Deneen Troupe-Buitrago

Grow from your overflow

Gifttings

When there is no more to offer

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A while back I felt like I had nothing more to offer. I was going in so many directions, following so many ‘experts’ and trying to do it all to make my business grow.  I thought I was doing it right. I thought this was what God wanted. Then I crashed. The very thing I thought I was to be doing was taken away from me. It was hard.

I decided to rest for a while and regroup. During that time, I felt empty. I didn’t know how to pick up and start again. In this rest-time I also discovered God in a new way and He taught me to put everything before Him, allow Him to fill me, and wait. Waiting is hard for me.

It took about six months and I must say it was worth the wait. As I have given God each of my ideas, my programs, my personality, my gifts, my. . . well, everything, I have seen tremendous growth in my life and business.

Empty

How about you? After a day of kids, carpools, laundry, meal planning, cooking, cleaning, marketing, phone calls, meetings, networking, and clients you can feel like you are going in many directions. And, you can feel a little empty. Let’s face it, a lot of empty. I forgot to mention your self-care that includes exercise, eating well, and spiritual renewal (aka, time with God). Are you there? Do you feel that drain as you read the list?  I feel the drain just writing it.

It was like that for the Widow in Debt. Do you remember her (2 Kings 4)? She had run out of everything and now her sons were in danger of being taken from her. She was at the end of what she felt she could physically do. But what she did have was. . . a little oil.

You might feel empty, but I bet you have a little oil.

Filling

God wants us to trust Him with the little things. He builds our faith on what we hold out to Him. You may feel you have nothing to offer, but you do. Think about those tasks that come easily to you. Give it to God for His use. He will pour it out and bless it.

For the Widow, healing came from acting. She is given a project to do so she is focused on what she has, the little oil, and not on what she does not have. She displayed her complete trust in God by getting to work.

God asks you to offer what you have so He can use it (Rom 12:1). He asks you to start with the small things in your life- your schedule, attitudes, and relationship with Him. Then He expects you to look at the bigger things in your life and hold th’re you do. What qualities has God equipped you with for your business that you need to hold out to Him so He can bless?

Start offering the oil so you can pour it out on all that God has for you.

 

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

P.S. Schedule a FREE Clarity Session. I would LOVE to discover how you can use your ‘little oil’ to do MORE for God.

 

What does God PROVIDE for my business?

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God wants more for you. He wants to PROVIDE so many things so you will succeed with His Calling for you. Do you believe that? Do you want more?

Since I LOVE acronyms, I am going to share a new one. Remember, God wants you to serve Him through your work. AND, these are some of the things He will PROVIDE for you when you align with Him for your success.

PROVIDE

Promises- God gives them to you. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

No matter what you are going through there is a reason and God has your best at heart. Stay close to Him through Bible study and prayer. Use your journal to pour out your heart to Him and to hear from His heart what He wants to say to you.

 

Respect- God helps you earn it. The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming. Job 29:8

Building your business means also building a good reputation. When you are doing things with excellence and integrity it shows. Be known for doing what you say you are going to do and helping others get what they want.

 

Obedience- God expects it from you. But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and . . .” 1 Samuel 15:22

We all need help to do what is right. God gives you the ability to stand up and stand out in your business when you obey what He is asking you to do. The work He has for you is unique because He created you as the only person able to accomplish it.

 

Victory- God delivers it to you. But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 1 John 4:4

God’s way to do business may look different than the world’s. But that is okay! He will give you the tools you need, the method to follow, and the stamina to see it through. He wants you to succeed and He will do it for you in the way that is true for you.

 

Inspiration- God breathes it on you. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Your idea, that vision for your business came from God. He designed it just for you. He wants you to go after it with passion. He will keep you feeling motivated, even when things get tough, because you will know it is from Him and He is with you every step of the way.

 

Direction- God shows it to you. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

The way to know what God wants you to do is to ask Him. By staying close to His Word, praying, and talking with God, you WILL know what the next step is to take. He gives you opportunities and allows you instances to trust Him to take that step.

 

Equipping- God prepares you. May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. Hebrews 13:21a

He never gives you a Calling without having given you all you need to live it out. Every experience, value, gift, talent and even your personality are perfect for you to do what He is asking you to do. Discover these parts about YOU so you will thrive.

Provision

God has PROVIDED all you need to live out your Calling and do it in the way that is BEST for you. He has called you to be a leader in your business and show His goodness in your sphere of influence.

