iWork4Him PowerThought

1 week of PowerThoughts: Topic Preparing your Head, Heart, Mind, Soul and Mouth for Work Preparing to go to work these days looks and feels different. What does that look like for you? Is it showering and getting dressed or throwing on a robe? Maybe, for you, it's having that first shot of caffeine or perhaps its eating that healthy meal or drinking a vitamin filled smoothie. Maybe it involves getting your kids ready or helping your live-in parent get their day started. Whatever your routine, it's that routine that prepares you for your work. As you prep for your day, where does God fit in? You may look good on the outside, and be well fed, but is your soul well fed and prepared. Psalm 5:3 says "Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on the altar and wait for your fire to fall upon my heart." If you missed God in your prep this morning, stop right now and invite Him into your day because He loves you and wants you to be prepared for your work.

What do you do when you're faced with a problem at work? If you're like me, you probably go about trying to find a solution, usually starting with Google! We met and interviewed a remarkable woman named Susan. She went to God first, not google. She asked HIM for the answer to the problem. And kept praying in earnest expectation until He answered. She said to us "God has the answer to every problem, if we'd just ask Him." So, how about you? Are you depending on yourself, Google or asking others first? Or are you praying to the one who has ALL the answers? We invite you, the very next time you're faced with a work challenge, to stop, pray and ask God to give you the answer.

Are you unemployable? The other Day we were talking with Tom and Julie. They own a commercial cleaning franchise. Tom said he is unemployable, so he has to work for himself. Julie said it was true. Some of us are just wired to work in our own business and some of us are built to support those who run their own business. Either way its probably how you were wired. So how about you? Do you celebrate the differences between yourself and the others around you? Some own businesses and some don't. Doesn't make it wrong just different. God has designed us all with our unique set of Gifts Talents and Abilities. All to be used by Him for His glory in our Work. Don't wish you were someone else, celebrate who God made you to be, just like Tom.

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.

Changing the world. We all have that secret desire, don't we? Changing the world in Kingdom terms is not measured in the BIG, the BIGGER and the BIGGEST actions in our life and work. It's the opposite. Changing the world happens, one person, one word and one action at a time. It can be as small as a smile, a kind word, or a self-less act of service. It's counter-intuitive, just like the work of Christ. So how about you? Would you like to change the world? Would you be willing to start today, changing the corner of the world where God has placed YOU? We invite you to start changing the world RIGHT NOW, with ONE smile, ONE kind word, and ONE kind action.

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

Heard this talking with a long-time radio guy: The ability to be with people unlike you, creates strength. The more we are with people unlike us, the better we become. What a unique thought to ponder. I wonder how many of us ever considered the affect or even the benefit of mixing with a different crowd of people? Going to lunch with someone at "another level" in the company, or in another department? Going to an event you've been invited to but know NO ONE. So how about you? When's the last time you mixed it up with people or colleagues unlike you? We challenge you today, to go get uncomfortable, and be around a group of people that are unlike you.

Are you stuck in a rut or comfortably nestled in there? Have you been "doing your Christianity the same way, with the same people, in the same ministry, in the same church? In the same type of work? With the same company?" When's the last time you stopped, poked your head UP OUT OF THE daily rut and asked "Lord, am I doing your will? Am I doing ministry and my work YOUR WAY? Where do YOU want me?" So how about you? When's the last time you considered re-thinking how your walking out your faith? And who you're working or ministering with? When's the last time you got UNCOMFORTABLE, in order to follow The Lord? We invite you TODAY, to ask in prayer "Lord, where do you want me?"

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?"

I try to keep my heart pure and intimate with Christ, so I can be a source of light and encouragement to the people I work with. That's the faith at work philosophy of a millennial professional we interviewed. What a beautiful philosophy of how we can really prepare and BE Christ at work. So how about you? Is your heart pure and intimate with Christ so YOU can be a source of light and encouragement to YOUR co-workers? How about today, before stepping into work, you prayed this prayer: Father, purify my heart, that may I BE Christ to everyone I work with today. Use me Father, to be a source of light and encouragement to everyone I work with. In Jesus's name.

