Jul/Aug 2011

CEO/Publisher Tess Rutherford

Editor Tina Mason - http://www.masonandmasonservices.com/

Photographers Ben Geyer - http://www.flickr.com/photos/geyerba/ Shoham Ray - snapshotsho.com

Graphic Artist Assistant Imari Rutherford

Writers Laughter for the Soul: I got Jesus in my

bfullah77@gmail.com

soul!, page 12

Get Back to Work!, page 18

Bruce Fullah

Della Evans http://forevergratefulone.tumblr.com

www.newbreedsolutions.com

melissamckissack@gmail.com

kristenn@newbreedsolutions.com

The Joy of Working in your Sweet Spot,

Marketplace Ministry: Let your Light Shine

page 16

Before Men, page 24

Melissa McKissack

Kristen Newsome camjus04@gmail.com May I Take your Order?, page 10

Jacobi Perry 2

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VOL1, NO 4 | JUL/AUG 2011

Content COVER STORY 20

Produced By Faith A sit down with Sony’s VP, DeVon Franklin. He shares information from his recently published book titled, Produced By Faith. In his book, he shares how to achieve real success while remaining true to yourself.

FEATURES 13

Risen from Prison Reveals the story of a man who lived 15 years of his life behind bars but his testimony of triumph confirms that no one’s past is too difficult for God to resurrect.

Interview By: Tess Rutherford

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Get Back to Work!

Discover what it really means to be an ambassador for Christ on the job.

By: Bruce Fullah

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Marketplace Ministry: Let your Light Shine Before Men Outlines five key steps to conduct business God’s way and illuminate the light of Christ in the process.

By: Kristen Newsome

10

May I Take your Order?

An inspiring poem, which uniquely shows you how to make the decision to go after and pursue destiny.

By: Jacobi Perry

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The Joy of Working in your Sweet Spot Encouragement to unveil your gifting, operate in it, and fill your sweet spot right away.

By: Melissa McKissack

IN EVERY ISSUE: 8 12 7 23 6 4

Letter from CEO/Publisher: Tess Rutherford Laughter for the Soul: By: Della Evans

Produced By Faith

A Conversation with Sony’s VP, DeVon Franklin Page 20

Yummy Recipe Featured Book Review: DeVon Franklin Readers’ Voice Jul/Aug 2011 | http://empoweredmagonline.com

Photos By: Sho Ray

Readers’ VOICE

We Love To Hear From You!

Online Submissions Beautiful job to you and all that contributed to this current issue! God is well pleased! Continue to let your lights so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify our father in heaven!

Melkecia Welch, Peoria, IL

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Letter from CEO/Publisher Tess Rutherford

I used to be really jealous of the Apostle John. I know he hasn’t been around for over two thousand years but let me explain why... Early in my Christian walk, I read the entire New Testament for the very first time.

I was comfortable while reading Matthew, Mark, and Luke, but when I got to the book of John, I got a little agitated, to say the least. Throughout the Gospel of John, John never gives his name; instead, he refers to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved or Jesus’ beloved. (John 13:23; 20:2; 21:7; 21:20). The reality is Jesus never called John his beloved; it was John who identified himself this way. But John was so convincing in his declaration that I believed what he said was true. And I assumed the Lord seemed to love John more than everybody else. I thought to myself, “John is such a braggadocio! Lord, how can I be your beloved too?!”

I have since learned that John was indeed Jesus’ beloved.

We all are! The apostle John taught me what it really means

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Jul/Aug 2011 | http://empoweredmagonline.com Photo

By: Ben Geyer

to receive the love of God. I mean, picture him in John 13:23 (NKJV) “Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.” He was a young adult man leaning on Jesus’ chest as if he were a kid all over again. I don’t know many young men would have the courage to do this in this day and time, but to lean on Jesus... what an experience that must have been.

When you fully embrace the love of Jesus, you do not seem to care about what others say about you. God has the final say. You do not seem to listen to the lying vanities of the evil one. God has already defeated him. You do not seem to let life’s circumstances drive you into a frenzy. You understand earth is just a temporary place.

To truly receive the love of God means to realize your value- how much you are worth to the Lord.

