Attending a business convention in late 1989 with my wife, the plan was to ride back to Austin the next day with some acquaintances. Intending to get an early start the next morning, or so we assumed, we were surprised when our ride informed us they were going to church before getting on the road! Rather reluctantly, we accepted their invitation to attend.
That church service was a huge turning point in our lives. A surprise was a businessman giving his testimonty amongst the singing and worship. That testimony, my first to hear, coupled with a good message, stimulating conversations, and God's continued intervention, paved the way for Cathy and I to experience many changes in our lives.
Some other "firsts" occurred over the next few months: my first Bible study (Your Work Matters to God) and a men’s retreat(!). Attending the Bible study led me to facilitating a few myself over the next few years and eventually I embarked on the search for and engaging in what I now call "practicing Christianity."
Brought up in church and baptized during grade school, I had drifted while serving in the U.S. Submarine Service. After Cathy and I had married (second for us both) we began going to church most Sundays but there was zero connection between the Bible, community, and especially the workplace. Actually, my thoughts were more along the line of running from people that mentioned God and business in the same conversation. I thought anyone trying to connect the two were simply intending to do what they needed to make money during the week and then pray forgiveness in church on Sundy.
Practicing Christianity in business and life is a struggle further impeded by the lack of teaching real application in our culture. The Bible teaches that "Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no one comes to the Father except through Him." From 1998 to 2009, my business grew to be the largest independent mortgage lender in Texas (ranked #1 in Austin three out of five years). The company began having problems in late 2008 and ceased business in 2009. Proverbs 25:2 says "the glory of God is to conceal matters; the glory of kings is to search matters out." Searching can be a struggle and the struggles have added to my growth. Having to struggle can be tracked back to many reasons but mainly it is a struggle because this a fallen world and we all contribute to its fallness! I'm trying not to waste these struggles and hope to continue to learn how I bring the Bible into the workplace in a real way, not just in a Bible study or quoting some scripture from time-to-time, or promising to pray when someone's loved one is sick (though all of that is present). My personal mission statement includes Colossian's 1:28-29; "We preach Jesus, warning every man, teaching every man with wisdom, so that we make present every man complete in Christ. It is for this purpose I labor, even until the end of time."
Practicing Christianity is how I attempt to work out those statements in my life. I believe my calling is where God has me every day. While I worked to glorify God as the company grew, the same holds true in the downturn and the path going forward. I realize that my call is in the spheres of influence I'm in each and every day: home, office, lake, or out and about in my own community. Whether I'm at home, with my kids or grandkids, in meetings, writing policies, teaching a class, reviewing financials, or coaching business executives, God has called me to glorify Him by working out the fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5:22,23), teaching others (Matthew 28:19), and proclaiming the Gospel (John 3:16).
While I accepted that Christ died for my sins back in the sixties, it wasn't until the early nineties that I began to learn some critical truths. I'm still learning the importance of working out the fruit of the spirit and practicing the Biblical principles that make me an authentic follower of Christ. Jerry Bridges, author of Discipline of Grace, says we should remind ourselves of the Gospel everyday; in times of triumph or trials. My salvation comes from above, not from how well I am performing. I must remember it is the call of the prize of Jesus Christ that really matters. It is common, when asked, "How's business?" that I'll answer, "Thank God it has nothing to do with my salvation!"
I try to treat my job as a ministry by seeking God's will in all aspects of my work. I stumble more than I believe I should, but I prepare myself for struggles by going to God's word ahead of, during, and hopefully after the challenge. My pastor once said during a sermon "knowing God's will is none of your business, just love God." That is refreshing and as Proverbs tells me to "search matters out," 1 Thesselonians says to "test everything, grab hold of what's good and discard the bad." I truly desire to seek God’s will through prayer and practice on a regular basis.
I know that my life, my marriage, my family, my job and everything else are God's gifts. I'm thankful for the roles and responsibility I’ve received. While I am mindful that God can easily take any blessing away, I want to be open to whatever trials and triumphs He feels I need to experience.
The Bible also teaches that we're all slaves to sin. Each of us has sinned against God and gone our own way. Given to our natural inclinations we all live selfish and sinful lives. Romans 3:23 say, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Prior to that period in late '89 and into the early '90's, there was little true repentance in my life. But the good news I learned is that "the Truth shall make you free," and Jesus Christ is the Truth. I accepted Jesus as my Savior as a young boy, but not as my Lord until years later.
I trust God more and more as my love and fear of Him matures. I accept Him as the Bible reveals: as my Lord and Savior, and as God's own begotten Son who died as payment for MY sins! In Him is the forgiveness of sins and the power of self-control. Jesus frees us from the bondage of sin. Jesus is the gift of freedom, the power for living, and He gives eternal life!
Without Jesus as Lord, you and I can't repent. We can work at new behaviors, but we will grieve the Holy Spirit without repentance. To repent means to change one’s mind about what one believes brings life. Change comes from the Holy Spirit who works in people who acknowledge their need for forgiveness.
Knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior will not gaurantee a brighter and more financially successful path, but it will prepare you better for the path; here on earth and in heaven.
If you haven't done so, you can trust Jesus right now by repeating this prayer and making it the commitment of your heart. Just pray... "Dear God, I want freedom from the slavery of my sin. I believe Jesus is the Truth, and I accept Him now as my Lord and Savior. I ask you to forgiven my sins. I acknowledge that Jesus paid the penalty for my sins. Please give me the power to live a life pleasing to You. Thank you for this gift of new and eternal life in Christ! In Jesus' name, Amen!"
