Spark Influence

On this week's episode of Spark Influence, Peter and Misty Phillip talk about the great commandment to all believers to make disciples of all believers. As the world becomes darker, we may have the inclination to recoil back from the world and circle our wagons in a safe Christian bubble. But Jesus calls us to go to go into the world and make disciples.

We are co-labors in the gospel living on mission for God. Your home, office, community, and work place is where we make disciples.

Scripture References

18And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inb the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20 ESV

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” - Proverbs 27:17 ESV

Our pastor just asked our congregation these questions, and we'd like to pose these questions to you.

• Who is becoming more like Jesus because you are investing in them?
• When I stand before, the Lord will I be happy with what I have to present to him?

He defined discipleship a developmental process whereby believers intentionally pass on to others what they know, have experienced and are learning so that others become more like Jesus. Who are you discipling today my friends?

There are many ways to nurture and grow our faith, including:

1. Reading and studying the Bible: This is the foundation of our faith and the primary way we learn about God's character and will for our lives.
2. Praying: Talking to God and listening for His guidance is an essential part of nurturing our faith.
3. Worshiping: Joining with other believers in worship helps us to focus on God and to remember that we are not alone in our faith journey.
4. Serving others: Putting our faith into action through acts of service is a powerful way to grow in our faith and to make a difference in the world around us.
5. Surrounding ourselves with other believers: Being in community with other Christians helps us to be accountable, to encourage each other, and to learn from one another.
6. Practicing spiritual disciplines such as fasting, meditation, and journaling: These practices can help us to deepen our relationship with God and to focus on spiritual growth.

Being consistent and persistent: Growing in faith is not an overnight process it takes time and effort, but consistency and persistence in our faith practices will help us to see progress in our faith journey.

It's important to remember that nurturing our faith is an ongoing process and that it will look different for each person. The most important thing is to be intentional about seeking God and growing in our relationship with Him.

Resources

The Pilgrim's Progress is a 1678 Christian allegory written by John Bunyan. The work is a symbolic vision of the good man’s pilgrimage through life. At one time second only to the Bib le in popularity, The Pilgrim’s Progress is the most famous allegory on the Christian life.

On this episode of Spark Influence, host Misty Phillip talks about cultivating a resilient mindset during challenging times. As she flies solo this episode, Misty shares strategies for accepting the unpredictability of life and focusing on what we can control. The episode also includes a review of the movie Sound of Freedom and strategies for achieving goals and aspirations during uncertain times. Listeners are encouraged to prioritize self-care, compassion, and family time while maintaining a positive outlook. Tune in to learn more about these motivational messages on Spark Influence, part of the Spark Media Podcast Network.

In this episode, the following topics are covered:

• Importance of keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ and cultivating a resilient mindset - Embracing optimism and perseverance
• Seeing setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth
• How mindset can either limit or empower us to overcome obstacles
• The significance of perspective in overcoming trials and challenges
• Trusting in God's plan and having realistic expectations
• Prioritizing self-care and family time
• Viewing progress as progress, no matter how small
• Strategies for staying consistent when life takes unexpected turns
• Embracing flexibility and considering alternative paths
• The importance of accepting unpredictability and focusing on what we can control
• Prioritizing the care of loved ones.
• Shifting our mindset to embrace change.
• The podcast Spark Influence and its aim of exploring personal growth and positive impacts
• Encouragement to turn to scripture to find peace, joy, patience, and other fruits of the Spirit - Importance of humility and casting anxieties on God
• Advice to be sober-minded and support those who are hurting
• Emphasis on the power of prayer
• Importance of flexibility in pursuing goals during uncertain times
• Holding goals and plans loosely
• Having backup options available
• Embracing change and having a positive mindset Overall, the podcast provides strategies for maintaining resilience, consistency, and momentum during challenging times and emphasizes the importance of focusing on what we can control, caring for loved ones, and embracing change. It also highlights the power of prayer, supporting movies with strong messages, and being flexible in pursuing our goals.

Sound of Freedom

A film with a strong message about modern-day slavery and child trafficking. Release on July 4 and tickets available through Angel Studios.

Welcome back to another episode of Spark Influence! We're your hosts, Peter Phillip and Misty Phillip, founders of Spark Media. Today, we dive into the power of prayer and how it can spark influence in our lives. Prayer is often misunderstood, but we're here to explore its true meaning and importance. From individual prayer to praying as a couple, as a family, and even incorporating fasting, we'll uncover the secrets to deepening our connection with God. Join us as we navigate the ins and outs of prayer and learn how it can truly transform our lives. So grab your headphones and get ready for another enlightening episode of Spark Influence!