Align with Him and grow your leadership abilities (for your business or ministry) at the Clarity Leadership Conference & Retreat. God is PROVIDING this opportunity for you.

Learn to better connect and communicate with your clients, team, and tribe. Clarify your calling and commit to moving forward with the plans God has PROVIDED for you.

 

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

 

 

 

 

Build Personal Relationships that Matter

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Personal relationships are what matter for your business. Your customers & clients, colleagues & vendors, business & referral partners are attracted to you not just for what they can get from you but for who you are. God’s design for your Calling is one only you can do. And, He will bring those people into your life that will help propel you forward while allowing you to share your gifts with them.

One of the principles I have discovered is- I serve God and others by developing relationships in the marketplace. We each know that business, especially small business, is all about relationships. Have you ever thought about it as being as way to serve God?

Support Relationships

Develop relationships with like-minded people. We see this example in the Bible with Priscilla. Do you remember her? She and her husband, Aquila, were friends and business partners with Paul. They had a relationship that equipped them to live out their Calling, to tell others about Jesus, as they worked in their profession of tent making. Their relationship encouraged and supported one another as they grew the early church.

The GFYO Christian Women’s Network Group is this type of organization for you. We are a community of Christian Entrepreneurs & Business Women who come together to meet Personally, support and equip one another to go in to the marketplace. Do you have a place where people ‘get you’, want to come alongside of you, and challenge you to do MORE for God? Click here to connect with the GFYO Christian Women’s Network Group in Metro Detroit OR go to the Facebook Group to connect with Women from around the world.

Mentor Relationships

Develop relationships that allow you to share your expertise. This is the mentor relationship. You do have something to give to someone else. Again, we see this with Priscilla. She is introduced to Timothy, a young man who becomes a dynamic leader in the early church. Through her and her husband’s guidance many new leaders emerge. They were the power couple that fueled the early church movement.

In business, this mentor relationship is not new. No matter your personality you can find others who respect you and could use your guidance. We are Called by God to be leaders. Do you believe you are a leader? Do you understand how God has gifted you for leadership? The Clarity Leadership Conference may be the place you need to discover your unique leadership style and how to use it for better communication & connection in your business. Get started with a QUIZ to see if you are a heart, soul, mind or strength leader.

Your Relationships

Developing relationships that matter connects you in a way that brings out your own best qualities and improves you. Ask yourself: Who can I encourage and support both personally or professionally within a group? How can I be better committed in relationship with others so they grow?

Personal relationships serve God by giving us opportunity to show His goodness in the marketplace. As you work each day with integrity, consistency, and trust you build a reputation that reflects who you are in Christ. Continue to build relationships that matter so you have opportunities to share your faith. Continue to meet with like-minded people for support and lead your team & following in the way God designed for you.

Be filled to overflowing,

 

Deneen

 

Your PERSPECTIVE is everything

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Let’s begin with this PERSPECTIVE.

God has got your back and He is leading you into your next grand adventure. Where you are now in your business may not be where you are forever. God has given you a vision and you may just be starting to understand how far He wants to take you.

The things you are doing right now are building blocks for you to do something bigger in the future. He says that if you are faithful with a small amount He will give you MORE and MORE. God keeps it real for us so we grow at the pace He sets for us.

Learn MORE about how He created and equipped YOU to lead in your business. God’s timing for your vision to come into right PERSPECTIVE will be amazing. Think about it this way. . . How far will you go in your business and who will it impact for eternity?

 

Is this your PERSPECTIVE?

God calls us to not be ‘worldly’ in our ambitions but this does not mean we cannot have ambitions. He has put in your heart what success means for you. Your ambitions are exactly right for you. It is not up to you or me to judge or criticize others’ accomplishments. If anything, we should be celebrating one another.

God designed you so uniquely so you could bring into the world your part in His Story. You have been given your skills, experiences, talents, gifts and more so your business can stand out in the marketplace and attract the clients you were meant to serve.

And, in His perfect wisdom He also brings resources into your life so you can grow and develop into the Leader He knows you can be. When you use these resources to complement your natural abilities you take your business to the next level. It is about following God’s lead to discern what is right for you and not be distracted by how others are doing it.

 

God’s PERSPECTIVE

Believe what God says about you. In His Word He calls you Royalty & a Living Stone (1 Peter 2:5) that He will use to show His goodness in the marketplace as He builds your business. You were created the exact way He desired and He will help you create the business that is your gift to the world through Him.

