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I’d always felt it was important to set goals and write them down. Something ‘magical’ happens when you take them from your mind and begin to visualise them in words and images.

This devotion from The Word For Today again emphasises the importance of goal setting and bringing them to fruition - with God involved in that process.

Eight principles to live by

“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity…” Proverbs 21:5 NLT

People who set goals accomplish much more than people of equal education and ability who don’t. With that in mind, build these eight principles into your life. (1) Decide what you want. But first consult God. “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Pr 19:21 NIV). (2) Think on paper. Writing your goals down gives them a sense of permanency, plus it energises you. “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity…” Wishy-washy objectives won’t get you where you want to go. (3) Establish a deadline. Without a definite beginning and ending it’s easy to procrastinate and get nowhere. (4) Make a list of what you need to do to. Keep it before you at all times; it’ll give you a track to run on. (5) Convert your list to a plan. Decide what you need to do first and what you can do later. An organised plan is always better than trying to carry stuff around in your head. (6) Act immediately. “Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity…” (Eph 5:15-16 NIV). Do something! A mediocre plan that’s implemented beats a brilliant one that’s not. (7) Do something every day to move you forward. Build it into your schedule. For example, read systematically through your Bible, call a specific number of clients, engage in physical activity for a given time. (8) Have a goal you’re willing to devote your life to. And keep your eye on that goal at all times. “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Ps 90:12 NIV).

Soulfood Bible Readings (Pentecost) Lev 23:15-22, Acts 2:1-18

I was driving to a breakfast today not far from home. It’s Saturday and normally I wouldn’t be going out, especially not early in the morning - it’s my day for relaxing at home but this breakfast was special because I was a sponsor for the event. And the event was the local council Mayoral Prayer Breakfast - designed to coincide with National Thanksgiving Day.

Sponsorship is often an overlooked opportunity for gaining exposure for your business. Whenever people hear that word they immediately think $$ - lots of it - and dismiss the idea but it really is one worth considering. Not all sponsorships require lots of dollars and some accept payment in kind or in time. In fact, often these are the very things that are greatly valued.

For those reading this blog many are well placed to use their skills and abilities to contribute to local events, as well as events online. The recent Virtual Assistant Convention OIVAC had a steering committee (all voluntary) and a list of volunteers from around the world all pulling together for a common cause. On a local level it gives you the opportunity to get in front of local business people and others for a short time - enough for them to notice that you exist. And one of the themes talked about this morning related to the nature of volunteers and their work in many areas around the country - indeed something to be thankful for. We also prayed for the mayor who was in attendance and it is so good to see her attend these events. It’s not the first Christian event I’ve seen her at and she genuinely appreciates the support of the local churches.

As well as sponsoring the event, I also offered a give away - a book called The Business Mom Guide Book and the Pastor who won it knew of a lady who would benefit from the book so that was good to hear. He was actually sitting next to me and our discussions turned to other things and it appears our sitting together was God designed because there are other things I can assist him with - that are not business related at all. He made a comment that it was a God-incident we were sitting together.

Further I was able to renew old acquaintances with some people I hadn’t seen in a long time from my former church and make new acquaintances - particularly with some key people in my local community. I wasn’t looking to get business immediately - I was simply looking to get my business name into their minds so that next time they, or someone they know, has a need, my name is what comes to mind for them as the solution.

Whilst a lot of business can be conducted virtually these days, it certainly should not dismiss or shove aside the opportunities that surround us on a local level which gets our face in front of others and for a short time, exposure for our businesses that doesn’t have to cost the earth. So, next time you hear of a church related or community event that is coming up why not look to see if there are sponsorships available, or even offer a helping hand - it will be very much appreciated by the organisers and they will come back to you again and again when seeking support. I know, because today’s event I’ve been sponsoring for the past 3 years! KMT

virtual assistants, sponsor, sponsorship, exposure, local business

I was presenting at a Finance Seminar at our church today. Pretty scary for me - I’m not a financial advisor - my expertise is in Virtual Assistance and running a Virtual Assistant business. However, the guy who ‘dobbed’ me in felt I would be perfect for the particular session I was taking and our Pastor thought so too. I didn’t have any doubts about my ability to speak to the topic, just had never thought of myself as the ‘ideal choice’.

My hubby knew I was nervous about it - even moreso as I’d been helping my Pastor with organising it but she and I were struggling to find one or two people to handle the audio visuals for us, setting up the sound, etc and in the end we just had to hand it all over to God. So, this morning, before hubby and I got out of bed, Graham offered to pray - and he always prays so well. I set off from home with peace in my heart.

