“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.)

“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” –  John 15:7-8

Heaven is an oft-debated topic.

Dozens of songs mention heaven. Amazon offers more than 30,000 books on the topic. Stories of people who died, and supposedly visited heaven before regaining life, are mesmerizing reading.

None of us, of course, can describe the conditions of heaven.

Scripture helps. Hanging from the cross, Jesus told two condemned criminals hanging next to him that they would soon join him in “paradise.” Psalms 19:1 declares that “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.”

Sounds like a pretty neat place. So where is heaven? What is its relationship with earth? How do we connect with it?

Or, is heaven an ideal society of sorts, one that we can build here with manmade means? Many philosophers have dreamed of such utopian engineering through the years … although none have made their plans work.

Or should we do we do nothing until Jesus returns, and takes us to heaven?

Ponderous questions, all. How are we to know the answers?

Accepting the Commission

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” –  Matthew 28:16-20

This is the Great Commission, of course. It’s Christ’s powerful commandment to pursue evangelism. It’s not a suggestion, or an option. He’s telling us to do it – no explanation involved, or questions asked.

He does so under powerful auspices: “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.” Heaven, once again! In this context, heaven is where God’s will is fully experienced, manifested through Jesus.

There’s ample evidence, too. Christ performed many miracles. Walked through walls. Disappeared (and reappeared) before others. And, of course, rose from the dead.

The instances that we call “miracles,” God defines as everyday life. In a recent C-Suite for Christ gathering, a member told his story of facing a dire medical diagnosis … only to have his tests suddenly return clear, his illness gone. Perhaps, in the world of heaven to come, miracles will be normal.

In the meantime, as Matthew 28:16-20 describes, we are all under authority to Jesus. We can embody God’s purposes by following the Great Commission. This is a directive straight from heaven. The message is quite clear.

God’s kingdom of heaven transcends all. If you follow the stories of those who have supposedly died and returned, it’s a wondrous, calm, peaceful place. The Great Commission invites us to step into the flourishing of this kingdom. Let’s do so – boldly, courageously and faithfully.

(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.)

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.” –  John 15:7-8

It’s hard to succeed in life without a role model (or two, or three). We all need someone who’s “been there, done that” to learn from.

By issuing the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), Jesus left no doubt as to His expectations for His followers. They were to “make disciples of all nations.” His command remains vitally important today – perhaps now more than ever.

How to bring someone to Christ, though, who perhaps has no related experience or interaction? How to help someone know Jesus who’s never been told of Him? A tall task, indeed.

The job calls for role models – meaning, every one of us. People unafraid to share their relationship with Jesus. People who live His values in word and action. Those who radiate the Holy Spirit, leading others to wonder about the source of their joy.

Do we consistently meet these qualifications? Is it even possible? Can we really be the role models who are needed?

Reclaim Your Youth

“And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, and said ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” –  Matthew 18:2-4

The old saying, “Out of the mouths of babes,” has Biblical origins (Psalm 8:2). It references the quality of children to unequivocally state their feelings and observations – free from the filters and reservations of adulthood. Children speak with innocent honesty and authenticity. Once, we all did.

As we go through life, an imposter version of ourselves emerges. The world’s expectations change us. We adapt to whom others want us to be – not God.

We can’t hide who we truly are, though. Inauthenticity is difficult to cloak. We know at our core who God made us to be. Why disguise it?

Thankfully, God forgives those who make mistakes. He redeems those in the grip of false ideologies – whether spiritually, or in the form of worldly distractions.

We are called to model Christian behavior as leaders. We are compelled to help others join our community. When they experience a life with Jesus at its center, they’ll finally understand why they’re there.

Prepare for the Moment

“See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.” –  Exodus 23:20

Despite our best efforts to set a Godly example as disciples, evangelism can still be a heavy lift. People who don’t know Christ rarely seek Him out randomly.

There’s usually a life event, or a time of soul searching, that drives them into His arms. If we’ve been role models who set examples of Christly living, though, the path will be clearer. They’ll know who to ask questions. They’ll understand who will listen.

When that moment occurs, be ready to meet people where they are. Be present in their hour of need. Assure them of their personal value … because they are made in God’s image.

Unsure about this awesome responsibility? Pray to Jesus. Ask for His help preparing. He who proclaimed the Great Commission, will empower you to carry it out.

Despite our all-too-human missteps, God guides us daily to learn and love. He enables us to become the examples others can look to. We just need to ensure that what we look like on the outside, matches who we are on the inside.

(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.)

“Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow or reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” –  Matthew 6:26

On the surface, even thinking about the offer would seem ludicrous to most.

You drive a 1998 Toyota Camry dating back to your college days. The car has taken you everywhere, in times lean and flush. You love this car. Its odometer reads 250,000 … and counting.

A car collector with, shall we say, a thing for Camrys offers you a deal: a brand-new Mercedes-Benz for your quarter century-old Toyota. Straight up. No strings attached.

