THE FIVE FOLD MARKETPLACE MINISTERS

Last night I had the privilege to speak at a Wednesday night ministry group about the Kingdom Business Journal and to explain the origin and purpose of our ministry.  The following statement I made sparked considerable interest, some questions and plenty of discussion so I thought I would share it with you too.

I mentioned that I received this revelation while teaching Kingdom Business Principles in Ukraine with my brother David Tinney to various christian groups throughout that country.  Paul wrote in Eph.4:11-12 that “He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying the body of Christ.”  Versus 13-16 further explain the purpose which is to disciple and educate and teach truth to the believers so they are not deceived.

What I am going to submit to you to think about today is just the first layer of teaching of this portion of scripture.  There is much more for another day.  Here is the premise I conclude from this reading.  Jesus loved teaching with metaphors, parables and word pictures to better understand the spiritual and practical comparison of His Kingdom Principles.  His invite for us was to learn, practice and teach His Kingdom’s principles on earth as foundation for living now and preparing  us to rule and reign with Him in the millennium and eternity.

When Jesus ascended into heaven after His resurrection, He left with us these gifts referred to as the “Gifts of the Ascended Christ” referred to in Eph.4:11.  In our natural understanding I think most of us interpret this writing to mean He left a few key spiritual jobs here on earth for ordained ministers in the pulpit to assume in their churches.  I happen to believe that.  But I found this interpretation to be very limiting of Christ’s army of public ministers of which all the rest of us are,  if we believe the command we have of the Great Commission.

There is no mention of any building or meeting place in this scripture but perhaps some believe it is implied.  Truth is, the definition of “church” to Jesus was His people, not the houses and caves they met in in the first century.  I believe Jesus once again in His infinite wisdom,  left us special,valuable gifts that included spiritual and practical connotation so that we  could all minister the Gospel of the Kingdom throughout the world.  Let me be comparatively specific?

SPIRITUAL GIFTINGS:  Clergy

Apostles  =  Visionaries for the church who often traveled the countryside planting new churches, getting the local leadership on track with the vision for the Church (people).

Prophets  =  Were the spiritual advisers for the Apostles (leaders) of the churches who would clarify, confirm and emphasis the word of God.

Evangelists  =  Traveled these same areas of the country and at home, proclaiming the saving grace and salvation of Jesus Christ.

Pastors  =  Shepherded the local church attendees ( flock) and ministered with compassion and protection to their people

Teachers  =  Those trained and learned in the Word were the interpreters for the Way and discipled the flocks towards their maturity.

PRACTICAL GIFTINGS:  (everyone who is not a paid minister in the pulpit)

Apostle  =  The visionary entrepreneur business owner who establishes businesses through out his customer demographic and directs the vision of his company.

Prophet  =  The company consultant or upper management persons consulted for all important matters of the  business and who influences the business owner with researched understanding  that helps guide appropriate company decision making.

Evangelist  =  Every believer in the workplace can and should be an evangelist.  That is God’s command.

Pastor  =  Functions as a manager over departments and groups to make sure the leaders plans are carried out as instructed and successfully but always mindful of the needs of his people.

Teacher  =  Is the role of one who’s wisdom, experience and learning is utilized to assure productivity, efficiency resulting in ROI to the company.

So……. where do you fall into this schematic?  May I suggest that all of us share in the Ascended Gifts of Christ in one way or another.  You don’t have to be in the pulpit or full time ministry to fulfill the calling  God has put in your heart.  You can now accept the role of life you are currently in and be used greatly if you want to be.  And there is no better place of opportunity than your workplace.  So once again I say…. go use your gifts to spread the Good News,  but only use words when you have to!

Blessings………..Rich Forster   KBJ  Publisher

THE SUPER BUSINESSBOWL

It’s finally here.  Arguably the biggest day in American sports is about to take place Sunday, the NFL Superbowl.  Can you imagine being on a professional football team, playing at the highest level the sport can offer?    And now it has been determined that you are one of the two best teams in the world.

Whether you win or loose the big game, you have the assured distinction of knowing that your efforts to be the best that you could be through your skill, conditioning, training, all those hours of practice and hundreds of played games since you were a kid resulted in this prestigious moment of fame and fortune.  No doubt the winners feeling will be euphoric and unforgettable.

