by Mark Bilton | Jun 29, 2020 | Create, Grow, Provide, Serve, Witness, Work, Worship
“In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” (Luk 14:33)
What does it mean to give up everything? To me it is an attitude of the heart—a position of yielding and surrender, of obedience, and of willingness to lay everything down. We are to commit to God all we have, all we do, and all we are.
Commit it all into His hands and it becomes anointed, powerful in His Kingdom, and sanctified for a greater purpose. Moses only had a staff, yet God used it to lead a nation through miracle after miracle. The question He was asked was, “What do you have in your hand?” What do we have in our hands? Let’s give it all to God and see what He can do.
Quick Prayer: I yield all I have to Your lordship. Amen.
by Mark Bilton | Jun 22, 2020 | Create, Grow, Provide, Serve, Witness, Work, Worship
“You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.” (Exo 18:18 NASB)
Are you working long hours, tired, irritable, and not spending enough time with your family? This is not compulsory for success. God has said that His burden is light and that He has come so that we may life—life to the fullest.
God will provide you with the resources you need to accomplish the task He has set for you. Are there people in your business you are not delegating to? Do you need to be across all that detail? Can you not trust those around you? If your view is that if you want something done, you have to do it yourself, then stop because you are on the road to trouble, both for yourself and for those around you.
Look at what you have to do, and give away all you can. If you trust others to deliver, you may well be surprised at the outcome—in a good way.
Be very clear on your desired outcome. Make sure your employees are well resourced, and let them loose. You may well be unlocking their God-given talent. The people you always wanted may already be with you.
Quick Prayer: Lord, help me unload what You never intended me to carry. Amen.
by Mark Bilton | Jun 15, 2020 | Create, Grow, Provide, Serve, Witness, Work, Worship
“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks; give careful attention to your herds.” (Pro 27:23)
Whether we are in business, have some authority in the work place, or just have financial oversight over our own income, one thing is very important. In the business of work and life, we can get carried away with all we are doing.
How is your financial state? Do you know what you spend and what your costs are? Do you know what your future requirements may be? Are your investments wisely placed? Are you putting away enough to retire? Are you reducing your debt?
In short, what is coming in, what is going out, and how much do you have? Discipline and robust management of our finances personally or in business can be a painful process to monitor, but monitor it we should.
Quick Prayer: Let my books be in order as a reflection of Your order. Amen.
by Mark Bilton | Jun 8, 2020 | Create, Grow, Provide, Serve, Witness, Work, Worship
“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” (1 Tim 6:9)
There is nothing wrong with riches. There is nothing wrong with wealth. Having riches and wealth is a great blessing when they are surrendered and balanced by God.
However, if our motivation in life is to become rich, we can fall into a moral decline to achieve this goal. Many are obsessed to the degree that Godly checks and balances are not countering the greed, and the safely net is not in place.
The result of harmful desires is ruin and destruction—the opposite of the desired outcome. When you have a goal that is not subject to God’s control, you will very often pay a hefty price.
Quick Prayer: Set me free from an unhealthy pursuit of material gain. Amen.
by Mark Bilton | Jun 1, 2020 | Create, Grow, Provide, Serve, Witness, Work, Worship
A Warning to Those around Us
“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self.” (Luke 9:25)”
Growth is good and optimizing profit a spiritual mandate. But the unfettered pursuit of wealth brings a warning from God. To those around us, meaning is derived from the accumulation of possessions, but Jesus once again tells it like it is. Even if you were to become a billionaire or have the wealth of nations, it is of no value if you lose your very soul.
Our calling is to demonstrate this to those around us. The wanton pursuit of wealth is only moderated, contained, and augmented by a loving God working on the spirit of man, moving us from glory to glory as we are being transformed into the likeness of Him who gave His life for us. This is not by our works but by His unmerited favor and grace.
Quick Prayer: Jesus, keep me from greed, and help me to demonstrate Your grace to those around me. Amen.
by Mark Bilton | May 25, 2020 | Create, Grow, Provide, Serve, Witness, Work, Worship
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Tim 6:10)
Scripture is often misquoted as saying, “Money is the root of all evil.” The verse in question is correctly quoted above. Money is neither good nor evil. It is a morally neutral tool that can be used for good or to cause damage.
Money buys freedom of choice and options to give and sow into the work of the kingdom. What is it in you and your business that constrains the wanton pursuit of profit at all costs? Greed is moderated by giving; God calls us to a generous life—a giving life—as demonstrated by His Son, who gave His life for all.
The pursuit of wealth for wealth’s sake will bring with it collateral damage in other areas of life if it is not counterbalanced with a generous spirit. Moderation is a virtue, and God’s principles of giving and sacrifice bring balance to our natural tendency for greed.
Quick Prayer: Lord, please bless my workplace and balance my life with generosity and wisdom. Amen.
by Mark Bilton | May 18, 2020 | Create, Grow, Provide, Serve, Witness, Work, Worship
Have You Asked Your Staff Recently?
“Jesus stopped ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’” (Luke 18:40–41)
You are in a position of authority, and even if you are accessible, many will be intimidated by your position. If you ask, “What can I do for you?” you give an opportunity to others to respond. It may very well help them do their part in the company.
Often the simple things are forgotten yet can be easily changed or given to adequately resource your people. We all liked to be asked, even if we don’t need anything. It shows that someone cares about our opinion.Jesus is asking us the same question. He is able to change any situation, provide any resource, and meet any need, and He is asking, “What do you want Me to do for you?” Go ahead; ask.
Quick Prayer: Help me to remember to ask. Amen.
by Mark Bilton | May 11, 2020 | Create, Grow, Provide, Serve, Witness, Work, Worship
No Calling is Above Another
Martin Luther wrote, “A cobbler, a smith, a farmer, by means of his own work or office must benefit and serve every other, that in this way many kinds of work may be done for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the community, even as all the members of the body serve one another.”
We are called to stay more often than to go. Doing what you do is the basis of your service to God. He will use you where you are, change you where you are, and grow you where you are. We need to learn to see the sacred in the seemingly ordinary to appreciate God’s plan for our lives.
As we submit in this, the motivation will come, the fruit of the Spirit will be manifested, and true ministry will begin to occur.
Quick Prayer: Lord, thank You for where You have planted me. Help me to see You in all I do. Amen.
