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  • Monthly Bible Study
  • June 2, 2009
    First Baptist Church
    Jonesboro, GA
    Henry Blackaby
  • Dave Buehring Leader's Summitt
  • July 13-15, 2009
    Nashville, TN
    Henry Blackaby
  • Spiritual Leadership Training
  • July 16-17, 2009
    Global Leadership Development Institute
    Costa Mesa, CA
    Richard Blackaby
  • Monthly Bible Study
  • July 21, 2009
    First Baptist Church
    Jonesboro, GA
    Henry Blackaby
  • Marketplace Prayer Breakfast
  • July 26, 2009
    Chicago, IL
    Richard Blackaby
  • Monthly Bible Study
  • August 18, 2009
    First Baptist Church
    Jonesboro, GA
    Henry Blackaby
Monthly Bible Study
Monthly Bible Study
Dr. Blackaby teaches a monthly Bible study called God in the Workplace where he focuses on helping people know how to practically walk in a real and personal relationship with God in their work place.
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A Message from Blackaby Ministries International

Several years ago, God raised our awareness of His activity in the marketplaces of America. Like in the Gospels and the Book of Acts, He is calling businessmen and women to "seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness" in their work places, and trust Him to "add everything else" to them. God has positioned us to train and equip the top Christian CEOs across the nation to be 'spiritual statesmen' in corporate America. Richard and I have designed nine courses, and we have been teaching many of these CEOs in several cities. Richard and I have spoken many times to various Marketplace Ministries conferences, and I teach a "God In The Workplace" Bible study every month in South Atlanta. As many of these resources as we have, we want to make available to others. Our ministry in this area of the Kingdom is being requested from around the world, also. Pray for us as we seek to obedient to God in meeting this need.

Monthly God in the Marketplace Devotion (July  2009)

Leaving a Spiritual Legacy

Richard Blackaby

Throughout history great leaders have found it difficult to pass on their success to their offspring. The Duke of Wellington, Napoleon’s conqueror, was always formal with his children and withheld signs of affection. His oldest son, Douro was so intimidated by him that he once mused: “Think what it will be like when the Duke of Wellington is announced and only I come in” (Wellington: The Iron Duke, 262). Many children of famous tycoons never demonstrated a fraction of their parents’ business aptitude. William Randolph Hearst loved his children but was often absent from them. His son Bill observed: “In not spending more time with his wife and children, my father made the biggest mistake of his life. It left an emptiness in all of us” (The Chief, 356). Perhaps that is why none of Hearst’s children completed college and each suffered turbulent, failure- riddled business careers. When Hearst’s oldest son George underperformed at one of his father’s companies, Hearst fired him, concluding: “He is apparently too lazy to occupy a position by himself and do any work” (The Chief, 358).

While it is certainly not a sin for your children to choose a different career path than yours, it is tragic when they do not embrace your faith in God. The Bible reveals that many successful leaders failed to lead their children spiritually. God used Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph to launch the Israelite nation. God knew the power of successive generations building upon each other’s walk with God. Moses was a dynamic leader but when he chose his successor, his own son Gershom (Ex. 2:22) was not up to the task so he appointed Joshua. Joshua’s honorable pledge is legendary: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15). While Scripture is silent about Joshua’s children, after Joshua’s death, “another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done in Israel. Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord . . .” (Judg. 2:10-11). Eli was a national leader but his sons Hophni and Phinehas were corrupt and did not know God (Judg. 2:12). Samuel was a revered statesman but his two sons Joel and Abijah disgraced their priestly office (Judg. 8:3). King Hezekiah was one of the most righteous leaders in Judah’s history, but he reared Manasseh, who was arguably his nation’s wickedest monarch (2 Kings 21:1-2, 9). How could such godly leaders fail so miserably to raise the next generation to follow God?

D.L. Moody was the best known evangelist of his day. Yet his sixteen-year-old son Will renounced his faith. Moody wrote him a heart-wrenching letter: “I sometimes think it is my fault, if I had lived more consistent you would not be so disgusted with what is so near my heart . . . if I have ever said or done any thing unbecoming a Christian father I want you to forgive me and I would rather die than stand in your way” (Moody, 238).

How tragic to walk closely with God ourselves but not to help our children develop their own solid faith in Him. Our enthusiasm about following God does not guarantee that our children share our zeal or understand our spiritual pilgrimage. We must be as intentional about helping our children develop their faith in God as we are in assisting them with their education and embarking on careers. Moody pursued his son until he embraced his faith once more. Are your children following and even surpassing your walk with God?