The business world and it’s competition and challenges are not unlike sporting event contests.  For every business industry has it’s Superbowl of accomplishment without exception.  Businesses too face sometimes fierce competition and challenges on the pathway to being the best.  Ironically both scenarios require a similar process and preparation for that day.  Let me point out a few key similarities required to be the best in sports and your business field, then you compare them with your  position or company in the marketplace today.

DESIRE = It all begins in your heart.  You’ve got to want to be successful.

GOAL SETTING = Simply put, if you don’t know where you are going, you will never get there!

DISCIPLINE = Mental and physical control speeds up positive results.

COACH/MENTOR = No replacement for a great teacher.

PRACTICE = Study any of the greatest athletes in the world and practice is a priority.

CELEBRATE = Everything you win or loose knowing that there is something positive to learn with each experience for next time.

I urge you not to limit your career goals with these few practical steps but also include the spiritual, parallel principles that go together to mold your being and purpose for success.

Eph.1:11  He predestined you before creation for His purpose.

Matt.25:14-23 Jesus teaches the parable of the talents in which He tells us that there are expectations for us to do the best we can with our talents and giftings.

Matt.25:24-29 Jesus continues with His admonition that we who are given much, more is expected from us.

Col.3:23-24 Paul reminds us to do all things heartily as to the Lord and that our reward is the inheritance, the SUPERBOWL for eternity.

Now, you talk about euphoria!  Victory in this arena  will be a celebration for eternity and with a great many other believers.

I invite you to consider these practical and spiritual Kingdom Principles as you continue your journey of life.  Realize there will be bumps, bruises and a bloody nose or two along the way.  In fact you may even loose a game or two.  But always remember,  if it were easy……anyone could win the SUPERBOWL.  Be the best you can be always and your seasons of winning will be many.

Blessings………..Rich Forster    KBJ Publisher

“SUCCESS” R.I.P.Within You

Would you say that Warren Buffett (financial  investor), Michael Jordan (basketball), Payton Manning (football), Rachel Ray (Food Network),David Foster (music composer), Meryl Streep (actress), John Grisham (novelist) are a few of the most successful people of our generation?  That was easy to answer.  What do you attribute their success to?  How do you measure their success?  Now your thinking.

Well, there are contests where they have won the most games and accumulated the most outstanding statistics.   Some have won prestigious awards for accomplishments in writing, film and music.  Some have well know financial assets.  Oh, we could go on with a variety of success definitions and what propelled these few to those ranks but allow me to submit to you a simple formula for success and how you can measure it for yourself.

1.Success begins with using the talents and gifts you were endowed with at conception to the best of your ability; (Mat 25:15-30).

2.Next, like all of those individuals mentioned above constantly do, you must practice to develop those talents physically, mentally and spiritually throughout your life; (Phil. 3:14).

3. Then when you become successful, you need to be aware and give credit where credit is due; (James 1-16-17) and humbly accept the accolades of peers.

4.Finally, share the bounty of your riches with the less fortunate; (Acts 20:35).

This is the formula for “SUCCESS” to R.I.P. within you.

Now here is how you can self measure your success and be assured you are using your life as an Divinely empowered instrument of God especially in the Marketplace.  Consider just ONE particular person around you……..

1.Have you shown Respect and offered encouragement to that person regardless of their accomplishments?

2.Have you Influenced that one person positively by your success?

3.Have you shared your Prosperity with that person?

You will notice I have limited measuring the number of recipients of your success to only one.  It is because that is a good place to start.  Measure your success one person at a time to be sure.  You should not have any limitations as to how many people you influence but I like the initial step for success to be attainable.  You can take it from there.

So my prayer for you is that your SUCCESS  Rest In Peace within you for all the right reasons and for all the promised blessings you are then entitled to.  Wouldn’t it be great if the people around you were influenced to SUCCESS because of your success?

Blessings…….Rich Forster   KBJ  Publisher

THE STATE OF THE UNION

State of the Union address

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“State of the Union” redirects here. For other uses, see State of the Union (disambiguation).

2003 State of the Union Address given by President George W. Bush

The State of the Union is an annual address presented by the President of the United States to the United States Congress. The address not only reports on the condition of the nation but also allows the president to outline his legislative agenda and national priorities to Congress.^[1]

The State of the Union is typically given before a joint session of the United States Congress and is held in the House of Representatives chamber at the United States Capitol.

Once again our Founding Fathers wrote a Constitutional law based on the biblical principle for communication.  In the United States, the President of our country is obligated to explain where and why our country is in the condition it was in and what his plans are for correction and improvement during  the next approximate twelve months.

