Luke 18:

¹⁰ “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a proud, self-righteous Pharisee, and the other a cheating tax collector. ¹¹ The proud Pharisee ‘prayed’ this prayer: ‘Thank God, I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there! For I never cheat, I don’t commit adultery, ¹² I go without food twice a week, and I give to God a tenth of everything I earn.’

¹³ “But the corrupt tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed, but beat upon his chest in sorrow, exclaiming, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’ ¹⁴ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home forgiven! For the proud shall be humbled, but the humble shall be honored.”

My God In The Kingdom

Luke 17: 7- 10 When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, he doesn’t just sit down and eat, but first prepares his master’s meal and serves him his supper before he eats his own. And he is not even thanked, for he is merely doing what he is supposed to do. Just so, if you merely obey me, you should not consider yourselves worthy of praise. For you have simply done your duty!”

I have to soaking in this word. This is a general statement for the body of Christ, too often people want to be recognized for their giving of themselves or giving of their finances while serving God, but God just finished saying in Luke 17, you should not consider yourselves worthy of praise, for you have simlpy done your duty. 

Watchman: Israel’s spiritual watchmen bore a heavy responsibility before the Lord. If a prophet failed to warn others as God had appointed him to do, his own life was in danger, and he would be held accountable for the people’s sin: “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood’” (Ezekiel 33:2–6).

The role of spiritual watchman continues in the New Testament in the form of church leaders: “Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit” (Hebrews 13:17, NLT).

In another sense, God calls not just leaders, but all Christians to be watchmen. Jesus told His disciples to “watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38). We should all be ready and waiting for the Lord’s return: “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Luke 12:35–40).

Four Different Types of Organizational Cultures

Clan (Collaborate) Dominate attribute:

Cohesiveness, participation, teamwork, sense of family

Leadership style: Mentor, facilitator, parent figure

Bonding: Loyalty, tradition, interpersonal cohesion

Strategic emphasis: Toward developing human resources,

commitment, and morale.

Adhocracy (Create) Dominant attribute:

Entrepreneurship, adaptability, dynamism

Leadership style: innovator, entrepreneur, risk taker

Bonding: Flexibility, risk, entrepreneur

Strategic emphasis: Toward innovation, growth, new

Resources. 

Hierarchy (Control) Dominant attribute:

Order, rules and regulations, uniformity, efficiency

Leadership style: Coordinator, organizer,

Administrator

Bonding: Rules, policies and procedures, clear

Expectations

Strategic emphasis: Toward stability, predictability, smooth

 Market (Complete) Dominant attribute:

Goal achievement, environment exchange, competitiveness

Leadership style:  Production and achievement oriented decisive

Bonding: Goal orientation, production, competition, 

Strategic emphasis: Toward competitive advantage and market superiority

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Inc. 150 N. College St., NC1-028-17-06 Charlotte, NC United States 28255-2271 Telephone: (800) 218-9946 URL: www.bankofamerica.com/foundation/index.cfm Type of Grant maker Company-sponsored foundation Financial Data (yr. ended 2014-12-31) Assets: $4,083,376 total giving: $175,729,430.

Nationwide Insurance Foundation (formerly Nationwide Foundation) 1 West Nationwide Blvd., 1-2-16 Columbus, OH United States 43215-2220 Telephone: (614) 249-4310 Contact: Karen Blickley, Sr. Dir. Fax: (866) 212-7960 E-mail: corpcit@nationwide.com

URL: https://www.nationwide.com/personal/about-us/giving/nationwide-foundation/ Type of Grant maker Company-sponsored foundation Financial Data (yr. ended 2014-12-31) Assets: $82,974,122 Total giving: $36,938,077 EIN 316022301 Bridge Number 8073642518 990

Chase J.P. Morgan fund Non-Profit 501-c3 charity organizations. They have contributed over $204.9 Million to US nonprofits, and Walmart grant funding to nonprofits, Smart & Final, and Safeway.

