iWork4Him PowerThought

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.

Kathy Branzell, President of the National Day of Prayer says: there's the idea that when I work, I work, but when I pray, God works. So how about YOU? Are you working, when you should be praying? Are you starting work first, before you pray? Are you taking God's place for the results by over-working? There's a beautiful balance we can obtain between work and prayer. We can choose to pray first, then work. And then pray, staying in constant contact with the Lord to guide and direct our work, vs. all that extra-efforting stuff. Psalm 127 says: It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones." We challenge you today, to incorporate prayer INTO your work, and trust God for the results and experience a little of His rest

Are there ROCKS in YOUR schedule? ROCKS are IMMOVABLE commitments. Those priorities that are unchangeable. As a working Christ-follower, what are some of YOUR ROCKS? Here are some of mine: Time with the Lord. Family commitments. And anything I have given my word to, to be there. Is WORK one of YOUR ROCKS? If it is, maybe it's time to look at that rock, and decrease its size, or the amount of space it's taking on your calendar. Don't' let Luke 20:18 define how you live and manage your life. "Everyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on." So how about YOU? Is work a stone YOU'RE stumbling over? How about crushing that rock and use it to make a path to more time with family?

We all have a calling, have you heard this before? Some of us get called to the pulpit and some to the foreign mission field but most of us get called to our cubicles, construction sites, care facilities or whatever your job site may be. Your Workplace, It's your mission field and in that mission field, you and me, we may be the only Jesus our co-workers, employees and bosses may ever meet. That Job that you hold and the work that you do, and the people that you work with, none of that is by chance. The people that you work with need to meet Jesus and you may be their only chance. So, as you contemplate the value of your work today, realize this…You don't need to quit your job in order to go into fulltime ministry. You are already in fulltime ministry, right there where you work.

Had a chance to interview Dr. Dan Middlebrooks, a chaplain to first responders. He shared this: What you hold onto is either going to help you or harm you. It's either going to be a tombstone or a steppingstone, the choice is yours. Wow. .... And that got me thinking. Perhaps I'm holding onto something, something that is affecting my work. Something that is affecting my work relationships. Or my work environment. Ecclesiastes 3:6 exhorts us: a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away… So how about you? what are you hanging on to? Are you willing to take that something you're hanging on to, to the foot of the cross…right now? Pray that the Lord would show you how to take what your holding and make it a steppingstone

Decision making. We do it hundreds of times a day. What if, as Dr. Jim Harris advises us, we drop our decision making 18 inches from our head, down to our spirit? .... What if, instead of thinking about the decision, we checked in with the Holy Spirit and asked what He wants us to do? In that exact moment? .... Being spirit-led involves being connected to the Holy Spirit, and seeking His answer first, as our chief advisor. .... Our head is subject to our spirit. NOT the other way around. Romans 8:14 says For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So how about you? Are you working as a child of God? With the wisdom and power and direction of the Holy Spirit? We challenge you to start and live your workday tomorrow, being LED all day in every way by the Holy Spirit.

As Christians everything about us should be changing. When we were born again, it wasn't just a one-time event. We are to be changing daily…remember the word "sanctified"? We are being "set apart" to be dedicated to God's use. And to that end, we're to be changing and growing more Christ-like every day, to be conformed to His image. So how about you? Would those you work with say you're a better co-worker today than you were 6 months ago? Would your manager say you're a better team member today than you were last month? Would your CEO say you're a better executive this year than you were last year? 2 Timothy reminds us: If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. We challenge you to pray to be conformed and changed today so that someone may notice and ask about it tomorrow

Rebekah King, founder and director of Hope Works, a southside Chicago non-profit, said: To be invested in a community is to know its people and to know their needs. And that got me thinking, to grow my "community" which is my team, within my company, does that same idea apply? Do I need to know my people and know their needs to invest in them? Absolutely - YES! So how about YOU? How well do YOU know YOUR team members? How well do you know THEIR needs? How much are YOU invested in YOUR work community? Mother Teresa said: "Prayer in action is love, and love in action is service. Try to give unconditionally whatever a person needs in the moment. The point is to do something, however small, and show you care through your actions by giving your time." Take some time today and figure out the best way to invest in your community.

