Our Mission

To present Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord to business and professional men and to develop Christian business and professional men to carry out the Great Commission.

1 Corinthians 15.58 invites, don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.

This is our mission, the Great Commission. We are to conduct this mission with our whole heart, throwing ourselves into this work, knowing that eternal reward awaits when we face our God and give account for the life we lived on this earth.

Not just reward from God but the reward of eternal life among those who benefited from our work for it is through the work of sharing Jesus with people that people come to eternal life in Christ. Men are not won to God by angels. Men are won to God by the Spirit of God awakening their hearts to God as men share the love of God for them through Jesus Christ the Savior.

We must not hold back any longer. Too many do not know Christ personally and are ruining our society. We cannot afford to cower or be ashamed of Jesus but must boldly identify ourselves as servants of God by serving people and sharing the hope that exists within us. This work must be top of mind, first-priority, receiving our greatest effort even while we work for our sustenance and raise children to know God and obey His commands.

Our vocation, our neighborhood, our family is to be the focus of our occupation which is the helping of people to become disciples of Jesus by teaching them to obey everything He has commanded us even as we ourselves obey Him thoroughly, beginning with our diligence at seeing people become followers of Jesus.

Seeing God’s kingdom come and His will being done on earth as it is in heaven is to be our purpose for today, tomorrow and every day that we remain on earth awaiting the arrival of our departure to heaven.

His Opportunities

1. Your next opportunity for identifying with Jesus in order to share His message with others at a CBMC Luncheon will be October 18. For more information and to register go HERE
   
2. Tuesday, September 18th at the City Rescue Mission from noon until 1pm is your next CBMC Rescue Luncheon. This is your opportunity to serve lunch to the men and women who depend upon the Mission for their meal. Can’t attend but wish to cover the cost for the lunch? If interested in either, commit Here
   
3.  Summer giving has been a bit dry. If you could help ‘water’ this ministry this month that would be great.  COMMIT now. 

CBMC Central Michigan 6011 W. St. Joseph Ste. 401 Lansing 48917  / 517 481 5996 www.lansing.cbmc.com 

MONDAY MANNA

A service to the business community

A Publication of CBMC International

September 17, 2018

Choosing – Or Refusing – to ‘ Drink the Cup’

by Sergio Fortes

Whether in our personal or professional lives, there are certain times when it seems that nothing works. No matter what we do, everything goes wrong. We feel like the end has come, whether it is our career, striving toward an important goal, or saving a valued relationship. Our minds become overwhelmed with negative thoughts. Friends and close relatives seem distant, leaving us surrounded by lonely feelings. The anticipated shipwreck seems just a matter of time. 

All that matters, we believe, whether in the corporate world, personal pursuits, or even our spiritual lives, is success. If our story is not successful one, it can only be one thing: a failure. Unfortunately, no one has interest in failure. 

In his book, Here and Now, author Henri Nouwen, a foremost exponent of spirituality during the last century, reminds us that the episodes of life alternate, having a natural ebb and flow: joy and sadness; success and failure; health and illness; similar to the seasons of a calendar year. The Bible can tell us much about these seasons. In fact, the Old Testament says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die…a time to tear down and a time to build…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). 

During His time on earth, Jesus Christ of Nazareth regarded moments of pain and failure as integral parts of his life. Speaking to Peter, one of his closest followers (and the most impulsive), He rebuked him the night when He was betrayed. Jesus said, “Put your sword into away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (John 18.11).He understood this was a trial He could not avoid. 

Peter thought this was unacceptable, refusing to tolerate what he perceived as failure. He preferred to draw his sword, which he had skillfully camouflaged, and fight against Jesus’ accusers. Attack the attackers. Cut off an ear. He was willing to do anything but “drink the cup.” 

We all desire our own “swords” to ward off the assaults of life. These seemingly protective weapons can look like a fat bank checking account, gold-credit card, large savings account, a wealthy friend we can call upon in a crisis, or material goods we can easily liquidate if needed. But are they really effective, or just walking sticks that delay the inevitable “drinking the cup” process? 

Distinguishing between when to fight and when to drink the cup requires spiritual discernment. Surrounded by angry, armed and violent soldiers, Jesus ​​saw beyond the siege. He understood it was not a time to fight, but rather to accept God’s will, even if it meant bitter suffering, pain and death. It was necessary for Him to drink the cup. His purpose was to atone for the sins of mankind. 

This is not just a spiritual illustration. For each of us laboring in the business and professional world, sometimes the “cup” is inevitable. Maybe you are in one of those moments of your life today. You are being asked to drink the cup, but do not like it one bit. Who prefers pain and bitterness over success? 

In these circumstances, we need wisdom to understand what is happening. And it will happen. But the Scriptures offer us consolation. As the psalmist David wrote, “His anger lasts only a moment, but his goodness is for life. The weeping may last all night long, but joy comes in the morning”(Psalm 30:5). Then, in verse 11, David wrote, “You have changed my weeping into joyful dancing, you have removed my sorrow from me, and have girded me with joy.” He had confidence God could use even the worst times for good. 

© 2018. J. Sergio Fortes is a consultant in strategic management and a specialist in corporate leadership. He also is a member of CBMC Brazil. 

CBMC Central Michigan 6011 W. St. Joseph Ste. 401 Lansing 48917  / 517 481 5996  lansing.cbmc.com

 MONDAY MANNA

A service to the business community

A Publication of CBMC International

September 17, 2018

 Reflection/Discussion Questions 

1. When was the last time you experienced a time when nothing seemed to be working, when no matter what you tried, it turned out wrong? How did you respond to that? 

1. Do you agree with the writer who said there are inevitable seasons in life, times to succeed and times to fail, times to advance and times to pause, or even have to retreat? Explain your answer. 

1. What do you think Jesus Christ meant when He said He must “drink the cup” God had given to Him? 

1. How does faith help in being able to endure times when everything seems to have gone wrong, and there is no immediate evidence that things will soon change?  

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about his subject, consider the following passages: Ecclesiastes 3:1-15; Romans 5:3-5; Hebrews 11:1,39-40; James 1:2-8; 1 Peter 1:6-7

 CBMC Central Michigan 6011 W. St. Joseph Ste. 401 Lansing 48917  / 517 481 5996  lansing.cbmc.com