“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” Matthew 6:34.

Do you have a tendency to worry?  Why did Jesus specifically tell us not to worry about tomorrow?  How can you avoid worrying?

It is very difficult to be in business and not worry about anything yet Jesus commands us not to worry about our lives, what we will eat, what we will drink, or about our bodies, what we will put on (Matthew 6:25).  How realistic is this command to entrepreneurs?  How can you not worry about tomorrow when you have deadlines to meet, bills due, and do not see a way to realize them?  I do not know about you but when cash flow is tight and payroll is due it is very difficult for me to not be concerned.  When a deadline is quickly approaching and production is running behind for a major client it is hard not to worry.  And when there is no money in the bank and investors’ money or a bank loan is due how can I not worry?

As difficult as it may be, if Jesus commanded us not to worry this means it is possible not to worry.  The question is how do we prevent ourselves from worrying when we are facing real business issues?  What is the true cause of our worry?

To worry is to be overly concerned about a matter to the point of anxiety.  It is taking personal responsibility for the outcome of a matter and denying God’s power and promises.  It is putting your trust in your own ability more than God’s.   In Matthew 6 before Jesus commands us not to worry he states that no one can serve two masters because if he does he will be loyal to one and despise the other.  This gives us a clue to the source of our worry; the two master syndrome.  We worry when we believe the lie of the enemy more than the truth of God.  When we believe the lie of the enemy it means we fear him more than we fear God.  When we fear the enemy more than God we are subconsciously saying that he is more real than God is.   We then take matters into our own hands or (heads) and start to worry; which means we are serving two masters.  In order to stop worrying we must fear God only, making Him our only master.  How to avoid worrying about tomorrow:

• Know that your life is more important than things, if God can preserve your life He can provide you with what you need  (Matthew 6:25).
• Accept that if God can provide for birds who do not work He can provide for you (Matthew 6:26).
• Realize that worrying will not add any value to your situation (Matthew 6:27).
• Cultivate your faith in God’s ability and promises (Matthew 6:28-30).
• Trust that God knows everything you need (Matthew 25:31-32).
• Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
• Focus your attention on the problems of today and leave tomorrow to God (Matthew 6:34).

Worry is like the flu; it comes and goes based on external circumstances and how weak your immune system is.  You cannot change your external circumstances but you can strengthen your immune system.  Strengthening your immune system requires you to study the Word of God and believe His promises.  As you do that, focus your energy on addressing the problems before you today and by the time you get to tomorrow’s problems you will see that God already paved the path for you, making it easier for you to address your challenges.  Have you noticed that you worry about the future and never about the present?  When you are tempted to worry just begin to thank God for what He is doing in the present and commit your concern for the future to Him since there is nothing you can do about it.

My prayer for you is that God will give you the grace to be thankful for what He is doing in your life today and commit your concern for tomorrow to Him.

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”  Matthew 16:26

Have you ever wondered what Jesus means by this statement in Matthew 16:26?  What is the soul?  Can a Christian lose his or her soul?

Do you remember the last time you had to make a decision between remaining true to your values and losing a business opportunity? Most of us face this dilemma everyday in business and even in our personal lives.  Do you cheat on a test in order to pass or risk failing?  Do you tell the truth on your taxes and pay more money or lie and pay less?  Do you tell the truth to your customers and risk losing their business or do you lie to protect yourself and preserve them as clients?  When faced with these daily choices we need to consider that every time we compromise what we believe in and ignore the conviction in our hearts to advance ourselves, protect ourselves or make more money, we are trading our souls for the riches of the world.  Each compromise takes away a piece of our souls.

In Matthew 16:26 and Mark 8:36 Jesus asks, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”  Here Jesus puts the world with all of its treasures and riches on one side of the scale and puts the soul of one man – not all men, but one single human being – on the other side of the scale and declares to exchange your soul for the whole world is a losing proposition.  The soul of one single human being is worth more than all the riches and treasures in the earth. I always interpreted this statement as a warning about where we would spend eternity if we compromise spiritual things (things that are most valuable) for material things (things that will pass away). But here Jesus is not dealing solely with the eternal residence of our souls, He is also dealing with the present state of our souls.  In other words Jesus is not just making a case for the consequences of the afterlife. Rather, He is making a case for the consequences of our lives now.  Jesus recognized that our fulfillment and peace of mind are based not on the abundance of our possessions, but on the tranquility and harmony of our souls.

