As a success-driven business owner, I have deep wants and desires around the area of money and wealth.  So when I get on social media and see influencers flaunting their “stuff” and I hear business gurus talking about “the 3-step secret to making money on YouTube,” I'm naturally intrigued by it all because it matches my internal wants and desires. But when I took a break from social media and I substituted that time with more Bible study, the Lord spoke clearly to me that I needed to learn more about the concept of discernment.  What the Lord was doing was shifting my wants and desires AWAY from what the world wants, and towards what Christian entrepreneurs should be seeking: Him. In my previous blog, I laid out the definition of discernment.  Essentially, discernment is the ability to approve what God approves for our businesses and reject what He disapproves. It requires us to be spiritually present in our respective marketplaces so we can distinguish between good and evil, wisdom and folly. And my overall message is that success and prosperity are a byproduct of our ability to discern .  If we make success and prosperity our priority over discernment, we get trapped in the overwhelm and confusion of the world's definition of success and prosperity. In our current business climate dominated by social media channels filled with worldly influencers and business gurus, the need for discernment is more crucial than ever. How are we able to recognize and approve what God values when we're stuck listening to what the world values? How do we shift our desires for worldly business success to desiring Him alone? In the Sermon on the Mound, Jesus gives us clue into the mindset shift that needs to happen.  He says “ But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”  (Matthew 6:33) Many of Jesus' listeners were poor and may have felt they had to focus on making a living back at the farm.  They, too, had desires to make money and better their situation.  Knowing that these worldly desires would compete with their ability to follow Him, he teaches them that to not be consumed by the worries of the world, but to focus on loving others and living a heavenly life. Jesus promises that if people seek his kingdom first, he will provide for their needs.  Jesus would have been very familiar with Solomon's teachings in proverbs.  Solomon lays out a great blueprint for seeking wisdom and understanding. It begins with a father’s plea to his son, urging him to receive and treasure the commandments and to be attentive. The passage emphasizes an if-then relationship: “ If you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. ” Jesus and Solomon are teaching us God-first business owners the first key to making discernment a priority along our entrepreneurial journey:  desire. We must first, DESIRE  discernment over getting fed elsewhere. The desire for discernment begins with a heart inclined towards wisdom, as highlighted in Proverbs 2: 3-5. [3] indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, [4] and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, [5] then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. This Wisdom isn’t natural; it’s something we must seek diligently. It is developed through constant practice, as Hebrews 5:14 indicates, where mature Godpreneurs have their powers of discernment trained by distinguishing good from evil along their daily entrepreneurial journey. This training involves immersing ourselves in God’s Word ( optimally, before your workday begins)  and applying it daily so we can grow in our ability to perceive entrepreneurship from God’s perspective. ( P.S. why do you think my blog has been called “Daily” Godpreneur since 2014?  Because a true reflection of ones “desire” is in his or her DAILY pursuit of the Lord ). Discernment also extends to how we influence others. As business partners, vendors, and managers of our workforce, we are called to instill this value in those we care for and do business with. Proverbs uses the language of a father teaching a son to embrace Wisdom. However, for this teaching to be effective, those being taught must also value and seek wisdom. This mutual pursuit strengthens the bond and enhances the growth in discernment. Our society often suffers from a false sense of independence, fueled by social media platforms that amplify every voice regardless of wisdom or understanding. Low competence is paired with high confidence, creating a destructive force .  True wisdom, however, recognizes the importance of God-given relationships and responsibilities. It values the input of wise teachers and leaders, grounding our thoughts and actions in Biblical Truth. To cultivate a desire for discernment , we must  engage deeply with God’s Word daily,  practice its teachings in our day-to-day business dealings, and  respect the wisdom of those entrusted with our spiritual growth. Imagine if all of us Christian entrepreneurs sought success and prosperity through the desire for discernment instead of searching on social media.  If we do, we can navigate the tumultuous waters of our times with clarity and conviction. Are you diligently seeking wisdom like hidden treasures to bring into your business? Do you value and respect the guidance of Godly leaders and teachers in your life?  Commit to pursuing discernment with a passionate heart, and encourage your partners, employees, contractors, and - dare I say  - even your clients to do the same.  Let us strive to set our approval on what God approves in our business and reject what He disapproves, growing in wisdom and understanding each day.

