How can Marketplace Ministers hear God’s Voice?
In my article, Marketplace Minister’s Response to Adversity, I suggest that Christian businesspeople and Christian entrepreneurs follow four steps when dealing with adversity:
Christian Business & Listening Prayer
- Wait on God
- Ask for direction
- Listen for God’s response
- Obey the instructions you receive
Easier said than done, isn’t it? In today’s busy world, with our lives spinning out of control so quickly, the noise of everything going on around us can be deafening. Hearing God’s voice might seem downright impossible in the midst all this activity and chaos.
Being a Christian business person or entrepreneur, you are used to planning. Therefore, it might be necessary for you to go about this much in the same way you would plan and execute a sales strategy.
A PROCESS FOR LISTENING TO GOD’S VOICE
Be disciplined – Set aside time regularily when you take your mind off everything else and allow God to communicate with you.
Be quiet – During this time, turn off the cell phone, the radio, the TV and your computer. Don’t burdened yourself with distractions.
Start communicating – After you’ve allowed yourself some quiet time to calm down, start talking to God like you would to a friend. Tell Him that you need his guidance and direction and confirm your dependency on Him. And, don’t be bothered when other thoughts about business race through your mind. Just write them down on your Parking Lot List to come back to at a later time.
Open up your mind – Our minds and imaginations are so powerful and when we dare to open the door, God can use it as a mighty tool to communicate with us.
Resist the enemy – No doubt that this process of powerful fellowship between you and God will be met with attacks of doubt and distraction. Be aware of this and ask God to keep you focused on His voice alone.
Be patient – Sometimes you’ll receive answers to your problems immediately. At other times it may take longer, much longer. Do not become impatient. God knows your heart, and knows when you are ready to hear His voice. You might be guided to a specific portion of scripture or a person whom God will use to clarify his guidance.
Journalize – It’s often helpful to write down what you feel and think as you’re going through this process. It may be weeks later when you read through these notes again and they will suddenly make sense.
Measure by the only truth, the Bible – If you are doubtful about the guidance you have received, or the new perspectives you may have found, there is only one way to know if you’re on the right track, and that is by referring back to the unchanging standard of God’s word, the Bible.
In Jeremiah 29 : 11 – 13 God promises the following:
“I alone know the plans I have for you; plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you. You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart.”
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson: Dedicate quiet time every day to hear God’s voice.
Marketplace Minister’s Question: How do I need to rearrange my schedule so that I can spend time listening for God’s voice?
© Copyright 2010, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Marketplace Minister’s Response to Adversity
I read I Samuel 30 today, and am struck by David’s leadership response to adversity. In this chapter, David’s army was so angry with him that they want to stone him (vs. 6). Imagine that; followers so irate that they’re plotting to stone him!
David’s response to this adversity is instructive for us, as Christian businesspeople and entrepreneur, when we’re facing difficult situations:
Marketplace Ministers & Adversity
- He waits.
- He asks.
- He listens.
- He obeys.
He waits
Scripture says “David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” How did David do that? What does that mean?
The first idea that comes to my mind is, this: “They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. (Isaiah 40:31)” So, there must be a relationship between “waiting” and “strengthening”?
Next question: What does it mean to “wait upon the Lord”?
That’s a challenging one for most of us. Well, personal confession! It’s a difficult one for me! I’m a cross-it-off-the-To-Do-List kind of person; very action oriented. However, scripture is inviting us to wait on the Lord. I imagine that “waiting” looks different for all of us. However, I’m certain that it involves thanksgiving, worship, scripture, fellowship, and listening. Yes, “waiting” involves listening,
He asks
I find it interesting that David didn’t just ask for God to bless his endeavor, which I often do, “God, I ask that you bless this endeavor that I’m involved in.”
No, David asked for direction, “Shall I pursue this band?” He was honestly seeking strategy from the Lord.
This is a exhortation for us to truly seek God’s guidance, asking questions like, ‘Lord, should I pursue this business deal?” And “God, should I engage with this client?”
He listens
In the midst of all the chaos and talk of stoning, David actually listens for God’s response. David was confident that when he asked the Lord for direction, that there would be an answer.
Here’s the personal application question for us: How often do we actually LISTEN?
Often, it requires us creating a quiet place in our lives so that we can hear the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. Where do you schedule that time of listening? When do you do it? What’s your “meeting rhythm” with God?
He obeys
David hears God answer. Interesting, it appears that David didn’t argue with God. Now, I think God is OK if we choose to argue; it’s often part of our leadership development program to argue with God. However, I don’t know about you, but when I argue with God, God invariably wins! Perhaps, David had already learned that lesson and had developed the faith of verse 9, “So, David went” May our faith grow to the point that we readily respond to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Lord,
teach us to wait on You,
that we may be strengthened;
guide us to ask of You,
that our vision and strategy would be yours;
instruct us listen intently for Your still, small voice,
that we would move in confidence of your presence;
embolden us to respond in faith to Your voice,
that we may partner in the work that You’re doing in our midst.
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson:As leadership, we need to learn a process for dealing with adversity.
Marketplace Minister’s Question: Obedience starts with waiting. How are you incorporating “waiting” into your life?
© Copyright 2010, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
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About Danita
Bold and Refreshing
Danita has a special gift of igniting others into action. Her skill and experience, partnered with ministry insight, makes Danita a powerful marketplace minister! Her sharp precision cuts right to the heart of business matters – assisting others in breaking new ground for Kingdom Advancement!- Rhonda M. Kalal, President
MN Christian Chamber of Commerce
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"Danita delivered a powerful, insightful and thought-provoking talk that dramatically kicked off the new semester with great success. She is a polished, professional and prepared speaker, yet connects with her audience as if she were having a conversation with a good friend. Thank you, Danita!"- Heather Lam
Communications & Marketing Director
Moms In Step, Woodridge Church
Medina, Minnesota