B2B Concert of Prayer – Environmental Pollution #736

Posted on March 28, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER Pray Week 736

“Environmental Pollution”

Nehemiah 4:15 (NIV) When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to his own work. … Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other …
———————————————————————-
Environmental pollution is all around us. Oil spills pollute our oceans, toxic waste leaches into our underground aquifer and noxious fumes are spewed into the air we breathe. The recent earthquake and nuclear reactor disaster in Japan testifies to how easily we are impacted by the pollution of our environment. We are also impacted by our environment on other levels. Have you ever noticed how your work or family environment impacts you physically, emotionally, and spiritually? Harassment and sin habits take on many forms but the end result is the same in that they create a toxic environment either at work or at home.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. – Psalm 18:2

Our homes are to be a place of refuge from the toxicity and evil of our world environment. They are to be a safe place characterized by the peace and love of Christ. This environmental protection begins with committed spousal/parental personal relationships with Jesus Christ. We cannot lead our spouse or children to Christ if we are not following Christ ourselves.

“…choose this day whom you will serve … But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”- Joshua 24:15

Our work environments can be equally toxic. Some people become ill with dread of the thought of going to work each day because of the harassment and/or sin present in that environment. More commonly we find that we pick up worldly and sinful habits from being immersed in our work environments day after day. It may be the habit of coarse talking or joking. The immorality of the environment seeks to get ‘under your skin’ and before you know it you find you are drawn into unhealthy relationships or speaking vulgarities.

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” – 1 Corinthians 15:33

As Christians we are to be in this world but not of it. We are to be salt and light in a rotting and dark world environment.

…we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. – 2 Corinthians 5:20

As ambassadors for Christ we cannot run and hide in a commune and wait for His second coming. So how are we to protect ourselves from spiritual corruption while working to ‘clean up’ the pollution surrounding us? We do so by wearing the ‘HAZMAT’ suit of the whole armor of God.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. – Ephesians 6:13

Just as the workers under Nehemiah’s leadership carried a weapon in one hand and worked with the other, we too are to be equipped with the armor and weaponry of God as we step out of the refuge of our homes each day. May your homes be a refuge of Jesus Christ and a sanctuary of His presence, unpolluted and pure. May you and your family be fully equipped with the full armor and weaponry of God before venturing out each day. May you carry His cleansing and purifying light and presence with you into this dark and environmentally polluted world.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God

Posted in Business as Mission, Workplace | Comments Off on B2B Concert of Prayer – Environmental Pollution #736

B2B Concert of Prayer – Vending Machine #735

Posted on March 21, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER Pray Week 735

“Vending Machine”

Mark 1:35 (ESV) And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
———————————————————————-
Recently I encountered a man who refused an offer to pray for him although he was in obvious physical distress. His reason for refusing prayer was that ‘prayer does not work’. In reflecting on this event it almost seems as if there is an ‘Out of Order’ sign hung on some people’s relationship with Jesus Christ much like one would hang such a sign on a vending machine.

We approach a vending machine with a desire or a need. We may have a thirst or hunger. We pay the required amount of money and follow the ritual to push all the right buttons. The vending machine is then supposed to give us what we desire. When it does not, we say ‘It does not work’. How many of us approach prayer to God as if He were a vending machine? We have a desire and choose the ‘vending machine’ that can satisfy that desire. Do you find yourself praying to different idols: patron saints, other people, etc. instead of to Father God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

“You shall have no other gods before me. – Exodus 20:3

We pay the required amount and follow the instructions to make our selection and then expect that our need will be immediately satisfied. Do you bring your tithes and offerings to the church as payment for God’s provision and favor or out of obedience to His Word and trust in Him? Do you attend church services and follow religious feast days, rituals, and routines, again in an attempt to remain in good graces with God? God’s favor and blessings are not for sale. He is not in the protection racket.

… all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. – Isaiah 64:6

…we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ … because by works of the law no one will be justified. – Gal 2:16

Oswald Chambers asks a probing question of our prayer motives: “Think of the last thing you prayed about – were you devoted to your desire or to God?” When we are more devoted to our desire and that desire is not immediately satisfied (vending machine jams or fails to fulfill your selection) then we say ‘Prayer does not work’ and we hang an ‘Out of Order’ sign on our relationship with God. Our prayers must not be a ritual of telling God what we want Him to do and how to do it and when it is to be done.

