Grow in intimacy with God, and partner in His Grace in your business; purpose to follow God’s standards in business toward your best impact in His Kingdom!
Throughout the process of choosing our path and ordering our steps with the Lord’s guidance, we must keep in mind the purpose of our work and service: the purpose to follow God’s standards toward our best impact in His Kingdom!
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Now What?
Grow in intimacy with God, and partner in His Grace in your business; purpose to follow God’s standards for the best impact in His Kingdom!
Our Charge as Christian Entrepreneurs:
WHAT are we to do?
Confirm Our God-Given Calling
Purpose to Follow God’s Standards
WHY? To impact His Kingdom!
HOW?
Grow in Intimacy with God;
Partner in His Grace in our business/ministry.
WHAT are we to do?
Confirm Our God-Given Calling
Purpose to Follow God’s Standards
WHY? To impact His Kingdom!
HOW?
Grow in Intimacy with God;
Partner in His Grace in our business/ministry.
Confirm Your God-Given Calling
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Confirm Your Calling and Election His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:2-11, ESV
Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 2 Peter 1:10
I can’t tell you how many times a group member or coaching client has started, stopped and restarted a brand or a project. Most of the time we discover together that they were working toward a goal God never called them to in the first place.
I ask the Lord often for clarity and confidence regarding what He wants me to do. I shudder to think I might be on a path He did not design for me.
Once we stop, back up a bit, and implore the Lord about His calling on their lives and work, most clients soar forward with passion and newfound joy!
Do you need to ask the Lord for clarity of conviction where His calling on your life and work is concerned?
He will answer!
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15.
Purpose to Follow God’s Standards
In her last chapter, NOW WHAT? from Grace Over Grind, Shae states
“…you can embrace the invitation laid before you to embrace a new standard, one that seeks God’s best, testifies of His amazing grace, and ultimately has greater Kingdom impact.”
Shae Bynes, Grace Over Grind: How Grace Will Take Your Business Where Grinding Can’t
What is God’s Standard? What is His best?
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh, that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Psalm 119 Holiness (2 Peter 1:15-16) His ways are right and pure. They enlighten us and cause us to rejoice! (Psalm 19:8)
It’s a lofty journey, but one worth taking!
How will you realign your life and work according to God’s standards and precepts?
Heaven forbid that our life and work tasks might be a waste of time and for nothing good. Even worse would be that our life and work tasks might cause someone to stumble or cause them harm!
I want to make a difference, even in small ways, and to hear God say “‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master.’ (Matthew 25:21, 23)
He promises us:
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:19
Grow in intimacy with God.
Again, Shae states,
…go even deeper and allow God to mature and grow you in grace. 2 Peter 1:2-3 says “May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.” Growing in knowledge comes from applying what you have heard and what you have seen from Holy Spirit, yielding undeniable testimonies and spiritual wisdom. As you grow in truly knowing Him, His grace will be multiplied to you.
Shae Bynes, Grace Over Grind: How Grace Will Take Your Business Where Grinding Can’t
I want to be growing always!
Think of the most intense time of growth with the Lord in your life.
What were the specific catalysts encouraging that growth?
What do you need today to begin a deeper time of growing in the Lord?
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24
He calls us His fellow workers. 1 Corinthians 3:9 We are partners of the Gospel. (Philippians 1:5) We work together with Him. (2 Corinthians 6:1) We are also called to greater responsibility and held accountable. Blessedly He gives the growth! (1 Corinthians 3:7)
Comment below and tell us how we can pray with and encourage you along the path God has laid before you!
emphasis
Your Turn
Challenges:
In what areas of your business/ministry will you strive to grow in intimacy with God and partner in His Grace?
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
What will those who notice this change actually see?
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Journal for 5 minutes asking the Lord very specific questions about your business/ministry and recording His answers! _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________
POST an encouragement on Facebook in the ACHIEVE Coaching group: Karen Bourg Companies
Join our Thursday Prayer Calls by phone via free conference calling. All Thursday 8am CST Prayer Calls can be accessed by dialing 1-712-775-8968 / conference code 620259
Blessings,
Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Numbers 6, ESV
24 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
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Working God’s Way Begins with Meeting God First; Inviting Him in to Every Path and Step Before You Begin
What does it mean to you?