You are so valuable to Him that you were worth dying for. You are so valuable to Him that He brought you to this planet called earth because you have some-

Tess

thing someone needs. This was John’s secret revelation. He was an eyewitness to the things that Jesus went through just for him, just for you, and just for me. And out of that experience, he discovered that he was all of that, plus some.

So prior to pursuing your purpose or your destiny, first take the time to embrace the love of Jesus. The initial step is to accept Him into your heart. If you have not done so already, repeat this prayer out loud. “Lord, I repent of my sins. I believe that you are the son of God and God has raised you from the dead. I receive you into my heart. May I come to know the love of God more and more each day. Thank you for loving me so much that you paid the ultimate sacrifice and died for me. Help me along this journey of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.” Now, my friend, you are ready to carry out your godly purpose, and I’m confident that this month’s articles will further empower you. God bless!

May I Take Your Order!

By: Jacobi Perry Welcome Did you see the sign You can have all you can eat Just say what’s on your mind Determination is the restaurant Please sit down and dine Choose knowledge as the appetizer The more you’ll be refined The menu will read as follows So please don’t resist You can place any order Nothing will be dismissed Speak your goals aloud So they will exist Crave an education With a side of persist Have a hunger for reading It is on the list There is no limit Always do your best We will prepare achievements Put us to the test We offer rare and well done Intelligence with a twist Knowledge is power Accept nothing less Success is the entree

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Confidence you will possess Jul/Aug 2011 | http://empoweredmagonline.com

Have your dreams for dessert So you can reminisce If you aren’t satisfied Please do insist Sky is the limit It is also on the list We do offer samples If you open your fist And reach for the stars If you get the gist Sometimes we have a special And mistakes are part of it They offer many lessons So no need for stressing If you are still deciding You will find something new Failure is not an option It has been removed If you aren’t ready to order Ambition is the drive-thru Please keep the hunger Success is on the menu But wait There is a cost in Whatever you want to do Most of the bill Are the goals you pursue Don’t forget the tip A reflection of you Pay with your thoughts And watch your dreams come true

When we were kids, we were scared of crazy people. Well, we use to say crazy in the olden days... We had a cousin named, Josie. We thought she was completely out of her mind. She was always yelling hysterically and jumping around like a bunny rabbit. It got so bad that she was sent to the asylum. So Josie went up there and stayed a long time. It turned out some of the patients and doctors were irritated by Josie as well; so the warden had no choice but to release her. Before he

did, he wanted to take some time to evaluate Josie for her exit interview. He asked her simple questions like, “What is your name?” and “Where do you live?” Then he asked the burning question, “How are you going to do things differently once released?” Josie replied, “I’m not… I am going to continue being crazy for Jesus and will shout and dance whenever the Holy Spirit comes on me.”

The warden said, “So that’s what that was? I think we will be releasing more patients today…”.

A

Risen from prison Interview By: Tess Rutherford

former inmate and high school drop out, Christopher McAfee is now serving as a basketball coach and mentoring liaison for a public primary school. He has quite a story to tell about the goodness of God. He no longer steals to support a drug habit. He now steals the hearts of children by giving them encouragement and providing them with a new perspective on life.

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Photos By: Ben Geyer

During Christopher’s youth, he did not seem to have a care in the world. Without a father in the home, his role models were R&B rappers. In that era, it was desirable to see rap videos promoting alcohol and drugs. It has the type of influence that ignited young boys like Christopher to mimic the behavior projected on the television screen. The images were so appealing that Christopher bought into the idea that prestige and power were guaranteed rewards of drugs and alcohol. He bought into the lie and spent a great deal of his time paying for it.

self in the same predicament. He reunited with cocaine and took on his former role selling drugs; except he, himself, was the primary customer.

While in prison, Christopher earned his associates degree in Liberal Arts. He also obtained his license in Safety and Sanitation, Culinary Arts certificate, and received training for Carpentry. Christopher began his discovery on understanding God. He started going to church in prison and eventually he started teaching bible study.

The Word began to penetrate his heart and he started putting his faith into practice.