Identity. It's the fact of being who or what a person is. As Christ followers, our identity is clear: We are sons and daughters of God, and ambassadors of Christ. The question is, are you working from that identity? .... How do you do that exactly? .... There are many books and courses today, that can lead you through the process of knowing exactly HOW God wired you, your giftings, your talents, and strengths, and then guiding you through the process of asking God to show you the calling He has designed for YOU. Tim Keller says: The Bible says that our real problem is that every one of us is building our identity on something besides Jesus. So how about you? What are you building YOUR identity on? And what identity are you working FROM? You can check out Identity and Destiny dot com to find out more about who God designed you to be and what He designed you to be doing

Can a company thrive by saying NO? .... YES! John DeAngelis, CEO of a Florida construction company says: Sometimes, we found the most profitable job is the one we DON'T do. Here's what he means. They have seven criteria for taking on a new project. If it doesn't meet all the criteria, they don't take it on. It's as simple as that. The criteria are based on their values, employee life balance, and honoring God. So how about you? Do YOU take on projects that are out of alignment with your company's values or culture? Do you say yes to every project? Proverbs 16:9 advises: We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. We challenge YOU TODAY, to define God-honoring criteria to help you to say YES to the right projects and NO to the wrong ones. Then see how this move impacts your profitability

Ahhh rebellion. Its' the sickness of youth but perhaps, there's still some rebellion in our hearts as adults. Is there some ONE or some THING that you're rebelling against at work?...You may be doing it unknowingly… "under the table"…undermining, backbiting, using sarcasm or pushing against another's ideas or leadership in subtle ways. Romans 13:1 and 2 is clear: Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. So how about you? Won't you commit to glorify God, by submitting to YOUR authorities at work?

After a conversation with Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, of Love & Respect, I'm rethinking the way I go about being a peace-keeper. Here's what he said: Sometimes, as peace keepers we hedge on the truth, or just lie, to keep the peace. .... So let's apply that to our workplace. Are you unknowingly hedging on speaking the truth in work situations, to keep the peace? How can you know? You'll probably have a niggling in your spirit, an unsettledness. So what can we do to know when to speak the truth: We can check in with the Holy Spirit in the moment, before conversing, and pray for wisdom for how and when to speak. Keeping the peace may not be what best serves the organization. But speaking the truth is. So how about you?

Mutual respect. It's when two people show respect for each other. .... Respect is defined as the process of honoring someone by exhibiting care, concern, or consideration for their needs or feelings. This should be a HALLMARK of us as Christ followers. And even more apparent at work, with our colleagues. To respect them as co-laborers AND as fellow sons and daughters of God. .... Author Dina Dwyer-Owens says it's been her experience that When we hold ourselves accountable and show mutual respect to others, it's amazing the respect that comes back. So how about you? Are you living mutual respect in your work today?

One day Christ will come back and restore ALL things. For now, Dr. Amy Sherman tells us: A successful marriage of faith and vocation has the capacity to bring a foretaste of God's Kingdom to earth. .... She says that our WORK is INSTRUMENTAL to God's mission in the world, and it's not an accident. .... Each of us, doing our thing – our work in our workplace, with our unique giftings. And if we are doing it for God's glory, with joy and peace and excellence, it brings a taste of heaven into our workplace. .... That's God's design and plan for our work. .... So how about you? Are you bringing a Kingdom foretaste into your work and workplace every day?

Rick Betenbough says this of his company Betenbough Homes: Our business exists to reveal God and His Kingdom to everyone who comes near. .... .... What a perfect summation of what the faith and work movement is all about. So how about YOU? Can you say this as the leader in your workplace? That you exist to reveal God and His Kingdom to everyone who comes near? Can you say that about your team at work? That your team exists to reveal God and His Kingdom to everyone who comes near to me? .... Betenbough says it took TEN YEARS for God to transform them, their leadership and board to rebuild their business into a KINGDOM business. What will you do today, to start on the journey to transform YOUR ORGANIZATION?

As we start our work week, let's remind ourselves of our calling to our work and God's plan for our work. Declare this now as you head to work today, walk to your office, or sit down to do your devotions. … "My workplace is my mission field, a place of full-time ministry… My workplace ministry manual is my Bible. …My calling to my workplace is not a second-class calling…. I dedicate my workplace as a mission field for God, and because of Jesus in my life, I am committed to celebrating the work that God gave me….AMEN"

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.

There's a war going on. Carmen LaBerge recently said: The current culture war is actually being waged in all of our hearts and minds. Until all of us Christ followers allow our hearts and minds to be transformed, we cannot represent Christ in today's culture. That means in all conversations, all day long at work, we're to bring Christ, as His ambassador, into our daily interactions. So how about you? .... Are you bringing a transformed heart and mind into YOUR work every day? Is the source of the words coming out of your mouth a renewed heart? Bringing God's perspective to ALL conversations, whatever the topic? 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

Heard this the other day: The principles never change, but the methods always do. What a solid management philosophy this makes for us Christ followers. Principles are defined as: fundamental truths that serve as the foundation for a system of beliefs. Our biblical core beliefs are the basis of who we are and what we do. And that applies to how we work, lead and manage. But the methods, those change, based on the circumstances, and the people involved. So we need to be flexible, not rigid. Deeply rooted, but like the branches of a tree, sway with the wind. So how about you? Are your principles well rooted but flexible enough for change?

