and you’ll see increase in every area of your life!

You Want Me To Do What?

"Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some" (John 21:6).

The disciples are fishing. It is after Jesus has been crucified. Peter has gone through his most agonizing moment in which he has denied Jesus three times. He has lost a friend. No doubt he probably wondered whether the last three years were a dream. What now?

It is interesting that Peter has been prepared three years. He is not going out to preach; he has gone fishing. He has returned to his trade of days gone by. He now has a level of experience with Jesus that no other human on earth can boast. This is the third encounter he is about to have with Jesus after his resurrection. Jesus looks to Peter and John in their boat and makes a suggestion. "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered. He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some" (John 21:6).

Now, if you are as seasoned in your fishing as these guys, aren't you a bit irritated if a stranger suggests that you simply put your nets over the other side to catch some fish? Yet, we find that Peter takes this stranger's advice. Once they were obedient, the Lord revealed Himself.

When they followed the advice of Jesus, the catch was enormous, 153 fish in total. In most cases this would have broken the net. Jesus invited them to have breakfast with Him--fish and bread, and he had already started the fire. I can only imagine that this scene would resemble some buddies going out and camping together.

There is so much that we are to learn in this passage about God's ways. As a business person, we must understand that after we have spent years with Jesus, this does not always mean we must leave our professions to fully follow Jesus. Peter went back to his profession -- fishing. It was here that Jesus asked him a simple question. Do you love me and will you feed my sheep? He didn't say to him, "fishing is a waste of time for you now, Peter." This recommissioning was in the area of his original calling -- his work. We need not feel that we must go to the "mission field" to please Jesus. Our work is our mission field. We must, however, make a paradigm shift in our thinking about our place in the business world. We must have an overriding sense of mission and ministry that comes out of that business. This is what is meant when we say that we must all be circumcised before we can enter the Promised Land. When this happens, we can expect to see God fill the nets with His blessings. He wants to do this because He now owns the net, and He can trust us to manage it.

Today's Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your hand of blessing on my life. I choose today to serve You with my whole heart and do everything to the best of my ability. Thank You for Your faithfulness and blessing in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Biblical Principles in Network Marketing

As a Pastor, Bill Nissen was against Network Marketing for years.  In 2003, a friend helped 
him see a new perspective.  He still dislikes the ethics of many who do it, but he sees a 
biblical perspective that allows him to not only support network marketing, but embrace it as
a way to serve people.  Watch This Video. It is longer than most (20 minutes) but carries essential information.

Recognizing Our Source

But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.(Deuteronomy. 8:18).

After the Lord knows that He can trust a person, then He releases power that he/she may 

get wealth.But that is not the end of the story! The whole point is the establishment of God's 

covenant with his children,covenant of blessings, which overturns the curses which  the evil causes because of our sin and disobedience.

Pride is the greatest temptation to a successful marketplace minister. When we begin accumulating wealth, manage people, and become known for our marketplace expertise, we are most susceptible to falling to the world's most devious sin in God's eyes -- pride. The Bible tells us that God is the reason we are able to produce wealth. It is not of our own making. As soon as we move into the place where we begin to think more highly of ourselves than we ought, God says he will take action. "You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me" (Deuteronomy 8:17). "If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. Like the nations the LORD destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the LORD your God (Deuteronomy 8:19-20).

These are strong words from God. It demonstrates His utter impatience for any people who think that what they have accomplished has anything to do with their own power. It is God who gives us the skill, the mind, the resources, the energy, the drive, and the opportunities in life to accomplish anything. When we become prideful in heart, He will begin a process of reproof in our life.

Evil may come in anytime after God's blessing;  God warns us:

God may release power for wealth, but if we start worshiping the wealth instead of The Wealth-Giver, then it is like worshiping Mammon. The Lord said that we cannot worship BOTH God and Mammon, for surely, we shall love one more and despise the other.

When He gives us wealth, it is for the purpose of using it to establish the Kingdom of God on Earth, by giving as He directs us.

Today is a good day to examine whether you have fallen prey to pride. Are you sharing what God has entrusted to you with God's people, or the needy? Are you being the instrument of blessing that God desires for his people to be? What areas of pride have crept into your life? Ask the Lord to show you this today. And avoid being put on the shelf. Nothing is worse than being cast aside because of our own pride.

The Proper Foundation

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain (Psalm 127:1).

Imagine spending years building an expensive home with the finest materials and craftsmanship. It is a work of art. The project is almost complete. The day arrives to move in. A building inspector arrives just before you are to move in. He hands you a notice. That notice condemns your beautiful home because it doesn't meet code.

Many Christian business people invest years in their businesses who will one day stand before the Lord and realize THEY were building the house, not the LORD. God is very picky about motives behind the actions. Before we act we must ask WHY? Why are we doing what we are doing? Has God called us to this task? Or is the real motive purely financial? Or control. Or prestige. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work (1Corinthians 3:12,13).

David learned this principle by the end of his life. Throughout his life he learned that God always tested David to find out what was in his heart. And what his motive was in his actions. He instructed his son to acknowledge the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole hearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts"(1Chronicles 28:9).

Today's Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, 

Thank You for all You provide for me and for the opportunity to create wealth in my business. I remember Thee, my LORD my God, for the Bible tells me that “it is God who is giving me power to make wealth.” (Deuteronomy 8:18) 

I pray that You would fill me with wisdom and understanding as Solomon of old (1 Kings 4:29) and Thy “Spirit, light, understanding and excellent wisdom” as Daniel. (Daniel 5:14) For it is through thy Spirit, light, understanding and wisdom that we gain wealth and succeed. 

Father, please prosper me that those around me may prosper as well -- that I may bring honor and glory unto Thee. 

I ask and pray these things in Jesus’ name, Amen

Biblical Principles in Network Marketing

As a Pastor, Bill Nissen was against Network Marketing for years.  In 2003, a friend helped 
him see a new perspective.  He still dislikes the ethics of many who do it, but he sees a 
biblical perspective that allows him to not only support network marketing, but embrace it as
a way to serve people.  Watch This Video. It is longer than most (20 minutes) but carries essential information.