What Would God Say About Security Awareness?

April 13, 2021/in Entrepreneurship, Firm Foundations/by Valerie Riese

What Would God Say About Security Awareness?

I’ve often wondered if multiple levels of security show a morsel of fear, anxiety, and control contrary to Scripture. Shouldn’t ministry owners trust God to provide and care for them, no matter what happens? What would God say about security awareness and record retention?

What would God Say About Security Awarenss

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Sometimes I wonder if security awareness measures a bit duplicitous for Christians. Aren’t we supposed to trust God to care for us, no matter what comes? And could it be said that multiple levels of security show a morsel of fear, anxiety, and control contrary to Scripture?

Today’s webinar about security awareness and record retention made me wonder what God would say about measures to prevent and prepare for the possibility of disaster.

After some prayer, God showed me He doesn’t expect us to wait like sitting ducks. In fact, in the Book of Exodus, we see God implementing a plan to protect His ministry, the Israelite nation, from the Angel of Death and from the Egyptians.

As I studied the chapter, I found eight things God did to protect and prepare the Israelites for the first Passover. His plans included protection, provisions, and record retention.

Reflection Question

Read Exodus Chapter 12. Journal for 5 minutes to see what God reveals to you about the First Passover.

For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgements: I am the LORD

7 Things God Did to Protect and Prepare the Israelites for the First Passover

1. He appointed leaders.

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.
(Exodus 13)

You may not know everything, and that’s okay. We all have your gifts. Ask God to show you the right people to help.

2. He warned them.

For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD.
(Exodus 12:12)

God has warned us, too. Evil is always looking for someone to devour. Most firstborns were young and, therefore, more vulnerable. We must also alert to the weak spots in our business.

3. He made provisions for a variety of circumstances.

And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb.
(Exodus 12:4)

All areas of our businesses must be protected. God calls us to be diligent with our resources through prayerful planning.

4. He gave very clear and detailed instructions

The entire chapter is full of specific directions about how to prepare the email, when and how to eat it, what to wear and more.

Details are important to God. We must tend to the details as best as we can, with God’s guidance, and then trust he will care for us with the details He doesn’t provide, especially the “why.”

5. He prepared them for the future.

The people of Israel had also done as Moses told them, for they had asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing. And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. Thus they plundered the Egyptians. (Exodus 12:35-36)

Have a contingency plan to be prepared for the day of disaster so you can recover as much as possible.

Reflection Question

Prayerfully consider if you might need an additional layer of security to protect your ministry’s confidential information.

6. He made them remember.

And you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day, throughout your generations, as a statute forever.
(Exodus 12:17)

Document what you’ve done, remember what worked and what didn’t.

7. He made them give thanks.

“And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ you shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD’S Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.’” And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.
(Exodus 12:26-27)

God gives us a blueprint for security awareness in our ministry through the first Passover. Just as He protected His people, so we must protect those we serve.

Reflection Question

Will evil and harm pass over your ministry? Will you be ready for when it comes? Watch today’s webinar to learn more about how to protect your business.

Next Steps

Watch the Webinar

Robin Moulfair: Be Alert! Record Retention & Security Awareness

Read The Partner Post

Each week, Karen Lindwall-Bourg and Valerie Riese each write a post for the Community and Education Webinar.

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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 Rainbow Symbolize About God?

March 30, 2021/in Entrepreneur Spiritual Growth, Firm Foundations/by Valerie Riese

What Does The Rainbow Symbolize About God?

Our favorite color reveals something about each one of us, and our ministry brand colors symbolize our promise to those we serve. One of God’s most glorious displays of color is the rainbow, so what does the rainbow symbolize about God? Learn more about God’s character through the colors of the rainbow.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Psalm 19:1

As entrepreneurs, our brand is a symbol of our promise. We employ a variety of tools to tell prospective clients what to expect from us, such as contracts, rate sheets, and testimonials. Perhaps the most recognizable and impressionable element of our branding is our colors.

Each color conveys a message, a feeling, all its own. There’s a reason stop signs are bright red. After all, could you take a pink sign seriously? And why does every new couple ask one another’s favorite color on the first date? Because our favorite color reveals something about us, and those parts of us will bring life to everything from our hair and our clothing, to our home and our car.

Reflection Question

How did you choose your brand colors? What do those colors tell prospective clients?

God of Color

Our God knew this when He created color. One of God’s most glorious displays of color is the rainbow, a promise to all mankind, so we’d know what to expect from Him.

Janine’s presentation about color made me wonder why God chose a rainbow as a symbol of an eternal covenant. And why those specific colors? If color sends a message about ourselves and our business, what is God telling us about Himself through the colors of the rainbow?

Janine is a graphic designer, and she recommends Color-Meanings.com to learn about the psychology of color. So I paired the profile for each color of the rainbow alongside Scripture, and I unveiled a stunning portrait of God’s character.

God’s Character In The Colors Of The Rainbow

Red

Red reveals God’s energy and passion. God created the universe. He is omnipotent and omniscient. And He loves us so much that He gave His only son to save us. It doesn’t get any more energetic or passionate than that.

Orange

Orange shows us His enthusiastic and emotional side. The Bible is full of descriptions of God’s emotions, ranging from joy and anger, happiness and sorrow, jealousy and love.

Yellow

Yellow tells us our God is happy and optimistic. God is our God of hope and joy, and He can use all things for good.

Green

Green is a color of harmony and health. Throughout Scripture, God calls us to live in harmony with one another. He is Jehovah Rapha, “The Lord who heals you.”

Blue

Blue assures us that God is trustworthy and loyal. He is Immanuel, the God who will never leave us or forsake us. His love never ceases, and He is always faithful.

Indigo

Indigo reminds us of God’s power. He is the Lord God Almighty, the Alpha and the Omega, the creator of Heaven and Earth, and the Savior of the world. We do all things through His strength, and in Him there is no end!

Violet

Violet reflects God’s royalty and Heaven’s luxury. He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Heavens and earth declare of his Glory, of which we can’t even behold his radiance. Heaven is adorned with jewels and filled with mansions for all of us.

Reflection Question

Which of these attributes of God is your favorite? Does your favorite attribute match your favorite color?

Bonus Nugget

Here’s an interesting fact about rainbows. Legend says you’ll find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, but the truth is you’ll never find the end of a rainbow, because it stays in the same place no matter where you go. And so it is with God’s love for us.

Reflection Question

They say a picture is worth 1000 words, so what does your brand colors tell people?