Called to Be Profitable

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them..."

Read Matt. 25:14-29

If you were an angel investor and sowed thousands of dollars into a company start up, what would you expect in return? What if you put your money into the stock market or into a mutual fund? Ultimately, we all would be looking for some sort of return on our investment. We want to get more back than what we put it. All of us would want to see some profit. 

The parable of the talents is a great story describing our faith relationship. A relationship where God is the investor and we are His top investment. We can learn a great deal from this passage in the book of Matthew. Here are a few thoughts that jumped out at me as I meditated on this story...

1. God has invested a great amount of His goods into us.

We're told that three servants were given various amounts of "talents". A talent in those days was equal to six thousand denarii. A denarius represented the day's wage for a typical working man. Before, I used to think that the man given only one talent wasn't really given much to work with. In reality, even one talent was worth a great amount of money. 

God has invested a great deal into you (spiritual gift(s), strength, networks, location, resources, money, unique skills, etc.). This is one of the most pivotal revelations that will propel you in impacting culture. Don't believe the lie that you were not given enough. Remember that one talent is as good as 6000 denarii.

2. God EXPECTS a profit.

God is loving but He is still in the business of making a profit. In the parable, the lazy servant buried his talent in the ground and returned his master's investment with no profit. The issue here is that the master expected a return. In fact, he told the servant that he should have at least given the talent to the bankers so he could collect a small amount of interest. 

God is no different than the master in this parable. Don't bury the great investment you've been given. Live with a goal of making a "profit" in the form of good works, fruits of the Spirit, Godly influence, and changed lives. 

3. God wants us to be wise stewards of his investment.

Life is about learning how to manage what we've been given in the most profitable fashion. We can produce various levels of profit depending on how we decide to manage God's investment. For those that want to achieve the most for God, don't settle for meeting minimum expectations. Stretch yourself and be diligent in becoming a wise steward of your "talents". Are you maximizing your God given investment? 

As we enter 2009, lets focus on becoming fruitful and productive. We've been called to be profitable. 

Tips for becoming profitable in 2009:

- Spend time taking note of what you've been given. Make a list if you can. Specify your gifts, special skills, resources, etc. Even your home and car are investments. 

- Be truthful to yourself and identify where your "portfolio" isn't doing too well. Are you lacking in love? Patience? Kindness? Ask the God of grace to help you pull your numbers back up!

- Pray and ask yourself how you can use what you've been given to influence culture and individuals. Don't be afraid to think big and set stretch goals. Dare to move out of your comfort zone. 

- Take risks with what you've been given. I took the risk of doing hip hop music even when people did not understand it. Seven years later, my group is nominated for a Stellar Award and thousands are influenced by our music. To God be the glory!

Just remember that your salvation is not defined by your works but your works are the beautiful outward description of your salvation. God is good!

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Spiritual Motivation

"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, but exhorting one another..."

- Hebrews 10:24

Just imagine people coming together, awakening each other to an amplified sense of who God is and motivating one another to DO something for the glory of God. This is spiritual motivation.

The Philadelphia Phillies just won the World Series and I had the opportunity to go to the championship parade (Go Phillies!) I couldn't help but get excited when I observed thousands of people around me cheering and screaming with their hands in the air. Everyone was unified with red sweatshirts and red hats. I'm not a huge baseball follower, but I was instantly drawn into the excitement. As the play-offs were approaching, the media created a viral buzz around the Phillies. At some point, everyone caught Philly fever and it was the topic of conversation every morning at work. I can honestly say, the people around me stirred up my love for the Phillies. Their passion became my passion. Once I was stirred up, I had to watch the games and I wasn't going to miss the parade. I wanted to be involved in what everyone was raving about.

The outcome of observing others in the faith should lead to the same results. When we observe our peers in the faith, we should hunger for godliness and good works. In fact, the Greek word for love in this verse, "agape", conveys the image of a FEAST of love and charity. There should be an undeniable surge of Christ-like activity and spiritual motivation when we observe one another.