Is God leading your work? How do you get the point where you can say YES, He is. Here're a couple of ideas to get you started. First, read a book or listen to faith at work podcasts that introduce you to the concept of working for the Lord. Second, pray and ask God to show you how and where He is at work in your work today. Three, take a faith at work devotional and put it on your desk. Before you turn on your PC, read the devotional and pray that God lead you in your work. This might take some consistent practice, like changing a habit, to shift your mindset. So how about you? Colossians 3:23 is a GREAT verse to put on your desk, so it reminds you WHO you work for: 23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people

If you are a local church pastor then you have a pretty tough work environment. You work all week but you only hear from your boss on Sunday. So how do you deal with the stress of your work? I think we all have stress but very few jobs have the stress of the pastor in the pulpit with the 400 of us bosses in the pews every Sunday. I think we deal with the stress, the way we deal with everything else having to do with work. We come to the realization that we work for God ultimately and He is the boss we are trying to impress. IF that is our focus, then our work is bound to be excellent. In case you haven't done this lately, let your pastor know how much you appreciate them this week. How about you? does your work reflect the fact that your ultimate boss is God?

Maybe, like me, you're a DO-ER. Another self-confessed DO-ER author Alan Fadling had this to say about his previous MIS-BELIEF: I used to believe that: If I AM what I DO, then if I DO MORE, than I AM MORE. That shines a HUGE light on a widely-held MIS-belief. That is NOT who we are as a Christ follower. Our identity comes from the Lord, not from what we do. Thinking that way is known as a "works mentality". Paul writes about it in Ephesians: 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. .... How about YOU? Are you working with Jesus, and resting in Him as the source for your identity and work?

What if you could experience God in your work? We mean, WHILE you do your work. In speaking with pastor and author John Van Sloten the other day, he said when we feel delight in doing our job in the moment, that IS God. When we are creating, doing work that brings us joy with our unique giftedness, we are experiencing God. How about you? What if you prayed today, and asked God to attune you to Him in your work? To pray that you would experience Him and His delight as you ENJOY YOUR work, in doing it with excellence. Isn't this what we were created for? .... The Westminster Catechism says it best: Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever

In Christianity, disciple means a dedicated follower of Jesus. ... A disciple in the ancient biblical world actively imitated both the life and teaching of the master. So how about you? Are you ACTIVELY imitating the LIFE and the TEACHING of Christ? Have you been living this out in one area of your life and not the others? .... What about your workplace? Have you ever considered your workplace can be where you actively not only imitate but live out the teachings of our master? .... Have you ever prayed for God to use you to make disciples in YOUR Workplace? .... Matthew 28:19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Learned something new just recently from a friend who runs an organization in Clearwater, Florida. They practice "redemptive hiring." It's the practice of hiring someone, when God points them out and moves them to, for the purpose of mentoring them, and bringing them closer to God. Then God does the redeeming work. How COOL IS THAT? .... Using your business to change someone's life. To minister to people through hiring. .... That's why they call their business a BIZNISTRY (a business as ministry). A Term coined by At Work On Purpose. .... So how about you? .... Are YOU open to listening to God's voice in your work and hiring practices? For Him to use YOU, to change people's lives?

The peace that is beyond all understanding. Do you have it? Is it flowing out of you? .... Do you look different? .... Act differently? .... Think differently than the others around you? .... A Christ-follower is the one at work people wonder about. They wonder HOW can they be so calm? And they are attracted to this person because of it. Why? Because they exude an inexplicable peace. So how about you? Are you the peaceful person in YOUR workplace? .... And if not, why not? .... Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

Are you an underground evangelist? Our friends at Helping Hands Charitable are. This is how they see it: It's not what we speak, it's what we do. If you work in a company that does not allow or recognize Christianity, there IS something you can do. You can bring Christ into your workplace in a winsome and engaging way. HOW? By how you ACT. Our actions speak louder than our words anyway, so why not be intentional with WHO we're being at work? .... So how about YOU? .... If your co-workers were asked, would that say they KNOW YOU are a Christian? Not because YOU told them, but because it's so apparent by your actions?

