iWork4Him PowerThought

All of us need to feel appreciated, especially at work. But not everyone feels appreciated in the same ways… So how do we value our coworkers, employees, and bosses in ways that are meaningful to THEM? According to the book, the Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, one way is through appropriate physical touch… emphasis on the APPROPRIATE. Physical touch in the workplace is a "touchy" subject these days, and one that should always be handled with care. Remember, you want to convey appreciation, not cause offense. That said, there are many gestures of physical touch that are workplace appropriate such as high fives, fist bumps, or firm handshakes. These gestures communicate connection, respect, and celebration in a tangible way! So go high-five someone in your office today (but ask first)!

All of us need to feel appreciated, especially at work. But not everyone feels appreciated in the same ways… So how do we value our coworkers, employees, and bosses in ways that are meaningful to THEM? According to the book, the Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, one way is through spending quality time with the people you work with! But what exactly IS quality time? It's as simple as giving your employees and coworkers your full and focused attention when you're with them… whether that is paying attention in a meeting, asking about how their day is going and waiting for the real answer, or Inviting them over for dinner at your house. Quality time is a way of saying you care! So, this week try putting away your phone and genuinely engaging with the people in your workplace!

All of us need to feel appreciated, especially at work. But not everyone feels appreciated in the same ways… So how do we value our coworkers, employees, and bosses in ways that are meaningful to THEM? According to the book, the Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, one way is through giving them gifts that show they are a valued and seen member of the team! And before you freak out about budget constraints, remember that gifts don't have to be big to be impactful. In fact, sometimes it is the smallest gestures that make the largest impact. For example, bring in donuts and coffee on a Monday morning, or purchase your coworker who is always writing things on post-it notes a fun new pad of paper. Remember, it's the thought that counts!

All of us need to feel appreciated, especially at work. But not everyone feels appreciated in the same ways… So how do we value our coworkers, employees, and bosses in ways that are meaningful to THEM? According to the the book, the Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, one way is through words of affirmation. And I'm not just talking about saying, "nice job so-and-so". PAUSE Instead, try giving out compliments to those you work with that are specific, and detailed. Pay attention to the little things people do well in the office or the positive things about their personality and then acknowledge them regularly! Proverbs 16:24 says, "Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Are your words acting as honey in the workplace? Challenge yourself to genuinely affirm someone you work with today!

In today's culture, respect for our elders and wisdom, has been replaced by idolizing youth and outward appearances. As Christians, we believe that ALL human beings are created by God in His image. Therefore every person has inherent dignity and creator-ordained worth. To be created in the likeness of God means that each person bears His image and with it, a value beyond our unique characteristics or individual attributes. Do you treat ALL people at work with the same respect? Do you say hello, and look into the eyes of the janitor or the server at lunch? The FedEx guy? Do you know their names? We challenge you this week to treat everyone you meet with the dignity and respect you previously reserved for only those "who merit it."

I heard recently from a retired army guy that he was taught to run TOWARDS the problem, not away from it. .... I wonder how many of us run towards OUR work problems vs. away from them. Perhaps we think "confrontation" is un-Christ-like…but how did Jesus deal with problems? With the woman at the well, He confronted her, asked and answered questions. In the temple, He confronted with over-turning the tables and admonishing. Did he EVER run away from a problem? Never. His way to address problems were spirit-based AND involved action of some kind. But He never opted out, avoided or ignored the situation. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Won't YOU use Proverbs 3 to run towards YOUR problems at work today?

I recently had my concept of "neighbor" challenged. Does neighbor mean only the people in my neighborhood? The ones we live near? Actually, in a broader sense, it is anyone "living or located near another". That means the folks all around us at work, in the next cubicle. The teacher in the next classroom. The person exercising next to us at the gym. Our neighbors are everywhere and the Lord had a great deal to say about them. Some Hebrew origins of the word, also translate it to mean "fellow man". Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus replied, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.'[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Today, how will YOU show love to ALL THOSE who you work around all day long?

Workplace politics. If you're working, you're involved in them. And as Christians, we don't have to disengage just because the term is distasteful. "Workplace politics" are the strategies people use to gain advantage for themselves or to support a cause. What if, we employed biblical wisdom and strategies to deal with the politics? .... such as Matthew 10:16 "I am sending you out like sheep with wolves all around you. Be wise like snakes and gentle like doves. If you've chosen to "not participate" or given up trying to, you can't be an influence in your workplace. .... How about praying today for wisdom at work, and in the politics in your workplace, and then participate, for God's Glory.