I want to write to you today about finding success and prosperity in business, God's way. We are living in unprecedented times abound with business opportunities that many of us have never encountered before.  With the onset of social media, we experienced a drastic change in our daily business lives. We now have instant access to the lives of others and the variety of ideas of reaching success, from social media influencers living their best lives to coaches and business gurus offering the next secret to getting rich.  The overwhelming variety about how to effectively generate leads, what prices to charge, and how to run a profitable business leaves many of us entrepreneurs more insecure and anxious than what was probably intended. Even as we navigated these challenges, another breakthrough has struck: the launch of ChatGPT, which has transformed the way we do business, sparking a new revolution in opportunities for success and prosperity. The power of social media has pushed these challenges even deeper, not knowing what is true and what is a distraction. GODPRENEURS, WE HAVE A PROBLEM How do we Christian entrepreneurs achieve success and prosperity when everything around us pulls us in 100 directions?  How do we break free from the shackles of discontentment and envy we experience on social media so we can experience “ the good life ?” These questions led me down a quest:  what does the Bible say about success and prosperity? What the Lord revealed to me has unlocked a whole new paradigm shift in my walk with God along my entrepreneurial journey.  I leveled up to a whole new playing field where the wisest like David and Solomon operate - two figures who epitomize and quite literally wrote the books that provide the definition of success and prosperity, God's way. And although there are many passages between Proverbs and Psalms that give clues to unlocking the secrets to success and prosperity for Christian entrepreneurs, the spirit led me to these two: From Solomon's wisdom, Proverbs 2:1-15 NIV reads: [1] My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, [2] turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— [3] indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, [4] and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, [5] then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. [6] For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. [7] He holds success (my emphasis) in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, [8] for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. [9] Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. [10] For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. [11] Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. [12] Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, [13] who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways, [14] who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, [15] whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways. And, from David's wisdom, Psalms 1:1-6 NIV reads: [1] Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, [2] but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. [3] That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers (my emphasis). [4] Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. [5] Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. [6] For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. HOWEVER, THERE'S A PLAN - GOD'S PLAN The good news is that God has already created a clear path for Christian entrepreneurs to succeed and prosper - and it's NOT  in the next New York Times best-selling business book or the next big idea from the business gurus on social media. In these overly opportunistic times, it is crucial to turn to God’s Word for guidance in entrepreneurship. Proverbs 2:1-15 offers much wisdom on the subject of Discernment. The passage encourages us to seek Wisdom and Understanding as one would search for hidden treasures. By doing so, we gain the fear of the Lord that results in success  for the upright. Then, David's Psalm 1 captures what we’ve explored in Solomon’s Proverbs . The Psalm portrays the blessed and prosperous  life as one deeply rooted in God's Word. As you reflect on these verses and the subsequent blog posts I'll be writing, it will become evident that DISCERNMENT  is essential for navigating the complexities of our business world and that you can achieve success and prosperity along that journey, not at the end! Christian entrepreneurs, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to God’s Word, even as platforms like Instagram and Facebook continue to figure out better ways to subconsciously target our greatest desire and business goals: the desire for success and prosperity. We've also seen rapid changes in recent years in how entrepreneurs can generate fame and fortune in countless ways. These shifts are often accompanied by a push to conform to the patterns of the world, even amongst us Kingdom driven entrepreneurs. Yet, Godpreneurs must resist the temptation to fit into the world’s mold of doing business. The Bible warns us that friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4). The world’s business wisdom is flawed and often contrary to God’s Truth. As God-first business owners, we are called to be distinct, to uphold Biblical Standards, and to demonstrate Godly Wisdom in our respective marketplaces. God's pathway of success and prosperity in business requires discernment – the ability to see through the overwhelming confusion and remain grounded in God's Word. The current social media revolution, whether used to generate leads, build authority, or produce income, underscores the need for discernment. It’s easy to get caught up in the next big trend and lose sight of Biblical Truths. However, our call as Godpreneurs is to think Biblically, to seek Wisdom from above, and to apply it in our business lives. As you think about your current entrepreneurial season, consider where you might need more discernment. Where are you finding your sources of truth? Reflect on how you process the information at your fingertips and react to other people's portrayal of success. Are you grounded in the Word of God? Are you seeking Wisdom like hidden treasure?  Take time to pray and ask God for discernment in all areas of your business life. Let His Wisdom guide you through these overwhelming times, so you can stand firm in faith and be a light in a marketplace full of worldly confusion. Over the next series of blog posts, I'll unpack the wisdom of Proverbs 2 and Psalm 1 as a framework where we can use discernment as our guide to true success and prosperity, God's way.

Have you ever struggled with client-pleasing? With caring more about what a client thinks of you than what your Creator thinks of you? With wanting to honor God, but also wanting to be loved and respected by clients? There's a difference between great customer service and client-pleasing, and you need to understand this difference in order to show up as the entrepreneur God created you to be. Writing to believers in Galatia, Paul had a message for those deciding if they should trust the stand-alone grace of Jesus, or add rules and regulations to Jesus’ finished work. He said:  “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” ‭‭(Galatians‬ ‭1:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬) Every client interaction and conversation, we have a choice: to seek client approval or God’s approval. And if we genuinely desire to please God through our businesses, how do we do so? Dear Christian entrepreneurs, listen….it’s not by doing enough “good works” in our businesses to tip the scales in our favor. But as Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith  it’s impossible to please God…” The only part we have to play in our salvation is having faith  in the One who saves. Faith is essentially trust, so think about it: Who do you trust? Who are you trying to please? Clients? Your employees?  A business partner?  Who are you hoping notices you and accepts you and is proud of you? A parent? A sibling? If you’re interested in evaluating your own motives—which can sometimes be difficult—you can ask yourself these questions: Is my entrepreneurial journey influenced more by cultural trends, societal pressure, and the opinions of others—or by the Word of God? Am I trusting that there’s nothing I can add to the finished work of Jesus, or am I believing the lie that Jesus plus something else in my business is required? Am I committed to trusting God to lead my company, even when I might get canceled by prospects, blocked by haters, or fired by a client? If popularity is your goal in business, leading with a Jesus-first mindset might be a challenge. But if you’re committed to trusting God, then He calls you to run your business differently. He invites you to embrace His approval by showing others unconditional kindness, patience, grace, and love - the hallmarks of great customer service! At the end of your life, you will stand before an audience of One. So who are you trying to please?

