There’s no better time than NOW to link arms with your sisters in Christ and forge ahead in your business!
Discover a circle of faithful women propelling their sisters in Christ to the next level of their businesses.
NACWE encourages you to join our community and learn from our education opportunities then pay-it-forward and teach others what you’ve learned from each other! Travel with us as we traipse across the US and Canada and now (since 2018) into Central America to help other Entrepreneurs prosper in ways that please the Lord!
7 Bible Verses About Design
7 Bible Verses About Design
The graphics we share reflect our hearts just as much as the words we write. Find 7 Bible verses about design to prayerfully consider as we create graphics to honor God.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.
Psalm 101:2b-3a ESV
One night when I was in high school, my dad came home early to find my boyfriend and me laughing with an episode of Eddie Murphy Raw. And raw it was. My dad quietly asked my boyfriend to leave and then followed me to my room. Dad was worse than angry—he was disappointed. He talked to me for a few minutes and ended with a question that set a standard for the rest of my life.
“You know better. And even if I hadn’t caught you, God still knows what you’re watching. What do you imagine He thinks when you’re watching that junk?”
I still hear Dad every time I turn on the TV or scroll through social media. I heard him again during Jasmine Tambo’s Crown Rockin’ Canva Creations webinar when she explained how graphics set the tone for our online communities, and I wondered: What would God say about the graphics we publish and share?
While this may seem like a strange question, the graphics we share reflect our hearts just as much as the words we write. I pray over my writing, but I’ve never once prayed over the images I publish for thousands of women to see every day.
As I searched Scripture, I found dozens of verses relating to the things we choose to look upon each day. Here are six more Bible verses about design to prayerfully consider as we create graphics to honor God.
Design With Integrity
Is My Design Uplifting?
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Images can be designed to lift viewers’ moods, minds, and spirits. Images can speak love peace and encouragement into someone’s day without a single letter. As leaders for the body of Christ, we want every word and pixel our images to build up and never to cut down.
Does The Design Honor God?
The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both.
Proverbs 20:12 ESV
Our eyes are a gift from God and should be used to glorify and serve Him. Therefore, our graphics should always help people grow closer to God and display His glory.
Is The Design Healthy?
If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.
Matthew 6:22b-23a ESV
Images feed our eyes, and there for our mind, spirit and body. The images we spend our time gazing on actually wire our brain for either light or darkness within, so we need to fill our images with the light of Christ.
Set Their Eyes Upon Nothing Worthless
Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea
Mark 9:42 ESV
As ministry leaders and content creators, we have a special responsibility to show others what being a Christin is, as well as what it isn’t. It’s important to recognize that the graphics we create and share also have the potential to inspire sin, and to cause hurt, anger, and darkness. I invite you to prayerfully evaluate if any element of an image may cause one of your follows to stumble.
Is The Design Suggestive?
But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matthew 5:28 ESV
Use discernment to determine if anything in an image is suggestive of sin, such as harsh wording, violence, impropriety, or anger.
Could The Design Cause Division Among Believers?
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
Romans 16:17 ESV
We must be mindful of trends and sensitivities in our world. Just like in the real world, virtual communities struggle with cancel culture and the strain of life during a global pandemic. Wise ministries will avoid adding to the rampant division, anger, condemnation, and judgement in the world around us.
The Ultimate Question
When I taught Sunday School, I learned a fun hymn that reminded me of Dad’s lecture from high school: “O Be Careful Little Eyes” sung by the Cedarmont Kids. The song reminds us that our loving God cares about what we see, hear, say, and do, where we go, and whom we trust, because it all ultimately leads to what we think.
Our ministries are a gift from God. What we do with them is our gift to Him. So, while you work with your images, remember—even if no one says anything, God still knows what you’re sharing. What do you imagine He thinks of your image?
Reflection Question
Ask the Lord how the graphics you share and publish for your ministry may better honor Him.
Next Steps
Watch the Webinar
Crown Rockin’ Canva Creations with Jasmine Tambo
Join Us on Facebook!
For more encouragement, join us on Facebook:
NACWE Freedom Facebook Group
or
Karen Bourg Companies Facebook Group
Valerie Riese
Valerie is a wife, mother, blogger, breast cancer survivor, and virtual assistant. After suffering years of debilitating anxiety, she learned that victory over anxiety comes only through surrender to Jesus. Valerie writes to point women to the Jesus as co-director of Candidly Christian, and as a freelance writer and editor. You can learn more about Valerie at ValerieRiese.com
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
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What Does The Bible Say About Seeking Knowledge?
What Does The Bible Say About Seeking Knowledge?
Proverbs 24:3-4 reveals that our ministries can be made rich through knowledge, but how do we do that? Today I share 6 verses that tell us what the Bible says about seeking knowledge.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established and by knowledge it is filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Proverbs 24:3-4
In today’s webinar, Brandi Johnson shares what the Lord taught her about branding through Proverbs 24:3-4. He showed her that our ministry home must be built by wisdom, established by understanding, and made rich through knowledge.
