In The Lion's Den

Men are warriors when it comes to work, whether employed or self-employed. We think we can handle everything that comes our way, but there are times when the disaster that hits us makes us fold like little children, too weak to stand and battle what attacks us. It could be finances, personnel issues, clients, and much more. At this point we feel weak and ready to allow the lion to “eat” us up. The warrior becomes the small child without parents and support. That’s something which happens quite often in this world we live in. The battle is just too big for us to take on, to overcome.

Daniel, when going against the commands of the king, was arrested and thrown into the lion’s den. Surprise, surprise! Nothing happened to him. Let’s read Daniel 6:22; “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me.” Wow! Daniel was saved by God. Why? Because he didn’t allow his faith to diminish and did not turn to other gods. The king actually enjoyed Daniel’s company and was proud of the man he was, but because of a decree the king couldn’t stop from having him killed. The king would’ve looked foolish before his people and nation. But God intervened, that even the king was glad. He changed the decree and told everyone in his nation to worship the God of Daniel.

When you land up in the lions’ den, don’t fear those lions if you are standing righteous before God. He will intervene and He will defend you; He will take on the battle for you, like David and Goliath, a young man against a giant. God will never leave you nor forsake you. He will determine a way out! Thank God for intervening in your life and “shutting the lions’ mouths” that want to devour you. He is the God worthy of all glory and praises. He is our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ. He is the God and Father of all nations. He created everything and everyone. Be blessed! Amen.

Power For Success

Everyone wants to achieve success and, out of human nature, we try to do it alone. We plan new ideas and look at a new business startup which is exciting. We start planning it, drawing up business plans and working out the financial needs to get it off the ground. I did it all and went for it, although I did pray about it and asked God for His blessing, but it was all me and I. I resigned from my employer and became my own “boss” and life just looked great. It was! I started to achieve success and everything that went with it. Then I made another move.

I became friends with someone I did business with. I was using this person’s magazines he printed to advertise my own business. We became friends and after a few months, following many discussions and Q&As, I became a full time partner with this person. We prayed every morning at the office before business began and all looked bright; for a few years it was! Then disaster struck. My partner committed fraud and was arrested, and I lost everything, even selling my home to cover the damage. All was gone in twenty four hours! I asked and prayed to God about what happened, very angry with Him.

Then I realised one thing. Everything was done in my own strength and my “power” of being the business man I was, or thought so at the time. After a month or two, having put together some money again from a sale of my home, I decided it was time to start over again. I prayed and asked God this time. I wanted His plans and His ways to fulfil my life once again. Deuteronomy 8:18 was my answer; “Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful.” I continued praying and asking God what was the next step. In my spirit I “heard” Him speak to me, to use Ezekiel in my next business venture, the new name had to have this name in it.

Ezekiel Industries was birthed and within weeks business started to come in. What does Ezekiel mean? It means God gives you strength. I haven’t looked back yet. Business is not always easy with some months being difficult to make target; so as to pay expenses and keep cashflow to move forward. Yes, I still pray and ask God for His power and guidance for He is all I have to stand upon. His ways are better than my ways. Out of His goodness, He wants to enable us to be successful. He gives us the power we need to achieve this. Therefore, thank God for the strength He offers daily and thank Him for the hope for tomorrow. He is the powerful God whom makes all things possible.

Are You Living In Financial Freedom?

I am sure that everyone on this earth wants to experience financial freedom. I am one who does. Life hasn’t been easy for me and the wife. A few years back I hit rock bottom due to a fraudulent partner; mammon became his god. It has been a difficult and slow journey to where I am right now, still not where I want us to be, but God knows. Yes, we all ache for financial freedom, some more than others though. We dream of one day being free from worry about money. The rich people of this world experience this as well. You may be asking me why right now. They have more headaches that us normal folks down on the ground. Greater stress and greater dangers when it comes to their finances; I have spoken to a few, and life is at times worse for them than for me or you. We dream of security and peace. Mostly, we don’t always experience that.

We usually experience financial stress. I have hit it spot on haven’t I? Believe you me, I know. Still, my faith remains in God and He hasn’t left me without anything, one day or month, yet. How come don’t we experience financial freedom? Let’s back up a bit. Financial freedom comes with financial margin. The margin is the difference between what comes in and what goes out, profit or loss, income and expenses. Without a good margin we are doomed and will never achieve this freedom we seek. Reading 2 Corinthians 6:10, I learned something, and so will you. It says the following; “… sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”  You can start reading from verse 3 onwards, but the above verse is sufficient for now. It truly made me think. I do have everything! Because I have God on my side I have all the riches as in heaven for me, and I am making others richer in the Gospel of Jesus.

