How’s Your Spiritual Balance Sheet?

“Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” – 2 Timothy 1:14

Our lives are enveloped by numbers. Sometimes more, it seems, than we can count. What are all these numbers?

Most involve money (of which the Bible speaks volumes). How much we have – or don’t have – often determines where we go, what we do, and whom we do it with.

Apparently, keeping track of numbers overwhelms many. Fully one third of Americans’ checking accounts – 120 million in total – are in the negative at some point during a given calendar year. Banks charged $30 billion in overdraft fees in 2020.

Businesses have even more numbers to track. Accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash flow, profit and loss … the list goes on. All figure into a “balance sheet,” which reflects the overall financial health of an organization.

Problem is, we aren’t born with the skills to know what all these numbers mean. We’re taught them in school, or learn on our own.

The business graveyard is littered with those who couldn’t decipher their balance sheets. Countless entrepreneurs learn its importance the hard way. For many, it’s too late.

Whether a simple personal checking account, or a complex business balance sheet, one principle holds true: To stay afloat, more must be coming in than going out.

So how’s your “spiritual balance sheet?” Or, amid all the myriad numbers of life, have you not thought about this?

A wondrous account that keeps giving

“Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil – this is the gift of God.” – Ecclesiastes 5:19

Long, long ago, God made a spiritual deposit in us. His amazing gift protected us, and nurtured us, and helped us grow. Its number is unquantifiable – its value, priceless.

We draw on this spiritual account for energy and strength. At certain times, our withdrawals ramp up – such as facing a bad health diagnosis, or an issue with children, or a relative or close friend needing support during a crisis.

No matter how much we take out, this account never seems to go into deficit. We never get hit with overdraft penalties. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t replenish it, though.

In fact, we need to make regular deposits, both for the “health” of the account, and our own. We should give a portion of every day to God.

How do we make these “deposits?” By praying, fervently and honestly. Spending time in Scripture. Going to church. Enjoying fellowship with other Christians.

“Oh sure,” you say. “I can do that.” Except, many don’t. Good intentions only go so far. Their spiritual account runs low, or even in deficit.

No text or e-mail alerts appear. Yet, indicators of a well run dry manifest themselves: stress. Emptiness. Directionless. Anger. Bitterness.

Balance the account, balance the soul

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and the first fruits of all your produce.” – Proverbs 3:9

Know that God never leaves us. Know, also, that we owe God all the respect, honor and praise that we can give Him. Doing so keeps our spiritual account in balance … which allows us to live joyously and fulfilled. Isn’t that what we all seek?

The numbers in a checkbook, or on a business balance sheet, are right in front of us. They don’t lie. They can, unfortunately, distract and misdirect us. Maybe, even, overwhelm us.

Our spiritual account operates very differently. It’s a bubbling spring of love, and peace, and strength, and wonderment. Bring your glass, fill it full, and drink deeply. Just remember to put a little back in, and it will always be in balance.

(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. Submit a prayer request for a pressing need in your life. Participate in a virtual prayer session to ask God to be with those who have submitted requests. Follow C Suite for Christ on LinkedIn and Facebook. Questions? Contact Paul M. Neuberger at (414) 313-8338 or pneuberger@csuiteforchrist.com.)

Who’s Looking Back at You?

“Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.” – Isaiah 35:5

Image courtesy of funplanners.com

Have you ever been to a carnival, or an arcade, and spent time laughing at funhouse mirrors?

You look in … but who’s looking back? They sure don’t look familiar. Your head might grow gigantic … or shrink to the size of an orange. Your belly can expand to Santa Claus-like girth. Or your legs stretch like rubber … while your upper half contracts like a smashed soda can.

The mirrors are wavy or curved. They create exaggerated, comical distortions. It’s all in good fun. You walk away. Everything returns to normal.

Or does it? What’s “normal” anymore? Do we really know?

It’s easy to be confused. Society bombards us with distorted realities. The mechanisms are many.

Consider social media. Everyone is happy in those photos! No one ever looks sad or upset. They must have perfect lives. It’s easy to think, “Why don’t I?” or “What’s wrong with me?”

