“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.)

“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.)