“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” – Matthew 16:24

Superhero movies sure are popular. Every month, it seems, a new film comes out featuring a larger-than-life hero(es), ready to save the world from a villain(s) of equally powerful proportions.

These characters always have traits that separate them from everyday humans. They might possess super strength. Or be able to fly. Or climb walls. Or create ingenious weapons. Or be invulnerable to others’ ingenious weapons.

The difference, of course, lies in how these abilities are used. One character uses them for good; the other, evil. In between lies all the difference.

We might not be “superheroes” per se. Nonetheless, God blesses each of us with unique talents.

We’re all good at something. Maybe it’s numbers. Or forming relationships. Or writing. Or performing physical feats of athletics or dance.

These abilities have immense potential for, well, a lot of things. Consider this: Do you use your talents to tell the world who you are … or Whose you are?

Let’s Rethink “Surrender”

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” –  1 Peter 5:6

Scripture tells us to seek to grow closer to Christ, to carry forth His will. Yes, His will – not ours. We should spotlight Christ, not ourselves. As explained in Matthew 16, we should deny ourselves and take up the cross. Doing so requires surrendering our talents to Jesus, to use for His purposes.

Surrender? Uh oh. This term doesn’t have positive connotations. Usually, it means we’ve lost a competition, or given up something important.

Is this really the way to go?

Except, in the heavenly realm, surrender is the beginning of peace. It’s where we end, and Christ begins. We become more Christ-like only as our human part dies away.

Our plans should be subservient to God’s. Our goals for life are secondary (at best). We’re expected to surrender our wants and desires – a big ask.

Who is willing to do this? Only those destined to become true, authentic disciples of Christ.

Give it All Away

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” –  James 4:7

It’s tough to give up anything that one values. Surrendering all our plans and aspirations? This nearly defines “incomprehensible.”

God is serious, though. So how can we seriously approach meeting His standard?

• Surrender to God through prayer. Our direct connection to God is through prayer. We enjoy fellowship with Christ via ceaseless prayer. We can use this channel to offer our surrender, telling Jesus we want to finally submit to Him.
• Be mindful of our thoughts. Satan is sneaky and relentless. He spots openings whenever our thoughts turn to lust, anger, and other emotions not of God. Don’t think he’ll seize the opportunity to nudge you to act on them? Only by ridding our minds of imperfect desires can we keep the Evil One at bay.
• Possess faith that completely trusts God. He has a plan. It might not match up with ours – but, in case you’ve forgotten, God’s will supersedes ours.
• Let go of trying to control everything. “Control” is an illusion. We control next to nothing. God decides our life’s direction. Think of riding a bike – we pedal, while God steers. Do you really think He’ll direct you into a ditch?

We were created on purpose, for a purpose. God gives us each our unique abilities for a reason. He has made an investment in us, one destined to grow His kingdom.

Surrendering to God? Maybe it seems counterintuitive, at first. Until we consider: Where did our talents come from in the first place? Suddenly the pieces fall into place … and we realize how we’re really returning a favor, one that we could never, ever fully repay.

Suddenly the pieces fall into place … and we realize how we’re really returning a favor, one that we could never, ever fully repay.

(If you’re ready to embrace Christ, He’s ready for you. Visit C-Suite for Christ to join in Christ-centered fellowship with other professionals. Join us as a member. Plant a chapter where you live. Consider becoming a corporate partner. Follow C-Suite for Christ on LinkedIn and Facebook. Questions? Contact Paul M. Neuberger at (414) 313-8338 or pneuberger@csuiteforchrist.com.)

“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” – Joel 3:14

Life is full of choices. Some carry significant benefits and, simultaneously, serious risks.

These decisions can be difficult. Their pondering often leads to a basic, formulaic question: “What’s the worst that could happen?”

It’s not a bad thought. If we’re making a decision with potentially serious consequences, it’s smart to consider all of them.

The flip side? Dwelling on the worst possible outcomes can spur fear, doubt and hesitation. We might miss out on golden opportunities to propel our careers, families and lives.