How many times have we said to ourselves. "I wish I had time to go on a mission trip." Well guess what, you DO! Your workplace IS your mission field. Your daily commute IS your mission travel. And your workplace has been crafted perfectly by God, specifically tailored to you, and your giftings. We can all begin to view our workplace and every co-worker as "the mission". We can prepare, pray, plan and then serve our colleagues in the same way we would as if we hopped on a plane and flew to another country. Charles Spurgeon the Reformed preacher said "Every Christian is either a missionary or an impostor." So which are YOU? What would it take for you to start tomorrow, to shift your mindset and intentionally serve your workplace as YOUR mission field?

Businesses always seem to be searching for "the magic bullet" that will propel them into the "big leagues". We've heard hundreds of stories of eternally successful companies and their practices and believe we know the secret. It's excellence. Excellence as unto the Lord. Not being great at what you do, but EXCELLENT. .... It's the very top level. Consider these synonyms for excellence: high quality · superiority · brilliance · greatness · eminence · supremacy · peerlessness. Remind you of anyone? These words describe Jesus Christ. And since our entire purpose is to conform to His likeness, these words should be describing US, and our work, and our organization. .... DO they?

Have you ever tried to ignore God and His direction in your work or career? Tried to go your own way, and kept running into roadblocks, un-ending NO's and shut doors? Sometimes in our career, we try to LOGIC our way towards our calling, to where WE want to be, but God has His plans. Remember the Israelites? It took them 40 YEARS to make a 14 day journey. That's 14, 600 days of blindness, vs. 14 days of obedience. That's A LOT of resistance. So, the next time you're being led somewhere you don't want to go, try praying about it, asking several devote friends to join you in praying for an answer. If you're paying attention, God is probably speaking through others to you as well, to guide you. You can fight God every step of the way, but we don't recommend it! We challenge you today, to PRAY your way through your career options and challenges.

Sacrifice. It's defined as surrender of something for the sake of something else. We are called to do it in our life as a Christ follower, just as He did. 1 Corinthians 13:3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing. What does love-based sacrifice look like in our workplace? .... We sacrifice pride, to choose what's best for the organization, over our own ideas. .... We sacrifice time, when we put a co-worker's needs before our own. .... We sacrifice "top sales numbers" to do what's best for the client, not our own paycheck. HOW are YOU willing to be sacrificial in your workplace this week?

Whether we're aware of it or not, temptation is all around us at work. It didn't get left at home when we left for work today. As we take God to work with us, we should also be aware that the enemy will be working there too. Starting our day with the Lord in prayer, and putting on the FULL armor of God (Ephesians 6), are some of the best ways to keep the door shut on temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. And IF you've opened the door to temptation at work, speaking and praying bible verses over it is the way to combat it. Today, will YOU fight temptation at work with the presence of the Lord and His word?

When God created Adam, he didn't place him in the Garden of Eden for an extended vacation – No! God created A JOB for him. In Genesis 2 it says, "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to WORK it and TAKE CARE of it… and the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them..." Of course, God could've easily named the animals He created, but instead He CHOSE to invite Adam into the work He was doing. In the same way, God has created a job for you, and has invited you to work TOGETHER with Him in it! Because when we work in partnership with God, our jobs become more than just hustle… they become holy. How can you invite God into your work today?

Have you ever encountered a salesperson that wouldn't stop pushing you to buy an item because they were on commission? It's obvious in these situations that the salesperson is more interested in reaching their numbers than about meeting the needs of the customer. They have become producers rather than servers. PAUSE As followers of Christ, we can end up doing the same thing when we focus only on our output at work, rather than caring about the people at work. Philippians 2:4 says, "Let each of us look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." PAUSE Are you a producer? Or are you a server? Ask God how you can serve the people around you today – whether in your work, your home, or your neighborhood. Because you may be the only Jesus they ever meet.

