iWork4Him PowerThought

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.

Can ANY type of business impact the lives of the customers they serve? Even, let's say, an office cleaning company? They sure can…. How does it happen? Is it by being a Christian that leads a company with good morals, values and ethics? Or, is there a level above and beyond that? There IS a level above and beyond and it's called being a kingdom company. So how do you become a "kingdom company"? A great place to start is to have a trusted Christian board of advisors, where you learn and grow in business acumen and actively apply your faith at work. Proverbs 11:14 says Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers. Do YOU have advisers speaking truth into you and YOUR business? If not, WHY NOT?

When's the last time your beliefs about another generation were challenged? Mine were recently, after interviewing a couple, whose life's work is to teach and enable "generational reconciliation" in the workplace. What on earth is generational reconciliation? It's helping us, and each generation to understand the other generation, to know the truth about what they believe and to know the best attributes of each, so they can be appreciated and leveraged. What has it got to do with faith and work? Apparently, a great deal. In the next two years, Millennials will make up 50% of the workplace. Ifyou own a business or manage anyone from this generation, your knowledge of them will be a huge predictor of "meeting with ETERNAL and EARTHLY success". How will YOU seek generational reconciliation in YOUR OFFICE this week?

What's the difference between believing IN God and trusting God? A San Antonio business owner got to find out, when he had to choose between going to work on Wall Street as a fat cat, or listen to God, and chose what's best for his family. In Matthew 6:33 God advises us to "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." In the midst of your business decision making today, are you seeking first the Kingdom of God? Are you seeking God first vs. YOUR success? Your TEAM's success? The BIGGER sale? The LARGER profit? You're invited to seek God's best and highest first, as your go about your work today.

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.

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?" PAUSE So how about you? PAUSE 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?"

How many of us think we are doing business God's way, when in reality, we are just Christians who love Jesus, go to church, and believe we live by Christian values? There's another way for us to start and run a business. To work and lead our teams. It's the Kingdom way. .... Start with God as your ultimate business partner, and ask Him what HIS plan is. And then keep moving based on what He's directed you to do. The mindset is: to be Kingdom minded, Kingdom focused and Kingdom motivated. When you are in this place, the business flourishes, almost effortlessly. .... When we are doing our job in faith and obedience, the fruit is produced, by God, in His way, In His time. Proverbs 16:3 Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed

Is it enough to be an ethical and hard-working owner, employee or boss, or does Jesus ask us to BE something MORE? Over the past twenty years of being a student of faith at work, we've discovered that there are costs to being a Christ follower in the workplace. Not a Christian, a CHRIST FOLLOWER. .... There's a difference. .... And there are COSTS to making Him known at work. They are born out of 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. If we don't stand out, how are people going to know Jesus has radically changed our life? .... So we're asking, do YOU stand out in YOUR workplace?

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?

It's Christmas Eve. Tomorrow is a day focused on the giving and receiving of gifts and recognizing the ultimate gift of Jesus. The day that you were born, your parents saw you as a gift. How will you be a gift to your family today, to the parents that gave you birth? Is it with your frequent phone calls or notes dropped in the mail? Is it helping around the house with projects that they just can't do on their own anymore? Sometimes it takes a high level of intentionality to be a gift to the family that isn't always easy to be around. As a Jesus follower, you have been given the greatest gift of all time. Forgiveness and eternal life. Today, be that gift to those you love.

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.

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?

Hebrews 11 says, "By faith we understand. . . that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen." Stephen Covey says, "Begin with the end in mind." Entrepreneurs start with ideas of something that doesn't exist yet, to form the foundation of what is to come. No wonder the context of Hebrews 11:3 is "by faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command." Why do we struggle with creation when it is self-evident that everything begins as an idea, including the things we create? The essence of the entrepreneur's work is to see a gap in the market, that needs to be fixed. Something from nothing or at least nothing that we could see! God is "able to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."

Hebrews 11 says, "Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation." The prophet Jeremiah reminds his listeners to "Stand by the road, and look, and ask for the ancient paths." Moses, in speaking to the Israelites in Deuteronomy says, "But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart." Paul quotes this to the new Christians in Rome to then go on to say, "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord. . .you are saved." This is equally true in business. What you have done in the past, becomes your scorecard and your reputation. If you have a reputation of always doing what you promise to do, you will find a way through the challenges to the success that the Lord plans for you.