The soul is the essence of who we really are.  It is the internal, non-tangible part of our person that makes up the integral part of our being.  All persons have souls, whether Christians or not but the soul of those with a personal relationship with Christ has a guiding compass called the Holy Spirit which guides and directs them towards the things of God.  Whenever you operate contrary to the things you believe in, you are damaging your soul. If you do that enough times without repenting you will eventually lose your soul.  Many have lost their souls while serving God because personal success, influence or building a big enterprise became their goal rather than pleasing God and being of service to their fellow man.  What can cause you to lose your soul?

• Your values are compromised in your personal and business life
• You constantly violate the Sabbath
• The end starts justifying the means
• Your focus is on what is “big” rather what is significant
• Your focus is on money rather than service
• You are not repentant
• You primary goal becomes winning

Just because you are a Biblical Entrepreneur does not mean you are immune from trading your soul for success. To prevent yourself from losing your soul you must determine in your heart that it is better to have little with righteousness than to have a whole lot without right, no matter what. (Proverbs 16:8)

My prayer for you this week is that God will reveal to you those areas that you have compromised in and give you the courage to repent and seek His grace to be different.

Better a little with righteousness than great revenues without right

—Proverbs 16:8.

Do you measure your profitability only in financial terms?  What other things are important to your bottom line?  Do you have a way to measure them?

We all have heard the question, “What is the bottom line?”  Which means at the end of the day what are you trying to say or accomplish. Whether in simple conversation or in day to day activities, in business we all want to know what the bottom line is. It is a way to measure our success, to get to the main point, or to know if we are going in the right direction.  The bottom line is critical in business because it provides us with indicators that let us know that the market agrees with our assumptions; it also serves as evidence that we are being good stewards. A business without a positive financial bottom line will not exist for long unless it changes how it operates.  Bottom lines are critical to the survival of businesses especially kingdom businesses.  The Bible makes it very clear in Proverbs 14:23, “In all labor there is a profit …” and Jesus says in Matthew 25:30, “And cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness.  There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth”.

We cannot however measure our profitability only in financial terms.  We may do well in that one area but do very badly in other areas that may be just as important as and even more important than finances. After all, Jesus also states in Matthew 16:26, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”  I believe this is one of the most important statements in the Bible because you can be a heavenly-bound Biblical Entrepreneur and lose your soul.  The soul represents the essence of who you really are. It reflects your values and the things that are really important to you. Even your business has a soul.  The soul of your business is the combined set of values that shape your corporate culture.  What good is it if you have a positive financial bottom line but your customers do not feel that they are getting the value of what they pay for, your employees do not feel valued, your vendors feel cheated, or the community where you do business is getting worse because of how you operate your business or the type of business you operate?  What does it profit you to be highly profitable at the expense of everything else that is important; you are making money but losing the soul of your business?  This is why when we think of the bottom line in business we must go beyond the numbers and consider other things that we value or other bottom lines.

Having multiple bottom lines means going beyond financial returns to include other measurements based on the values of the entrepreneur or the company.  It is the net gain after all costs are deducted from a business’ revenue while considering other things the company values such as people, cultural and spiritual things, and the environment.  Biblical Entrepreneurs must measure more than one bottom line since their businesses must serve as lights and salt in the marketplace.

• Having multiple bottom lines allows you to focus on a holistic approach to business, while having a single bottom line limits your focus to financial returns.
• A business with a multiple bottom line is intentional about having a positive community impact as a part of its core business model, while a company with a single bottom line may only positively impact the community as part of a public relations campaign to maintain the company’s image.
• A business with a multiple bottom line has a transformational impact on the community while one with a single bottom line may limit its impact to activities that will display good citizenship.
• A business with multiple bottom lines may yield a lower net financial return in the short run but provide great stability in the long run, while a company with a single bottom line may provide greater financial return in the short run but be more unstable in the long run.
• A company with multiple bottom lines provides more employee, customer, supplier and shareholder loyalty, while a company with a single bottom line tends to leave everyone focusing on what they can get for themselves.

