Wisdom Unlocked: The Ways of God

We may consider our work just a job or a means to a paycheck but have you ever thought about how what you do is rooted in who God is? If you work in construction, God is the master builder.  If you’re an artist, God the Creator has put his artistry on display.  If you work in business, God is the master who expects a return on his investment. If you take care of children, God is our teacher and wants to be our Abba father.  If you work in technology, God is the ultimate, instant processor. If you care about the environment, remember He gave us the job of stewarding his creation. Thinking about our work through this lens helps us see how our work shapes our character and how God can work in and through us. Episode notes here and to learn more about our ministry go to Lionshare.org

We may consider our work just a job or a means to a paycheck but have you ever thought about how what you do is rooted in who God is? If you work in construction, God is the master builder.  If you’re an artist, God the Creator has put his artistry on display.  If you work in business, God is the master who expects a return on his investment. If you take care of children, God is our teacher and wants to be our Abba father.  If you work in technology, God is the ultimate, instant processor. If you care about the environment, remember He gave us the job of stewarding his creation. Thinking about our work through this lens helps us see how our work shapes our character and how God can work in and through us. Episode notes here and to learn more about our ministry go to Lionshare.org

It's Election Day and everyone is talking about who will lead our country on the national, state and local levels.  Instead of talking about Christians and voting, Christians and political parties, and how the Church is viewed by the world, let's talk about how to be and develop godly leaders.  Our guest Heather Zempel, discipleship pastor at National Community Church in Washington, D.C., talks about what is going right in the world of faith and politics and what she says to Christians who are struggling to be in relationship with fellow believers who are “on the other side.” Episode notes here. To learn more about our ministry go to Lionshare.org

If you call someone salty these days, it means they’re irritated or angry. But that’s not what Jesus meant when he called us to be salt and light. This episode, we dig into what that looks like on the job and why it’s a wise way to show God’s way of doing things. For more on a godly perspective on work, go to Lionshare.org for three free e-books. Episode notes here.

It's Election Day and everyone is talking about who will lead our country on the national, state and local levels.  Instead of talking about Christians and voting, Christians and political parties, and how the Church is viewed by the world, let's talk about how to be and develop godly leaders.  Our guest Heather Zempel, discipleship pastor at National Community Church in Washington, D.C., talks about what is going right in the world of faith and politics and what she says to Christians who are struggling to be in relationship with fellow believers who are “on the other side.” Episode notes here. To learn more about our ministry go to Lionshare.org

If you call someone salty these days, it means they’re irritated or angry. But that’s not what Jesus meant when he called us to be salt and light. This episode, we dig into what that looks like on the job and why it’s a wise way to show God’s way of doing things. For more on a godly perspective on work, go to Lionshare.org for three free e-books. Episode notes here.

If you call someone salty these days, it means they’re irritated or angry. But that’s not what Jesus meant when he called us to be salt and light. This episode, we dig into what that looks like on the job and why it’s a wise way to show God’s way of doing things. For more on a godly perspective on work, go to Lionshare.org for three free e-books. Episode notes here.

We have enough on our plates. Working hard, caring for family, developing friendships, making ends meet, saving money, exercising, eating healthy, finding a spouse, cultivating our relationship with God, and a whole host of other responsibilities. On top of all that, we are supposed to make disciples? Dave Buehring tackles how we can’t look at disciple making as another item we check off on our “to do” list. And how it’s different from mentoring and coaching. Episode notes here. Learn more about our ministry at Lionshare.org