Workplaces can be challenging. You know that others are making more money than you. Some are even being promoted. Why not you? Again, what’s wrong with you?

Look at some of your neighbors – the perfect lawns, the shiny cars, the attractive spouses and kids. Why isn’t this you? What’s wrong with you?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing at all. You’re fine, being your authentic self and doing your best to live honestly and humbly. These others are all faux funhouse mirrors, distorting your worldview and cratering your confidence. Don’t let them!

Focus on the real, not the wrong

What’s right? What’s wrong? What’s real? What’s distortion?

Maybe the Apostle Paul can shed some light, from his second letter to the Corinthians: “For this light momentary affliction is preparing us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (4:17-18).

In other words, the external forces of judgment are irrelevant. They’re pointless. Don’t let these false gods of foolishness measure you.

There’s only one judge to be concerned with – and He loves you for who you are.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Think about the hypocrisy of social media. Does anyone post that their husband was arrested for drunken driving? Or their 16-year-old daughter is pregnant? Or that a family member is in jail for stealing a car, or robbing a convenience store, or worse?

Of course not! Social media is a false, shiny narrative. It’s complete distortion.

Work? The person who got the promotion seemed to have it made … until they got fired. Or left for another job. Maybe the grass really isn’t greener.

Oh, and your neighbors seemed to have it all together … until the foreclosure sign appeared. Or the police showed up after a loud screaming match. Guess the spotless lawn and nice vehicles were just … distortions.

Society distorts our perceptions at every turn. Ignore them. Instead, look through God’s eyes. Understand how He sees us … and his endless gift of accepting us how we are, where we are.

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” – Romans 5:3-5

You are God’s child. Nothing can take you away from Him! His unending love is real. Everything else is just funhouse mirrors.

(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. Submit a prayer request for a pressing need in your life. Participate in a virtual prayer session to ask God to be with those who have submitted requests. Follow C Suite for Christ on LinkedIn and Facebook. Questions? Contact Paul M. Neuberger at (414) 313-8338 or pneuberger@csuiteforchrist.com.)

Let the Mud Clear Your Vision

“Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.” – Isaiah 35:5

Many, many perspectives change as we “mature.” Chief among them concerns weather.

Oh, sure – as adults, we enjoy walking, or biking, or golfing, or doing any number of things outdoors. At the first sign of rain, though, most of us run for cover. Heaven forbid we get wet!

Contrast this to when you were a child. Rain? Yeah! Find a puddle to splash in!

Even better if there was wet, muddy ground nearby. Mud is magnetic to kids. They love to jump in it, stomp in it, and do everything imaginable to get as dirty as possible. Bring it on!

Conversely, adults abhor mud. It dirties our shoes. Stains our pants cuffs. If it splashes onto a skirt or dress – look out. Someone is going to be really unhappy.

What happens when mud accumulates on shoes? They get heavy. Our feet stick. Pretty soon, we feel tired. Our progress slows. Again, no good.

Modern adults have no use for mud. Why, even its connotations in everyday speech are negative: A person’s reputation can be “dragged through the mud.” A fallen hero’s “name is mud.” Politicians attacking each other are “mud-slinging.”

Mud as a cure, not a curse

Jesus, by contrast, didn’t mind mud. In fact, he used it to cure a man blind from birth. Consider this passage from John 9: “’While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. ‘Go,’ he told him, ‘wash in the Pool of Siloam’ (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.”

The notion of using mud – mixed with saliva, no less – as a medical salve would terrify any practitioner of modern medicine. Yet, Jesus made it work. He used some really unpleasant ingredients to give a man his first-ever gift of sight.

Why did Jesus choose mud as his “medicine?” Is there a metaphor for how we live our lives, often oblivious to God’s will for us?

Cleansing our muddied existences

All of us fall short of God’s expectations. We do things we shouldn’t. Miss opportunities to do things pleasing to God. Unlike Jesus’s use of mud to grant sight, are we laden with “mud” that leads to these spiritual blind spots?

