Follower of One : Missions For The Rest Of Us

In this week's episode of the Follower of One Podcast, Mike talks with Bob Willbanks. Bob is the President of Ambassadors for Business, which helps Christians in business connect their faith values and their work. "AFB" has the goal of Creating the largest Christian business network on Earth, enabling commerce with Christian principles and connectivity with Christian values. Please give Bob a warm welcome!

Episode Breakdown

1:05 - Meet Bob Willbanks and his Story with Christ

9:00 - Bob's New Life in Jesus

10:45 - The Change Jesus can Make When He is First

11:15 - Ambassadors for Business Story

18:25 - How to Connect to Ambassadors for Business

25:35 - Bob's thoughts on Follower of One

27:40 - Bob's Yolk Story

32:25 - How to Set an Example for the World Through Crisis

34:40 - Bob's Tips to Integrate Faith at Work

37:20 - Take Action

What Can Change with Jesus at the Helm 

If you have already listened to this interview, then you know just how much Jesus can change someone's life. If you are reading this and have not yet listened to Bob's story, go do so now! As Mike talks to Bob, the most prevalent theme is Change through Jesus. What does it mean to let "Jesus take the wheel"? I think it is very different for everyone. How much are you giving up? How much is Jesus taking care of the unknown? It is all and only part, it is a sum and a whole. When Jesus is at the Helm, anything and everything can happen for you and others. Do you have any stories of when you finally let Jesus be in charge? Comment below and tag us in your stories on social media! We want to know and share those with the world. These stories are important, and it all leads to understanding.

Understanding One Another

Empathy. Probably one of the hardest human traits, unless you are gifted by God with this talent! Coming to understand one another is essential to a combined successful human existence. Why is understanding so hard? It is hard because we typically don't listen. If we listen, we don't listen long enough. Bob talks about how to start acting during a world that is in crisis, and the first step is trying to understand the people around you. When was the last time you digested a person's story so well, you were able to regurgitate their story and they agreed with what you said back to them? You might find this as one of the hardest things to do when you try! I personally have found this to be very useful in past years and more importantly in recent months. Can you restate someone's point of view in your own words and have them agree? Let us know how this experience benefits you in the comments!

Interview Quote:

"You've got a really solid curriculum to bring people through this process of living out their faith almost painlessly" - Bob Willbanks

Connect with Bob

Bob's LinkedIn

Ambassadors for Business

Auxanein

Bob's Twitter

Connect With Follower Of One

Join us over in our Online Community, get social with us; Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Listen to our podcast on your way to work and subscribe using your favorite podcast app. Be a part of our next Marketplace Mission Trip 

Jesus suffered and died for us. God has been working everything for our good for all of time. The author of Hebrews sums up our response by saying that because of the sacrifice that was made for us, we can also make a sacrifice, too. He lists 4 sacrifices here. Today we'll focus on thankfulness.

Our thanks to God begins with simple thanks. The author defines that thanks as a praise to God. We praise him because we are grateful for what he has done. This thanks should be continual. God has worked continuously since the beginning of creation for us. We should respond with continual thanks.

But I'm convicted by how easy I react in anger or disappointment to circumstances or outcomes that don't match my hopes or expectations. What about you? Do you offer up a continual sacrifice of thanksgiving to God. Can you say thanks to him for everything, even the bad things? Our thankfulness at work is one of the ways Jesus becomes visible. When we react differently to circumstances because of who we follow, Jesus becomes visible. As a result, people will ask.

Speaking of being thankful, thank you for your marketplace ministry. Thank you for making Jesus visible at work. Your time at work matters. Instead of trying to stay out of trouble until Sunday, use your work-time to serve others for eternity. Help everyone you meet move one notch closer to God today.

Paul made gratitude a pattern. In 9 of his 13 letters, he begins with a comment telling them how he thanks God for them. In Ephesians, it's further down in the letter. But in most, it's right after wishing them grace and peace.

I mentioned yesterday that I can be a persistent critic. I've been practicing for a long time. Being grateful to God doesn't come naturally for me. Maybe it does for you. Paul was clearly transformed. He was clearly grateful for the believers he mixed it up with. And I read that as a challenge for me. All but 4 of his letters, he opened confirming his appreciation for every believer.

Jesus created each of us on purpose, for a purpose. We are therefore free to thank God for anyone. But in these letters, Paul thanks God for the believers. In romans he talks about how their faith is proclaimed in all the world. Rome was the center of the known world at the time. Paul wasn't exaggerating.