…your Father knows what you need before you ask him – Matt 6:8

The purpose of prayer is to grow closer in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Close relationships require person to person conversation. Close relationships build trust, intimacy, friendship, and love. Get to know your Father’s heart. Continue to pray and converse with Him about how you feel. Tell Him how much you appreciate and love Him. Reflect on the fact that He became man in the person of Jesus Christ and gave His life so that you can have eternal life. Meditate on His Word and hear Him speak comfort to your heart. Worship Him in prayer.

In the proper motive and frame of mind and spirit, Prayer does work. May you grow in your devotion and desire for God’s presence through prayer. May you grow in your trust and faith in His love. May you seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and enjoy the peace and power for living that comes through His abiding presence in your heart.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God

Posted in Business as Mission, Prayer | Comments Off on B2B Concert of Prayer – Vending Machine #735

B2B Concert of Prayer – Today #734

Posted on March 14, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER
Pray Week 734

“Today”

Heb 3:13 (ESV) …exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
—————————————————————————-
I was given pause the other day as I clicked on the ‘TODAY’ button on my online calendar planning tool. If your planner is similar to mine you have appointments and schedules ‘penciled’ in for weeks and months in advance. But it is the imperative nature of ‘today’ that needs to be addressed since today is what we have and we are not promised tomorrow. Just ask the people victimized by the recent earthquake and tsunami how quickly their tomorrow schedules can be re-written.

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. – James 4:13

Did your today begin in prayer and fellowship with God? Are you seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness each day – or are you preoccupied with your worldly events scheduled for the day and beyond? Every ‘Today’ that the Lord gives us is a gift from Him. Every ‘Today’ should begin with worship, prayer, thanksgiving, and rejoicing in His presence. This equips you with the full armor of God to defeat the enemy’s attack that is sure to come. It fills you with the peace and joy of His abiding presence. Time with God at the start of today takes the dread of the day away.

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:24

Did the Lord speak to your heart at the start of today about something you need to correct?

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts – Heb 3:7

Perhaps you have acted out in anger and the Lord has prompted you to seek forgiveness and repair a relationship with your spouse, friend or neighbor. Today is the time to obey His prompting.

…do not let the sun go down on your anger – Eph 4:26

Have you withheld or delayed payment due to someone or denied someone help when the Lord prompted you to give of yourself or out of your need? The Lord will speak to your heart about these things that hinder your close walk with Him. Today is the time to act in obedience.

Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you. – Proverbs 3:28

Are you worried about the future? Do current global events: economic crisis, wars, civil unrest, terrorism, floods, earthquakes, etc. keep your anxiety level high? We grow in faith and trust by spending time with God. Don’t relegate your relationship with God to nothing more than an occasional weekend religious event. Trust dispels worry and brings peace in the midst of the storm.

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. – Matt 6:34

Start every today seeking His presence and may you grow in your personal relationship with Jesus as God, Savior, Lord, Father and Friend.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God

Posted in Business as Mission, Priorities | Comments Off on B2B Concert of Prayer – Today #734

B2B Concert of Prayer – Ready in Season #733

Posted on March 6, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER Pray Week 733

“Ready in Season”

Prov 30:4 (NIV) Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know!

——————————————————————

It takes more faith to not believe in God than it does to believe in Him. All you have to do is to go out into the mountains or countryside far from the city lights to a place where the only light at night is creation’s own. The skies open up with their awesome brilliance and multitude of stars.

Have you ever studied botany, biology, or chemistry? How awesome and wonderful is God’s creation of life. Man in all his intellect and scientific advances can at best only synthesize a crude copy of the genetic codes of God’s creation.

…The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. – Psa 19:1-4

Knowing and observing all this, how then can we deny Him His rightful place in our lives? How can we ignore Him and fail to worship Him continually? Or worse yet, How can we keep this knowledge about God and His Son to ourselves? God’s inanimate creation declares His Glory and power, how much more should we who are created in His image!

Every day God orchestrates divine encounters in your life. Philip was prompted by God to cross paths with the Ethiopian Queen’s court official and to initiate a conversation with him.

…Philip … asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” …The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please …” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. – Acts 8:30

Tell me if you know Jesus… by your words, by your actions.
Tell me if you know by how you handle difficult life situations at home and at work.
Tell me if you know by the integrity of your day to day business dealings.
Tell me if you know by how you talk about and act toward your spouse and children.
Tell me if you know by how you respond to those who hate you and persecute you unjustly.
Tell me if you know by your love expressed in word and action.
Tell me if you know by your lifestyle of worship.
Tell me if you know…

What message do you convey to the unsaved? Do you convey hypocrisy – possessing religion on Sundays and living like the devil the rest of the week? Your character and day to day actions speak louder than your words ever will. Your character either pushes people away from Jesus or attracts people to Christ living in you. Pray for the spiritual strength and an intense hunger for God’s continued and abiding presence in your life. Pray for the intensity and brilliance of God’s glory and power and majesty to be as evident in you as it is in the night sky.

… preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. – 2 Tim 4:2

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God

Posted in Business as Mission, Character | Comments Off on B2B Concert of Prayer – Ready in Season #733

B2B Concert of Prayer – Accountability #732

Posted on February 27, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 732

“Accountability”

Luke 16:1-2 Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’

—————————————————————

Imagine being held accountable for every thought. What if all your thoughts were projected in the form of 3D holographic images for all to see? Who would be allowed to see these images? Would they be rated ‘G’ for general audiences?

How about in the workplace? How would a replay of your behavior while away on a business trip appear to your spouse, boss or Pastor? How diligent are you in your work behavior when the boss is away?

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men … – Col 3:23

What about your personal and business finances? Would your process of filling out an expense report stand the scrutiny of your boss? Would your stewardship practices stand up under an independent audit? Do you attempt to cheat God out of the first fruits of your increase that He declares to be holy and set apart for Him?

Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me… In your tithes and contributions… Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. – Mal 3:8

We must all recognize that it is utter foolishness to think that we can lead secret lives before God.

Having accepted Christ as our Savior, our sins were forgiven and forgotten. We became born-again by the Spirit of God. Why then, have we allowed the shadows of sin to creep back in? Can we walk in the penetrating light of Christ and yet walk in the darkness also? Scripture says no.

If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. – 1 John 1:6

God is calling His church to holiness. He is asking us to prepare to give an account. When the accuser points the finger at us, will Jesus be our advocate or will He say, ‘I never knew you?’ We cannot have it both ways, we are either an open book worthy of being examined in the full light of God or we are living a lie giving the appearance of fellowship with Christ, while harboring secret darkness.

May the double-edged sword of God’s Word penetrate, cut away, and expose any dark places in your life for you to overcome in Jesus’ power and strength.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.- Heb 4:12-13

Thank God that His mercy is new every morning and His forgiveness and sanctifying power remains ready to cleanse, soothe and strengthen. Commit every facet and every aspect of your life to Christ and may your entire life be an open book before Him without fear or shame.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God

Posted in Business as Mission, Character | Comments Off on B2B Concert of Prayer – Accountability #732

B2B Concert of Prayer – Like a Child #731

Posted on February 21, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 731

“Like a Child”

Luke 18:17 (NIV) I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
——————————————————

A true story about a mother and her four year old son illustrates child-like faith.

The boy’s maternal grandfather was the sole father figure in his life and they were inseparable. Pa, as the boy called his grandfather, would pick him up after school on the nights when his mother could not. They would play pirates, and knights and Robin Hood make-believe games. They even dressed alike: pocket T-shirts, baseball caps and jeans. They had special places they would frequent, restaurants, toy stores and playgrounds. The young boy had even memorized Pa’s telephone number and would call him every morning and night, sometimes several times in a row and Pa never grew tired of it.

Then Pa became critically ill and died. The mother internalized her grief at the loss of her father and dealt with it by avoiding any discussion about Pa, his death or his life. Her son, on the other hand, explored Pa’s death with all the zeal and curiosity of a four year old. “Is Pa in space?” he would ask. “Is he like an angel?”… “Where is heaven?”

One evening while dinner was being prepared, the young boy sat quietly coloring in his Spider-Man coloring book when he broke the silence and said, “I love you, too.” His mother laughingly instructed him that he should respond with ‘I love you, too’ only after someone said ‘I love you’ first. “I know”, the boy responded, “Pa just told me that he loved me, and I said ‘I love you, too’. Recognizing his mother’s disbelief, the boy continued, “Oh, Mommy, He tells me he loves me every day. He tells you too. You’re just not listening.”

This story is a perfect example of the childlike faith God wants us to have. God tells us He loves us every day. We need to accept His love and His plan for our salvation even though we cannot fully understand it. We need to put aside our need to analyze and define God by parameters that we can comprehend.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

The Gospel seems too simple. Would we be more comfortable if God’s plan for salvation could be categorized, quantified, and proved through mathematical formulae? We suffer from analysis paralysis when we attempt to place God in a box that we are comfortable in defining, measuring, and understanding with our intellect.

We are surrounded by a cacophony of physical and mental ‘noise’ each day and in the midst of it all God is communicating His love to us. Every day, the free gift of His salvation is being communicated to you. Are you able to hear Him through the noise of your lifestyle? To truly listen is to purposefully eliminate the noise and tune in to what God is saying to you. Are you listening? Can you respond to Him, ‘I love you, too’?

