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Encouraging Men Along Life's Journey January 28, 2013
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God In The Marketplace
GOOD IDEA VS GOD IDEA - Good vs Great
"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19: 21
I have a new friend. His name is Wally Armstrong. Some of you old golfers will remember that Wally has been an accomplished member of the PGA pro tour for many years. When I met Wally this week, I found we had some of the same things in common, and some not. We both had a passion for men to know Christ and walk with Him in similar ways. We also have a passion for golf, and we both now collect Social Security. The thing that we don't share together is our golf swing. I had the opportunity to observe Wally hit a few golf balls and watch with amazement at how the golf swing is suppose to work. Then it was my turn. I took a few practice swings that, as usual, were pretty near perfect, even got a few nice comments from Wally. But then it came time to put it into action. I had this great idea. I would hit my shot on the green just inches inside of Wally. Great idea, right?
In the 20th chapter of Acts, Paul is once again following the ideas that God has placed in his life. He is in Ephesus teaching the Jews and the Greeks about salvation through Christ. God is truly blessing his ministry in some miraculous ways. The Holy Spirit is so powerful in Paul's life that people are using their handkerchiefs that have touched Paul to lay on their sick friends. Their bodies are healed and demons are driven out. Not exactly Paul's idea, but surely a God idea.
What is the difference in a good, or great idea, and a God idea? First of all, great ideas can have some valuable merit and worthwhile cause. As businessmen, it is necessary that we are always coming up with ideas that will enhance or grow our business Some we put into action, while others never leave the table. The question is, how do we know when our ideas are God ideas, and if they are, what should we do with them? Does God expect us to use only His ideas in our business?
There is another event in the 8th chapter of Mark where Peter comes up with a great idea. Jesus has been traveling from town to town with His disciples, and while on the way, Jesus presents them with the thought of who they and the people really think He is. Of course, Peter jumps out with the correct answer - "Thou art the Christ." Jesus then begins to teach them that He is to suffer and die and then be raised again on the third day.
Well, Peter has a better idea and he begins to rebuke this person who he has just admitted was the Christ. I am sure Peter had the greatest intentions and a pure heart in not wanting his Christ to go through this situation. After all, not only had Peter experienced all the miraculous healings, but he truly believed this man, this Christ, was the Savior of the world. We must recognize Peter was totally committed to Jesus, he had given up all he had to follow this Promised One. In reaction to Peter's comment, Jesus exclaimed to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan."
Good ideas, and even great ideas with the purest of hearts can have devastating affects. Back to the event with Paul in Ephesus. After these Holy Spirit events, some of the Jews went around trying to invoke the name of Jesus in their ministry of driving out evil spirits. Their lack of any heart felt surrender to Jesus, resulted in the evil spirit attacking the men involved in this false ministry. In the case of Peter, Jesus rebukes Peter and calls him Satan. Harsh responses for those who were trying to do good.
The question is - do we do the same? Are some of our ideas good, but not God ideas? Do we tell God what we want to do and then pray for His blessings, or, do we pray then wait for God to reveal His ideas. In both cases mentioned above, the men involved "did not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." The consequences of good ideas can be a little of nothing, or, complete disaster. But if it is not of God, of what good is anything? What areas in our business does God offer His ideas?
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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
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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
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