Are you interested in joining a BLE Small Group? Study Topics include:
Investing vs. Spending Your Life
Marketplace Excellence
Christian Work Ethic
Heart and Soul of Effective Leadership
God's Plan for Husbands
Financial Principles
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Shop for a Difference
By shopping online with BLE's custom shopping site, you can access all your favorite online stores, at the same prices, while each of your purchases automatically donates a portion to BLE!Click here to start shopping! |
Who We Are
We believe that God wants to be glorified by a growing, cohesive group of business and professional people being equipped as effective ambassadors for Christ in the marketplace.
The mission of BLE is to teach and provide training to Christian business professionals in how to discover and apply Scriptural principles to their occupations and personal lives. Simultaneously, we encourage accountability as it applies to God's principles as servants in the marketplace.
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Spiritual Warfare
by Phil Tolbert, Executive Director
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood.... - Ephesians 6:12
Have you ever heard someone say, "I will never do business with another Christian?" I hear this comment quite often in my dealings with Christian workplace believers. This comment represents the battle that rages against us by the enemy of our soul to destroy the witness and effectiveness of Christian workplace believers. We must realize that we are in a war - a war for the souls of men, a war to discredit all that a Christian stands for, a war that is designed to divide Christian against Christian.
Satan's ploy in the life of Christian workplace believers is to do several things to make them ineffective as soldiers in the workplace. First, he wants to discredit them by allowing them to fail other people in their professional services. This often shows up in failing to perform what they committed to do or performing in an unsatisfactory way. Sometimes, this is a result of a downright failure of the workplace believer to perform with excellence. In other cases, it may be a misunderstanding in the midst of the service that causes strife and division instigated by the enemy.
The result in both cases is the same: a division among Christians and even non-Christians, further resulting in a damaged witness for Christ. The apostle Peter admonishes us to "live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us" (1 Pet. 2:12).
There are times when each of us is thrust into situations out of our control. Sometimes this results in our inability to pay a bill on time, or to deliver a service. Defeating Satan in these battles requires extra communication with those with whom we are dealing. If the motive of your heart is to do right, then God will give you favor in order to work through these difficult spots. Ask God today to show you where the enemy is seeking to make you ineffective.
We wage a spiritual war that is not flesh and blood. We must fight this war with spiritual weapons applied to practical daily living. |
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Waiting on God
by Joe Carroll
Is it difficult for you to wait on God? Have you thought what it is like for God to wait on you?
From the beginning, God has lovingly waited on man. The first image we see after man's fall in the garden is God waiting on Adam and Eve to come out of hiding.
What happens when God waits? When God waited, Noah built an ark and lives were saved. When God waited, Abraham got old, so that God could do something new. When God waited, Joseph's dreams died in dungeons and were resurrected in royal robes. When God waited, Moses mellowed in Midian until he was molded into a man of faith. When God waited - Israel wandered - David ran - Jeremiah wept- Jonah fled.
Jesus personifies God waiting. God waited a long time before He sent His Son. He sent His Son, waiting until the time was right.[1] From the womb to the tomb, Jesus waited. He waited as an infant to be fed. He waited through adolescence. He waited to become an adult. He waited to be baptized. He waited decades before his first miracle.[2] He waited in the garden...alone. He waited on a cross...He waits now for his bride.
What was it like for Jesus to wait? What was it like for him to pass by all the hurting people for years and not heal them? Do you think he did not see disease or disability or people in pain? What did he do? He did nothing...Yes, that's right. He did nothing. I felt somewhat uncomfortable with that thought. How does it feel to you? Why do you think he did nothing? We marvel at the numerous gospel stories of Jesus miraculously healing and delivering people in great pain. Yet what do you do with all those years that Jesus waited and did not miraculously help others when he had the power to do so?
The more personal question for you and me is, "What do I do when I am in distress or pain and I don't see God doing anything about it?" "What do I believe about God, when it seems that all He is doing is just waiting?"
When God does not deliver me from my immediate distress, do I believe that He doesn't care?
In light of this question, consider the story of Mary and Martha. Consider what they experienced when they sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was dying? When Jesus received this distressing news, you would think he would go immediately to them as he was a close friend of the family. Instead, the Scriptures clearly state that after Jesus got word that Lazarus was dying, Jesus waited where he was for two more days![3]
When Jesus arrived, the first words to him from both sisters were "if you had been here, my brother would not have died." As Jesus saw the family and friends weeping, "he was deeply moved" and when he saw the place where Lazarus was laid..."Jesus wept." After seeing Jesus' response, the people said, "See how he loved him."[4]
When God waits...it hurts. Yet, when God waits it is not without hope. When God waits...
He watches.... (He knew what Mary and Martha were going through)
He woos.... (He pursued them and called them to trust Him)
He weeps.... (He cared for them and cried with them)
He works.... (He worked in His way and according to His purpose)
Is there an area in your life where you feel God is waiting?
Something to think about...
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[1] "But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son" Galatians 4:4 NASV
[2] John 2:11 - Jesus performed his first miracle at a wedding in Cana.
[3] John 11:6
[4] John 11:21-36 NIV
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Learning to Speak Boldly - A BLE Testimony
featuring Small Group Member Luke Heintz
 When Luke was seeking God's direction in 2007 for a group of Christian men he could join in study, accountability, prayer and encouragement, he had a seemingly 'chance' encounter with Steve, a BLE staffer, at a local fitness club Luke managed. Since that meeting, Luke has been involved in a regular BLE study in which he is joined by other men from various industries and backgrounds.
Luke now manages rental properties around San Antonio as well as owns and runs Basketball Skill Builders, a Christian company that trains boys and girls ages 5-25 in fundamental basketball skills as well as advanced techniques. Through his participation in his BLE small group, he has grown more confident in his ability to share Jesus with both his tenants and basketball clients, and boldly explain God's impact on his own life.
"I notice the most change in me and my knowledge about God's word and confidence in confiding in other Christian men about my daily struggles and triumphs. The group has been nothing short of life changing in who I am as a man of God. My view on life, love and hardships has changed 180 degrees since studying in the group," Luke says.
While it can be difficult to commit to a weekly schedule of study amidst the demands of business, Luke decided to mark the time as a "top priority" and therefore an appointment he should not miss. Having this consistency gives him a closer relationship with the other group participants.
"The relationships that are made with the participants and group leader are invaluable, which allows your voice to be heard and creates a great sense of accountability in your worship."
Luke looks forward to what the future of the group holds, and how it will continue to challenge him, encourage him and grow him as he develops in his role as an Ambassador of Christ.
"This group has changed my life. Our leader Steve Stoner has had a huge impact on my spiritual walk. My relationship with Christ has strengthened, my knowledge of God's Word has improved, I spend more time reading and studying God's Word and I am less intimidated in sharing God's Word."
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