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. 

“And we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, so that no one will be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. In fact, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we were going to experience affliction, and as you know, it happened.” 1 Thessalonians 3:2-4 CSB https://bible.com/bible/1713/1th.3.4.CSB 

Christians have suffered from the foundation of the faith for proclaiming Jesus as Savior and Lord to the world. They suffered first by the Jews with whom they were counted among before choosing the Messiah Jesus over the rest of the community that rejected Jesus as Messiah. They suffered under the hands of the Romans for proclaiming only one God and King reigns and that is Jesus. They suffered from the multitudes around them for rejecting infanticide, homosexuality, drunkenness, and other sexually deviant behavior from God’s prescription of marriage between one man and one woman. 

The church has continued to suffer in the world for proclaiming Jesus is the only means by which humanity can be reconciled to God for He is the only God and Savior and it has suffered for living differently than the culture and calling the culture to repentance. Yet today in America few are suffering though the opportunity exists and increases for the church has compromised its teachings and its values making it nearly invisible in the marketplace. This cannot be if we are truly Christ’s disciples. We have been given the Great Commission as our mission therefore we must proclaim to everyone Jesus alone is Savior and Lord. 

We have been purchased by the blood of Jesus Who now makes us holy so we must live holy lives perfectly reflecting His perfect life meaning we no longer participate mentally or physically in the deviant lifestyle the pagans will be condemned for living unless they repent. If we are not suffering for being a Christian we are probably not trying very hard to obey Christ in this world. 

Our Opportunities 

1. Your opportunity to share the gospel with men through hearing the testimony of a fellow Christian business leader is set for March 21. All you need to do is commit to attending the date with a man who needs Jesus. Create a list of potential invitees and pray for them. Build your relational capital with them so they will accept your invite when you invite them to lunch. Learn more and register here.
2. CBMC National Men's Conference October 3-5 in St. Louis, MO. Plan to join and to meet new brothers who love the Lord and are serving Him in the marketplace across America. Mark your calendar busy for those dates then watch for details to come soon.
3. 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

March 18, 2024 

Finding Encouragement In Discouraging Times

By Rick Boxx 

Being an optimist by nature, troubles must stack up very high before I begin to feel discouraged. Usually, I can find a bright side to any dark time. However, I had one of those weeks recently when my optimism was no match for the daunting challenges I was facing.

Our upcoming event was becoming overwhelming with one problem arising after another. We were experiencing some online communications and registration problems, and I learned of some customer issues that had to be resolved quickly if the conference were to be a success. 

With my discouragement building, I did not know the solutions to the difficulties we were facing, but I did know one thing: I needed solitude. I decided to get away for a while by retreating to my automobile. 

While riding in my car, I prayed and fervently asked God for direction and wisdom. I was desperate for answers, and despite my discouragement felt confident the Lord would provide the answers we needed. These moments of personal reflection reminded me of a passage in the Bible’s New Testament which says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:2-3).  

Joy was not the emotion I had been feeling, but pausing to remember and embrace that promise dramatically affected my attitude, as well as the approach I would take in addressing those seemingly insurmountable issues. My discouragement eased when I realized God had a purpose behind all these challenges. With this new sense of peace, I and those working with me were able to take a fresh look at problems we were dealing with and find satisfactory resolutions. God’s Word encouraged me during that time of great discouragement. It can do the same for you. 

The Bible has much to say concerning our times of adversity and discouragement. Here are just a few of the simple but straight-forward assurances we can find in the Scriptures: 

Trust that God knows what He is doing. During major problems, we might have trouble believing God has any idea what we are facing. However, the Bible assures us that He does know and understand. “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). 

Trust in God’s direction. One of the wonderful things of a walk of faith is the assurance that when we have made wrong decisions or have gone off course, God is able to redirect us. “Trust in the Lord with all year heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

Trust in God’s wisdom. When we seek God and His wisdom, He can and will provide in many ways. The key is not only to ask, but also to trust that He will provide what we need and when we need it. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind” (James 1:5-6). 

Copyright 2024, Unconventional Business Network. Adapted with permission from “UBN Integrity Moments”, a commentary on faith at work issues. UBN is a faith at work ministry serving the international small business community. 

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

March 18, 2024

Reflection/Discussion Questions 

1. People are different, but how likely are you to experience times of discouragement? What is your typical reaction at such times – where do you turn for encouragement?
2. Describe a time when you felt especially discouraged. What were the circumstances, and how did the problems you were confronting get resolved?
3. How would you respond to someone who says, “I never get discouraged. I never have to deal with feelings of being depressed”?
4. When you read that we should turn to the Bible and its promises for help and reassurance during discouraging times, what thoughts come to your mind? 

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Psalm 37:1-7,25-34, 46:10; Proverbs 2:6, 3:13-15, 10:14-15; Matthew 6:25-34  

Challenge For The Week 

Do have someone, or a small group of people, with whom you can confide during difficult, discouraging times. If you do, make a point of calling or meeting with them this week, even if you are not dealing with any overwhelming problems. It is important to continue building relationships like that, rather than waiting until an emergency arises. If you are in a CBMC group, such as a Connect 3 team, a Young Professionals group, or Trusted Advisors Forum, this can be an excellent setting for mutual encouragement. Also, let someone know you are available when they find themselves feeling discouraged or disheartened. 

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