Heard this great reminder from a manager of a Christian Retail company "The biggest challenges in my life and work have been when I have forgotten WHO God is, or WHO I AM in Christ." So how about you? Are you in the midst of a challenge at work? If so, CLING to the words of God. Remind yourself right now who you are IN HIM, not the words of what the world tells you. Here are just a few: I am a child of God, I am Jesus's friend, I am a NEW creation, I am an heir with Christ, I am chosen, holy, and blameless before God and I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

The other day we were talking with Gilbert and MaryAnn. Both had marketplace Miracles in their lives. Gilbert was invited to a bible study meeting by someone at work. He went, heard the gospel, and responded and became a Christ follower. All his co-worker did was ask him. So often that is all it takes. MaryAnn is a singer and has been a Jesus Follower for decades. She was told that she wasn't good enough for country music and that she would never have a country music hit. She kept her eyes and her music on Jesus and had a number 1 hit in the last couple of years. So how about you? Is your life defined by the impossible or improbable? IF not, find a way to let God's power shine through your life today by asking Him to do the impossible in your work.

What's the fastest way to get what you DON'T want? Tell the Lord "I will NEVER _________________" Yep, just ask any other Christ follower who's made the mistake of saying something like that. You WILL end up being exactly where YOU said you would NEVER be or DOING something you said you would never do. Our thoughts are not God's thoughts and His ways are NOT our ways. We don't have the big picture, but God does. So how about YOU? We're challenging you to remove the word NEVER from your vocabulary and to replace it with scripture, such as Matthew 6:33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

The concept of FOLLOWING is all the rage these days. And the concept of following started with Jesus. He was the original "person to follow". So, who are YOU following? If you're following someone, you're listening to them, and they are speaking INTO YOU. And do you know who THEY are following and listening to? So how about YOU? If you're following someone other than Jesus, as a "Christian", you may want to take a harder look at who you're following, who that person is and why. How deep is their character and what is their character based on? Perhaps, you'll find they're not following the original. And therefore, neither are you. As our friend Mike Henry says: Be a follower of one.

The art of appreciation. It's a choice. Chuck Swindoll says "Gratitude is a decision of the will, and if a decision of the will, the choice resides squarely with us. Deciding to be thankful is no easy task. It takes work." Using appreciation with others, using it as a tool in you work, for most of us, takes practice. It's a mindset AND a heart-set shift. Most of us WANT and NEED appreciation, regardless of what form it comes in. So how about you? Is the art of appreciation a part of your work style? Your leadership style? We invite you to read one of any number of books, like the 5 Love Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace and start to use appreciation today!

Have you ever considered that God wants to use YOUR business influence, the position He's put you in, as a "platform" for Him? A stage on which to do your work while others watch and see HOW you work? If you lead just ONE person or have interact with groups of people inside OR outside your business, like vendors or, contractors, then you have a platform. A platform designed by GOD for you, for such a time as this. That you would work for His glory, show His characteristics of caring, courage, diligence, fairness, integrity, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness. So how about you? When they watch you work do, they see YOU, or do they see Christ?

Have you ever met someone that lives one integrated life? They seem to flow seamlessly between their work and personal life without pause or care. What is this? It's authenticity. And its attraction is unparalleled. How is it possible? It's living a life based on Godly values. I'd hazard a guess a person like this lives their values in this order: God, Family, and Service. When we LIVE BY our values, decisions are easier, relationships are easier, and knowing where to invest our time, talent and treasure is easier. Because our values ARE our priority. And our heart lines up with our values, and those line up with our thoughts, our thoughts then direct our words and actions. How are YOU living your values at work today?

Sir Isaac Newton once said: If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants. The modern-day faith at work movement, is owed to a handful of willing and sacrificial giants over the past century, beginning in about 1930: R.G. LeTourneau, Dr. Stanley Tam, Bobby Mitchell and Os Hillman, just to name a few. These men have loved the Lord with their entire being, listened to the Lord, obeyed, and then collaborated with LIKE-MINDED people and sought council with fellow Christians. Their life's work laid the foundation for our current Faith at Work theology and practices. They sacrificed their lives, for those of us who are enjoying the freedom to stand for Christ in our work. How are YOU standing for Christ in YOUR work today?