I don't know about you, but I have a whole big wishlist of "things" I want when I make it big and have a lot of money. For one, I dream about the Lamborghini Urus. When I see it on the streets of Miami, I get all excited about the prospect of me driving it one day. Another thing I want is a house in Orlando....right next to Disney World. I want to see the fireworks from my backyard. 🎆 For all of us entrepreneurs, there are a lot of things that are on our wishlist....when the budget permits. Our minds get filled up with all those unfulfilled childhood desires or envious wants that other seemingly successful friends have already gotten. In Jesus’ famous sermon in Matthew 6, He spends time talking about the various things in life that we give our attention to. Jesus tells us that instead of spending our time worrying about how to get what we need, we should seek His Kingdom and His righteousness. If we do that, then everything else will be taken care of. So what does it mean for Christian, success-driven entrepreneurs, to seek God’s Kingdom and God’s righteousness?  God’s Kingdom is about God’s rule and reign over all of creation, including all marketplaces globally. His Kingdom began in Jesus’ ministry on earth and is now expanding and continuing through the Church. The work of a Godpreneur is to continue to publicly display, and when the spirit leads, to tell employees, clients, and vendors about the hope of Jesus, and to teach all the things Jesus has commanded us. To seek God’s righteousness along your entrepreneurial journey is to desire to run your business the way God intended. It is to operate your day-to-day interactions according to God’s commands, which requires that we make decisions in your business that align with God’s Word. Jesus says that if we do these two things—seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness—then every other area of our business life will make sense. When we don’t prioritize God’s desires for our entrepreneurial life first, then we’ll end up worrying about things that are temporary. Living a life according to God’s Word ought to be our greatest concern because God’s Kingdom will last forever. For me, I need to not obsess so much about what car I drive or where I'll live "when I make it big." I need to realize that I've already made it....into the Kingdom. I'm already there. It's not terrible for me to have goals of a car or house, I just need to make sure I'm not obsessing over it, and I'm more present on today's victories and the duties and responsibilities God has for me in my business. Think about what you daydream about when you "make it big," in whatever way that means to you. In what ways can you make seeking God's Kingdom your first priority? Rather than worrying about how to get what you need, seek God and watch Him meet your needs.

I'm a visionary CEO. I'm great at setting the vision and getting it going. However, I struggle with finishing out projects and initiatives in my business. For example, if there's a big product launch, I'll have tons of energy at the beginning, however, I won't do all the little tiny details at the end to finish strong. And many times, it's because I lose faith somewhere along that initiative 😔 However, we Christian entrepreneurs are taught a different mindset that we need to constantly be working on along our spiritual journey, but we get to practice it along our business journey! In the book of 2 Timothy, we find Paul writing a letter to Timothy, a fellow missionary. Many Bible scholars believe that this was the last letter Paul wrote before his death and that he wrote it from a Roman prison cell. Reflecting on his own life and believing that his death was coming soon, Paul writes that powerful passage: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7 NIV) Faithful.  Paul was faithful to God and, without end, God was faithful to Paul. Shipwrecked. Stoned. Abandoned by friends. Imprisoned. The list of what Paul ‌suffered goes on and on. But he ‌persevered. He ‌remained steadfast in his devotion to Christ.  When you think about your overall business, what do you want to be able to say at the end when you sell it off or pass it along to your kids? What will you see when you look back? When you launch that next product or press play on that new sales team you want to build, what do you want to be able to say when the results come in at the end of the quarter? In Paul, we see an example of what it is to cling to faith in Christ. He knew what it was to be dependent on God for everything. He drew strength from God because Paul could not do it without Him.  In our own day to day business dealings, we will face moments of doubt or discouragement. Let us use our entrepreneurial journey as a practice ground for holding fast to the truth of God's Word, knowing that He is faithful and will never leave us. May it be said of us, at the end of our lives, that we, too, fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.

W e all know it - life business life easy. Sometimes challenges can arise that are so difficult we may want to throw in the towel, call it quits, and go back to a cushy 9-5 lifestyle. Whether it's an overwhelming debt, the demands of an overbearing client, or the pressures of leading and growing a team, it can feel like it's just too much. When we find ourselves wanting to quit, the book of Hebrews gives us a powerful encouragement to hold onto: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." ( Hebrews 12:1 NIV) “Witnesses” refer to believers who have gone before us, those whose lives are a testament of faithfulness to God. Hebrews 11 retells their old testament stories, and their continued presence in the New Testament reminds us that we're part of a larger story, a legacy of faith that spans generations. This scripture also urges God-first entrepreneurs to " throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles ." Hindrances in entrepreneurship may be easy to see, such as cheating a client or breaking industry laws that hold us back from fully running after God. They may also be internal, like greed, pride and envy. Whatever form they may come in, we Godpreneurs throw them off. And yet, we don't just throw off things that entangle us and sit down. "... let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us ." The call is to keep moving forward in our calling in business, no matter how tough the journey may seem. Guided by grace and fueled by faith, we press on for the Kingdom's sake.

All of our entrepreneurial journeys are used for something. Most business owners spend their lives focused on growing the business, building their bank account, or amassing possessions. While none of those things are necessarily wrong, they can become distractions from our ultimate goal in Godpreneurship. In the book of Acts, we see Paul’s transformation in Christ. As a result of meeting Jesus and being changed by His grace, Paul spends the rest of his life preaching the good news of Jesus. For Paul, God’s grace and salvation is so great that nothing on this earth is as important as God’s work. Paul says that nothing in His life matters as much as telling others about God’s grace. His goal in life was to finish his own race well by faithfully accomplishing as much of the mission of God as possible: "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace." (Acts 20:24 NIV) The mission of God is not opposed to growing our business and building wealth. In fact, God desires for us to use those opportunities to faithfully accomplish the mission of God. We can run our businesses in the way of God, and we can tell our employees and clients about God’s grace. Any place we find ourselves in can be an opportunity to accomplish the mission of God. Take a moment to consider your own business life and where you spend your time. Are you using every opportunity you have to spread the good news of Jesus? Does your daily entrepreneurial journey, like Paul’s, point toward God? Consider a few ways that you can begin to change your perspective and live your life on mission for God. PRAYER God, I want my life to testify to Your goodness and grace along my entrepreneurial journey. Refocus my heart on You. Help me pursue You first, above all else. Nothing in business life matters more than bringing glory to You. Show me who I need to share You with and give me boldness in business . In Jesus' name, Amen.