Have you ever gone to a gathering of "Christians" and just felt deflated by the lack of enthusiasm? Maybe you go to a church where people are complacent and there is no one that really ignites your desire to love more and do more. Well your not alone. We all will experience this at some point.

In this situation, ask yourself, "Is MY life motivating others?" That is the essence of experiencing spiritual motivation. We shouldn't wait for someone else to push us to walk in the power of God. Instead, we should focus on being a source of motivation for others. If everyone had that mindset, we would be experiencing a great revival throughout the nation.

Live to motivate all people in a godly manner. You've been CALLED to stir up love and good works in others. Whether the person is a Christian friend or an agnostic co-worker, your mission is the same. Be a spiritual motivator and rally people around our Savior.

Spiritual Motivation Tips

1. Your in the midst of many observers at work. Be an example of diligence, excellence, purity, patience, love, etc. Someone will take notice.

2. When volunteers are needed, raise your hand to be a servant. We need more servant role models.

3. Ask God for the grace to love others on a daily basis. You may be called to encourage, give, comfort, sacrifice, and edify at any moment.

4. Don't do things out of obligation. Put your heart into things, not just your mind.


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I'm back!

Hey everyone..

I took a blogging vacation and I'm back in action. The past couple months have had some major ups and downs. Through it all, the Lord has been faithful as always and is teaching me so much about His grace. His grace is our comfort in times of great tragedy. His grace opens doors and allows us to experience great blessings. By His grace, he uses the little we have in order to do mighty works. We serve a gracious and awesome God.

I'll be posting some new Evangeleader blog entries shortly so stay tuned. Pray for me and my wife as we approach 2009 with great hope and faith. 

Special News:  Frontlynaz, the hip hop group I'm in, has been nominated for a Stellar Award!!! Pray for the Lord to expand our territory as we thank Him for this nomination.

Don't Over Work

"Do not over work to be rich, because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not?"

- Prov. 23:4-5

America. Land of people that work way too hard to stack that green, the dinero, the cheese, that cabbage, loot, MONEY MONEY MONEY.

This is an important topic for everyone, especially young professionals. Aren't we supposed to do whatever it takes? I thought we're supposed to pursue our goals with tenacity. I mean, if I have to work 60+ hours a week to achieve my financial goals then so be it. Right?

Well, our fast paced, go get em' culture will tell you that wealth requires sacrifice. The problem is that we're sometimes asked to sacrifice the things that are important to God. Riches are great and that senior position with the corner office would be awesome, but it may come with a price. Money is important, but if we're not careful we can lose more than we bargained for. We can be consumed by the pursuit of a bigger bank account. Our desires for a new challenge may actually bring more obstacles than opportunities. 

Your time, energy, and passion is important to God. When we over work ourselves for that illusive monetary goal, our time, energy, and passion are not allocated appropriately. Family is forgotten, our health suffers, and our stress increases. We forget how fun it is to just sit and watch a movie. We disregard quiet time with God. We log into our work laptop instead of swinging by a friend's house. We even delegate our money to the work of God but don't get involved ourselves. We are spread thin, stretched, and consumed.

The fallen nature of our culture praises people who work those extra hours for the good of the company. The "get it done" attitude is exalted.  "Work-life balance" seems to be more for employees with children. Oh, by the way, working 5 out of 7 days in a week does not seem like work-life balance to me!

I'm not saying you should start working part time, but it helps put things in perspective :-) It is an eye opener when you realize that 30% of your time is spent sleeping, 30% of your time is spent at the job. Then you try to squeeze the other 40% of your "life" in the evenings, Saturday, and Sunday. You know as well as I do, that the weekend can be a blur between recreation and more work. 

Here are some questions that will help you evaluate your work life:

1.  Are you working hard or over working? Diligence is between laziness and working selfishly.

2. What does God want from you? God does not measure your success with a dollar sign.

3. What is your focus? Focus on purpose not profit.

4. Is your time allocated the way it should be? Prioritize and manage your time.

5. Are you depressed or stressed? Money is good but peace is much better.

6. What are you chasing? Pursue goals that God has confirmed, not one's that you've created.

7. How is your relationship with God? A work life that compromises your walk with God is a work life that is not managed correctly.