Conflict. It's a reality. It's not a question of IF, it's a question of WHEN. Conflict doesn't have to be bad. It actually has some positive things going for it: it causes us to grow, to find common ground, to open up dialogue, to find a win-win solution, and stretches us and our creativity, to think outside the box. .... So how about you? How well versed are YOU in conflict resolution? .... How about BIBLICAL conflict resolution? .... When's the last time you learned a new way to deal with conflict? .... We challenge YOU today, to go learn a new trick or two, to master conflict.

Under pressure, we either run to God, or away from God. James Barnett, President of Dayspring shared that thought with us one day. So how about you? How are you handling pressure and stress today? .... Are you taking it to the Lord in prayer? .... For His direction? .... For His response on how YOU should respond? .... Do you need the words? .... The courage? .... The perseverance? .... The wisdom? .... The direction? .... Rick Warren said: God changes caterpillars into butterflies, sand into pearls and coal into diamonds using time and pressure. He's working on you, too.

There's a burden we all share as working Christians: The Poor. We, the body of Christ, are the answer. It takes 5-7 YEARS to move a person from a poverty mentality to self-sufficiency. It takes our hands and feet. It takes a life on life commitment. Poverty will NOT be solved by throwing money at it. But you CAN fund the hands and feet who are called to work with the poor day to day. With your paycheck. Your company's revenue stream. With the funds God has entrusted to you. Proverbs 19:17 says If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and he will repay you! How will you and your workplace help the poor in your community today? So how about you?

Jon Evans, President & CEO, eCom Systems out of Sarasota, Florida said in an interview the other day: When we come to Christ, we get all of Him, but does He get all of us? That's the real question. .... What a soul-shaking question. Did Christ get ALL of YOU in your conversion? Are you holding some part of your life, like your work, away from Him? Keeping it from His influence? From His authority? From His transformation, to be conformed in His image? Jeremiah 23:24 Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?" says the Lord. So how about you? So we're asking you today: What part of your life, your self, your work are YOU holding back, or hiding from God?

As we start our work week, let's remind ourselves of our calling to our work and God's plan for our work. Declare this now as you head to work today, walk to your office, or sit down to do your devotions. … "My workplace is my mission field, a place of full-time ministry… My workplace ministry manual is my Bible. …My calling to my workplace is not a second-class calling…. I dedicate my workplace as a mission field for God, and because of Jesus in my life, I am committed to celebrating the work that God gave me….AMEN"

Many of us think we should be shoring up our weaknesses. Thinking what we're bad at has to be fixed. The better approach is to know our strengths, what we're best at, and leverage those. And to remember the SOURCE of our strength. Do you know your strengths? The strengths of your team members? "There is something within the human spirit that wants to resist the thought of weakness. Many times this is nothing more than our human pride at work. Just as weakness carries a great potential for strength, pride carries an equally great potential for defeat." So says Dr. Charles Stanley. .... Are you wasting time trying to "fix" yourself or team members? Or are you leveraging and developing everyone's strengths, for God's glory?

UNAPOLOGETIC. It's being without apology. An executive of a Colorado company told us the other day: We are unapologetic that we run our company based on Christian principles. WOW. And that got me thinking…am I running my organization unapologetically? And if I'm wondering, maybe you should be wondering too. Unapologetically Christian – it means to live and work transparently, showing others that CHRIST is the source of our life and work. That we stand 24/7 for Christ and these values in our lives and work. How about you? Are YOU unapologetically Christian? Are YOU unapologetically Christian in your work? We challenge you today, to dig deeper to be able to say "I am unapologetically Christian."

Bill Johnson, an HR director of a Colorado car dealership told us recently: "I hate the phrase: 'Leave your problems at the door when you come to work.' That's not reality. They CANNOT leave those things at the door." Isn't this what we have been told and have believed all our working lives? That work is NO PLACE to be transparent, or show weakness? .... A Christ-LED workplace is the opposite. Where the employees CAN be transparent and show their brokenness. Where they are loved on and helped with their personal problems. THIS is Christ's way. .... How about YOUR WORKPLACE? If it doesn't foster transparency, what will YOU DO AS A LEADER to change it?

I wonder how many times a day we offer our opinion. Ten times? Twenty times? Thirty times? I was thinking about this after hearing a friend tell me how she handles her teenagers when they ask her a question. She says: "I'm not going to tell you my opinion. Here is what the bible says about it." WOW. So how does that apply to us and our work? At work, you don't have to "CITE CHAPTER AND VERSE", but you can share wisdom from the bible, in workplace appropriate language. .... I'm taking on this challenge today, that every time someone asks me a question or my opinion, I am going to shift to sharing what God has to say about it, not me. .... What a great way to honor God. When you are asked YOUR OPINION at work today, will YOU commit to answer with biblical wisdom?