Perhaps Working God’s way includes: Meeting God First; Inviting Him in to Every Path and Step Before You Begin
This is an expanded explanation of a journaling and guided prayer process that is still evolving for me!
The goals of this process are to:
● seek intimacy with God
● gain wisdom and see from God’s viewpoint/perspective instead of your own
● expand understanding that will increase your trust in God
● build upon knowledge so you can take the next steps confident that you have heard from Him!
1. Draw Near to God
James 4:4-10 (ESV) encourages you to “draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
2. PRAY
Pray that the Spirit of Truth will be near! John 16:13 ESV says, “When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.“
The Holy Spirit “dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:17), bears witness about the Father (John 15:26), seals us with the promise (Ephesians 1:13), helps us to discern the truth (1 John 4:6), and gives testimony “because the Spirit is the Truth” (1 John 5:6).
3. HEAR
The highest goal is to hear clearly from God and to journal HIs Words to you (before you stop seeking Him and run off to your next big event)!
May you receive God’s blessings in your life, work and ministry.
Remember who you are in Christ Jesus:
● believe the best
● hope for the best
● see and be the best of who God made you to be!
Follow and journal through these steps throughout the My Soul Thirst for the Living God devotional journal.
4. Invite Him In
Invite God in to every path and step before you.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20
Father God, I invite You in to this time of _______. Be near me, lead and guide me, and inspire me…
Settle down, and be still—easier said than done if you are like me!
HE says: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10 ESV).
6. Listen!
Listen to Him all the way through.
HE says, “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance” (Proverbs 1:5 ESV).
Listen to some instrumental praise music or to a hymn for a few minutes.
7. Breathe!
Take a few moments to breathe deeply.
8. Relax!
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Tell the Loving Lord what you want/desire: _____________________ What does the preferable future look like to you? How does this desire align with His Will and His Word? Remember, He “is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us…” (Ephesians 3:20).
Based on God’s response, what’s the one thing you cannot fail to do? The one basic action that will affect change and make a difference if you do it with consistency and excellence?
List practical steps toward that ONE action you feel called to take as you listened to and responded to God! These are the things you can do, activities you can plan out, or highly leveraged steps that produce great results and make your objectives happen.
a. ______________________________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________________________
c. ______________________________________________________________________
F.O.C.U.S. = Follow One Course Until Successful
What will it take now to F.O.C.U.S. on the God-given task before you? Put it on your calendar, then P.A.C.T. (Plan, take Action, Commit, and Track) your progress.
Join us every Tuesday in our Community & Education Webinars to focus on Spiritual Wellness for Entrepreneurs at 2 PM CST Zoom Link: https://goo.gl/McCnrb
September 1st – Joy Capps will speak on Why You Need to Write Joyfully
September 8th – Dr. Tony Robinson will speak on the Evexia Life
September 15th – Heather Rosson will tell us Now is the New Later: the termination of procrastination!
Join us every Thursday morning at 8 AM CST for prayer. If you can’t join us every week, consider putting the first or second or third or fourth Thursday morning on your calendar and joining us once a month! We need your prayer support and want to offer you ours. Dial 1-712-775-8968 / Enter Conference Code 620259
We pray daily for NACWE members using the alphabet so let us know what your special prayer needs are!
“I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day,…” 2 Timothy 1:3
CONTACT US:
Community -When you need a Nurturing, Active, group of like-minded Christian Women Entrepreneurs whose goals are to provide Community, Networking, Education and Missions opportunities – join the National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs (NACWE) on Facebook http://facebook.com/groups/NACWEFreedom / our Website http://nacwe.org Once you’ve gotten to know us, we hope you’ll consider joining our more Intimate and Elite Group as well. NACWE was established in 2010 and has served thousands of women across the United States AND the world!