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?

72% of people who get up and go to work every day think "nobody cares about me". That's a WHOLE LOT of hurting people that will never experience God's love. So, what if we just took God's love to them? What if there was a chaplain in the workplace that looks just like them, that meets them where they are; to just listen, pray and love them? Workplace chaplains DO exist and are more and more common in today's workplaces! And THAT is the gospel! Echoing Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 9, "When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings." So, we challenge you, look into finding a chaplain for your people and transform your workplace into a place where people are loved.

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?

Ecclesiastes 4:12 says "A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." Are you a Christian standing alone in your work or professional life? Are YOU standing alone in OTHER areas of your life? What if you prayed and asked for a group that you could "do life and work" together with? We, as God's creation, were BUILT for community. IF you have no community, you may be operating out of God's will or, slogging or surviving, vs. thriving. We challenge you today, to ask a trusted Christian friend, or to go online and search for a Christ-honoring community to be a part of.

It comes as no surprise that less than 20 percent of Americans regularly attend church. But just about all Americans have a job. So, we COULD say that not everybody has a pastor, but just about everybody has a boss. So how will the other 80% of Americans find out about Jesus Christ if they are not stepping into a church? The current population of the US is about 330 million. So that's 264 Million people that WE can witness to through our daily interactions in our jobs. You are the one that has been chosen. You ARE CHRIST'S AMBASSADOR, for such a time as this. Today, won't YOU PRAY AND COMMIT to BE Christ-like at work, to everyone you work with?

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 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?

Humility. The term "humility" comes from the Latin word humilitas, a noun related to the adjective humilis, which can be translated as "humble", but also as "grounded", or "from the earth", since it derives from HUmus (earth). The greatest leaders, including our Lord have it. CS Lewis said: "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of YOURSELF LESS." What if TODAY, you and I, thought of ourselves less at work, and started to think MORE about others. James 4:10 says it best: Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. And how about Psalm 149:4 For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. How will YOU work from a place of humility today?

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.

Relationship. RelationAL. Is there any better word to describe Christianity that sets our "religion" apart from all others? Our faith is based solely on relationship. And is there any better model for us to follow? In our life, in our work? And the basis of this relationship model is LOVE. 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 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. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing. Are you a NOISY GONG in YOUR workplace? We invite you to SHIFT to LOVE in your workplace today.

Money. We all need it to live. Is your view of money healthy and in alignment with biblical principles? Is the WAY you use it serving man, or God and His Kingdom. 1 John 3:17 says If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God's love be in that person? How about your income? How about your company's revenue? Are you tithing from your corporate revenue stream? Have you ever considered it? We challenge you today, to pray about your personal and corporate tithing. And ask God HOW YOU should be using the income He's blessed YOU WITH to serve your fellow man, God and His Kingdom.

There is a word that defines the bible, defines Christ, and defines leadership. That word is LOVE. But isn't love seemingly contrary to business and how it operates? Or IS IT? Did you ever have a bad boss? What quality of work did you do for them? Did you ever have a great boss? One that got the absolute best work from you? What was the difference in those two bosses? I'll bet it was LOVE. Love that respects, listens, appreciates and builds up. 1 John 3:11 This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Said another way, control disconnects. Love connects. This connection (which is actually LOVE) translates to the bottom line. We invite you to pick ONE DAY AT WORK THIS WEEK, and TRY IT.

"Why is it important for all Christians in every area of culture to rise up in their calling? Because biblical truth is the highest love for human beings." That's a quote from Kelly Monroe Kullberg, Founder of the Harvard Veritas Forum. So, we're wondering…Are you living YOUR calling where you're working? On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate YOUR WORK in terms of "a calling"? Are you enabling others in YOUR place of work, to RISE UP in THEIR calling? There's nothing so miserable than when we feel trapped in our job, due to perceived circumstances. Or a job that doesn't utilize our God-given gifts and talents. If you scored less than a 7, we invite you to go do some work on "what your calling is". And start working it!