Have you ever met a salesperson or a marketer who offered you something that seemed too good to be true… and then it turns out it WAS too good to be true? Although overpromising may increase sales and conversions on the front end, underdelivering on those promises alienates customers and creates a bad reputation. Similarly, overpromising and underdelivering in your relationships at work and at home causes division, disappointment, and distrust. Proverbs 11:3 says, "The integrity of the honest keeps them on track; the deviousness of crooks brings them to ruin." Integrity is more than being honest – it's matching your actions to your words in a way that honors God and those around you. Are there any areas of your life that you are overpromising and underdelivering?

Have you ever been afraid to share the gospel because you might not know all the answers? Well, here's the good news: we don't need to argue people into Christ, we just need to invite them to encounter Him! What a relief - God is the one who does the heavy lifting… not us! When you set out to simply do good, work with excellence, and love people… others will be drawn to the light of Christ inside of you naturally… like a moth to a flame. Matthew 5:6 says, "let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." So, remember today that by working with integrity and honoring those around you, you're INVITING them to encounter Christ… and it is Christ who will change and soften their hearts – the pressure is off!

Why is it that the grass always looks greener on the other side? Well, in today's world it's because the grass probably has a photo filter on it! Did you know that the average person spends two and a half hours scrolling through social media per day?! That's more time than it takes to workout, make dinner, and clean the house! This constant access to the edited highlights of our friends' and coworkers' lives leads us to compare, compare, compare. But Proverbs 4:27 says, "Do not turn to the right or the left, keep your foot from evil." Looking too much at the filtered lives of those around us can lead to jealousy, discontentment, resentment, and envy. So, instead of going on your phone or tablet and comparing your life to your neighbors' vacation photos, take a moment today to stop and thank God for the blessings in your own life!

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!

Do you want God to unlock His purpose for you in your work? As you execute the first 4 steps of the iWork4Him Nation Covenant: Praying for, serving, befriending, and praying with others, remember your work behavior is important. The final step of the iWork4Him Nation Covenant is to be someone of excellence in your work. Be the best and brightest example of a worker in your workplace position. Excellence makes your behavior believable and your faith real. Excellence gives you a platform for sharing your faith. As a Jesus Follower, everything about us should be changing, and everyone around you should be benefiting from your faith, whether they believe in Jesus yet, or not. Colossians 3:23 says, "23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."

Does God care for the people you work with? Of course, He does. In step 4 of the iWork4Him Nation Covenant, look for opportunities to pray with others. When you continually work alongside the same people, you know their typical manners and facial expressions. When you notice someone having an off day, ask them, "How are you doing?" when they say "I'm Fine," keep asking, "No really, how are you doing? I noticed you looked a little down today" then wait and be QUIET. When they have shared what is on their heart, ask, "Can I pray with you about that, right now?" I have never had someone say "No" when I followed these steps. Matthew 18:20 says, "For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them." When you pray, you are opening the door for them to meet your savior.

Do you want to see your workplace as a mission field? In step 3 of the iWork4Him Nation Covenant, we encourage you to befriend your co-workers or employees outside of the office. Why? Our work relationships are work focused and can be shallow. When you build friendships on your own turf, outside of work, real relationships develop. When you let someone into your world, it breaks down walls. Breaking down walls builds trust. Eventually, they will trust you when you share your Jesus story, the work He has done in your life. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble"….Be a real friend to someone today.

Do you want to see your workplace transformed and have God unlock His purpose for you in your work? Step two of the iWork4Him Nation Covenant helps transform your workplace mindset into a mission-focused workplace ministry mindset. Start looking for ways to serve your co-workers, bosses, and/or employees outside your job requirements. Why? Anyone can do a job that meets expectations, but how many people help others meet or exceed expectations? When you go out of the way to help others at work with a stressful project or a mundane responsibility, you open up a door of ministry opportunity. Galatians 5:13-14 says For you have been called to live in freedom… use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Do you want to see your workplace transformed and have God unlock His purpose for you in your work? I thought so. Step one of the iWork4Him Nation Covenant is the most powerful step you can take at work to transform your workplace and your heart. Prayer - Start praying for those you work alongside every day. Pray for your co-workers, bosses, and employees by name. You can even pray for their spouses and kids. After you have done this for a few months, have a conversation like this "Hey, I have been praying for you, is there anything I can pray about specifically?" 1 Timothy 2:1 says, "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. "Start Praying today and watch the transformation begin.