We have enough on our plates. Working hard, caring for family, developing friendships, making ends meet, saving money, exercising, eating healthy, finding a spouse, cultivating our relationship with God, and a whole host of other responsibilities. On top of all that, we are supposed to make disciples? Dave Buehring tackles how we can’t look at disciple making as another item we check off on our “to do” list. And, how it’s different from mentoring and coaching. Defining Terms Disciple – one who loves, obeys and serves Jesus Disciple Maker – one who deliberately models and teaches another to love, obey and serve Jesus Disciple Making – reproducing the character, ways and mission of Jesus in those around you, expecting them to multiply the same in others What is the difference between disciple making, mentoring and coaching?Mentoring – a relationship that passes on skills, knowledge and experience to another on any topic Coaching – Guiding people towards discovering answers through well asked questions Disciple Making – how to follow Jesus as His disciple in any and all areas of one’s life; always tethered to God’s ways in scripture *It matters who is doing the mentoring, coaching or disciple making. If that person is incorporating Biblical principles into their guidance and counsel. Scripture Reference “And He (Christ) himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds (pastors) and teachers, to equip the saints (his people) for the work of ministry for building up the body of Christ.” ~ Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV) Pastors and teachers are supposed to equip us (believers) for the work of ministry. Who better to disciple someone who wants to start a company than someone who has already faced the challenges of being a godly entrepreneur? Who better to disciple a mother of young children than someone who has survived and learned lessons from that season of life? Making disciples means coming alongside people in a relationship built on trust and being able to point them to God’s ways and truth. For more on this subject, pick up a copy of The Great Opportunity: Making Disciples of Jesus in Every Vocation.  For more on walking under authority, check out Chapter 7 in A Discipleship Journey, Lionshare’s primary tool for discipleship here. © 2020 Dave Buehring / Lionshare, All Rights Reserved.

Does God care about my job? Often, we put our spiritual life in one category, and our work life in another. But the answer is YES, he does care about our work! Not only does He care, He created work. Instead of using the words “job,” “work,” “profession,” or “career,” have you thought of your work as your vocation—something tied to your calling and how God has wired you? Episode notes here. Learn more about our ministry at Lionshare.org

Does God care about my job? Often, we put our spiritual life in one category, and our work life in another. But the answer is YES, He does care about our work! Not only does He care, He created work. Instead of using the words “job,” “work,” “profession,” or “career,” have you thought of your work as your vocation—something tied to your calling and how God has wired you?   In the 1960s and 1970s, YWAM’s Loren Cunningham, CRU’s Bill Bright, and Francis Schaeffer started discussing the idea of spheres of influence.  They outlined seven: 1) Family 2) Church    3) Government 4) Education 5) Media 6) Arts, Entertainment and Sports 7) Business. Because of the way the world has changed since then, Dave Buehring added 8) Science and Technology 9) Health, Medicine and Wholeness 10) Agriculture, Environment and Zoology 11) Non-Profits and Service Organizations 12) Peoples (people groupings by race, ethnicity, language, affinities) Scripture References Psalm 24:1 – The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. (NIV)  John 1:3 – Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. (NIV) Vocation Defined We swap that word out of work, job, profession or we think of it only in the sacred context The root word of vocation is the Latin vocation—work combined with or married to God’s calling or leading on our lives. Consider how you’ve been uniquely made to do certain things, how God has wired you, your  natural abilities, acquired skills, and spiritual gifts. Vocation is a combination of how you’re wired, God’s calling on your life and your work. Martin Luther quotes on this topic  “God Himself is milking the cows through the vocation of the milkmaid.”  “The idea that service to God should have only to do with the church altar, singing, reading, sacrifice, and the like is without doubt the worst trick of the devil.  How could the devil have led us more effectively astray than by the narrow conception that service to God takes place only in church and by works done therein…The whole world could abound with services to the Lord…not only churches but also in home, kitchen workshop and field.”  Chapter 2 of the new book The Great Opportunity: Making Disciples of Jesus in Every Vocation describes how Isaiah was made into a polished arrow.” The concept of Seeing—Shaping—Sending.  He sees God (encounters Him), He is shaped by God, and he is sent by God. Too many people have an encounter with God (seeing) and run right away to sending (engaging in their calling/cause), and skip the shaping process. God wants to develop our character before He sends us.  “While you are in your 20s and 30s, it’s more about what God is building in you than what He is doing through you.” – Dave Buehring   2020 Dave Buehring / Lionshare, All Rights Reserved.

