MARKETPLACE FACTS
WHEN GOD SEEMS FAR AWAY Module 605 A Mario Denton Market place facts: When God seems far away
Market place facts: When God seems far away
Overall purpose of this series on Marketplace To understand and learn from various marketplace facts so that you can: • Be more effective and anointed wherever you are in the market place. • Adapt and benchmark your market place practices and principles discussed in this series. • Use these material to facilitate the work of evangelism.
Market place facts: When God seems far away
Take a personal inventory • If your relationship with God seems distant • The Psalmist ponders the conditions for intimacy with God by asking, Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? (Psalm 15) • He then answers his own inquiry by stating:
Market place facts: When God seems far away
Conditions for intimacy with God: He whose walk is blameless‌ Question: Am I viewed as irreproachable in the eyes of others, consistently applying God’s word to my life? (See Jas. 1:22-25; Eph. 1:4; Phil. 2:14,15; I Pet 3:14)
Market place facts: When God seems far away
Conditions for intimacy with God: Who does what is righteous‌
Question: In my dealings with others am I unequivocally committed to what is true, right and just? (See Rom. 2:12; Eph. 2:10; I John 2:29; 3:7; Rev. 22:14) Market place facts: When God seems far away
Conditions for intimacy with God: Who speaks the truth from his heart...
Question: Do the words I utter reflect a heart totally committed to the truth? (See Ps. 34:12,13; Isa. 63:8; Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9)
Market place facts: When God seems far away
Conditions for intimacy with God:. Who] has no slander on his tongue‌and casts no slur on his fellowman‌
Question: Am I disciplining myself to not defame others through my speech? (See Ex. 20:16; Lev.19:16; Eph. 4:31; Jas. 4:11,12; I Pet. 2:1; 3:16;)
Market place facts: When God seems far away
Conditions for intimacy with God:.
[Who] does his neighbour no wrong‌ Question: Am I a cause of grief and vexation or a source of encouragement and refreshment? (See Prov. 20:22; Mt. 7:12; Rom. 12:17-21; 13:10; I Thess. 5:15)
Market place facts: When God seems far away
Conditions for intimacy with God: Who] despises a vile man‌
Question: Do I genuinely hate what is evil or do I secretly pander a darker side? (See I Kings 3:11-14; Esther 3:2; Job 32:21,22; Ps. 101:4; Dan. 5:17; James 2:1-8)
Market place facts: When God seems far away
Conditions for intimacy with God:. [Who] honours those who fear the Lord‌ Question: Do I respect and openly identify with people who are committed to Jesus Christ? Or am I ashamed of their association when I am with my non-believing colleagues? (See Psalm 16:3; 101:6; 119:63; Matt. 12:49,50; I John 3:14)
Market place facts: When God seems far away
Conditions for intimacy with God:. Who keeps his oath even when it hurts‌
Question: Is my word my bond whatever the cost to me personally? (See Josh. 8:18-20; Judges 11:35; 2 Samuel 21:1,2; Matthew 5:33)
Market place facts: When God seems far away
Conditions for intimacy with God:. Who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent...
Question: Do I use money to serve or manipulate people?
(See Dt. 23:19-20; Neh. 5:2-13; Ez. 18:8,17 (Usury); Ex. 23:7; Dt. 16:19; Mi. 7:3; Matt. 25:14 (Bribery))
Market place facts: When God seems far away
Psalm 15; Usury • A sum of money charged for a loan. The Old Testament laws prohibited a Jew from charging another Jew usury but permitted it when money was loaned to a Gentile (Deut. 23:19-20). • Although the word has negative connotations today, it was not so in biblical days when usury simply was the interest charged for a loan. • Excessive usury was condemned. (Holeman Bible Dictionary) Market place facts: When God seems far away
Prayer Focus • Father, In the name of Jesus, I surrender myself to walk in the Word in the marketplace. Your word living in me produces the Life in this world. • The word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. It makes my way plain before me. • I boldly and confidently say that my heart is fixed and established on the solid foundation – the Living Word of God! Amen Market place facts: When God seems far away
Learning, application and commitment: James 1: 22-25 • “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. • Do what it says. • Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. • But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does.” (NIV) Market place facts: When God seems far away
Learning, application and commitment • One of the principles that I have learned from this lesson was … • I intend to apply this principle in my market place by: ….. • With the help of the Holy Spirit, I will begin applying this truth immediately. Market place facts: When God seems far away
Jesus said: Take what I have given you and change the world!
Market place facts: When God seems far away
Sources and acknowledgement CHRIST@ WORK NEWSLETTER • •
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The “Facts of the Matter” is also available through the Internet: www.factsofthematter.org. R. Dwight Hill. Slides compiled by Mario Denton. Please commit yourself to inform us of the results regarding the effectiveness thereof should you wish to use this material.
Market place facts: When God seems far away
Blessings from Dr Mario Denton as the Africa: Continental Program Director - Marketplace
Let's keep the good marketplace vibes alive. Let's network. Become a member of the Crown Companies Marketplace Coaching Forum. Â Tel (w) + 27(0) 82 88 29903. e-mail address:mario@crown.org.za Website: www.crown.org.za Market place facts: When God seems far away