ICS Daily Devotions
Leading a Consecrated Life Still has its Challenges

Philippians 4:19 (NKJV) And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

There is a difference between those who invest or do business according to God’s leading and those who do business based on their own desire or wisdom. Living the consecrated life doesn’t mean that we will not be affected by an economic downturn. Yet as we daily seek and walk with God, He will counsel us. Those whom God has specifically called to be businessmen will have the grace and ability to thrive even in a volatile market. They will have the wisdom of God and a stability of faith in the midst of uncertainty. They will have the gifting, ability and experience to stay resilient and rebuild their positions. But it will likely be a different story if we are venturing out on our own, led by a spirit of covetousness. That is why it’s wise to live a consecrated and sanctified life for the Lord.

Consecrating our lives will enable us to walk in faith, not be lured by the world to compromise our values, or be affected by information that comes through our senses. All of us are challenged on a daily basis to either go with the world or walk with the Lord. It is in every decision that we make at work and at home. We need to be sensitive to the times and seasons that God has for us. He knows the market, as well as the businesses that we are involved in. If we have already started a business venture, God may even reveal to us when it’s time to let go or make changes, so that we would not be stuck with a Founder’s syndrome, being reluctant to accept change due to pride or sentiment, leading to eventual loss or embarrassment. Proverbs 23:7 says that as a man think in his heart, so is he. Therefore, we need to constantly renew our mind with the word of God so that our thoughts are aligned with it. The expression of our faith in our daily living is very much dependent on our conviction. If we are really walking in His calling and gifting, then there will be grace available for our tasks. However, if we have not sought His face, we might easily abandon a project in times of discouragement. We need to seek His face before repositioning ourselves in the marketplace because His grace will not be available if we persist in doing that which He has not asked us to do.

Sermon Series: Resilience