I want to write today about focusing on one thing at a time in our businesses. As entrepreneurs, we're constantly juggling calls, emails, and meetings.  And it the problem becomes exponentially worst when we're involved in multiple businesses. It's tempting to think we can handle them all simultaneously. Yet, deep down, we know this scattered approach rarely works. It leaves us feeling more frazzled than accomplished. At one point, I was running a medical mission non-profit, a branding agency, a staffing agency, and this Daily Godpreneur blog.  I thought I had it all figured out by hiring different people to run them.  I figured that if others are running them, then my “ one thing ” would be to make sure they're all running correctly.  The problem is that each one of them still needed me to solve the unique problems that each one faced at different times.  Conversely, as each one grew, they all needed my vision and direction. Ultimately, I had to humble myself and realize that if any of my businesses was going to succeed, I would need to focus on one and drop the others.  It was a difficult decision, and as of the time of writing this blog, I'm still transitioning from owning multiple businesses so I can focus on one.  However, I'm starting to see the fruits of focus. God's One Thing When God created the world, he took 7 days.  I'm sure He could have done it all at the same time, on the same day, in a snap of a finger.  But what if one of the lessons of the creation story was to teach that you can build an amazing business if you focus on one thing at a time. In the digital age of multiple monitors, where multitasking is often praised as a skill, we sometimes fall into the trap of thinking we can be everywhere at once and do it all simultaneously. This approach not only stretches us thin but also diminishes the quality of our work and our relationships. Consider Jesus's example during His ministry. Despite His divine nature, when Jesus walked the earth, He chose to operate within human limitations. He wasn’t everywhere at once; instead, He was fully present wherever He was.  One striking instance of this is seen in Matthew 12. While Jesus was teaching the crowd, He was informed that His family was waiting for Him. Instead of rushing to them, He continued His ministry, demonstrating His commitment to the task at hand. Our One Thing This concept hit me like a ton of bricks.  I became convicted every time I let distractions around me take me away from my purpose and calling in business. How often do you find yourself pulled away from important work by less critical tasks? Maybe it's a notification on your phone or an unexpected visitor. While some interruptions are unavoidable, many can be managed or even ignored until you've completed your current task. Imagine you’re deep into strategizing your company's next big move when an email alert pops up. It's tempting to shift your focus, but what if you chose to stay the course, finishing your strategic plan before addressing the email? This commitment to focus can drastically enhance the quality and creativity of your work. Are you trying to grow a business while running a ministry (Me!)?  How can the ministry be fruitful if we're still working hard to build our revenue-generating businesses?  How can the ministry be supported if our current business isn't funding it? Imagine each business of yours is a bridge to an island.  On that island is financial freedom.  But when we have multiple businesses (including ministries), we are building multiple bridges.  However, if we build one bridge (one business) to a point where it gives us extra cash and we leave it running in good hands, then we can take the momentum (and cash) and build the next thing God has planned for you on your entrepreneurial journey. This brings us to our actionable step: Be Present in Peace To truly be present in peace, we must intentionally set boundaries for our attention. Here’s a practical step you can take: start by designating specific times to check emails and social media rather than allowing them to intrude throughout the day. This simple practice helps maintain focus and keeps you fully engaged in your current task. And if you're a multi-business owner (like me!), then pray about which business has the best chance at giving you recurring revenue, and stop all other businesses and ministry opportunities to focus on the cash flow business.  Trust me, if the ministry is where God wants you, then it will be there once you are financially free and able to give your life to it. This week, I challenge you to embrace the art of presence. Choose one task each day to which you will give your undivided attention. Notice how this focus transforms the quality of your work and your overall sense of peace.  Let’s model our workday not on the myth of multitasking but on the biblical principle of presence. As we do, we'll find our productivity—and our peace—greatly increase.