There is a truth about work that has been lost to much of our culture since the creation of the world. It is that GOD CREATED WORK. He created work for us, to do together and for HIS glory. Genesis 2: 19 So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. Work is NOT a PUNISHMENT, it's a GIFT. And God wants to JOIN US in it. Every day. He DELIGHTS in it. He is our team-mate, just as He was with Adam. He brought the animals TO Adam to name. So how about YOU? Won't you invite God to work WITH YOU today? WHEREVER He has place you?

Do you want to see your workplace as a place to live out your faith? Your work is a place where you finally get that chance to be involved in fulltime ministry. Then do these things. 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. We call this the iWork4Him Nation Covenant.

What if our WORK WAS our WORSHIP? The Hebrew word Avodah means work, worship, and service, altogether! Work: being productive, worship: praising and glorifying God and service: a form of service to the world and our community. We are MEANT to be of service, to be PARTNERS with God in the ongoing creation of the world. The various usages of this Hebrew word that is first found in Genesis 2:15 shows us it was God's ORIGINAL DESIGN and DESIRE that our work and our worship would be a SEAMLESS WAY of living, as it was thousands of years ago. What about YOU? Are you making the work of YOUR hands every day AVODAH? You're invited today to start worshiping God with your work.

How do you make a decision when faced with a MAJOR WORK LIFE CHANGE? Do you do it alone? Do you ask a bunch of friends? Do you list out the pros and cons? Is there a biblical model for seeking and knowing God's will? There is. Here's the way a CEO and his wife used to decide whether to leave their business OR go into ministry in another state. They prayed together on their knees and fasted over several months. They sought no other council, only God's. They read the bible and then paid attention to God's answers and direction. They received many confirmations and affirmations through this process, that led them to HIS answer. This is a great example of GOD-LED, GOD-FEARING decision making. How could you use THIS decision making model in a decision YOU need to make today?

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?

After years of meeting with and interviewing people from all types of work and all organizational levels, there is one major truth that keeps bubbling up to the surface. The investment IN PEOPLE, above all else, pays not only Kingdom dividends, but business dividends as well. This is what Christ did, and it is the ultimate example of Christ's holy character: Matthew 20:28 says "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." When we invest in our employees, the next generation or future leaders in our workplace, we are giving away our life as a true Christ follower. What is ONE commitment you will make today, to start investing in the life of another in YOUR workplace?

Per a 2015 Barna Group study, only 20 percent of Christian adults are involved in some sort of discipleship activity. And, less than one-quarter of Christian adults (23%) are currently being discipled by someone one-on-one. Discipleship in the context of work is known as "mentorship". How about YOU? Are you allowing someone to mentor you as a Christ follower in your work? And if you are a "seasoned" professional, Are YOU making it a priority to intentionally mentor a next generation co-worker? We encourage you to pray about mentorship this week and ask the Lord "Who would you like me to mentor Lord?" and "Would you provide a God-honoring mentor for me?"

I think it's safe to say that the media focuses on, and provides negative news these days. Should we just take it, and keep feeding ourselves this negativity? How does this affect your work? Do you take it with you? What are you chatting with your co-workers about? And are you feeding the beast of "all that's wrong with world"? Or are you speaking life at work. We can, and should consciously choose what we WILL and WILL NOT listen to. Philippians 4:8 exhorts us: And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. We invite you today, to observe WHAT you speak at work, and shift it to glorifying God.

I heard a clever quip the other day about trying to take control from God's hands. God is writing the story of your life: so STOP TRYING TO GRAB THE PEN FROM HIS HAND! This applies to our work as well. Sometimes we think we are living God's plan for us in our work, when we are actually just "taking Jesus with us". And only praying to Him to ask for blessings on what we are doing at work. How can we know when we've succeeded in FOLLOWING Christ in our work? By changing our mindset to one of FOLLOWING, vs. LEADING. Why not start your work day with a prayer like this: Father, today, I commit my hands to YOUR work. As you lead me, may YOUR will be done and may YOU be glorified in all I do. Amen.