 Another source of funding to consider is a Secured Business Loan because of the Pros:

• Lower interest rates. Secured loans are less risky to the lender as they come with collateral. If you have a steady income, valuable assets and good credit history, you can shop around for the lowest rates.
• Bigger loan amounts. Generally speaking, you can obtain a much higher loan amount through a secured loan as the lender assumes less risk. The more valuable your collateral is and the easier it is to access, the larger the loan amount.
• Longer repayment periods. Secured loans usually come with better repayment terms, allowing borrowers to pay off the loan over several years. Home loans, for example, are often repaid over 30 years.
• Easier to obtain with poor credit. If you have a poor credit history, an unsecured loan may be virtually impossible to obtain until you spend months or years rebuilding your credit. Since secured loans rely on collateral, lenders are more willing to offer a loan.

1 Chronicles 29:11-14 ESV
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.

Philippians 2:10 ESV
So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

Hebrews 1:3 ESV 
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

God's divine favor working in your life. Psalms 5:12, the word says, "For you, O Lord will bless the righteous, with "favor". ... So when the Bible declares that the Lord will bless the righteous with favor, it means you and me. This releases God's supernatural influence in your life.

God shows favor to the ones who delight in, connect with, and give honor to Him. Isaiah 66:2 says, "For all these things My hand has made, So all these things came into being [by and for Me],” declares the Lord. “But to this one I will look [graciously], To him who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who [reverently] trembles at My word and honors My commands. Second Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” To be “perfect” toward Him means we seek His favor more than we seek the favor of anyone else, even ourselves.

 Isaiah 66:2 (AMP) 

For all these things My hand has made, So all these things came into being [by and for Me],” declares the Lord. “But to this one I will look [graciously], To him who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who [reverently] trembles at My word and honors My commands.

Those who have received Jesus as their Savior are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9). They know the favor of God. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), but those who have saving faith in God’s Son are declared righteous (Romans 4:5; Philippians 3:9) and live in God’s favor. The most basic answer to “how can I get God’s favor” is “believe in the Lord Jesus.”

The brand growth strategy matrix is a simple method for visually representing the options a company can use in order to increase its market growth. The matrix considers two dimensions, products and markets, and considers whether they are new or existing. This results in four distinct growth strategies: market penetration (existing market and existing product), market development (new market and existing product), product development (new product and existing market) and diversification (new product and new market).

There are four basic growth strategies you can employ to expand your business: market penetration, product development, market expansion and diversification.

Your business will never increase in value without growth. But business growth does not happen accidentally; it's the result of strategic initiatives. There are four basic growth strategies you can employ to expand your business: market penetration, product development, market expansion and diversification.

There is a wealth of information that has been given to each up-and-coming fivefold minister, business owner, and entrepreneur to equip and prepare us for success, and we must take full advantage of what we know thus far and put our knowledge into action on purpose, blueprint your creative business ideas, establish your business connection with that banker for that small business loan and run with the vision even if you have to go it alone… You are destined for success or you would not be here creating, planning, and building for a better future and a successful business. This is for all of us.

14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;(A) it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.(B) 16 Avoid godless chatter,(C) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus(D) and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place,(E) and they destroy the faith of some.(F) 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,(G) sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”(H) and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord(I) must turn away from wickedness.”
20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.(J) 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.(K)
22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love(L) and peace, along with those who call on the Lord(M) out of a pure heart.(N) 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.(O)
Cross references:
A. 2 Timothy 2:14 : ver 23; 1Ti 1:4; 6:4; Tit 3:9
B. 2 Timothy 2:15 : Eph 1:13; Col 1:5; Jas 1:18
C. 2 Timothy 2:16 : Tit 3:9; 1Ti 6:20
D. 2 Timothy 2:17 : 1Ti 1:20
E. 2 Timothy 2:18 : 2Th 2:2
F. 2 Timothy 2:18 : 1Ti 1:19; 6:21
G. 2 Timothy 2:19 : Isa 28:16
H. 2 Timothy 2:19 : Ex 33:12; Nu 16:5; Jn 10:14; 1Co 8:3; Gal 4:9
I. 2 Timothy 2:19 : 1Co 1:2
J. 2 Timothy 2:20 : Ro 9:21
K. 2 Timothy 2:21 : 2Co 9:8; Eph 2:10; 2Ti 3:17
L. 2 Timothy 2:22 : 1Ti 1:14; 6:11
M. 2 Timothy 2:22 : S Ac 2:21
N. 2 Timothy 2:22 : 1Ti 1:5
O. 2 Timothy 2:23 : S ver 14

Ready yourself as a founder. Too often, passionate entrepreneurs leap head first into a venture before thinking it through. To improve your readiness to succeed as a startup founder, take an honest look at yourself as a founder before leaping. The first step is: Clarify your reasons and your goals. Why are you doing this? What do you hope to achieve? The second critical step is: Understand your entrepreneurial personality. What makes you tick? From there, focus on ways to leverage your skills, assets, resources, and relationships.