Things you can do:

1. Assess your time and priorities before God. You'll know what needs fixing.

2. Don't let vacation days pile up...USE THEM

3. Don't bring work home. It's a choice.

4. Ask your HR group if there are opportunities to work four, 10 hr days. May require you to wake up a little earlier, but that's not so bad.

5. Change jobs. If the role your in requires too much of you, start looking for other options.

6. Seek to renew your mind and thoughts about money. 

The goal is to glorify God in our work. In the end, the heavens won't be talking about how much money we made. 

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The Teachable Student

The bible addresses the topic of teaching on numerous occasions. Teaching is an important part of society, the church, and the home. Christ built His ministry around teaching others and He surrounded Himself with students who were willing to learn and there were others that rejected His wisdom.

It is my opinion that everyone is a student 24 hours a day. We are surrounded by wisdom, we interact with people that have wisdom, and we experience events that provide us with knowledge all the time. We are being taught even when we don't realize it. With all of the knowledge around us and with the many teachers we encounter, becoming a teachable student is something we all need to address.

Becoming a good student is fundamental to our relationship with Jesus. It is also critical to our personal and professional growth. Making the decision to actively listen and learn requires us to shed a few bags of our former nature. Our former nature hates to indulge in Godly wisdom. It wants to prevent us from growing and gaining more ground in our purpose. Let me describe our former nature:

- Proud
- Arrogant
- Rebellious
- Deaf
- Insecure

Our former nature is a "know it all" and esteems itself a little too highly. Our former nature is also rebellious. It can't seem to submit to leadership and it especially can't stand submitting to those with the authority to teach. It has selective hearing and it will listen only when it is convenient. Lastly, our old nature is insecure. It doesn't want to be a teachable student because it needs to face what it does not know and admit that it is not always "right".

I have to say that my old nature has popped up many times in my life. For me to grow as a leader, I need to master the art of being a teachable student. How do we overcome this old nature that does not want to be teachable? Well, overcoming our old ways is simply a choice. It is a choice because we are now free from the proud, arrogant, rebellious, deaf, and insecure ways of our past (Romans). So if we are not teachable, it is because we choose not to be. We'd rather ignore the signs of our faulty old character.

Becoming a teachable student is essential to our success in the public arena. Most importantly, it is the only way we can please Christ. Ultimately, the best students will become the best teachers and will become the shining examples of Godly influence in a crippled culture.

"Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me."
- Psalm 25:4-5

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HIS Network is Your Network

You've heard the term "networking" before. It is a common term used in the business world. It has everything to do with making connections with people that have the potential to be a helpful resource. In today's culture, networking is essential to achieving your goals. Knowing the right people, at the right time, and leveraging those connections is so important.

When my wife and I got married, she was still living and working in New Jersey while I was in Delaware. She was looking for a job closer to our home for several months and could not find the right opportunity. We didn't want to settle for any job, but we wanted the right job that fits her future plans. We prayed and waited..prayed and waited...and did some more praying.

After we got back from the honeymoon, we still had this job challenge hanging over our heads. We were still living apart and something had to give. Out of nowhere, she meets someone through a friend that has connections at a company in her field of interest. This new acquaintance was cool enough to pass along my wife's resume to his contacts. Literally, within two weeks she was interviewed and hired. This is networking at its best.

For months, she was posting her resume on Monster.com, Career Builder, and other sites. No response. Then at the right time, she meets the right person, who had the right resources to place her where she needs to be. The job she landed was not a close fit, but a perfect fit.

Do you believe that God is orchestrating the right network for you? This network of people will enter your path to help you fulfill the plan of God. Make no mistake, your network will play a key role in making your vision come to pass. Some of these people will become close friends and others will be short lived relationships. Either way, they play an important role in your journey.

Here are some Evangeleader networking tips:

1. As you pray for direction, pray that you meet the right people.

2. Create a list of people you know that could be a helpful resource. List their strengths, skills, and the areas where they can help you.