The Lord put it to Habakkuk this way in chapter 2:2-3 when Habukkuk was so disgusted with the political conditions of his day and the eminent attack by the Babylonians God prophesied to him  .  “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a hearld may run with it.  For the revelation waits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”

Habakkuk was very frustrated with the condition of things in his country as many are these days in America.  He complained to God and literally demanded an answer as to when He was going to do something about it.  Fortunately for him, the Lord God Almighty was indulgent with his tantrum and with grace, assured him He had things under control and even went on to explain the entire situation cause and His plans for correction.

Behold, the first State of the Union address was offered verbally to Habukkuk and God instructed him to write it down to be sure you don’t forget it.  In fact, to write it so that anyone who reads it but may not have heard Him will know and understand exactly what He said.

There are many lessons that could  be taught from this chapter of the bible but for today the business message is the importance of frequent, factual communication.  As we all know, the opposite situation, or the lack of frequent, factual communication results inevitably in chaos and confusion or worse.

Perhaps a more general business term for this principle  is “casting the company vision”.  It is very important for a company leader to first of all have a vision statement for his or her company and second, to explain that vision on a regular basis.  The size of your company is not a determining factor for this principle.  It is important for every business to do this.  The result will be that  your staff will stay on track for the company objectives and goals and there will be fewer squabbles and arguments from employees attempting to interpret what they think you want from them and the companies results.

How often does a leader need to “re-cast the vision?”  Yes, I said re-cast the vision.  Memories are short.  Vision is sometimes obstructed by the sheer volumn of  other stuff in the way.  The answer is, “when you think it is needed.”  Nehemiah recast the vision of rebuilding the Wall of Jerusalem after 28 days  to keep his people focused on the job at hand (Neh.4:14-15).  The President officially does it about once a year by constitutional law.  My personal choice is to continually pray to the Lord for wisdom and guidance to steward my business as He would have me do,  including the discernment to recognize when such actions are needed .

So in summary, tonights State of the Union address is a good example of how to run your business also as it relates to communication with your employees and management staff.

1. Create a “Vision Statement” for your comapany.

2. Read it and write it so that there is no mistaking your message and post it where all can see.

3. Occasionally as you discern it is needed,  re-cast the vision to all again.

These three small steps will go a long way in developing the right communication practices in your business and help insure  success  for a long, long time.  That would be my prayer for you!

Blessings………Rich Forster   KBJ  Publisher

The value of the written vision or plan posted for all to see leaves no doubt in employees minds as to what was said and the accompanying instructions along with it.

Hello…Hello…Can you hear me now?

I was listening to the Presidents interview today with a television reporter, explaining or perhaps making excuses for his popularity decline over the last 12 months.  Now before we get too far along and you accuse me of partisanship, let me be perfectly clear.  Sound familiar?

I am a registered Republican but have voted Independent over the years as well.  So the comments I am about to make are not directed necessarily at the Democrats and President Obama.  In fact, quite the opposite.  The  point I wish to share  is 100% applicable to all political parties but perhaps to you as well.  I shall let you make that determination.

When questioned what went wrong with the  election in Massachusetts Tuesday for the Democrats, the President responded this way.  “We failed to TELL the people of our core values and why we were doing this or that.”  “We got so busy with all the stuff thrust into our laps at first, we just never had time to catch up and be more clear”.

I may have a few specific words missing but I think I am very close on the jest of his comments.  The President added a few other points related to the issues to help solidify his argument.  Now whether it was Barak Obama, George Bush or any other President and/or politician, they have all missed the very important truth for one very simple reason.  Instead of telling the American people what to believe, why not LISTEN to what the American people believe and say?  After all, as public servants, that is what the job description requires you do.  Be a servant to your people!   The same is true in the Marketplace.

The plain and simple truth once again is that politicians and often we ourselves, do not listen to our customers.  We do not try and find out their needs so we can offer viable, value filled solutions.  We are all too often, too busy with our own agendas to even consider what it is that would solve their problems and fulfill their desires.  We just don’t listen for whatever reasons or excuses you want to claim.

So lesson learned?  From now on, treat your customers, family and constituents like you would want to be treated.  Listen to them and for what their needs are, then go about solving those needs.  That is a Kingdom Principle.  You will become a hero in their eyes and very likely become rather prosperous along the way.  You might even get re-elected.

