God is All Powerful
Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: “Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 2 Samuel 7:18
In business, it’s good to be connected. But for those of us who are building our rolodex,
we often find ourselves on a long road, striving to be associated with all the “right people”.
While knowing chairmen and CEO’s can certainly help, who we really need to know is Jesus if we want true success in our lives. It is easy to believe the illusion that comes from our own success, but in reality it’s God who is ultimately in control working in and through us for His glory. For those at the top, that precept should be humbling as it was for David, the King of Israel. And years earlier David's reliance on God serves as encouragement when he, a mere shepherd boy, faced the giant Goliath. So no matter your title or status in life, there isn’t anything that can stop you, outside of your own disbelief, when you put your trust in Jesus.
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23
Because God is all powerful, we can be confident with Jesus reigning in our hearts.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Far From Home
God Is Merciful
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
With our business comes a great deal of travel. Sometimes we can wake up and not even remember what city we are in….But more than physical distance, do you ever feel far from home from an emotional perspective? Do you feel disconnected from relationships that should be easy, or on a path far from what you know is right?
The prophet Jeremiah knew that because the nation of Israel had turned their back on God, God would allow His chosen people to be carried off as slaves to Babylon. But Jeremiah proclaimed to Judah that God will not abandon you – and while an end to an era was imminent, the time would come when the nation of Israel will be restored. Without a doubt it is easy to get off track, but the route back to peace and prosperity is not complicated -- follow God.
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:1-2, 5-6
Because God is merciful, our lives can be restored when we follow Jesus.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
With our business comes a great deal of travel. Sometimes we can wake up and not even remember what city we are in….But more than physical distance, do you ever feel far from home from an emotional perspective? Do you feel disconnected from relationships that should be easy, or on a path far from what you know is right?
The prophet Jeremiah knew that because the nation of Israel had turned their back on God, God would allow His chosen people to be carried off as slaves to Babylon. But Jeremiah proclaimed to Judah that God will not abandon you – and while an end to an era was imminent, the time would come when the nation of Israel will be restored. Without a doubt it is easy to get off track, but the route back to peace and prosperity is not complicated -- follow God.
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:1-2, 5-6
Because God is merciful, our lives can be restored when we follow Jesus.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Mayday
God is Omnipresent
From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. He said: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. Jonah 2:1-2
When in trouble, who do you call for help? We all have our go-to person, but some things are harder to fix than others and even worse, some situations despite our best efforts don’t seem fixable…So now what?
In the Old Testament, the prophet Jonah had gotten himself into a real mess. After disobeying God’s instructions, he was tossed overboard into the raging sea and then swallowed by a large fish. As Jonah cried out for the Lord’s help, he learned a valuable lesson about God – that no matter the size or complexity of the problem, God was with Him. God never left Jonah; nor will he leave you – He has promised to be with us until the very end.
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:24-26
Because God is omnipresent, He is always by our side
From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. He said: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. Jonah 2:1-2
When in trouble, who do you call for help? We all have our go-to person, but some things are harder to fix than others and even worse, some situations despite our best efforts don’t seem fixable…So now what?
In the Old Testament, the prophet Jonah had gotten himself into a real mess. After disobeying God’s instructions, he was tossed overboard into the raging sea and then swallowed by a large fish. As Jonah cried out for the Lord’s help, he learned a valuable lesson about God – that no matter the size or complexity of the problem, God was with Him. God never left Jonah; nor will he leave you – He has promised to be with us until the very end.
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:24-26
Because God is omnipresent, He is always by our side
Monday, April 15, 2013
Suit of Armor
God is Sovereign
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11
We all wake up in the morning with a plan for our day. And as we head out to work, well dressed and coffee in hand, how long does it take before our plan is hit with unexpected road blocks or difficult detours?
Yes, the best laid plans often go awry, but God has given us a way to battle all of life’s unpleasant surprises with self-control. Even when wronged, we can be kind and gentle in our response. But a humble spirit is not natural to anyone, it is only achieved when we chose to surrender control and rely on the power given to us through Jesus Christ. Will you consider trusting God with all the details?
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:13-17
Because God is sovereign, I can surrender control and allow the power of Christ to work in me.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11
We all wake up in the morning with a plan for our day. And as we head out to work, well dressed and coffee in hand, how long does it take before our plan is hit with unexpected road blocks or difficult detours?