Like most kids, Christopher had a natural inclination to fit in and he would do whatever was necessary to build his reputation. This entailed drinking, drugging, as well as philandering. But before long, the drugs started to hold a more intimate space in Christopher’s life. This caused all others to fade. He began to sell drugs for the purpose of easy access. Then, along came the act of stealing. Stealing was a way for him to support his drug habit because holding down a job was torturous for an addict.

He recalled his mother warning him of his fate one day in saying, “You better stop what you’re doing before you go to prison.”

Shortly after the warning, the prison opened its gates wide to Christopher and welcomed him with full arms. The drugs and theft caught up with him and he served 5 ½ years for his punishment. He remembers telling himself that when he gets out of prison he was never returning.

After his sentence was up and he was released, he found him-

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ed him in prison once again – the very place he did not want to be. The judge sentenced him to 21 years in prison. And unlike, the first prison term, he was going to discover the right way to avoid another pit stop to prison.

Christopher says that although he was falsely accused, he held this inner peace that everything would work out in accordance to God’s greater good.

Suddenly, Christopher found himself in a web that he could not cut himself away from.

He says he was falsely convicted for a crime of robbery. He had been mistaken for someone else and ultimately the verdict land-

Thankfully, Christopher was only required to serve 11 years. Two years prior to his release date, he was led to put in a request for work release. Work release provides inmates with the freedom to work on a job in the outside world while serving the remaining prison sentence.

However, the caveat was Class X felons are generally not qualified for work release and Christopher was classified as a Class X felon. The primary reason for this is because Class X felons are considered more aggressive and any probation-type activity was not granted to them generally.

But Christopher felt God was leading him this way; and lo and behold his request was granted.

The news was so shocking that Christopher’s counselor

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remarked how good his God was.

Christopher was immediately transferred to a new facility to await his work release date.

On average, an inmate waits 2-3 months, upon being transferred, to get on the placement list for work release but Christopher inherently knew God was on his side. His name showed up on the placement list within a week and a half. At this point, all other inmates were reeking with jealousy, but Christopher used it as an opportunity to brag on God and what He was accomplishing in his life.

Prior to leaving the holding facility, an inmate told Christopher to stay in church.

Not really taking in what was said, Christopher started work release. Though God was still processing him, Christopher began to straddle the fence. He did not attend church faithfully.

He had a baby out of wedlock and started drinking again. But the Lord sent a word to Christo-

pher through the voice of Joyce Meyers and that was, “Be not drunken with wine but be filled with the spirit.” Ephesians 5:18 As Christopher humbled himself before the Lord, God started stripping things from him little by little.

Christopher connected with a well known motivational speaker and this mentor began to take Christopher by the hand and provide him with a platform to share his story. Christopher discovered where his passion lay, and that was with the youth.

He would share his story passionately and provide children with a better avenue to achieve purpose/destiny.

Before long, Christopher was ready to put God to the test again. After all, He is the God of the impossible, right? Christopher always had a desire to be a basketball coach for young kids, and a job opportunity opened at a public school. Many would say that there was no way in the

world that Christopher would get this position with his criminal background, but we know who has the final say so. Christopher quickly applied for the position and the school board approved it and he was hired.

Christopher says that there is nothing special about him per se but when a person is in alignment with God’s Word, there is no limit to where God will take them. He says all those years spent in prison were used as a means to humble him. And humility enabled him to yield to God’s purpose for his life. Because he was crazy enough to believe God, it allowed the Lord to grant him favor wherever he went. Christopher is grateful for where God has taken him and looks forward to the future. He believes the best is yet to come.

Christopher speaks to youths of all kinds. Contact him for speaking engagements at christophermcafee57@yahoo.com.

I am in or out of my sweet spot. Have you ever thought about what it means to serve God in your “sweet spot?” I like to think of even my job as my service to God. After all, we are working for the Lord, not only our supervisors. Over time, the Lord has shown me how He’s gifted me for certain ministries, but He’s also shown me how He’s created me for the work force as well. I’ve come to understand that there are a variety of factors that help us determine our sweet spot. These are some of the key factors to consider if we are still searching for that “sweet spot” for our vocation or ministry.

interpersonal, leadership skills...)

4.) Education/Experience (computer training, college degree, volunteer work...)

5.) Personality (extrovert/introvert, task-oriented or people-oriented...)

