July 05, 2010
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Servants obey, Kings volunteer – One of the biggest theological issues of market place ministry is knowing how much initiative to take. We’ve all been raised on a diet of obedience and taught that initiative is rebellion. New believers are wise to lay a foundation and just learn to obey mentors as a pattern for obeying God. However, maturity starts when our own dreams begin to form and we volunteer to participate in the Kingdom. Obedience, taken too far or lived in too long, will produce serfs who are subject to all kinds of imbalance and sectarian or cultish excesses. The language is, “I’m obeying God’s Leading,” or “My leader told me to.” Again, that language is fine for the first years of our salvation. But, it becomes the “letter of the law that kills” our spiritual vitality if we try to make it a lifestyle. God designed us to be creative and entrepreneurial in His own image, not just mindless serfs who do what we’re told. We actually have to overcome some degree of guilt to make the transition to Kings – it’s scary to step out there into initiative. But eventually we all realize that choosing life voluntarily is where ministry, creativity, wealth and rewards reside. First we labor in that which is another man’s and then we receive that which is our own. God loves it when we willingly accept responsibility instead of shoving it back to him under a false cloak of humility and obedience. Connecting the dots between my will and God’s will - As Kings mature, we allow ourselves to see the connection between our personal dream and what God is doing in the Kingdom in our particular mountain. There is always more than one choice in the will of God. We are comfortable choosing a path and volunteering to take our land and build our part of the Kingdom. Notice that waiting to be told what to do is tantamount to forfeiting our reward! Pretty amazing, isn’t it? If
I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply
discharging the trust committed to me. 18 What then is my reward? 1 Cor
9:17-18 NIV
Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 1 Peter 5:2-4 NIV The process of volunteering – It’s really not that hard to pick up on what the Lord is doing. The next step is to decide if it’s something for me to get involved with – it may belong to someone else! The real question is, “What would you like to do for the Lord?” That’s a question He is asking all of us right now. He’s not pushy about it. It’s always a gentle theme of the Holy Spirit that marks the starting point for one of those conversations with the Father. It’s a delightful place to live. Then I heard
the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for
us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isa 6:8 NIV
On a personal note: For the past several years I’ve been living in a place where I do what I enjoy and what I see the Father doing. The first 35 years of my Christian life, I didn’t believe such a place existed… but it does, and it’s an absolute delight. We all have to admit that there is financial component in that lifestyle that frees up our time. Instead of offerings, Kings have to have a strategy to create wealth - it’s part of our ministry and it enables our ministry. Life is fun, and ministry to other people is a joy. My personal challenge is learning to create wealth and turn it into ministry that will virally reproduce itself. I’m just back from a working vacation with my brother. You can see the pictures on facebook. I sweat through my clothes nearly every day… worked like a horse and slept like a baby. Yes, it was fun. I delight to
do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart." Ps 40:8 NASU
When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty. Jer 15:16 NIV "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. John 4:34 NIV
Desire to Destiny is available now at our store along with reviews. Not sure what your dream is? This book will help you pull the curtain back on your future. Newsletter - If your newsletter comes incomplete (filtered), you can always catch the latest version in our archive along with 200 others. 1800+ people from around the world get Kingly encouragement from our weekly newsletter. Invite a friend to subscribe - they will be blessed. How to Start a Small Group - Kings are increasingly getting involved in Bible study or mentoring groups to facilitate their "Release." Here are some helpful suggestions www.Releasing-Kings.com/Starting-a-Group.html. We've also updated our Vision Brochure with graphics to show how to become a King and how you can help Release Kings. Lastly we've created a guideline to help you take your dream to the next level by considering the elements of a business plan. See Write Your Business Plan. French Translation - Releasing Kings is now available in French thanks to the efforts of Cees Bakker and Support Ministries in the Netherlands. In France, copies can be obtained from Editions Menor or Librairie Chretienne CLC. The Title in French is “Libération des Rois pour le ministère dans le monde du travail”. Cees is also the guy who made the Dutch translation possible - available through his website. He can be contacted for Releasing Kings conferences in France and throughout Europe. Facebook - I'm posting more information on Face book at http://www.facebook.com/john.garfield1
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