Today, I want to write about pausing along our entrepreneurial journey in order to increase productivity. In our relentless pursuit of success, we often forget a simple truth: sometimes, the best way to achieve more is by doing less. This counterintuitive idea challenges the hustle culture that dominates the entrepreneurial world. In Mark 2:27, Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” This teaches us that rest is not just a command but a gift meant to restore us physically, mentally, and spiritually. But what about that big proposal that's due Monday?  Aren't I justified taking all of Sunday to work because it means I'm providing for my family?  And what about that huge product launch I have starting next week?  Aren't I justified working until 2 am to make sure it's a huge success so that I can pay my bills? These are very real examples that mirror a modern problem all of us Godpreneurs face: in our quest to protect and provide for our families through our businesses, could it be that we are missing out on a crucial productivity hack—rest? Could it be that resting can enhance productivity and lead to better results? Toyota's Work Philosophy and Practices Toyota, the Japanese automotive manufacturer, is well-known for its innovative production techniques that emphasize efficiency and quality. One of their key principles is rest and employee well-being. The Toyota Way, a set of principles that guide the company's operations, includes respect for people and continuous improvement, part of which involves ensuring that employees are not overburdened by work. Toyota has been known to encourage breaks and respect off-time, recognizing that overworked employees are less productive and more prone to errors. The company’s philosophy is that well-rested employees who are encouraged to take time off for reflection can perform their tasks more efficiently and come up with innovative solutions to problems. This approach has helped Toyota maintain high standards of quality and innovation, leading to its reputation as one of the most durable and reliable car brands in the industry. This example illustrates how a leading global company successfully incorporates rest into its corporate culture, leading to enhanced productivity and innovation while also fostering a healthier work environment. What Does the Bible Say about Rest? Jesus exemplified the perfect balance of work and rest. The Gospel of Mark recounts: [30] The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. [31] Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” [32] So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. In Mark 6:30-32, Jesus encouraged His disciples to come away to a quiet place to rest after they had been busy teaching and healing. He knew the importance of rest firsthand and modeled it throughout His ministry. As a growth-minded entrepreneur, how often do you allow yourself time to pause and renew? Are you tempted to skip breaks, work late into the night, or ignore the concept of a Sabbath (not working at all on Sunday) because you fear falling behind? If so, you might be undermining your own productivity and well-being. I've been trying to implement a routine at my office where, like the disciples, I take short breaks every couple of hours during my workday, not to do more work or to fill it with other types of labor, but to truly rest and disconnect.  I have a couch upstairs that I lay on, close my eyes, and decompress for a few minutes. Also, instead of working tirelessly seven days a week like I used to, I try to dedicate Sunday to fully rest and worship, trusting God with my business.  Like Chick-fil-A, I'm not open for business activity on Sundays. This brings us to our actionable step: Pause to Renew To embrace the rhythm of "Pause to Renew," we need to reframe our understanding of productivity to include rest as a strategic element. Here’s how we can practically integrate these principles: Bi-Hourly Breaks: Set alarms to take a 5-10 minute break every two hours to step away from your work. Use this time for prayer, a quick walk, or simply to be still. Nightly Rest: Commit to a consistent bedtime that allows for at least eight hours of sleep, recognizing that your body and mind need this time to recover from the day’s work and prepare for the challenges ahead. Weekly Sabbath: Choose a day to completely step away from work tasks, dedicating time to God, family, and restorative activities that recharge your spirit and remind you of why you do what you do. Key Takeaway By integrating rhythms of rest into our business lives, we not only follow Jesus’s example but also enhance our capacity to lead and serve along our entrepreneurial journey. This week, challenge yourself to adopt one of these rest practices consistently and observe how it impacts your productivity and perspective. Remember, God doesn’t need us to keep the world running—that’s His job. Our job is to align with His rhythms and design for our lives, trusting that He will take care of our business needs.

Today, I want to write about becoming more productive in your business by finding quiet time for reflection and prayer. In the constant buzz of running a business, where, from the moment we wake up, the phone never stops ringing and the emails keep coming, finding a moment of quiet can seem almost impossible. But think about the last time you had a truly great idea or made a significant decision. Was it in the middle of chaos, or during a rare moment of calm? Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God”, which suggests that we can hear God's voice in moments of silence and stillness. This means that if we can somehow figure out how to stop and be reflective and contemplative with God, then it could open up creativity and new productive ways of solving problems. I'll be the first to admit that I don't do this enough times during the course of my work day. Once I leave the house, it's go time. I'm on calls and meetings all day. And as the CEO of my company, everyone wants to meet with me for some approval, and I'm on several major projects that need my attention almost daily. Once the noise of my day starts it becomes difficult to stop what I'm doing to “be still” and listen to God. As Godpreneurs, we're often caught in the noise of our business growth. Imagine a construction site that is right next to your office. For months or even years, it's just constant banging and trucks. Well, our businesses are under construction, too. And the noise is all the to-do items in our head. It's not just the literal noise of notifications and conversations but the internal clutter that prevents us from being truly present and reflective. This noise can drown out our best thoughts and suffocate our productivity. Consider the way Jesus managed his time and focus. Despite the demands of His ministry, He consistently sought solitude. In Matthew 14:13, after the death of John the Baptist, the Bible says “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.” Notice that after a tragic event like the beheading of John the Baptist, and before the miracle of feeding the 5,000 (Matthew 14:21), scripture shows Jesus withdrawing by boat to a solitary place to find peace away from the crowds. Even in the busyness of His mission, solitude was not just a luxury; it was essential. He knew that to fulfill His purpose, He needed these moments of silence to pray and listen to His Father. Could it be that, not just in moments of troubles in your business, but in the course of your daily entrepreneurial journey, the Lord is calling you to moments of retreat to Himself so He can annoint you with a miraculous idea or simply the mindset to enter your next meeting in peace? Now, think about your daily routine. Are you giving yourself permission to step away and find your own solitary place? Or are you letting the noise of your entrepreneurial life keep you from the solitude that could spark your greatest insights and decisions? Imagine this: instead of scheduling back-to-back meetings or trying to multitask through your lunch hour, you block out a regular time each day for quiet reflection. It doesn't have to be long—a few minutes might be enough. This is your time to disconnect from the world and connect with God, to let your creative thoughts flow without interruption. I have a recurring 12 pm reminder on my phone to stop and pray. Usually it's a few seconds, sometimes I close my eyes and take a bit more time to connect with God. Also, I've done a good job at setting aside time in the morning to pray, meditate, and blog. I've created the habit In the mornings, spending time with God can help people receive direction from Him on business decisions and steps to take. I get tons of ideas on how to better lead my God first business from this quiet time with the Lord. My point is that we need to create the space to have regular appointment with God that allows us Godpreneurs to focus on our connection with Jesus. It can involve a variety of practices, such as: prayer, Bible study, worship, meditation, and journaling. And it can be done at ANY hour of the day. This brings us to our actionable step: Create Silent Sanctuaries As leaders and creators, we must fight to carve out these silent sanctuaries in our schedules. It's not just about reducing stress; it's about enhancing our capacity to lead with inspiration and insight. By following Jesus' example, we can transform our workdays from sequences of tasks to opportunities for meaningful contemplation and spiritual renewal. Here are some tips for spending time with God: Make a time, place, and plan Start with prayer Read a passage of scripture Reflect on what you read Respond to what you've read in prayer Be disciplined Guard your heart against striving for God's favor Don't take idols into the throne room This week, I challenge you to identify one step you can take to create moments where you silence the noise. Maybe it’s turning off social media for an hour each day, finding a quiet spot in the office to take your breaks, or even starting your day with a few moments of scripture and prayer before you dive into emails. Whatever it is, make the pursuit of silent sanctuaries a deliberate part of your strategy to be more purposeful, present, and productive.