After years of serving in a variety of jobs, God has taught me many lessons. Some of these lessons were along the lines of patience and perseverance to continue working in a job that was less than ideal, but He’s also enlightened me along the

I encourage you to explore the following fac- way to see what energizes me, who I love to serve tors in your journey toward God’s best for you in most, what skills I’m talented at, where my weaknesses lie, and even learning the rhythm of my day the work world: so that I can work most effectively for Him.

“To love what you do and feel that it matters- how could anything be more fun?”

Katherine Graham

Do you ever feel like a hamster running round and round on the wheel, but never getting anywhere? Do you ever feel like your job is meaningless and that you really aren’t making a significant difference in the world? If so, maybe you would like to pause and take a short assessment.

If you answered yes to more than two of these questions, you just might be in a job that is not the ideal fit for the person God has created you to be. I wonder how many people are spinning their wheels in their current jobs feeling bored, discouraged, stressed, frustrated, and unfulfilled because they are not working in their sweet spot. I identify with you if you have ever experienced any of these negative emotions as a result of working in jobs that were not best utilizing the gifts and passions God has placed in your heart. However, I also know the joy of loving my job- of look-

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ing forward to work because I finally am working in a job that utilizes my strengths, gifts, and passions. This joy did not come quickly though. It has been a long journey of earnestly seeking the Lord, listening to wise counsel, learning from mistakes, and consistently searching my own heart to better understand who God has created me to be and how I can serve Him most effectively.

If I told you that I believed it was possible for you to have a job where you could do what you love, feel like you are making a difference, and earn a living at the same time, would you think I was idealistic? Even if I am an idealist, I am convinced that this is indeed possible if we are diligent in seeking the Lord and determined to learn how God has created us uniquely to serve Him. I can remember distinctly the day in college, over a decade ago, when I realized I could “work” by doing what I loved. I

was overjoyed and immediately redefined my career goals and had a new vocational vision for my life that was God-inspired.

If I had one hope for you in reading this article, it would be that you would embrace the depth of God’s deep love for you personally and be inspired to seek to understand how He’s created you uniquely to serve Him. God has created each of us with gifts, passions, abilities, and experiences that are meant to be used to honor Him and further the Kingdom. My hope for you is that you come to discover the ideal type of job that will bring you joy and fulfillment as you honor God through your work.

There is one phrase that has helped me in my journey toward finding such an ideal job.

It is my “sweet spot.” I can’t recall who I borrowed that from, but it resonates in my heart and I know with certainty now when Jul/Aug 2011 | http://empoweredmagonline.com

As you seek God and search deeply within 1.) Spiritual Gifts (encouragement, mercy, lead- yourself, I sincerely hope that you too, will come to ership...See 1 Cor. 12, Eph.4) learn more of whom you are in Christ and discover 2.) Passion (What do you love to do? People you God’s best for you. May you experience the joy of enjoy most? Causes you care about?) working in your sweet spot.

3.) Abilities/Talents (organizational, technical,

Have you ever been on the job and witnessed the witnessing Christian that’s so busy being a witness they don’t have time for work? Or maybe you’ve seen the lazy type who only shows a sign of life when the conversation turns toward religion, but otherwise they lounge around and wait for the clock to turn toward quitting time. The list could go on to tell of the types and models of unbalanced Christians who seem to think their verbal testimonies are the extent of their witness for Christ in the work place. The sad truth is that Christians like these aren’t being witnesses at all.

God understands that the work place is one of the few environments where people can make a solid assessment of our character over time; therefore as Christians, our first witness for Christ in the work place is our work ethic.

the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

In other words, when it comes to your production, your critics cannot argue against your performance. This only gives them the opportunity to speak of you most kindly. If the King of the universe is pleased, who else can argue against it?

Poor work ethic undermines our testimony in the Lord, and diminishes our credibility Therefore, work hard to when we do get an opportunity establish credibility on the job, to speak on the Lord’s behalf. understanding that in the grand Even unbelievers intuitively scheme of things, our real job is understand that Christians are to win unbelievers into the kingsupposed to live according to dom of God. Every day people a higher standard. Colossians show up on the job with concerns 3:23 says “And whatsoever you and problems. They secretly

Everyone knows that ac- do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, scan their associates, friends and tions speak louder than words. and not unto men”. When we co-workers in search of answers.

