iWork4Him PowerThought

Have you ever worked for a company or organization with a toxic workplace culture – the kind that not only made it unpleasant for the employees but also for customers and clients? On the flipside, have you ever worked for a place where the culture was so positive that employees stayed for years and customers and clients became friends and partners? Dee Ann Turner, an expert on stewarding talent, says that "culture is the soul of the organization." What does the soul of your current workplace look like and how can you become a force for positive change within it? If you're a manager, CEO, or leader – think of ways to foster a Christ-like culture in your area of impact. If you're an employee – think of one way to be a positive light to your coworkers and clients today.

Chuck Proudfit -- founder of the ministry At Work on Purpose -- told us on a recent show, "to start thinking like a journalist..." What does that mean? And what exactly do journalists do? Well, they find where the story is, and then they join it! And like journalists, we, as Christ-followers, have the opportunity to find what God is doing and join him! Ephesians 2:10 in the Message Translation says, "God creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing." Are you a spiritual journalist - seeking out God's story? Take a moment today and ask the LORD what he is up to in your office, in your home, or in your neighborhood. Then pray about how you how you can join in His good works!

Inspired from - https://www.iwork4him.com/podcast/2018/4/work-on-purpose

Your work matters to God, and God has strategically placed you in your workplace to be his representative. But what exactly does it mean to be a representative of God? 1 John:4 says, that God IS love. So, when we genuinely love people, we are giving them a taste of who God is – it's as easy as that! Being a representative of God in the workplace doesn't mean that you need to be a pastor, an evangelist, or an apologist – all you need to do is love God and love the people around you with authenticity, transparency, and humility. So, when you go to work, remember that you have an opportunity to be a representative of God by showing care and respect to those around you. Pick one way this week to show your coworkers that you genuinely love them, and so does God!

Inspired from - www.iwork4him.com/podcast/2019/8/vop-is-a-way-of-life

Have you ever felt stuck in a rut? Like all you do is go to work, come home, eat, and sleep, just to go back to work and do it all over again the next morning? This endless cycle can feel maddening! But did you know that God never intended for our work to be a burden? In fact, God gave Adam the job of caretaker of the world as a GIFT – as an opportunity to partner with Himself! And guess what? Jesus is extending the same gift to you today! When you dedicate your work to God, you become a partner with Him. Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." Jesus wants to take your daily work and make it so much more than toil! He wants to partner with you in the redemption of the world! Invite Jesus into your work today.

Inspired from - https://www.iwork4him.com/podcast/2020/8/women-in-the-marketplace

If you invest, do you know exactly where your money is going? How about where your return is coming from? Do you know the core values of the companies that your investments are funding? If your answer is no, you're in the majority because the fact is, that many of us put money into investment funds without ever paying attention to where it goes afterwards. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, that "whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." – and guess what? That includes investing! If you are interested in learning more about connecting your values to your investments, ask your financial advisor about biblically responsible investing or check out iinvest4him.com. Stop following the ways of the world and let God transform you by changing the way you think, even when it comes to retirement and investing!

Inspired from https://www.iwork4him.com/podcast/2020/6/let-god-transform-your-mind-even-with-investing

As Christ-followers, our witness can become compromised when we act or speak out of a place of anger and frustration that leads us to wrongfully blame, shame, or hurt someone else. Romans 12:2 says, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you THINK. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." But how do we change the way we think when we are cut off in traffic, passed over for a promotion, or hurt by someone's words? Ford Taylor from Transformational Leadership suggests this practice: when you're angry, pause and write down your thoughts. Then, write next to them what kind of thoughts God wants you to have for the situation or person. This puts GOD back in control rather than your circumstances or the people around you.

Inspired from https://www.iwork4him.com/podcast/2017/6/be-a-transformational-leader

It's the last day of the year, and this has been a tough year for everybody. I don't know many people that will look back at 2021 and mourn its passing. It's time for a fresh start. It's New Year's Eve and the last day of 2021. Goodbye, 2021! A fresh start begins tomorrow! How will you begin your fresh start? Do you even know where to begin? We can ask our friends or coworkers, bosses or employees, family, or neighbors. They likely have some ideas. We can read the Bible and ask God to direct our paths for 2022 It's essential to surround yourself with people willing to help you make a fresh start in 2022 Any day can be a fresh start, but with the new year coming, it's as good a time as any.

It's the last week of the year, and this has been a tough year for everybody. I don't know many people that will look back at 2021 and mourn its passing. As we close out the year let's renew our commitment to see our workplaces as a place to live out our faith. 1st Start praying for those you work around, by name every day. 2nd look for ways to serve those same people over and above what your job requires you to do. 3rd look for ways to build a friendship with those you work with, outside of work, where real relationships can develop. 4th Look for ways to pray with people when you see them having a rough day. And 5th, all along be a person of excellence, in your work. Do these things and you will see your workplace transformed by God right before your eyes. Let's start the new year fresh with the iWork4Him Nation Covenant.

It's the last week of the year, and this has been a tough year for everybody. I don't know that anybody is going to look at 2021 and mourn its passing. It's time for a fresh start. I grew up in Minnesota, where a new, beautiful snowfall covers the ground and hides the mess. But eventually, the snow melts and leaves behind the mess that was there before the snow fell. The beauty of following Jesus is that we get a fresh start, and all our mess is left behind for good. As we head into 2022, what kind of mess are you going to leave behind? Will you allow God to give you a fresh start? Can you leave the past in the past, forgive yourself, and start all over again? Any day can be a fresh start, but with the new year coming, it's as good a time as any.

It's the last week of the year, and this has been a tough year for everybody. I don't know that anybody is going to look at 2021 and mourn its passing. It's time for a fresh start. So, what will a fresh start look like for you in 2022? Will it be getting up a little earlier and reading your Bible and spending time with God every day? Will it be a new exercise routine or new eating habits? Maybe it'll be a new attitude at work or intentionality to start new friendships. Whatever your fresh start looks like for you in 2022, how will it impact those you live alongside, both at work and home? Any day can be a fresh start, but with the new year coming, it's as good a time as any.