Hebrews 11 says, "Faith. . . is the evidence of things not seen…" Faith is holding on even when you can't see the answer. That's how Daniel and his friends must have felt when the King decreed that all of his senior advisors would die if no one could answer the riddle posed by the King's terrifying dream. But The King wouldn't tell anyone what he had seen in his dream. They had to tell him the dream and its interpretation. Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Daniel urged his three friends to ask God to show them the secret because God knew the answer. How does this apply in our work? No matter our job, we have strategic planning sessions to help chart the course forward. The planning is our "evidence" that we are believing for what is "not yet seen." But in the end God knows the answer you need.

Hebrews 11 says, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for…" Hope is not the absence of doubt. We all have doubts. Faith has substance when we hold on to it despite our doubts. When Job said in his book that "Though He slay me I will hope in Him" Job is essentially saying what any of us have said when we declare, "Even if God doesn't come through in the way that I expect and am praying for, I still trust He is in charge." The essence of entrepreneurship is "things hoped for." The challenge of business is "hoping" until you succeed, not giving up when the challenges and setbacks come. Hope is collected over time through experience and study. You are surrounded by many at work who have no hope. Will you share some 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.

Retirement can be 30-plus years of unemployment, but what do those 30 years look like? Experts from the Retirement Reformation have determined there are three stages of retirement. The active stage is when you start pursuing life with all your energy. It is a time to be passionate about God's call on your life. Stage 2 is the mentoring stage, where people utilize the experiences and insights they've gained to instruct, inspire, mentor, coach, and impact others. In the final stage of our life, the sharing stage, men and women seek to give their wisdom and their wealth to others around them that they love. I think you can see a commonality throughout all these phases. No matter what we're doing or how healthy our bodies are, we are pouring our lives into others. Start preparing for retirement today by getting used to pouring your life into others.

As we contemplate retirement, the horizon before us is full of immense opportunity. There are so many needs to fulfill and so many things to do; the adventure is exciting. But how do we find out what we're supposed to do in retirement? Well, we need to see where God is working and go and join Him there. There is a dire need for foster grandparents. There's a dire need to be an adoptive grandparent to those families who don't have grandparents around. There's a dire need for mentorship and discipleship for the next generations, using your life experiences and Jesus experiences so that they can learn from you. You are not dead; therefore, you are not done. You are not washed up because you're 65. In fact you are loaded and ready for making an impact without the constraints of working nine to five. Let's get going.

Does your calling retire when you do? Is our calling just for our years from 20 to 65? Does God have a call on all of our lives or just those predetermined working years? It is so important to recognize that the American government created the age 65 milestone. When we were born, we were born with a call on our lives. We were given a unique set of gifts, talents, and abilities that are ours for a lifetime to serve under the direction of our Lord. I understand you may want something different to do after age 65, but just understand this: whatever you do will utilize those gifts, talents, and abilities along with the wisdom and knowledge you've gained. Your calling does not retire when you do.

It's important to recognize that very few of us think about what God wants us to do during our retirement years. We focus our thoughts on our adventures, the vacations we plan, and how many times we can play golf, tennis, or pickleball. But what does God want us to do? When we retire, our callings do not. How do we know what God wants us to do? We ask Him. This is no small task either, as retirement can be 30 years of our lives. We must spend significant time seeking the Lord for what those retirement years look like. I can give you a clue. Your lifelong experiences, wisdom, and knowledge will be used in whatever God calls you to do during your retirement years. God has a purpose for your retirement years and it involves flourishing, fulfillment, and excitement.

Let's face the reality: every one of us spends a little time dreaming about our retirement. In fact, many of us spend time saving money for retirement, but to be honest with you, almost none of us plan on how we will spend our time in retirement other than going on vacation. God has way bigger plans for you than to just be on vacation during retirement. He wants you to flourish just like you did while you were working. He wants you to live with purpose and fulfillment as you live in your community. He wants you to pour your life into those in the upcoming generations. He wants you to plan for what you're retiring to. Spend some time today asking the Lord what it is He wants you to do in the final phase of your life.

A pastor is a shepherd, and a shepherd/pastor spends time with his sheep, reassuring them with his voice and lending them a sympathetic ear while carrying them when they are weak, sick, in danger, or hurt. What's great about being a shepherd is that shepherds get to be good listeners. They may be talking to the sheep, but most sheep know they can just hang out with the shepherd without getting a lecture. That's a super great way for us to minister to the sheep that we've been entrusted with. Sit down and listen to people. Having your assigned sheep know you can be a listening ear without judgment is such a great gift. Practice being a shepherd today in the lives of those you work with by listening, and see how your relationship grows in trust and love.