Should we offer to lead the new big project at work? Might we volunteer to speak at a public event for an organization we support? Can we start the business we’ve long dreamt of?

All have very real potential to crash and burn. We might wind up embarrassed, shamed or even broke. Or, we might discover a hidden personal superpower – one we never suspected – that opens new doors we couldn’t have imagined.

The Worst-Case Scenario always exists. And if it happens … so what? In life’s big picture, do we not believe we’d have room (and fortitude) to bounce back?

Whom are You Working For?

“But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” –  1 Samuel 12:24

Think about where you spend most of your time. For many, it’s at work. Careers easily consume much of life’s bandwidth. Some people spend more time with coworkers than family.

Given all the time you spend there, have you ever thought about sharing the love of Jesus Christ in the workplace? Chances are slim. Most Christians blindly accept it’s a no-no. The unspoken wall of faith and work can’t be breached, right?

Besides, think about the Worst-Case Scenario. Fellow employees might not accept your outreach. You could be mocked. You might even wind up in HR!

If these things were to happen … so what? Who are you really accountable to? Who are you trying to impress – man, or the Son of Man?

As Christians, we’re beholden to God’s directives. We should obey the Ten Commandments. Reflect God’s love through our actions. Carry out the Great Commission.

Yet, how do we honor the Great Commission without speaking up? Are we afraid of being called to HR, or attacked by cancel culture, or finding ourselves in Facebook Jail?

Servants of Christ are willing to take these risks. Given the workplace’s status as abundantly fertile ground for evangelism, witnessing at the office is almost a natural. Every coworker can potentially be brought to Christ (if they aren’t there already).

Ask yourself: Did God put you in this place for a reason? Can you pray for strength and guidance, to shine Christ’s light into a space that (likely) hasn’t experienced it? Are you willing to say, “Let it start with me?”

Taking the Holy Chance

“You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.” –  Psalms 128:2

The notion that we can’t practice faith from 9 to 5 on weekdays defines “antiquated.” With all the accommodations workplaces make for people of different abilities and backgrounds, how is tolerating Christian behavior so outlandish?

Still, you might still be hesitant. Try these best practices on for size when practicing evangelism at the office:

• Act like Christ: While we’ll never be flawless and free of sin as Jesus was, we can do our best to emulate Him. Practice empathy. Avoid gossip. Behave ethically. Let actions, not words, reflect Whose you are.
• Expect God to use you: In Matthew 14, Peter walks on the water while holding eyes with Christ. He sinks only when he looks away. God has your back, if you trust Him. Expect great things to happen, including some positive response from others.
• Share the load: You can’t minister to an entire office solo. Find others interested in starting a prayer group. Assign floors to specific disciples. Above all, don’t worry who gets the credit for success.
• Focus on a few: Many will not accept your gestures. Think quality, not quantity. If a few people join in, you’re doing well.
• Pray like crazy: The Bible instructs us to pray constantly. How many do? Still, pray for the Holy Spirit to enter and guide you. Pray for strength and opportunities to share the Word. Don’t just make requests, either – have a conversation with God, and see if revelations don’t follow.

Your work life can be a fruitful ministry, to preach to others and open hearts and minds. When God enters in, love, care and compassion follow. Few would term this outcome a Worst-Case Scenario.

Wouldn’t it be more like a “best?”

(If you’re ready to embrace Christ, He’s ready for you. Visit C-Suite for Christ to join in Christ-centered fellowship with other professionals. Join us as a member. Plant a chapter where you live. Consider becoming a corporate partner. Follow C-Suite for Christ on LinkedIn and Facebook. Questions? Contact Paul M. Neuberger at (414) 313-8338 or pneuberger@csuiteforchrist.com.)

“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

Ever put your heart and soul into finding the “perfect gift” for someone … only to never see them use it?

Maybe it was a book you knew they’d love. Months later, you saw it on their shelf, covered in thick dust … obviously never read.

