David understood one of the essential qualities of a leader, as we see in 2 Samuel 23:3. Anyone who wants to lead well must fear the Lord. When we talk about fearing God, we are not talking about a wrong kind of fear. We are talking about the reverential fear that causes us to bow in His presence and even to prostrate ourselves before Him and say, “My God, there is none like You; Whom shall I fear? If You are for me, what can man do to me?’

The apostle Paul wrote something in Galatians 1:10, He said, “Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ (the Messiah).”

We know Satan firsthand uses rejection to prevent us from going forward with the call of God on our our lives. Have you ever been attacked with rejection? The devil uses this very effective tool to keep us from making progress.

How many of you have gone to the bank to get a loan for your business and were turned down? Wanted more money to expand? Wanted to hire a few more people? How many people were skeptical when you told them you were starting a business, or joining a partnership with someone, or told you all of the reasons why they failed in business and why you would too? It’s very difficult to go on when you are being rejected by someone you love and care about or others who have the power and ability to help but do not buy into your vision. I know what that feels like when you take the leap of faith and do what you believe you have been called to do. I shudder to think what I might have sacrificed had I bowed down to the pressure and the weight of rejection. Everywhere I went for help they told me no, or I didn’t qualify, but thank God I didn’t give up.

Have you ever been in a situation when the devil leveled an attack against you at the same time when God was trying to promote you into the next level of what he has for your life?

Anyone who is going to do the will of God must have more fear of God than of man. We all want acceptance and for others to support our dreams. It takes courage to live your dreams. And you have to be willing to lose everything to do it. What does that mean? The trials and storms of life will come. They must. Do you stay and fight for the dream and the desire that you believe God has placed on the inside of you, or do you turn in defeat because it’s just too hard?

Anyone who is going to do God’s will must remember what Jesus told His disciples: “A servant is not greater than his master…If they persecuted Me, they will also persecut you” (John 15:20). He was saying, “If they reject you, in effect they are rejecting Me.” I believe the Lord takes it personally when people reject you because you are trying to do the right thing. He knows how you feel about being rejected, because He felt the same thing. He is your Vindicator; your reward comes from Him, and you must reverentially fear and honor Him more than anything or anyone else.

As you have made the decision, for God I live, and for God I die, know that God is equally commited to the promise as well. Romans 8:31,32 “What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?] [Ps. 118:6]

32 He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?

God approved of you before anybody else ever got a chance to disapprove. Do not spend your time playing it safe in the illusion of a down economy (because millionaries are being made everyday, banks are still giving corporate execs million dollar bonuses) don’t buy into the hype! Safety is very comfortable, but it may keep you from God’s perfect plan for your life.  If we want to continue to succeed in this environment, our focus must be customer focus coupled with outstanding customer service. Not because it will keep your customer and repeat business, but if you never see them again, the honor and privilege is in being in a position to serve.

Trust His Word and keep your heart willing and ready to obey. Be willing to try new things, especially if it is something you have never done before. You will find throughout your life that God regularly calls us out of our comfort zones and into new places of faith and growth in Him.

On the way to your destination, enjoy the journey.

Linda Dillard

Founder/CEO & Relationship Strategist for Power In Progress, LLC & Creator of the “CEO Method”

How many of you are just like me, Class A+ Procrastinators?

Did you know having good intentions can still be a form of disobedience? Procrastination is very deceptive and Proverbs 3:27,28 instructs us not to do it. Often, we do not see putting things off as disobedience because we intend to obey God; it is just that we are going to do it when–when we have more money, when we are not so busy, as soon as Christmas is over, after we get the kids in school/college, when we return from vacation, after the snow is gone, etc. Remember, the best intentions do not produce results. Ask God to help you take action in a timely manner in every situtation.

So, what are some strategic solutions to helping Class A+ Procrastinators; Proverbs 4:5 instructs us to get “skillful and godly Wisdom,” and here are some of the results that you can expect as you apply wisdom in your life.

Wisdom will always lead you to God’s best. Wisdom teaches that you will not keep friends if you try to control and dominate everything that goes on in your life and theirs. You will not keep friends if you talk about them behind their backs or tell their secrets. Wisdom says, “Do not say things about others that you would not want people saying about you.”

Wisdom will guide you in money matters. You will not get into debt if you do not spend more money than you make. A lot of people never have fruitful ministries because they think they can run a ministry without good business principles. The Holy Spirit does not need to speak in an audible voice to tell us that we cannot have more money going out than we have coming in. Wisdom tells us that we will get in trouble if we do that.

