INSIGHT

Welcome to ‘Insight’. This section of our website is designated for articles and writings that address, discuss and provide resolution to common, fundamental issues and problems affecting humanity today. These problems range from spiritual, psychological, physiological, family, community, economics, education, relationships, political, ideological, cosmological, eschatological and more. The views and perspectives expressed through these editorials are founded and predicated on.

Christian and Kingdom insight and philosophy.

The core desire of this section is to bring sense, understanding and resolution to these human problems that guarantee to improve and enhance life permanently.

In the midst of a world that constantly promises glib, arbitrary, quick fix answers to our human trauma and ordeal that proves over and over again to be temporary, incompetent and unproductive; humanity continues to yearn and cry out for something credible that truly works. This can only be realized in the application and assertion of divine perspectives into our human affairs.

May these articles and writings be of great help to you!

TRANSITION
BY David Vaka

Whenever God does a new thing or releases a new move, it is always a time of migration or transition. Whenever we begin to transition in God, there comes a demand to make adjustments, changes and amendments to everything in our lives, ministry and places of calling in order to keep in step with Him. Sometimes this process can be painful, difficult and fraught with frustration. Other times it can be smooth, calm and easy. Individually this process can be easy in comparison to a corporate migration or transitioning process. Often the discernment of a new move of God is easier than the actual “how to” of transitioning into it. The following are some tips to help in times of transition and they are given with the context in mind of a corporate transition. However, the same principles can still be applied individually as well.

Wisdom

Obviously much wisdom is called for in a time of transition as it takes the wisdom of God to be able to shift a corporate company of people without damaging them along the way. Wisdom is the reformation tool that Solomon used in building the temple, to where the Queen of Sheba came and marvelled at what had been built. Wisdom is being able to see beyond the condition of the people and to see what God desires to be done. It is also seeing and understanding the ways of God rather than just knowing his deeds. Understanding God’s ways unlocks the ability and technology to be able to transition and build with wisdom, since you are now not only transitioning according to a destination point only, but with an accurate process of how to get there – transitioning and building with not only the knowledge of what He desires, but with His heart and grace as well. The knowledge of where to, coupled with the heart and grace of God enables people to be encouraged, inspired and moved to make adjustments and changes that are in synchronisation with God’s desire for them in transition.

Wisdom also enables the leader to be more accurate in his operations. This accuracy produces more with one move, rather than a lot of movement that yields little result in comparison to the amount of hard work that has been put in. This is what we call working smarter, not harder. Wisdom will guarantee less damage to the people in transition. It’s a tool for leaders to help provide a smooth transition for his people?

  • Wisdom is understanding God’s ways and not just His deeds

  • Wisdom is having the fear of God rather than the fear of man – doing whatever God asks without the fear of repercussions from man

  • Wisdom is obeying God

  • Wisdom is listening to those who give wise, sound and good counsel from hearts with pure motives

  • Wisdom is knowing when to speak and when to be quiet

  • Wisdom is being able to rebuke and correct at the right time, and encourage, embrace and sympathise at the right time also

  • Wisdom is doing things according to the perspective of God on any matter or situation, and not reacting by one’s own desires, emotions, thoughts or opinions

  • Wisdom is operating from a place of resting in God, rather than striving to get things done for God

  • Wisdom is evident when there is none of self, and the Spirit of God is able to work through the dead vessel..... that’s when the spirit of wisdom is able to be imparted

  • Wisdom is being accurate – doing the right thing at the right time with the right people with the right heart and the right strategy!
Clear Strategy

A great and clear strategy is always needed for a powerful and effective transition in a time of God’s move. The strategy must have built-in mechanisms to minimize harm, injury and damage that can afflict the transition of the people, due to the stressful and strenuous nature of transition. Great leadership and wisdom from above are vital components for a successful transition.

Unfortunately, many great people and resources have been lost during transition because of the lack of great leadership and inadequate strategy. God desires that many people and resources be retained as much as possible that will be needed for the next stage of the journey.

Openness, Transparency, Honesty

Openness, transparency and honesty are very important commodities that any transition cannot do without. Because of the strenuous nature of transition, hearts must remain open and transparent during the whole process. Even if the leadership does not have the correct answers for some of the queries, it’s okay to say ‘I don’t’ know, but along the way we will find out together’. People in a transitional move will trust the leadership and continue in the process not because the leadership knows it all, but because they are open, transparent and honest. Remember that being honest is not being right and correct, but it’s being truthful about everything. These are qualities that can keep transitioning people together in unity even in turbulent times.

Clear communication

It is absolutely vital that communication between leaders and members, leaders and leaders, are kept at the highest level during transition. Talking through issues and things that may not be fully understood by the transition of people during this time can lessen the misunderstanding, suspicion and negative inklings amongst the people. This can minimise the level of stress and burden that can lead to unnecessary fallouts. Constantly assuring people of the benefits of the transition and destination can be very helpful. Leaders must not become weary to communicate with their people even if some of the concerns seem insignificant.