I want to write today about the power of saying "no" in business as a way to increase your productivity as a Christian entrepreneur. Have you ever felt the pressure to agree to every business opportunity or request that comes your way? It’s a common trap for entrepreneurs, driven by a fear of missing out or letting people down. But this often leads to overcommitment and stress. In Matthew 5:37, Jesus says, "Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' be 'No.'" Both were given equal importance.  Saying 'no' is just as powerful of a word to keep our honesty and integrity in business. Niching as a Path to 'No' One of my companies is a digital marketing agency called Educational Brands.  We do branding and enrollment marketing for charter schools.  That's a special type of school here in the U.S.  My agency used to do branding for all types of businesses, however, I decided that to give the best possible service in my agency, picking one single niche was the way to go.  The hard part was having to say ‘no’ to other types of businesses that would still call me since I had been doing branding for all businesses since 2005. But what would happen if I said 'yes' to a different type of business other than charter schools?  It would be robbing my attention from my existing clients and would distract me from providing excellent services. However, if a charter school calls me, I can 100% confidently present myself as THE premier choice for their branding and marketing because I can show that I'm strictly committed to their success. When we say 'yes,' we must ensure we can follow through, and sometimes, that means having the courage to say 'no.' In the world of entrepreneurship, the ability to discern when to say 'yes' and when to say 'no' is crucial. It's not just about managing time; it's about aligning our actions with our values and ensuring we can fully commit to our "yes" because we know how to say “no” to non-aligned opportunities. It's the same with our commitments within our companies.  We have many hats we can wear - sales, marketing, accounting, operations.  If you commit to making that presentation, but it requires resources and time you currently don’t have, then you risk being unproductive because you said yes instead of saying no. The pressure to say yes can be immense, but remember, an overstretched yes can lead to poor performance and stress, which can tarnish your reputation and your self-esteem. This brings us to our actionable step: Let Your No Be No If you want to increase your productivity and happiness as a God first entrepreneur, you have to come to terms with the fact that you'll need to say ‘no’ more often than you say ‘yes.’  This is how we can experience peace along our entrepreneurial journey - peace that leads to productivity. Reflect on your current commitments. Are there tasks or projects causing you anxiety because you said yes without truly considering your capacity? Each yes should be a deliberate choice, reflecting your ability to commit fully and effectively. To truly honor our commitments, we must learn the power of saying no. This might mean turning down opportunities that don't align with our strategic goals or current capabilities. By doing so, we free ourselves to focus on commitments we can fulfill excellently, maintaining our integrity and building trust with our clients and colleagues. The Productivity of 'No' This week, challenge yourself to evaluate new requests carefully. Use prayer as your guide to peace and clarity in these decisions. Remember, saying no is not just a refusal; it’s an affirmation of your commitment to your yeses. When you do say yes, ensure you can do so with full integrity, bringing your best to each commitment. Let us be entrepreneurs who not only build successful businesses but also build them on the solid foundation of biblical integrity. Let your yes mean yes, and let your no protect that integrity.