We all want our business to grow and flourish. So how do we gain the knowledge to fill our ministry with riches?
One thing I love about God’s Word is that He doesn’t just tell us what to do and then leave us to figure it out. He always tells us how. Today I’d like to share six Bible verses about knowledge to help enrich your ministry for you and those you serve.
Seek Knowledge
An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
Proverbs 18:15 ESV
“Acquiring” knowledge is active and deliberate. Don’t wait for knowledge to find you; go get it. Find learning opportunities relevant and appropriate for your season.
Look for lessons in your experiences and from others. I imagine our ears as old-fashioned satellite dishes, always tuned in, searching for knowledge broadcasts. Always have your ears open, seeking whispers of tips and tricks.
Read Scripture
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
2 Peter 1:2 ESV
We can’t learn when we’re overwhelmed and stressed. Our minds will be equipped with the grace and peace needed to run a ministry when we consistently learn about God through His Word.
Prioritize Learning
Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold,
Proverbs 8:10 ESV
I’ve worked for Fortune 500 companies who consistently sacrifice training at the altar of productivity and then wonder why errors and turnover reign. Knowledge is a treasure, so make it a priority. You don’t have to take a $500 course, unless you want and need it. Even one article can help solve a problem or level up your business.
Reflection Question
What learning opportunity could help relieve your ministry’s current pain spot?
Don’t forget
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. The more they increased, the more they sinned against me; I will change their glory into shame.
Hosea 4:6 ESV
Knowledge gained must be maintained so it’s not lost. Have a system to help you remember and build upon what you learn.
Be Teachable
For whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a yearning for truth], even what he has will be taken away from him.”
Mark 4:25 AMP
A teachable spirit is one that listens with an open mind, willing to consider that someone else may have a better way. Ask questions of your peers and consider what they have to say. God promises us that a teachable spirit is rewarded with even more knowledge, but a know-it-all will only grow in their own ignorance.
Ask Jesus
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
Proverbs 2:6
One of the most ridiculous sayings in all of Christianity is “All we can do now is pray.” All wisdom begins with Jesus. Ask Him to teach you, to bring teachers into your life, and to help you recognize and embrace their wisdom.
Reflection Question
Pray now and ask Jesus to show you what you need to learn about next and to bring you the right opportunity.
Why Knowledge?
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:9-11
Seek it, spend your time and money on it, remember, listen, stay close to God… It’s a lot of work to enrich our ministry through knowledge. But God backs your investment with promises worth more than gold. You’ll walk in wisdom, sincerity, and decency. Best of all, our ministry will bear fruit through Him and for Him.
Next Steps
Watch the Webinar
Building a Brand is Like Building a House/Home with Brandie Johnson
Read The Partner Post
Each week, Karen Lindwall-Bourg and Valerie Riese each write a post for the Community and Education Webinar.
Join Us on Facebook!
For more encouragement, join us on Facebook:
NACWE Freedom Facebook Group
or
Karen Bourg Companies Facebook Group
Valerie Riese
Valerie is a wife, mother, blogger, breast cancer survivor, and virtual assistant. After suffering years of debilitating anxiety, she learned that victory over anxiety comes only through surrender to Jesus. Valerie writes to point women to the Jesus as co-director of Candidly Christian, and as a freelance writer and editor. You can learn more about Valerie at ValerieRiese.com
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
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Brand Messaging God’s Way
Brand Messaging God’s Way
Brand Messaging God’s Way means sharing His message rather than yours. Learn how to discover your ministry’s message from a marketing Bible study of John the Baptist.
A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”
(Isaiah 40:3 ESV)
As a new writer, I struggled to define my brand messaging for a long time. Several writing coaches told me to narrow my audience and purpose, but I feared I’d reach fewer people. So, for the first year or two, my words were written for anyone and related to no one.
Then one evening, John the Baptist caught my attention.
Biblical Brand Messaging
Jesus said that none was greater than John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11; Luke 7:28). This is enough to moisten the eyes of any woman in ministry longing to hear “well done, good & faithful servant.”
So I studied John the Baptist, and learned that God gave him one task, one message, foretold centuries before his birth. He was to prepare the way for the Lord by telling people to repent, the son of God is on His way.
One man. One message. The greatest ever born.
John was filled with the Holy Spirit before he was born, so he knew he who was and who he wasn’t, not by his own ideals, but by God’s design.
Reflection Question
If you were in an elevator and someone asked you what your ministry does, what would you tell them before the bell rings and the door opens? Marketing and branding specialists call this your business’ elevator pitch. What is your ministry elevator pitch? Describe your ministry in one or two sentences.
Branded By The Holy Spirit
John was authentic. He had a familiar voice, a distinguished wardrobe, and a unique diet. Everyone recognized John because he was exactly who God created him to be.
