iWork4Him PowerThought

Mission fields are EVERYWHERE – including apartment communities. Statistics show that 96% of those who live in apartments have no connection to a church. So, as a Christ follower, if you live in an apartment complex or work in one on-site, there's an opportunity to bring Christ to those that live there. Maybe you have Christian friends that live in an apartment. Would you be willing to share this idea with them? They have an amazing opportunity to start living INTENTIONALLY, loving on and caring for their neighbors. As we are all called to do wherever we live. 1 Corinthians 13:1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. Are you ONLY a noisy gong or clanging cymbal where YOU live?

Every paycheck you've been putting a little away for retirement. But once that money enters your 401K, what happens to it? Well, usually it gets invested into a whole bunch of companies. But did you know that many of the companies you may be investing in are actually support activities that blatantly go against Scripture! Proverbs 16:8 warns against this by saying, "Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice." So, while you may be trying to steward your money well, you could actually be supporting businesses who work AGAINST everything you, and God, stand for! So, what can you do about it? Three words: Biblically. Responsible. Investing. Organizations like Inspire Investing can help you use your money to honor God and support companies whose values align with God's purposes. This week, take a look at where your money and investments are REALLY going.

What's your marriage got to do with your work? On the surface, nothing. But underneath, everything. Your home life always directly affects your mindset, your attention, attitude and perspective. When our marriage is unhappy, we are distracted, less productive, and typically less than 100%. Time invested in our spouse produces fruit. And that fruit sustains us and goes before us in every aspect of our family, life and work. Are you investing as much time and effort in your marriage as you are in your work? Rick Warren said: "The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now."

Have you ever looked at your current job and wondered, "how did I end up here?" The good news is, you didn't end up there on accident! God has strategically placed you exactly where you are for a REASON – to share the good news of Jesus Christ with your coworkers, employees, bosses, and clients! 2 Corinthians 5:20 says, "We are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us." So next time that you feel burnt out or bored with your job, remember that you are an ambassador for Christ – sent to your workplace to make an appeal on God's behalf! For He created your work, He ordained it, He orchestrated it, and He is the one who will sustain you in it. So, take heart! Your job isn't an accident…. It's an anointing.

Growing up, I lived in Minnesota. During spring, we had this phrase that, "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb" meaning it would start cold and snowy and transition gently into spring... but usually it was the opposite. "In like a frozen lamb and out like a roaring lion." Life can be like that too. The transition from cold winter period of our lives – in other words some dark and cold experiences - into a period of new life and growth and perhaps a new assignment can be trying... but God is with you. He has you right where He wants you and He is preparing you for something great. Your life - right where you are, right at your current job, is critical to God's plan for the redemption of this world. He is shaping you to be more effective. Embrace the cold, for spring is coming!

Priorities. .... Have you ever thought about if you're REALLY living your priorities? .... When's the last time you stopped and did an inventory of WHERE you're spending your time? .... Where we spend our time is the surest barometer of where our heart and priorities lie. Webster's defines priorities as something given or meriting attention before competing alternatives. As Christ followers, we're given our priorities by our Lord, not the world. .... Andy Stanley says it this way: "We don't drift in good directions. We discipline and prioritize ourselves there." Are YOU disciplining and prioritizing yourself in God's direction today? ....

When's the last time you checked in on your worldview? We invite you to re-calibrate your worldview BACK to a biblical worldview. There are 5 components involved: 1. your view of God, 2. Your view of creation or reality , 3. Your view of humanity, 4. Your view of moral order and 5. Your view of purpose. If each Christ follower woke up every day with their biblical worldview firmly set in their minds and hearts, we could change the world for Christ in a day (or maybe a week!). Romans 12:2 reminds us: 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. Will you start TOMORROW with your biblical worldview ON?

I recently heard the phrase "mental load" for the first time. If you aren't familiar with it, "mental load" is the largely invisible work of noticing and remembering. For example: I need to schedule a dental cleaning; we are out of lightbulbs; and my kid needs snacks for soccer practice. In other words, It's the running list of everyday responsibilities that tend to fall on women to remember and carry out. The issue of mental Load can be especially applicable for career women or women with a side hustle as they try to carry out their duties at home and work. So, what can you do when your mental load is out of control? The biggest thing is to name it, explain it, and ask for help. Next time you're exhausted, articulate your mental load and ask for help!

There is a common phrase that many people, especially working moms use. It's "stretched too thin". In the shadow of that statement is the often ignored concept of "self-care". Many people have been taught growing up to put themselves last, after their spouse, children, their home and their work. So it's no wonder many of us fail to take care of anything having to do with our own health and well-being. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. The word of God says we are to care for ourselves, so we can THEN care for others. What will you do today, this week, to take better care of yourself?

I heard an outrageous comment from a partner of a Christian farm equipment company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He said "Common sense has NO PLACE in the life of a spirit-led follower of Christ." Here's what I think he meant. When we are attuned to the Holy Spirit, what He guides us to do in the moment often seems contrary to what we think of as "logical", And that reminded me that Christ's actions were "counter-cultural" meaning: a set of attitudes opposed to the prevailing social norm. And if Christ is counter-cultural, then we should be too. We should look different, .... smell different ...., think different, .... act different. .... 2 How will YOU be a counter-cultural spirit-led follower of Christ in YOUR WORKPLACE today?