Mud is unclean. Isn’t this how we feel when we engage in activities we know are wrong? Is God reminding us of this, by making us feel “muddy?”

Similarly, when we go down these wrongful paths, do we not start feeling sluggish? Like there’s “mud” caked on our souls … similar to our shoes?

Do we have stains on our relationships with others, that we know should be cleansed … yet somehow aren’t? Is “mud” marking these as a reminder?

Maybe, just maybe, this “mud” opens our eyes to God’s will. What’s weighing you down, or slowing you, or making you feel less than clean? Can you identify the mud, and ask God to cleanse you?

Don’t curse the “mud.” God often uses unpleasant sensations or experiences to teach us. Sometimes, to humble us, as in Job 30:19: “He throws me into the mud, and I am reduced to dust and ashes.”

The mud is for your benefit. It’s there, ironically, for you to live a cleaner life. The man whose eyes saw for the first time would undoubtedly proclaim its wonderment.

Appreciate the mud. Learn from it. Even be like a kid again, and don’t be afraid to get dirty … knowing that God’s forgiveness will ultimately cleanse you.

(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. Submit a prayer request for a pressing need in your life. Participate in a virtual prayer session to ask God to be with those who have submitted requests. Follow C Suite for Christ on LinkedIn and Facebook. Questions? Contact Paul M. Neuberger at (414) 313-8338 or pneuberger@csuiteforchrist.com.)

If You’re Drowning, Humble Yourself

“And he said: Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:3

Did you ever, as a child, jump into a lake or pool … and suddenly realize it was deeper than you expected?

Your feet, used to solid ground, felt nothing beneath. Serious alarm, even panic, set in. Could you stay afloat? Could you keep your head above water?

You might have kicked wildly. Thrashed your arms. Been ready to yell for help … when Mom’s or Dad’s comforting arms plucked you to safety.

You were never in real danger. Your parent knew this. But YOU didn’t.

All you knew was the emptiness beneath your feet … and fear.

As adults, we don’t worry about literally drowning. Most of us know how to swim, or rarely get near water.

Still, are you “drowning” in a metaphorical sense? Too many obligations overwhelming you? Financial challenges? Fractured family relationships? Wandering through life with no sense of purpose?

This “drowning” might not kill us. Yet it manifests itself in other ways: stress and anxiety. Accumulating material goods. Drinking or substance abuse. Lying awake at night.

Be strong, and ask for help

As young children, we are dependent on our parents for everything. We have no choice.

As adults, we pride ourselves on independence. But if we’re drowning, we need help. Asking for help isn’t a bad thing.

For many, though, it’s humbling – which again, isn’t a bad thing. Scripture proves the worth of humbling oneself. Consider these passages:

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” – James 4:10

“The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.” – Psalm 147:6

“Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.” – Proverbs 3:34

“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” – Matthew 23:12

Finally, entrance into Heaven itself relies on humbling oneself like a child:

“… but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 19:14

Enter the Kingdom, humbly

News flash (if needed): Entering the kingdom of Heaven isn’t about accomplishments or possessions. It’s not a meritocracy. Forget your resume.

Finding favor with God is about admitting our faults, our sins, our shortcomings, and asking for help. It’s humbling yourself in the most humble way possible. Fall on your knees, bare your soul and admit you can’t do it alone.

When we allow ourselves to be wholly dependent on God, His arms lift us from the pit we were drowning in. The ground beneath our feet is solid again. His warm embrace fills us with safety and security.

It only happens, though, when we humble ourselves … totally and completely.

Are you drowning? It’s easy to quickly feel “underwater.” Don’t panic. Don’t thrash. It’s OK, though, to yell to the heavens, to tell God you’re letting go, and asking Him to take charge.

The path forward might not be clear. So, like a child trusting a parent, rely on God to lead you. Walk in faith, and you’ll never feel the emptiness beneath again.

(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. Submit a prayer request for a pressing need in your life. Participate in a virtual prayer session to ask God to be with those who have submitted requests. Follow C Suite for Christ on LinkedIn and Facebook. Questions? Contact Paul M. Neuberger at (414) 313-8338 or pneuberger@csuiteforchrist.com.)