How to start?  Try a big dose of  PERSONAL HUMILITY first.  When to start?  How about FIRST THING TOMORROW?  Give it a try.  You will learn a great deal more about how to serve your customer and perhaps your fellow countryman if you use your two ears instead of your one mouth.  Simple math.

Blessings…..Rich Forster   KBJ Publisher

THE TRUE SPIRIT OF AN ENTREPRENEUR

The post is dedicated to all the struggling entrepreneurs who are seemingly at a standstill with the pursuit of their dream for one reason or another.  I have a piece of encouragement for you today compliments of the television show “Sharktank“.

If you haven’t seen this particular show yet, let me give you a very short description of its format.  Entrepreneurs needing money to fund their  new business ventures and dreams present to a panel of five men and women representing equity companies, referred to as the sharks, the reasons why they should invest in their new enterprise.  The sharks approach to this process can be as unpredictable as a real shark would be with you in the ocean.  They can seemingly disregard you and your ideas and thus be passive or attack your idea as inadequate or foolish while pounding you with a barrage of questions.

There are two things that I have noticed that are consistent most of the time with the interviews. The entrepreneur needs to be a good salesperson for their own idea.  The second is, the sharks are interested in company control and the bottom line profit to themselves.  What impressed me this episode was seeing the exceptions rise forth to override those entrenched mindsets and manifest the “TRUE SPIRIT OF THE ENTREPRENEUR”.

In these two separate presentations, the typical mind and word games were being played and the consistent  issues of company value and control were being played.  Then in both situations, four of the five sharks declined to invest but one stayed interested.  The game was on.  Suddenly the true spirit of those entrepreneur’s burst forth in the form of intense passion, product knowledge and the persistence to work as hard as it took to succeed.  That passion fire rose up in the entrepreneur’s that nearly took the sharks breath away.  Suddenly the sharks realized that these folks were worthy of respect and consideration.  The reason why?  The true entrepreneur spirit.

True entrepreneur’s have PASSION.  They have KNOWLEDGE and EXPERIENCE at what they are doing.  They are PERSISTENT and willing to WORK AS HARD AS IT TAKES to accomplish their dream.  I truly believe the God has given each of you a Divine Dream and the ability to accomplish that dream.  If you have the ingredients of the TRUE SPIRIT OF AN ENTREPRENEUR, then let no shark or any other obstacle get in your way.  HIS plan for you will work and work very well.  But always remember the GLORY IS FOR GOD.  That is the most important ingredient of all.

P.S.  By the way, both entrepreneurs in the show accomplished their goal and became partners with a shark.

Blessings…….Rich Forster  KBJ Publisher

THE STARTING BLOCK PRINCIPLE

Here we go again with the traditional, best opportunity of the year to start afresh and new, leaving failures and wasted efforts behind and planning for a bright and successful future.  So, how’s your New Years plan coming along?  It would be interesting to see the analytics on how many of us have our goals set and on target already versus how many of us have yet to formulate that new plan for the upcoming year.  

I dare not ask for response to this question for fear I may lose some of you because of my meddling.  But if you are one of those who has yet to initiate that plan or perhaps struggling a bit to get to the next few steps, let me offer this suggestion for you to consider to help you along.

What is your heart telling you that is important going forward with your life this  next year?  Take time to examine the priorities that your heart leads you to think about first because that is where your treasure is.  Then, when you’re getting in the starting blocks of this race, listen and feel the pulse of your entire mind, body and spirit and what it is trying to relate to you.

It isn’t so much the number of things you want to accomplish, the amount of money you want to make, the position in your company you desire to attain, the amount of time you want to spend with your mate and family,  but the importance they should be  in your life and future developement.  If you can do this, then you establish your priorities and thus the order of resolutions that you focus upon first to last.

Now why is this so important?  Experience and observation has proven that if we can stay aware and working on one to three of those priority items over the course of the next year, we will be doing really good.  First, the number of items listed can become lost and overwhelming over a period of time.  Second, if we slip and fail a time or two on any number of promises, we get discouraged and tend to just give up anyway.  Alas, we can more easily justify that we “just can’t do this anyway”, and quit all efforts we originally believed in and thought we should and could do.

So here is the ”STARTING BLOCK PRINCIPLE”,  to help you solidify your New Years Resolutions.

1. Seek answers from your heart with importance and meaning to your goal setting

2. Establish the priorities in order so you can focus on the most important issues first.

3. Minimize your list to limit confusion and frustration.  You can always add more.

Oh, and last….WRITE THEM DOWN. 