Most drivers wouldn’t think twice. They wouldn’t jump – they’d leap at the offer.

Except, you don’t. It’s not so straightforward. You’ve heard Mercedes-Benz vehicles are expensive to maintain and repair. Your ancient Camry, not so much.

Moreover, you have a real, sentimental attachment to the old Toyota. It’s been there for you. It’s defined “reliable.” This new, Johnny-come-lately European hotshot – who knows when it might get finicky?

Everyone thinks you’re nuts. Well, maybe you are. Or, perhaps your values system is just different. Maybe the emotional attachment to the old car has no price tag … because it can’t. It’s what you believe and hold true – and nothing will change it.

The Uniqueness, and Strength, of Values

“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank.” –  Daniel 1:8

Everyone holds different values. Our core values are those in which we will always persist – even if doing so costs us substantially, or results in punishment.

This diversity makes for a fascinating world. It can get messy, too, when those with strong, conflicting values butt heads.

Consider Daniel who, in the Old Testament, was taken away to a foreign nation while young. He was pressured to change. He refused, and trusted God to safeguard him from the potential deadly wrath of King Nebuchadnessar.

Daniel later gained great prominence in the kingdom by revealing and interpreting the ruler’s dream. Other acts followed, each boosting his stock in the eyes of the powerful.

In chapter 6 of the book named after him, Daniel has aged. His detractors have repeatedly sought to undermine him. Yet Daniel is trustworthy and uncorrupted.

Still, they persist. The “high officials and the satraps” convince King Darius to decree that anyone who proclaims allegiance to anyone besides him, the almighty ruler, will be cast into a den of lions.

Undeterred, Daniel continues to pray to God three times daily, as he has long done. Those opposing him report this grievous violation to the king. Unhappily, he orders Daniel into the lions’ den, and that a stone be rolled over its entrance.

We all know the result. The next day, King Darius finds Daniel unharmed. God had shut the lions’ mouths. The king, overjoyed, sends Daniel’s accusers to the lions’ den … where they meet a notably different fate. A royal decree follows, praising God and saying His kingdom is inviolate.

The Value of Prayer Needs No Explanation

“Oh my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.” –  Daniel 9:18

Daniel valued prayer. He risked death, rather than be cut off from God.

Communion with God is a core value. Christians crave and need it. We create this communion through prayer, giving thanks for our blessings and beseeching our needs.

Similarly, we Christians should hold prayer as a core value. It should be held deep within us, unsusceptible to logic or persuasion. These types of values act at a non-cognitive level. We don’t have to think about whether or not to pray – we know the answer.

We want presence with God. Prayer offers a pathway. Only by grasping prayer as a non-negotiable, no-arguments value can we clear away the obstructions, and follow an unblocked route to His grace.

How, or what, we “drive” to get there is irrelevant. Understanding the value is all that matters. God has made us an amazingly generous, no-end-date offer. We’ll make our decision – and we don’t have to explain it to anyone.

(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.)

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.’” –  Proverbs 16:18

We all could have tight personal relationships with God … if it weren’t for ourselves.

Why is this?

God’s ability to do the impossible and miraculous is unquestioned. The Bible is filled with moments that create a sense of awe. Just ask Moses!

You’d think we would do everything possible to get closer to God. Yet, we frequently push him away. Again – why?

Increasingly, the world around us turns from the beliefs and practices that God has ordained. We should seek to overcome these earthly denials.

Except, it’s hard. Going against the popular grain sets us up for ridicule and rejection. Sin plays into the equation, too. Lawlessness abounds in our hearts to do that which we know isn’t right.

Our pursuit of success – at least, how we define it – can be all consuming. We become our own law, and justify it to ourselves. A public face of success can hide a private life in turmoil. Slowly, surely, we get eaten away from inside.

The Barrier is Staring from the Mirror

And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him. – Acts 5:32

We have a key to unlock the door to God. Barriers, however, lie between us and the door. Are we willing to get through them?

The chief hurdle is overcoming our dominant sense of self. We must let go of ego. Think of ourselves less. Prepare to surrender our lives to Christ. Be righteously bold as a lion.

The path isn’t easy. It’s filled with obstacles of pride and arrogance. Satan lurks around every corner, seeking to derail God’s disciples in a vulnerable moment.

Only by taking up the cross can we overcome “self,” the dominant roadblock between us and Christ. Long ago, God humbled himself by coming to us in the flesh, as Jesus. We should be willing to similarly reduce our self-perceived importance.

Just as Christ did by assuming a bodily form, we have to obey God. Doing so requires a burning desire inside us. Maybe the biggest step is cooperating with God, accepting His instruction and changing our lives accordingly. Who said this would be easy?

Do You – Will You – Have Faith?

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” – 1 John 5:4

The Bible repeatedly tells us to “have faith.” We receive salvation through faith. Yet faith is an invisible entity, present and still hidden to the eye.