This week, we revisit one of our first episodes about waiting on God. We hate waiting. We try to avoid it as much as we can—in the mundane and even for important things. But in the Bible, we are reminded over and over again about the importance of waiting on God. If we don’t wait to hear from Him, we default to proceeding with our own plans and ideas. The Scriptures tell us to wait in oneness, in stillness, and in anticipation. As you head into Labor Day weekend, schedule some time to do this. Wait on Him as you head into the busyness of fall and the end of the craziest year in our lifetimes. Episode notes here. Learn more about our ministry at Lionshare.org

This week, we revisit one of our first episodes about waiting on God. We hate waiting. We try to avoid it as much as we can—in the mundane and even for important things. But in the Bible, we are reminded over and over again about the importance of waiting on God. If we don’t wait to hear from Him, we default to proceeding with our own plans and ideas. The Scriptures tell us to wait in oneness, in stillness, and in anticipation. As you head into Labor Day weekend, schedule some time to do this. Wait on Him as you head into the busyness of fall and the end of the craziest year in our lifetimes. Episode notes here. Learn more about our ministry at Lionshare.org

Research shows that on average, one in three spiritual leaders from the Bible, church history, and modern Christian leaders finishes well. Does that number surprise you? What does finishing well mean? We define that concept, discuss the barriers to finishing well, and some practices to keep you from finishing poorly. Episode notes here. Learn more about our ministry at Lionshare.org

Research shows that on average, one in three spiritual leaders from the Bible, church history, and modern Christian leaders finishes well. Does that number surprise you? What does finishing well mean? We define that concept, discuss the barriers to finishing well, and some practices to keep you from finishing poorly. Episode notes here. Learn more about our ministry at Lionshare.org

Are you being transformed or are you stuck? So often, our interaction with God tends to be functional. We have our list of “wants” and “needs” that we want Him to fulfill. We also work hard at learning about Him through His word. But notebooks full of information from Bible studies we’ve done don’t translate to a transformed life. Knowledge doesn’t mean a lot if there isn’t application. To be transformed into the likeness of Jesus, we need Scripture and the activity of the Holy Spirit to bring revelation. Then, we can obey the things that have been revealed to us and we become more like Jesus. Episode notes available here. To learn more about our ministry go to Lionshare.org

Are you being transformed or are you stuck? So often, our interaction with God tends to be functional. We have our list of “wants” and “needs” that we want Him to fulfill. We also work hard at learning about Him through His word. But notebooks full of information from Bible studies we’ve done don’t translate to a transformed life. Knowledge doesn’t mean a lot if there isn’t application. To be transformed into the likeness of Jesus, we need Scripture and the activity of the Holy Spirit to bring revelation. Then, we can obey the things that have been revealed to us and we become more like Jesus. Episode notes available here. To learn more about our ministry go to Lionshare.org

Misrepresented. Isn’t that how many of us feel? Isn’t that how God must feel right now? Both Christians and non-Christians quote the Bible to justify their beliefs and actions. But do we really know God? Do we take time to study His character, not just the things He did? In this episode, learn about how the image of God you carry around in your heart and mind affects the way you live your daily life. Our reactions to what happens in life reveal what we really believe about God. Episode notes here. Learn more about our ministry at Lionshare.org

Misrepresented. Isn’t that how many of us feel? Isn’t that how God must feel right now? Both Christians and non-Christians quote the Bible to justify their beliefs and actions. But do we really know God? Do we take time to study His character, not just the things He did? In this episode, learn about how the image of God you carry around in your heart and mind affects the way you live your daily life. Our reactions to what happens in life reveal what we really believe about God. Episode notes here. Learn more about our ministry at Lionshare.org

We don’t like the word “obey.” It sounds hard, legalistic and even manipulative. But obeying Jesus shouldn’t be difficult because of who we are putting our trust in. Obedience isn’t really about following a list of do’s and don’ts; it’s about following what God has revealed to you to do or stop doing. It is the key to transformation. The Bible tells us Jesus learned obedience. Since He did, we can too. Stories of obedience in the Old Testament and New Testament show us that obedience brought transformation, both in the lives of the ones who obeyed and to the world around them. Episode notes available here. For more about our ministry go to Lionshare.org