Yes, the best laid plans often go awry, but God has given us a way to battle all of life’s unpleasant surprises with self-control. Even when wronged, we can be kind and gentle in our response. But a humble spirit is not natural to anyone, it is only achieved when we chose to surrender control and rely on the power given to us through Jesus Christ. Will you consider trusting God with all the details?
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:13-17
Because God is sovereign, I can surrender control and allow the power of Christ to work in me.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Loyalty Programs
God is Faithful
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. Revelation 22:12
When traveling on business or pleasure, the major brands are constantly competing for your loyalty. They use well thought out marketing ploys and reward programs to keep you coming back. But really, is anyone loyal to just one company or brand? Why is it so easy to be persuaded?
If you don’t already know, God wants your loyalty too! He knows He is competing against a slew of worldly rewards that appeal to man’s natural desires and can satisfy in an instant. But God is faithful to His word. His rewards are everlasting and supreme. And while they may not be instantaneous, always tangible or may seem counter intuitive to what the world declares good, they are perfect and complete.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17
Because God is faithful, in Christ we will receive our just rewards.
Friday, March 15, 2013
There's No Place Like Home
God Is Gracious
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, Philippians 3:20
Those of us who spend a large percentage of our work week on the road know that accumulating all those loyalty points comes at a price. And while hotels and restaurants do a great job of providing for our needs, after a while, we all look forward to returning home.
What is it that gives us a desire to go home? The Bible tells us that humans have been wired that way since the beginning. That God the Father created us to live with Him in paradise, but after Adam and Eve sinned, mankind was banished from the Garden. We all long to return to that place of complete security and comfort. Despite the trappings of this world which can produce major detours, God has promised we can be restored in an instant. By simply placing our trust in Jesus Christ, God’s perfect plan for man’s redemption, our temporal and eternal destiny is made secure.
And this is what he promised us—eternal life. 1 John 2:25
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24
Because God Is Gracious, with Christ in our hearts, our future is secure.
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, Philippians 3:20
Those of us who spend a large percentage of our work week on the road know that accumulating all those loyalty points comes at a price. And while hotels and restaurants do a great job of providing for our needs, after a while, we all look forward to returning home.
What is it that gives us a desire to go home? The Bible tells us that humans have been wired that way since the beginning. That God the Father created us to live with Him in paradise, but after Adam and Eve sinned, mankind was banished from the Garden. We all long to return to that place of complete security and comfort. Despite the trappings of this world which can produce major detours, God has promised we can be restored in an instant. By simply placing our trust in Jesus Christ, God’s perfect plan for man’s redemption, our temporal and eternal destiny is made secure.
And this is what he promised us—eternal life. 1 John 2:25
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24
Because God Is Gracious, with Christ in our hearts, our future is secure.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Are You Thriving or Merely Surviving
God is Love
May God give you of heaven’s dew and of earth’s richness— an abundance of grain and new wine. Genesis 27:28
Prosperity is part of the American Dream. But as we all know, what goes up must come down. Having been stalled out in this downturn now for quite some time, many are struggling to stay afloat. Being hard-pressed, we all long to return to the “good old days” -- to a time in which we do more than merely survive.
God has promised us an abundant life, but how we define abundance may not be how God defines it. While we can trust that God will deliver, it’s up to us to see things as He see things and not view our circumstances through the lens of this world. By embracing God’s perspective, that Jesus is our provision for all our needs, we will find hope for the things to come.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3
Because God is love, through Christ, we not only survive but can thrive in every circumstance.
May God give you of heaven’s dew and of earth’s richness— an abundance of grain and new wine. Genesis 27:28
Prosperity is part of the American Dream. But as we all know, what goes up must come down. Having been stalled out in this downturn now for quite some time, many are struggling to stay afloat. Being hard-pressed, we all long to return to the “good old days” -- to a time in which we do more than merely survive.
God has promised us an abundant life, but how we define abundance may not be how God defines it. While we can trust that God will deliver, it’s up to us to see things as He see things and not view our circumstances through the lens of this world. By embracing God’s perspective, that Jesus is our provision for all our needs, we will find hope for the things to come.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3
Because God is love, through Christ, we not only survive but can thrive in every circumstance.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)