By guest blogger Dave Kahle

​Some recent surveys have indicated that the population of Christians in this country has gone from the majority to a size approaching a remnant.  It’s time for everyday Christians to break out of their reliance on the failed institutional church system and exert leadership in their lives.

Based on a study conducted by Arizona Christian University during 2020 – 2023, born again Christians deeply committed to practicing their faith fell from 88% to 46%. Worse yet, this study discovered that only 6% of professed Christians have a biblical worldview. Instead, most have a smorgasbord view of their faith, picking and choosing what they believe.

The trend is obvious.  Here’s another study that found similar results. ​

In a 2020 survey by the Pew Research Center, 65% of adults in the United States identified themselves as Christians. [“Measuring Religion in Pew Research Center’s American Trends Panel”. Measuring Religion in Pew Research Center’s American Trends Panel | Pew Research Center. Pew Research Center. 14 January 2021. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2021.]

 Here’s what that means:
• As a percentage, there are fewer self-proclaimed Christians today than at any time in the country’s history.
• Of those, that subset of Christians who are deeply committed has fallen in half.  
• Of those self-proclaimed Christians only 6% have a Biblical worldview.

So, there are fewer Christians, most don’t know exactly what they believe and fewer are really committed. Truly, we are down to a remnant. 

What an incredibly sad state of affairs.  Satan must be proud of himself.  It’s like the NBA championship game, and your team is leading by 50 points at halftime.  You can start to celebrate, even though the game is only partially over.  

There are multiple reasons for this sorry state.  There is enough blame to spread all around our culture, including:
• The entertainment industry that continues to portray Christians as either hypocrites or buffoons. 

• A political environment where both parties have sacrificed moral positions for political advantage.

• An educational system that champions perverse concepts at the expense of moral values that have served mankind for centuries.  

• An institutional church system that has failed in its core mission: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 The one who believes and is baptized will be saved, but the one who does not believe will be condemned. [Mark 16: 14-16  (NET)]

• Several generations of business and professional people who have traded more principled positions for the pursuit of comfortable lifestyles.

I’m sure we can list contributing factors for pages. My concern is for only one: the lack of Christian leadership.  There are so few leaders, it’s no wonder that the people have lost their way.  

Leadership in today’s world does not mean pastors sermonizing in large services.  That model has failed and is dramatically losing adherents.  We don’t need more pastors, worship leaders, youth ministers, etc. 
Leadership today is defined as someone influencing someone else by the actions they take.  Leadership is ordinary Christians who, in thousands of small actions, manifest the message that God is alive and lovingly active in the lives of His people.

Leadership today is far more about what one does than what one says.

Leadership is something every Christian can demonstrate.  One visit to a sick neighbor can say more about Christianity than any episode of “The Conners” or “Young Sheldon.” One gift of money made directly to an individual in need sends a positive signal of God’s involvement in the lives of his people. One offer to pray for a grieving acquaintance says more about Christianity than the media portrayal of Christians as hypocrites and buffoons. One unexpected act of kindness, in God’s name, says more about real Christianity that the pronouncements of the local pastor.

It is time for Christians to step up and realize that the institutions they have relied on to nurture Christians and make disciples, have failed.  It’s time to take the Bible at its word and begin to act like we believe it. 
Everyone reading this can, in the next 24 – 48 hours, create some small act of leadership, that will impact someone with the grace of God, and begin to turn the tide.  It is time to act and to lead.  We can’t put it off any longer.

Related Resources
www.davekahle.com/you-or-him-gods-plan-business
www.davekahle.com/business-model-leadership-character
www.davekahle.com/myths-of-sales-management-the-entrepreneurial-salesperson

​About Dave Kahle:
​
Dave Kahle has been a Bible teacher, elder, house church leader, short-term missionary and Christian executive roundtable leader.  For 30 years, he has been an authority on sales and sales systems, having spoken in 47 states and eleven countries.  He has authored 13 books, including The Good Book on Business.  His books have been translated into eight-plus languages and are available in over 20 countries. He holds a B. of ED from the University of Toledo, and MA in Teaching from Bowling Green University.

He and Coleen split their time between Grand Rapids, Michigan and Sarasota, Florida.  He is a father, foster father, adoptive father and grandfather to 14 children.

By guest blogger Mike Haynes
Every youth pastor knows the pressure of getting a sermon ready for Wednesday night. The countdown is on, and maybe the outline is set, but something feels off. Perhaps the message isn’t connecting to real-life situations, or you’re worried students will zone out five minutes into the talk.
The truth is, how we prepare our sermons shapes how students receive them. Unfortunately, there’s one significant mistake many youth pastors make—one that can leave students feeling disengaged, confused, or even indifferent to the gospel message.
​
The #1 Mistake: Prioritizing Delivery Over Discipleship
It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that a great sermon is all about:

