We assist business owners and other leaders who wish to follow the calling of Jesus Christ to create communities of faith in their workplace.

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

MARCH 28 – PERFECT IS BETTER

 Now go. I – I AM with your mouth. I have already spoken what will be spoken by you. (Exodus 4:12)

               There is a quote of Voltaire often paraphrased, “Perfect is the enemy of good.” Several arguments could be raised either to support or oppose this saying. Before you weigh in, you may want to compose your definition of perfect. If you knew that you could have perfect much more easily than only good, would you not want to pursue perfect?

               God has answered several excuses, complaints, and objections that Moses has offered as he tried to avoid the responsibility of accepting God’s calling. Now, God says to him, “I don’t care if you’re a good speaker, because I will be doing the talking.” Moses’ (maybe) good was going to be replaced by God’s perfect. That offer is available to you today. Jesus promised that, even when you are placed before people who want to harm you, “Your Father will speak through you (Matthew 10:20).” Just like Moses, your only responsibility is to go when and where the Holy Spirit tells you to go. Your obedience; your will to be used, is enough. God will speak. God’s word is Truth (John 17:17). God’s word is Life (John 6:63). Without God and His way, you can’t even hope for good (Psalm 16:2). So, when you think about it, perfect as described here, should be only.

               Perfect is not the enemy of good. Hold out for God’s perfect, so that He will say that your work is, “Very good.”

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

MARCH 27 – A VALUED POSSESSION

 Now if you will hear me, and you will listen to me, and you will obey me, then you will be my valued possession – treasured more than the other people, though everything and everyone in the earth is mine. (Exodus 19:5)

               God is looking for those whose hearts are committed to Him (2 Chronicles 16:9). God chose Israel as His people. He speaks here about those who will choose Him – by doing what He says to do. Do you want to be God’s valued possession?

                People are quick to leap into opportunities to distinguish themselves. To make a mark, and become known for achievement is a constant pursuit for many. Often, especially for one who has become a leader of a group or a business organization, achievement becomes the single focus – even in their relationship with the Lord. If you hear God; really listen, you will hear Him inviting you to a very different relationship. God is not impressed by your greatest achievements. The Lord is calling you to trust Him enough to remember that you are of great value to Him, and to believe He has carefully prepared a future for you that fits you perfectly. His desire for you to obey is motivated by His desire to see you become whole and complete. He already has control. What He wants is your heart.

                Respond to God’s call to be His valued possession.

Monday, March 25, 2024

MARCH 26 – WHO IS GOD?

 The Lord; the Lord that is God is full of pity, showing mercy, ready to extend grace. He is patient in His compassion, and always can be trusted to be the Truth. (Exodus 34:6)

               It is critical for you to know who God is. He is righteous and just. This is His world, and He will someday call men and women to account. In the end you can either trust god and His way, or you will trust in another way you choose apart from Him. In Proverbs (14:12 and 16:25), you read that any choice other than God’s way ends in death, so it is important to understand God and to understand this choice.

                Moses has just witnessed a small glimpse of God, and in these words the Lord is describing to him what he saw. This was God’s first-person description of Himself to Moses. How encouraging it is that God chooses to describe Himself in these ways. Although He later explains that He is a God of justice and judgment, His first words are descriptions of His love, affection, and His desire for relationship. God also assures Moses, and you, that He is always trustworthy and always true. No one else could make that promise. No one else could deliver if they did.

                Take heart in God’s words of hope and assurance, and trust Him and His way for your life today.

Sunday, March 24, 2024

MARCH 25 – SNAKY BIRDS

 …so be wise and shrewd as snakes, while you are pure and innocent, and simple like doves. (Matthew 10:16)

                Like the crowd who first heard these words, you may really be scratching your head. The challenge comes for you to be a snaky dove. What does that look like?