A pastor is a shepherd, and a shepherd/pastor helps his sheep out of difficult situations. We don't have to wait for our sheep to get into dangerous situations; we can guide them away from danger. Sometimes, it's too late, and our co-workers are already in trouble. Sometimes, the people we work with don't know they're flirting with disaster, but you sure can tell. Maybe it's flirtatious behavior at work or going to the bar after work. Perhaps they just don't know that the behavior they are deep in could end in disaster. By gently guiding them away or distracting them to something healthier, you are a pastor to them. Shepherd people away from danger before they get there and be there without judgment if they get into trouble before you can stop them. A pastor/shepherd is always willing to put others first and to speak up when he sees a sheep in danger.

A pastor is a shepherd, and a shepherd/pastor protects his sheep from the enemy's attacks. What does this look like in your workplace? The enemy attacks everybody a little differently. Some he attacks with anger and bitterness. Some he attacks with making stupid decisions. Some he attacks with addictions. You can walk alongside those you work with and show them they are heading into enemy territory. That they're in danger And that you know a solution. You may even get a call on a Friday night from a co-worker who has gotten in over their head, and needs a ride home. That call only comes if a relationship exists. That relationship allows you to be a pastor to them, and a pastor protects his sheep. When you see your sheep in trouble, show them the way to safety.

A pastor is a shepherd, and as a shepherd, a pastor guides his sheep to green pastures. What does that look like in your workplace? Often, we have conversations with those we work with and they are not hanging out in Green pastures. They're hanging out in mud pits or sewer pits or drainage ditches. Many of them don't know anything different. They grew up in a drainage ditch, a mud puddle, or a sewer pit. That's what their life has always looked like. We serve a living savior who wants each one of us to live life to its fullest; as a pastor in your workplace, lead people to the green pastures, where they can eat spiritual food that will replenish, restore, and renew them. Just because someone grew up in a pretty broken place, doesn't mean our Father can't renew them. Embrace your role as Pastor and lead people to green pastures at work.

This week, we're going to focus on the role of Pastor in the marketplace. I believe that many of you have been given the gift of being a pastor/Shepherd, and that role is critical in your workplace. Pastors are guides, leaders, protectors, intercessors, and teachers. So often, we're unaware of the gifting that we've been given. For those of you who naturally Shepherd people, loving people right where they're at, your calling is so important to reaching the lost at work. You may be a CEO, a Supervisor, a Manager, or a team lead, but you know who you are, and you know that you have been given a gift to shepherd and love people. This is an incredible gift. Celebrate the fact that you are a shepherd and look for ways to use this gift to show others the savior.

When the internet was created, the goal was the free-flowing of shared information for the good of humanity; what resulted was much more sinister than that. How do you love the Lord your God with all your strength if you spend too much time on the internet looking and experiencing things that sap your strength? That fills you with filth, that plagues you with guilt and shame. Living in this world makes it impossible to Love God to the fullest. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy; Jesus came to bring life so we can live it to the fullest. Does your internet surfing lead to life or death? Stop Ignoring the dangers of the internet at work and home and put some digital armor in place like a safe internet VPN with Web filters and anti-virus and protect your strength.

When the internet was created, the goal was the free-flowing of shared information for the good of humanity; what resulted was much more sinister than that. We are called to love the Lord our God with all our soul. What's creeping around in your soul? Is it scripture, or is it what you watched on TV last night? Is it the latest sermon you read or the pornographic videos you ingested over lunch? Is it your weekly bible study topic, or is it your deep desire to place a bet on the next race at the track? Your soul is a precious place, and our eyes are the windows to our soul. What are they seeing? Choose to protect your soul and those you work with and live with. Stop Ignoring the dangers of the internet at work and home and put some digital armor in place like a safe internet VPN with Web filters and anti-virus and protect your soul.

When the internet was created, the goal was the free-flowing of shared information for the good of humanity; what resulted was much more sinister than that. We are called to love the Lord our God with all our mind. Are you? What do you fill your mind with? It is so easy with the internet everywhere, both in public and private, to fill our minds with EVERYTHING but God and His Love. We stream TV at levels like never before. Because we can binge-watch anything, we fill our minds with murder, horror, and sex. Without being careful, our minds can become a playground for evil. At work and home, protect your mind so you can fill it with HIM and His word. Stop Ignoring the dangers of the internet at work and home and put some digital armor in place like a safe internet VPN with Web filters and anti-virus and protect your mind.