Coaching & Writing -When you need small group Coaching/Masterminds and/or Individual Coaching with opportunities for trips, retreats, VIP Days and more to achieve extraordinary levels of success worth celebrating, join Me / Dr. Karen Website http://karenbourg.com/work-with-me I’ve been coaching since about 2007 when I opened a Private Practice Marriage and Family Therapy/Biblical Counseling Practice and realized to grow took a whole lot more than “when you build it, they will come”! It took knowing how to run a business/ministry God’s Way!
Conference -Also, we hope you’ll consider joining us for our ANNUAL Conference “Working God’s Way” north of Dallas September 18-19, 2020. Our keynote Speaker will be Shae Bynes, Co-Founder of Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur and the Author of Grace Over Grind. https://nacwe.org/savethedate2020conference/
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 11 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com.
I’m so grateful to the Lord for prompting me and the National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs (NACWE @ http://nacwe.org) and Karen Bourg Companies (http://karenbourg.com) team members to focus on ENTREPRENEUR WELLNESS for the year 2020. As we made plans, merely human plans, we had no way of knowing about the crises that would surround us this year. We had no way of knowing that we would shelter in place for so many months under the threat of coronavirus or COVID-19. We had no way of knowing how drastically this threat would lead to losses of jobs, homes, relationships, even lives. We had no way of knowing that civil injustices and unrest would unsettle our country at the same time. We had no way of knowing, but God knew. So we focused on wellness using the B.E.L.I.E.F.S. acrostic we love so much!
The Environment of Your Heart – Body, Emotions, Livelihood, Intellect, Environment, Family/Friends, & Spiritual
In January we focused on Entrepreneur Wellness in general.
In February on Spiritual Wellness – I learned our spiritual well-being is the umbrella over ALL our lives and our work and everything!
In March we focused on Physical Wellness. I learned to hydrate better!
In April we focused on Emotional Wellness. I learned to BE STILL!
In May we focused on Occupational Wellness/Livelihood. I learned to F.O.C.U.S. (Follow One Course Until Successful) one task at a time!
In June we focused on Intellectual Wellness. I learned a lot about how my brain works on Entrepreneurship!
This month we’re focusing on Environmental Wellness, and next month we will focus on Social Wellness.
I know you want to know more! So, for a sampling of all of these trainings, check out our free training page at http://nacwe.org/courses/freetraining!
For even more training; actually, for over 800 trainings in over 30 classrooms, join NACWE at http://nacwe.org/join .
The Environment of Your Heart – Let’s Start Here!
As the team and I reached out for expert presenters to teach us about environmental wellness, we realized that environmental wellness encompasses so many different dimensions in our lives
our hearts or spiritual well-being
our souls-our mind, will, and emotions
our physical environment-that of our body and that of our living and workspaces and world and
our communities and the cultures established within every community in which we belong.
Fascinating!
The Environment of Your Heart Comes First
I started thinking about the spiritual environment of our hearts.
As a trained Biblical Counselor, I’ve always been taught that God says we are body, soul, and spirit. And when we look at what scripture says about our spirit, we see that God often addresses our hearts.
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23
The Environment of Your Heart Belongs to the Lord
I remember a biblical understanding that took my breath away. We’re all familiar with the 10 plagues God brought upon Egypt and her Pharaoh when Pharaoh refused to let God’s people, bound in slavery and hardship, go free. I read a scripture that said God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. Wow! And I learned on a new and deeper level that God is the one who turns our heads and hearts toward Him. Our hearts belong to Him. On the one hand that frightens me because I’m a control freak and I don’t want to turn my heart over to God or to anyone! On the other hand, it frees me because I know He will do more with my heart, even for eternity, than any human being ever could, including myself!
And the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land. 3 But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, 4 Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.” Exodus 7:1-5
The Environment of Your Heart is Also your Responsibility
I also understand that the environment of my heart before the Lord is my responsibility. I have opportunity after opportunity every moment of every day to respond rightly to God when he turns my head and heart toward Him, toward His people toward His work. I am responsible for my response before the Lord. May every response bring Him glory and honor and pleasure!