I may not have everything I want on earth but I have my loving God. I have Jesus Christ in my life, and this counts for more than what the world can offer me. My life is really great! We, in this world, have come to trust money. We think that money will solve all our problems and make life much easier. Wrong! We must trust in the Lord our God. He will supply all our needs, and He does bless us and reward us as we go along in our daily lives. Trust in God! We must not only focus on the first part, our income – money coming in. When we start focusing on the second part as well, our expenses, and try and increase our margin, then we start seeing financial freedom. God will bless us as we seek Him and ask for His guidance and use His knowledge and heavenly wisdom He has passed on to us.

This is how God has designed our lives. Always trust Him and seek Him, then seek your financial freedom, cutting on expenses and trying to increase income – financial freedom will start happening. It may take small steps, but with God all things are possible. When we start applying downward pressure on our expenses, on our lifestyles, financial freedom becomes less elusive. It becomes available right here, right now. Just as God has intended it to be. Therefore, seek and trust God and start moving forward. Be blessed and less stressed! Amen.

                                        

Does It Matter?

How do you think about work, your work? Is it an awesome experience each day? Is it filled with drudgery? Is it a calling? Or is it just a means to an end? Does it separate you from your faith or is it within the boundaries of your faith? So many questions, but what are your answers, or your one answer. Work is a daily experience that affects our lives. I know because I own and run my own small business, and if everything is taken to heart, some experiences are good while others are bad. Does this really matter? Yes, it does! Remember this. God designed us, built us, for work – read Genesis 2:15. It goes like this… “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” That’s right. God made us so that we should work, but something happened. Adam sinned and thereafter he was to toil the ‘ground’ to earn his own living, still working as God planned. The end result was not God’s plan. When sin came into this world it changed, and that can affect us in our work as well.

As a Christian man, a saved born again man, we can decide which way our daily work will affect us. With Jesus ruling in our lives it becomes easier to decide which route to follow daily. Ephesians 6:5-8 explains this to us clearly. Let’s read it, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.” What a powerful verse! You must work with a smile on your face; one point understood from this verse. And secondly, it tells us clearly that we are really serving God at our work, whether you are an employee or employer.

We are really working for God each day, and He rewards us with what we possess. Yes, we earn money to live on, but it is from God; His blessing to us. So, does it matter when we work? Yes, it matters. God is always the first One we glorify each day as we work. Work is His gift to us, not His punishment. And it’s not even a necessary evil. This is how we’re brought in to His blessings; for His sons and daughters. In this way we are blessed and rewarded. It definitely matters how we work each day. He should be at the centre of it all. If not, then you and I have a problem. Therefore make it matter how you work daily and praise and thank God for each day and the rewards you receive. Amen…

 

From Night To Light

We have two areas where we need to adapt to in life. It is to understand day and night, dark and light. A classic movie from the 60’s called “What am I living for?” and this question still haunts many today. Each generation of thinkers is haunted by this question. On the one continent or half of the earth is day or light while the other half is black and dark; night. In our own personal lives we have to also answer the question of dark and light. If your life is black as night you are experiencing the following – Negativity, Isolation, Guilt, Hatred, Trouble. This is your NIGHT, the darkness in your heart, in your soul, which then rules your life.

Let’s read John 3:16. To me it’s the greatest love verse of all times, for all generations. It goes as follows; “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” What love God has for us to go so far and commit the ultimate sacrifice for you and me. Now back to the night and light of your life. The only way to change this is to change one letter; the N of night to L, which then becomes LIGHT. Jesus Christ saved us and He is the Light that wants to rule in your life, removing the Night from the equation. All you need to do is receive the love of God and ask our Lord Jesus to be your Lord of your life. Simple isn’t it?

This way the Light of His word enters your heart and you become a new creation. You become the child of LIGHT – Love, Integrity, Goodness, Hope, Truth. There is only one way to experience this change. You must start living a life that is right standing with God; a righteous life. Do you want to go from night to light today? Then its easy. Just accept Jesus Christ into your heart and life right now. Repent of your sin and confess that He is Lord of your life forever starting now. If you are ready, pray this prayer and become His follower today…

“Father. I come before you and ask forgiveness of my sins. I repent and want You to cleanse me from my past life. I confess and receive Jesus as my Lord and Saviour today, right now. I believe that He is my Redeemer and my God. I accept Him into my heart and life and want to start this new journey ahead, for the rest of my life. This I pray to You Father, in Jesus’ mighty and loving name. Amen” There you are. You are now ready to start that new journey with the Light called Jesus Christ. If you still need more help and want to get into this new journey, but you still struggle to do it alone, feel free to email me and we can “talk” you through this new life. My email address is nelson.canha@gmail.com and I’ll be glad to  assist you. Be blessed. Amen.