· Delivering a dynamic and engaging performance
· Sharing funny or relatable stories
· Getting positive feedback from students like, “That was great!”
But here’s the reality: youth ministry isn’t about delivering a polished TED Talk—it’s about forming lifelong disciples of Jesus. Students don’t need the most entertaining sermon; they need a clear, gospel-centered message that fosters real spiritual growth.
The Pitfall of Performance-Based Sermon Prep
When youth pastors focus too much on performance, it often shows up in these ways:
1. Stories Overshadowing Scripture
While stories can make sermons engaging, they should never take precedence over the Bible. If students remember your funny story but not the gospel truth behind it, the message has missed the mark.
Solution: Always let Scripture lead the way. Stories should serve as illustrations to clarify biblical truths, not the main attraction.
2. Chasing “Wow” Moments Instead of Heart Change
Object lessons, viral videos, or shocking statistics might grab attention, but without a clear application, they can become distractions.
Solution: Ensure every illustration leads to a concrete “so what?” moment that helps students apply the lesson to their lives.
3. Focusing on Energy Over Depth
While building energy in the room is good, lasting faith is built on depth. If students are only engaged because of your charisma, their faith may not hold up outside of youth group.
Solution: Equip students to engage with the Bible on their own, beyond just hearing your words.
Shifting to a Discipleship-First Approach
To move from performance-driven preaching to transformative discipleship, try these sermon prep strategies:
1. Define the “Why” Before the “What”
Before you start writing your sermon, ask yourself:
· What key truth do I want students to take away?
· How does this message point to Jesus?
· What real-life application will this offer?
If your message doesn’t lead to transformation, it’s simply information.
2. Make Scripture the Foundation
Instead of crafting a theme and finding a verse to match, start with Scripture. Let the Bible shape your message rather than using it as an afterthought.
· Read the passage multiple times to understand its context.
· Ask what it reveals about God and how it applies to today’s world.
· Focus on biblical depth over superficial inspiration.
3. Keep the Gospel Central
Regardless of the sermon topic—whether it’s relationships, anxiety, or identity—ensure the gospel is always at the heart of your message.
· Don’t assume students already understand the gospel.
· Highlight how Jesus is the ultimate answer to every struggle.
· Offer opportunities for real-life application and growth.
4. Preach for Monday, Not Just Wednesday
A great sermon doesn’t just resonate during youth group—it equips students to carry their faith into the rest of the week.
· Provide practical steps for students to live out biblical truths.
· Prepare them to think biblically when facing real-world challenges.
Transforming Sermon Prep for Real Impact
The goal of a sermon isn’t just to engage students for 20 minutes—it’s to cultivate a faith that endures. When youth pastors shift their focus from performance to discipleship, they help students:
· See Jesus more clearly
· Understand Scripture deeply
· Apply biblical truths to their everyday lives
Avoiding common sermon prep mistakes is crucial, but having the right curriculum as a foundation makes the process even smoother.

However, teaching the cross goes beyond recounting the events. It requires helping students understand the 'why' behind the crucifixion. Why did Jesus have to die? Why did it have to be the cross? This is where theology meets real life. Introduce concepts like atonement, substitution, and redemption. Explain that Jesus took on the punishment we deserve, bridging the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity. Romans 5:8 is a powerful verse to anchor this truth: 'But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

To make this teaching resonate, connect the cross to students' everyday lives. The cross is not just a past event but a present reality that offers freedom, forgiveness, and new identity in Christ. Share stories of transformation—whether from scripture, historical figures, or your own life—that illustrate the power of the cross. Encourage students to reflect on how the cross impacts their identity, their struggles, and their relationships.

Make It Interactive
Creating opportunities for response is crucial. This could be through worship, reflective journaling, prayer stations, or even a physical representation of nailing burdens or sins to a wooden cross during a retreat or service. When students actively engage with the message of the cross, it moves from head knowledge to heart transformation.

Avoid overly simplified or clichéd explanations. Teenagers are more perceptive than we often give them credit for, and they crave authenticity. Be honest about the tension of the cross—the sorrow of Good Friday and the joy of Easter Sunday. Teach them that living in the light of the cross means embracing both sacrifice and resurrection, both repentance and grace.

Finally, create space for questions and doubts. The cross can raise difficult theological questions, and students need a safe space to wrestle with them. Rather than offering quick answers, guide them through scripture and encourage them to seek God’s truth through prayer and study. When students are allowed to explore their faith honestly, the cross becomes more than a doctrine—it becomes the lens through which they see the world.

Teaching about the cross is not a one-time lesson but a continual journey. By revisiting its truth through different angles and applications, you help students build a faith that is deeply rooted in the gospel and resilient through life's challenges.

Millions of people lost to the Kingdom who could have been saved.
One way the "cosmic powers in the darkness around us” attack us is through errant beliefs. These are ideas and paradigms which we have internalized and then shape our behavior. They often sound reasonable and are often held by others around us, but they are false and they serve to lead us down the wrong paths.
           One such errant belief is this: “If I go to church on Sunday, and remain active in the institutional church, I don’t have to worry about what I do in the marketplace.  Christianity is for church, but business is something else.” 
           Since we believe this false idea, we compartmentalize our faith and our careers.  We don’t see our careers as our ministries; we don’t see business as the first venue for God to work with us. So, we lead lives in the marketplace that many people characterize as hypocritical. 
            We rob all those people who we encounter in the marketplace – our colleagues, our customers, our vendors, etc. – of the opportunity to see God’s love and providence manifested through our lives. Over generations and geography, millions of people who could have been nudged into a relationship with God never were because generations of Christian businesspeople separated their faith from their businesses.
           This must be Satan’s greatest ploy.  Through this false belief he has kept millions of Christians on the sidelines of the great battle between good and evil.  And, in so doing thwarted the potential influence of an army of Christian businesspeople. 
           The damage is incalculable.
 
