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.