|
|
|
Encouraging Men Along Life's Journey January 28, 2013
|
God In The Marketplace
GETTING THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES IN BUSINESS - Where is God?
"Praise the Lord, Oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits - who forgives all your sins, and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion." Psalm 103: 2-4
Jesus tells us we are not of this world. But being in the world we encounter all kinds of problems. When these problems occur, we strive to think like Jesus, be like Jesus, and react like Jesus. We recognize all the blessing He has bestowed on us and with our faith we put our trust in Him to carry us forward. In the mist of our faith, the bank note is still due and there is no money in the bank for the payroll. But in all this, their is hope. Although we live in a world full of disappointments and problems, we will rise above it all. Our troubles, although sometimes unescapable and painful, will one day fade away into endless celebration.
I have a good friend who has recently been given the news that he has a very serious cancer. Like a lot of us, he also is dealing with the bad economy. Business is not what it used to be and the bank is not as friendly as it once was. Some friends and I spent most of one day with my friend a couple of weeks ago helping him remove and store some equipment from a building he had leased. We observed our friend as he spent most of the day dealing with his bank while suffering from the affects of his latest chemo treatment. He is truly an inspiration to all of us who think we have serious problems. He hurts emotionally and physically. And yet, he faces all his problems with courage and a great faith in his Lord and Savior. He genuinely carries an assurance and joy that if these worldly problems do not work out, he will be celebrating in the presence of Jesus.
Many in my friends situation would ask, "where is God?" Not my friend. He walks with the knowledge that God is in control and that he is aware of every pain and every requirement the bank is placing on him in this most difficult time. He realizes that all this is not a surprise to God, that God is supreme, He is everywhere, and He cares about sickness, business, and families. (Psalm 139: 1-4)
It is natural, however, for us to feel grief at some point during difficult times. We can become impatient, frustrated, and even angry. As much as we are told that we should not worry, worry fills our souls. These feelings can have an affect on how we respond. Our main concentration should be to keep our faith in God. Naturally, our focus is to want the problem to go away. We survive these times by seeking God, submitting our situation to Him, and standing strong on His word and His presence. God has either placed us in our situation or allowed us to be here. Our part is to do all we can and then let God do all He has planned.
In the 27th Chapter of Acts, Paul is set out on a journey to Rome. After sailing for several days, the seas had become rough from the winds of the season. Concerned about the danger, Paul goes to the centurion of the ship and warns him that danger and destruction lie ahead if they continue the journey. Here is a major point. Too often when we find ourselves in troublesome times, we also find ourselves having been warned of the danger ahead. In our current economic situation, we were warned that the bubble in the housing market was going to burst. We were given all the danger signals, and yet we continued ahead.
How should we respond when we see the warnings of trouble to come? In the eleventh verse it states," But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advise of the pilot and the owner of the ship." Paul was a man of God who walked in His ways. Are we sensitive to God sending us one of His servants to warn us of upcoming danger? Are we willing to listen to the warnings and take protective action? Do we seek advise from the world and it's ways or from people of God? Or, are we so determined to stay with our own plans that we refuse the warnings? Do we really trust God ?
|
|
EVENTS
Lead Like Jesus
Dowd YMCA
January 29, 30
ABOUT US
CEO Ministry offers men the opportunity to grow in their relationship with Christ. Each CEO accepts the responsibility to grow personally as a man of God, to lead each member of his family to Christ and to live by the ways of God. The CEO also accepts his role as a leader in the marketplace to practice the principles of God and to lead others to follow. The goal of CEO Ministry is to have men commit to these values, and in so doing, be a man that is living a life of significance.
Sincerely,
Jack Fallaw
CEO Ministry
Encouraging Men in the
Marketplace and Home
|
|
|
Recommended Resources
CEO Devotional Library
NEW NEW !
**THE TRUE MEASURE
OF A MAN
Richard Simmons 111
** LEAD LIKE JESUS
Ken Blanchard
THE HARBINGER
Jonathan Cahn
NOT A FAN
Kyle Idleman
**LOVE WORKS
Joel Manby
HALFTIME
Bob Buford
A PASSION FOR PRAYER
Tom Elliff
DON'T WASTE YOUR LIFE
John Pipe
Interested in a
Small Group?
CEO Ministry is interested in beginning small groups for businessmen in local areas. These groups meet weekly and
allow participants to discuss and network. Email Jack Fallaw at
jack@ceoministry.com to sign up or
find out more details
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