Are You Capping Your Markers?

“God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” – 1 Peter 4:10

We all know him (or her): the guy (or gal) who gets all the breaks. They enjoy success after success. Doors just seem to open. Opportunities are never in short supply.

Human nature, being what it is, would incline us toward jealousy. Why aren’t we as fortunate as them? Why does everything go right for him (or her)?

Except, we aren’t just anyone. We are God’s people. We look at situations through God’s lens … and a different perspective emerges. Often, it’s one that deepens our faith, and improves us as people.

God blesses us all with unique talents and abilities. We are his works of art, filled with brilliant master strokes and a palette like no other. His gifts to us are beyond number.

Are you a good steward of what God has entrusted to you? Are you using his blessings to create success, and glorify His name in the highest?

Is it possible – even just a little – that the person for whom you’re feeling a twinge of jealousy is doing a better job?

Use your talents

In the Parable of the Talents, recited in Matthew 25:14-30 (and a different version in Luke 19:11-26), Jesus tells of a man who, before leaving on a long trip, entrusted three servants with sums of money.

Two worked and invested, growing the money. One buried his share, fearing his master’s wrath if he lost some.

The master, upon his return, lavished praise on the first two for their industriousness.

He chastised the third, calling him “wicked and lazy,” and gave his money to one of the other two servants.

The master explained his actions:

“To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.” – Matthew 25:29

At first glance, this seems like a very un-Jesus-like thing to say. Wasn’t he the protector of the poor, a devotee to the downtrodden?

Western biblical scholars have interpreted this, though, as Jesus instructing us to not let our God-given abilities lie fallow. Doing so results in having less than before. If one was of menial means to start, the impact is even more devastating.

If someone is doing better in life, could it be they’re using God’s endowments more fruitfully?

Cap it off

Consider a box of markers. You open a new package. Each marker draws deep, vibrant lines. It’s a joy to use them. Once finished, you replace caps to keep the markers fresh.

Except, you drop a couple. You don’t notice, because your phone is ringing, or it’s time for dinner, or the dog is dancing at the door. The markers roll under the couch.

You find them a week later. No caps in sight. The markers are dried out. Useless. Done.

God’s gifts to us are like these markers. Left unused, they go to waste. Their once-great potential is never realized. A work of art that might have been made, and changed the world, is never created.

Are you putting caps on your markers?

Recognize the skills God has provided you. Use these talents to honor Him. Step out in faith. The time is now.

What chances can you take to fully use your unique abilities? Is God calling you to do so, and you haven’t paid attention?

It’s never too late. Even a little faith can go a long way. It renews us, heals us and energizes us. God has blessed all of us with the power to do great things.

The guy (or gal) who seems to have it all together? Maybe they’re just better at capping their markers.

You, though, might discover a whole new set. Who knows what you’ll create? Do so to the glory of God, and never worry about losing another marker again.

(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. Submit a prayer request for a pressing need in your life. Participate in a virtual prayer session to ask God to be with those who have submitted requests. Follow C Suite for Christ on LinkedIn and Facebook. Questions? Contact Paul M. Neuberger at (414) 313-8338 or pneuberger@csuiteforchrist.com.)

It’s No Game – The Outcome is Certain

“Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.” – Psalm 136:2

Image courtesy of Hope Church Newham

The technological revolution of recent decades has brought countless changes to our lives. Most have been positive – for example, those that allow us to manage time better.

Many sports fans have taken full advantage. Rather than set aside three hours (or more) for a scheduled game, they record it. Now, they can watch at their convenience.

The challenge is what comes next. Most fans don’t want to know the game’s outcome in advance. So, unless they can watch it soon after recording, they have to dodge any related chatter.

Think of all the dangerous places this could come up: at work. In a conversation with a friend. In the grocery store line. On social media, radio, TV …

Cover your ears?

One would almost have to hide in a cave to avoid spoiling the surprise. All it takes is one nearby person exclaiming “Wow, can you believe the last-second play the (FILL IN YOUR FAVORITE TEAM) made to win the other day?”

