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. 

“Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who rejects the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him.” John 3:3, 14-16, 36 CSB https://bible.com/bible/1713/jhn.3.3-36.CSB 

How are people made acceptable to God so they can live with God forever in paradise? Many think that it is by believing in Jesus, and the Church has promoted such thinking, that people may live forever in the kingdom of God. The Hindus believe in Jesus. Are they acceptable to God? No, because their belief is that Jesus is one of many gods, but the Lord declares He is the only God, for He alone is the way, the truth, and the life, and His Name alone is the only Name given to men by which we can be saved from the wrath to come. 

The Muslims also believe in Jesus. Are they acceptable to God? No, for they, too, reject Jesus as God Almighty and the work He did on the cross as a sacrifice for humanity so that they can be pardoned by Him on the day of each person’s accountability before God. Yet Jesus says we must believe in Him, and those who do will not perish but receive eternal life. This belief is unlike our belief that we should eat healthier and exercise more yet do nothing. The belief God commands is the kind that radically changes our lives, as demonstrated by our behavior. It is belief in our corrupted nature by birth and, therefore, the utter hopelessness of any religious activity or good works being capable of making us right with God. 

It is the belief that we have violated God’s will for us and, therefore, repenting from such living and living in submission to the will of God expressed through the commands of God in Jesus, Who is God. It is belief that Jesus is King and Lord; therefore, we are submitting to His will rather than rejecting His rule over our lives by continuing to live in any way we please. It is the belief that is in sync with God’s belief about who we are and Who He is. It is the belief that we are made right with God and acceptable to God when we bow before God and confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, obeying everything Jesus commands and believing He alone can pardon us for all our rebellion against God. 

Our Opportunities 

1. CBMC National Men's Conference October 3-5 in St. Louis, MO. Plan to join and meet new brothers who love the Lord and serve Him in the marketplace across America. Mark your calendar busy for those dates, and then register here. Also, plan to join the bus from Michigan to attend this event. For an additional $200, we will ride in comfort with the men from Michigan to St. Louis. A great adventure awaits. I hope you will join us.
2. Join CBMC men for prayer and Bible study every Friday morning 8-9am at Panera Frandor 

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

September 16, 2024

Striving For Simplicity In A Complex World 

By Jim Langley 

You have probably noticed just how complex life has become. Business and professional people scan through hundreds of emails every workday to locate about a dozen relevant to their business. Even many retired individuals comment on how busy their lives have become even after their careers have ended. They often reflect on  how much more they used to accomplish when working full-time!  

It seems that the more advancements we make, the more technology snares us into time traps. In my insurance profession, I have observed the past 40-plus years have brought great strides in the way we do business – I am able to provide much more data in less time to my clients and prospects. It is interesting to note, however, when my business was less complex, with fewer options and resources, I was able to write more business with less effort. Can you relate to this paradox?

Many of us get caught up in acquiring the latest smartphones to handle all the apps designed to make life easier and more enjoyable. My car has a built-in navigation system, and I can always use the GPS app on my phone. But surprisingly, I often enjoy finding my destination the old-fashioned way – using a printed version of Google Maps, or sometimes reverting to an old city map stuffed in my glove box.  

We have “advanced” so much, people in coffee shops no longer read their favorite section of the newspaper to avoid carrying on conversations with friends or family. (In many cities, newspapers are hard to find!) We stare at smartphones or tablets rather than communicating with others face to face. It pains me to see a family of four or more sitting in a restaurant, everyone caught up in their personal media devices, missing the wonderful opportunity to hear about what has been happening in each other’s lives. 

For this reason, I deliberately seek to simplify my life. This includes focusing the God who has created and designed our complex world yet seeks to provide simple but effective guidelines for living. Many years ago, I placed my trust in this complex God, realizing His ways are very simple to follow. We do not need electronic gadgets to reveal His will for our lives. The truths and principles of His Word help us stay on an even keel in our increasingly complex world. Here are a few of them: 

God’s commandments – rules for living – are simple. Most businesses have lengthy employee manuals, and when we buy a car, appliance or electronic device, they come with complex instructions. But when God set forth His commandments, His rules for living, He gave only 10. The first serves as the foundation for all the rest: “You shall not make for yourself an idol…. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God…showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments” (Genesis 20:4-6). 

He offers a simple path to wisdom. Our world is filled with knowledge and information, but wisdom seems in extremely short supply. God promises to provide it to those who seek it. “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7). 

God’s provision is not complicated. We plan, devise and scheme ways for reaching our goals and meeting our needs, but God’s ways are relatively simple. All He requires is faith and unwavering trust in Him. “The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, He saved me” (Psalm 116:6). 

© 2024, all rights reserved. Jim Langley has been writing for more than 30 years while working as a life and health insurance agent. In recent years, his passion has turned to writing about his relationship with God. His goal is to encourage others to draw near to Him as well. A long-time member of CBMC, he started writing “Fourth Quarter Strategies” in 2014.  

MONDAY MANNA

A service to the business community

A Publication of CBMC International

September 16, 2024

Reflection/Discussion Questions 

1. Many of the technological advances available to us are very helpful but in some ways, they make everyday life more complicated. Can you think of any examples of this?
2. If you have been in the workplace for any length of time, you can probably remember what it was like without some of today’s electronic marvels. Do you ever yearn for the “good old days,” when there were fewer complexities and distractions? Explain your answer.
3. Despite all the “timesaving” devices available to us, many studies indicate that we are experiencing more stress and discontent than ever before. How can you explain this?
4. It is suggested that faith in God can help in simplifying our daily lives, both in the workplace and in our personal lives. Do you agree? Why or why not?

For more about what the Bible says, consider the following passages: Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19:7-8; Psalm 116:5-6; Proverbs 8:1-11; Mark 12:28-31 

Challenge of the Week 

We live in a fast-paced world, almost obligating us to pursue life at a frenetic pace. Over the coming week, try to slow down enough to assess how complex your life has become – and how much it is controlled by the technological tools and devices available to you. 

It might be helpful to meet with someone – a good friend or mentor – and discuss ways you might simplify your life and reduce the levels of stress you are experiencing. Pray for God to give you wisdom is dispensing with some good things so you can focus on the best things. 

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