As important as it is to identify the things you value as a company, beyond financial returns, the most important thing is to develop tools and metrics that will enable you to measure them.  Without those tools, you will not be able to measure the impact the things you value have on your bottom line.

My prayer for you today is that God will grant you the wisdom to determine the things that make up the soul of your business and develop ways to measure them so that you may glorify Him in the marketplace.

A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion  Psalm 112:5.

Are you operating your business for the common good or for personal gain?  What does it mean to operate a business for the common good?  Can it be done sustainably?

Retired Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan made this statement, “I have found no greater satisfaction than achieving success through honest dealing and strict adherence to the view that to gain, those you deal with should gain as well.”  It is unfortunate that neither Wall Street nor Washington have lived up to these simple words of wisdom from our retired Fed Chairman. This would have prevented our current economic disaster, which is simply the result of greed. Our nation is being destroyed by greedy corporations, greedy investors, and greedy politicians all seeking their own interests.  What our economy needs most right now is a new insurgence of entrepreneurs who are committed to doing business based on moral convictions for the common good, not just for personal self-interest.  These entrepreneurs will not only be able to revive our economy through job creation, they will also be able to finance and hold a new breed of politicians accountable to restoring all levels of government to the good and decent values of the founding fathers.

What does it mean to do business for the common good?  It means that your business exists not just for your benefit or the stockholders’ but that it benefits all; the employees, the customers, the community and the nation.  It means that you see your business as a catalyst to transform the community in which you do business and to serve as the engine of the economy for the nation.  No one is in a better position than you, the Biblical Entrepreneur, to play this role.  You are the answer to the prayers of the nation.  You are the job creator, the solution provider, the hope of our economy.

How do you know if your business is operating for the common good?

Operating a business for the common good is a holistic approach to business and requires all the business systems to be aligned with that mission; otherwise  the business will be inconsistent.  If you or your business is currently not operating for the common good, do not try to fix it overnight but rather first revise your existing strategic plan or develop a new strategic plan that reflects your new focus.  Make sure that all the stake holders are in agreement and begin to implement your ideas; resist the temptation of just talking about  them.  Conduct an annual evaluation to ensure that you remain on course.

My prayer for you this week is that God will give you the wisdom to align your business for the common good so that you may be light in the industry that He called you to serve and an answer to our nation’s economic crisis.

“Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole”  Acts  4:10.

Have you ever wondered why the world is afraid of the name “Jesus”?  Have you been afraid to use that name?  What is the significance of that name?

During biblical times names were not given by happenstance but very purposely. Names were carefully chosen to mean something and to reflect the destiny of the person who was being named.  This is why on many occasions in the Bible when God called certain individuals to serve Him, He changed their names.  Their new names reflected their destiny.  Whenever their names were called their destinies and purposes were being spoken.  This was the case for the Son of God, Jesus Christ.  His name not just carried His destiny but carried the power to manifest His promises.  This is why Jesus made the statement in John 14:13-14, “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask anything in My name, I will do it”.

Names not only carry destiny and purpose but they can also be used as a pass to be granted something.  Think about the time when you went somewhere and got access just because you used someone’s name.  For instance, if you go to Douala, Cameroon, the city where my mother is mayor, and need special government favor, all you need is a note with her name to get access to most public officials or government services.  There is power in a name.  If an earthly leader’s name can carry such power imagine the name of the Son of God Himself; King Jesus.

Biblical Entrepreneurs must understand the power behind the name of Jesus and how to use that name to overcome the works of the enemy and appropriate His will in their lives.  If your business is to transform individuals and communities it must be done in the name of Jesus.  Here is just some of what the Scripture says about the name of Jesus:

“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” Matthew 18:20.

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become Children of God, to those who believe in His name.”  John 1:12

“And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know.  Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” Acts 3:16

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father.” Philippians 2:9-11

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, given thanks to God the father through Him.”

Colossians 3:17

No wonder the world wants to stop us from using that Name.  Have you noticed that you can say Allah, Buddha, God, and Creator but don’t you dare use the name of Jesus?  His name has almost become a curse word in some settings.  This is because there is power in that name, there is favor in that name, there is eternity in that name, there is anointing in that name, there is grace and favor in that name.  At the sound of that name devils tremble, hell shakes, heaven responds and God moves.   That name gives you access to God and the promises of Jesus.

