Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash
My Encounter with Christianity
With tears running down my face I stood there while my life was flashing through my mind. I was at our 1st family reunion’s church service. The message was already preached and an alter call was being made, but I didn’t move.
I don’t know about you but that moment was a big fight for me. On one hand was the opportunity to become a Christian and change my life. On the other hand, was the devil trying to convince me that I have plenty of time. You know the kind of suggestion that you can just live your life and then give your life to Christ later on?
In response to that was the question, what if this is my last time? As this battle was going on, there were some people that were visiting doing mission work who came and joined the service.
Let me help you understand, that where I was sitting was not the normal seat in church. I was sitting up in the pulpit area. And how in the world I got up there? This was due to the fact that we (me, my father and sister) arrived at church late and most of the seats were already filled. You guessed it, and that’s where they seated us.
Well what happened next, a young lady sitting close by noticed me crying and began to witness to me. Once again, the opportunity came for me to make the decision to become a Christian. Through all this ordeal the goodness of the Lord flashed before me, “…; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Romans 2:4 (KJV).
Time went on, and I decided to give my life to the Lord Jesus Christ. The strange thing about this is that it didn’t happen in church. The service was already over and I ended up doing it on the outside as they led me in the sinner’s prayer.
Who says you have to be in a church to get saved? That was the greatest decision I have made in my life. This is a portion of my Christian testimony and how I started my personal relationship with God.
Do you know the most important thing I want to point out to you about this experience? That was Easter Sunday, April 1993 our 1st family reunion held in Cooper’s Town, Abaco. We didn’t have another one until some 20 years later.
To know that God set up all this up just for me to know him, I am so grateful. If there is any one who knows about the special love of God it’s me.
The 7 Benefits:
Do you know how sometimes you often think about if something is worth investing in? Don’t let money be involved, because you know that you will not let your money part from you so easily. You may have heard it before in this way, What’s in it for me? Or W.I.I.F.M. If you are going to invest in anything money or not there should be some benefits.
So, this is our focus today a message on “7 Benefits of Christianity To Be Proud of – Even as a An Entrepreneur or Business Owner”. Since you know where I am going now let’s get this journey on the move.
1. Relationship with The Creator – I know that you are aware of and are very familiar with the popular entertainers and athletes of the day. Even knowing the most popular one can’t be compared with the kind of relationship you can have with the creator God through Jesus Christ.
In addition to being your creator, remember he loves you at your best and no less at your worst. He is always willing to demonstrate his care for you. This precious relationship cannot have a value with limit. No one is willing to do more than he has done and will do for you.
The power of this type of relationship? He can have time for you and time for me and none of us have to be jealous of each other. When it seems like no one understands, he is the one with open ears and arms for you. He will give you the friendship, time, attention, resources, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (KJV). God wanted a people to himself and you were included.
How does this benefit you as a Christian Business Owner?
You also have a personal connection with the Ultimate Business Advisor.
2. Purpose – “Unless a life is activated by sustained purpose it can become a depressingly haphazard affair” – Richard Guggenheimer. This word has become ever so popular through Rick Warren’s book Purpose Driven Life. Christianity brings purpose through its origin and target. It is designed for mankind to receive forgiveness of sins through salvation in Jesus Christ and have peace with God. This is the plan of salvation. Be reminded that God designed this whole thing with you in mind. You were not created to just be here. You were ordained to be here.
In Christianity there is purpose for you. Purpose is the intent of a thing. Now let’s think about you. God’s intent for you is good and not evil, God’s intent for you is for profit and not loss. Realize that your gifts and abilities are needed and are beneficial. Discover your purpose and you will open doors of opportunity for the benefits beyond your imagination.
How does this benefit you as a Christian Business Owner?
Adds a deeper meaning to living, as your business is also an opportunity for ministry to others
3. Discipline – “By constant self-discipline and self-control you can develop greatness of character.” – Grenville Kleiser. Whether you like it or not you will face the thing called temptation. The main issue is what you choose to do in response to those temptations. Christianity helps give you the strength to resist.