Just to make sure I was giving it the best I could I sought out books on the topic of budgets for Christians and came across a couple of excellent books by Larry Burkett. Much of my presentation came from the Personal Finances book and I wove in stories of my own personal experiences. I also prepared an Excel sheet budget, complete with formulas, for the attendees to access and use to help them with their budgets.

So, what’s the title got to do with all of this? Funny, I had my presentation prepared but then thoughts kept popping into my head as I was speaking and I was able to weave in extra things along the way. One of those things was about how ‘work’ is a four-lettered word and that the very beginning of the Bible is about that very word. I noticed many heads nodding in agreement as I spoke. Another one of those things that just popped into my head was about how ‘man’ is not an island and is meant to be with others and working with others, being interactive - it all tied in together and I can’t even remember now what part of my presentation it came into - but the timing for it was perfect, I know.

Another Pastor, who is in Prayer Ministry, later told me the presentation was really annointed and she wondered whether I knew that? I didn’t. She commented on one particular aspect and something I’d said and I told her that wasn’t even in my notes - it just popped into my head. She smiled and nodded her head knowingly. I also got the feeling that what I’d said had been a message for someone in particular - and she was privvy to whomever that person was. I’m grateful for that. Whenever I speak publicly if just one person is touched by what I’ve said and shared, then I’ve done my job - but I know that through God’s grace and guidance there are always others touched too - that becomes evident when people come up to me afterward to ask questions and share their thoughts and feelings. It makes me feel humble - who am I to touch people’s lives like that? KMT

budgets for Christians, budget , Bible, work, annointing, Prayer Ministry, 4 lettered word

This weekend is known as First Fruits at our church. For the past couple of months, members of the church have been asked to pray about this weekend and their commitment to it. It is based on Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine) where we are encouraged to give a freewill offering of our first week’s income as an offering to our Lord. It is a powerful declaration that we serve God and not money.

Today Ps Rob preached on Revelation 2:1-7 and told us how Christ had different messages for different churches. He wanted to remind us also that each and every one of us is a minister of our church, with our own particular ministries. That whilst he is the senior pastor of our church, we are all ministers, and he encouraged us to remember that when talking to people in the working place, at schools, shops, and anywhere else we venture when not at church.

I’d not thought of myself as a minister before, although I’ve been very aware that I do have a ministry. What about you? Have you thought that in having a ministry it means you are a minister? Would that change the way you do things, speak to people, respond to various things?

Something else Ps Rob spoke about was going back to our First Love (Rev 2:4), when we first accepted Christ into our lives and our hearts. In other words, going back to basics - which was the thought that was in my mind whilst he was speaking.

Hence the reason for the theme this year being called “First Fruits, First Love”. Ps Rob prompted us to think about how we felt when we first accepted Christ. He also asked if we had changed? Hopefully the answer is ‘yes’ and that it means we have grown in maturity and wisdom in our walk with Christ. Finally he asked us to do the thing we used to do when we first accepted Christ. Not to wait until the ‘feeling’ comes back but to act first, in our offerings it will draw us nearer to God (offering [Heb] = drawing near). Matt 6:21 Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

If your ministry is in the workplace then I encourage you also to go back to basics. Remember the joy, the awe, the wonder of it all, and the disbelief that you’d been forgiven no matter what, when you first accepted Christ, and know that it will be like this for others also. Share your experience with them in your witnessing.

ministry, workplace, matt 6:21, Revelation, Proverbs 3:9-10, first fruits, minister

Have you noticed that when you get focussed on something, and passionate about it, that God starts sending others to help you along your way?

I’ve recently set up a training and coaching program for those who want to do what I’ve been doing for the past 12+ years, and that is become a virtual assistant. Unknown to me at the time, when I started I was actually shaping the industry in my own country of Australia, in line with like-minded people in other countries around the world. The industry is now recognised as being 10 years old and had its first international online conference in May of this year.

The new business ministry team I’ve mentioned previously, of which I’m a member, has amongst it an experienced business coach and also a training consultant - both of whom have much valuable knowledge and experience that will help me on my path. It excites me to know that God has surrounded me with His people to help further what I’m doing - and knowing that my own personal skills and abilities can also be used to help these two people in what they do.

But it goes further than that. Each of us have travelled separate paths to end up on a path that is now joined and combined with God’s purpose. This is workplace ministry in action and I find it exciting because I know there is more to come. KMT

virtual assistants, workplace ministry, skills and abilities, business ministry