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.

When I graduated from high school, I had my life all planned out. For years I had felt God calling me into ministry, so naturally I planned to attend Seminary…. But then God asked me to take a right turn in my vocation - He asked me to go into business. At the time I didn't understand how I could feel called to ministry AND the marketplace, but today I can look back and see that all those years WERE ministry and that he was laying the groundwork for iWork4Him. Isaiah 55:8 says, "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts…And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine." We don't have the big picture, but GOD DOES! So, how about you? Are you saying NO or NEVER to something that God is asking you to consider? Try removing the word NEVER from your prayer life – and see what God does.

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.

1 Corinthians 6:19 says, "do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is IN YOU, whom you have received from God?" Whoa! Think about that for a moment: the Holy Spirit… the very presence of God… lives INSIDE of our bodies! How crazy is THAT! The God of the universe has taken up residence inside of us, where He not only guides us as a wise counselor but also intercedes on our behalf and empowers us to carry out the good works that are prepared in advance for us. If God lives in us, and works through us, then it makes sense that our lives should demand a supernatural explanation! Are you living life in your own power or in God's power? Take a moment today and pray that the Holy Spirit would do something through you that you couldn't possibly do on your own! – something that demands a supernatural explanation.

I almost finished a 500 piece puzzle the other day, but one piece was missing. I searched high and low but I couldn't find it anywhere. In the end, I couldn't complete the picture with just 499 pieces… I needed the last one. 1 Corinthians 12:27 says, "You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it." YOU are a part of the body of Christ and YOU bring something unique to this world - something only you can bring! Your skills, gifts, and passions help reveal who Jesus is to the world. But… if you aren't engaging, the puzzle is missing an essential piece and the picture is incomplete! God wants to use you, right where you are, to reflect Himself to your coworkers, bosses, friends and neighbors. Are you using your skills and gifts for the glory of Christ today?

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 3 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.

What's God want from us at work? Some think WHAT we produce at work is PRIORITY ONE. No matter your job, consider this from 2 Peter 3:10, "But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief, on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be totally destroyed." So, if our work-product will one day burn up, where should my focus be at work? Ask the Lord this each day: "Why do you have me here?" Does someone at work need me to listen without judgment? Does a co-worker having a hard day need a lending hand? If you focus on the people in your workplace and not just your work, both your work-product and workplace will improve.

Have you ever said, "I go to work just to earn a living"? Most of us will work more than 100,000 hours in a lifetime. That's more than a third of your life! Sadly, stats show that at least 7 in 10 people don't like their job. And, three in seven HATES it. If our Christianity is going to be relevant, it must address how our work week will be used for the glory of God. We also need to understand God's truth about Work. If you believe you go to work just to earn a living, consider this verse about your job: Philippians 4:19 says, "And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." This is just one of God's truths about why we go to work. I pray it re-shapes your thinking and appreciation for the work God has given you. Watch God provide for your needs today.

Christmas is coming – just 2 days away. This week has focused on the giving and receiving of gifts and recognizing the ultimate gift of Jesus. Are you a gift to the people you live near? Outside of work, we come in contact with a lot of people. You might be involved in a small group from church. How are you a gift to your small group? Are you a gift in the way you serve others in your community? Are you a gift in the way you love others when they're going through a struggle? Are you a gift in the way you pray for people or the way you help out with projects that others just can't do alone? As a Jesus follower, you have been given the greatest gift of all time. Forgiveness and eternal life. This week, be that gift to those you love.

It's the week of Christmas. A week focused on the giving and receiving of gifts and recognizing the ultimate gift of Jesus. Are you a gift to the people you work with? What does that look like? Is it the work you do, or how you do your work? Is it your attitude at work, or is it the excellence you demonstrate as you do your work? When your coworkers, employees, or bosses look at you, do they see you as a gift to the organization? What can you do today to be a gift to those that you work alongside? You can ask the Holy Spirit to help you figure this out. As a Jesus follower, you have been given the greatest gift of all time. Forgiveness and eternal life. This week, be that gift to those you love.

