subscribe, view past issues  and  Get Releasing Kings Am I Special? Tele-Seminar – Beverly Lewis and I discussed Kingdom impacts in an interview, “Have fun, make money and love people.” Listen to the recorded version here. Ray Edwards and I did a second interview that is just as good. Both are about an hour and give a great summary of marketplace ministry. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 NKJV Throughout history people groups and individuals who have outstanding achievements share a common trait – they believe they are special. Jewish people have a reputation for entrepreneurial feats that has lasted for centuries. Even now they stand out as a people group. Jews are a famously accomplished group. They make up 0.2 percent of the world population, but 54 percent of the world chess champions, 27 percent of the Nobel physics laureates and 31 percent of the medicine laureates. Jews make up 2 percent of the U.S. population, but 21 percent of the Ivy League student bodies, 26 percent of the Kennedy Center honorees, 37 percent of the Academy Award-winning directors, 38 percent of those on a recent Business Week list of leading philanthropists, 51 percent of the Pulitzer Prize winners for nonfiction. For example, between 1980 and 2000, Egyptians registered 77 patents in the U.S. Saudis registered 171. Israelis registered 7,652. David Brooks The first obvious question is, “Why?” I want to suggest that both secular and religious Jews believe they are God’s chosen people and they express it in their work ethic, wisdom, and their care for one another. Technically (and Biblically) they are not more chosen than any other people group. They just believe they are chosen and they act like it. Nearly every great nation or people group or individual has that same trait. Aryan supremacy was not true, but Germany’s industrial strength prior to World War II was a remarkable achievement. They went from downtrodden and debt-ridden post World War I to a national power because they believed in the destiny of their motherland. “American Exceptionalism” is a political belief that a free people in a free market economy provide the best platform for individual and national growth. Americans don’t really believe they are exceptional above others, but they do believe in freedom and free markets, and they share those ideas freely and are willing to defend them to the point of death. Once a man finds the freedom to pursue his heart’s desires in Christ, no tyrant, “ism,” or religion can take it away from him. He cannot go back to slavery or servitude. Americans are simply the world’s best example of a Biblical concept as measured by their national productivity (GDP). For example, the number of patents granted to US citizens dwarfs every other nation – 5 times the second place finisher in 2010. Attempts to share those truths can be viewed as “imperialism” or “nation building.” However, freedom, free markets, a work ethic, creativity, personal industry and the resulting personal and national prosperity are Biblical concepts that pre-date the American Constitution. Those principals work in every nation and every individual that chooses to employ them. Why some believe and some don’t – Are you special and treasured, or insignificant and overlooked? This simple question of self esteem is at the root of political, philosophic, and theological beliefs systems around the world. Am I a treasure or a worm? For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:8-10 NIV Hearts desires - As Christians, we are freely saved by grace just for asking! However, the point of salvation isn’t just a ticket to heaven; it is the “works” God prepared for us to do. Most believers approach “works” as an obliging servant fulfilling the expectations of another. I call those “dead works.” The living way that instills life and vitality in believers occurs when we find out that God wrote His desires on our own hearts (Heb 8:10, 10:16). All those verses where Jesus invites us to “ask whatsoever” mean just what they say. We should have desires, and pray and work toward their fulfillment. The “religious mindset” simply can’t receive this simple truth, yet it is the very key to the Kingdom and making disciples of all nations (Mt 18:19). The desires in our hearts can and do overlap the desires in God’s own heart. When we make those dreams come true, we also thrill the heart of God. History and future – Jesus was the beginning of the end of slavery. The reformation was the engine behind the industrial revolution because it set the hearts of men free. Christianity is the engine behind creativity in America. This willingness to pursue our own heart’s desire is better understood by Jews than most Christians. The more we accept that we are special in God’s eyes and created in His image, the more we can become loving, creative, confident, productive, prosperous and generous. Imagine the productivity in America if we truly understand the exceptionalism God has given us. Now imagine that exceptionalism influencing the productivity and wealth in every nation. That’s the entrepreneurial goal of the Kingdom to make disciples of all nations. That’s God’s plan. The Question – If I am special in God’s eyes, then there must be a special purpose for my life. And it must reside in the desire of my heart. And it must connect the dots between the talents he gave me, my experience, and the environment I come from and my current station in life. I can use my life to create something great for God’s Kingdom and experience great personal joy in the process. Do you know what that purpose is? Can you write it down? Here are suggestions on how you can find that purpose. Read Releasing Kings and Desire to Destiny (See our store page or Amazon.com). Get the free newsletter and connect on Face Book to stay in touch. We use Skype to talk to people all over the world. Staying in touch is a huge dynamic. Go through the coaching module and clarify your dream – we can help you if you’re stuck. Get connected with a coach or mentor who can help you take the next step. Create the wealth and convert the money into your ministry dream. PS: the video version of this newsletter is also available. We’re Dancing John and Sue 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 and a Free Management Library for many other helpful resources. 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. Other language websites – Ukraine http://releasingkingsua.com/ Poland http://www.releasingkingspl.com/ Face Book – I’m posting more information on Face book at http://www.facebook.com/john.garfield1 PS: I want to recommend some follow-up reading. Who is God by Harold Eberle provides the best explanation of a more relational view of God. It’s must reading that connects our perception of God with everyday life. Releasing Kings for Ministry in the Marketplace takes that foundation into marketplace ministry and the entrepreneurial nature of Kings. Fruit in the marketplace naturally springs out of sound doctrine. Desire to Destiny – Takes the foundation and marketplace ministry and puts them in the context of seven practical keys or stages of growth you can apply in your own life. You’re invited into the vision to release Kings; communicate the message, make the money, and do the mission. The Message – Our first goal is to get the Releasing Kings message into the hands of the messengers that will carry it… do it, preach it, teach it, example it. The Money – The second goal is to help Kings break out of poverty by networking them with practical opportunities to prosper. We want to introduce them to the right people, the right opportunity, and the right financial approach. The Mission – Network Kings with opportunities to mix business and missions. Accomplish the great commission through the marketplace and occupy the Seven mountains of: business, media, arts & entertainment, education, family and government in addition to the church. See video #1 and video #2