Obviously, if you already know the game’s result, you’re much less interested in watching it. Why would you be? Isn’t suspense part of the fun?

Similarly, for many business executives, the fulfilling part of running a company is the many challenges. Is their vision the right one? Are their decision-making skills on point? Can they steer the organization through rough times? Do they have what it takes to be a leader?

If they already know ahead of time that everything will turn out OK (or otherwise), well, to quote the great B.B. King, “the thrill is gone.”

Everyone, regardless of what they do for a living or amusement, faces uncertainty in their lives. Maybe it’s the score of a football game. Maybe it’s the course of business. Or perhaps it’s something far more ominous, such as waiting on critical health test results.

The one certainty

We, as Christians, can only be certain of one thing in life: God loves us.

Consider Psalm 52:8: “But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.”

Or Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

We know the ultimate outcome. Jesus conquered death. He granted us eternal salvation.

Our lives are like a recorded football game. Nothing will separate us from God’s love – no dropped passes, or fumbles, or interceptions, or missed field goals.

God always wins. Take solace in this, especially during life’s upheavals – whether job losses, bad business decisions or unwelcome medical news.

True, when we struggle with hard times, God’s presence might seem distant. It’s not. He’s with us. God has fought endless hard battles before we knew the fights even existed.

Keep in mind the words of Nehemiah 2:4-5: “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.”

Christ has power over what overpowers us. His sacrifice was the ultimate proof of God’s endless love.

God wins. He’ll keep doing so. We win, too, by trusting Him and proclaiming His glory.

It’s no game. You know the outcome. Rather than a conversation to avoid, this is one you should be shouting for all to hear … because your team will always win.

(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. Submit a prayer request for a pressing need in your life. Participate in a virtual prayer session to ask God to be with those who have submitted requests. Follow C Suite for Christ on LinkedIn and Facebook. Questions? Contact Paul M. Neuberger at (414) 313-8338 or pneuberger@csuiteforchrist.com.)

Who You Are? Or Whose You Are?

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Image courtesy of Shantell Martin

Ever had one of those dark, frustrating days, when nothing goes right, and you dwell on times past, and end up thinking “I wish I could just start all over again!”

Sure you have. We all have. The human spirit, while indomitable in many ways, is still very prone to questioning itself.

These thoughts often lead to pondering a “restart,” and how it could supposedly make everything better. Wipe the slate clean. Begin again, fresh and new.

It’s not hard to understand. We are all sinful, broken creatures. Every day we fail to meet expectations, whether others’, our own, or God’s. Fortunately, we know at least one of the three will forgive us.

So how do we get better? How do we “fix” ourselves, if such a thing is possible?

The “self-help” industry has thrived on this for decades. Every year, tens of thousands of books are sold, all supposedly holding the secrets to a better life. Motivational speakers criss-cross the U.S. offering their take. And, of course, the business of psychology and mental health has never been stronger.

Is it a matter of heart?

Listen to music, or read poetry, and you’ll be told the answer lies “in your heart.” Yes, it’s all inside. You just need to know where to look, or how deep to dig. If it’s not in one place, try another. If it’s still not obvious, well, then something’s just wrong with you.

Is this approach misguided? Yes, according to Scripture. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.” Wow! Clearly the wrong place to be searching!

To reinforce, paraphrasing Mark 7:21, “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts …”

So where do we find the solution to living better lives, and being better people, and making things better for our fellow man? Consider Ephesians 5:1: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”

We, as humans, often obsess over how others perceive us. We struggle with how we view ourselves. We try to decide who we really want to be. Meanwhile, we keep all those self-help authors, and speakers, and consultants, and a lot of others, in business.

A change of perspective

Let’s reverse the perspective. Instead of looking in, try looking out. Take the spotlight off yourself. If you’re a believer, focus it on God, and his son Jesus, and all His wondrous teachings and guidance about how we can live lives fulfilled in so many ways.

In other words: Show the world Whose you are, rather than who you are.