Don’t allow the lies of the enemy to tell you that you cannot do it because . . .  You have something powerful to share with the world. God has allowed all those experiences, both amazing & difficult, to be the foundation for those you will serve. He makes you trustworthy to your clients by having empathy.

God wants you to believe in yourself, in your abilities, in your message, because He created you for this. He wants you to align with Him for your success and become the Leader He knows is inside of you. The leader that will tell others about Him through your business.

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Your PERSPECTIVE is everything. Make it one that that begins with God, has God working in it, and ends with God. Connect your Faith & Business and become the leader of your tribe, team, community, and industry. Make an impact for His Kingdom here on earth.

Are you all in? Do you believe you can be all God wants you to be? Join me at the Clarity Leadership Conference and connect to God, communicate as a Leader, clarify your abilities, and commit to God’s calling for you. Will you be there to learn how God wants you to show up as the Leader He sees in you?

 

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

 

Five CORE Levels for Your Business

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There are five things that make up the CORE of your God-centered business. Think of it as a triangle. Start at the bottom. The first two levels deal with Jesus and your doctrine. These make up the foundation. The third level is the strategy you use to run your business. The next level is about your values and doing what is important to you. And, at the top of the triangle you have your specific methods.

Anyone who desires to have a God-centered business will have similar foundations but God calls each of us to show up differently through our strategy, values, and methods.

Over the last few years I have grown a business that is more focused, doing exactly what I want to do serving women I really enjoy. It has not been easy. But God has been at the CORE of everything, so my good and difficult times have been beneficial to get me here.

Let’s look at how these five CORE items can help you focus on what God is Calling you to do.

Jesus

He is the reason we have meaning in anything we do. Our view of WORK comes from the Garden of Eden. God created us to take care of His creation and to multiply. We are to take His creation and be creative ourselves. It all begins with staying close to Him.

The only way for you to know what God wants from you is to spend time with Him each day. Put that appointment in your planner first. God’s wants to give you a Vision. When God calls you close to Himself and says, “Do you see what I see?” it is because you have the heart of the Father in you. Don’t neglect this important foundational level of growing your business.

Doctrine

This is your view of God. We need it to be very high. We need to know that God has given us His Word and that it contains everything we need to run our businesses His way. Only when you align yourself with God and cooperate with Him can you enjoy satisfaction in your work.

God is asking you to do something specific as you make disciples for Him. You have a personal mission to carry out the Great Commission by telling others about Him. He has chosen you to do it through your business. These two foundational levels give you a Strong Base so you can have a Great Reach.

Strategy

The way you design your business is unique. God has given you all your qualities to do it in your way. No one else can bring your brilliance into the world the way that you can. That THING He has for you must be done in a way that keeps you motivated and energized. God gives you the passion and you can live it out courageously because you are standing on a solid foundation.

Your business solves a problem that your ideal clients need solved. No matter if you decide to make a product, create a course, or coach, you have the freedom to deliver your business anyway that appeals to you. Be driven by radical compassion for those you are meant to serve and find ways to serve them best. Do not be afraid to offer your solutions and charge what you are worth. Be the leader God calls you to be and help others become leaders also.

Values

God asks us to work and play hard. We are to live to serve others. Your values help you decided what is important to you. You must do your business in a way that honors what you value. When you work in your values, that which is important to you, then you have more passion, energy and grit to keep going (even when setbacks and disappointments happen).

Values are not moral ways of acting, they are a decision-making filter. If an activity, program, or business opportunity presents itself, you have a way of saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ because you can pull it through the filter and see if it aligns with where God is leading you. When something doesn’t align with your values you get that dread feeling and you know it is pulling you off the path where God wants you.

Methods

Your unique style is what makes your business appealing to your ideal clients. The way you lead in your business causes others to be attracted to you and your services. For this reason, you don’t have to look at how others are working their businesses (Galatians 6:4-5). God has given you a way to show up authentically to your people. All those talents, gifts and abilities create a mix that no one else will ever replicate.

You must also stay relevant and change with the times. This means to always be growing in Wisdom. God brings people and resources into your life to help you flourish continually in your business. Be open to opportunities for improvement in your skills and leadership. Remember, your business can transform lives for Him.

 

These five CORE elements will increase your relationship with God, allow you stand firm in God’s Truth, create a business that is appealing to others, take on projects that energize and inspire you, and allow you to show up in your business as YOU.