It's the week of Christmas. A week focused on the giving and receiving of gifts and recognizing the ultimate gift of Jesus. Are you a gift to the people you work with? We all love to get gifts, but what kind of gift do you love to give. For Martha and I, we love to give the gift of entertainment. Not a song and dance routine, but hosting people for dinner. We love to cook a meal and share our kitchen table to build relationships. What kind of gift do you love to give to those you work with? Is it your friendship, a smile, or extra hard work? Do those you work with see you as a gift? As a Jesus follower, you have been given the greatest gift of all time. Forgiveness and eternal life. This week, be that gift to those you love.

It's the week of Christmas. A week focused on the giving and receiving of gifts and recognizing the ultimate gift of Jesus. Are you a gift to the people you work with? What is the most memorable gift you have ever received on Christmas morning? Was it a doll or a train set or a bicycle? Maybe it was memorable because of who you spent it with, like the last time you were with your grandmother or grandfather. One day when you leave your work to start a new job or retire, Will the people you leave behind remember you as a gift to them? Will they mourn the day you leave? As a Jesus follower, you have been given the greatest gift of all time. Forgiveness and eternal life. This week, be that gift to those you love.

Hebrews 11 says, "By faith Abel brought an offering." What is an offering? Jesus said that while the bridegroom is with us, we want to feast, but when he is gone, then we look at fasting. We don't earn God's favor when we go without or by bringing him an offering. Faith grows when it is expressed in sacrifice when it's not easy. When I "bring my sacrifice of praise" God is honored and my faith in Him grows because "God dwells in the praises of His people." When God gives the entrepreneur an idea, that does not mean the idea will automatically happen, even if we put some effort into it. The Venture Capital firm that you approach for financial help is more interested in your track record of executing an idea than the idea itself. Abel brought an offering. What are we bringing to God?

When we face uncertainly in life, there is one thing to remember, none of what is happening is a surprise to God… It's been a long week. It's always a long week. Each week draws attention to the reality of the broken world we live in. Here's a thought. Nothing that happened this week changed your position in eternity. You can be the solid, dependable one for those around you. Pray for healing the divide that the enemy is working so hard to create in our country and our workplaces. Get your strength From the Rock. The Cornerstone. It's time for Jesus followers to recognize our role in bringing hope and healing to a society that is reeling. Remember, you are here on this planet to reassure everyone you meet, Christ-follower, and pre-believer that no matter what, God is on the throne.

When we face uncertainly in life, there is one thing to remember, none of what is happening is a surprise to God. Someone around you is Hurting, Frustrated, Angry and Worried. What is your role as a Jesus follower in the workplace? Your role is to not get caught up in political rhetoric or petty grievances. Your role is to start up and get caught up in bringing the healing of Jesus to the hurting and hopeless around you at work. There is no question, our nation needs healing, and we who follow Jesus are the ones responsible for bringing that healing. IT is the role of the believer to introduce those lost and hopeless to the only healing available that lasts. No politician will ever do that. Just remember that no matter what happens, God is on the throne.

When we face uncertainty in life, there is one thing to remember, none of what is happening is a surprise to God. As a Jesus-follower, working and living around people who don't know Jesus, what is your role today? Be a purveyor of peace. You don't have the luxury to respond to anyone in anger. Don't get uptight worrying about the effect of the latest news cycle and problems around this world. Don't use your social media to fuel arguments over things that have zero eternal significance. Use your time and your conversations to draw people to Jesus and remember, your role is to be Jesus to those around you, ministering to their hurts and uplifting their hope by reminding them that no matter what, God is on the throne and Jesus is there to save them and bring them life.

When we face uncertainty in life, there is one thing to remember, none of what is happening is a surprise to God. One thing this world needs is a people group that is not ruffled by the winds of change, a people of peace in the storms of uncertainty. The Body of Christ is just that group of people. In the early church, they were so NOT rattled that eventually the entire Roman empire was transformed by faith in Jesus. So, its not a matter of who wins and who loses, in the greater scheme of things, your role at work hasn't changed. You are to minister unto the least of these. You are to remind those around you that Jesus brings you peace and that no matter what happens, God is on the throne.

When we face uncertainty in life, there is one thing to remember, none of what is happening is a surprise to God. People are so polarized, going left, going right, or just sitting out. As a Christ Follower living out your faith at work, what is your role in this? Your role is to represent our Heavenly Father by bringing peace and truth. Your role is to remind whoever you run into that you are not uptight about tomorrow because God is in control. Your role is to remind those around you that no matter what happens, God is on the throne. So today, when you enter your workplace, whether that is in person or online, try to see the people around you with God's eyes and God's heart and love them no matter what.