The culture growing darker and falling apart around us.
Any half-way literate person can see that our culture has slid downward rapidly in the past few years. Behavior and life styles that were once anathema are now celebrated.
           Christians are characterized by the legacy media and some aspects of government as ‘hateful” and are beginning to be singled out for ridicule. Rational discourse is being replaced by mob rule, and even in our most respected universities, some administrators side with the mob in shouting down speakers who happen to have a different point of view. 
           A few decades ago, America would have been characterized as a Christian country, while today it seems like the tide is moving in the opposite direction.
           The “cosmic powers in the darkness around us” are celebrating their progress.
 
On a personal level, business and careers remain in mediocrity instead of victory.
           There must be hundreds of thousands of Christian-owned  businesses whose ownership is focused purely on worldly values.  In so doing they put barriers up to the active involvement of the Holy Spirit in the development of their business.  Their pursuit of money and power render them impotent in the Kingdom and unavailable to the guiding and enabling power of the Holy Spirit.
           The same can be said for thousands of those whose careers, sidetracked by the pursuit of worldly gains, never reach their potential to have an impact for the kingdom.
 
           And for those who do try to make a difference – the potential for personal suffering and  catastrophe.
           We have the example of Job, where the “rulers, authorities, cosmic powers in the darkness around”  were allowed undeterred access. The result was personal catastrophe: Job lost his business, his family, his wealth and even his health. 
         But perhaps the most poignant example of the consequences of allowing the “evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realm” to take control was Judas. He walked and talked with Jesus, and yet became so twisted in his thinking and abhorrent in his behavior that he betrayed Jesus for worldly wealth, and ended up killing himself.
           In our times, I am sure that many of us have experienced the attacks of the ‘forces of evil.’  Typically, we become depressed, discouraged and often fearful.  Instead of proactively venturing out, we fall back to discouragement and withdraw from the battle.  Every time the forces of evil cause one of us to hesitate and slink back out of fear and discouragement, they have won a battle.          
           So, on a cosmic scale, from a national perspective, and even from our personal lives, the
consequences of not seriously confronting the rulers, authorities, cosmic powers in the darkness around us, and evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realm” can be catastrophic.
 
           Let’s take this seriously.
 
WAS-193

 Related Resources

www.thebiblicalbusiness.com/spiritual-warfare
www.thebiblicalbusiness.com/the-cure-for-christianity
www.thebiblicalbusiness.com/lost-culture
www.thebiblicalbusiness.com/weve-lost-the-culture-2

1. It Prioritizes Jesus Over Behavior Modification
A truly gospel-centered curriculum never settles for behavior modification as the end goal. Instead, it challenges students to examine their hearts through the lens of the gospel. Rather than asking, “How can I be a better person?” students should be led to consider, “How does Jesus change my perspective and transform my life?”

2. It Offers a Clear Biblical Foundation
Scripture should be at the core of any teaching material. While creative teaching methods and engaging activities are valuable, the curriculum must ground every lesson in God’s Word. The gospel is not an afterthought or a closing prayer—it is the thread that weaves through every topic and discussion.

3. It Equips Students to See the World Through a Gospel Lens
Life as a teenager is complex. A gospel-centered curriculum provides students with the tools they need to navigate their world with a Christ-centered perspective. Whether discussing friendships, challenges, or cultural trends, the material should guide students to apply the truth of the gospel to real-life situations.

4. It Balances Grace and Truth
A strong gospel-centered curriculum doesn't shy away from hard truths but always presents them through the lens of grace. Students need to understand both God’s holiness and His incredible love for them. This balance prevents teachings from becoming either harshly legalistic or overly permissive.

5. It Encourages a Missional Mindset
Discipleship doesn’t stop within the walls of the youth room. A gospel-centered approach equips students to live missionally—to take what they learn and share it with their peers, their families, and their communities. The gospel compels us to action, and a good curriculum reflects this by providing opportunities for students to put their faith into practice.

Choosing a youth ministry curriculum is more than a logistical decision—it’s a spiritual one. By prioritizing a gospel-centered approach, you’re investing in a resource that will help guide students not just toward good behavior but also toward a vibrant, Christ-centered faith. At G Shades, we are passionate about offering tools that make this kind of transformative discipleship accessible to youth pastors everywhere.

Twenty five years ago my husband and I "adopted" a young Ukrainian pastor who had just graduated from Bible college.  Zhenia had been a criminal – a violent gang leader – wanted in four countries by the age of fourteen.  He was finally captured and sentenced to nearly nine years in a Russian prison.  During his incarceration he became increasingly more hardened and violent, but near the end of his sentence he met the Lord through a local prison ministry.  The transformation was astonishing!  As he devoured the Words of Life, his despair was gradually exchanged for joy, his violence was replaced with gentleness, his venom with peace, his greed with generosity, and his bitterness with an overwhelming love for the God who had forgiven him.  He became a new creature in Christ!  He had entered those wretched walls as a hardened and bitter boy, but emerged as a soft and gentle man, filled with the joy and love of Jesus.  His new dream was to share the love of God with all who would listen.  