Key Points

Prayer as a two-way conversation with the Lord
- Importance of individual prayer, praying together, and prayer and fasting
- The power of a praying couple
- Taking action to help others in need
- Faith and works going hand in hand
- Teaching children how to pray
- Prayer as a daily integrated practice
- Specific instances of answered prayers
- Struggles and obstacles in starting a bible study
- Enemy's attempt to discourage and create division
- Importance of praying for pastors and leaders
- Communion and its significance
- Frustrations with denominational differences
- Personal experience of conducting communion at home
- Treating communion with solemnity and gravity
- Misunderstandings of the purpose of prayer
- Aligning ourselves with God's will
- Incorporating God in our daily lives
- Praying without ceasing
- Arrow prayers as quick expressions of need or frustration

Timestamps

00:00:01 Spark influence podcast: intentional living, prayer.
00:03:37 Prayer and fasting have powerful effects.
00:07:53 Family altar, praying together, action, powerful combination.
00:12:08 Communion: Importance, bread blessing, obstacles, representative.
00:16:15 "The enemy tries to create division, but we can see it. Struggle is real, but so is God. Pray for leaders."
00:19:27 Praying: misunderstood as finite, confusion on unceasing worship.
00:23:08 Prayer and fasting are important for faith.

Keywords

prayer, dialogue, gratitude, individual prayer, family prayer, corporate prayer, fasting, seeking answers, reconnect with God, spiritual journey, praying before meals, scary prayers, praying with children, meaningful conversations, fasting power, Bible, understanding prayer, limited activity, confusion, pray without ceasing, unceasing adoration, worship, asking for help, forgiveness, insight, acknowledging God's presence, accepting God's dominion, resistance to God's authority, Spark Influence, living with intention, marriage, family, ministry, business leadership, taking action, helping others, faith and works, teaching children to pray, two-way conversation, prayer struggles, enemy interference, praying for pastors, insidious enemy, communion, denomination differences, solemnity, gravity, tradition, sense of gravity, taking communion at home, blessing bread, unresolved issues, seeking God in prayer, aligning with God's will, nurturing relationship with God, co-creating with God, incorporating God in daily lives, arrow prayers

On this episode of By His Grace, we explore the idea that work is a good thing, contrary to the negative view that society has about it. We delve into the fallen world's impact on this perception and discuss how Christians can model the idea of doing everything to glorify God, including their work. We also examine how some entrepreneurs are prioritizing their faith and mission over profits and the advantages that come with this model. Finally, we examine how companies' commitment to service and mission above profit makes a significant difference in branding and business success. Tune in to learn more about finding purpose, mission, and faith in entrepreneurship.

Podcast Timestamps

[00:02:05] Making profits is important for business, but having a higher mission is crucial to maintain a moral background and avoid unethical actions for the sake of money. Striving for a greater purpose, such as helping others, can lead to success and financial gain.
[00:04:57] Focus on mission over profit, reinvest money back into business, avoid financial stress, be confident in God's provision.
[00:07:38] Businesses are increasingly dedicating part of their profits to charity, with some even starting with a charity arm from the beginning, akin to tithing. The trend reflects a heart issue.
[00:08:48] Service and servant mentality are important for business success, but they have diminished in the current world. Christian businesses are incorporating tithe mentality into their businesses.
[00:10:55] The hospitality in restaurants is declining as they rush customers to pay and leave. One individual had a long business dinner with no interruptions until they realized they were the last ones there, yet the waiter didn't urge them to leave. This kind of service used to be commonplace, but now waitstaff seem more concerned with closing out than providing good customer service.
[00:13:34] Millennials and Gen Z prioritize pursuing their interests over work, which is seen as a necessary evil. However, it's important to find work that one enjoys and puts effort into doing well, whether it's physical or mental labor. The pandemic has exacerbated this issue.
[00:16:51] Work is rewarding, idleness causes misery, being helpful to others is joyful, servant-hood is a lost art, respect should match experience.
[00:18:01] People kept asking for more, including more money and special concessions, such as pet insurance.
[00:19:28] "My pleasure" customer service is like the hotel industry and changes how customers feel about the business.
[00:20:16] Chickfila prioritizes mission over profit, offering exceptional service while requiring strict qualifications for franchise ownership. Other businesses that prioritize profit over mission ultimately suffer from lackluster service and lose customer loyalty. Apple's clear mission is reflected in their successful products.