When the internet was created, the goal was the free-flowing of shared information for the good of humanity; what resulted was much more sinister than that. We are called to love the Lord our God with our hearts, but when our hearts are distracted by the evils of the internet, God can't find a place. Do you know if your heart is safe whenever you surf the web? What about your kids, your spouse, or your grandkids when they visit? At work, are the people you work with struggling with a heart addiction to internet sins like pornography and gambling? What are you doing to help protect their hearts? Are there guardrails in place to keep the internet a healthy place at work? Stop ignoring the dangers of the internet at work and home and put some digital armor in place like a safe internet VPN with Web filters and anti-virus and protect your heart.

When the internet was created, the goal was the free-flowing of shared information for the good of humanity; what resulted was much more sinister than that. Every day, we use the internet to do our jobs, complete our shopping, and study our bible. However, if we are not careful, the internet can lead us to pornography, inappropriate relationships, gambling addictions, and more. We think we have the willpower to resist all the daily temptations on the internet, but statistics now prove we do not. Huge percentages of men and women, teens, and children have been exposed to pornography on the internet and find themselves driven to view more and more of it. Create a work and home environment where God can heal and stop this destruction. Put some digital armor in place, because the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

What does a normal Thanksgiving dinner look like for you and your family? Does it have all the fixings and smell just like grandma's house when you were growing up? Is it always exclusive to family? There are people you work with and people you live around that will be alone this year; why don't you mess up your normal Thanksgiving and invite some of them to join you? Jim and I would like to challenge you to have your last normal Thanksgiving last year. May last year be the final year when your Thanksgiving celebration didn't include your neighbors. This year we challenge you to invite people into your life and into your Thanksgiving celebration that would otherwise be home alone, probably not even celebrating Thanksgiving. What does a normal Thanksgiving look like? It looks like the power of neighboring in action.

This whole idea of practicing the power of neighboring at Thanksgiving can cause some strife at home. Not everyone wants to open up their Thanksgiving table to strangers, or people that just aren't family. I know in my family growing up we never had anybody who wasn't family over for Thanksgiving. It just wasn't done. But at Martha's house, her parents were great at inviting people who would be alone at Thanksgiving and having them join us for a family Thanksgiving celebration. Gather your family around you and share this idea with them. Share the idea that you want to solve somebody's loneliness at Thanksgiving this year and you need their help. Once you explain this to your family, I can't imagine that they won't be on board. Maybe they can even think of some people that need to be invited. Together you can change somebody's life this Thanksgiving.

What does loneliness look like? Does it have a face? Does it always look the same? You and I have the ability to solve someone's loneliness problem at Thanksgiving this year. All around us are people, our neighbors, who don't have anywhere to go for Thanksgiving. They are either too far away from family or don't have family or they've been alienated. Can you imagine being alone at Thanksgiving? It's just a big fat bummer. Look around you. As you leave your neighborhood this morning or drive through your neighborhood this afternoon, think about all the people that you know. Are any of them going to be alone at Thanksgiving? As you walk between the cubicles or sit down for lunch, are any of those people going to be alone at Thanksgiving? Solve loneliness today by inviting a neighbor for Thanksgiving.

The power of neighboring at Thanksgiving looks like this. It begins with compassion, and it continues with intentionality. We all have neighbors, whether they are at work or in our neighborhood. They could even be in the pews sitting near us at church. But how many of those neighbors will be alone at Thanksgiving time? In my opinion, there is nothing worse than being alone during the holidays. My challenge to you today is to institute the power of neighboring right where you live and right where you work. Find out if anyone you know and care about will be alone on Thanksgiving. And then invite them for dinner. You may already have a crowded dinner table, and you may have to cook some more food, but by inviting them to be part of your celebration of Thanksgiving, you could change their life.

One day, a religious leader approached Jesus and asked him who's my neighbor? Jesus responded with the parable of the Good Samaritan. Now we know who the neighbor was in this parable. The Good Samaritan was a powerful neighbor in the wounded man's life. The power of neighboring lies within each of us—the power to transform somebody's life by loving them as we love ourselves. The power of neighboring requires selfless acts and living on the edge of comfortableness. The power of neighboring started with Jesus, and it continues on in you. You have the ability to impact somebody's life for eternity by loving them. Your neighbors, they are at work, and they are in your neighborhood too. The big question I have for you today is who is your neighbor and will any of your neighbors be alone this Thanksgiving.