I want to write today about prohibiting the "rush" in our business lives. Have you ever ended a frantic workday only to realize you haven't actually moved forward with any of your real goals? In the hustle of managing my remote staffing agency, I’ve often found myself rushing from one task to the next, always feeling a step behind, never quite catching my breath. I frequently wonder at the end of my days, "What have I truly accomplished?" The Problem: We Put Ourselves at Risk As Godpreneurs, we all face the challenge of balancing a packed schedule. There's always another meeting, another deadline, another commitment. But there's a difference between being busy and being in a rush—a distinction that can define the success and health of our entrepreneurial journey. The Solution: Peace Over Haste Jesus's life, as depicted in the Gospels, was undeniably busy. Take Mark 3:20, for example: “Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.” Jesus was also an “in demand” figure, like in John 11:5-7 [5] Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. [6] So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, [7] and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea. Yet, Jesus never appeared hurried. He waited two whole days after the news of Lazarus sickness to then go see him. Even in His busiest days, like the one described in Mark 11 when he goes to Jerusalem as its new King, Jesus demonstrated a remarkable sense of control and purpose. He visited the temple courts, observed everything around Him, but chose not to act immediately because it was already late. Instead of rushing to "clean house" that evening, He paused, decided it could wait, and returned the next day (Mark 11:11). KEY TAKEAWAY: His actions weren't dictated by the pressing crowds or endless tasks but by a deeper sense of timing and purpose. "It can wait," He might have thought, a lesson in prioritizing peace over haste. The Journey to Rethink Urgency How often do you push yourself to act immediately, fearing that if you don’t, opportunities will slip away? Jesus’s approach will challenge you to rethink urgency. What if you allowed yourself the space to say, "It can wait"? Imagine the quality of your decisions and interactions if they were made from a place of calm deliberation rather than rushed necessity. Imagine a community of Christian entrepreneurs who operate not out of urgency but out of understanding and peace. When we choose to prohibit the rush in our lives, we embrace a style of productivity that is both effective and sustainable. We become leaders who are not just productive but also wise, peaceful, and impactful. This brings us to our actionable step: Prohibit the Rush By embracing Jesus’s model of productive busyness—acknowledging the fullness of our schedules yet refusing to let them dictate our pace—we cultivate an environment where our businesses can thrive without sacrificing our well-being or our witness. To eliminate hurry, we need to get better at saying "no" to time requests that push us into haste.  Let’s prioritize like Jesus did, counting the cost of our time and choosing what aligns best with our mission and God’s calling. This week, take a moment to reflect on your schedule: where can you say, "It can wait"? How can you rearrange your priorities to reflect a more deliberate and God-honoring pace? BONUS RESOURCE: Questions to Help Business Owners Say "No" More Often Here's a practical toolkit to empower you to make decisions that protect your time and align with your entrepreneurial vision and spiritual growth. Does this align with my core business values and mission? Assess whether the request or opportunity is in harmony with the fundamental values and mission of your business. If it doesn’t align, it’s likely not worth your time. Will this move me closer to my strategic goals? Consider if saying "yes" will advance you towards your long-term objectives. If it won't contribute to your main goals, it might be something you can skip. Do I have the necessary resources to commit to this right now? Analyze your current resources, such as time, finances, and staff. If committing to this request would strain your resources or detract from more critical tasks, it’s a sign to decline. What am I sacrificing to accommodate this request? Reflect on what you must give up to fulfill this new commitment. If the sacrifice outweighs the benefits, saying "no" could be the better choice. Is this the best use of my time as the leader of this company? Evaluate whether this activity is something that requires your unique skills or could it be better handled by someone else or not at all. As a leader, your time is valuable and should be reserved for high-impact activities. Can this request be postponed or delegated? Determine if the request can be delayed or if someone else on your team can handle it. This helps maintain focus on your priorities without outright rejection. Does this opportunity excite me or feel like an obligation? Pay attention to your instincts. If something feels more like a burden than an exciting opportunity, it might not be worth your commitment.

I've been feeling “off my game” recently.  I'm a bit overwhelmed, feeling unproductive, and just flat out drained. And then the Spirit spoke and told me. I haven't been in the word every morning like I used to. I want to write to you today about the importance of prioritizing the word, daily, especially for God-first entrepreneurs. The Problem: Burnout Like many of you, I’ve often caught myself muttering, "I’m overloaded." My to-do list seem endless, my Trello cards keep piling up, my BNI commitments seem overwhelming. I strive to juggle my responsibilities, yet I often end up feeling drained and unproductive. Isn’t it true for all of us?  We’re constantly racing against the clock, trying to squeeze productivity out of every minute. In our entrepreneurial journey, this constant hustle can lead to burnout instead of breakthroughs. God Has a Plan But what if I showed you there’s a different way to run your business? A way that doesn’t just manage time but redeems it for God-first purposes? Consider the disciples in a boat, swamped by a sudden squall on the Sea of Galilee, as told in Luke 8:23-24. ‬ [22] One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. [23] As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. [24] The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. [25] “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” The disciples were overwhelmed, in great danger, and then Jesus calmed the storm with just a few words. This story isn’t just a display of divine power; it’s a vivid illustration of peace amidst chaos. Jesus didn’t start His day with the storm; He started with prayer. Mark 1:35 shows us Jesus rising early, retreating to a solitary place to pray. His priority was time with the Father, setting the tone for His day ahead, grounded in spiritual focus. The Road to Redemption for Godpreneurs Now, let’s bring this onboard our entrepreneurial ship. Starting our day with the Word is like setting the coordinates on our ship’s compass—to navigate through the day’s storms and not just survive, but thrive. By embedding scripture and prayer into the beginning of our day, we anchor ourselves in God’s presence. This isn’t just about reading the Bible; it’s about making it a base for all decisions and interactions. Think of it as “grace-based productivity” where our activities stem from peace, not towards it. Imagine a community of Godpreneurs who start their days in God’s Word, aligning their purposes with His. This isn’t just good time management; it’s transformed time management. Here, our businesses become ministries, our interactions become opportunities for grace, and our schedules become a reflection of our faith. This principle isn’t just about avoiding being swamped by busyness but about being purposefully productive. When we prioritize the Word, we operate out of rest, not rush. We make decisions that are proactive, not reactive. And collectively, we exemplify the peace of Christ in the marketplace, drawing others not just to our businesses, but to our Savior. Principle: Becoming a Daily Godpreneur By reframing our approach from simply managing time to redeeming time through Christ, we set a foundation that alters every aspect along our entrepreneurial journey. It’s about making the first things first, both in business and in faith. As we progress through this series, keep this principle close: Daily Godpreneur. Let it guide you from the first moment of your morning, and watch as it reshapes your day, your business, and your ministry. Tips for Daily Bible Habit for Entrepreneurs I have several blog posts and a devotional on YouVersion about my daily Bible habit.  I pray it's the catalyst to you finally becoming a daily student of the Bible. YouVersion Plan: A Christian Entrepreneur’s Guide to Business Growth

