iWork4Him PowerThought

It's the week of Thanksgiving, and we all have so much to be thankful for. I spent a week in the Dominican Republic a few years back. I saw a level of contentment and thankfulness in every person I met. Most had only a tin roof over their head and a couple pairs of clothing, but they were thankful. Thankful for a meal to eat and a place to sleep. What about you? Are you thankful for your clothes, your car, your home, and your bed? The people we work with are looking to you to demonstrate the advantage of being a Jesus-follower. Showing them, you are content and thankful will attract them to Jesus. So, this week spend your time focusing on being thankful and see how it impacts the attitudes of those around you.

It's the week of Thanksgiving, and we all have so much to be thankful for. Yet when many of us think about our time with family later this week, we struggle to be thankful. Many of you have indeed suffered at the hands of family. I am sorry for that. However, for most of you, you have been blessed with a family that loves you, but still get under your skin and irritate you. How do we shift our attitude to be thankful for our family? We remember that God is our Father, and you are surrounded by Brothers and Sisters in Christ who love you. Those at work may not be so blessed, so show them some love this week and invite them to be part of your family Thanksgiving celebration. When you focus on being thankful, it impacts the attitudes of all those around you.

It's the week of Thanksgiving, and we all have so much to be thankful for. Yet, some days, I struggle to be thankful. Work can be overwhelming, and deadlines are looming. Some days I am just outright un-thankful. When we lack a thankful attitude, it impacts our spirit and the spirits of others around us. We don't realize the impact we have on others. 1st Thessalonians 5 18 says, "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." Without Jesus, I know this would be impossible for me, but we know that all things are possible with Jesus. So, this week spend your time focusing on being thankful, see how it affects your attitude, and see how it impacts the attitudes of those around you.

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 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 2nd 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.

Have you ever wanted to change the world? Join us to hear about a couple in Rogers, Arkansas, who started a family business: drive-through coffee… and are changing their part of the world, one coffee and one smile at a time. www.iWork4Him.com

Is life balance still a goal? If it is, and it's not really working, listen to this podcast interview with Mike Cook of "Strategic Doers", who shares a better alternative than chasing after "life balance". www.iWork4Him.com

Are you stuck in a rut? Be challenged in this podcast on how your thinking about ministry may be stuck inside the box. Hear the testimony of New Zealander Bryce Taylor, who's God-journey went from pastoral to…agricultural machinery with a mission.

What do hair and Haiti have in common? A lot, apparently, if you're a woman of God who loves both. Find out about the journey of Salem Hicks, now a Hair Salon entrepreneur that God put in Haiti so she could birth the vision He created!

Imagine having 700 children. And someone asks "who's your favorite?" That's a tough question for the Product Marketing Business Leader of Dayspring – it's like picking a favorite child! Hear how they go about choosing products and what prayer has to do with it. www.iWork4Him.com

You know what happens when you say "never", right? Find out what happened to Dawn Stanford, Dayspring's Business Development Manager when she said it…and how God used it! We talk career changes, being a control freak, and why one should never say "never" – especially to the Almighty.

How can you turn YOUR workplace into a mission field? Find out in this convo with Mike Henry, who started Follower-Of-One. Discover this unique way to go on a no-cost mission trip! Give your thinking a Jesus-sized shift today. www.iWork4Him.com

Who makes the most impact in the workplace? Is it the management? Or someone else? Find out the answer...and what YOU can do to impact others from Dr. Paul White, author and psychologist, so you can flourish in your workplace. www.iWork4Him.com

What will people say about you when you're gone? Join us to hear from Dayspring executive Stephen Bos, about how your personal brand can impact your ability to live out your faith at work. Straight from the company's headquarters in Arkansas. www.iWork4Him.com

WHO's leading YOUR leadership? We hear how two leaders have had their leadership transformed and now share that with others. www.iWork4Him.com

Curious to know how to build a Kingdom business? This is it. This podcast has the answer and template for how to build and lead a business for God's glory. Hear about how with Kingdom Leadership workshops and their template to build a business God's way.

Are you trying to be everything to everybody? There's another way to live. Meet the anti-wonder woman TJ Tison and her powerful "Working Women of Faith" community. And find out how you can get a WWOF started in your neck of the woods www.iWork4Him.com

What if you LOOKED FORWARD to Monday? You can. Meet Doug Spada, author of Monday Morning Atheist. Hear the what, why and how of switching from "TGIF" to "TGIM" – Thank God It's Monday! And learn how to thrive at work on Monday.

Why have a bible study at your workplace? Tony Dale, founder of Sedera Health details his "Wisdom Journey Bible Study", which offers an opportunity for employees and managers to have God-conversations for the greater good of his company and their families. www.iwork4him.com

What happens when you ask God to stretch you? Find out as we interview two ministry leaders in Jacksonville, Florida: Lifework Leadership, which provides Christian leadership training and The Potter's House – serving the city. Featured Guests: Tammie McClafferty & Glenn Henderson

The story and influence of FCCI. Taped on location from D.C. at the Impact Summit (a gathering of over 400 leaders in the faith and work movement to build kingdom collaboration). Meet Bobby Mitchell &Chad Merrill of FCCI

Meet the patriarch of the Faith and Work Movement: Os Hillman. Hear his journey around "calling" and studying God's word on faithful work. And catch a glimpse of the faith and work movement, where it's been and where it's headed. www.iWork4Him.com

What does divorce cost you, the employer? More than you think. Tune into this podcast with Jim and Martha Brangenberg, avid marriage mentors, and hear about the hard costs, and potential options employers can offer their employees. www.iWork4Him.com

It's okay to make a profit in your business, isn't it? What's the difference between leading and managing? Tune in to this podcast to hear the answers to some provocative questions like these, from Bobby Albert, of Values-Driven Leadership.

