Year: 2014

The Principle of Three

Dr. Mike Business & Faith , , , ,

The number three is an old friend. Over the years, I have witnessed whenever (s)he shows up, life becomes better. (S)he not only is my friend, but I have seen over and over again how (s)he also relates with others in similar favorable circumstances.

We have witnessed our old friend three from the beginning of creation, through Christ’s life on earth, and into the far reaches of the marketplace, Three is a proven friend that continually gives greater assurance for one’s choices, accomplishments, and relationships.

You first notice three in our Creator God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: One God IN Three Persons. The Lord instructed Israel under the Old Testament to gather together in an assembly three times a year for a Holy celebration (Deut: 16:16). When Job lost his entire health, family, and fortune, his three friends came to him (Job 2:11). Daniel was educated for three years and prayed three times a day (Dn:1:5,6:10). You notice that Christ faced three temptations in the wilderness (Lk.4:4-12). Jesus was most intimate with three of his disciples (Mk. 5:7, 9:2, 14:33). When Peter denied Christ, he did it three times (Jn.13:38). When Christ extended his grace and mercy to Peter after the resurrection, he ask Peter three times whether he loved Him. Jesus died and was resurrected after three days (Jn.21:15-19). Whenever two or three people are gather together, Christ is among them (Mt:18:20). The best is to have two or three witnesses (Mt:18:16) whenever someone is being accused. Even the new Jerusalem coming down from heaven is pictured in the Book of Revelations showing each side of the city to have three gates (Rev 21:13).

Three became a closer friend when I traded the stock market. I successfully learned to trade technically by viewing three different time frames of the same chart: a long term view, a short term view, and the current trade view.

In measuring work performance during the day, the number three became a productive friend. How does one focus on the important issues of the day while dealing with urgent emergencies all day long? By trusting your number three friend. For over thirty years in various leadership roles, I was able to focus on the important goals each day by accomplishing three of them while also juggling the daily routine and urgent matters that happened during the day. We were able to accomplish much simply by focusing on the top three most important priorities every day. It also contributed a sense of self-worth on those days when it felt like nothing got done but the movement of paper. It also let me know when I could quit for the day – after our three objectives where done.

Even when seeking God’s Will in life, we have learned to invite the old friend into the equation. For we seek to align God’s Word with the Holy Spirit’s inspiration and outside circumstances in determining direction and choice. The Bible instructs us that a threefold cord isn’t easily broken (Eccles:3:4).

So why not take time out this week and look up the number three in the Bible. View the world around you and see how often the number three appears in decisions, circumstances, and relationships. The number is not a magical genie; just another way to deal with life. Maybe God’s imprint of Father, Son, and Spirit is more prevalent in our everyday created world than we realize. Or is that just simply too radical for you to believe?

OUR PRAYER

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Holy Father, Lord, and Spirit: thank you for revealing your character and attributes through creation. Whether we view the sky, mountains, and valley, your presence and traits are open for those who want to see. When we look at the oceans, rivers, and streams, your order and interactive approach to life shows us more of who you are. Even when we look in the mirror and at others, your creative and imaginative work inspires us to know you even more. Help us to join you in your work each and every day. Help us to reveal your Kingdom government in our relationship with others. Let your love, grace, and truth be in all we think, say, and do.

Yours in Christ,

Dr. Mike

Executive Chair, Consultant, Encourager
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
* Great Business Emulates a Good God
* Be Radical…Follow Christ!
* Simply The Messenger
* Unequally Married

Learn. Integrate. Grow.

 

Making Decisions

Dr. Mike Business & Faith , , , , , , , , , ,

Our personal decisions have a greater impact into other people’s lives than we may ever realize. When Eve decided to take the forbidden fruit that looked so attractive to her, did she consider the consequences of her decision? In a recent decision that you made last week, did you consider all the people who owned a part of the decision and its ramifications? Probably not. Most of us don’t unless we are reminded.

What the story of Adam and Eve demonstrates is that we all forego a better solution so we may immediately satisfy our personal desires. One effective technique I’ve learned over the years before making any decision is to list at a minimum three other parties that may be impacted by the outcome. From that list, I contact each one for their opinion of the impact of the decision in their world. From their answers, we do our best to develop a solution that will be best for all parties. Some may benefit slightly better than others, but all need to benefit in some way.

Imagine if Eve followed in such a manner. She would have taken the serpents’ statements and asked herself who else would be impacted by the decision. Her list of a minimum of three would include Adam, God, and the serpent. If she had spoken directly with God, He would have gladly given her the consequences of such an action. If she discussed it with Adam, he would have given his view of the situation. Likewise, even though the serpent is a deceiver, one could match his replies with God’s and Adam’s to determine the best course of action. Do you think if she followed such an approach that the world would be in a different place today?