Don’t make a show of your accomplishments. Rather, promote what God has done through you.

Don’t brag about the people you know, or who report to you. Instead, make clear Who you serve.

Ask God for more strength, not less burden. Pray to be more like Jesus, and less like ourselves.

Be the “new creation” that Paul wrote about to the Corinthians. Cast aside the old version of who you were, for a new, far better model designed by God.

The great thing is, it’s never too late. Every day is a new opportunity to become a new person in Christ. It costs nothing. Yet the return on your devotion, and time, and changed focus, is incalculable.

It’s a restart, all right – one that will leave you at peace, yet energized and excited to have others see Christ in you.

Think of the money you’ll save on self-help seminars, and the shelf space you’ll have from clearing out all those books. You have much better things to focus on now.

(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. Submit a prayer request for a pressing need in your life. Participate in a virtual prayer session to ask God to be with those who have submitted requests. Follow C Suite for Christ on LinkedIn and Facebook. Questions? Contact Paul M. Neuberger at (414) 313-8338 or pneuberger@csuiteforchrist.com.)

Words Have Power. How Are You Using It?

“I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” – Matthew 12:36

Think about the last time you smiled. Why the happy expression?

Chances are it was something a person said. Or something you read. The words evoked a positive, joyful response.

Similarly, consider the last time you were sad, or upset. Was it, again, due to something someone said? Except, in this instance, your response was 180 degrees different.

We can’t utter a phrase, or write a single sentence, without using words. Yes, words that, depending on meanings and how they’re used, can affect others in profound ways.

Think about the examples just cited. One, a desirable, welcome emotion. The other, a bitter pill that no one likes to swallow.

See, words have power. Immense, life-altering power. It’s a force that can build others up, or destroy them entirely. Which do you choose?

Many of us have dozens of conversations a day. Do you realize the power your words can wield?

Words can even hold authority over life itself. Consider Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

“Power” cuts many ways. We all want to be empowered to pursue great things, and (hopefully) advance God’s kingdom. Whether we do so, often depends on how we use the power of words.

Paul implores us to choose our words carefully in Ephesians 4:29: “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.”

This guidance is needed more than ever in our increasingly broken, divided world. Judgment abounds. Watch the news, and hear our “leaders” describe their political foes in terms bordering on vile. Go on social media, and feel the raw hatred spewing from keyboards into cyberspace.

God is needed more than ever. Yet the mere mention of God has become, in many circles, an incivility, a violation, an unpardonable offense. Proclaim you’re a follower of Jesus, and be prepared to hear words you hopefully would never use yourself.

Others will use words to tear down and ruin. Conversely, we – as Christ’s disciples – will use words to build, create and inspire.

How? By not putting others down, nor criticizing for the sake of criticism. By speaking in ways
(and words) that nurture hope, love and zest for life. By realizing the impact a kind word can have on someone, and seeking opportunities to bestow them.

Similarly, let’s recognize that everyone carries a cross of some sort. A sarcastic remark can send an already-hurting person reeling. A joke, taken the wrong way, can inflict tremendous pain. Sometimes it’s better to not say something. Leave those words in your holster.

The book of Hebrews (the author of which is subject to debate) provides guidance in its 12th chapter: “Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fail to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ spring up and cause trouble, and by it the many become defiled.”

God commands us to lift each other up, and share love in all we do. The words we speak hold tremendous power. Just like the “What would Jesus do?” bracelets you occasionally see on wearers’ wrists, let our voices be guided by a similar query: “What would God have us say?”

(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. Submit a prayer request for a pressing need in your life. Participate in a virtual prayer session to ask God to be with those who have submitted requests. Follow C Suite for Christ on LinkedIn and Facebook. Questions? Contact Paul M. Neuberger at (414) 313-8338 or pneuberger@csuiteforchrist.com.)

“If Only …?” No, Only Christ!

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

Image courtesy of rochemamabolo.com

The English language has a lot of “dangerous” words.

Some are risky because of reactions they can incite in others. Others are hazardous only from the damage they inflict on our own hearts and souls.

