Monday, February 23, 2009

from Jason in Tanzania

Last night I taught a Kingdom Business seminar to about 100 local Christian Business people. They were about 60% business ladies. They really liked the seminar. Several said God touched their hearts. One guy said, "this is what Tanzania needs. We have been taught to give money by the church, but the Church has never taught us how to make money. Tonight many of my questions were answered. We need more of this."
I met with two govt. officials the District Commissionar and the Trade officer. They confirmed the need for training. The trade officer is a believer (a pastor even) and he said "our greatest need is to have our minds transformed. Our people are surrounded by opportunity but they can't see it."

Pray for Jason Benedict, RCE Strategist, and the rest of his time in Tanzania and Burundi.

Monday, February 2, 2009

The More Abundant Life - Part 4

The thief does not come except to steal, kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Once you reject your own righteousness and put on the righteousness of God, the second attribute to the more abundant life is peace. Peace is the inner tranquility and poise of the believer whose trust is in God through Jesus Christ.

The world sees peace as a lack of external conflict or trouble; however, in God's kingdom, peace can be present in the midst of conflict and trouble. Peace gives you the internal comfort and courage to face difficult situations and external problems. Without God's internal peace, you cannot address problems effectively nor can you obtain external peace.

The prophecy in Isaiah 9:6 describes Jesus as the Prince of Peace. A prince is the son of a sovereign ruler; so Prince of Peace means that Jesus is the bearer, or ambassador, of peace. When Jesus talks about giving us the more abundant life, He is talking about a life that will allow us to experience peace with God, with ourselves, with nature, and with those who choose peace. This peace is not the empty promises that the world offers through materialism, false religions, and false treaties. It is a godly peace that passes all earthly understanding.

This peace is beyond the world's comprehension. In the midst of an economic meltdown, you have peace; in the midst of bad news from the doctor, you have peace; in the midst of limited cash flow, you have peace; and in the midst of uncertainty about the future, you have peace. This peace is not circumstantial, but rather it is based on a complete trust in God through Jesus Christ.

As a kingdom business steward, how do you achieve this peace? You achieve it by abiding in Christ. Here are five things that keep you abiding, or finding your existence, in Him:

1. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ, which gives you peace with God
2. Keeping your mind on Him
3. Being spiritually-minded no matter the circumstances
4. Prayer - drawing near to Him with your worship and expressing your needs to Him
5. Keeping the Word of God in your heart

This peace disappears the minute you take your eyes off Jesus and begin to focus on yourself or your situation and not on His perspective and promises.

Why is this peace so necessary? It is a peace that the world cannot take away, and it guards our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. This peace is a spiritual shield around your heart and your internal nervous system to protect you against sudden heart attack or mental breakdown.

Many people in business have experienced heart failures and mental breakdowns as a result of bad news that they received about their businesses. This news can range from market changes, loss of contracts, loss of investments, or lawsuits. Remember, the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy; he uses people, things, and information to achieve his goal. But Jesus came that you may have life abundantly.

What are you facing right now? Are you experiencing the abundant life? Do you have a peace that passes all understanding? If not, seek the Prince of Peace, set your mind on Him, remain spiritually-minded, pray, and put His Word in your heart. Before you know it, peace will start coming over you. Although your problems may not disappear, this peace will give you comfort and the courage to face your problems; this is what it means to walk in the more abundant life.

Next week, we will discuss the final and most critical attribute of the more abundant life; joy in the Holy Spirit.