3. Don't feel like your using people. Maintain sincere relationships and be honest when you need their help. Be straight forward in your communication.

4. Be discerning of new people you meet. Do not over-look people that may be entering your path for a reason. Make note of these people and add them to your list (#2). You may not need them now, but maybe 1 year from now.

5. Connect with people from your past that may now be in positions to help build your future. Try Facebook!

6. Keep in contact with your network. Send emails, make phone calls, and shoot text messages.

7. Thank people when they do help you get closer to your goal. Gratitude will leave room for even more grace.

8. Lastly, strive to be on another person's network list. Life is about giving.

Remember, HIS network is your network.

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3 Important Life Themes

When you ask people what it means to be like Christ, they will probably point out His spiritual fruit and character. To be like Christ is to be loving, to be generous, to be patient, to be prayerful, to be kind, and we can add a hundred more desirable traits of Christ. How do we get to that point? When we choose to follow God we also sign up to experience His life in total. Becoming like Christ requires a few life themes to be evident in our journey. When these life themes unfold, we find ourselves becoming more like the Lord.

Theme 1: Suffering without losing faith

Whether it be in our physical bodies or in our emotional state, we will suffer at times. We will be persecuted, we will be discouraged, and we may experience great loss or pain. This is what we've signed up for. The Christian life is not about avoiding suffering but embracing the sufferings of Christ that mold us into His image. Throughout these times of suffering, we are encouraged to increase in our faith, boldness, and trust. Blessings will come, but we can't avoid Godly suffering. Suffering is always there but we don't have to fear it.

Theme 2: Sacrificing for the greater good

We all know that Christ made many sacrifices and ultimately gave up His life for us. Your life will also involve many decisions that will require you to sacrifice your "wants" for the fulfillment of God's desires. Time, pleasure, money, and certain freedoms will be put on the line when you follow the narrow path. For instance, I would love to find a job in San Diego where I can enjoy the beach, go wave-running, and enjoy the sun. Delaware is not a bad place, but c'mon it's no San Diego! Even though I'd love to explore other opportunities, my place is in Delaware for this season. I could also find a job close to home that pays more but it may require more of my time...time that I should use to develop myself, other people, and ministries. Sacrifice and self centered living are on opposite sides of the spectrum. Once we begin living a life of sacrifice, we then need to learn to be settled...

Theme 3: Settling into the Father's plan

Notice I did not write settling for the Father's plan. Settling for the Father's plan would imply that the Father's plan isn't "all that". Settling for would mean there is something better out there that we should be doing. It would mean we're missing out. In reality, we're missing out on a ton of things, but there is no possible way to experience and acquire everything we want. God has an ability to fashion our lives in such a manner that we experience and acquire those things that create an overall life of contentment. We may not get to have everything, but we have everything we need. We may not experience everything, but we experience life the way it should be. God doesn't have to modify His plans to make them better. We need to renew our minds to view His plans as being better. Don't fight His plan. Settle into it.

Are you suffering, sacrificing, and learning to settle into the Father's plan? If so, be encouraged because you are becoming Christ-like. Welcome to Christianity.


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How To Prosper

Read Psalm 1:1-3

Money, power, respect is the key to life...or so they say. We live in a world of foolish insight but we don't have to adopt it. As leaders of the faith, we follow a different motto. For us, the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit is the key to a prosperous and meaningful life.

We all want good things. I'd like to advance in my career, ministry, and family life. If I pursue a goal, I'd like to accomplish it. I want my life to be productive and show signs of growth. I want to make an impact. As much as possible, I'd like to see positive results. Is that your desire?

The first few verses of Psalm 1 give us some critical advice. Advice that is so straight forward yet so transformational. In these verses you find two key instructions for producing amazing results in your life:

1. Live Distinct - Psalm 1:1 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly.."

As an evangeleader, the challenge will be influencing the world without adopting behaviors that contradict our faith. We're not called to live in a bubble but we are called to be distinct. How distinct are you in God's eyes. Remember, His eyes search the very heart of man. Pay close attention to your relationships. Influence people by upholding your biblical values and at the same time honor God by denying certain values of this age.