Or perhaps it was an item of clothing that totally fit their style – yet, in your ensuing interactions, you never once saw them wear it.

You might have felt disappointed – maybe even resentful. You invested energy and emotion to find a gift you believed would enrich their life. You used precious time to acquire it. Obviously, you spent money, too.

Ever think our Holy Father might feel the same way?

God blesses us daily with more gifts than we can comprehend. Maybe we pray in gratitude daily, or weekly, or less often. Hopefully we do thank Him, at some point, for his abundant generosity.

One holy gift, though, stands above all. It proves God loves us more than we’ll ever know. Do we accept it?

Unwrapping an Eternal Blessing

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” –  John 14:6

God grants us eternal salvation. By doing so, His love is poured into our hearts. He gives us the opportunity to go to heaven. Is there anything that even remotely compares?

This is a gift beyond description. Nothing in the world can come close. We don’t deserve, nor have we earned, this gift. Yet, all we need do to accept it is open our hearts to Christ, through Whom we are granted a relationship with God.

It’s all pretty hard to comprehend. Ultimately, it’s a question of free will. Will we accept His priceless gift? Or will we turn away, and choose instead to indulge in the earthly sins that Satan dangles?

Every day we fight a battle between good and evil. Decisions abound. When making choices, if an option is not of God nor Scripture, we should avoid it. Doing so allows God to keep working within us, strengthening our claim to the eternal gift He bestows.

Earn It? Well, Not Quite …

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s, but born of God.” –  John 1:12-13

We can’t earn our way into heaven. Only accepting God’s gift of eternal salvation –embracing Christ as our Savior – gets us there.

Still, this flies in the face of common mores. We’re accustomed to earning everything. Most Christians have good intentions. They want to serve and be useful. We’re granted this amazing gift just … what … because?

Well, it’s like a club that everyone would want to belong to, if they just knew how great it was. Once Christ enters your heart, you’re in the club. Even your own bad behavior won’t get you kicked out. Yeah, the forgiveness of sins part is pretty great, too.

Still want some responsibilities, to “earn” your way? OK. Honor the Great Commission. Bring more people to Christ. Tell others of His gift of salvation, one that should minimize any worldly concerns we have.

Don’t just give God lip service. Pray and repent. Look forward to His glory, not backward. Be open to Scriptural teachings. Meditate on them, and share with others.

If we fix our eyes on God, He will not let us down. Inviting the Living God to live in us assures receipt of His all-powerful gift … one for which no one will have any regrets.

(If you’re ready to embrace Christ, He’s ready for you. Visit C-Suite for Christ to join in Christ-centered fellowship with other professionals. Join us as a member. Plant a chapter where you live. Consider becoming a corporate partner. Follow C-Suite for Christ on LinkedIn and Facebook. Questions? Contact Paul M. Neuberger at (414) 313-8338 or pneuberger@csuiteforchrist.com.)

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence, He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” –  Daniel 7:13-14

Remember the first time you were granted real authority in a job?

Maybe you were given a key to the office. Or asked to add a page to the web site. Or allowed to supervise some junior employees for a few hours.

It was a heady feeling. You felt like you’d finally arrived. Your skills and abilities were being acknowledged. The recognition felt good – leaving you wanting more.

Being empowered and entrusted by others is an uplifting, intoxicating experience. The more the power, the higher the pedestal. The greater its altitude, the more its potential for abuse. History is rife with leaders who violated their trust for personal gain and aggrandizement.

Jesus could have done all this, and more. In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20), he claimed that “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.” He openly proclaimed himself as the Son of Man.

Christ had immense power at his disposal. He was given the right to reign in heaven and earth. Anything he wanted, was his. So how did he use all this power and authority?

A Completely Original Concept

“Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” –  Matthew 20:26-28

These are powerful, revealing words. Jesus is turning the notion of power and authority on its head. To gain these, he suggests, you must give them up. Huh?