John the Baptist’s story made me realize I didn’t know my message because I didn’t know myself. So I invited God in, asked Him, and listened for His response. I continued writing, praying, learning, and living. As I learned to depend on Jesus, I discovered who He created me to be, and He gave me a voice.
Instead of defining my message, I learned to be God’s messenger.
Reflection Question
Consider the elevator pitch you just wrote. Is this your message or God’s?
Eternal Brand Messaging
NACWE member and presenter Tasha Glover also learned to depend on God for her message. Her breakthrough came when God told her: “People are branding what they want to become and not what I called them to be.“
God called John the Baptist to tell people to repent because the long-awaited Savior is here.
He created me to tell women that peace comes only through surrender to Jesus. Just like John the Baptist, my message isn’t about me at all. It’s about Jesus.
Reflection Question
John the Baptist said “He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease.” Apply this to your elevator pitch. How can you decrease so Jesus can increase in your ministry today?
Next Steps
Watch the Webinar
Branding: Start with WHO (Identity) with Tasha Glover
Read The Partner Post
Each week, Karen Lindwall-Bourg and Valerie Riese each write a post for the Community and Education Webinar.
Join Us on Facebook!
For more encouragement, join us on Facebook:
NACWE Freedom Facebook Group
or
Karen Bourg Companies Facebook Group
Valerie Riese
Valerie is a wife, mother, blogger, breast cancer survivor, and virtual assistant. After suffering years of debilitating anxiety, she learned that victory over anxiety comes only through surrender to Jesus. Valerie writes to point women to the Jesus as co-director of Candidly Christian, and as a freelance writer and editor. You can learn more about Valerie at ValerieRiese.com
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
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Fan Into Flame The Gift Of God
Fan Into Flame The Gift Of God
In 1 Timothy 1:6, Paul writes to “fan into flame the gift of God.” Find out what this means for women in ministry.
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
1 Timothy 1:6-7 ESV
First Timothy 1:7—the teddy bear of all Scripture. So much peace in one promise. In today’s webinar, we learn we can feel peace even in the day-to-day disorganization of ministry, all thanks to the promise of 1 Timothy 1:7.
As I panned out to study the context of our lovely journal-cover verse, I discovered more encouragement for women using their gifts in ministry just one verse back, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God.”
Continue with me for the story of my Rhema word for 2021. I’ll show you what it means to fan our gifts into flame and get ready for His divine appointment.
An Invitation to Fan Into Flame the Gift of God
In November, the Candidly Christian contributors were amid conversation in our private Facebook group when Laura Marshall wrote, “Valerie, May the road rise up to meet you… That was from the Holy Spirit to you. I had no idea what it meant or where it was from until I just looked it up!”
“May the road rise up to meet you” is the first line of a traditional Irish blessing I’ve held dear since I was a girl, part of a precious heritage from my grandmother. Laura knew none of this, so of course the Holy Spirit used her to snag my attention.
Laura also didn’t know that as the new year approached, I’d been thinking and praying about my future as a writer and dreams of freelancing. I hadn’t heard the familiar Irish blessing in ages, so Laura’s special-delivery message yanked my thoughts to a screeching about-face.
And I replied, “guess I better get moving then.”
And move I did. The blessing became my compass as the Lord directed my first steps toward 2021. With my fan in hand, Jesus breathed into my writer’s flame.
I began at the beginning—grammar and punctuation. I asked questions, read primers, and took courses. When the opportunity came a few months later, I was ready.
Reflection Question
When was the last time you received a Rhema word? Was it directly from God, or did He use someone or something else? Thank Him for His divine messengers, and ask Him to help you be sensitive to His next Rhema word.
Your Turn to Fan Into Flame the Gift of God
My friends, the road can’t rise up to meet you unless you’re already walking. You can walk this ministry road because God gave you a spirit of power, love, and self-control, but you must develop and maintain your gifts for the journey.
What does the mean for you, dear ministry sister? I don’t know, you’ll have to take that to the Lord, your CEE (Chief Executive of Everything). Invite Him in. Ask Him to show you what’s ahead. Then keep your eyes and ears open, and your fan close by, so you’re ready when your Rhema word comes.
In the meantime, I leave you with this:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Reflection Question
What road is rising up to meet you? Ask Jesus to point you towards your first steps.
Next Steps
Watch the Webinar
Organization and The Mind/Body Connection with Katie Chavez
Read The Partner Post
Each week, Karen Lindwall-Bourg and Valerie Riese each write a post for the Community and Education Webinar.
Join Us on Facebook!
For more encouragement, join us on Facebook:
NACWE Freedom Facebook Group
or
Karen Bourg Companies Facebook Group
Valerie Riese
Valerie is a wife, mother, blogger, breast cancer survivor, and virtual assistant. After suffering years of debilitating anxiety, she learned that victory over anxiety comes only through surrender to Jesus. Valerie writes to point women to the Jesus as co-director of Candidly Christian, and as a freelance writer and editor. You can learn more about Valerie at ValerieRiese.com
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
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