2. Live for God - Psalm 1:2 "But his delight is in the law of the Lord..."

When we delight in the will of God, we commit ourselves to living out His desires. We love others, we give, and we are eager to develop a strong relationship with Him. Delighting in God places Him as the director of our lives. Contentment, provision, peace, joy, and purpose are found when we live for God. When it comes down to it, prosperity is found in the plans of God and not our own.

Live distinct, live for God, and you'll find the favor needed to prosper.


"He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither and whatever he does shall prosper."

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Leadership Tips From Paul

Read 2 Corinthians for more background information.

Have you ever heard a dynamic speaker or observed a charismatic leader win the hearts of people and maybe even attracted you to their leadership? Let's be honest. We gravitate to leaders that have the ability to eloquently motivate us, inspire us, or even make us laugh. We sometimes validate people's position, power, and authority by the "hype".

Paul, one of the greatest men of God, was challenged by the church of Corinth who began to question his authority, integrity, and even began to criticize his lack in skilled oratory. He wasn't a philosopher that could "wow" them. His approach to ministry was all about the Good News, humbling himself, and moving as far away from the spotlight as possible. He didn't want people to affiliate with Paul but with Christ.

Though he didn't have some of the hype that attracts people today, he had something more important. He had the knowledge to back up his ministry. Faithfully, he served even after being stoned, beaten, imprisoned, and shipwrecked. He received direct revelation from God and wasn't just wise in his own understanding. At the end of the day, the fruits show that he was a leader that was called.

Here are a few of the many things we can learn from Paul's life of leadership...

1. Be leaders and follow leaders that grow in knowledge (2 Cor. 11:5-6)

Paul knew that he is not inferior to the false prophets or the genuine apostles of that day. He knew that he had as much or more truth and knowledge then the most "eminent" apostles around. Are you lacking confidence in your calling? Seek out knowledge.

2. Be leaders and follow leaders of calling and not just capability (2 Cor. 11:22-27)

When your called, your heart, mind, level of faith, and discernment is built for a particular position. Your capabilities are the hands and feet that help do the job. Calling is given while capabilities can be learned. Of the two, calling is most important. Only a true calling of grace enabled Paul to fulfill his mission in the midst of extreme hardship. If your called, your far ahead of those that seem to be better equipped.


3. Be leaders and follow leaders that have the right focus (2 Cor. 11:28)

Too many ministers and progressive Christians fall into the trap of building a focus around themselves. Support leaders that have the right focus and intentions. What is your daily focus? Is it how you can better yourself or is it how your life can better others?

We can all learn from Paul's life of leadership. May God confirm your calling, increase your knowledge, and protect your focus.

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Faith vs. Positive Attitude

In today's world of universal religion, personal development, and life coaching, everyone is seeking for ways to improve their chances of experiencing a productive and successful life. The term "positive attitude" is used all over the place and it is finding its way into Christian theology and doctrine. There is some merit to the concept of keeping a positive attitude but alone it has no real power.

To have a "positive attitude" is to view your future with an optimistic outlook. You trust that everything is going to be alright and the stars will align even through the most difficult times. People around the world are told to keep their hopes up and things will work out in their favor. However, stopping there is not good enough because it doesn't answer the big questions. Who will help orchestrate and deliver the promises we so desire? Who will "align the stars" for us? Who will step in when human knowledge and capability fail?

For an evangeleader, keeping a positive attitude really means living in faith. Faith brings clarity and closure to those big questions. Faith bridges the gap between earthly wisdom and divine intervention. Faith is a proclamation that God is needed.

Recently, I found myself walking with a very unfaithful mindset. I was frustrated, doubtful, and overwhelmed. These feelings were ultimately impacting my mood, my outlook towards the future, and even my speech. Why was I feeling this way? I came to the conclusion that I wasn't walking in faith. I wasn't trusting the secret promises that God has spoken to me throughout the years and I was losing hope. When you lose hope, the signs of defeat begin to emerge.