I want to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Even, “‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”
The Parable of the Talents
14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25 and Luke 19
The Environment of Your Heart is a Mighty Catalyst!
The environment of your heart is the springboard or catalyst for all you are and all you do!
As God changes my heart, the environment of my heart; and as I respond to Him, all that I am and all that I do is changed, again, in a way that brings Him glory and honor and pleasure. Can you imagine what it would feel like to hear God say, “‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”
My Prayer for the Environment of Your Heart
Lord, we want to live and work and serve in ways that please You and bring You glory and honor. To do so, the environment of our hearts must be molded by You. You are the potter. We are the clay. (Isaiah 29, 41, 64; Jeremiah 18; Daniel 2; Romans 9.) Change us Your way. Give us the hearts we need to respond rightly to You in every situation. Overflow in our hearts to the point that others see Jesus in us and turn to You. Bless our lives and our work and our service to overflowing. Enlarge/Expand (1 Chronicles 4:10) our borders so that we can continue to respond rightly to You and serve You even more.
In Jesus Christ’s Holy Name,
Amen
Enlarge the Environment of Your Heart as we WORK GOD’s Way at our September 17-20, @2020NACWEConference https://nacwe.org/2020nacweconference/ where our NACWE Team and Keynote Speaker, Shae Bynes of Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur will lead us to be WELL and Work God’s Way all weekend! Come for like-minded Community, Education, Networking and Missions, Fun, Food, AND Fellowship!
CONTACT US:
Community -When you need a Nurturing, Active, group of like-minded Christian Women Entrepreneurs whose goals are to provide Community, Networking, Education and Missions opportunities – join the National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs (NACWE) on Facebook http://facebook.com/groups/NACWEFreedom / our Website http://nacwe.org Once you’ve gotten to know us, we hope you’ll consider joining our more Intimate and Elite Group as well. NACWE was established in 2010 and has served thousands of women across the United States AND the world!
Coaching & Writing -When you need small group Coaching/Masterminds and/or Individual Coaching with opportunities for trips, retreats, VIP Days and more to achieve extraordinary levels of success worth celebrating, join Me / Dr. Karen Website http://karenbourg.com/work-with-me I’ve been coaching since about 2007 when I opened a Private Practice Marriage and Family Therapy/Biblical Counseling Practice and realized to grow took a whole lot more than “when you build it, they will come”! It took knowing how to run a business/ministry God’s Way!
Conference -Also, we hope you’ll consider joining us for our ANNUAL Conference “Working God’s Way” north of Dallas September 18-19, 2020. Our keynote Speaker will be Shae Bynes, Co-Founder of Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur and the Author of Grace Over Grind. https://nacwe.org/savethedate2020conference/
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 11 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com.
Thank you for being a part of my life during the physical and emotional and occupational and intellectual and environmental and social and spiritual threat of COVID-19.
Thank you for being a part of my life during the physical and emotional and occupational and intellectual and environmental and social and spiritual upheaval of recent injustices leading to civil unrest and human rights conversations.
Thank you for being a part of my life before.
Thank you for being a part of my life in the future!
I don’t even want to think about living through the joys and challenges of my life without you here beside me.
Rubbing Shoulders With You Is a Divine Appointment
As Christian entrepreneurs, the comment made after the thrill of an awesome encounter with a like-minded person in business/ministry, “This was a divine appointment,” is blessedly common!
A divine appointment is a meeting with another person that has been specifically and unmistakably inspired, arranged and ordered/led by God. His appointing doesn’t always make the encounter easy, but definitely makes it blessed!
As a coach of Christian entrepreneurs, this is one of the primary blessings that makes my “world go ‘round!“
Thank you for being a part of it!
Take a moment to recall the most recent “divine appointment” God blessed you with. Pray for that special person in your life right now. Consider reaching out to them with an encouraging word!
Rubbing Shoulders With You Brings Growth
As a John Maxwell Team Certified Coach, every time I sign into anything JMT, I am reminded that growth is intentional and lifelong.
