subscribe to this Newsletter   Kings Take Initiative and Risk   In our book Releasing Kings we describe one of the essential characteristics of Kings as those who are creative and take the initiative and risk to pursue their dreams. That doesn’t happen by accident! Most of us have come from a theological framework where initiative and rebellion were closely related. Spirit-filled Christians didn’t make a move without the leading of the Holy Spirit. Even though we believed that was scriptural is was a little disappointing to find out how little guidance we actually learned to receive compared to our theological expectations. Let’s review the verses we used to zero out our initiative.   1. The Son can do nothing by himself – This verse seems plain enough. If Jesus can do nothing by himself we certainly shouldn’t either. 19 Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. John 5:19 Please look at this passage in context. Jesus isn’t just a robot responding to the Father’s signals. The Father shows him all he does. Secondly, Jesus is allowed to give life to whomever he pleases. Thirdly, the Father entrusts “all judgment” to the Son. In reality Jesus has lots of room and responsibility for personal initiative. He chooses to remain in fellowship with the Father, but he’s not in the position of waiting for direction before he can make a move. He's got the general plan, the Father's heart, and an occasional mid-course correction. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, John 5:19-23 2. By myself I can do nothing – We often interpret this phrase as a prohibition against independent thought and action. In reality Jesus is not pointing to a sergeant - private relationship where he’s carrying out orders. Jesus is pointing to the relational proximity between himself and the Father. 30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. John 5:29-30 3. I do nothing on my own – In this passage Jesus is explaining His sonship with the Father. His point is not to emphasize limits on His initiative, but to explain that his actions and words have roots in the Father. Jesus is explaining His divinity. 28 So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [the one I claim to be] and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. John 8:28 4. Apart from me you can do nothing – In this passage Jesus is explaining that we are relationally connected to a larger source of life and a larger plan of action. However, that fact doesn’t diminish the need for our initiative within our own calling or sphere of influence. Notice this passage ends with the promise, “ask whatever you wish.” An amazing degree of freedom when you think about it. In fact, it’s a mandate for initiative. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.  John 15:5-7   The zero initiative scenario – When we emphasize our sinful nature and the problems we get into with initiative, rebellion, presumption, etc., we’re left with a message that we shouldn’t take any initiative. After hearing those verses and the testimonies of others hearing from God for everything, we start to imagine that we can’t hear from God because he isn’t showing us when and where and how to take every step.   Here’s the Biblical reality - God does speak to us; he does treasure our relationship with Him and our awareness of his plan and purpose. The Holy Spirit can lead us specifically and prophetically at times. But most of the time he doesn’t spell out all the details. We’re left to make decisions and take risks - period. If you think your alone in this, you're not. Even people that claim constant guidance in every area are stretching the truth based on their understanding of correct theology. In fact, every spiritual person I know has gone through seasons of not being able to hear from God at all. God often waits to see what kind of initiative our hearts will come up with. 2 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. Deut 8:2 Here's the test: How close to the heart of God is your heart when the Heavens become brass and your communication with God is difficult? It should be so close that we naturally desire God's plan even when he withdraws His immediate presence. That's the wilderness test we all get to go through. He puts His will into our hearts so that we shouldn't need constant reminders about every detail. He's making sons, not robots. 33 "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God,and they will be my people. Jer 31:33   16 "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."       Heb 10:16.   Give yourself permission to take a risk. Here’s why! You’re created in God’s image. He’s written his plan and purpose right into your DNA. You naturally gravitate toward the gifts and calling you were designed for. When I take initiative that leads to failure I fail right into the arms of a loving Father that treasures my initiative. He wants His kids to be responsible and creative. God doesn't fall off the throne when we fail - in fact he has the power to turn "all things" to good (Rom 8:28).     The 10 minas Jesus told a parable of a King giving each of his ten servants money to invest in his absence. This parable is relevant because He invests in each of us exactly the same way. "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.' Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.'                 Luke 19:12-13 The results came in as follows. 