Jesus himself said to judge a tree invest our best selves into our Be ready! Let the Lord use your by its fruit, or what it produces. occupations, it serves as a kind work ethic to stand out to the The question is, as a Christian of book mark in the mind of our heart that’s crying out. When what are you producing in the co-workers; no matter how they the opportunity presents itself, work place? Regardless of how may disagree with your beliefs share with them why you stand scholarly we may be in the word, they will always flip to the page out; your Lord and Savior Jesus our bosses and co-workers will of your work ethic and render Christ! never hear us until we speak the due respect. Proverbs 16:7 says language that counts; results! that “When a man’s ways please 18 Jul/Aug 2011 | http://empoweredmagonline.com

Advertise With Empowered! http://empoweredmagonline.com/advertise.htm

online & in-print

50% Discount Available

At the age of 32, DeVon Franklin is living the American dream. He stands as the Vice President of Sony/Columbia Pictures. He gets to work with big name actors such as Will Smith and Angela Basset. Needless to say, these opportunities did not happen overnight or come without struggles. Beginning at the age of nine, DeVon had to walk through the death of his father. Although his mother could not afford to send the children to counseling, DeVon was fortunate to have the church and television serve as his medicinal therapy. Ultimately, he went on to college at the University of Southern California and graduated with a major in Business, specializing in entrepreneurship.

After graduating, DeVon worked as an assistant in Hollywood for years. In addition to this, he fulfilled his duties to preach the gospel of Christ. DeVon was headstrong about carrying out God’s purpose for his life. And on several occasions, he stretched his faith by putting God to the test. After serving as an assistant at Overbrook for so long, DeVon knew in his heart of hearts that it was time to move on or move up. Therefore, he went to the bathroom and had a heart to heart talk with the Lord.

He challenged the Lord on His Word and asked Him to do “something” if His Word was indeed true.

God did, in fact, do something which ultimately led to DeVon quitting his job. DeVon decided to fast and pray his last week of working. His hope was to secure employment prior to leaving his current job.

To DeVon’s astonishment, the Lord moved swiftly once again. On the first day of being unemployed, DeVon received an offer for a junior executive position at Edmonds Entertainment. DeVon could not help but praise God for the timely blessing.

One of the most difficult transitions to make in Hollywood is from assistant to studio executive.

But at the age of 30, DeVon landed an executive position with Columbia Pictures as VP of Productions (all glory to the Father!). And he decided to take what he has learned over the course of his career and make it available to others who are seeking to achieve destiny too by way of his first book. Produced

by Faith is a metaphor for one’s life as a movie. Those who desire to fulfill purpose must not shy away from the development process. Just like a movie, we must first go through development before we are ready to go into production (destined state). You do not have to be in the entertainment business to receive value from the book. It will certainly benefit everyone in any course of their life. Empowered Magazine had an opportunity to sit down with DeVon to learn more about his story. See conversation below (video interview at http://youtube.com/hyegw).

Produced By Faith is being sold nationwide. You can reach DeVon at http://devonfranklin.com.

Empowered: I understand you were raised in church and you established a relationship with the Lord at a young age. What has enabled you to have and maintain a reverential fear of God? DeVon: I think the biggest thing is believing that God is real. I want to honor Him in everything I do. I believe in His existence and I believe He has a plan for my life.

Empowered: What is the motivation behind your drive?

DeVon: To be the best person that I can be and affect as many lives as I can in the process.

Empowered: How did you discover your lifelong purpose - to inspire and encourage?

Produced By Faith DeVon Franklin

Interview by Tess Rutherford 20

Jul/Aug 2011 | http://empoweredmagonline.com

DeVon: It came through trial and error. It came from preaching, working in Hollywood, and writing my book and becoming aware of the things that really excite me. The underlying theme in all that I do is helping people. I get excited when I am serving. This is what really gets me going. When I’m doing something for somebody…I love it. Part of this came from me being open to God’s guidance and pressing forward in where He wants to take me. This thoroughly helped reveal purpose in me.

Empowered: Out of your three roles you play, which gives you the greatest fulfillment and why – preaching, producing, writing?

