Called to Business

“So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, but even with so many the net was not torn.” (John 21:11)

I love this scripture, for two quite distinct reasons. Firstly God is an abundant provider. The nets weren’t full of ‘just enough for the day’. They weren’t just normal small fish, they were ‘large’; big fat juicy large fish, and in abundance.

Is this what we expect for our workplace? Why not? Are we not in God’s service? Are we not appointed and anointed for a purpose? Has not God appointed us to serve where we are? Is He not the same yesterday, today and forever?

The second aspect is that despite this massive haul of fish, the nets were not damaged. God can enlarge our capacity for a harvest whether that is financially or as fishers of men. We and our businesses can become the vessels that can contain an abundance of all God has for us.

Quick Prayer. “As you bless me Lord enlarge my capacity.” Amen

“I will send you such a blessing in the sixth year that the land will yield enough for three years.” (Leviticus 25:21)

God can take what you have, and multiply it when it is surrendered to Him. The timing will be according to His agenda not yours. We live in an instant gratification society, where now is the required timeframe.

Maybe you have been waiting on God and working toward an outcome that seems to be delayed. Do not give up hope, but trust in Him to ensure the right timing. Often it is not you, but all the other people and circumstances, that need to line up to God’s purposes.

But know this; He can vastly multiply what you have, to go well beyond natural provision. Take time to hear from Him again, discern His timing, and watch him multiply what you have surrendered to Him.

Quick Prayer. “Multiply what you have given me for your glory Jesus.” Amen

“For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen.” (Nehemiah 9:21)

In some seasons we feel like it will not end. Maybe you have been through a long time of struggling; a long time of waiting for God to answer. Life can be hard sometimes, I am well aware of that. God’s answers can seem to be held back for an unreasonable time. But if we have engaged our faith and trusted in his timing we will see the hand of God move on our behalf.

In the meantime sometimes we will need to press into Him and ask for Him to sustain us. In Him there is no lack, the Israelites in the desert “lacked nothing”, as He sustained them.

Quick Prayer. “Sustain me Lord.” Amen

“He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock.” (Deuteronomy 8:15)

If we crashed in a desert, how would be survive? It would be hot, arid, and dangerous. Yet God led, fed and protected a vast army of people for forty years in the midst of all that danger. They were watered from a rock, fed daily and protected. Their shoes didn’t wear out, and even when they ungratefully demanded meat, it turned up in bountiful abundance.

There is no lack in God. He will provide all our needs according to His riches in glory.

Quick Prayer. “Thank you that in You there is no lack.” Amen

“So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.” ” (Genesis 22:14)

He has the cattle on a thousand hills. Our Father owns all things; there is no shortage in Him, no economic downturn, and no lack. He is the all-sufficient one, the God of more than enough. There is power in that name, the name “The Lord will provide.”

He is faithful, and He will meet your need. Our hope is in Him, our trust is in Him, and our provision is in Him. Let’s take a moment to be thankful for what we already have, grateful for His past provision, and expectant for our current needs.

We have so many needs in so many areas, yet He is fully aware of all we need and will need in the future, and He has promised to provide.

Quick Prayer. “Thank you for your provision.” Amen

“For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” (Romans 11:36)

Wow, here it is; the core of our reason for being, for serving, for Him, all that we have, all that we are, every blessing, every day. All comes from Him. We barely grasp the true meaning of what it is to be a Son or Daughter of the King.

All things were created for Him, and by Him, that He be glorified forever. If all that we have is His, it should all be dedicated to Him, for His use. What do we have in our hand we would struggle to give away? Where is the waste in resources, in time, in finances?

If only we would view our lives from an eternal perspective, how different would our world be?

Quick Prayer. “Help me to be a better steward Lord.” Amen

“Even if you go and fight courageously in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow.” (2 Chronicles 25:8) 

Whose side are you on? What is your motivation? Are you fighting a battle you were never meant to fight? There is a fine line between presumption and faith. Do you want to serve God or do you want Him to bless your plans. One is true Christianity the other another form of paganism.

That does sound harsh, but consider it for a moment. Will we do what He wants us to do, or do we serve Him in order to have our agenda met. The word says to “seek first His Kingdom”, and then we will get all the other things we need.

He has the power to help or to overthrow, lets not treat lightly the call to which we are called.

Quick Prayer. “Help.” Amen

“But Sihon king of Heshbon refused to let us pass through. For the LORD your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate in order to give him into your hands, as he has now done.” (Deuteronomy 2:30)

God has a much better view than we do. Our ways are not his ways. Sometimes He will allow people to go the way they have determined to go. Even this is for a purpose.

All we may see is obstinacy, blindness and stubbornness, yet God is at work even in the greatest of opposition. How easy would our lives be if we learned just to trust and watch His hand at work?

Resistance is sometimes to be pushed, and other times it is a way to divert us to a higher path. In this case it was ordained to give victory at a later date. Not all resistance is from the enemy.

Quick Prayer. “When I see stubbornness let me know if it is to overcome, or is the work of your hand.” Amen

“And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests.” (Nehemiah 2:8)

I like this Scripture because it says two things. Here was an audacious request for resources, but the answer was due to the gracious hand of God. This is the essence of what it is to walk with God in the marketplace—hearing from God, moving with passion and big goals, asking for favor, and seeing the hand of God move and work miracles in provision and outcomes.

Nehemiah was under no illusion about who is accomplishing the task and gave due credit to His Lord. Yet his hand was on the plough, working hard to achieve all he believed God was asking him to do.

Quick Prayer. “Give me the courage to dare to ask and watch your favor.” Amen

“the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.” (Genesis 39:21)

The Lord showed him kindness and favor. Which of us would not want more of that? We who are called to His purposes and surrendered to His will are able to solicit His favor. That can be manifest in many ways. Resistance can fall away, the hearts of those who oppose us can shift, and we can expect favor from those in authority over us.

There is something about walking closely with God that creates an atmosphere. This can shift mindsets and circumstances. Sometimes just our presence in a place or situation can move opposition or bring resolution. This is no source of pride because it is not us; it is the Holy Spirit Who indwells us, and His anointing can literally move mountains.

Be bold. Why not seek His will and ask for His favor? You may be surprised by just how willing He is to move on your behalf to accomplish His will.

Quick Prayer. “I ask for your favor Father” Amen