It is a simple approach that has served well over the years for many leaders. The challenge is to always implement the same process each time. Otherwise, the time one fails to follow through is the one event causing one’s world to fall apart. Again just another simple approach to manage the multiple decisions that every leader needs to make. Or is that simply too radical for you?

OUR PRAYER

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Our heavenly Father, Lord, and Spirit: thank you for sharing your heart with us. Thank you for caring enough for us to help learn your values, truths, and purposes. Help us to seek counsel from others who may be impacted by the decisions we make. Help us to seek the answer not only from you, but all others who may be impacted by our decisions. Help us to be honest and caring for all the people and lives our decision impacts. Help us walk with you in the entire decision making process and open our eyes to see and ears to hear the truth and best solutions for all parties involved. Thank you Lord.

 

Yours in Christ,

Dr. Mike

Executive Chair, Consultant, and Encourager
Marketplace Bible Institute & Resource Center, Inc
Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God &
Be Radical…Follow Christ!

Learn. Integrate. Grow.

 

The Joy of Business

Dr. Mike Business & Faith , , , , , , ,

Every person and every organization operates from a built-in structure of values. These values are typically built around an internal belief system. Studies have shown that many of the values we carry throughout life have been shaped within us and already formed by the time we reach the age of 8-9 years. Many of these same values and beliefs remain with us until an event or circumstance changes our perspective of life. Only then, we may consciously or unconsciously make a change.

In business, the founder typically sets the values and belief system of the organization. She or he sets the standards that others quickly learn to comply with if they want to be accepted within the business circle. As an organization grows, other leaders step up to influence their values into the operation. Eventually, team leaders learn to work with one another even though they may disagree with the other team member’s belief system and priority of values.

As a Believer in the marketplace, God has allowed us to partner with Him as He works out His plan of redemption while being the means to economically serve others as His hands and feet. As a servant in God’s government, we have new standards that we are learning. Yet we also have older values that need unlearning. God is creating a masterpiece via His Universal Church within the marketplace and is allowing us to participate with Him if we choose.

Why is this critical to understand? Because many of us enter the marketplace with a focus strictly on monetary reward. We strongly and incorrectly believe that the main purpose of business is to make money. So when we make business decisions, we measure the process with the end result solely for a financial remuneration; a return of investment; a monetary payback for our time and effort. Yet is that how God views business?
Without getting heavy into theology, didn’t God give mankind instructions to have dominion over the earth? To manage it and to sustain it? Where in the creation account did God say our economic primary purpose is to make a profit? Yet didn’t Jesus himself quote scripture that man needs bread and the Word of God to sustain himself? So what is the purpose of business?

Isn’t business a ministry that God ordained to provide for our fellow man? Like every ministry, isn’t the purpose to Glorify God and serve others with the talents and skills we have been blessed with? Is it not a joy to conduct business where God is glorified; all stakeholders benefit, and we receive an economic return so we can do it all over again?

As a young, shy man starting out in the business world, I went into the accounting field because I was good with numbers, logic, and able to bring order out of chaos; I didn’t really want to work directly with people. Likewise, I chose the real estate industry because one could work with buildings and tangible property rather than directly with people. A funny thing happened along the way. I discovered that accounting, real estate, and business is all about people. That if one wants to succeed in life, one needs to learn how to communicate, relate, influence, encourage, and lead people. I eventually learned that successful business is about developing long-term relationships with others for their highest benefit. When we were successful in providing for our customers, operated efficiently, the profit we earned was simply the cost for doing business. Our profit margins was the result of the emphasis of the value and service we provided.

Imagine if every business selected a product or service that would glorify God, honestly serve people, and made enough money to stay in business; and continue to do it over and over again; what a wonderful world it would be! When one reaches this point, than one can truly see the fruit of one’s service and product through the eyes of God. Most people would think that this is impossible in today’s world. Yet, is anything impossible with God? The problem is most people run business their way rather than yield and trust a living God who wants you to partner with Him in His mission for the marketplace. Didn’t Jesus say if we seek His Kingdom first, that all these other things will be added to us? Doesn’t that also include our business ventures? Yes there is joy in business when one learns to truly trust and rest in the living God. Or is that too radical for you?

OUR PRAYER

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Our Economic Father, Son, and Spirit: thank you for creating a world that requires mankind’s participation to learn how to relate, cooperate, and serve one another. Thank you for teaching us that the greatest among us is the one who serves the most. Thank you for showing us that business is simply building relationships with others and helping others to attain their dreams to glorify you and serve their fellow man. Help us to yield our business ventures under your authority. Help us to learn to trust you in our business dealings. Help us to be successful in our business careers so we can be your hands and feet in serving others for your glory. Help us be true to you and others in all our business dealings. Help us work with you to redeem the marketplace for your glory and purpose.

Yours in Christ,

Dr. Mike

Executive Chair, Consultant, and Encourager
Marketplace Bible Institute & Resource Center, Inc
Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God &
Be Radical…Follow Christ!

Learn. Integrate. Grow.