iWork4Him PowerThought

Do you need to be removed? Sometimes, we start something and think we are supposed to stay in it, lead it, and serve it. And, we stay IN IT…sometimes too long. We no longer seek the Lord's counsel about IF we should still BE where He placed us. Sometimes He just wants us to START something, sometimes He wants us to "help get it off the ground", NOT stay and lead it or serve it. Sometimes, the BEST thing we can do for the work He asked us to start is to leave. So how about you? Are you staying in some work or ministry too long? When's the last time you prayed about what God would have you do next? We invite you today, to take your work to the cross and ask "Lord where do you want me? And what would you have me do?"

Life-work balance. How many of us have fallen for that myth and tried to make it happen? Only to fail over and over…a business coach we interviewed has a better concept. How about living an INTEGRATED LIFE? One that brings Christ into each aspect of our life and work, so that we are putting The Lord, not our futile "balance" efforts, first. So how about you? Are you ready to live ONE INTEGRATED LIFE, where you represent the Lord, you listen to the Lord, and let Him show you your priorities every day? Join us in this prayer: Father, today, I submit my day, my plans to you. Please show me YOUR PRIORITIES for my day. In Jesus's Name, Amen

Culture. Webster's defines it in the corporate realm as: the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization. How aware are YOU of YOUR COMPANY'S culture? When's the last time you really stopped and took a look at it? How does it align with your OWN personal values as a Christ follower? And if you're a leader, what are you doing to ensure your culture aligns with God's word and will? Romans 12:2, "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." What is ONE ACTION you will take THIS WEEK, to align YOUR CULTURE with God's will?

When's the last time you were UNCOMFORTABLE, OR PUT YOURSELF IN A POSITION TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE in your work? Discomfort = growth, and comfort = stagnation. The people doing the most growing are the ones that submit to spiritual and personal growth, like having a group of fellow Christ followers, who challenge them and hold them accountable, in their professional life, their leadership and business. You know what they say, if you're not growing, you're dying. The wisdom of Proverbs 27:17 says As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. John Maxwell said it best: If we're growing, we're always going to be out of our comfort zone. What will YOU do this week, in your professional life, to be challenged and GROW?

Have you ever thought about what you want to be known for? Stephen, an executive we interviewed, says it starts with your personal brand. And your personal brand starts with asking yourself "What do I want to be known for?" So how about you? If your co-workers were asked about you, and who you are, what would they say?

We challenge you today, to take this question "What do I want to be known for?" and pen and paper and sit with it until you have an answer. And then, start intentionally beginning to LIVE IT OUT, consistently where you live, work and play. Ephesians 5:15 exhorts us "So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days."

What do you think would happen to our economy, our country, if all the working Christians decided to "go into ministry"? There would be no "marketplace", our economy would collapse and we would be thrown into chaos. Could it be that is NOT God's plan or design for us? What if each of us were CALLED TO MINISTRY IN OUR WORK, right where we're planted? And that OUR JOB IS our pulpit, our work performance then becomes our Christ-like message and our co-workers our "congregation". Now THAT'S a powerful realistic vision for building the Kingdom. James 2:14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? How will YOU SHIFT your work to be a ministry TODAY?

In the past couple of months, I've heard one word repeatedly out of the mouths of followers of Christ who bring their faith into the workplace. INTENTIONALITY. Intentionality is a concept defined as "the power of a mind to stand for things, properties and states of affairs". WAS and IS Jesus intentional? You bet. Should WE be intentional? You bet. HOW DO we shift to this state of intentionality? By starting with the Lord and asking what His intention is for OUR DAY? For OUR WORK? For OUR TEAM and the clients we serve. By the way, the opposite of intentionality is unconsciously or unknowingly. How will YOU shift the mindset of YOUR work from unconscious to INTENTIONAL, for HIS glory?

What's the difference between a career and a vocation? Career is defined as an occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person's life with opportunities for progress. A VOCATION, on the other hand, is defined as a person's main occupation, especially regarded as particularly worthy and requiring great dedication. WOW. That's a big difference. We heard recently that as a Christ-follower, we should seek to have a VOCATION vs. a career. Because having a vocation keeps us focused on building the Kingdom and living and working FOR the Kingdom of God. Which one do YOU have? What could you do this month, to shift YOUR CAREER into a VOCATION?

We spend more than one-third of our life at work. Yet sadly, Barna research shows nearly two-thirds of churched adults say it has been at least three years or more since they heard church teachings on work and career, and yet, the workplace is where most Americans spend the biggest share of their waking hours. What can YOU do, to introduce your church to the importance of faith and work? Invite your pastor to your office and ask him or her to pray for your team, your clients and your year for maximum impact for the Kingdom. What day this month will YOU invite YOUR pastor to work? For more recommended resources and ideas, go to our Resources page on iwork4him.com.

Generosity. Is it an action, a state of the heart, or a mind-set? I heard recently that generosity is BEST when it includes all three and we compare it with IMPACT. Have you ever thought about your giving in this way? That your giving could possibly be leveraged for the highest impact for eternity? What if we all stopped and looked and prayed over the resources we have, and re-committed the 10% tithe of all our income, to MAXIMIZE impact for the Kingdom? Isaiah 32:8 says "But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity." What will you do today, to put on this new "eternal" mindset of generosity?