16 "The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' 17 "'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' 18 "The second came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned five more.' 19 "His master answered, 'You take charge of five cities.' 20 "Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21 I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.' Luke 19:16-21 This King left no other instruction than to put this money to work. Our instruction is also fairly general; “Go into all the world and make disciples.” Now if you're expecting guidance for every detail according to a faulty theology, you’re simply setting yourself up to bury your mina and get in a lot of trouble. Now remember 7 of the 10 didn’t even show up to give an account. Verse 27 is apparently the Kings attitude toward them. 27 But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them-bring them here and kill them in front of me.'" Luke 19:26-27   What about the servant that was to afraid to take any initiative or risk his mina? 22 "His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?' 24 "Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.' Luke 19:22-24 Bottom line – God values initiative so much that His term for Christians without it is "wicked." Taking action and risk is part of following Jesus; especially for Kings. You’ve been given the stewardship of your time, talents, vocation, and money. Your job is to take that one mina and increase it 30, 60 or 100-fold. God will guide you in way that will require you to take initiative and risk. You won’t get every detail spelled out… and frankly, doing nothing is probably worse than making a mistake. God blesses people that pray and dream and imagine and move on their heart’s desire. The more they move the more guidance they get. God is inviting you to pursue your heart’s desire. Abundant life is waiting for your initiative. It's worth the risk because you're destined to succeed. God is for you. And besides all that; it's fun! Feeling a little more entrepreneurial? - We hope so. One of my personal ambitions is to help Christians connect with a Kingly anointing. Try reading the interviews we've posted on the web (http://www.releasing-kings.com/Interviewing-Kings.html). They are all inspiring and some of those folks would be glad to help you get started if you find an area that "fits" you. Here's a quote for Kings that I really love from C. Thomas Anderson: What is the perfect will of God? In short, it is these four things. Get Saved. Live right. Build wealth. Build the Kingdom. This is where God wants to lead us.   Blessings,   John & Harold www.releasing-kings.com     PS: If you enjoyed this article your might also like "How You Can Break off Poverty and Embrace Prosperity."   The full story is in our book Releasing Kings for Ministry in the Marketplace.   I also recommend two books by Harold entitled "Developing a Prosperous Soul" Volumes 1 How to Overcome a Poverty Mindset and 2 How to Move Into God's Blessing.   Several friends have made helpful recommendations for book and tape series that I found enlightening. Visit We Recommend on our web and check out "Things I've Read Lately."   PS: Send us your feedback! We get lots of interesting emails at "You Wrote Back" http://www.releasing-kings.com/you-wrote-back.html        _____________________________________________________________________ Interested in your own WEB? We've posted information on the software we use to create this web site. If you survive the learning curve without losing your sanctification (mine is barely intact), it really is easy to use and the cost is $299 a year - much less expensive than hiring someone. The primary benefit is the ease of making your own changes. Additional info is at: http://www.releasing-kings.com/releasing-websites.html     Progress - Kingly Bio's are Up We've completed the first round of interviews with Kings.  These are real people that have been blessed by God in the Market Place and have hearts for ministry.  Check it out at http://www.releasing-kings.com/Interviewing-Kings.html.  If you have a success story, we'd like to post it by giving you a web page on our site.     Progress - A Teacher's Guide We've completed the first version of a study guide that targets those teaching the material in Releasing Kings.  It includes a page of notes on each chapter, all the graphics suitable to make overheads, and a PDF file of the book with the key points highlighted that includes marginal notes, comments, and questions.  This material is available for purchase on the teacher's guide page of the web. john@releasing-kings.com 509-308-6873     Friends Tell Friends God has given us a great tool to communicate a message that sets people free in an amazing, contagious, life-changing way.  If you haven't read it - get it.  If you have read it - give it.  http://www.releasing-kings.com/Ordernow.html   We've gotten a ton of positive feedback on the newsletter too... get it, give it.  Reloading Seniors was powerful.  Pass the link on. http://www.releasing-kings.com/Newsletter.html   PS: don't forget to look at the free reports - show your pastor the article on marketplace ministry from the pastor's perspective.  You can simply email him this link or print a copy to give him. http://releasing-kings.com/pastors-perspective.html     ____________________________________________________________________ You can get your copy of Releasing Kings for Ministry in the Marketplace at 1-800-308-5837 (or) http://www.releasing-kings.com/Ordernow.html