When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 of 2022, Zhenia was a local pastor in Nova Kakhovka.  The city was occupied from the earliest days of the war.  Russia has long held the practice of immediately kidnapping or killing pastors, priests, and chaplains, thus disheartening the people, so within the first few days a warning went out for all clergy to evacuate!  Even though his name was put on the KGB "kill list,"  Zhenia decided to stay, for he could not leave his people.  No challenge was too big, no sacrifice too great, no place too dangerous to go.  He, indeed, teetered on the edge of eternity.

Thus began the most amazing story of God’s incredible faithfulness and protection over Zhenia’s life.  Time after time the Lord delivered him from harm.  It sounds like a fast-paced thriller, but is, in fact, the true account of the Lord’s miraculous protection. 
 
Within a few months after Russia attacked Ukraine, my husband began telling me I should write Zhenia’s story.  Each time my response was the same: "No way!"  I had written and sold various articles over the years but found it to be very hard work.  An entire book?  Not on my bucket list!  But before long, the Holy Spirit began repeating the same message to my heart, but I had the same reaction:  "Absolutely not!’"  What followed were eight of the most miserable months of my life as the Lord and I battled about it . . . I strenuously resisting and He gently prodding . . . until I finally submitted.  And repented.  Why couldn’t I, like Mary of Old, have immediately responded by saying, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled"?

And so . . .  I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.  And discovered anew the incredible faithfulness of the Lord.  Writing this book was not work at all, but pure joy!  Never have I been more overwhelmed by the sheer privilege of being used by Him.  He was with me every step of the way!  Many nights, just as I was drifting off to sleep, I would see a perfectly crafted sentence in my mind and would know exactly where it should go in the book. Those sentences were not from me!

Within a few weeks of my initial writing, I googled "how to submit a manuscript for Christian publication."  I immediately received an inquiry box asking for my contact information, the genre of the book and a short synopsis.  I filled out the form and sent it back, not even knowing who it went to. The next morning Maria, an acquisition agent from Covenant Books called to ask more questions.  We talked for nearly half an hour.  After that, she contacted me at least once a month to check on my progress and answer any questions I had. Publishing companies will not normally look at manuscripts until they are completed, but after about a year, Sheree asked me to send her my unfinished manuscript so she could "take a peek and gauge their level of interest."  Although I was very apprehensive (because it was so raw and unfinished), I emailed it to her.  A week later she called and offered me a contract.  Little did I realize how unusual this was – new authors normally attempt to get their books published for several years.  

The Lord went before me and smoothed the way every step of this amazing  journey in writing.  Who knew He had this planned for my life in my mid-70s?     

Linda Wicks has been married to her husband, Tom, for 52 years.  They have three grown children and ten grandchildren.  She is an avid reader and loves quilting and nurturing relationships with family and friends.  She finds special joy in investing in her grandkids – having Bible studies with them, taking trips together, frequent texting, and hosting Grammy Camp every summer.  

Linda is a 1971 graduate of Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri.  Her life-long passions have been mothering and missions.  It was her great joy to serve as Mission Director at her church for over 14 years.  She has been a frequent speaker at MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) and MOMs groups, as well as leading workshops at Hearts at Home Conferences, women’s conferences and mission events.  

Linda’s adventurous spirit has led her on mission trips, global travel and even two skydiving experiences with grandsons for her 70th and 75th birthdays.  She and Tom reside in Columbia, Missouri.   

I was an average student in a family of academic overachievers. I never considered myself particularly smart—until I discovered that my genius lay in experiential learning. My journey took an unexpected turn at Ohio University when I switched from dance to an experientially designed interpersonal communication major. I learned that experiences become memories and memories connected to life lessons can be transformational. Connecting this lesson with the Holy Spirit led to a lifelong career as an Organizational Development Consultant, helping individuals and groups align with God’s plans.

After getting saved in college, my faith grew slowly but steadily. It wasn’t until I pursued my Doctorate at Christian Leadership University that my relationship with Christ skyrocketed. The university’s foundation is to connect with God personally so He could walk with you moment by moment. The cornerstone of all classes at CLU was based on founder Dr. Mark Virkler’s biblical process Dialogue Journaling aka 4 Keys to Hearing God’s Voice—a simple yet profound method of quieting the mind, fixing our eyes on Jesus, and tuning to the spontaneity alighting on your surrendered imagination, and writing it down. (Habakkuk 2:1-2)
This practice of inviting and partnering with Jesus in full sensory encounters to share things with me Face-to-face transformed my spiritual life. God’s presence was more tangible and accessible than ever before. I was building memories with Jesus in all the ways I needed Him. As a result, He was healing, directing and aligning me with His will for my life. I was learning to trust and surrender more and live in sync with Him naturally supernaturally.

I began teaching these principles in my home, and soon, a movement was born. Spirit Life Circles emerged as an international mentored coaching ministry, where participants meet weekly to practice spiritual gifts, pray in alignment with God’s will, and boldly release His love and light into their spheres of influence. Jesus reveals Himself in full sensory encounters to and through each person each week in every circle. The results have been life-changing!