Being intentional seems to be a consistent hallmark of followers of Christ. Because Christ is our best example of intentionality. Intentionality is defined as being deliberate or purposeful. How about you? How are you working with intentionality today? In the office, with your co-workers, intentionally representing Christ and showing His love and patience to everyone you come in contact with? Most days we may just be unconsciously going through our work day. We invite you to begin today by going before the father and asking Him: "Here's all I have, what do YOU want me to do with it today? What is YOUR priority today, Lord?" And then living that out as we step into our work, and every other place our feet may wander.

Have you ever wondered what the benefits would be, if you turned your company over to God? Would the profits fly out the window and productivity take a nose-dive? We've polled Christ-following employers and their employees and here's what THEY say the benefits are: Increasingly happier and more stress free employees (which leads to increasing productivity, less absenteeism and much higher retention rates)… All of which make for a great business! WOW! What are YOU waiting for? No excuses! We challenge you today, to start making a list of what you would need to do, to turn your company over to God, and then do ONE of those items this week!

Have you ever experienced a major upheaval in your business or work life? Something that looked like it was taking you in the opposite direction of where you were headed? Or was (you thought) the next logical step? It's highly possible that God is using this to move you to exactly where HE wants you to be. For HIS work, in HIS time, for THIS season. Let Romans 8:28 encourage you today, and we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. God is orchestrating it all, for His glory. This week, as you experience upheaval in your work life, why not turn to Romans 8:28? And even place a copy of it on your desk?

What if today, we committed to operate our businesses from a philosophy of "It's not about WHAT we sell or HOW MUCH we sell, it's about the LIVES we TOUCH and CHANGE." That's "God's way of doing business". And it's the exact OPPOSITE of everything we have been taught as professional business people. But isn't that always God's way? This counter-cultural philosophy is rooted in Matthew 6:33: But seek first HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. What is the Lord asking YOU TO DO as a next step in seeking first HIS Kingdom in YOUR workplace?

You know, as Martha and I have met, and interviewed hundreds of Christian business leaders over the past eight years, the best one sentence that sums up "faith at work", comes from the team at Kingdom at Work. It's this: "When a kingdom leader engages in a kingdom style, then a kingdom culture within the company emerges and the kingdom of God is advanced." God's process of transformation starts with one person, with one person's faith and obedience. That one person is YOU. And in God's economy, He will take your one act of faith and obedience and multiply for the Kingdom. What one act of faith at work will YOU do today?

As a business leader, if you turned your business over to God, what would that look like? What would be the result? Hundreds of business owners we've interviewed over the past eight years have done it. They say the result is a DEEP sense of peace vs. stress, pressure and tension. And a new, deepening understanding of their role as a STEWARD of God's business, vs. "being the OWNER of it". What would it take for YOU to be ready to turn YOUR organization over to the Lord's ownership today? We invite you to place Christ in your org. chart as CEO, and commit right now, to shift your mindset from "OWNER to STEWARD".

Every one of us in ministry. What? No, you say, I'm a CPA, I'm an engineer, I manage people at a construction company. Yes, and you are called to be an Ambassador for Christ there. The Apostle Paul agrees, as he wrote to the Ephesians, in Chapter 6 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God's ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should. If Paul can be an ambassador in chains in prison, then we (without chains) can too….wherever He placed us. And God placed YOU in YOUR SPECIFIC WORKPLACE for a reason. For HIS REASONS, not our own.

I learned something new talking with a Physical Fitness company owner in Nashville. The only gift God has given us that we can control 100% is our body. What we eat, how we take care of it, what we feed it, if we are exercising it. Reminds me of Luke 11:36 Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you. Never thought of that. That we have an obligation to glorify God with our body, and that body is the vehicle that either enables us to work with excellence or not. What will YOU do today, ensure your body is primed to work in excellence unto the Lord?

If you are like me you jump up out of bed, check for emergency text messages, check the weather, rush through your morning devotional time so you can get on to the real work of the day. Just recently Martha and I were reading a book by Kim Avery "The Prayer Powered Entrepreneur" and she suggests a different approach. Kim suggests that when we have our morning quiet time, be quiet and ask our Lord what His priorities are for us today. Instead of letting distractions rule our day, ask the Lord to prioritize our day so His will is done. I'm going to try this from now on, and maybe you would like to do the same. Lord, what is at the top of your priority list for today? I pray that I can do this the rest of my life, what about you?