When I become better at who I am, in other words who God created me to be, I can contribute to the team more. That's a quote from Scott Ramsey, a team member of one of the most God-honoring companies we have had the pleasure of being partnered with. And it's at the core of their success as a business. When each team member seeks to know themselves, to honor God with their unique gifts and talents, their work rises to a higher level. .... And then the team rises to a higher level. .... And the service to clients rises to a higher level. .... And the company is risen to a higher level. .... And God is glorified in every moment of the company's daily existence. .... We invite you today, to pray and ask God "How can I become better at who I am at work today?"

Part-time Christianity. Is there such a thing? .... Os Hillman, founder of Marketplace Leaders, says "There are no part-time Christians." There SHOULDN'T be, but there sure ARE. Many believers today are changing their description of themselves to "Christ-follower", vs. Christian. .... WHY is that? Because perhaps the term Christian has gotten so watered down that it fails to have much meaning these days. It includes CEO Christians (Christmas and Easter Only church-goers), Sunday Christians (believers who go to church, then forget who they are as soon as they step out the door), legalistic Christians who often offend others, and all the other Christians of varying levels of commitment. How about YOU? Which label best describes YOU these days? .... Full-Time Christian or Part-Time Christian – Throw off the label today and become a Christ Follower.

A Prayer for a God-Honoring Work Life: Father, I come before you thankful that you have made work a part of life and given us the opportunity to glorify you in our work. Establish the work of our hands by helping us to be loving, kind, patient, focused, and insightful. Keep us from distraction and conflict, replace our egos with love. May the Holy Spirit lead us in our work and help us to be joyful, creative, and worshipful–constantly reminding us of your love and that our workplace is our mission field. Lead us to put others first, in a way that would maximize your glory and allow us to bear the most fruit for your kingdom today. Amen.

What mountain are YOU climbing? .... This thought is inspired by writer Stephanie Winslow who uses the visual of our faith journey as climbing a mountain. As a Christian, we should be climbing the mountain of faith towards Christ, who is at the top. HE is our goal. .... If you are climbing another mountain, perhaps of achievement or business success, we invite you right now, today, to get OFF that mountain, and reset your feet on the mountain of faith. .... Success comes when we make the ascent to knowing and being more like Christ. .... "Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So… get on your way!" (Dr. Seuss)

Silence. .... .... It can be used STRATEGICALLY to make a point, .... to be used to EMPHASIZE something .... or, to communicate something effectively without words. Silence, when used in response to someone else's need, can communicate something that we DO NOT INTEND, .... that we do not care, .... Or, that we are judging the other person. .... How are YOU being silent in your workplace? .... What is YOUR silence communicating in response to what is happening around you? .... We invite you today, to be actively aware of your silence with others at work this week.

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.

We all have a calling, have you heard this before? Some of us get called to the pulpit and some to the foreign mission field but most of us get called to our cubicles, construction sites, care facilities or whatever your job site may be. Your Workplace, It's your mission field and in that mission field, you and me, we may be the only Jesus our co-workers, employees and bosses may ever meet. That Job that you hold and the work that you do, and the people that you work with, none of that is by chance. The people that you work with need to meet Jesus and you may be their only chance. So, as you contemplate the value of your work today, realize this…You don't need to quit your job in order to go into fulltime ministry. You are already in fulltime ministry, right there where you work.

Love, Dignity, Respect. .... Three simple words. Love, Dignity, Respect. What do they have to do with your workplace? .... If someone were to visit your workplace, would they see these in action? .... What about you? .... Are you giving love, dignity and respect to all the people you encounter in your workplace? Or do you reserve it for only those you believe are worthy of it? .... We challenge you this week to show love dignity and respect to each person you run into in your workplace this week. Smile, say hello, look them in the eye, and learn their name. This is where workplace transformation starts.

What if the only business book we had was the bible? How would we do business differently? .... And what if we only had Jesus's words to do business by? .... Every workplace leader we've spoken to (and the number is now in the thousands) basically summarizes their leadership philosophy as this: "My number one job as owner and president of the company is to take care of my people first. To love and care for them." .... Regardless of your management level in your work, what if you started here? What if you worked from this philosophy every day? The fruit of that way of work is clear. The fruit results are abundant. More than we could ever ask or imagine. Won't you try this philosophy out this week?