1 John 1:6 (ESV) 6 (A)If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and (B)do not practice the truth

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Living In God newslpaper 2019 12.pdf

Please enjoy this December 2019 LIGLM newsletter It will bless your life. 

What Is The Mordecai Mandate

Loving God and Others: 

Engaging in the Public Square: 

Speaking Out Against Corruption: 

Exposing Injustice: 

Standing in the Face of Intimidation and Threats: 

Standing in the Gap for the People: 

Being Informed and Prepared: 

Speaking the Word of the Lord: 

Becoming an Ambassador of National Prayer: 

Mordecai paved the way for his people (the Jews), With breakthrough prayers and appointments in the community square. His persistence and perseverance during uncertainties and threats show a man with a mandate – an assignment from the Lord. His story reveals several strategic keys for effective prayer and engagement as we seek wisdom and discernment in confronting wickedness in high places.  Mordecai Mandate – this commission to stand in the gap, take action, and be an example that will inspire and motivate others to be change agents in our communities and nation.  Mordecai illustrates the truth of Psalm 75:7, “It is God who judges: / He brings one down, he exalts another,” and Psalm 147:6, “The LORD sustains the humble / but casts the wicked to the ground.” Mordecai’s faithfulness and integrity put him in good stead with the king of Persia, and his concern for his Jewish compatriots brought the blessing of God.

1. Own it If you don’t take full ownership for fixing your team, it won’t get better! Think about what you did to allow for this dynamic and what you didn’t do to address it. This could be an excellent time to get 360 feedback to understand others’ perceptions of your effectiveness as team leader. Talk openly with your team about your role (good and bad) and set a new standard for how you expect the team to work together.

2. Study the facts and seek out the truth. Use data and feedback to figure out what is really happening on the team. Get others’ perspectives. Ask questions, listen, stay curious, and be open to feedback. Be willing to seek the truth, even if it’s hard to hear. Team leaders tend to have the perspective of some, but not all, team members and may have a biased view of what’s really going on. Stay neutral and listen without judgement to fully understand why your team is struggling.

3. Set new standards of behavior and make tough decisions. As the team leader, it’s critical that a new standard for performance and behavior is set. Set a high bar and apply it to ALL team members. You can’t have different standards for different team members. Too often the negative behaviors of certain individuals are overlooked or ignored for various reasons. This doesn’t help, it hinders. Make sure the team understands the repercussions of their actions and be willing to follow-through. Frequently point out examples where team members are, and are not, living up to the new standards. Remember, you get what you tolerate!

4. Get the team on board. The team needs to meet regularly, and as the team leader, you need to keep everyone committed to the new rules of the road. If you need to, find a strong facilitator to help. That person could be a professional facilitator, an internal HR business partner, or a trusted colleague who has skills and is viewed as being neutral. Involve the team in discussing its challenges and suggesting ways to improve. Don’t forget to celebrate the team’s progress and successes, even the small ones.

5. Don’t give up. Turning around a Saboteur Team may be the hardest work you will do as a team leader. It takes time, courage, and commitment. Keep your vision in front of the team and give team members regular feedback and coaching. Look for and publicize quick wins and reward the right behavior. For many team leaders it’s tough to do this, but remove team members who aren’t willing or able to change. It only takes one saboteur for the whole team to become toxic – make the tough decisions when you need to. No leader has every regretted getting rid of an underperformer or a saboteur.
If you’re the leader of a toxic and dysfunctional team, you’re likely suffering from the experience. And, it’s likely your business results are suffering too. Facing the truth about your team, setting a new standard, requiring the team to building strong and healthy relationships, and developing new
habits takes energy and courage. However, once you begin the process of turning around your team, you are likely to see improvements immediately. Be intentional in your efforts – and persistent - and you’ll reap the rewards.

The integrity and moral courage of the upright will guide them, But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them. Riches will not provide security in the day of wrath and judgment, But righteousness rescues from death.

Proverbs 10:2

But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’