CROSSROADS OF LIFE-- PRAYER CHAPTER THEMES:

#5-- PRAYER in the Business World-

Don’t waste 80% of your life!

Hello Ted, -- a quick review:

Week 1- Pray Scripture to pray more wisely and draw closer to God 

Week 2- Pray "Your will be done" (when you really just want to say "no!")

Weeks 3- and 4 Pray “HELP “ when faced with major health and/or financial issues

Week 5- Prayer In the Business World- Don’t waste 80% of your Life

Week 6- Pray for your children/grandchildren

Week 7- Pray for your church to be a house of prayer /outreach

Week 8- Pray with your spouse daily

Week 9- Pray via zoom with and for your family 

Week 10-Pray for God’s open doors to witness

Week 11- Pray often for all leaders, locally and nationally

WEEK #5- Prayer in the Business World- For Wisdom and Witness

My ADVICE as a Christian-

FIRST OF ALL, YOUR MINDSET SHOULD BE:

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Matthew 6:33

Have a good attitude, don’t be negative, be a team player, respect authority, be honest and don’t neglect your work for the sake of the Gospel (explained further below)

A SUCCESSFUL FORENSIC ACCOUNTANT 

EJ and Leah have been our hosts for 4 days in Destin.



EJ is a successful, long time Forensic Accountant in Dallas TX. He explained, “Early In my career, a recruiter or head hunter for a particular job asked me to pay a 10% fee up front for a proposed annual salary. He did not really know me though.

It was then that I decided it was best to make God my long term recruiter for my next job and career for a 10% tithe. God knows 100% about me and what is best for me long term.

My advice is

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will direct your paths."

Proverbs 3 :5-6

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:9-10‬ ‭

Thank you, EJ!

SO IMPORTANT-

Draw close to the Lord in prayer and seek His wisdom where you work.

It’s a beautiful picture of Jesus in the business world

WHERE THE ABOVE PICTURE CAME FROM-

I was about 27, a new Christian, newly married and recently I had discovered Christian Business Men’s Committee, USA. Tudi and I were attending the regional conference of CBMC in Palm Springs, CA. The excitement of the new life in Christ was exhilarating. Without Christ to me now as a believer business was drab without lasting meaning

One of the conference days there was a break in the program so we went shopping though I’m not a shopper. However I was taken in by the painting of a businessman talking to Jesus with the NY business district in the background. Though I'm usually a non-shopper, I immediately bought it. Today, 50+ years later this depiction of Jesus listening to the business man is in my home office proudly displayed.

Jesus listens to business men and women as they cast all their care on Him.

If it were me featured in the above picture I would want His direction in my daily business life...including personnel issues, client concerns, goals, family life and work balance. However, perhaps most important to my work- I would want His direction how to have a lasting witness impact in both my non-verbal and verbal communications with fellow employees and clients.

Most people spend approximately 80% of their waking hours at a job. Yet I estimate less than 10% have ever shared a verbal witness of their personal faith in Jesus Christ at work. My guess is that it is because of a combination of political correctness and embarrassment.

BOLDLY, MAY I suggest- confess your sin of being ashamed of Jesus. It could also be possible that you don’t know Him due to a shallow prayer life

BUT, there is GREAT NEWS!!!

OFTEN PRAYER CAN ADD much needed DEPTH TO YOUR FAITH!

MY PERFECT STORM 

As President of the ACVB (Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau) I started speaking around the US in many cities at civic events, Mayors Prayer Breakfasts, leadership events and Christian Men and Women’s meetings locally , regionally and nationally It was a very positive IMAGE BUILDING move for Atlanta to somewhat counteract Atlanta's negative crime and safety image. When I took over the ACVB Atlanta was known as the murder capital of the world due to the Wayne Williams "Murdered and Missing Children" episodes. We were able to turn its crime ridden image around by God’s grace and mercy as noted in the “IMAGE MAKER" ARTICLE (attached below)

I had a positive vision for Atlanta that came from the bottom of my heart despite publicly being wrongly labeled a RACIST by a well known local leader during my first months on the job.

MY VISION: A More Godly & United City

I walked the streets of Atlanta introducing myself to the black leadership in churches, business and government, suggesting we get together weekly for Bible study and prayer.

BREAKTHROUGH came with the incredible teamwork of Jerry, a black pastor and Phil, a white local attorney we started a weekly Black and White Bible Study in downtown Atlanta. Within the year we developed a LEADERSHIP PRAYER BREAKFAST involving both black and white leaders in business, government and churches. The program included B/W speakers who testified of their faith in Christ. Annually the Breakfast drew 750 to 1200 people.

SO, WHAT'S MY POINT?

Don’t waste 80% of your life!! Make your job in the business world a time for Christ-centered ministry. You may not be called to do anything like the gatherings I was involved in- but in prayer ask God to show you opportunities to serve Him at work.

Most importantly, learn to concisely and clearly share your faith in Christ. Pray for boldness, look for His open doors and step out in faith. Pray unceasingly in the business world and obey the Lord, love others and be blessed!

-Ted

Matthew 6:33

P.S. SUCCESS followed by SOBERING NEWS:

The Image Maker article recaps some of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau's (ACVB) accomplishments. The sales accomplishments are legendary and were the principal reason I was sought out and hired.

My advice is never sacrifice your work for the sake of the ministry but rather make your successful work open the doors for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, ”whatever you do, do your work heartedly as unto the Lord…” Matthew 6:33

(IMAGE MAKER ARTICLE ATTACHED BELOW)

THE SOBERING OUTCOME in 1991: That same organization that I lead for 9 years as President did not renew my contract-translated... I was let go!

Also the Witness Breakthrough (WB) ministry is in the process of completing 20 years of training believers to be more effective witnesses of their faith in Jesus Christ...had I not been let go perhaps the ministry would not have been started... please look at the website for more insights into the WB methods used

LESSONS LEARNED:

BUSINESS CAN BE BOTH SUCCESSFUL and TOUGH- Just like LIFE CAN BE filled with JOY and sometimes be very SAD

Without question, time spent in THE BIBLE and in PRAYER both alone with the Lord and in the Body of Christ give us wisdom and understanding to live this life from His perspective.

SO...

PRAY REALISTICALLY about your job.

The work world can be a great but sometimes perplexing experience.

As you PRAY make sure your job isn’t your life.

Prove to yourself through PRAYER that Jesus is the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE.

He’ll always renew your contract!- only because of your personal faith in Jesus Christ!

CONVERSATION PIECE:

In business my Mustard Seed for 40 + years has been the following verse displayed over my desk “WHERE NO OXEN ARE THE STABLES ARE CLEAN” PROVERBS 14:4

The footnote below it says “no manure no milk there is a price to accomplishment" ---there is always a mess with productivity. 

Examples: Democratic Convention, Super Bowl and the Olympics = $500+ million local and regional economic impact.... but realistically bringing with it additional problems and messes

(obviously all worth it)!

The above verse has provided countless opportunities to throw out "Seeds" in conversations and has often provided me with the opportunity to share my faith in Christ....an ANSWER TO PRAYER IN THE BUSINESS WORLD