I have used these five CORE levels to help others get close to God, grow in His Wisdom, use their uniqueness to discover a business strategy that works for them, stay true to their values, and show up whole, holy and authentic in their business.

Schedule a Clarity Session and see what I can do for your business.

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

 

How God Uses YOUR Equipping

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Equipping Deborah

Deborah was a judge and prophetess in her time. God had equipped her to do a special job. She was a political leader as well as a spiritual leader in Israel. I imagine there were great stories told about her around the tables of the women at that time and to future generations. Her sphere of influence was great.

She probably didn’t see herself that way. She was focused on what God had placed in front of her to do. So, when she gave the commander of the army the instructions she received from the Lord about how to defeat the oppressive army in their kingdom, she was working in her equipping from God.

However, when Barak, the commander, refused to fight without her leading the troops, she had a decision to make. Would she ignore God’s call to fight or would she become the commander-in-chief of the nation? She may have felt she did not have the skills to lead the army, she may have thought it was not her place. BUT GOD. . .

Though it was something out of her ‘comfort zone’, it was not outside of her skill set. There is a difference. Her trust in God gave her the confidence to move forward and lead the army. Her equipping had prepared her for this leadership role. Her faith in God allowed her to take that step of obedience.

Equipping You

You too are equipped with some amazing qualities. God has given you your personality, talents, values, expertise, spiritual gifts, strengths, and experiences so you can do the work He has for you. Your job is to understand how all this works together to live out the Calling He has for your life. It is exciting to think, you are the ONLY one like you that will EVER exist. And, His work for you is part of HIStory.

By knowing yourself better, you can better utilize the equipping you were given and shine in new ways. God is not the God of Sunday, nursery duty, volunteer outreach activities, or Bible study attendance. He doesn’t Call us to ‘fit Him in’ to our lives, He Calls us to ‘put Him in’ to our lives. To create a seamless life with Him front and center.

When He is first you can then access His power. His power to help you live out your Calling. When you know HOW He has equipped you, you can then focus on what is truly important for your sphere of influence. God wants that for you.

Equipping to SERVE

So, what is the Vision He has given you? How does He want you to move forward? Yes, it may be out of your ‘comfort zone’ BUT GOD. . .

He has brought you to the place you are right now with clients, customers, business partners, vendors and such. Now He is asking you to STAND OUT as the woman of God you were created to be. He wants you to understand HOW He has created you so you can show up whole, holy, and authentic in your marketplace.

Connect to this equipping by signing up for the Calling Clarity Course. God has placed this Resource at your feet so you can take that next step in obedience to His Calling. He wants you to do GREAT Things for Him. He wants you to know how incredibly unique you are. He wants you to FOCUS on what He wants to do in your life through your WORK.

Be filled to overflowing,

 

Deneen

P.S. There are only 5 spaces for this Course. Is God talking to your heart? Is this course the next step for you? Trust God, take that step.

 

 

The Great Commission & YOU

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Take the Great Commission Personally

If you have spent any time around me you know that I talk about how to live out the Great Commission. So, let’s review. ?

The Great Commission

In Matthew 28:18-19 Jesus says to, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The way I see it is that you need to ask God who are the five people in your life that need Jesus and just start praying for them. Then begin to have a deeper relationship with one or two of these people. When they know you care about them, you will have the opportunity to tell your story about being in relationship with Jesus.

I have said all this before and I wanted to make sure you remembered. ?

Before the Great Commission

BUT, I want you to look back at the command from Jesus. . . it begins with THEREFORE. That means there is something He said that was important before He got to this part.

There was a reason He gave them this command. AND, He gave the command to everyone present. He gives the same command to us today. We are not excluded from living out the Great Commission. In fact, we are part of the Church, the Church is the bride of Christ and as His bride our role is to be an EZER, a helper, to Jesus.

How is this possible? How can we HELP Jesus? That’s where the THEREFORE comes into play. As we say in my Bible Study, “What is it THERE FOR?”

So, let’s back up to verse eighteen. It says, Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.” Woah! All authority? What does that mean?

Since Jesus died for us and took His place next to God in heaven He can do and send whomever He pleases. AND it pleases Him to send you and me into the world to be part of HIStory. You live in this time, in this culture, to live out the Great Commission personally.

Your Great Commission

God has made you a steward of your sphere of influence. He is expecting you to live up to your Calling. And don’t forget, at the end of the Great Commission, He states that He is with you (and me) always until the end.