Using dialogue journaling, I received this message from Jesus about what He wanted in this season:
“The time for the breastfed, impotent body of Christ who simply live as though I never purchased their freedom is over. I want the crew and not the crowd. I need to see activated powerful faith that looks like rising up and shining My light to influence people and nations back to Me. They are My inheritance! (Matthew 28:16-20, John 15:4-5)

Jesus continued, Spirit-led leaders, I am calling you forward. I want you to know how to connect with My heart so profoundly that you are seeing, hearing, feeling and thinking My thoughts. (John 10:27, 1 Corinthians 2:16) I need you to walk in sync with Me to your destined callings. (John 5:19) This is not just for you. I need you to lead other people for whom I have placed under your authority to be able to do that as well. As I pass this ability to you, you pass it to others, and they pass it to others and so on… This is My multiplying and magnifying way.” (Isaiah 55:10-13) ~ Jesus

Experience PRACTICAL ABIDING for Free!

We have found that the best way to understand what it’s like to encounter Jesus this personally is to experience it! That’s why we invite you to our FREE Practical Abiding Mini-Spirit Life Workshop on Zoom!

“This brief yet powerful opportunity equips leaders with practical, Spirit-led tools to effortlessly deepen their connection with Christ and step boldly into their full Kingdom authority.” said Dr. Patty Sadallah, Spirit Life Workshops Founder.

In just 1.5 hours, you’ll learn how to experience Jesus personally and see how simple it is to deepen your intimacy with Him. Multiple dates and times are available on our website. Register at https://SpiritLifeWorkshops.com/Upcoming-Workshop If you’d like to
schedule a private session for your team, or inquire about joining a Spirit Life Circle, contact Dr. Patty Sadallah at Patty@SpiritLifeWorkshops.com.

God doesn’t just want you to experience this—He wants you to share it and transform others!
Join Us for the EQUIPPING KINGDOM LEADERS Spirit Life Workshop

May 20-22, 2025, in Dallas, TX, we invite you to experience the EQUIPPING KINGDOM LEADERS Spirit Life Workshop. This transformative event is designed to train leaders to connect deeply with the Holy Spirit and develop their spiritual senses—seeing, hearing, feeling, and sensing His presence. More importantly, you’ll learn how to impart these skills to others, empowering them to walk in their divine calling.

What You’ll Learn and Practice:

· Sharing this simple discipleship tool with those the Lord has put on your heart to influence,
· Interpreting Scripture through the Holy Spirit’s revelation and apply it in daily life,
· Spirit-led planning and decision-making tools for divine assignments,
· Activating and releasing the gifts of the Spirit in group settings,
· Leading others to walk boldly in faith and obedience, advancing God’s Kingdom.
· Partnering with God and His angels for divine strategies and Kingdom purposes.

Spirit Life Circle Mentor, Sue DeJesus, shares, “Teaching others how to encounter Jesus with all their senses through Dialogue Journaling is the single most powerful intimacy-
building skill any Follower of Jesus can learn. It assures a destiny-filled and Holy Spirit-led life.”

Who Should Attend?

Parents, small group leaders, Bible study leaders, pastors, home church leaders, missionaries, and Kingdom business owners—this workshop is for you! Bring your team and experience a powerful shift in your leadership and spiritual life.
​
Bonus Opportunity: If you’re interested, this workshop can also serve as a steppingstone to joining our mentor team for the Spirit Life Circles coaching ministry.

Register Today!

Join us May 20-22, 2025, in Dallas, TX. Early bird and team discounts apply until March 31, 2025. For more details and to register, visit https://SpiritLifeWorkshops.com/upcoming-workshop.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Patty Sadallah has a Ph.D. in Christian Leadership/Discipleship from Christian Leadership University. She is a disciple maker who is passionate about showing people how to encounter God personally so they may live their lives through faith in Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. Her mission is to bring the message of the realness of God and the practicality of intimacy and relationship with God to the masses by incorporating media her messages.
Dr. Patty leads the Spirit Life Circles, Spirit Life Workshops, and the Online Spirit Life Workshops ministries offering mentored coaching, live event training and online community building respectively. Additionally, Dr. Patty is a Professor at Christian Leadership University serving doctoral students.
She has authored ten discipleship books that all help people have Face-to-face experiences with Jesus and shows them how to live an abiding lifestyle that leads to fruit-bearing and Kingdom advancement.
She hosts the Experience Jesus with Dr. Patty Sadallah podcast and co-hosts the Growing in Your Spirit Life TV show on The Now Network.
Patty and George have been married since 1986 and have three lovely Daughters; Jamael, Leah, and Noelle. Jamael and has three sweet grandchildren.
Check out more about Patty and her ministries by visiting her website at www.PattySadallah.com She is available for speaking, teaching and facilitation related to discipleship for individuals, small groups, organizations, and multi-organizational planning needs.

by guest blogger Dave Kahle

​The world is filled with marketplace Christians who are content with a shallow Christian presence in their business, afraid of the consequences of a more visible, deeper approach.  But what if the benefits far outweighed any discomfort that might come from stepping out and more visibly embracing Christianity in the marketplace?  What if that which we would gain so far outweighs our small sense of temporary discomfort that we would look back on it down the road a bit and reflect, “I should have done that years ago.” 