May you open your heart to hear God speak His love to you. May the Holy Spirit give you the measure of childlike faith to accept the kingdom of God. May you receive eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior and be able to respond, ‘I love you too’ each day.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God

Posted in Business as Mission, Faith | Comments Off on B2B Concert of Prayer – Like a Child #731

B2B Concert of Prayer – Friend of God #730

Posted on February 14, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 730

“Friend of God”

James 2:23 (ESV) “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”— and he was called a friend of God.

————————————————–

Friendship is not measured in the abundance of a person’s acquaintances but rather by their depth. In this age of social networking websites and virtual, instead of personal interactions, friendships tend to be shallow at best.

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. – Proverbs 18:24

Far too many of us prefer the safety of shallow interpersonal relationships. There is less vulnerability to being hurt in such relationships. There is also less accountability. But there will come a time when we will need the help of a true friend and they will not be found.

A true friend is one who makes the personal sacrifice to come to your aid when they would rather be somewhere else. They are those who remain present in your time of need when all others abandon you. To have such friends we must first be a friend. True friends are indeed precious relationships. However, there is one friendship relationship that we must not ignore or take for granted and that is our relationship with Jesus Christ.

The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. – Psalms 25:14

…You are my friends if you do what I command you… – John 15:14

Friendship is characterized as a mutual relationship of trust, faith, and caring. Our friendship relationship with Jesus must not be diluted by misplaced trust and faith in the things of this world.

Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? – James 4:4

We are friends with the world when we trust in the things of this world more than we trust in God.

We betray our friendship with Jesus when we place our faith in ourselves, employers, spouses, bank accounts etc. more so than having faith in God’s Word.

Our friendship with the world usurps our friendship with Jesus when we care more about our work or sports or relaxation time to the extent that we neglect daily prayer and regular worship at church.

Friendship with God is not a matter of religion or following a religious system of rituals. It has everything to do with a personal depth of relationship with Jesus Christ.

Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice of His life in order to save your life.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. – John 15:13

Jesus is trustworthy and cares for you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. May you seek the depth of His friendship above all else in this world. May you be called a friend of God.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God

Posted in Business as Mission, Obedience | Comments Off on B2B Concert of Prayer – Friend of God #730

B2B Concert of Prayer – God Will Arise #729

Posted on February 6, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 729

“God Will Arise”

Psalm 12:5 (ESV) “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the LORD; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”

———————————————————

We see in many third world countries today a corrupt system of government that has built a wealthy, elite class of people upon the backs of the poor and downtrodden. Foreign aid in the form of money, food, and supplies trickles down to the needy while the coffers of the wealthy are padded with additional wealth.

Before we get too smug, the poor are plundered in the United States as well. Corporations exploit their workers believing that they will ‘take it and be quiet about it’ because they are desperate for a job in these difficult economic times. Wage and hour laws are violated routinely denying a worker their just wage. It is not only corporations who plunder the poor. Far too many individual customers fail to pay their service providers on time or at all for services rendered.

Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. – James 5:4

The elderly who live on a fixed income and physically unable to perform home maintenance tasks are routinely plundered by unscrupulous ‘tradesmen’ who are quick to take their money but fail to perform the work in a quality manner or at all.

The small business man or independent contractor is exploited by medical insurers who readily receive premiums but deny claims when made or drop coverage altogether when a health crisis arises.

The poor continue to be plundered by state governments who legalize gambling as a revenue source. Seeking a quick way out of the pit they are in, those who can least afford to gamble buy tickets and become a disproportionate revenue source for the lotteries.

Are you in a place where you feel like the world’s doormat? Does it seem that life has you ‘against the ropes’ while pummeling you continually with one punch after another? Perhaps you are tired and weary of the daily grind, taking two steps forward only to slip back three. If this is you, cry out to God and take refuge in Him.

…he does not forget the cry of the afflicted. – Psalm 9:12

Don’t look for the quick fix and end up digging a deeper hole. Don’t ‘numb the pain’ with alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs which not only become an additional drain on your financial resources but becomes an idol between you and God. Above all else, seek the Lord. He hears you and will arise to help you. Trust in His Word. Trust in Him.