               Jesus is emphasizing what He just said about the danger that lay ahead, and He is giving more instruction. First, consider that Proverbs explains, “all wisdom, useful knowledge, and understanding come from the Lord God. (Proverbs 2:6)” So, Jesus again is saying, “I am sending you, but you will still be dependent. You will still need me to be close to you.” The book of James also wrestles with the rest of this message. There (James 3:13-18), the writer explains that real understanding will lead a follower to use wisdom for the benefit of others, with mercy and humility to make peace and show other people the way to God. This is the real distinction. Many teachers advise students to be wise, but in the world’s way. They advise students to be self-centered, and even deceitful. Jesus is saying His follower will use what he or she knows in the right way. Without understanding, those who are wise as snakes - but who realize they are really sheep who are heading toward the wolves - will live in constant fear. They’ll try to avoid contact with the wolves, rather than going where they’re led.

               Consider today which of your animals; sheep, snake or dove, may need more time with Jesus today.

Saturday, March 23, 2024

MARCH 24 – SHEEP AND WOLVES

…where you will be sheep among wolves… (Matthew 10:16)

               Do you see yourself as a sheep? Sheep are valuable, special animals, but they have not had a great press agent. While they are among the more intelligent creatures, they are marked by, and often fail to show that intelligence, because of their strong instincts and emotions that cause them to follow the crowd. They’re very sociable – and that often causes them pain. Are you a sheep?

               Jesus encourages the people He is sending as He gives them this warning. The sheep’s only defense when predators come is the shepherd. Following the people of this world who appear to be most experienced or wise; the experts, while you are in a life-and-death battle with opposing powers and principalities (Ephesians 6:12), will lead to your destruction. This is just as the sheep who blindly follow the old ram will face the wolves’ sharp fangs. So, the sheep, who have difficulty with seeing details, must rely upon the shepherd’s voice. Jesus is explaining to these followers they must follow Him closely as well. Wolves also are attracted to prey that is weak and injured. Maybe the listeners remembered the Psalmist saying, “My help and my strength comes from the Lord God! (Psalm 121:2)”

               Recognize you have predators who would do you harm and remember that you need to follow your Shepherd. 

Friday, March 22, 2024

MARCH 23 – SENT

 Pay Attention! I am now sending you out into the world…. (Matthew 10:16)

                When you close the door of your home behind you each morning, do you think about being sent? It’s very easy to think in those terms when you’re heading to a church meeting, or to do a mission project. Often, there will be a formal send-off for those who travel to do such “ministry work.”

                   Jesus commissions you to your mission every morning. It is your primary vocation to follow that mission from Jesus into the world each day, where He will lead you and empower you with His strength if you keep looking to Him and following. This work of the Lord is to heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons. As the Holy Spirit lives in you, and works in and through you, you will do this work both literally and figuratively. This charge from Jesus – “I am sending you!” - gives you that mission. Those words also give you authority; God’s authority to go anywhere He leads, and to speak His message to any person He places in front of you. If you will follow Jesus closely, you will walk in power, and you will get to see lives change.

                  Whatever your company makes, sells, or provides as a service, remember your vocation is that you are sent by Jesus. Live your mission. Be sent!

Thursday, March 21, 2024

March 22 – LOVE TAKES RISKS

 Risk yourselves in showing mercy – rushing in to the fire of their torment to save them, but recognize and flee from the sin that entangles their lives. (Jude 23)

                Which people do you love enough to make you put yourself at risk? Would you risk death for your family – maybe even your closest friends? Would you risk “being burned” by investing in someone who doesn’t deserve your help? It may take your money, your time, your personal attention, or an opportunity to work with you. You may even have to go to the place where they are – even a terrible, dangerous place.

 Rescuing someone from a fire is such a good illustration of the tremendous danger that a tormented person, living life without God must face every day. It also makes you think of the risk that you will face when you love that person enough to rush into their fire to save them. That kind of reckless investment even puts you at risk of the consequences of the sin that has them in its bondage, as you draw near and become intimately related with these people.

                For whom will you take this great risk every day? Let your answer be, “everyone the Lord gives me to love.” Let your love for other people take the risks that it takes to rescue them.