Discipline: training to improve strength or self-control. This is not based on the physical, but on the spiritual, which includes spiritual growth. It’s the power from within that helps you overcome the things without. Like an individual who goes to the gym to build up their body, so you must go to the word of God to build up your inner man. That’s where you produce and display the Fruit of the Spirit – temperance.
You know the situations where they say everybody is doing it and you choose to say no because of Christian discipline. You don’t do it to show off or glorify yourself but to give glory to God. You would rather deny yourself from ungodly pleasures and suffer for righteousness sake. Whatever you feed the most is going to emerge the strong man in your life. Disciplined people turn out to be honest, loyal, not give in to greed, faithful, get positive results, focus, not easily persuaded.
How does this benefit you as a Christian Business Owner?
Helps you to run your business in a godly manner with rewarding results
4. Guidance & Direction – The life that you have been blessed with is very special. Be aware that there is a divine destiny prepared for you. In order for you to get there you must be given the right information. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12 (KJV)
Through Christianity God gives you a gift called the Holy Spirit for this reason, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:…” John 16:13 (KJV) In other words he is your internal compass or GPS. He is the one that will prompt you in which direction to go in life.
I remember my first experience using a GPS on my 2nd wedding anniversary trip to New York. I believe it made our trip so much more easier and enjoyable. Can you imagine going into a big place like New York and not knowing where to go?
It gave me the confidence to explore and do even more than I would normally do. This man made instrument telling you what route to take, when to turn and how far you are from your destination. Also, even if you passed your destination it will recalculate and help you to get back on course. How much more will the Holy Spirit do for you if you allow him to be your GPS.
How does this benefit you as a Christian Business Owner?
Teaches you to trust God in the way to go and helps guard you from pitfalls
5. Receive Great Blessings – Now you can look at the general view of this from the scriptures, “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:45 (KJV). I don’t know about you but if I have an opportunity to receive more or the best then I am going to go for it.
Let me also point out that the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land. Christianity encourages people to be obedient, children to parents, followers to leaders, wives to husbands etc. Obedient people put themselves in position to be blessed. Blessed in the field, blessed in the city, blessed in your body.
There is no way you can connect with God and not be blessed. Be reminded though that you are not blessed because of things but because you have The One who blesses. There is much reward in following God.
How does this benefit you as a Christian Business Owner?
You have a right and can live a life of prosperity and abundance in God
6. Forgiveness of Sins – If the truth be told, you have done more wrong and sin that you have lost count. What concerns me though is that when things are free we have a difficult time appreciating it. Here is it that all you need to do is confess and ask for forgiveness. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (KJV)
In order for this to be successful an exchange must take place. What do I mean? No confession = No forgiveness. The longer you take to acknowledge your sins then the longer you will carry this weight wherever you go.
If there is one benefit you need not lose it’s this one. And remember it’s FREE, it was free a thousand years ago. It’s free today and it will be free tomorrow. This one leads to the next one that I am going to end with.
How does this benefit you as a Christian Business Owner?
You are still forgiven through your confession of sin, even immoral business practices. Forgiveness is available, but don’t abuse it.
7. Eternal Life – What will you do to live forever? How deep have you looked at this question? Imagine this, time without no end, forever and ever and ever and ever, Amen.
Remember the last situation that you was in and it felt like forever? Guess what? Even that came to an end. Now let’s go back to that situation and add infinity. Is it a happy experience or a sad one?
That’s how serious I want you to think about this. There is eternal life and eternal death, but you get to choose which one you will receive. Yes, you can have it your way. Whichever one you choose will be up to you.
The benefits of Christianity? It points you to eternal life. A place of peace, comfort, joy. It’s not just that but a place where you get to spend forever with God the Creator. To enjoy this you must do what is required.
As when traveling, a ticket is necessary to get on the flight or ride. No ticket, No pass. No ticket, No access. The ticket that you need is Jesus Christ, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (KJV).Only those who get on this flight will have the experience to boldly go where they have never gone before 🙂
How does this benefit you as a Christian Business Owner?
Enjoy life here, but keep focus on your heavenly reward.
These are only a few of the benefits I have highlighted here. Which benefit do you appreciate and are grateful for?