I recently asked the people who are members of my X-I Community to articulate one benefit to intentionally moving their business and their careers to a more visible alignment with God. Their response?  Peace, purpose and a closer relationship with God. In this article, we’re going to look at the third of those responses:  A closer relationship with God.

The first response to that idea from many may be to question the idea itself.

“How can I have a closer relationship with God through my 8 – 5, Monday – Friday work week?  God isn’t interested in what I do at work.”

That’s a very commonly held position among many Western Christian businesspeople. But is it correct?
Regardless of what you hear from the pulpit, the evidence in the Bible that God is active in the workplace is overwhelming. In The Good Book on Business, the entire book unveils how God manifests Himself in the world of business. Here’s a passage from Chapter Two. Let’s take a look:

Genesis 2:15
15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. (NIV)
Here is Adam’s life purpose – to work the Garden of Eden and take care of it. While the charge is specifically given to Adam, he was the first of the human race and set the precedent for the generations that were to come.  In God’s great plan, working and taking care of creation – not just the Garden of Eden — will provide the context for every person’s life purpose.  Every man and every woman will have a life purpose that fits within that charge.
Then, notice what God did next:
Genesis 2:19
19 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.

He gave Adam a specific task that fit within the general purpose. It is as if he said to Adam, “Adam, your life’s purpose will be to care for and work my creation. That will keep you continually engaged forever, as there will be a never-ending set of tasks that will need to be done. So, let’s begin. Your first job is to name the animals. I’ll help. I’ll bring them to you, and you name them.”

The task of naming the animals resulted in Adam imposing his sense of organization on creation and required a significant amount of creativity.  Whereas before there was a degree of incoherence to creation – one could not even speak about the animals – now there was a higher level of organization. 

Notice that . . .

1. Adam’s life purpose was given to him by God – and it was to "work."

2. Adam’s specific task – his immediate work – was given to him by God.

3. The job given to him required him to use his creativity and resulted in a more organized environment — man’s unique imprint on creation.

4. God worked with Adam to complete the job.

We know that God made man in his own image. There are multiple ways that the characteristics of humans mimic those of God, but the first way mentioned in the Bible has to do with work. One of the characteristics of God is that he is a worker.  The Bible opens with the story of him working. We see him working at creating the universe, and then resting from his work.

Genesis 2:2-32 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day, he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Since work is so important to God, when he made man, he made him to be a worker. Notice that before he created Eve, before there were spouses and families, before there was "church," there was work.  God gave Adam a job before he gave him a spouse.

And, God chose to interact with man in the completion of the task that he gave to him.  God worked with Adam to complete the task.  His initial venue for relating to mankind was on the job!

It is as if God said to Adam, “Adam, if you want to talk to me and get to know me, the way to do that is to work with me.  Let’s work together.”

So, work becomes a foundational building block, not only of the rationale for man’s existence, but the venue in which God will relate to mankind. In these two passages, we see four fundamental precedents set.

1. Man’s purpose – both lifetime, as well as specific – will be found within the context of work.

2. God will give man, and, as we will see later, each individual man, a specific charge within the larger context of "working and caring for creation."

3. Man’s work will require him to use his gifts of creativity to create an ever more organized outcome.

4. God will work with and interact with mankind within the context of his work.

God did not create man to worship him; he made man to work with him, and thus relate to him!

The primary purpose of man’s existence is to do work and to do it with God.  At this point in the creation story, there are no businesses, as there are no other people.  But, as the Bible story unfolds and the world becomes populated, we see the emergence of businesses as one of the primary ways work is done.

These precedents set in the first moments of creation describe how God has worked with mankind throughout the ages.  It doesn’t matter if He is speaking to a people group, like Israel or the church, or if He is directing an individual, like Moses, Joshua, David, Paul, and Lydia.  He gives man a charge: It always fits into the fundamental job of “keeping and working God’s creation.”  Typically, it is a more specific task.  Then, he works with man in the completion of that task.

We see that same pattern – the pattern that he established in the very beginning – repeated over and over again in the pages of scripture. Moses was given the charge to lead the people out of Egypt, and then God worked with him to do it.  Joshua was given the charge to take the Promised Land from the inhabitants, and God worked with him to do it. David was given the charge to unite Israel into a unified kingdom, and God worked with him to do it. The list goes on and on with examples too numerous to include here.
Even in the New Testament, John was given the charge to prepare the way for Christ; Jesus himself was given the charge to usher in the Kingdom of God and enabled to do so by the power of his father.  Paul was given the charge to take the kingdom to the gentiles and provided with the power of the Holy Spirit to do it.

The pattern is repeated so often that it is impossible to miss it. It’s a fundamental way that God works with mankind. The apostle Paul makes it perfectly clear in his letter to the Ephesians:

Ephesians 2:1010 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Work, and by extension, business, is so important to God that he has created "works" for each of us to do, and he prepared them way in advance of our being ready to do them. Just as he gave Adam the task of naming the animals, and then worked with him on that task, so he gives each of us tasks to do, and works with us to do them. It’s how he designed his creation to operate.