As a child and young person, I took growth for granted, assuming that it just happened and I was not responsible to purposefully pursue growth. Now I know better! And, it’s never too late!
Walking alongside Christian entrepreneurs
being coached by amazing entrepreneur coaches – you always need a coach;
coaching under the umbrella of Karen Bourg Companies, and
leading as the President of the {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs
I feel, I know, that I have experienced the best of all worlds as I have grown and we have grown together with purpose and intention!
Thank you for growing with me.!
Take a moment to recall the most recent and powerful growth experience(s) in your life and business/ministry. Who is walking beside you? Pray for those special people in your life right now. Consider reaching out to them with an encouraging word!
Rubbing Shoulders With You Inspires Me To Strive To Be Worthy
As a John Maxwell Team member, I am constantly being reminded to lead well and to be led well! That his primary platform – leadership.
I want to choose leaders in my life cautiously and wisely. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have the time and energy to waste following someone I was never meant to learn from in the first place!
Take a moment to recall leaders in your life that have led you and your business/ministry to extraordinary levels of success worth celebrating! Pray for those special leaders in your life right now. Consider reaching out to them with an encouraging word!
More importantly,
“You are never not leading: someone is always watching and following! Lead well, my friend!”
– Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg
I don’t know about you, but I don’t have the time and energy to waste leading someone I was never meant to lead in the first place! I choose my clients carefully. They choose me carefully! And I am reminded that if I am leading them or anyone, I am responsible to the Lord and to them and to myself to lead “above reproach.” That’s a tall order!
For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach… Titus 1:7-14
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach,…1 Timothy 3:2
I am responsible to lead with grace, humbly, soberly, in faith, according to my gifts, and with zeal! I want to be more zealous! Do you?
Romans 12
Gifts of Grace
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members,[e] and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads,[f] with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Take a moment to consider those you have led in life and business/ministry. Pray for those who follow you right now. Consider reaching out to them with an encouraging word!
Thank you for leading me in ways that showed experience, knowledge, and good judgment. even as I led you wisely!
God Bless You!
CONTACT US:
Community -When you need a Nurturing, Active, group of like-minded Christian Women Entrepreneurs whose goals are to provide Community, Networking, Education and Missions opportunities – join the National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs (NACWE) on Facebook http://facebook.com/groups/NACWEFreedom / our Website http://nacwe.org Once you’ve gotten to know us, we hope you’ll consider joining our more Intimate and Elite Group as well. NACWE was established in 2010 and has served thousands of women across the United States AND the world!
Coaching & Writing -When you need small group Coaching/Masterminds and/or Individual Coaching with opportunities for trips, retreats, VIP Days and more to achieve extraordinary levels of success worth celebrating, join Me / Dr. Karen Website http://karenbourg.com/work-with-me I’ve been coaching since about 2007 when I opened a Private Practice Marriage and Family Therapy/Biblical Counseling Practice and realized to grow took a whole lot more than “when you build it, they will come”! It took knowing how to run a business/ministry God’s Way!
Conference -Also, we hope you’ll consider joining us for our ANNUAL Conference “Working God’s Way” north of Dallas September 18-19, 2020. Our keynote Speaker will be Shae Bynes, Co-Founder of Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur and the Author of Grace Over Grind. https://nacwe.org/savethedate2020conference/
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 11 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com.
You are persistent, especially when you really want something! Am I right?
What comes to mind when I ask what you last sought after and pursued with persistence until you succeeded?
I once had a writing coach say if we hadn’t written what we planned, then we probably didn’t really want to or were not called to write it in the first place! I was surprised at my strong reaction to her words! I diligently considered if what I had planned to write was assigned to me from the Lord or not. If not, it needed to be set aside so I could focus on His true calling on my life as a writer. If yes, I needed to buckle down and be persistent until the writing was complete!
We’re awaiting (somewhat patiently) the birth of our 11th grandchild; our 8th grandorable daughter! I just wrote a blog about the obedience of the Hebrew Midwives that led to great influence upon the Isrealite nation, the Egyptian nation, and subsequently upon our world.