Every business is a ministry and...Every ministry is a business. Hear about the Wise Counsel round-table group and from some of their members, and how to build businesses with a solid foundation of character, morals and spiritual principles.

Is it possible to have a new purpose at 65? Why yes, yes it is. Hear a not-done-yet story of business ownership, from Lyle and Sara Squires – a married couple who God decided they should do it again. For His Glory. www.iWork4Him.com

How do YOU measure success in your work? Hear from the Housh's who own a roofing company that gives all the glory to Christ. Hear about what Arry means when he says they measure success by looking back. www.iWork4Him.com

Where do you go looking for Christ? Jon Dengler, bike enthusiast, bike shop owner and now bike minister, shares his story of finding Christ through LSD, and on the streets with the homeless. Another bike brother and fellow minister, Pat Simmons shares Bikes for Christ.. www.iWork4Him.com

Could owning a franchise change your life? Quite possibly, it could be your calling. Greg Carr, left his job, left his state (sounds like an Abraham assignment) and started a business, with a lot of faith and little else. www.iWork4Him.com

Is your life filled with tombstones or steppingstones? Meet Dr. Dan Middlebrooks of Chaplaincy Care, Inc and his soul-saving organization that is bringing hope, healing and salvation to first responders. www.iWork4Him.com

Ever wonder if you're living your calling? Dr. Chip Roper and friends are living in their calling, thanks to the work of the Voca Center in the City the Never Sleeps. Hear about their work and nuggets of wisdom on how to live YOUR calling. www.iWork4Him.com

Forget normal, let's live a SUPER-normal life! Dr. Jim Harris joins us for a high-octane conversation that just may turn your perspective inside-out! Learn how to live super-naturally in your work. It's a gift!. www.iwork4him.com

A construction company built with wisdom. John DeAngelis shares about his biblically based business practices, and how he built a successful commercial construction company –and how Giant Worldwide helped. www.iworkforhim.com

Emails – they are useful, but can get us in trouble… Don't we all know it! We interviewed noted relationship expert, Emerson Eggerichs, to talk about his recent book and get us into some new, better emailing habits. www.iWork4Him.com

Undercover Boss made her famous. Christ makes her an excellent leader. Hear the story of the Dwyer Group, and their 21 franchise brands, management and her views on the dog-eat-dog world for women as executives and the environment for women who lead with faith.

What is a Kingdom calling? Do you have one? 'Kingdom Calling' is one of the top 5 Faith and Work books ever written. Her perspective on our work, is life and work changing. www.iWork4Him.com

Do YOU understand your Kingdom calling? Even if you do, take a listen. Dr. Amy Sherman wrote the definitive book on faith and work 'Kingdom Calling', and her book is a great place to start! She wants us Christ-followers to cause rejoicing in the city because of how God is using us.

There is such a thing as a Kingdom business: So, what does that look like? Enter Betenbough Homes out of Lubbock, Texas. They have the formula and share it with others through Kingdom At Work. www.iWork4Him.com

Is your business your ministry? Want it to be? Look no further for great role models, and business models, than Betenbough Homes and its Christian Leadership outreach: Kingdom at Work. www.iwork4him.com

Challenge your Christianity. You'll be challenged, maybe even a tad offended by Carmen LaBerge, a "truth telling it like it is" radio talk show host, who shares her views on really LIVING like a Christ-follower, in every conversation. www.iWork4Him.com

Are you speaking the TRUTH all day, in all convos? We had the honor of having Christian radio talk show host, Carmen LaBerge, with us to hear how she works daily to make sure that we ALL see God in the details of current events. www.iWork4Him.com

How do you go about changing an entire city for God? We find out at the headquarters of the Austin Bridge Builders Alliance in Texas. They don't build highway bridges, but they build relationship bridges between marketplace Christ followers.

What happens when the Lord gives you the world by the time you're 40? We found out with Ward Brehm and his book – 'Bigger Than Me'. Ward got super transparent about how success left him empty. And what God did with that emptiness. www.iWork4Him.com

What's it mean to be REALLY accountable? What's it look like to work in a company that puts accountability at the top of their core values? Hear how it affects their culture, from Philip Struble, President of a national urban-engineering company. www.iWork4Him.com

A job change CAN change your life…But you need to be prepared for that kind of decision. Dr. Andrew Spencer's life changed when he did, and God led him to five questions to ask yourself before making the switch. www.iWork4Him.com

Is there benefit to rest while we work? Find out what an Unhurried Leader is from the author, Alan Fadling, as he schools us on "unhurried living and working". Find out how to be an unhurried leader and their secrets to "success". You can start now by slowing down and listening NOW! www.iWork4Him.com

What's the payoff to slowing down? We find out from Alan Fadling, author of "The Unhurried Leader". Hear the value of slowing down. Unhurried leaders understand the importance of certain things they DON'T do. Slow down and listen to this life-changing conversation. www.iWork4Him.com