Today, let's ask Jesus to show us who to be thankful for. Let's find ways to express gratitude to God for the people we interact with. God has a purpose for every interaction and for each person. When we look for that purpose, and when we listen to Jesus, he makes our time with others matter for ever. Make your work life matter today. Be grateful to God for others and then help them move one notch closer to Jesus.

Finally, thank You for your faith in Jesus. Your faith matters. Your service to Jesus matters. Choose in the next moment to do whatever Jesus tells you to do. And please let us know how we can help you. You can send us a note through our Contact page on our website. We pray for the requests we receive and we will help you find answers to your questions, too. Thank you for your marketplace ministry.

I am not grateful. And I realized while studying sanctification and the process of becoming more holy, that I can't grow in sanctification and holiness unless I can let go of my critical spirit. How can we be more thankful. First I must remember God is good. When I can focus on the goodness of God, I begin to appreciate the things I experience and the people I encounter.

Score yourself on Psalm 100 today. Are you glad? Do you concentrate on God's goodness? He made us. And he assigned us to our job and our situation today. Gratitude is the foundation of a right relationship with God. Once I believe in him, and begin to know him for who he really is, I can be grateful.

Let's use gratitude as a measuring stick.Think about the things you are grateful for today. Give thanks to God and to the people you interact with today and watch your day change.

Paul writes this personal letter to Philemon to ask him to forgive and restore Onesimus. Apparently Onesimus has become a Christian, but in the past, he offended Philemon. It is thought that he was a financial slave. He probably owed Philemon money and had agreed to become a slave to pay it off, but then he took off. 

We can picture ourselves as Onesimus, who had to screw up his courage to take this letter back to Philemon. It appears he was part of the group of people who carried both this letter, Colossians, and even possibly Ephesians. Paul challenges Onesimus to go face the music, and possibly the consequences. But is God bigger than the consequences?

We can also be Philemon. Maybe we need to forgive someone. Can any wrong done to us exceed God's ability to make it right? Where do we need to ask for forgiveness, like Onesimus? Or who do we need to forgive? Ask God to show you today. If God doesn't bring something to mind, be thankful, but continue to have the courage to ask. When we trust Jesus, we build stronger relationships that make him visible.

Why not sharpen your skills to serve others at work? Sign up for the next Marketplace Mission Trip and spend 2 weeks living and walking with Jesus at work or wherever you are. Check it out at Marketplacemissiontrip.com

Where does the river flow? Notice in this passage it flows FROM those who follow Jesus. We're called to Serve Others. That's our 4th daily activity. As we pray for the people in our sphere of influence and as we appreciate them, God begins to direct our flow. It comes out of us, our life, our innermost being. Service to others becomes who we are.

And our service makes Jesus visible. When we give away chunks of our life, our time or our money, above and beyond what might be expected of a coworker, vendor or a customer, people notice. Everyone has radar for self-seeking. Sometimes we are accused of doing things to earn badges or to get rich. But over time, as you serve others with no ulterior motive, they will notice, and they will ask.

Trust Jesus today. Ask him to make the river of living water flow out of you. It won't be flowing toward you. It will be flowing toward those around you. Those you're near, your family, and those you work with. Let God use you nourish those around you.

Also, if these podcasts are helpful, make sure and join our online community at community.followerofone.org. We want to connect to help each other keep the flow going. Our world is broken and we need each other to keep sharp.

Most people I've met that don't follow Jesus seldom blame Jesus. They don't know him well enough to make a decision one way or the other. They don't want anything to do with Jesus because they don't like what they see of his people. We often whine and complain about how Christians are represented in the media. Do we not realize the media's representation of us reflects their opinion of us? What if TV, movies, and the news media are more of a representation of us than we'd like to admit.

Kids are beginning to return to school, or not. School places, workplaces, government offices, and businesses continue to wrestle with masks, and fear, loss of business. What difference are Christians making in this experience?

And what kind of difference would it make if we copied the Apostle Paul on this topic? I wonder how much joy we miss out on because we defend our liberties. I wonder how much treasure we fail to lay up in heaven because we're too busy defending our rights here on earth?

Take a look at yourself, and our world's situation. Listen to people who don't agree with you. Read a post critical of Christians, or whites, or protestants, or men. Try to understand how your actions may cause others to stumble. We must listen quietly for the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. When we hear it, act. If we hear the Holy Spirit, but fail to act, eventually we won't hear him at all. Listen for his voice and then do what he says. God will make it matter forever.