Unfortunately some of us have yielded to the pressures of the world and have limited the use of that name or stopped using it altogether.  This is a grave mistake because just like my mother’s name is important in the city of Douala, Cameroon to gain political favors, Jesus’ name is essential in the market place to get God’s favor. When asked to stop using that name here is how Peter and John responded, “…Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than God, you judge, for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard”  Acts 4:19-20.

My prayer for you today is that God will give you the boldness to proclaim the name of Christ this Christmas season in your family, your business and the community you serve.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek  Romans 1:16.

Have you ever been ashamed of being associated with someone?  Have you felt embarrassed by some Christians?  Are you ashamed of the Gospel of Christ?

I recently attended a conference where we previewed a new movie, Blue Like Jazz based on a book by Donald Miller. This is a new Christian movie that will soon be released that features the story of a Christian young man who enrolls in Reed College in Portland, Oregon, a college where there are almost no Christians and anyone who identifies himself or herself as a Christian on campus is made fun of by the students.  Although this young man comes from a strong Christian background, he is afraid to identify himself on campus as a Christian because students on campus see Christians as hypocrites or small-minded, religious bigots. This is exacerbated by the fact that his Christian mother is having an affair with the Youth Pastor of his home church.  All this leads to him being ashamed of his faith.

To be ashamed means to feel guilty because of what you have done or a characteristic you have. It also can be defined as a reluctance to do something due to fear of embarrassment or humiliation.  This young man does not want to be embarrassed or humiliated by his peers so he chooses not to reveal who he really is and even begins to do things that are contrary to the values of his faith.  He is ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.

We cannot be bold representatives of Christ in the marketplace if we are in any way ashamed to be identified as a Christians, no matter the reason.  It is true that there are times when some individuals who profess to be Christians, churches, or Christian leaders do very embarrassing things and even stupid things like:

• Getting drunk in public events
• Cheating on their mates
• Making derogatory statements about others
• Appearing small-minded
• Seeming too judgmental

Unfortunately Christians are people too.  They make mistakes and many times will not act consistently with their stated beliefs.  Some who profess to be Christians are not disciplined enough to walk as faithful Christians and some think they are Christians when they are just members of an organized religion and not real believers.  Whenever possible, we should confront each other when we see signs of hypocrisy in each others’ behavior, but others’ actions should never cause us to distance ourselves from the faith.  These acts should even more demonstrate our great need for a savior and should have no reflection on the Savior.   Just because we are Christ’s representative does not mean we always represent Him nor does it mean everything we do is of Christ.  How do I overcome my shame for the Gospel?

1. Recognize that you are ashamed
2. Identify the source of your shame
3. Distinguish between Christ’s representative and Christ Himself
4. Repent, if necessary
5. Recognize the power of the Gospel
6. Be willing to lose your reputation or opportunity
7. Seek the Lord for the courage to be who you are

Whether your shame is due to something you did, something others did or just because you lack the courage to face the criticism of being identified with some of the challenges that is a part of Christianity, seek the Lord today to relieve you of that shame so that you can be all for Him that He wants you to be in the marketplace.

YOU ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

How do you feel about yourself?  How much do you think you are worth?  Do you know that you are God’s work of art?

It is amazing that no matter how much risk an entrepreneur may take or how grand the vision he or she dares to pursue there is not always a direct correlation between what the entrepreneur has accomplished, what they believe they can accomplish, and their sense of self worth.  I have personally witnessed amazing visionaries devalue themselves and even fall victim to self pity due to a lack of self worth.

It is true that we must guard against valuing ourselves more than we ought, but it is equally true that valuing ourselves less than we are is as bad.  Both are sins.  When we value ourselves more than we ought we fall into pride and arrogance which leads to failure.  When we value ourselves less than we ought it leads to false humility.  False humility is actually hidden pride.  It is covering how we truly feel about ourselves to appear likeable and acceptable by others, while true humility is being honest about our value with a realization that who we are is not due solely to our own efforts but rather due to the help of God and others.  True humility requires us to know and embrace the fact that we are God’s workmanship.

But now, O Lord our father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; And all we are the work of Your hand   Isaiah 64:8.