Do you get how much power has been given to you by God? Do you know He wants you to live out your Calling in the marketplace by being exactly who He created you to be? He wants you to figure out your BEST way to Serve Him through your work. To live out the Great Commission through your business.

I offer tools to help you do just that! The Calling Clarity Course is opening again. Get info by clicking here. We will go through exactly HOW God has made YOU: your personality, values, strengths, spiritual gifts, experiences, expertise, and talents. Through the Course you will pull all your pieces together to show up Whole, Holy and Authentic in your work.

Hurry to get your spot. ONLY five places are in this 8-week Course. Make 2018 the year you start living your Calling and living out your Great Commission.

 

Be filled to overflowing,

 

Deneen

 

 

Time Blocking and Serving God

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My day is broken down into time blocking tasks. For example, it is Monday morning and I have time blocked to write this blog. I ‘try’ to take away all distractions and just write.

During any day I have time carved out to get tasks and projects completed. I also have time blocked out for preparing dinner, going on appointments, and working with coaching clients. Is your day similar?

One thing I like about time blocking is that I get a lot more accomplished. Another thing I like is that I have an excuse not to deal with every distraction from others. I think that’s called, boundaries.

Advantages of Time Blocking

When you have many different things to do in a day, time blocking can make it easier. I am not just talking about in your business. I use it for everything (like when I said, ‘preparing dinner’). It gives me a way to break up my day and prioritize what I need to do.

So, with such a great tool for my schedule . . . How can I FIT serving God into my day? Since I believe I am called to the Marketplace, and I am assuming you are too, I need to figure out how to do it during my work day.

It may be simpler than you think. ? AND, I have an acronym to help you remember.

FIT in Time Blocking

The F in FIT is for Flair. The definition of flair is a natural ability to do something well. Some of the synonyms are Style, Aptitude, and Gift. You are exceptional, a one of a kind. God wants you to be your true self, not someone’s image of you or even someone you think you should be. You have something special that makes you the perfect person to do His work at any time.

The I in FIT is for Individuality.  This definition says, ‘a specific personality, character, or characteristic that distinguishes you from others’. Whoa! You need to grasp how special God made you. You are distinct from anyone who has ever lived or who will ever live. AND, He has called you to a specific job that is different from anyone else. He is shaping your character to be more like Him every day.

The T in FIT is for Timely. Again, you were born and live in this generation for His purpose. The business you’re in is no mistake. You are there to do the work, the calling, He has for you. Your service to coworkers, friends, and others belongs to you alone. God tells us that the ‘time is short’ and we are to make the most of each moment. Use your day-to-day moments to see God opportunities to serve Him.

Did you notice there was no time blocking in that? It’s because you have a unique ROLE that God has called you to. That ROLE also fits into your time blocks because it is designed for you.

Your Time Blocking ROLE

Of course, I have another acronym to help you. ?

R- Be the REAL you. God wants to grow you into His image so you shine for Him. Do it, every day, at home and in your work, while commuting and when having fun. See the people in your life as your way to serve God. Share yourself with them in ways that are natural and build relationships.

O- Be Obedient to Him. Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit pulling at your heart to do something or say something? Don’t squelch those promptings. Ask God for courage to act on them. He will not give you an assignment He has not equipped you for. It is in the little things, the care and attention you give someone that can show them Jesus.

L- Love others. On our own we are incapable of really loving others. Let’s face it, many people are not lovable. That coworker, boss, intern . . . will feel love when you allow God’s love to show through you. Make sure to fill up on God each day so you have His power to love others.

E- You will have an Effect. Those around you will take notice. Each day you will make others stop and think about you by the way you interact with them. Your depth of influence will grow. AND, opportunities will open for you to share your faith.

Time Blocking is a Tool

While time blocking is a great tool for you to grow your business and to take control of your life, it is not something you can utilize to serve God well. He doesn’t want you to FIT Him in along with your other activities. He wants to be woven throughout your day, your week, your life.

When you understand that your ROLE is to show others God’s goodness all the time then it becomes as natural as breathing. This Christian adventure is ‘figureoutable’ because it is simple.

Let me help you ‘figure it out’ with the Calling Clarity Course. God wants you to shine for Him in the way He has uniquely designed you. You have it inside of you to know how to FIT service into your life and how to live out the ROLE God purposed for you.

Check out the info and sign up today.

 

Be filled to overflowing,

 

Deneen