DeVon: All are equally fulfilling in different ways. I can’t say that one is more fulfilling than the other.

They all give me a creative outlet to express hope, inspiration, and encouragement to all in different ways. I love all three.

Empowered: What keeps you humble?

DeVon: Recognition. My life is bigger than me. I’m here to fulfill a purpose and I’m in my position for a reason and ultimately I have to answer to God for my actions. When you understand that, I can’t help but to be humble about it because it’s not about me.

Product Review About Author DeVon Franklin is a rarity: an African-American studio executive at the forefront of Hollywood’s hit machine. He recently oversaw the summer blockbuster, The Karate Kid, starring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith. He has also worked on many films including The Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith, Not Easily Broken produced by T. D. Jakes and Jumping the Broom starring Angela Bassett. He was formerly an executive at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and got his start as an intern for Will Smith and James Lassiter.

In addition to his entertainment industry pursuits, DeVon is a preacher and motivational speaker. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California.

He lives in Los Angeles.

Empowered: In one of your past interviews, you said it is more about working longer than harder. Can you explain what you mean by this?

DeVon: People want to work hard for a moment. If things don’t work out the way they want them to, then they get frustrated, angry, and upset. Real success will not be produced by just working hard. You have to commit to it. And making a commitment by definition is long term. It is a matter of how long will you hang in there. How long will you endure? How long will you believe in the dream? All of us can work hard for a moment but not everyone can sustain it. Real success is more about sustaining a commitment which is the process that we go through in order to achieve it.

Empowered: Since you have been living, what is the greatest lesson that you have learned?

DeVon: One mistake doesn’t define your whole existence or career. All of us are going to mess up at times and there is grace to cover it both spiritually and professionally. This truth gives me a lot of peace.

We all get frustrated and make mistakes and may assume it’s over but it isn’t. Ultimately, no one is perfect so we should not hold ourselves to unrealistic standards. Let us do the best that we can and in the process enjoy it and not get too stressed out about things.

Empowered: What’s next on your radar?

DeVon: To keep spreading the message of the book and do everything I can to get it to as many people as possible. I believe the message in the book will help people and change people’s lives and careers.

This will continue to be a big priority for me. Also, I have a bunch of other movies I am working on that are slated to go into production soon. I am working hard on these films to make them great - getting them ready for everyone to see.

Book Description:

STRAIGHT FROM HOLLYWOOD comes a dynamic business model for building a thriving career without compromising your faith. DeVon Franklin, vice president of production for Columbia Pictures, shares how being bold about his Christian faith while being driven and ambitious has actually helped him to excel in a high-profile, fast-paced, competitive industry.

You are the movie. Produced by Faith parallels each step of the Hollywood filmmaking process with the faith-making process God uses to turn your career into a success. You will discover that it is possible to be both wildly successful and completely committed to God—and that you will be even more successful when you place your faith at the center of your career. You can unleash the power of your faith as your greatest professional advantage and use the compass of God’s Word to guide you to your true passion and purpose in life.

In this informative, inspiring book, DeVon reveals the secrets to maintaining your faith while advancing in your career. Here he shows you: • How to discover The Big Idea for your life • How to take your career to the next level • How to recognize the signs God sends you that indicate when it’s time to move in a new direction • How to stand firm on your Christian principles without compromise • How to work with people who don’t understand your beliefs • How to choose a profession, industry, or company that is in tune with your purpose

Pick up a copy of Produced By Faith! It is sold at retailers everywhere Amazon, Borders, Barnes & Noble, and etc.

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As a professional business coach with over 22 years of experience in management, vocational counseling and human resources, I have spent many years helping business professionals advance their careers, develop and grow their businesses, and master the fundamentals of success. As a Christ follower, biblical principles are the foundational principles I coach and have helped many of my clients develop flourishing businesses as well as helping them maintain a value driven lifestyle. Helping clients to understand success from God’s perspective and rejecting the way of the culture is at the heart of my ministry and business as a coach. In times when Christianity is under siege, and people are looking for ways to discredit Christ and those who follow him, it is of vital importance that we bring a spirit of excellence to the workplace through our daily work habits and practices. Here are a few of the biblical principles that have helped the business clients I have coached to flourish and produce good fruit that brings glory to God and has even drawn clients to want to know Christ.relationship with God later Most people who struggle with receiving God’s love can’t believe that it is nothing they have to earn.