…I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me. – Psalm 13:5

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God

Posted in Business as Mission, Hope | Comments Off on B2B Concert of Prayer – God Will Arise #729

B2B Concert of Prayer – Squeeze Play #728

Posted on January 31, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 728

“Squeeze Play”

Luke 22:19 (NIV) And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

——————————————————

The pitcher winds up and the batter squares off at the plate to bunt in such a manner that he will be thrown out at first base. The runner at third base is poised like a coiled spring ready to run to home and score a run upon a well executed sacrifice bunt. This sacrifice bunt is called a ‘squeeze play’ in baseball. It brings someone safely home.

Jesus made the ultimate ‘squeeze play’ sacrifice that brings us home also. Like grapes in a winepress He was crushed for our sins.

But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; – Isaiah 53:5

In this life as Christian believers and followers of Jesus we will also find ourselves being called upon to sacrifice at some level for the benefit of others. Why do we expect anything different? Why do we expect a life of ease and material abundance – a heaven on earth of sorts – when Jesus clearly stated the opposite to be true?

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”- John 16:33b

Paul writes to Timothy that he is being poured out like a drink offering. In His service, we too will face trials and persecutions. We too will be poured out.

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. – 2 Tim 4:6

Just as grapes must be crushed in order to become fine wine, we also must first be squeezed and crushed. God squeezes the natural sinful life out of us so that the life of His Son may be evident in us. He uses circumstances and people we don’t even like to squeeze us and we naturally object to being treated so poorly. We become stiff-necked and refuse to be grapes in His hands and harden our hearts like stones seeking to escape the pressure. We object because we have lost sight of the Lordship of Jesus over our lives as well as having lost sight of our calling to love others sacrificially.

Take a look at the trials and difficult circumstances you are running from. Are you about to give up on your marriage covenant because of a rocky patch in your relationship with your spouse? Examine yourself: are you loving your spouse as Jesus would? Are you acting sacrificially or selfishly? What is God squeezing out of your character so that the character of His Son will be more evident in your life?

Do you question God’s love and presence because of your situation? Now is not the time to distance yourself from Him. Now is the time to draw closer to Him – to be fully abandoned to His will for you. Let Him break you, shape you, squeeze and mold you.

May His character be evident in your life as God gives you the grace and strength to overcome and when you are poured out to be a multiplied blessing to countless others.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God

Posted in Business as Mission, Trials | Comments Off on B2B Concert of Prayer – Squeeze Play #728

B2B Concert of Prayer – Environmental Pollution #727

Posted on January 24, 2011 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 727

“Environmental Pollution”

Psalm 119:9 (ESV) How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
——————————————————-

Chernoble, Exxon Valdez, Deepwater Horizon: These are all names that conjure up images of accidental massive environmental pollution and contamination. Although these were disasters of monumental proportions, far more pervasive and destructive is the intentional poisoning of our environment through the use of pesticides, fossil fuels, fluorocarbons and the like. We fool ourselves with a false sense of well-being when we legislate an “acceptable amount” of poisons to be allowed in the food we eat and the air we breathe.

God’s law of sowing and reaping is evident in our world environment: sow poison into the atmosphere and soil and reap unhealthy air and tainted food along with the physical disorders that result. God’s law of sowing and reaping also applies to the spiritual realm. What is the “acceptable amount” of poison that you are allowing yourself to ingest?

Do you immerse your mind into the cesspool of violence, immorality, and vulgarities found in certain music? Are you entertained by movies or games that have ‘an acceptable amount’ of profanity, sex, or violence? … Just a little poison.

God’s Word cautions us that A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough – Gal 5:9… a little poison will corrupt you spiritually.

It may be gradual and subtle at first but you will reap a poisoned harvest. Your language will become coarser and in certain situations you will speak vulgarity. You will one day find that your spouse does not quite live up to the fantasy lover you have poisoned your mind with through pornography and you will be dissatisfied in your marriage. You may even find yourself acting out in accordance with the entertainment you have poisoned yourself with.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. – Gal 6:7

It is through God’s Grace that we have been saved – don’t disgrace His Grace by continuing to satisfy the cravings of the sinful nature. We live and work in a poisoned environment. We rub shoulders on a daily basis with many who are in need of salvation through Jesus Christ. There must be a difference evident in our character. How can you draw others into the light of Christ when you exhibit the same darkness because of a poisoned spirit?

…the grace of God … teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age… Titus 2:11

Don’t compromise any longer by allowing what you deem to be an acceptable amount of the poison of this world to contaminate your soul. Put on the full armor of God each day and guard against the environmental pollution that surrounds us in this world.

May your heartfelt prayer be as that of the Psalmist:

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. – Psa 51:10

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God

Posted in Business as Mission, Character | Comments Off on B2B Concert of Prayer – Environmental Pollution #727