Have you ever looked around, seen others' success, and asked yourself, 'When will it be my turn to flourish?' – You're not alone, but the answer might surprise you. Today, I want to talk about being generous with what you have. All of us, rich or poor, have the ability to be generous with our time, resources, or expertise. However, most entrepreneurs think generosity is about donating more to churches or charities. So, we think that we have to go out and accumulate more wealth to be better givers, and this will get us stuck in the cycle of discontentment. Since 2014, I've been writing blogs and creating devotionals for Christian entrepreneurs.  I do this freely.  And even as I wrote blogs, I was personally experiencing financial hardships and business problems.  But when I started writing and freely giving my time, resources, and expertise to other Godpreneurs, all of my problems would disappear, and for a moment, I was content. However, when I wasn't writing, the discontentment returned, and I was back in my thoughts of envy and wanting more. The Problem with Discontentment Benjamin Franklin's said these words: "Contentment makes poor men rich; discontentment makes rich men poor." Reflecting on my journey as an entrepreneur, I can see times when I got caught up in the pursuit of more - more success, more wealth. However, I've discovered that true riches come from a different source entirely. In the entrepreneurial world, success is often measured by the size of our bank accounts or the luxury of our lifestyles. The advertising industry reinforces this, promising happiness with every purchase. Yet, as Godpreneurs, we sense a deeper truth - that contentment isn't found in wealth accumulation but in generosity and sharing our blessings with others. The Generous Path to Contentment Paul's advice to Timothy echoes this sentiment perfectly. In 1 Timothy 6:17-19, he writes, "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." Paul understood that true joy and contentment come from a heart aligned with God's purposes - a heart that gives freely and loves generously. Reflect on your own life and business. Where have you placed your hope? Is it in the fluctuating markets and the uncertainty of wealth, or is it in God, who provides abundantly for your enjoyment and calls you to share that abundance with others? Contentment is Available Today Today, make a choice to pursue generosity over accumulation. Find ways to share your blessings, whether it's your time, resources, or expertise. Imagine a community of Godpreneurs, each committed to this principle of generosity. Together, we can redefine success, moving away from the shallow metrics of wealth and towards the deep, lasting joy of contentment found in God and expressed through generosity. By sharing our blessings, we not only enrich the lives of others but discover the true contentment that makes us genuinely rich. Here's a Godpreneur Rule: Godpreneurs are NOT obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Rather, we go after God's wisdom, do good in the marketplace, are rich in helping our clients, and are extravagantly generous to a cause we feel called to sow into.

I want to talk to you today about feeling content in business, even when you haven't “made it.” Often, even as Christian entrepreneurs, we become discontent and bitter when we see others around us succeed and we haven't hit our goals yet. If we were honest with each other, we're quite discontent with our God-first business lives. We're still driving that clunker, little to no money in savings, and still trying to figure out how we're going to reach "millionaire" status. And we cry out, “God, why haven't you brought me into the land of milk and honey yet?” But the truth is that we've created our own discontentment. God wants to teach us the concept of contentment being an active pursuit of His presence and purpose in our business lives, offering a pathway to true satisfaction beyond worldly achievements. My Cornell Let Down When I graduated Cornell in 2003, the stopwatch started ticking. I had goals for a nice car, a big house, and other luxuries of the rich. I couldn't wait to get my entrepreneurial career started because, to me, that was the only way I was going to achieve my ambitious goals. However, year after year, the “millionaire” status didn't show up, so I pressed in harder - new ventures, new partnerships, a change in strategy - anything so that I could finally rest and be satisfied with my life. The self-imposed pressure to “make it big” after graduating from an Ivy League school - especially comparing myself to others in my same age group - created a true rat race along my entrepreneurial journey that left me dissatisfied, often disappointed, and always with a feeling of “I haven't made it...” It was a cycle of endless striving, much like trying to fill a bottomless pit. The Road to Freedom It’s a common narrative among us Godpreneurs, isn’t it? In our pursuit of business success, we often find ourselves caught in a whirlwind of constant wanting, believing that the next achievement or acquisition will be the key to our contentment. But does that ever truly satisfy us? Apostle Paul’s experience, as shared in Philippians 4:12-13, offers us profound insight: "…I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, I can do all this through Him who gives me strength." Despite his imprisonment, Paul found true contentment not in his circumstances but through his unwavering focus on Christ. He teaches us that contentment is an active state of trust and dependence on Jesus, who empowers us beyond our natural capabilities. Likewise, Ephesians 5:18 urges us, "Be filled continually with the Holy Spirit." This is not a one-time event but a daily pursuit of God’s presence and power in our business lives. A Shift of Focus As a Christ-centered business builder, how often do you seek fulfillment in the tangible markers of success rather than in your relationship with Jesus? It's time to shift your focus. Instead of adding more to your plates in the hope of finding satisfaction, seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is where true contentment lies – in living out your God-given purpose, empowered by His strength, not ours. Finally, exactly 20 years after graduating college, the Lord gave me the wisdom to understand and apply true contentment into my entrepreneurial walk. I stopped listening to affirmations about money and possessions, and I settled into the power of Christ to satisfy my insatiable craving for success. There's Victory in One Decision Imagine a world of Godpreneurs who live and lead businesses not from a place of lack or desire for more but from a deep well of contentment in Christ. Together, we can transform not just our own business lives but also the employees, contactors, and clients we serve in our respective marketplaces, reflecting the abundance of being content in Jesus above all else.