Jesus said that our unity would attract others to Christ because our unity would show that Jesus came from our heavenly father. In other words, when we walk as one in the marketplace, our neighborhoods, our communities, and our country, the message is loud and clear: Jesus has transformed the lives of all these people, and they walk as one in love. It's so important that we, as workplace believers, display our love for Jesus in unity, to attract others into conversations and, eventually, a relationship with Him. Our unity is attractive. That was Jesus's idea all along. For the remainder of this year, look for ways to walk in unity with your brothers and sisters in Christ to solve your community's problems and bring Jesus-sized solutions to those who need it.

Almost 2000 years have passed since Jesus returned to heaven. In the last 500 years, denominational segregation has plagued the body of Christ. We all go to different churches on Sunday. We live in a town of about 2000 people with 15 different churches and 15 different denominations. Very little ministry is coordinated for the ministry to this small town by the leaders of those churches. There is hope because marketplace and political leaders are unifying in Christ to bring flourishing to this town. When we are unified as followers of Jesus, outside our denominational hold, we can impact our cities and communities for good. When we face the problems together, we are so much stronger and more powerful. When Christ followers unite, no weapon of the enemy can stand against us. Those weapons may be poverty, drug addiction, broken families, et cetera. Let's unite as Jesus followers and bring good to our cities.

Do you know what's great about believers? We all experience God differently. I know this because we're all different. Not one of us is the same. Jim and I got to sit down with some friends here in our small town in Missouri just the other day. We go to different churches on Sunday, yet we share a sweet fellowship in Christ. They shared some of their traditions surrounding the giving and taking of communion. While their traditions are very different than ours, the commonality is the communion. As believers in Jesus let us work hard at focusing on the things we have in common despite the efforts of denominations to split us, and focus on the things that the Bible teaches us clearly. The power of a unified church cannot be overcome. Let's find unity by celebrating the diversity of how others worship Jesus.

What has amazed me most in the last 11 years is the incredible unity in the body of Christ out in the marketplace. On Sunday, we are the most segregated, separated people on the planet. But on Monday morning, when we go to work, nobody cares about Denominations. All they care about is, "I want to hang out with and do business with people who love Jesus. I don't care that you may show your love for Jesus in a different way than I do or sing different songs on Sunday than I do. All I care is that you love Jesus." Jesus prayed for us in John 17. He prayed that we as believers would be one so that through that oneness, the world would know that God sent Jesus. In the marketplace, I see this unity. For the sake of the people in our communities, let's lay down our denominational swords and walk in Unity as we minister to their needs in the name of Jesus.

Have you ever wondered where all of the denominations in Christianity come from? I mean really, 2000 years ago, there were the Jews and the Gentiles. Today, we have 43,000 "Christian" denominations around the world. What happened? I'll tell you what happened. People. Instead of focusing on the unity Christ talked about in John 17, Christ followers throughout the centuries have focused on differences in traditions and interpretations that broke Christianity into 43,000 pieces. On Sunday morning, the church is segregated and separated. But denominations have no place in the marketplace, so it's easy to unify on the message of Jesus. Don't let your denominational commitment on Sunday get in the way of you forming solid relationships with other believers in the marketplace on Monday.

We go to work so we have money. We need money to pay our bills and to buy things. Where I spend my money matters to God, especially if I know that those companies are supporting things that are actually anti-God. We work with Inspire Investing to ensure our investments are biblically responsible. We chose a mobile carrier, Patriot Mobile, because they are pro-God, pro-family, and pro-country. We select our retailers, ensuring our dollars are not being spent to support the things we fight against every day. That may mean that sometimes we must go out of our way shopping. It also may mean that sometimes we just don't buy. Christ calls on us to be good stewards. Good stewards of our time. Good stewards of our work. And good stewards of our money. Steward it all well.

In our family, I spend most of the money at retail stores. Jim spends most of the money online. When we have the choice, we choose retailers that we know are either pro-god, pro-family, pro-country, or at least neutral on these subjects. Finding neutral companies is very difficult. Our country is polarized even in our retail environment. Years ago, we took a bullseye to a certain retailer and stopped shopping there because they supported the abortion industry. Today, they are one of the largest retail supporters of alternative lifestyles. When our money walks, our money talks. Recently, a large beverage retailer made a huge marketing blunder. It cost them billions of dollars because they didn't know who their customers were. Those customers walked, and those dollars talked. As a Jesus follower, we can make sure our money is walking and talking to a place that supports our biblical worldview.