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Workplace culture expects us to be subservient to its system expectations. But, as children of God, our true identity is determined only by our Father in heaven.  Such is the 'frontline' challenge for born-again, marketplace believers! In the distant past God laid out an incredible plan for His children: to enter a land rich in work opportunities. He sent some of them in to explore it but despite the backing of His promise of success, the vast majority were terrified and refu

CALLED TO WORK WITH GOD? The immense challenge of changing our mindsets from working for God’s blessing, to partnering with Him in what He is doing takes many years of intimate application with God. With this faith journey comes huge cultural implications in the way we think and behave as we shift from copying the world’s ways to growing into the image of Christ through partnering with Him in our working lives. As we do so, the frame of reference becomes heavenly, not ear

I was thinking of all the bad news on TV, communicated by people at work. I felt a strong sense of earthly despair, but then thought, "wait, it’s just one perspective they’re presenting on current affairs. These reporters are just doing their job!" And I ached for more of God’s working view on world events, asking Him to "grow my sense of being seated in heavenly places." (Ephesians 2:6) Then I realised, as a heavenly hope returned, that He was already doing that and thank

‘If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.’ (John 15:5) It’s just a one-dimensional working life if we only rely on skills, qualifications and experience. Connected to Christ during our working day brings us infinite possibilities from heaven, our spiritual home. ‘God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.’ (Ephesians 3:20)

Assailed ! There has never been such a time in history as now, when information, data and opinion were so readily available to us, right in our faces and clamouring for our attention. Once limited to hearsay in small communities, these 'voices' enlarged through newspapers then to TV. Nowadays we are assailed through social media via computer, tablet, and mobile phone every second of the day, if we allow it. Threatened ! This can pose a severe threat to followers of Christ wh

Kingdom Pioneers... Make way for God. Are fuelled on revelation. Perform great exploits. Giving rise to awesome fruit With testimony to inspire a generation. "High in faith-confidence, I wrote out my resignation letter... strode purposefully into the human resources department and handed it in. I had jumped." ('In Whose Image?') "The people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God]." Sources 'In Whose Image?' by Andy Bl

“If we are to reflect God’s image at work rather than be a copy of those around us, a journey is required that demands a radical shift away from all we’ve known before.” (‘In Whose Image?’ by Andy Black, page 62) Today, Kingdom Pioneers are leading the way towards this vision. Who are they, and what is their kingdom function? An Identity Profile These people live on the edge with God, forging a way where there was none before, constantly pushing forward from the ‘known’ into

For Christians (or Kingdom Pioneers) eager to fulfil their God-given mandate to advance Christ’s kingdom through everyday work, there is something they must do: enter into spiritual warfare to defeat the idols who come! What is an idol in today’s world? It is anything or anyone that becomes bigger than God, our Father, in terms of the attention we give it, the emotions we lavish on it, the time we commit to it and the amount of pleasure it gives us. If we respond to its entic

Comparing ourselves to others will steal our unique identity. By this behaviour, common to all, the shadow of idolatry darkens God's personal light from our lives. This leaves us barren of knowing who we really are and what our true purpose on earth is. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world." He is also your revelation-light today! Further Light from John 10:10 John 8:12 2 Timothy 1:7 (TPT)

Every single working day a spiritual battle is lost when the Christian’s focus is not on Christ and His purposes. Working to our new identity For the Christian, a job is never just a job, like most of the colleagues around us. Our lives in-Christ have led us into a new identity. We are now spiritual warriors in the midst of a battle, between good and evil, and we don’t get to walk away from this theatre of war when we go to our, so called, ‘secular’ jobs. “We have become his

As an apostolic people in-Christ, we share common experiences with most other people, but we are not Commoners... We are Royalty Similarly, we are not survivors in this world... We are Over-comers As such, we rule and steward the nations with righteousness, subdue evil and prepare the earth for our King, Jesus, to return, heralding in the new age. How do I become this identity? Just ask... "Ask me to give you the nations and I will do it, and they shall become your legacy. Yo

The business world is taking a rest on Fridays by working harder from Monday to Thursday. In May 2023 Reuters reported that staff in some businesses were striving to boost productivity so they can take Fridays off and still get a full week’s pay. One company has "smashed through their targets since switching to the shorter week". This strategy has "drawn interest from economists and businesses keen to find a solution to a slowdown in productivity growth in Britain and other W

Success is being the best in the business. Or is it? A major bank ran this ad line: “Success is being the best in the business.” Not for the Kingdom Pioneer it isn’t! In fact, competition doesn’t come into it at all. Cooperation with the Holy Spirit is the essential requirement. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25) So, success starts with knowing Jesus. Like He said, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Any ‘succ

Is your business fit for THE King? Are you someone who loves God with all your heart and longs to reflect Christ and have more of His presence in the life of your business? I believe that Jesus shares your passion and exceeds even your own! If so, I would call you a ‘Kingdom Pioneer’. But what if your desire is not being fulfilled. Why is this? The answer may well depend upon your response to this question: Whose world are you living in? To help you understand why I'm asking

I had been for a long walk with God around a reservoir on a beautiful spring day. But as I left the shimmering waters behind and headed back to my parked car, I felt a tinge of disappointment. Where had God been for the last four hours? I hadn’t felt His presence much at all. Then suddenly, my waiting for Him was over. A song came gently to me from heaven. It completely turned my day around and I travelled back home in great joy. I have sung it ever since and share it with yo

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth". (Genies 1:1) "The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth." (Isaiah 40:28) "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." (Psalms 19:1) 'God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature so they can be responsible for ... Earth itself.."' (Genesis 1:26) Source materials Photos: Andy Black Artwork: Caroline Ross

Principles, rules, futility or... Presence, relationship, fruitfulness, and... Creative, eternal and significant! Separated! The jobs we do are often associated with terms such as 'earning a living' and 'making ends meet'. This way of working by merely principles and rules leads to futility because it separates us from the person of the King and any fruit from His kingdom. Jesus emphasises this truth in John 15:5, ‘I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with

God’s presence is indispensable for bringing the culture of heaven to our places of work. We cannot bring the all-important kingdom perspective without the King! Cultivating His presence on a regular basis should always be our top priority.

Business people look for ways to be successful. It is an ever-present search for material gain. A driving force that is common to all. But does business practice have to be this way? I don't believe so. In the early days of ‘Work with God’, over two decades ago, God said something very different to me. After many months of desperate struggle to find the right work ideas He gave me a profound revelation: 'Everything you need is to be found in Christ'. And I received this on

One day I was having a conversation with a teacher. He was longing, but failing, to touch his work environment with the presence of God. Suddenly he stopped me in mid-sentence and elatedly declared, ‘I left Jesus at the school gate!’ It was a eureka moment for him. If we are passionate about bringing God’s kingdom into our everyday working lives it is our spiritual identity in-Christ that provides our start point, not our system’s identity.