Here are two when, used in combination, are lethal to the spirit: “If only.”

“If only” is a hymn of regret, a capitulation to remorse, a soliloquy of sadness. It desperately grasps for a second chance, in a world where they are few and far between. It’s about decision-making, sure, but on a raw, emotive level laid bare like few others.

“If only I’d applied for the job …”

“If only I’d asked her (or him) out …”

“If only I had one last chance to tell him (or her) I loved them …”

The words themselves aren’t emotional. Sports fans are big on “what if” – the shot had gone in, the player had held onto the ball, the coach had made a different decision. When winning and losing are so cut and dried, “what if” is part of the everyday vernacular.

For most people, though, “what if” conjures up bad memories, lost hopes and broken dreams. Its use cries for consolation and reinforcement, sometimes to shore up a mountain of self-doubt.

Does the Bible offer comfort? Depends on where you look.

Consider the dark images from these literal uses of “what if,” in consecutive verses in Job 17: “What if I go to the grave and make my bed in darkness? What if I call the grave my father, and the maggot my mother or my sister?”

Or this fear of personal failure expressed in Genesis 24:39: “But I said to my master, ‘What if I can’t find a young woman who is willing to go back with me?’”

The doubting voice in the back of our minds is part of the human condition. As these verses illustrate, even Biblical characters questioned their own abilities and chances for success.

It’s not all gloom and doom – not by a long shot. So let’s shift to the other side of the equation, using probably one of the most-loved Bible verses of all time.

“But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” – Matthew 19:26

Here is the crux of the issue: As long as the spirit of Christ dwells within us, nothing is impossible. We can overcome anything, even the fears and self-doubts that hold us back.

We doubt ourselves because we’re sinners. We know it. God knows it … and through Christ’s crucifixion, our transgressions are forgiven.

Yet we can’t let go of our doubt, similar to a panicking Peter amid the raging sea in Matthew 14:31, before Jesus grabbed his hand and asked, “Oh man of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Peter was just one of the sinful people God has always used to do his work. Think of the others: Noah. Jacob. Moses. David. Paul. The list goes on.

Are you somehow excluded?

Whether we realize it or not, we’re all on the list. Despite our sinful ways, and constant self-doubt, we’re put on this earth to be Christ’s disciples. God entrusts us, with all our faults, to further his kingdom. Is there any higher purpose in life?

God grants us the ability to move beyond hopelessness and regrets. He grants us a fresh start every time we bow our head in prayer. Revel in it, draw power from it, and know that, because Christ is in us, our potential is unlimited … and the impossible, is possible.

“If only” is an outdated concept dashed upon the rocks of God’s life-saving shore. Remember this, the next time you temporarily lose sight of His vision for you.

If only I had the power to …

If only I had the strength to …

If only I had the courage to …

You have all three – power, strength and courage – emanating from Christ’s filling your being. Go into the world, and use these qualities to spread God’s love and word, every day. And if you end up saying “If only I’d realized this sooner” … well, that’s OK.

(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. Submit a prayer request for a pressing need in your life. Participate in a virtual prayer session to ask God to be with those who have submitted requests. Follow C Suite for Christ on LinkedIn and Facebook. Questions? Contact Paul M. Neuberger at (414) 313-8338 or pneuberger@csuiteforchrist.com.)

There is no “Christmas” Without Christ

“Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.” – 1 Chronicles 16:10

When should Christmas decorations be put up?

Before Thanksgiving? After Thanksgiving? Wait until December? It’s an annual debate that’s never goes away.

Here’s a solution: Whenever the spirit moves you, because Christmas is ultimately about the Holy Spirit. Christmas celebrates God’s incalculable generosity of giving the world his only son, Jesus Christ, who sacrificed himself so that the rest of us would be saved.

There. Case solved.

A very merry Christmas to all of you … and we heartily mean “Merry Christmas,” not some alternative milquetoast, watered-down holiday greeting!

Jesus is our Lord and Savior, plain and simple! Despite what the mass media and its insatiable consumerism tells you, Christ is at the center of Christmas, just as He is at the center of our lives. There’s no Christmas without Christ!