“O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this Potter?”  Says the Lord, “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel!  Jeremiah 18:6

A workmanship is the making of a craftsman.  God is the craftsman and you are the result of His creation.  No matter how you feel about yourself, no matter your circumstances, no matter the mistakes you have made, no matter what family you are from, God calls you His workmanship which means:

1. You are the making of a perfect master craftsman
2. You are an original.
3. You are a perfect mold of human beauty.
4. You are a master piece.
5. You are the image and likeness of God the Creator.

You may ask, “What about all the mistakes I made, why don’t I feel good about myself?” The answer is simple; you do not see yourself through God’s eyes.  Seeing yourself through God’s eyes forces you to see yourself as who you were created to be not as who you are.  If you can see yourself as who you were created to be, you will become it but if you see yourself as who you are, you will focus on your mistakes and imperfections and not see the purpose and potential that God placed in you.   Reflect on Psalm 139:13-16, repent of the fact that you have not viewed yourself from God’s perspective and ask God to help you to see yourself through His eyes so you may fully unleash the hidden potentials He placed in you.

For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:13-16)

See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.  Exodus 25:40

Planning is the ability to tap into the mind of God and gather the necessary details on how the vision He gave you will be implemented. It requires you to carefully do your research so you can effectively support and communicate the assumptions you make throughout the plan based upon the revelations that the Lord has given you.

Planning is essential to the success of any business.  It is key to not only starting the business but to managing the business as well.  Can you imagine Moses building the tabernacle of God without a plan from God, or Jesus fulfilling His purpose on the earth without the blueprints of the Old Testament to make references to and be guided by? Effective management begins with planning, which leads to setting goals.  Planning is the most important function in establishing a business.  The sad reality is that most entrepreneurs do not bother to plan.  The excuse often is time, know-how, or they just feel it is not necessary.  No doubt about it, planning is hard work.  It involves thinking and thinking is hard work.  In essence, planning is solving future problems before they occur, making decisions, speculating on the future (both far and near), setting objectives (long and short range), considering alternatives, and making choices.  Planning for the future requires flexibility to cope with the unexpected.  You must set timetables and establish priorities; decide on the methods to be used and the people who will be involved.  You must analyze the existing situation, formulate and apply targets, logic, and creativity to all details in between.  Planning gives purpose and direction to your daily activities.  Without it, your activities are aimless and uncoordinated.  Whether you are a start-up business or a growing business, if you have not developed a plan or updated you existing plan, it is essential that you do so, not just for your sake, but for the sake of those who are called to co-labor with you.

Keys to successful planning:

1.     Seek the Lord for clarity and direction

2.     Determine the type of plan and engage your team

3.     Clarify your purpose and mission

4.     Update your internal and external assessments

5.      Develop your strategy or operation plan

6.     Update your financial plan based on your new  strategy

7.     Develop your monitoring systems

Eliminate the excuses, overcome the procrastination, discipline yourself, and write your plan.  Just doing it will be a reward in itself.

Copyright © 2011 Patrice Tsague ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 

That in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.  2 Corinthians 8:2

Although the United States has the highest giving percentage than other nations in the world, it is one of the few nations that enjoys tax write-offs from giving to charity.  Do we give because of the tax write-off or because we have a heart to give?  The recent economic crisis caused many to reduce their giving and some to even stop giving altogether.  Do we give because we have much or do we give because we are grateful for what we have?

Giving should be something we do out of joy not out of obligation.  Giving should be a natural response of gratefulness and an expression of joy for who God is and what He has done for us.  Unfortunately many kingdom business stewards give out of obligation, guilt or benefits rather than out of joy.

The Apostle Paul planted many churches, some in very wealthy communities and others in poor communities but his ministry was primarily supported by those he planted in poorer communities.  The churches of Macedonia suffered great afflictions and were deeply poor but with great joy they gave even beyond their abilities.   I Corinthians 8:1-4

Joy is an eternal peace and excitement demonstrated by an external expression of gratitude.  Joy gives rhythm, flavor and a smile to our giving.  Giving without joy is like operating machinery without proper lubrication.  It will not last.  Joy makes your giving consistent and easy to be received.

