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. 

"Now Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, had a spear that weighed three hundred bronze shekels, and he was armed with a new weapon. He had said that he would kill David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to David's aid, striking the Philistine down and killing him. Then David's men took an oath saying, "You will not go out to battle with us again! You must not extinguish the lamp of Israel!" Later there was another battle with the Philistines, this time in Gob. On that occasion Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was one of the descendants of Rapha. Yet another battle occurred with the Philistines in Gob. On that occasion Elhanan the son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. Yet another battle occurred in Gath. On that occasion there was a large man who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in all! He too was a descendant of Rapha. When he taunted Israel, Jonathan, the son of David's brother Shimeah, killed him. These four were the descendants of Rapha who lived in Gath; they were killed by David and his soldiers." Samuel 21:16-22 NET https://bible.com/bible/107/2sa.21.16-22.NET 

David had mighty men in his army whom God used to kill powerful enemies of God. The church has mighty men in God's army whom God also wants to use to destroy His enemies. The church does not fight with weapons made by men for war. Instead, the mighty men of God today battle against principalities and powers in high places that deceive men with philosophies and ideologies that deceive the masses into denying God and disobeying His commands. 

This war is fought in the classroom, the newsroom, the boardroom, and social media. The mighty men of the church who engage in this war, opposing God's current Goliath's at the university, the media, the government, and the marketplace do so with Biblical truth, arguing for the wisdom of God, the truth of His word and the righteousness of His Son Who died for sins and rose from the dead. 

Mighty men of God today work hard at rightly handling the sword of God's Word, wielding it against every thought and idea that sets itself against God's Son and His commands. Who are these mighty men of God, and where are they? They are every Christian man willing to wage war against the ideas of evil crushing our society, causing eternal death and destruction for so many whom God our Savior desires to save through His church's proclamation of His Son. 

Our Opportunities 

1. Join CBMC men for prayer and Bible study every Friday morning 8-9am at Panera Frandor
2. Opportunities abound within CBMC for meeting with other men. Prayer Groups, CEO groups and young professional groups only need YOU to make them happen and to help you fulfill your ministry in the marketplace. Contact Mike today to join or start a team.

CBMC Central Michigan 4407 W. St. Joe Hwy. Lansing 48917 / 517 481 5996 www.lansing.cbmc.com 

MONDAY MANNA

A service to the business community

A Publication of CBMC International

October 16, 2023 

‘Quit’ Has No Place In Our Vocabulary

By Dan Britton 

Several years ago, a high school football team in Michigan, U.S.A. cancelled the last five games of its season after going 0–4 and having not scored a point at the start of the season. Going winless and scoreless has a sting to it, but my heart hurts thinking that someone gave up on that group of athletes. 

Think about the possible victories those athletes will never experience. I do not mean to on-the-field victories. From what was reported, the team probably would have finished 0–9. However, lasting victories are not about points on a scoreboard, or wins and losses. What matters are the life victories the athletes were not able to experience this season. I suppose the coaches and athletic officials had never heard the famous Winston Churchill quote, “Never give in – never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in….” For him, “quit” was a four-letter profanity. 

Twenty years from now, those athletes might be wishing their coaches had not given up on them. Even if they had gone winless and scoreless, it could have been a defining moment that developed character. 

Unfortunately, quitting is something that has permeated many segments of society, including the business and professional world. People quit without giving any thought to possible repercussions. I believe the word needs to be removed from our vocabulary. Not only do I see it as a curse word, but it also becomes a curse to all who live by it. 

I will never forget the conversation I had with a 16-year-old boy during a young athletes’ retreat. During free time, he was sitting by himself, his head in his hands. Something was troubling him, so I sat by him hoping to help. I simply asked, “What’s wrong?”  I was prepared for a typical young person’s response: girlfriend problems; alcohol or drugs; friendship struggles, or issues at school. So, I was shocked when he said, “I hate that my parents let me quit everything I start.” 

The young man proceeded to explain that everything he started, he quit. He then blurted out, “I just wish they would make me finish what I started.” Wow! Usually I hear the exact opposite, “I hate that my parents make me finish everything I start.” But this aspiring athlete wanted encouragement not to quit. 

The Bible clearly addresses the importance of not quitting, of determining to confront adversity in whatever form it takes. “Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2–4). 

Our families, teams, businesses, organizations, churches, and schools should be places for cultivating a spirit of finishing – and finishing well. The four-letter word, “Quit,” should be eliminated from our conversations. The apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:9 the reward of not quitting: “So let us not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” 

We each will become known by others as either a finisher or a quitter. The choice is ours, but the difference between the two is life-changing. Because it is in the struggle and strain that God shapes us and molds us. We will miss out on what He is trying to do in our lives if we quit when things get hard. 

Dan Britton is a writer, coach and trainer who serves as the Chief Field Officer with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and leads thousands of staff in over 100 countries. Britton played professional lacrosse with the Baltimore Thunder and has coauthored eight books, including: One Word, WisdomWalks, and Called to Greatness. He is a frequent speaker for companies, non-profits and sports teams. Dan and his wife, Dawn, reside in Overland Park, Kansas, and have three married children and a granddaughter. 

.CBMC Central Michigan 4407 W. St. Joe Hwy. Lansing 48917 / 517 481 5996  lansing.cbmc.com

MONDAY MANNA

A service to the business community

A Publication of CBMC International

October 16, 2023

Reflection/Discussion Questions 

1. Have you ever quit something and later regretted that decision? What was the situation and how do you think you could have handled it better? What might have happened if you had not quit?
2. Why do you think it has become such a common option for people to quit when, as they say, “the going gets tough”?
3. Can you think of anyone – perhaps even yourself – who is being tempted to quit because circumstances have become difficult? How might you respond by encouraging them (or yourself) to discard the word “quit” and replace it with qualities such as perseverance, dedication, resilience, and endurance?
4. The Bible verses cited indicate God uses trials and adversity to shape our character and to change us into people of faith, hope, and determination? Do you believe this? Why or why not?

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Jeremiah 29:11-14; Romans 5: 3-5, 8:35-39; 1Corinthians 15:58; 1 Peter 1:6-7 

CHALLENGE 

Sometimes the obstacles we face seem almost insurmountable. We can become discouraged, which means to lose the courage to continue, to persevere. At such times we all can benefit from people who care for us and will support us through difficulties. Who can you turn to when you need to be encouraged? It could be an individual, or a small group of people you know have your best interests at heart. Identify them today and resolve to openly share struggles you are facing. Similarly, consider today how you can serve as a resource for someone who needs encouragement. 

CBMC Central Michigan 4407 W. St. Joe Hwy. Lansing 48917 / 517 481 5996  lansing.cbmc.com