Martha: As you woke up today, did you find yourself celebrating the end of the work week? Jim: We have all been trained to celebrate weekends and to dread our work. Martha: But is that the way God feels? Jim: I grew up thinking that work was a result of original sin. That the reason work was evil was that it came from evil. Martha: But that was a lie. God created work long before Adam and Eve sinned. God gave us work to be fulfilled and for us to flourish. Jim: Now work did get more difficult after Adam and Eve Sinned, but God still wants to walk alongside us in our work. Want proof? Read the biblical history on Abraham and his corporate empire or Joseph and Daniel on their government jobs. Martha: God wants to join us in our work, and that is worth celebrating. God has a purpose for your work too. So TGIF today, that's okay but prepare yourself for TGIM come Monday.

Jim: During your commute today, whether its walking down the hallway or driving down the highway, what will you think about? Martha: Will you be caught up in the stress of the day or will you be preparing your heart for what God is going to do today, alongside you in your work? Jim: God set the workplace standard before evil entered our world. He gave Adam a job to name all the animals. An almost impossible task, except that God brought all the animals to him. Martha: You see, God doesn't expect us to get the job done without helping us. Jim: What if today, on your "way" to work, you spend that time asking God to reveal His purpose in your work and your placement in your workplace. Neither are by accident. Martha: How we spend our first moments of the day makes a huge impact on the rest of the day, especially our work. Spend your "commute" wisely today.

Martha: When Jim & I were 13 we committed our lives to full-time Christian Ministry. So naturally I thought I would be a pastor's wife or a missionary. Jim: I thought I was going to be a youth pastor. Martha: When we got married, I naturally thought that ministry was in our future. Jim: Martha was right about that. But we were both wrong about the location of our ministry. We kept thinking we were headed for church ministry. Martha: But Jim and I are both good at business and we ran an insurance agency. We didn't know our ministry was right there in front of us. We treated people well. Jim: But we never saw it as a ministry. In fact, no one ever spoke into our lives that we could have a ministry in our workplace. Martha: But we were in ministry and our workplace ministry calling perfectly matched our God given gifts, talents, and abilities. Jim: So, are you committed to full-time Christian Ministry? You'll find it at your workplace today!

Martha: Do you ever feel like quitting your job? Even though it's a good job and it pays well. Jim: We mean quit your perfectly good job so you can go into full time ministry. Have you ever had that thought? Martha: If you are like us, you feel the need for significance in your work and you feel like a job in a church or a Christian non-profit is the only way to go. Jim: We are here to help stop the madness. The job that you hold, the work that you do and the people that you work with, none of that is by chance. Martha: The people that you work with need to meet Jesus and you may be their only chance. Jim: Try this thought on for size. Your workplace is your mission field. Pay attention today at work and see if you meet any people who need to meet Jesus – and don't quit your job.

Jim: When you woke up today did you find yourself celebrating the first day of the work week or did you find yourself dreading it? Martha: It seems that most of us suffer from TGIF syndrome instead of adopting the TGIM revolution. We need to start Thanking God its Monday. Jim: you see, God designed our work to have purpose and fulfillment. He also designed it so that He could work alongside us, bringing us His wisdom along the way. Martha: What is it going to take for you to switch from dreading Monday to celebrating it? Jim: If you are like me, it is going to take a Romans 12:2 Paradigm Shift. We have to stop copying the Behavior and Customs of this world and allow ourselves to be transformed and allow God to change the way we think. Martha: Every Day your work matters to God. Let's start celebrating Mondays.

People want to be heard and recognized, which makes listening so important. I have a tendency to listen to the first few words of someone expressing a thought or idea or feeling to me, and then I am busy contemplating a response. I often miss my chance to listen because I want so badly to be heard. I never realized that behavior was so hurtful until I got married. Martha is a great communicator and says so many incredible things. I have had to learn to just listen to her when she speaks without responding. Then she knows I love her. We work together every day, so this is a really important skill. When we listen, we communicate care and love and acceptance. And you know that Jesus is the best listener ever. As Jesus-followers, we can be just like Him. Practice listening today.