How to give with joy

1. First give yourself to the Lord – you cannot give with joy if you have not first given yourself to the Lord.  Giving is a response to a personal and intimate relationship with the Lord.  God does not need what you have, it is all His anyway.  He needs you.
2. Give to those people or things you love – For God so love the world that He gave us His only begotten Son. Giving is a tangible demonstration of your love for someone or a cause.
3. Give even in trials – Giving is not something you do when things are going well but it is a lifestyle.  The habit of giving is not developed in good times but in bad times.
4. Give to purpose not to need – need eradicates resources while purpose eradicates need.  Giving is not what solves problems rather it is purpose that solves problems.  Your giving should target those people and organizations that are working to eradicate the need you are passionate about.
5. Give to good ground – Giving is an investment in eternity, therefore you must ensure that the ground is good so that it can yield the maximum eternal returns.  Make sure that the person or organization you are giving to will carry out the expected mission with proper accountability.
6. Give out of what you have – Never give that which is obligated to other things such as rent, car note, loan payment etc.  Other than the tithe, giving should always be out of discretionary money.  If you want to increase your giving then either increase your income or decrease your obligated expenses.
7. Give as unto the Lord – Your giving is never to people or things but rather it is to God.  Although it is administered by people and organizations you must focus on the ultimate Receiver, who is God, and no matter what the people or organization do, God will honor your heart.  This ensures that your giving is unconditional.

Some kingdom business stewards give only enough to meet their tax deduction obligations while others give as long as they have to give irrespective of their tax deduction limit.  Which one are you?  If the US Government was to end the tax deduction policy today will your giving go down or remain the same?

A young Biblical Entrepreneur, after being blessed with several million dollars in a settlement, was led to commit above and beyond His tithe to kingdom work, against his accountant’s advice, who felt that he should limit his giving to his maximum tax benefit.  This young man recognized the fact that his giving is not based on benefits from the IRS but benefits from the King of kings.

Tax write-offs are great and must be encouraged because it is better to give the money to a kingdom cause than to the IRS; however, that should not be the only basis for our giving.  The joy of giving means that we give purely to express our love for the things we believe in and our gratefulness to the God who made us stewards of His resources.  It is our external expression of the peace we have on the inside and our gratitude to the Prince of Peace.   All benefits that come with giving are bi-products of our giving not the reason for our giving.

So David inquired of the Lord, saying “’Shall I pursue this troop?  Shall I overtake them?’  And He answered him, ‘Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all’”  I Samuel 30:8b.

Have the last two years been tough for you?  Did you lose more than you expected?  Are you wondering whether you should continue or not?

My advice to you is not only to continue, but press forward with greater intensity and you will not just thrive but you will recover all that you lost.  Like you, David found himself in a situation where he lost more than he could handle and even his life was in danger.  After facing rejection and humiliation by the Philistines, he returns to his home to find out that invaders have come in, burned it with fire and taken the women and the children captive, including his wives (I Samuel 29, 30:1-6).  Instead of throwing a pity party, David strengthens himself in the Lord, seeks God’s wisdom and goes after the invaders.  David is able to recover all that he lost without exception.  The devils’ job is to attempt to steal, kill and destroy us but Jesus came that we may have life and have it more abundantly.  Where sin abounds grace abounds much more; the greater the defeat, the greater the restoration.  Nothing the devil can do to you will hinder you from what God has planned for you.

How do you pursue and recover?

1. Do not pursue out of anger or revenge
2. Do not rely on your own strength
3. Prepare yourself in the natural
4. Start with the low hanging fruits
5. Trust God for miracles
6. Do not be intimidated nor afraid of failure
7. Do not be afraid of success

As you pursue, know that it will take faith, for without faith it is impossible to please God.  Once you recover, do not become selfish but be generous with the spoils and be a blessing to others, even those who may have not helped you along the way.  Once David recovered all, some of his men felt they should not share the spoil with those who did not help, but David, a man after God’s own heart, rebuked them and said they will all share alike (I Samuel 30:21-25).  Leadership is not how well you can protect and avenge yourself but rather how you are able to be an instrument of inspiration and blessing to others no matter what your circumstances, and regardless of what they have done to you.  Are you ready for complete restoration?  Are you willing to share with others once restored?  Pursue and you will surely recover all.