701 A Fig tree

Marketplace facts: When the fig tree is barrenMarketplace facts: When the fig tree is barren

MARKETPLACE FACTS

WHEN THE FIG TREE IS BARREN

Module 701 A

Mario Denton

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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 marketplace.

• Adapt and benchmark your marketplace practices and principles discussed in this series.

• Use these material to facilitate the work of evangelism.



Read Habakkuk 3:17, 18,

• Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.



• "Do you have a threshold at which you cease to praise or trust God?"

• It seems that somewhere in our pilgrimage with God, we must determine that we are not His judge on how He chooses to conduct the affairs of His universe. (See Isa. 29:16; Jer. 18:6; Rom. 9:20, 21)



Psalm 115:1-3• Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your

name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness…:In the overall scheme of God’s economy our lives are not so much about us, but about His glory.

• Being the self-centered creatures we are, we find this almost incomprehensible. (vs. 1)



Psalm 115:1-3

• "…Why do the nations say, '‘Where is their God?'…":

• Derisive pagans, in observing the God of believers, point their accusing finger when He does not perform to their expectations. (vs. 2)



The good news• … Our God is in heaven; he does

whatever pleases him.: God will not be contained or dictated to, as He reserves the right to operate in a manner of His own choosing. (vs. 3) (The good news is that God is good and cares deeply about our circumstances.)



Our task

Our task then, is to trust, wait, and not demand explanations,

because in His time, we will know,



At present• At present we are men looking at puzzling

reflections in a mirror. The time will come when we shall see reality whole and face to face!

• At present all I know is a little fraction of the truth, but the time will come when I shall know it as fully as God now knows me! (I Corinthians 13:12 – Phillips Translation) (See Rom. 8:18; 1 Cor. 13:9, 10; 2 Cor. 5:7; 1 John 3:2; Rev. 22:4)



Questions that Matter

1. How can anyone respond the way Habakkuk did?



Questions that Matter2. What would be the impact on your

immediate circle of seeing you rejoice in the midst of sheer failure, abject

loss and disappointment with God?



Questions that Matter

3. According to Psa 115:3 with whom does God consult with before acting? What should be our response to this

truth?



• "Do I have a threshold at which I cease to praise or trust God?" It seems that somewhere in my pilgrimage with God, I must determine that I am not His judge on how He chooses to conduct the affairs of His universe. (See Isa. 29:16; Jer. 18:6; Rom. 9:20, 21)



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



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)



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.



Jesus said: Take what I have given you and change the world!



Sources and acknowledgementCHRIST@ WORK NEWSLETTER

• Copyright Notice• © 2005 FCCI- Limited permission to copy without altering text or

profiteering is granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice. Copy is limited to member and/or FCCI small group use.

Unauthorized use of FCCI, Christ@Work, Crown Companies, their trademarks or logos is strictly prohibited.

• The “Facts of the Matter” is also available through the Internet: www.factsofthematter.org. 2003 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.



Let's keep the good marketplace vibes alive. Let's network.

Become a member of the Crown Companies Marketplace Coaching Forum.

Tel (w) + 27(0) 82 88 29903. e-mail address:[email protected]

Website: www.crown.org.za

Blessings from Dr Mario Denton as the Africa: Continental Program Director - Marketplace


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701 A Fig tree