iWork4Him PowerThought

As Christians everything about us should be changing. When we were born again, it wasn't just a one-time event. We are to be changing daily…remember the word "sanctified"? We are being "set apart" to be dedicated to God's use. And to that end, we're to be changing and growing more Christ-like every day, to be conformed to His image. So how about you? Would those you work with say you're a better co-worker today than you were 6 months ago? Would your manager say you're a better team member today than you were last month? Would your CEO say you're a better executive this year than you were last year? 2 Timothy reminds us: If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. We challenge you to pray to be conformed and changed today so that someone may notice and ask about it tomorrow.

Rebekah King, founder and director of Hope Works, a southside Chicago non-profit, said: To be invested in a community is to know its people and to know their needs. And that got me thinking, to grow my "community" which is my team, within my company, does that same idea apply? Do I need to know my people and know their needs to invest in them? Absolutely - YES! So how about YOU? How well do YOU know YOUR team members? How well do you know THEIR needs? How much are YOU invested in YOUR work community? Mother Teresa said: "Prayer in action is love, and love in action is service. Try to give unconditionally whatever a person needs in the moment. The point is to do something, however small, and show you care through your actions by giving your time." Take some time today and figure out the best way to invest in your community.

Identity. It's the fact of being who or what a person is. As Christ followers, our identity is clear: We are sons and daughters of God, and ambassadors of Christ. The question is, are you working from that identity? .... How do you do that exactly? .... There are many books and courses today, that can lead you through the process of knowing exactly HOW God wired you, your giftings, your talents, and strengths, and then guiding you through the process of asking God to show you the calling He has designed for YOU. Tim Keller says: The Bible says that our real problem is that every one of us is building our identity on something besides Jesus. So how about you? What are you building YOUR identity on? And what identity are you working FROM? You can check out Identity and Destiny dot com to find out more about who God designed you to be and what He designed you to be doing

Can a company thrive by saying NO? .... YES! John DeAngelis, CEO of a Florida construction company says: Sometimes, we found the most profitable job is the one we DON'T do. Here's what he means. They have seven criteria for taking on a new project. If it doesn't meet all the criteria, they don't take it on. It's as simple as that. The criteria are based on their values, employee life balance, and honoring God. So how about you? Do YOU take on projects that are out of alignment with your company's values or culture? Do you say yes to every project? Proverbs 16:9 advises: We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. We challenge YOU TODAY, to define God-honoring criteria to help you to say YES to the right projects and NO to the wrong ones. Then see how this move impacts your profitability

Ahhh rebellion. Its' the sickness of youth but perhaps, there's still some rebellion in our hearts as adults. Is there some ONE or some THING that you're rebelling against at work?...You may be doing it unknowingly… "under the table"…undermining, backbiting, using sarcasm or pushing against another's ideas or leadership in subtle ways. Romans 13:1 and 2 is clear: Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. So how about you? Won't you commit to glorify God, by submitting to YOUR authorities at work?

After a conversation with Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, of Love & Respect, I'm rethinking the way I go about being a peace-keeper. Here's what he said: Sometimes, as peace keepers we hedge on the truth, or just lie, to keep the peace. .... So let's apply that to our workplace. Are you unknowingly hedging on speaking the truth in work situations, to keep the peace? How can you know? You'll probably have a niggling in your spirit, an unsettledness. So what can we do to know when to speak the truth: We can check in with the Holy Spirit in the moment, before conversing, and pray for wisdom for how and when to speak. Keeping the peace may not be what best serves the organization. But speaking the truth is. So how about you?

Mutual respect. It's when two people show respect for each other. .... Respect is defined as the process of honoring someone by exhibiting care, concern, or consideration for their needs or feelings. This should be a HALLMARK of us as Christ followers. And even more apparent at work, with our colleagues. To respect them as co-laborers AND as fellow sons and daughters of God. .... Author Dina Dwyer-Owens says it's been her experience that When we hold ourselves accountable and show mutual respect to others, it's amazing the respect that comes back. So how about you? Are you living mutual respect in your work today?

One day Christ will come back and restore ALL things. For now, Dr. Amy Sherman tells us: A successful marriage of faith and vocation has the capacity to bring a foretaste of God's Kingdom to earth. .... She says that our WORK is INSTRUMENTAL to God's mission in the world, and it's not an accident. .... Each of us, doing our thing – our work in our workplace, with our unique giftings. And if we are doing it for God's glory, with joy and peace and excellence, it brings a taste of heaven into our workplace. .... That's God's design and plan for our work. .... So how about you? Are you bringing a Kingdom foretaste into your work and workplace every day?

Rick Betenbough says this of his company Betenbough Homes: Our business exists to reveal God and His Kingdom to everyone who comes near. .... .... What a perfect summation of what the faith and work movement is all about. So how about YOU? Can you say this as the leader in your workplace? That you exist to reveal God and His Kingdom to everyone who comes near? Can you say that about your team at work? That your team exists to reveal God and His Kingdom to everyone who comes near to me? .... Betenbough says it took TEN YEARS for God to transform them, their leadership and board to rebuild their business into a KINGDOM business. What will you do today, to start on the journey to transform YOUR ORGANIZATION?

As we start our work week, let's remind ourselves of our calling to our work and God's plan for our work. Declare this now as you head to work today, walk to your office, or sit down to do your devotions. … "My workplace is my mission field, a place of full-time ministry… My workplace ministry manual is my Bible. …My calling to my workplace is not a second-class calling…. I dedicate my workplace as a mission field for God, and because of Jesus in my life, I am committed to celebrating the work that God gave me….AMEN"