If you prayed this prayer, I'd like to send you some additional information or just be able to pray with you; write or call me at danny@DannyLSmith.com or 512-773-6528.
God Bless.
That church service was a huge turning point in our lives. A surprise was a businessman giving his testimonty amongst the singing and worship. That testimony, my first to hear, coupled with a good message, stimulating conversations, and God's continued intervention, paved the way for Cathy and I to experience many changes in our lives.
Some other "firsts" occurred over the next few months: my first Bible study (Your Work Matters to God) and a men’s retreat(!). Attending the Bible study led me to facilitating a few myself over the next few years and eventually I embarked on the search for and engaging in what I now call "practicing Christianity."
Brought up in church and baptized during grade school, I had drifted while serving in the U.S. Submarine Service. After Cathy and I had married (second for us both) we began going to church most Sundays but there was zero connection between the Bible, community, and especially the workplace. Actually, my thoughts were more along the line of running from people that mentioned God and business in the same conversation. I thought anyone trying to connect the two were simply intending to do what they needed to make money during the week and then pray forgiveness in church on Sundy.
Practicing Christianity in business and life is a struggle further impeded by the lack of teaching real application in our culture. The Bible teaches that "Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no one comes to the Father except through Him." From 1998 to 2009, my business grew to be the largest independent mortgage lender in Texas (ranked #1 in Austin three out of five years). The company began having problems in late 2008 and ceased business in 2009. Proverbs 25:2 says "the glory of God is to conceal matters; the glory of kings is to search matters out." Searching can be a struggle and the struggles have added to my growth. Having to struggle can be tracked back to many reasons but mainly it is a struggle because this a fallen world and we all contribute to its fallness! I'm trying not to waste these struggles and hope to continue to learn how I bring the Bible into the workplace in a real way, not just in a Bible study or quoting some scripture from time-to-time, or promising to pray when someone's loved one is sick (though all of that is present). My personal mission statement includes Colossian's 1:28-29; "We preach Jesus, warning every man, teaching every man with wisdom, so that we make present every man complete in Christ. It is for this purpose I labor, even until the end of time."
Practicing Christianity is how I attempt to work out those statements in my life. I believe my calling is where God has me every day. While I worked to glorify God as the company grew, the same holds true in the downturn and the path going forward. I realize that my call is in the spheres of influence I'm in each and every day: home, office, lake, or out and about in my own community. Whether I'm at home, with my kids or grandkids, in meetings, writing policies, teaching a class, reviewing financials, or coaching business executives, God has called me to glorify Him by working out the fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5:22,23), teaching others (Matthew 28:19), and proclaiming the Gospel (John 3:16).
While I accepted that Christ died for my sins back in the sixties, it wasn't until the early nineties that I began to learn some critical truths. I'm still learning the importance of working out the fruit of the spirit and practicing the Biblical principles that make me an authentic follower of Christ. Jerry Bridges, author of Discipline of Grace, says we should remind ourselves of the Gospel everyday; in times of triumph or trials. My salvation comes from above, not from how well I am performing. I must remember it is the call of the prize of Jesus Christ that really matters. It is common, when asked, "How's business?" that I'll answer, "Thank God it has nothing to do with my salvation!"
I try to treat my job as a ministry by seeking God's will in all aspects of my work. I stumble more than I believe I should, but I prepare myself for struggles by going to God's word ahead of, during, and hopefully after the challenge. My pastor once said during a sermon "knowing God's will is none of your business, just love God." That is refreshing and as Proverbs tells me to "search matters out," 1 Thesselonians says to "test everything, grab hold of what's good and discard the bad." I truly desire to seek God’s will through prayer and practice on a regular basis.
I know that my life, my marriage, my family, my job and everything else are God's gifts. I'm thankful for the roles and responsibility I’ve received. While I am mindful that God can easily take any blessing away, I want to be open to whatever trials and triumphs He feels I need to experience.
The Bible also teaches that we're all slaves to sin. Each of us has sinned against God and gone our own way. Given to our natural inclinations we all live selfish and sinful lives. Romans 3:23 say, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Prior to that period in late '89 and into the early '90's, there was little true repentance in my life. But the good news I learned is that "the Truth shall make you free," and Jesus Christ is the Truth. I accepted Jesus as my Savior as a young boy, but not as my Lord until years later.
I trust God more and more as my love and fear of Him matures. I accept Him as the Bible reveals: as my Lord and Savior, and as God's own begotten Son who died as payment for MY sins! In Him is the forgiveness of sins and the power of self-control. Jesus frees us from the bondage of sin. Jesus is the gift of freedom, the power for living, and He gives eternal life!
Without Jesus as Lord, you and I can't repent. We can work at new behaviors, but we will grieve the Holy Spirit without repentance. To repent means to change one’s mind about what one believes brings life. Change comes from the Holy Spirit who works in people who acknowledge their need for forgiveness.
Knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior will not gaurantee a brighter and more financially successful path, but it will prepare you better for the path; here on earth and in heaven.
If you haven't done so, you can trust Jesus right now by repeating this prayer and making it the commitment of your heart. Just pray... "Dear God, I want freedom from the slavery of my sin. I believe Jesus is the Truth, and I accept Him now as my Lord and Savior. I ask you to forgiven my sins. I acknowledge that Jesus paid the penalty for my sins. Please give me the power to live a life pleasing to You. Thank you for this gift of new and eternal life in Christ! In Jesus' name, Amen!"
If you prayed this prayer, I'd like to send you some additional information or just be able to pray with you; write or call me at danny@DannyLSmith.com or 512-773-6528.
God Bless.