“Keep First Things First”

1.

Keep first things first, in life and business. Matthew 6:33 exhorts us to “seek first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness and all other things will be added unto you (NKJV).”

Keeping right priorities is the first order of business for anyone who says they love God. What we value most in life is what we give the majority of our time and money to. Putting our work before our relationship with God is a fool’s path and it will surely lead to calamity. We must go to God and spend time with Him in order to get wisdom on how to conduct our business and the affairs of our life if we want to be successful.

2.

Seek the Lord to find your occupational purpose, and not the financial rewards alone. Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 (NLT) says, “And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God

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and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.”

This passage of scripture makes it clear that God will give you the gift of enjoying your work and the fruit of your labor—but you must seek His direction to find it. Many professionals pursue their career choice because of the financial gains alone.

Often times, they become slaves to the money in a career that they are not passionate about. When we ask God to help us by the Holy Spirit to choose a career based on the passions He has placed in our hearts, the passion will drive our success and not our greed. Nothing we do should be motivated by greed, after all, it is God who gives us the ability to get wealth (Deut.8:18).

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3.

Practice good stewardship, and manage all aspects of your business diligently, no matter how small the task. Luke 16:10 is a scripture that is familiar to many of us: “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” God is concerned with our character. Man looks at appearances and performance, but God looks at the heart of a matter. Many business people have the appearance of success and financial gain, but God is concerned with the integrity of heart behind that success. The culture tells us that success is a matter of dollars and cents, recognition and fame, and the elements that feed the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. God’s way of success is to trust Him completely for our provision, to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom, and to keep integrity and honesty at the forefront of our business practice, even if it appears to be unprofitable to do so.

4.

Guard against greed. Be generous in your giving. In Luke 6:20-21, Jesus admonishes us not to focus on laying up for ourselves earthly treasures, but rather eternal treasures. God has no problem with prosperity, He created it. However, we are blessed in order to be a blessing. Jesus goes

on to say in verse 21 that where our treasure is, there will our hearts be also. I often coach the business owners I work with to pray for direction on what charitable work the Lord would have them to sow into as a part of their business operation. Profitability is now connected more to how to give away profits rather than just storing up for selfish gains.

My clients who have excelled in generosity have seen how powerfully it draws others to acknowledge the goodness of God as it states in 2 Corinthians 9:13. The world does not expect those in business to display righteousness, and when they do, God is glorified and His Kingdom expanded!

5.

Do your best and work as if God is your boss, not man. Colossians 3:23 brings us back to the heart of service, to work as unto God and not unto man. When our heart is to honor God with our work, we will give Him excellence as a means of worship to Him. This is a sure way to avoid fluctuations in our performance because of variables in our work environment, workplace culture or economic conditions. It comes from a mindset that sees God as being the central focus of everything that we do. It is a mindset of the Kingdom, and has a 100% success rate!

In summary, no matter what line of business you are in, as a Christian, you are an ambassador of Christ in the workplace. Whether you are a custodian or CEO of a Fortune 500 company, God’s requirements for His people are the same. Being the light and salt in the world means wherever you are, God is, and the impact you make for Him is just as significant in the workplace as it is on the mission fields. So tomorrow morning when you start your day at your place of business, remember to let your light shine before all men and let His Kingdom advance!

Handle your Emotions God’s Way! explores 52 negative human emotions and provides real life examples and biblical principles to controlling one’s emotions God’s way.

The book is available at Berean’s bookstore, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, tessrutherford.com and many other internet sites!

Empowered Magazine is published bi-monthly: Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/Jun, Jul/Aug, Sep/Oct, Nov/Dec online and in print. Tess Rutherford, President/ CEO. Online subscriptions: Free. Printed subscriptions: $5. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

It is the mission of Empowered to provide a quality publication to enlighten, educate, and empower our readers to reach beyond themselves and soar by riding on the strength of God’s power.

For submissions and orders contact us:

Empowered Magazine Address P.O. Box 882416, San Diego, CA 92168 Email editorial@empoweredmagonline.com Website http://empoweredmagonline.com

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