Wisdom will not let us get overextended in our commitments if we listen to her. No matter how anxious we may be to accomplish things, wisdom says we need to take time and wait on God to give us peace about what we are to do and not do. It has been very difficult for me over the years to learn to say no to certain speaking opportunities, but I have learned that it is not wise to wear myself out trying do to so much that I end up not doing a quality job.

To God, quality is more important than quantity. Many times wisdom leads us to say no to things we would like to say yes to. Wisdom may also lead us to say yes to something to which we would like to say no. Having an opportunity that will stretch you outside of your comfort zone may cause you to say no, because you are afraid you might fail. But Wisdom may be telling you that you can do all things through Christ that strengthens you, and although you may have never done this or that, or tried this or that, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try. How do you ever grow beyond what you are capable of if you never put yourself in a situation where you know exactly what you are made of. Feel the fear and do it anyway.

Wisdom is our friend; it helps us not to live in regret. I think one of the saddest things in the world would be to reach old age and look back at your life and feel nothing but regret about what you did or did not do. So many people are playing it safe. In case you haven’t noticed, “You can’t get out of life ALIVE!” It’s always more fun on the field than it is in the stands. Failure is merely feedback. The sorrow is not in the falling down, the tragedy is in never having tried in the first place. Wisdom helps us make choices now that we will be happy with later.

A word of advice to all my soon to be reformed Class A+ Procrastinators, don’t put off for tomorrow what you can to today, maximize your moment!

Be Encouraged. [Excerpts from Joyce Meyer Amplified Bible] 

Linda Dillard

Founder/CEO & Relationship Strategist for Power In Progress, LLC

Why does it always take a tragedy to wake us up out of our unconcious state of selfishness before we are willing to help one another? Apparently, Hurricane Katrina was not enough for us to sustain a long lasting commitment to love one another as we love ourselves.

The US has no Interest in Haiti

How unfortunate it is that it took a devastating Earthquake in Haiti before the world woke up. What amazes me is that Haiti has been an impoverished country for many years. The fact that the United States has no vested interest in Haiti in terms of what it can get from the people or country of Haiti is irrelevant. Why must God get our attention by allowing such mass destruction to occur?

Why do bad things happen to good people?

I have often wondered why bad things happen to good people? It’s sad to know that we have all contributed in some way due to our mass consciousness of caring about self only.

In 2 Corinthians 9:10-12 (amp), “And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifest istself in active goodness, kindness, and charity]. [Isa. 55:10; Hos. 10:12]

11 Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God.

12 For the service that the ministering of this fund renders does not only fully supply what is lacking to the saints (God’s people), but it also overflows in many [cries of] thanksgiving to God.”

God will provide us a seed to sow

In times like these, it’s easy to withhold seed because we are uncertain if we will have enough. But a seed can never multiply and bear fruit until it has been planted. Whenever we invest in God’s people at home or abroad, we can rest assure that God will continue to provide seed for us to sow, and those in whom we sow seed will cry out to God with thanksgiving.

I say to the many of you who were like me before I read this passage, there is so much money and aid needed for these hurting people, how will I know if my seed will be used for that which it was intended?

What’s your motive?

 Well, we can thank God that he does not judge our outward appearance but our heart and our motives. Whether our seed ever gets to where it is intended, God will still honor our heart to give and you will be blessed. For those who misuse the seed, and cause even more suffering because of their lack of integrity, God is in control of that as well. So give, so seed.

Our job and our responsibility is not to judge others for what they are or are not doing, our only responsibility is to make sure we are doing what we are suppose to do. We serve a God that never slumbers or sleep, and he is always on top of his game. Let our business be a reflection of how we are, not just who we are. Whether your are providing aid to Haiti, or giving your left over food from your resturant to a shelter, orphanage, or a parent who waits table and would welcome the extra food to feed their family, when you have a need, sow a seed.

So take heart my sister, my brother; Love thy neighbor as thyself (Mark 12:31).  In so doing, the recipient of this goodness, kindness, and charity will cry out to God in thanksgiving. 

Be Inspired,

Linda Dillard
Founder/CEO Power In Progress, LLC
Relationship Strategist

During a time when the key to restoring our nation and renewing the global economy are entrepreneurs, here is a message to encourage the heart of every believer who has had to whether a storm during a very difficult and trying year.

The Bible Wants you to Live Great

Many people think that what’s written in the Bible has mostly to do with getting people into heaven – getting right with God, saving eternal souls. And all those are a part of the Bible, however, equally important that the Bible is concerned with is living here on this earth – living well, living with enthusiastic sanity.

