The following is what I went over yesterday in our Business luncheon. I hope that in some way this can be a blessing. The truths are great!
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23
I. Beware of the crooked heart! Proverbs 11:20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
a. Froward means distorted, false, perverse or crooked
b. The idea is a heart or person that is not willing to yield or comply with what is required; unyielding; ungovernable; or disobedient.
c. An attitude at work about the employer, the customer, the government
d. An attitude about God and His Word and not wanting to do what God would have you to do
e. An attitude of thinking you deserve it
f. Seeking to justify what is wrong because you are looking out for yourself
II. Beware of the heavy heart! Proverbs 12:25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
a. Heaviness means anxiety, fear, worry, sorrow
b. It is easy to get a wrong focus in today’s climate—bad economy, recession coming if not here
c. He commanded us to be anxious for nothing but rather to trust Him—Phillippians 4:6-8 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
d. Anxiety and worry will cause you to be depressed
e. It will cause you to focus on problems and not solutions
f. It will cause you to become bitter which is going to affect your family, your person and your business
III. Keep a healthy heart! Proverbs 14:30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
a. Sound means healthy, wholesome, or yielding
b. Keep your sin confessed
c. Have the right relationship with God
d. Seek God so that your life and business can be blessed Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
e. Spend time every day in the Word of God and prayer
f. Confess your fears and concerns and ask for wisdom without doubting!
John Pearson has really knocked it out of the park again with an article on Becoming a Major Donor. All of us should learn how to give. We should all be seeking to allow God to make us givers like He is a giver. Be sure and click on the link and read the article.
I am unable to give you very many details but just know that a good man from our church is going through a horrible trial right now and needs your prayers. His love for God and faithfulness are well known at our church and he needs your prayers right now. Just pray for Larry!
I thank you for being a praying church. I thank you for being a church that loves God and is trying to do something special for Him.
Your support and interest in the Peru Bible College is much appreciated. Many of the students in the college are on scholarships provided by the college from supporters like you. Make a difference in a student’s life today by supporting the student fund of the Peru Bible College.
Luz was raised in Arequipa, Peru where she lived with her parents and six siblings. Growing up, Luz’s father spent all of the money he earned as a mechanic and their home was a place of arguments that sometimes became physically violent. After finishing high school, Luz moved away to Tacna to work as a babysitter. It was an exciting experience and she quickly got over her homesickness.
On one of her trips home, her sister Paola invited her to church. Luz went but was not interested in what the pastor had to say. God began to work in her heart, and after a few weeks of attending, Luz accepted Christ.
God changed Luz’s life in many ways. She learned to love and respect people, learned how to read her bible, and began to change her attitude. Her father did not agree with her choice to live a new life and tried to discourage her. A good friend at church encouraged Luz to join the Bible College, but she was scared to join. Finally, Paola heard about Luz’s desire to attend and encouraged her to join.
Luz joined the Bible College and is now preparing to do God’s work. She plans to serve in full time ministry with a pastor or missionary. Luz has a heart for the young girls in the city of Tacna. Luz is living by faith as she completes her last year of Bible College. Please read Luz’s personal testimony and consider giving a gift or regular donation to the student fund at the Peru Bible College.
I challenge you to find out just how rich you are financially speaking by going to this web site http://globalrichlist.com/ and simply inserting your annual income in the chart. Don’t be shocked by how rich you because even the poorest of our church will see that God has indeed made us very wealthly. How are we using what God gives us for His honor and glory? We bristle when someone talks of tithing and giving but if you just saw where you stand in comparison to the world it might shock you!
I really love the post that John has put on the BCWE review about character and credit. Click here to go read it! You are missing something special if you don’t read that and then let’s apply it to our lives!
I do not know if you are signed up for the Businessmen Quote of the Day but if you are not you ought to sign up. Each weekday morning a quote comes to your email that just helps to remind you of the importance of serving the Lord Jesus and that that means.
Today’s quote was: “I have watched hundreds of Christians in my time become financially blessed then develop an acquisitive streak that in turn makes their souls as metallic as the coins they seek.” - Selwyn Hughes
What a powerful quote. If you are interested in receiving the quote of the day simply send an email to info@visionbaptist.com or call the church office and give us your email address. We will be glad to add you to the free email quote of the day.
Be sure and visit www.bcwe.net for more information!
I am excited to know that God is raising up a generation of men and women who are being blessed in business but know that and use those blessings to further the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ!