What’s more, he himself – Christ – will sacrifice his own life to benefit others. Instead of leveraging his incredibly abundant power for fame and riches, he’ll throw it away to help people he doesn’t even know. “Foreign” doesn’t even describe this concept. No

wonder the world took so long to understand Jesus!

His originality continued. Christ sought not to dominate or eliminate opposition to his power. Instead, he used his authority to script a new story, to bring the world into closer communion with its Heavenly Father. Doing so would lift its inhabitants out of alienation and sin.

Jesus would use his posture as a servant to make new disciples. Instead of compelling or forcing others to do his bidding, he would make the ultimate self-sacrifice to demonstrate why they should follow him – of their own free will.

Obviously, judging by the millions of Christians worldwide, his strategy worked.

Who Will We Serve?

“The greatest among you will be your servant.” –  Matthew 23:11

God blesses us all abundantly. Paraphrasing an old saying, to whom much is given, much is expected. Whether we always realize it or not, we’re expected to carry the cross daily, and live as beacons of God’s love in an often-dark world.

There are no coincidences in our lives – only “God instances.” As long as we trust, the Holy Spirit never leaves us. When we drift from God, an emptiness inside results – one that can lead to our minds and lives going in unholy directions.

God grants us power and authority to do good works. The human mind is His greatest creation. Will we use it for good or bad? Will we follow Christ’s lead and serve … or instead follow the self-serving path that Jesus shunned?

This certainly isn’t our first job. The case is strong, though, that it’s our most important.

(If you’re ready to embrace Christ, He’s ready for you. Visit C-Suite for Christ to join in Christ-centered fellowship with other professionals. Join us as a member. Plant a chapter where you live. Consider becoming a corporate partner. Follow C-Suite for Christ on LinkedIn and Facebook. Questions? Contact Paul M. Neuberger at (414) 313-8338 or pneuberger@csuiteforchrist.com.)

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:8

It’s more apparent than ever: Even in the dark, dank cesspools of celebrity and popular culture, God’s bright light cannot be deflected!

The latest, most prominent example played out amid the celebration of a major national sports championship.

The Boston Celtics had just defeated the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The air was jubilant. Grinning, high-fiving players and staffers slapped and hugged. Confetti was everywhere.

Celtics Head Coach Joe Mazulla stepped in front of a TV camera for an interview. Moments earlier he’d been wearing a jacket. Now he wore a black T-shirt with white lettering on its front.

The shirt read: “But first … let me thank God.”

Mazulla, a devout Catholic, has spoken boldly and unapologetically about his love of Jesus since entering the NBA. He took off his jacket so the shirt would be visible during a multitude of TV interviews.

The coach wanted to make clear that God blessed his team and staff with their talents. God deserved credit for their championship season. It was a brave statement in a league where money and celebrity typically hold sway over all else. He courageously made it.

Just a month earlier, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker ignited a firestorm of controversy during a college commencement address. Never shy about displaying his faith, Butker criticized public promotion of LBGTQ values, and encouraged female graduates to not sacrifice the fulfillment found in marriage and parenthood for the sake of their careers.

In late April, popular actor and comedian Russell Brand was baptized into the Roman Catholic Church. He’d publicly announced earlier he was reading Scripture, and “that I need a personal relationship with God.” Unlike the ceaseless talking of so many other celebrities, Brand followed his statements with positive, faith-affirming action.

Are these examples part of a new trend of public figures poking sticks into the secular eye of popular culture? Or more of a door cracking open, allowing light in for others to see the way to salvation?

Only God knows – and you can bet He’ll keep shining his beacon brightly, welcoming all those who grasp the glory of His embrace.

(If you’re ready to embrace Christ, He’s ready for you. Visit C-Suite for Christ to join in Christ-centered fellowship with other professionals. Join us as a member. Plant a chapter where you live. Consider becoming a corporate partner. Follow C-Suite for Christ on LinkedIn and Facebook. Questions? Contact Paul M. Neuberger at (414) 313-8338 or pneuberger@csuiteforchrist.com.)