Key Topics and Bullets

Introduction to the Bible's view of work as part of God's plan for humanity
- The negative view of work in society and its origin in the fallen world
- Importance of modeling the attitude of doing everything for the glory of God
- The difference in business operations between those funded by investors and those that bootstrap or receive support from others
- The concept of profit as a reward for providing valuable goods and services
- The growing trend of kingdom-minded entrepreneurs who prioritize their mission over profits
- The Spark Influence podcast and its theme of mission over profits
- The promotion of the Spark Media Ignite Conference and Awards Gala as a premier Christian podcast conference
- The younger generation's view towards work and the importance of pursuing what you love
- The pandemic's impact on the decline in work ethic
- Examples of businesses that prioritize mission over profits, such as Chickfila and Apple
- The negative impact of prioritizing profits over mission and good service
- The importance of welcoming customers, even if it's close to closing time
- The significance of seeking first the kingdom of God and its mission
- The speaker's unique business model of prioritizing mission over profitability
- The impact of focusing on profitability on a business's ability to fully achieve its mission
- The importance of reinvesting earnings back into mission events and growth
- The notion of "active, lazy" and the lacking work ethic in society
- Commendation of a person's model of being mission-focused while also thinking about the bottom line.

Keywords

Bible, work, Adam and Eve, God's plan, tending, caring, fallen world, negative view, glory of God, contagious attitude, funding, investors, bootstrap, financial support, profit, valuable goods, services, faith, mission, kingdom-minded, Spark Influence podcast, purpose, mission over profits, financial goals, Ignite Conference, ...

On this episode of Spark Influence, we explore the power of partnerships in mission-driven organizations. Our hosts discuss how partnerships can amplify impact and the importance of finding partners who align with your values and beliefs. Peter and Misty Phillip draw analogies from marriage, highlighting the need for clear communication, appreciation, and scheduling time for each other. They also provide insights on working with clients and third-party vendors. Listen in to hear real-life success stories of Christian partnerships and how they can help achieve more results faster and with more efficiency.

Episode Summary:

The importance of clear communication and over-communication in relationships is discussed in this episode. The speakers believe in nurturing relationships by scheduling time, expressing appreciation, and showing the importance of one another. They emphasizes that partnerships are essential for mission-driven organizations to achieve greater results and efficiency, especially those with shared values and beliefs. The importance of marriages as equal partnerships where both partners prioritize each other's perspectives and desires is discussed. The discussion also touches on the challenges of finding Christian partners in the business world, as some may not prioritize faith in their businesses.

Finally, the podcast's sponsored event, the 2023 Spark Media Ignite Conference and Award Ceremony, is promoted, which will cover the power of partnerships and collaborations for mission-driven organizations.

Topics Covered in the Episode:

• The importance of clear communication in relationships
• Prioritizing communication in marriage
• Nurturing relationships by scheduling time, expressing appreciation, and showing importance
• View of marriage as an equal partnership
• Changing the partnership over time and considering the partner's perspective
• Importance of partnerships and collaborations in mission-driven organizations
• Finding complementary partners with shared values and beliefs
• Avoiding CINO partnerships
• Sharing duties and supporting each other in marriage
• Importance of celebrating each other's successes
• Partnerships in business with clients and third-party vendors
• Differences between men and women in partnerships
• Reasons to prioritize family over societal expectations
• Challenge of finding partners who align with faith and vision in Christianity-focused businesses

Time Stamps

[00:02:55] Marriage is complex and God sanctifies it for years. Society imposes unrealistic roles and expectations on couples, but in reality, their hearts are merged. The partnership in marriage is important and provides a foundation for anything else in life.

[00:07:41] Person praised for their efficiency in ordering DoorDash and meal planning, while their partner is seen as impulsive during shopping trips together.

[00:10:56] Over communicate with your spouse like you do with your clients and business partners. Make time for them, express appreciation and importance.

[00:12:06] Partnerships are crucial in business and can exist in various forms like client relationships, third-party providers, and collaborations. Aligning with partners who share your vision is important for success.

[00:13:54] Being a Christian business owner comes with challenges when seeking partnerships due to differing beliefs. Christianity should not be left at the door when entering the workplace.

[00:16:32] Partnerships with Christian businesses can significantly enhance and amplify your own business by tapping into a network of shared values and beliefs, leading to deeper connections and greater support. Partnering with Christian businesses that align with your values can create a powerful alliance that resembles the concept of a barn raising in Amish or Jewish communities.

[00:19:15] Partnerships can lighten the load and help business grow.

[00:20:09] Partnerships should be complementary and driven by a shared mission, not personal gain, to truly be effective and valuable. The partnership option should not just exist because of purchasing requirements. A genuine partnership is inspired by a clear and valid mission that people want to help further.

[00:22:51] Be open to unexpected help and seek partnerships to further your mission.

[00:23:31] Continual learning is essential, and humility is necessary to recognize that there is always more to know.

Keywords

clear communication, relationships, over-communication, marriage, scheduling time, appreciation, partnership, equality, opinion, trust, belief system, mission-driven, efficiency, Christian companies, technology, CNO businesses, shared values, amplify, shared belief sy...