While this passage speaks to creation, the examples of God being active in the work and businesses of his people range throughout the Bible.  Fast forward to the New Testament, and the early days of the disciples of Christ.  There are multiple examples of God converting an entire business – all the family. servants, slaves, and employees to Christ at one time.  One of the most dramatic is the story of Lydia and her business. Here’s another short passage from The Good Book on Business, Chapter Nine:
The apostle Paul and his companion, Silus, were traveling to Philippi, the leading city in the district of Macedonia.  There they met Lydia, a businesswoman whose business was dealing in purple cloth.  At the time, that was a very expensive product, purchased by the rich and the royal.  Lydia was probably an upper-class business person.  Paul taught her about Jesus, and she and her whole business became Christians.

Acts 16:15
When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

Household, by the way, is the word the Bible uses to describe a business.

This article is not meant to provide an exhaustive list of Biblical examples, but rather to convey the point that from the beginning of creation, through the end of the Revelation, God shows over and over again that He visits mankind in the marketplace.

It is such a huge part of how He relates with mankind, that involving him in our work and businesses is a natural, organic reaction.  If we can rid ourselves of the notion that God is not interested in our work lives, then we just naturally bring decisions to him in prayer. We naturally thank him for the successes and lessons He teaches through our marketplace efforts.  We just naturally seek direction for our efforts in His word and from his Spirit.
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Growing closer to God, enjoying a closer relationship with him, is the predictable outcome of our instinctive and natural efforts to seek him in the challenges and decisions of our businesses and careers.
That’s why this closer relationship with God, achieved through efforts to allow Him into our marketplace lives, is one of the recognized benefits of intentionally moving their business and their careers to a more visible alignment with God.
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Often our problem is we don't really believe God's way is best. We want to do things our way then ask God to bless our futile efforts of trying to find peace and joy. We will never have peace that way. Psalm 81:13-14 says, "If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes." God loves us and instructs us in the way that is best for us. If we don't listen to Him, He will allow us to follow our own stubborn ways, but we will never find peace.

Can we truly believe what God says? Can we truly believe He will ALWAYS do what is best for us? First Corinthians 2:9 says, "For eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for them that love Him.” That tells me that God wants to do better things for me than I ever imagined possible.

In my own life, I have found that God has consistently done amazing things for me when I let Him have His way in my life. Things that were far better than I ever dreamed possible. When we refuse to obey God, we are only hurting ourselves and denying ourselves unimaginable blessings. Things we would never be able to accomplish on our own become ours when we trust God.

Why not allow God to show you His way and see what blessings He has in store for you? Yes, having total peace is absolutely possible, but trusting God is the only way to find it. Trust Him!

Consider the words of Psalm 23, which many have often heard. Do we really believe what it says? "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil; for You are with me, your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

About Christine Young
Hello,
My pen name is Christine and I’m a 75 year old mother of 10 with 19 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. I enjoy gardening, interior decorating traveling. In 2015 My husband and I climbed Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa.

While on a mission trip to Jamaica I was asked to write a book to testify of God’s faithfulness throughout my life. Previously God had laid it on my heart to do so also. I initially resisted. Not only had I never written a book before, but my story is hard to tell, let alone relive. Sad and embarrassing things that had remained hidden for many years would have to come into the light. Unflattering stories would have to be told and old wounds dredged up.

But God persisted until I gave in and, against my own will, I clicked on my computer and typed “Chapter 1.”
My hope is that you will find my story interesting and see that God is ever so faithful. He will never put on us more than we can bear, and He teaches us through the trials so they can become our greatest strengths. We only need to trust that He loves us and always wants what’s best for our lives.

If you find my book valuable, I would appreciate a review so that others will read it and be encouraged. I want as many people as possible to see that God truly is the way to a new beginning. It is available online at most bookstores and Amazon. 

#TrustGod #faith #faithful #Author # New Beginning #Faith

 And remember that Jesus, at the very beginning of his ministry, was subjected to Satan’s temptations.

So, we have some indications in scripture that evil can and does influence our marketplace lives. In order to examine the practical, day-to-day manifestations of evil in the marketplace, we need to rely on the experience of wise and mature Christian men and women who have striven against evil forces in the marketplace for years.

For a practical answer to the question “How do the powers of the dark world and the spiritual forces of evil war against our careers and businesses?”  here is one person’s opinion.  I see evil operating in the marketplace in these ways.

           1.  Keep them on the bench. 

Evil has removed most of the Christian businesses from the playing field, and they sit comfortably on the bench.  No need to personally attack these businesses and their executives.  They have been removed from the game.

These are those thousands of Christian-owned businesses who never consider the idea that their business or career could be a ministry – a powerful force for good in the communities they serve. These folks compartmentalize their businesses. They think that since they attend church regularly, they can operate in the marketplace as if they had no relationship with Christ.  
  
This is one of Satan’s greatest ploys. By convincing millions of Christian businesspeople that their business and careers don’t matter to God, he has effectively kept them out of the game.  As a result, millions of people, across time and geography, have never been exposed to a loving God manifesting through the heart and action of a Christian employer. 