Like it or not (and we do), the first six letters of “Christmas” will always be C-H-R-I-S-T! And we will always celebrate Christ’s birth as the most important part of Christmas. Even the secular progressives can’t stamp out a holiday that goes back centuries … not that they won’t stop trying.

“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” – 1 Corinthians 12

Is your shopping done? Have you even started? No matter where you are in the process, here’s a gift idea you might not have considered.

The apostle Paul writes of the spiritual gift we’re all given. So how about passing on that invaluable gift, by giving others the gift of Christ? It’s the best possible gift in the world … and one guaranteed NOT to be returned.

The gift of Christ offers hope in a time that desperately needs it. It revives people’s souls, even after they’ve been beaten down by a world seemingly determined to marginalize them. Think about having your own Lazarus moment with someone – how great would that feel?

Oh sure, a sweater is a nice Christmas gift, but it can be destroyed by one of nature’s most menial creatures: a moth.

The Bible warns of moths, by the way. James 5:2 admonishes that “Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags.” Take Jesus’s advice in Matthew 6:20, where he instructs to “Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.”

Do you really want to give people the same old, same old for Christmas? Hopefully not, after the year we’ve had! We’re all waiting for something that improves our well-being and sense of humor.

Think about all that Christ has done in your life. What could he do for others? Don’t you want to give them this opportunity?

“Declare your glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!” – Psalm 96

We are commanded to spread God’s love, both to fellow Christians and our secular brethren. In the second chapter of his first letter, the apostle John says “Those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him.” James 1:22 warns “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise you are only fooling yourselves.”

So how does this play out? How can you give others the gift of Christ? Start by considering all the events to which you invite others. Golf? Dinner? Play dates for the kids?

OK. Now, think about where you spend Sunday mornings. Why not invite these same people to join you in church? Or at a Bible study? Or maybe a group like C Suite for Christ … what are the odds?

“The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others.” – Mark 4:14

Want a more subtle approach, yet one that will be noticed? How you speak to others – literally, the language you use – can plant seeds. Try using Biblical language in everyday conversation. It has plenty of synonyms for our common verbiage. Try these examples, and see how easy it is:

  • In your next e-mail, instead of writing you “hope” someone is well, mention you “pray” they’re well instead.
  • In everyday speech, rather than citing how “lucky” or “fortunate” you are, note how you’re “blessed.”
  • When an opportunity arises to agree with someone, respond with “amen” or, to really make a point, “hallelujah!”

Not so hard, right? Speaking of speaking, many of you probably use social media. How about sharing your faith on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or another preferred platform?

You don’t have to bombard people, or be in their faces. Just share one post a week that reflects your Christian beliefs. Not too difficult, right? Sure, you might get a nasty remark or two in return. Turn the other cheek, as Jesus told us to do. We build God’s kingdom by demonstrating his love, not battling social media trolls.

You might be seeing a big picture here. Giving the gift of Christ is about actively, unapologetically sharing our faith. Don’t hide yours under a hat. Be ready to tell others why you’re a person of faith, and how you’ve seen God at work in your life.

“Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5

Glorifying our father in heaven – doesn’t this sound like something you not only know you should do, but truly want to do? The best way is by being an active disciple of Christ, which means seeking out opportunities to open others’ eyes to the wonderment, and majesty, and ultimately soul-filling salvation that comes from embracing Jesus, and holding him tight every day.

We’ve all had a rough year, and now we’re upon one of its biggest holidays, one whose first six letters just happen to spell out “Christ.” Let this be a final encouragement to give others the gift of Christ this Christmas … and to make 2021 a far better year by continuing to bestow this gift, even after Christmas is long in the rear-view mirror.

(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. Submit a prayer request for a pressing need in your life. Participate in a virtual prayer session to ask God to be with those who have submitted requests. Follow C Suite for Christ on LinkedIn and Facebook. Questions? Contact Paul M. Neuberger at (414) 313-8338 or pneuberger@csuiteforchrist.com.)