Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 267 – They don’t play by the same rules You are a faith-oriented businessperson. You work hard to show integrity, honesty and consistency in your business. You deliver value that exceeds the price you charge. But there is a good chance the people you deal with daily in your business don’t follow the same rules. “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 266 – Being the thread Do you know how hard it is to transplant fennel?  “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…” — Zechariah 4:10 (NLT) Last week I worked at my daughter’s and son’s-in-law farm. I was tasked to plant fennel seedlings in the bed. I didn’t know the spacing. I didn’t know the depth they needed. I didn’t know how to get...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 265 – Needle and thread Many of you know about Regen.Global, the vision to bring clean air, clean water, good food and restored soils so that people might spiritually and materially flourish. The challenge for me as a visionary is to articulate that vision and then see it implemented.  That is why I need implementers. “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 264 – The good centurion I’ve been thinking about the story of Cornelius in Acts 10.  (Cornelius said) “Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you, Peter, to tell us.” Acts 10:33 Cornelius was a Roman centurion. As such, he commanded about 80 warriors and support staff. Centurions were often promoted from the ranks for their courage,...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 263 – Right in front of you Finding good talent is always a challenge. My friend Harry T. Jones offered some good advice,  “Look who is beside you.” “The Lord answered, ‘Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns....

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 262 – I thought I had a plan I thought I had a plan.  “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:1–2 Our company Ecomark’s vision was “Providing solutions in environmental stewardship”. It was a group of professionals –...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 261 – Under the tree Yes, we must look at quarterly returns and our annual profit and loss balance in our business. But if we only measure success in short-term increments, we risk missing the larger calling we’ve been given—to bear fruit that lasts. “I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last…”. John 15:16 Today, Terri and I...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 260 – The most dangerous time You want to know the most dangerous time for your company? When things are going well. “Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 259 – Hanging by your toes Last weekend Terri and I had the distinct joy of watching two of our granddaughters in a dance recital.  “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6 Our eldest granddaughter performed an acrobatic dance routine that included hanging from a ring ten feet above the ground...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 258 – Haven Have you ever thought of your business as the safest place in the day for some of your employees? ““Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.” Psalm 107:28–30 I was hosting a panel...