           2. Cripple them with false beliefs and paradigms.
           
Certain false beliefs serve to rob a Christian business of its power in the marketplace and keep them operating at a fraction of their potential. The forces of evil have sown some false beliefs among Christian businesspeople.  Some of these are
           a. God isn’t interested in my business/career.
           b.  Ministry is only done under the auspices of the institutional church. So, my business is not a                            ministry.
           c.  If I am visible with my faith, I’ll jeopardize my business and offend people.
           d.  The obstacles to succeeding in business are too great for me to even try.
           e.  Success in business is all about making money.

No matter how pious you are, if you hold any or any combination of these beliefs, your potential has been severely crippled by the forces that instilled those beliefs into your head. 

Until you rid yourself of these beliefs, your career/business will never reach its full potential to be a force for the kingdom.

There’s more.

These two major efforts of the "forces of evil" are very successful and have served to keep the vast majority of potential Christian marketplace ministers on the bench and out of the game.

 A few manage to emerge from this caldron of deceit.  They see themselves as ministers to the marketplace and fully embrace that commitment.  Since they attempt to be visible and impactful in the marketplace, they become subject to other sinister forces.

3.  Harass and distract them.

For those who have embraced the "business is ministry" concept and committed to having a kingdom impact through their business and career, the forces of evil resort to a much more hands-on approach – attempting to deceive and discourage us. 
          
Here’s an example of what this looks like in real life.
          
A number of years ago I was filming a series of lessons for Bible school teachers. Everything that could go wrong did.  We’d arrive at the studio to film, and the cameras didn’t work.  Or the lighting technician didn’t show up. Or an important bulb had burned out. There was always some glitch that prevented or delayed the filming. No filming session went the way it was supposed to.
            
We saw the same thing in editing.  The editing equipment didn’t work, even though it was new and state-of-the-art. The software had a glitch. It was one small delay after another. What was supposed to take a couple of months took almost a year. I remember, in a fit of frustration, shouting, ‘What is going on here?”
          
What was going on was Satan was trying to derail the project. Today, we call that spiritual warfare. For those of us in business, it means that Satan will try to thwart our business effort and discourage us to the point where we give up.
          
It’s a very real issue for Christian businesspeople.
          
Here’s another example involving the publication of The Good Book on Business, my most recent book.  The Lord led me to write that book, and I had a very real sense of his guidance as I wrote it.  Getting it published was another story.  First, I sent it to my literary agent, with whom I had worked for 20 years.  He repackaged the book and tried to sell it to mainstream publishers, who all declined, saying it was too religious for their markets.  He suggested I find an agent who dealt with the religious market, as he did not.  I contacted a half a dozen Christian literary agents and was rejected because I was not a pastor with a big church following. My book didn’t have the potential for enough easy sales.  
          
So, after almost a year of pursuing a trade publisher, I decided to self-publish. I found a suitable self-publishing company and got the book ready for them. While the book was going through the publishing process, we created a marketing plan to sell it.  At last, the book was published.  We were happy with it and were about to begin marketing it, when the publisher announced that they were going out of business and would no longer support any of their titles. 
          
We put everything on hold and set about publishing it through Amazon.  The process turned out to take twice as long as we had hoped, as we experienced glitches at every step in the process.  Finally, two years later than planned, we got the book out and began marketing.
          
I attribute all the glitches and the difficulties to harassment by the spiritual forces of evil. Satan did not want this book published, and relentlessly tried to derail it.
          
Those are examples from my life, but they are hardly unique. Almost every Christian businessperson has a similar story of some effort being supernaturally hindered.
          
Satan is real, and the Bible indicates that he wants to destroy us and our works.  He and his minions have the ability to intervene in circumstances and plant thoughts and ideas into our heads and in those around us in order to derail our efforts, discourage us, and eventually defeat us.
          
“Dogs don’t bark at tombstones.“ I remember that expression booming from the lips of an old southern preacher years ago. His point was this – if you are just taking up space on the planet, like a tombstone, you won’t attract Satan and all the other detractors. But, if you are trying to have an impact, you’ll draw the attention of the forces of evil.

In our terms, if you believe that your business or your career is just about making money and has no potential to impact the kingdom, you probably won’t be bothered. Satan already has you where he wants you – distracted by money and impotent in the Kingdom.

If, however, you believe that your business and career can be a force in the Kingdom, and you are attempting to transform it into a biblical business, you’ll attract the attention of the forces of evil.
In those circumstances, spiritual warfare is inevitable.  You’ll be wise to prepare for it.
 
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Related Resources

www.thebiblicalbusiness.com/the-cure-for-christianity
www.thebiblicalbusiness.com/spiritual-warfare
www.thebiblicalbusiness.com/why-do-bad-things-happen-to-good-people
www.thebiblicalbusiness.com/bark-at-christians​

About Dave Kahle:
Dave Kahle has been a Bible teacher, elder, house church leader, short-term missionary and Christian executive roundtable leader.  For 30 years, he has been an authority on sales and sales systems, having spoken in 47 states and eleven countries.  He has authored 13 books, including The Good Book on Business.  His books have been translated into eight-plus languages and are available in over 20 countries. He holds a B. of ED from the University of Toledo, and MA in Teaching from Bowling Green University.

He and Coleen split their time between Grand Rapids, Michigan and Sarasota, Florida.  He is a father, foster father, adoptive father and grandfather to 14 children.