Wisdom is the art of living skillfully in whatever actual conditions we find ourselves in. In Proverbs 3:26 (Message), “No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday’s just around the corner, Because God will be right there with you; he’ll keep you safe and sound.” “For the Lord shall be your confidence, firm and strong, and shall keep your foot from being caught [in a trap or some hidden danger]. (Prov. 3:26, Amp).

You Can Succeed in Any Business

I just wanted to remind you that no matter what business your in or service you provide, Jesus says in John 14:12-13, “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father. And I will do [I myself will grant] whatever you ask in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], so that the Father may be glorified and and extolled in (through) the Son. [Exod. 3:14] We know that trials and tribulations must come, and we should welcome them. In our weakness, He is made strong. I believe because of the lack and suffering that many are feeling right now it is creating an opportunity for God to do his best work.

God Promises Us that He’ll Keep us from Danger

I want all of you to know that no matter what you are facing in your business today, what difficult decisions you may have to make, that God has not forsaken you, and when we continuously put our trust in Him because he cares for us, He keeps his promises. He has promised each one of us that he would keep our foot from being caught in a trap or some hidden danger. Knowledge is something you know, Wisdom is something you own! When your confidence, firm and strong is in Him, he will keep you from falling.

Set Your New Year’s Goal for 2010

Trust that every setback is a setup. 10 symbolizes totality or all inclusiveness. For all that we have endured in ‘09, it’s time to get excited because in 2010, it all comes together. It is your time, it is your season. When God is for you, it’s better than the whole world against.

Always Seek Wisdom

Be encouraged my brothers and my sisters, “Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom! Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding! (Prov. 3:6 Message) What the enemy meant for evil, God will use for good. Let us return to childlike faith, that if he said it, then it will come to pass. Rejoice, this is the day that the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

Linda Dillard
Founder/CEO Power In Progress, LLC
Tap Into the Power, Walk Into the Light

Suggested Reading:

Your Road Map for Success

John C. Maxwell. Thomas Nelson 2006, Paperback, 256 pages, $6.10

Spiritual Steps on the Road to Success

Linda Seger. Monarch Books 2009, Paperback, 188 pages, $10.73

Why are you in business? Is it because you don’t like being told what to do? Did you want to always be your own boss? Did you discover one day you had a gift or talent that could make you money so you opened up your own business? Did you think you would get rich or make a lot of money? Perhaps you lost your job after 10, 15, or even 20 years and decided your fate would never be in the hands of another? Whatever pushed you into your purpose of entrepreneurship, did you know that the one of the greatest gifts that we could give to another is to serve them?

Remember in John 13:3-15, when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples in an act of servant hood to show them how very much He loved them. After Jesus completed washing all of His disciples’ feet, He told them they needed to follow His example as their Lord and Teacher and wash one another’s feet (John 13:14). I believe what Jesus was saying was unless we are willing to serve one another, we have no true part in Him or in each other. If we love someone to the highest degree, we will be willing to serve that person. Isn’t that what our clients and customers are? We exist to serve them. In our relationship with Him, Jesus calls us to sacrifice our self-will. We are not to be served, but to serve. We are to be sensitive to other people’s needs, even in little thiings. We, like Jesus, should seek to serve others rather than merely letting them serve us. When we have people in our lives who serve us in various ways, we should always treat then with the utmost respect and be good to them.

Put the word to work, and ask not what can I get today, but what can I give.

Suggested Reading:

Unleashing Excellence

Dennis Snow. Wiley 2009, Hardcover, 256 pages, $16.07

Invisible Profits

Robert Moment. The Moment Group 2007, Paperback, 104 pages, $19.95

Many of us know and believe that God has a plan for our lives. A plan to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future. But how many of us know that in verse 13 there is an awesome promise? “Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 Amplified

Notice that we are to require God “as a vital necessity.” In other words, the wonderful life Jesus died for us to have depends on our relationship with God. Just as we need food, water, and the air we breathe. How many of you realize that when you spend time with God, everyone knows. You handle conflict better, you are easier to get along with, you are less likely to make emotional decisions, your patience increases, wisdom is manifested through you, and even your creative abilities are in a heightened state of awareness because you are more sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

If you want to create an environment that is enjoyable to work in, if you want more productivity from self and others, if we want to capitalize on innovation by creating a cooperative spirit filled with collaboration in the workplace, then search for God with all your heart and be the example that you want your employees to emulate.

As with any friend, the more time you spend with God, the more you become like Him. Be the example because everyone will know it. Make it a priority. Your life depends on it because He is your vital necessity.

Suggested Reading:

Lead by Example

John Baldoni. AMACOM 2008, Hardcover, 240 pages, $9.97

Leading with Kindness

William F. Baker. AMACOM 2008, Hardcover, 256 pages, $3.98