Then I thought of Hannah and all those who are mothers and grandmothers, and/or may not have born children of their own, but are surrogate mothers of sorts! What would we do without them? They are faith-FULL! They are patient and persistent in their care.
A Woman of Persistence – Does NOT Give Up!
Be persistent in your faith and petitions to God. In most cases, He has given you the desires of His/your heart and being filled with faith, He expects you to obediently pursue those desires and to bring Him glory and honor every step of the way.
Consider Hannah in 1 Samuel who was so persistent in her faith-filled prayer for a son that God granted her desire and then some! (1 Samuel 2:21 – she had other children) She was persistent and faithful.
In her day, a barren woman was scorned, ridiculed, even mocked. In her distress, instead of attacking her mocker, she cried out to God from her great sorrow and loss, praying earnestly, even begging for a son. Her prayer was sacrificial, sincere, and specific. Her prayer changed the course of her life, her son Samuel’s life, the Priest Eli’s life, and the life of the entire nation!
1 Samuel 1 English Standard Version (ESV)The Birth of Samuel
1 There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. 2 He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
3 Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. 4 On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb.[a] 6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. 8 And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”
9 After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”
12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” 17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.”[b]
Samuel Given to the Lord
21 The man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and dwell there forever.” 23 Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him; only, may the Lord establish his word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him. 24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull,[c] an ephah[d] of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. And the child was young. 25 Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. 27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. 28 Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.”
Your life and ministry/business can influence a nation!
Your persistence in your life and entrepreneur endeavors can impact the world!
Honestly, I can’t think that broadly most of the time.
I’m content to try to wrap my heart around and try to influence and persistently work to impact just 1 person at a time!
But then I remember that Hannah’s persistent prayer changed the course of her life, the lives of her family, and the life of her world and yours and mine! God used her son Samuel as a powerful prophet during the lifetime of King David and we read about him today. God used King David to lead the nation and to complete the lineage of Christ and today we are Saved!
God delights in the faith and persistence of His people!
Be a Woman of Persistence!
Homework/Handout:
Re-Write Hannah’s Prayer as your own!
1 Samuel 2 English Standard Version (ESV)Hannah’s Prayer
2 1 And Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the Lord;
my horn is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation.
2
“There is none holy like the Lord:
for there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God.
3
Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.
4
The bows of the mighty are broken,
but the feeble bind on strength.
5
Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn.
6
The Lord kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7
The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low and he exalts.
8
He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
and on them he has set the world.
9
“He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,
for not by might shall a man prevail.
10
The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces;
against them he will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king
and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
JOIN Karen Bourg Coaching to work through the Christian Women Leadership Institute 2020(2)
Community -When you need a Nurturing, Active, group of like-minded Christian Women Entrepreneurs whose goals are to provide Community, Networking, Education and Missions opportunities – join the National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs (NACWE) on Facebook http://facebook.com/groups/NACWEFreedom / our Website http://nacwe.org Once you’ve gotten to know us, we hope you’ll consider joining our more Intimate and Elite Group as well. NACWE was established in 2010 and has served thousands of women across the United States AND the world!
Coaching & Writing -When you need small group Coaching/Masterminds and/or Individual Coaching with opportunities for trips, retreats, VIP Days and more to achieve extraordinary levels of success worth celebrating, join Me / Dr. Karen Website http://karenbourg.com/work-with-me I’ve been coaching since about 2007 when I opened a Private Practice Marriage and Family Therapy/Biblical Counseling Practice and realized to grow took a whole lot more than “when you build it, they will come”! It took knowing how to run a business/ministry God’s Way!
Conference -Also, we hope you’ll consider joining us for our ANNUAL Conference “Working God’s Way” north of Dallas September 18-19, 2020. Our keynote Speaker will be Shae Bynes, Co-Founder of Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur and the Author of Grace Over Grind. https://nacwe.org/savethedate2020conference/
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 11 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com.