Are the signs of defeat beginning to show up in your daily life? Depression, doubt, anxiety, anger, a decrease in passion?

If I was Dr. Phil I would say, "You need to keep a positive attitude". However, I know about something that can deliver amazing results if your willing to patiently carry it through life.

Faith.

"...who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle..."

- Hebrews 11:33-34


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Confidence

"Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.

But the Lord said to me:

Do not say, 'I am a youth,' For you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak....Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant."

- Jeremiah 1:6-10

The story of Jeremiah is a great one. He was called out by God to be a mouthpiece that would proclaim a difficult word to the people of Judah. The first few verses in this book describe a turning point where Jeremiah moves from a normal routine into the challenging call that God had appointed for him. He was on the verge of entering a great new opportunity.

Notice Jeremiah's initial reactions:

1. "Ah Lord God!" - Anxiety
2. "I can't speak for I am a youth" - Doubt in capability and power

You can't blame Jeremiah for his reaction. I mean c'mon, he was called to go before leaders and tell them that they need to change how they live and renew their relationship with the Lord.
Jeremiah did what most people would do. He looked at himself first.

Aha! #1: Look in the mirror and you will see your biggest challenge.

When you read Jeremiah further, you will find our hope and a key message. It was God who called him. It was God who would give Jeremiah the words to say. It was God who would protect him and it was God who would establish Jeremiah's authority.

Aha! #2: God is big time. We're small time. God still works with us, around us, and in us.

You will be called to a new challenging opportunity. As an Evangeleader, new promotions, new jobs, new projects, big meetings, and new leadership roles are going to be a part of your life. Its a fact that Gen X and Y leaders will find themselves in these situations. Fear, anxiety, and doubt are bound to arise but we can all learn from Jeremiah's life that confidence is not an innate gifting. The confidence you need to take on the next "big thing" in your life comes from God alone. Don't believe the hype of those 7 step books that say confidence is found by exercising your inner strength. Heh?

Aha! #3: True confidence is a by-product of God's strength and grace working in your life.

Its not a one time experience. Confidence is developed over time as you allow Christ to flex a little muscle. Move forward when you hear the call and remember what the Lord says..."I am with you".


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Timing Vs. Conditions

I'm back! How is everyone doing? I know it has been awhile since my last post. I've been working on releasing a new album with my hip hop group, planning a wedding for April 26th, and have been working really hard! I'm not making excuses though. My beautiful fiance was telling me that I need to get on the ball with the blogs again...so here I am. I'm already getting used to the powerful influence of a wife :-)

" He who observes the wind [and waits for all conditions to be favorable] will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. As you know not what is the way of the wind, or how the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a pregnant woman, even so you know not the work of God, Who does all." - Ecclesiastes 11


Raise your hand if you've ever said one of these phrases:

- I plan on doing XXXX when I have more money or time
- I can't do XXXX because of other responsibilities
- I will know it is time to move forward when God does X, Y, and Z

It is our human nature to look for perfect conditions before we take a step forward. We wait for all the stars to align before we decide to launch out. Like the above passage, we wait for the wind to stop blowing, the clouds to move, and we stand in one place until the sun shines. Somehow, we seem to confuse God's timing with perfect conditions. We all want to be in God's timing but we mistake God's perfect timing with perfect conditions. For example, you may feel an urge to switch careers but your hesitant because of the years you've spent in your latest job, the money you may lose, and a host of other reasons. For others, you may be holding off on those wedding vows because YOU think the conditions are not juuussst right. Maybe there is a risk that the Lord wants you to take in order to fulfill a greater purpose but your hesitant because the factors of life don't seem ideal for taking flight.

In God's system, perfect timing does not always equate to perfect conditions. God is beyond the natural situations of life and He can do great things in spite of dangerous winds. Are you carefully watching His timing or the conditions of life? Take a thoughtful and prayerful look at why you are hesitating to sow. What is keeping you from reaping what the Lord has for you? The changes you need to grow may be hindered by your current focus. Turn your eyes to the Lord and listen to the subtle call to "Go" and don't focus so much on current conditions. Till next time...


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