There is something impactful about writing your commitments to yourself that is much more meaningful than just saying them and usually forgetting them along the way.  If you would like a great scriptural reference to support this, read Habakkuk 2:1-3.

Blessings……..Rich Forster   KBJ  Publisher

IS IT ALL WORTH IT?

I have two snipits of encouragement for you business owners who are scratching your heads or working on controlling your blood pressure regarding your business.  The end of the year business challenges are enormous and the forethought and confidence to plan intelligently for the next year is at times overwhelming, especially if this hasn’t been a banner year for you.  I know from experience.

Well I don’t believe your alone with these concerns.  Then you may hear the cliche that says “have faith and hang in there, it’s gonna be allright”, and that isn’t the most reassuring encouragement either.  Our human minds are so fragile because our hearts are fragile.  Scripture says where your treasure is there your heart is also.  Let me suggest this about your treasure (your business).

Snipit one.  If it was going to be easy, everyone would be doing it and no one would make a dime.  There is a wonderful opportunity here to invite a qualified mentor or business professional and hopefully brother in Christ, who has a heart for you and what you are doing that can be of some help.  Often the forest is just too thick to see through to the trees and your vision is obscured.  A more experienced person or persons who can help you sort through the weak areas of your business can be invaluable getting you on the right track.  Humble yourself and go find them.

The second snipit is harder to swallow,  but here goes.  If your just in business to chase the dollar, you’ll probably be chasing it the rest of your life.  Success is all too often a result of passion and persistence more than anything.   I can assure you that with these two business principles, you will have a much greater chance for success.  The reason is, your heart is in it.  You see, the heart thing is so critical for every kind of work.  Whether its your business, your family life, your relationship building outside your family, it always comes back to a heart issue.  That was Jesus secret too.

Jesus had a heart and passion for what He did on earth which was to live and die for us.  His influence and teaching of those principles left lasting impressions on all His followers (employees) and thus the legacy for Christianity.  You will probably not have quite that level of  success but that type of effort will go a long way in your marketplace to help spread the gospel, and you won’t even have to use words. 

So here are your two snipits.  Remember if it was easy, everyone would be doing it and you would likely not be very successful.  Second, don’t just chase the money.  Put your heart into your business and stay the course and serve people.  Paul said “I reach for the prize, for the mark of the higher calling in Christ Jesus”.  He never gave up in his quest to be the best God called him to be.  By the way, he was a tent maker in the marketplace.  Remember?

Blessings….Rich Forster  KBJ  Publisher

IF I COULD IT TO DO OVER AGAIN

Today was a memorial service for a special man of God and healing evangelist, Oral Roberts.   In the last few months, I lost a high school classmate, and also another old friend from a few years ago.  I’m sure you all remember just a few months ago when one of the most gifted entertainment celebrities, Michael Jackson passed away.  Perhaps you have had a similiar loss yourself lately?  I don’t mean to be morbid or depressive by beginning this writing with such sadness and finality, but to see if you have similiar feelings as I do once in a while when friends, loved ones and respected ones pass on.

Death has a unique way of reminding us of our mortality doesn’t it?  I don’t know if it’s part of the aging process or perhaps a little spiritual nudge from the Holy Spirit reminding me to ask myself….are you ready?  Have you done all I designed you to do?  So I ask myself….if I knew I was going to die today, what would I regret if anything?  If I could do it over again, what would I do different?  Here’s a tougher one.  What if you knew you were going to die a year from today.  What if anything would you do different this next year? 

Not fun questions to ponder I know.  But that doesn’t change the fact that the inevitable is going to happen to us and maybe we should be asking ourselves not just what would we do for the next year but why?  Oh, now I really have your curiosity I’m sure .  The question can be applied to your life’s practices in general but let me narrow this writing down to your purpose in the marketplace.

Rev. 20:4  tells us we are going to rule and reign with Jesus during the 1000 reign and Rev. 22:4  says we shall rule and reign with Him forever and ever in Heaven.  So I’m wondering what we are going to rule and reign in Heaven on earth?   What a stimulating question.  Allow me to suggest a thought provoking answer.  Could it be that all the trials, tribulations and training we are going through on earth in this lifetime are training for this ruling and reigning John the Revelator is referring to? 

Whether you interpert this scripture this way or not but think maybe it  could be such, it offers a reasonable argument or hopefully incentive to apply yourself to your job and career to the very best of your God given ability.  Who knows?  God may have you slated for something similiar in eternity.