Understanding the needs of the people

During a time of transition it is important to maintain a heart of concern for the wellbeing of the people during the shift. Most often, just knowing that you as the leader understand them is enough to even somehow shift people and transition them quicker into where they should be. Empathy without compromise can be a great commodity during any transition.
KINGDOM BUSINESS
Written by Elizabeth Mau

What is a Kingdom Business?
In the church today there are many people who have a calling for Business on their lives but are not aware of the fullness of God’s ultimate purpose for this sphere of life. Is it just to be a Christian, sharing the message of Christ with colleagues and associates? Is it to build a Christian business in the midst of a highly competitive, cut-throat and corrupt industry in the hope that it becomes the leading company simply because of a higher value system and the favor of God?
The answer is yes, however the truth is far more profound than that. In this article, we will explore the following characteristics of a true Kingdom Business as found in the word of God.

  • Initiated to honor God
  • Governed by Biblical Principals
  • The “Ten times better” anointing
  • God ownership
  • The ultimate purpose: Redemption
Initiated to honor God

When Nehemiah, wanted to rebuild the Wall of Jerusalem, he had a deep burden in his heart to restore the place of his ancestors. This however was not the only reason he wanted to do it, he delighted in God and his heart was to honor God (Nehemiah 1:11). In the same way today, Kingdom Businesses are not started because of a great idea or for the sole purpose of profit. They must be created out of a heart that delights in God and with the intention to honor God.

Governed by biblical principals

Even though there are many Christians with successful businesses in the world today, there is still a distortion and misrepresentation of biblical principals at work in their businesses.
What is success? Is it measured by profit or the adherence to principals? What is the price for success? Are employee’s paying for it because employer’s are more concerned about the bottom dollar? Or are sacrifices (personal and financial) being made by employer’s in order to ensure that kingdom values and principals are not violated by profit? In the book of Daniel, we see that Daniel refused on several occasions to partake of Babylonian practices because they would violate his own value system. Firstly, he would not partake of the food and wine assigned to him by the King (Daniel 1:8). Secondly and most famously, he refused to bow down and worship an idol god even to the point where he was thrown into a fiery furnace to die for his allegiance to God (Daniel 3). Unfortunately today we see Christian business people operating according to the Babylonian system (world) instead of a kingdom value system. This is because they have become short-sighted by profits and worldly recognition, taking the most profitable option rather then the right option. They cannot see longevity and true prosperity comes from the application of integrity, honesty and faithfulness to God. The book of Daniel goes on to tell us that Daniel became a mighty ruler in Babylon.

The “ten times better” anointing

Going on from the example of Daniel we see that in his faithfulness to God, his integrity and his adherence to the laws of God, Daniel was found by King Nebuchadnezzar to be ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in the land (Daniel 1:20). In the same way today, the requirement for kingdom business men and women is to be unwavering in their morals and values so that we can prosper. In Deuteronomy 6:24 it says, ‘And the Lord our God commanded us to obey all these laws and to fear him for our own prosperity and well-being…’
In business today, we are to operate according to a higher value system than the world. In doing this, we automatically become more advanced, more cutting edge and more superior than our peers because our system of operation is heavenly and not earthly. God himself becomes sovereign in our dealings and therefore our monthly targets, productivity and profit margins are met by the supernatural rather than human effort.

God ownership

This principal is one of the most important to understand and practice. When we break down the word Kingdom, we get ‘kings domain’. This means then that to operate a kingdom business means that every aspect of it is under the rulership and dominion of God. We the earthly owners really become managers of a business who answer to a Heavenly and sovereign Director who is God. Every decision and initiative is run by God and not executed until God Himself directs us to do so. This is why the Bible says, unless God builds the house, its builder’s labor in vain. This principal is also found in the story of Abraham and Isaac. Even though Isaac was promised to Abraham by God, Abraham showed his fear of God by obeying Him when he was asked to sacrifice his only son. Abraham understood that it was God who gave him his son Isaac and God could take him away. Not once did Abraham question God or try to ‘hold on’ to his promise. We understand then that God must direct our investments and where the proceeds of our business go. A true Kingdom Business is designed to finance Kingdom initiatives.

The ultimate purpose: Redemption

Many Christians today still fail to see the ultimate plan of God for the business system and every other system on earth today. The kingdom of God has always been centered on the redemption of man and so the ultimate purpose for any business must be based on this also. This is not to say that we become evangelists at every opportunity, bible-bashing in the workplace or spending our lunch times praying in the toilets – there is a time and place for this. More so it is in our operations, lifestyle and business dealings that we must reflect the kingdom accurately. As we do this, God elevates us and our businesses to levels far exceeding our peers as we saw in the life of Daniel. It is then a matter of time that other businesses in the industry begin to change their modes of operations to keep up with ours. They will begin to ask questions, investigate what it is that sets us apart from our competitors. As this happens, the industry begins to change shape and industry standards are forced to meet the cutting edge standards of the Kingdom business. In effect, we are reforming a system and redeeming its operations from Babylon to the Kingdom of God. Ultimately our workplaces and associates will be impacted by the Kingdom and the redemption / salvation of our peers will take place in matter of time. This ultimate purpose of redemption is in line with Revelations 11, “For the kingdoms of this earth will become the kingdoms of our God.”

In conclusion, Kingdom Business is not formed out of a great idea, it must be divinely initiated for the advancement of God’s Kingdom. It is not something that anyone can jump into but there must be a genuine call of God to business. God is raising up a new generation of business men and women, characterised by their unwavering integrity and unquestionable character. These are the ‘Daniels’ that are called to impact the business world and change it for the glory of God and His Kingdom