Faith can be hard to hang onto. Many elements of sinful worship, unfortunately, aren’t. Money, for example, amplifies every desire we have in life – good or bad. It’s easy to fall into the trap of pursuing more and more.

Controlling its pull can be challenging indeed. As Romans 6:16 observes, “you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey.” Is this shiny object secretly laced with sin?

We overcome sin through faith in Christ. Doing so requires cooperation with God. He directs how we should live. We should act accordingly.

We might have to hit rock bottom to recognize this necessity. We finally grasp that sin took us there. Lucky for us that God is the ultimate giver of second chances – and, for most people, many, many more.

A close relationship with God beckons … if we are willing to toss away the bondages of self and ego. Peace of mind, and heart, is possible. It’s all up to us. God awaits – just as He always has, and always will.

(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.)

“Yes, you came when I called; you told me, ‘Do not fear.’” – Lamentations 3:57

Remember, as a kid, a place (or places) where you were afraid to go alone? Maybe the basement? Or the closet? Or even peeking under the bed?

You weren’t sure why you were afraid. You just were. Your imagination ran wild with fear. Surely there was something in those dark places that meant you harm!

When Mom or Dad accompanied you, though, things were different. They’d turn on a light, and go into the basement (or elsewhere) with you. Light and darkness can’t coexist, after all. You’d discover the monsters you dreaded … weren’t there. You probably checked around every corner, just to be sure they wouldn’t sneak out when darkness returned.

We never shake irrational fears, even as adults. Only the subject matter changes. Now it’s money, or health, or relationships, or … go ahead. Fill in the blank. No shortage of possibilities, right?

Only, these fears carry price tags. We lose rest, or contentment, or peace of mind. Maybe not quantifiable, but certainly undeniable.

Here’s the ironic part: We claim to be disciples of Christ who follow God’s Word. Well, the Bible states “fear not” 365 times! Why don’t we believe it?

Either You Do … Or You Don’t

“For I hold you by your right hand – I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” – Isaiah 41:13

Nothing in Scripture associates fear with God. In fact, passage after passage exhorts Christ’s disciples to act boldly, for they have nothing to fear.

If only. Were we really a fearless body of Christ, what could we accomplish? Imagine the possibilities!

Yet, we continually fall prey to external forces that want to keep us on edge, and fearful.

Inflammatory headlines. Social media tales of harrowing experiences. Even a tailgating driver behind us, making it hard to take one’s eyes off the rear-view mirror.

If you’ve ever stumbled across an ant nest in a lawn or planting bed, you’ll notice the tiny insects going about their business in an orderly manner. Stomp your feet a few times, and what happens? They swarm out in great numbers, racing every which way to find the source of disruption. Their quest is inevitably futile.

The external forces affecting us are foot stompers. They rile us up. They make us fear things that might happen – not “probably” happen, or “likely to” happen. Just a possibility, no matter how remote. Our minds still race … just like the ants.

Do we ignore the words in Isaiah 41:13? Do we believe God holds our hand, or not? Because if we don’t – what do we believe? Truly following God’s Word, means taking the Bible’s repeated “fear not” admonition to heart. Just as a scared child clutches their parent’s hand, let us hold firm to God’s.

Living a Life Free of Fear

“Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” – Psalms 55:22

Society tells us that, if we really “have it all together,” we shouldn’t be unsure or fearful. This, of course, isn’t possible. We’re human. We’re prone to doubts and insecurities.

Yet we should take the Bible’s repeated (365 times!) “fear not” to heart. Try these simple steps to work toward living a life free from fear:

• Cast all of your cares onto the Lord: In Scripture, God repeatedly asks us to give Him our fears and burdens. He’ll handle them. Will we finally do so?
• Set your spiritual compass: If you get lost in the woods, a compass can lead you out. If we point our moral and spiritual compass toward God, he’ll lead us away from the forces that seek to distract and disrupt us.
• Recognize you’ve already been redeemed from fear: Jesus suffered and died on the cross so we could experience lives of spiritual wholeness. Don’t be too proud to accept this astonishingly generous grace.
• Choose to have a sound mind: When we embrace all that God gives us, we choose happiness. When we are timid to accept, our vulnerabilities weaken us.
• Adopt a “zero tolerance” policy toward fear: Certain situations – often involving lust, worldly goods or societal expectations – prey on our weaknesses. Avoid them! The fallout often leads to fear of consequences. Why would we choose this?
• Walk in love: Where we walk, matters far less than who we walk with. 1 John 4:18 assures us that God’s love “has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.” Walk with God, now and always.

Jesus goes with us wherever we go. He is the light that casts out darkness. He is the one who pulls back the curtain, to reveal the nothingness behind.

In short, he is the one who vanquishes our fears. Christ will never leave us. If we trust Him, though, our fears can head for the exits.

(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.)