Your Faith Journey with Ranette Holmseth, #44

In this week's episode of the Follower of One Podcast, Mike talks with Ranette Holmseth. Ranette is the President of Your Faith Journey where she helps connect women to a community of kingdom women leaders that provide resources for them to grow in their faith to live in freedom from what is holding them back to live fully. Please welcome Ranette to the Follower of One community!

Episode Breakdown

1:00 - Meet Ranette Holmseth

1:20 - Your Faith Journey

2:20 - Ranette's Life-Changing Story

6:20 - Faith University

7:45 - Ranette's Faith Story

10:10 - Stories in the Faith Journey with Ranette

13:25 - Vision for Your Faith Journey

14:25 - Ranette's Experience with Faith at Work

18:10 - Connect with Ranette

What is Stopping You?

One of the most difficult challenges we face as Christians is being able to explain, with effective words, our faith story, and why it is important. The reason this seems to be a big obstacle is that sometimes, we are not sure what is stopping us from sharing our story in the first place. So we want to ask you, What is stopping you? Ranette shares some experiences she has from her work with Your Faith Journey and some common themes are clear. Is it knowing the Bible verses? Knowing the teachings within the Bible? Do you know what it means for others when you tell your story? The most important thing to focus on is understanding what it means for YOU first. You are the expert of your own life and no-one can tell you differently. Tell us your thoughts in the comments! What are some things holding you back at the moment?

Small Steps

We have covered action items for faith at work in our interviews and more importantly, an in-depth version in our Marketplace Mission Trip. But how do we start the process? What if what I want to do is too big to take on? It all starts with small steps. You can't solve all the problems in your world but you can make a difference. You can pray, live your faith daily, express intent, and make an impact but first, you have to understand your goal and circumstances. Mike speaks on this with Ranette and it is important to note this: If you focus on the things you can't do, you become paralyzed. Focus on the things you can do, and one hundred percent of that time, they all start with small steps. It is just like building a business or a network of contacts, take it one step at a time!

Connect with Ranette

Ranette's Linkedin

Your Faith Journey

Connect With Follower Of One

Join us over in our Online Community, get social with us; Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Listen to our podcast on your way to work and subscribe using your favorite podcast app. Be a part of our next Marketplace Mission Trip

Do you ever catch yourself worrying or anxious? Our body can operate on auto-pilot. It often does. We breathe and our hearts beat without any conscious thought on our part. Sometimes we can get anxious or frustrated or even angry without knowing what's going on.

But once we follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us and he gives us a split second. He makes us aware of the thought an instant before we act on it. And we can choose not to act. We instruct our mind.

When we take every thought captive, we grab those thoughts and compare them to what we know about God. We don't have to chase our wild ideas. We can defeat anxiety. We can give every thought to God and ask him to show us which ones are good, and from him. He will also show us which thoughts are not from him.

Today at work, don't take everything your mind says at face value. Give your thoughts to God. Ask him to direct your mind. You will destroy some speculations and you will catch yourself acting differently. Trust God with every thought and watch what he does!

Thank you for being a marketplace missionary. Please share this podcast with others. Let's step into the role of minister, serving our coworkers, customers, vendors, friends and family so that Jesus becomes visible. Our actions can help everyone we meet move one notch closer to Jesus.

What does it mean to "war according to the flesh" or the world? When we war according to the world we operate by the world's rules, we play according to the worlds standards and methods. Do you work according to the world or according to the mind of God? What does that look like?

Well the world tells us to "grab all you can," "you deserve it all," and "go for the gusto." That life is what warring according to the world looks like. We defend ourselves and we climb to the top. We work to get "ahead." We live for the weekend. We set our own standards and operate by our own rules. Left to ourselves, we're the world.

Jesus set a different standard. He said that he came to serve and to give (Mark 10:45). He didn't travel very far from home, had no 401k and no retirement. He died broke before he was 35.

How can we let Jesus' life influence ours? What can we give away to our coworkers and our customers today?

Finally, this podcast is listener supported. Would you consider making a regular monthly donation to help us expand this ministry and mobilize more of our fellow Christ-followers. We help marketplace Christians integrate faith and work to increase our sense of purpose and make an eternal difference. Thank you for being a marketplace minister.