Now some of you may not be not too happy about that if your not in a field of work you really like.  So here’s your chance.  To whom much is given, much is expected.  To him who does well with a little, much more will be given to him.  Do these scriptures sound familiar?  If you going to stay on the sidelines your not going to get to play in the game.  You can start tomorrow with a fresh new approach to your work and with an attitude of doing your job a well as you or anyone else possibly can.  Applying God’s principles to your work will not only result in more success in your job, but your Godly influence will begin to impact those around you in a positive way to His cross.  

Now your positioned for promotion, so get ready.  Repeat this same process with your next work opportunity and before you know it, you will be successful in the career of your dreams.  And who knows?  God may be looking for a qualified soul to fill those shoes and more in heaven’s marketplace and you just might get a chance to do it over again, the right way.

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

Don’t you think it’s ironic that in the business world, the end of the year is usually crunch time for all businesses to meet their year end budgets and goals.  It’s gimmie, gimmie, gimmie so I can meet my quota or objective.  It seems so counter cultural to the “Christmas Season”.  Often times the price required to reach those goals can be very high, and I don’t just mean financially.  People get layed off.  Customers shipments get delayed.  Quality may fade a bit to meet minimum standards so as to get by and maybe save a few bucks.  Attention to the customer  may wane just because  our companies emphasis is not focused on their needs right now but more towards the financial mandates of our company.  And let’s not forget of course, you have to work lots of extra hours.

Now I know this sounds a bit one sided.  However companies must make a certain profit margin to justifiably stay in business and in fact, they deserve that opportunity.  I too am a business owner and realize oh so well that pressure.  My point is that during this special time of the year (Christmas Season), it is so very difficult to think beyond that kind of business pressure because we are so stressed about meeting our company needs we have and much less of the needs of others around us.  Finding time in the midst of all this pressure to give to those less fortunate ones is too often masked over by the everyday pressures of year end sales and production requirements.

Let’s acknowledge that some of our companies must  push very hard at the end of the year to make it, especially these days.   However,  as Christians in the marketplace,  let’s not forget the often used cliche, “reason for the season”.  We need to first of all give thanks to God for everything.   Then give our employers the best effort possible as they are counting on us to help maintain and grow the business and our future with them.  As owners, we need to realize that our companies earthly future and it’s eternal future have commonality and we need to be constanly aware of both responsibilities.  That’s why we’re the boss.  It’s our Divine expectation.  We also have responsibilities to our customers and employees that they deserve and we must be committed to them also.

But the point I want to share about this annual description of the marketplace is this.  Isn’t it interesting that in todays world, the Lord God has positioned the recognition of the birth of His Son Jesus Christ to be at the same time as all this crazyness?  What’s the deal?  Is there some significance to that irony? 

Here’s my take on it.  He (God) ,conveniently arranged for us (The Body of Christ),  to celebrate His giving to us His one and only Son at this very busy time of year to hopefully remind us also to give of ourselves and to help others in need as He did.  Now we could never give to the degree that He did, but that’s not the point.  At least this one time a year, we Christians are reminded that Jesus is the reason for the season and especially in the marketplace and this is an excellent opportunity to show the love of Jesus by the generous and loving example we show to others. 

The word says that where your treasure is, there your heart is also.  Have you asked yourself lately, where is my treasure?  Do I have a spirit of giving like the Father?  Does my business activity take precedence over my heart activity?  Sure, family is usually in the forefront of your year end celebrations, but how about the less fortunate ones right around you?  Is there someone at work who could use an encouraging word?  Is there an employee family in need of a really good meal or presents for their children they can’t afford this year?  You don’t know you say?  Well that’s the first hint that you need to do a little work on the heart issue.  Check it out!

Believe it or not.  As marketplace ministers, which is what you are, these types of heartfelt gestures can do more to influence the lost than all the door to door knocking evangelism you could do for the next ten years.  Like I have suggested before.  “This is a great chance to evangelize and even use words if you have to”. 

Jesus was a giver and a lover.  No greater harvest for the King is possible by Kingdom standards than by following those two principles.  This Christmas season, won’t you try and take a few moments each day to thank God for all your many blessings and then, think of someone you can give of yourself to.  When you sense an opportunity, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and submit yourself to His leading.  Then you will truely realize that the ”Reason for the Season” has to do with giving of yourself and not just balancing the budget.

Blessings……..Rich Forster   KBJ Publisher