iWork4Him PowerThought

• People want to be heard and recognized, which makes listening so important. When you are in trouble or need advice, who do you listen to first? Do you rush right to your bible and get on your knees in prayer? Or do you tend to call a friend or post your trouble on Facebook? I get it. It is easier to connect with humans than to seek the Lord. But if our tendency is to go to people for answers and not our Heavenly Father, how will we attract others to Jesus. Jeremiah 29:11 says "He knows the plans for us" It's good to have sounding boards for advice, but who do you listen to first? Jesus is the best listener ever. Practice listening to your Lord today.

• People want to be heard and recognized, which makes listening so important. Are you a good listener? I am a much better talker than a listener. When we listen to others, we are like Jesus. He listened so well. Today you may be on multiple zoom calls or in-person meetings, be the best listener in the crowd, not just listening for your job but listening for what isn't said, things spoken without words. Listening is the best way to open doors to conversations about your faith in Jesus. When we hear people's words, they feel valued. Psalm 34:15 says, "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry." Jesus is the best listener ever. As Jesus-followers, we can be like Him. Practice listening in your work today.

• It's the week of Thanksgiving and we all have so much to be thankful for. Whether you are working today or off, are you thankful for your work? So often we find ourselves complaining about our work. I am guilty of it often. Our work is given to us by God on purpose for a purpose. We work with people who need to meet Jesus and you may be the one who gets to do that. However, if we are walking around grumbling about our work, we won't attract too many people to Jesus. Let's be thankful. Thankful for the work that uses our minds and bodies and pays our bills. Thankful for the work that nourishes our soul. Spend today focusing on being thankful for your work.

• It's the week of Thanksgiving and we all have so much to be thankful for. It's hard to fathom but some people in our country will wake up today with NO FOOD. None. IT may even be someone you work with that is struggling financially and they don't have enough food either. There may be people in your church or neighborhood that will not have enough food today to celebrate thanksgiving. People all over this country have had to learn to live with not enough. We can share from our enough but start with being thankful for the food set before you today. Also, be aware of those around you who are in need of food, clothing and financial help. It's what Jesus-followers do. Be thankful and share. It's the difference that Jesus makes in our lives that can make the difference in someone else's life. Be thankful.

• It's the week of Thanksgiving, and we all have so much to be thankful for. I spent a week in the Dominican Republic a few years back. I saw a level of contentment and thankfulness in every person I met. Most had only a tin roof over their head and a couple pairs of clothing, but they were thankful. Thankful for a meal to eat and a place to sleep. What about you? Are you thankful for your clothes, your car, your home, and your bed? The people we work with are looking to you to demonstrate the advantage of being a Jesus-follower. Showing them, you are content and thankful will attract them to Jesus. So, this week spend your time focusing on being thankful and see how it impacts the attitudes of those around you.

• It's the week of Thanksgiving, and we all have so much to be thankful for. Yet when many of us think about our time with family later this week, we struggle to be thankful. Many of you have indeed suffered at the hands of family. I am sorry for that. However, for most of you, you have been blessed with a family that loves you, but still get under your skin and irritate you. How do we shift our attitude to be thankful for our family? We remember that God is our Father, and you are surrounded by Brothers and Sisters in Christ who love you. Those at work may not be so blessed, so show them some love this week and invite them to be part of your family Thanksgiving celebration. When you focus on being thankful, it impacts the attitudes of all those around you.

• It's the week of Thanksgiving, and we all have so much to be thankful for. Yet, some days, I struggle to be thankful. Work can be overwhelming, and deadlines are looming. Some days I am just outright un-thankful. When we lack a thankful attitude, it impacts our spirit and the spirits of others around us. We don't realize the impact we have on others. 1st Thessalonians 5 18 says, "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." Without Jesus, I know this would be impossible for me, but we know that all things are possible with Jesus. So, this week spend your time focusing on being thankful, see how it affects your attitude, and see how it impacts the attitudes of those around you.

Let's start today with some biblical encouragement about work. Ephesians 2 10 says, "For we are His masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them." Imagine with me for a moment that your focus as a Jesus-follower is to deeply integrate your faith into the work you deliver. Continue imagining. You're not contributing…you cannot contribute anything to God's plan that He hasn't prepared ahead of time for you. But you're participating in full, in the plan by WALKING through His plan. So, ask yourself these questions:

• What does maximum involvement in God's plan look like for me at work?
• How do I see God using me at work?
• How can I express myself as His masterpiece?

When you start every day with these three questions as your focus, God will do amazing things through you.

When I began working, I fell into a trap. I searched for meaning in the kind of work I was doing. Jeremiah 9 23 tells us …the world defines greatness by wealth, wisdom, and power. That's where I thought my focus should be…to find significance at work. And you know what? I was continually let down and discouraged until I realized Jeremiah 9:24 said this: "…the one who boasts should boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth for I delight in these things."

Is your personal value and significance linked to the kind of work you do? NO. You have value because He declares you valuable…valuable enough for Christ to die for you. How can you show your value in your work today?

Do you think your work and your faith are separate considerations? There's always a divine reason God has us at work. When we understand that, we have the right focus. In John 4, the disciples challenged Jesus for talking to the woman at the well after they got back from town buying food. Jesus says: "Don't you say, "There are still four months, then comes the harvest: I say open your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ready for harvest." The disciples dutifully went to town but overlooked sharing their faith. This woman was saved with one kind encounter, and she wanted to share it with everyone! There's nothing wrong with having your head down at your job, doing great work. But, our faith does not end on Sunday. It continues every day, sometimes with the slightest kind gestures and conversations with those around us. Now that's faith and work.