November 18, 2008
Time for Thanks
Be first in your area to start a gratitude list or a Thanksgiving Tree. It’s easy.
Start by posting a simple question? “What are you thankful for in the workplace?”
Where do I post the question, you ask? If you’re like me, you work in a cubicle. It’s perfect for this exercise.
I wrote the question on pieces of paper and used push pins to stick them on the outside of cubicle.
Then place some index cards, pen and push pens or tape near by, so those who walk by can contribute to your wall.
It’s a great way to get people smiling. It’s also a good conversation starter. Not to mention, it helps us focus on what’s more imporant rather than worrying about everything left to do at work.
Paul exhorts us to think on the eternal things rather than the temporary. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
August 15, 2008
Circle of Excellence
What does your work ethic say about God? I was recently honored with Circle of Excellence award at my company. This came as a complete surprise to me. There is no one thing I can think of that really stands out making me deserving of such honor.
The Christian life can be like that. It’s not that God calls each of us to do big and great things. He might. Then again, He may simply want you to live out your faith consistently. Rising each morning with praise on our lips for God and seeking His will in all we do faithfully.
Is your work excellent? If not, ask God to help you represent Him through your work. Be willing to change where needed. For example, if God convicts you of being late to work, change your behavior to arrive on time. The rewards are priceless.
1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
© Elizabeth Marks, Author of ThinkOnIt4Business devotions, longs for Christians in the workplace to live out their faith so God gets the glory.
July 18, 2008
Truth in the Workplace
During a lunch hour I was helping a co-worker setup a free website for a non-work related organization he ran. During the installation process it asks for an email address. He entered his work email address. I stopped him to be sure he understood what he was doing. He said he has all his personal stuff coming to his work email address.
I was a little taken back by this. I asked him if he ever thought about it as stealing. He said no. I then asked him how he would feel if he found his neighbor was using his wireless internet access for free without his knowledge. To which he replied, “I’d feel violated”. Then I asked him “how is using your work email for non-work related business any different than the example about the neighbor?” After some thought, he replied, “It’s not different.”
This actually spurred a more lengthy conversation of right and wrong. We talked about sometimes it might be okay to use company system for non-work, like when the boss tells me to post any “out of office” appointments on the calendar. But what about receiving personal emails regarding a side business? To me, it’s pretty clear and if I were to do it I would be violating my conscience.
In the end, I know God’s truth will convict people’s hearts. In the meantime, I will continue to do what the Lord leads me to do – speak the truth in love. Believers this is an example of witnessing in the workplace. Stand for truth. Right is right and wrong is wrong. Exodus 20:15 says “You shall not steal.” Do not be ashamed to speak the truth. Just be sure to speak gently, not judgmentally.
© Elizabeth Marks has 20 years business experience in sales, marketing, operations, Six Sigma project management, and business planning areas. She enjoys sharing her knowledge to benefit others’ development and growth. For more articles, business resources and other advice, visit http://www.ThinkOnIt4Business.com today.
June 24, 2008
Why Witness in the Workplace?
Have you heard CBS News story on the survey of 36,000 Americans regarding religion? If not, watch this video below.
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=4204240n
Here are some statistics from the survey.
92% of Americans believe in God or a universal spirit. What does this say about us? Are we wishy-washy in what we believe?
58% of Americans pray every day but most differ on their view of God. Only half the people pray. This seems to speak of self-sufficiency doesn’t it? Maybe they thought is God’s too busy to deal with my problems. Maybe they think I can handle this myself. The next statistic might reveal more.
60% believe in a personal God, while 25% believe God is an impersonal force. Obviously, the American people don’t know the real God, for if they did, they would know how personal He is and how far He goes to make it possible for us to be saved.
Michael Lindsay says “it shows religion in America is like a spiritual salad bar. Americans can pick and choose their faith.” Have you ever heard your pastor talk about taking God at His word. If we decide what to accept and not to accept, don’t we put our intellect in place of God. Don’t we think we know what’s best for us? Oh how wrong we are!
This is appalling to me. I hope it stirs the Holy Spirit in you. People are seeking the truth but being corrupted with lies. There is only one truth and that is God, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the word of God containing the truth.
The story continued to site 89% of Evangelicals and 62% of Catholics believe the Bible to be the word of God. 86% of Muslims believe the Koran is God’s word. While only 37% of Jews and Hindus and 18% of Buddists believe their text comes straight from God. This statistic was shocking to me, only 37% of Jews believed their text came from God! The Jews were there when God with Moses, parted the red sea, delivering them from Egypt. The Jews saw the walls of Jericho fall simply by obedience to God’s will. Yet, only 37% believe the Bible is God’s Word.
One last statistic was regarding heaven and hell. 74% of Americans believed in heaven (and there are many ways to get there) but only 59% believe in hell. The sad fact is heaven and hell both exist. If we don’t decide which place we want to eventually go to, we will be very disappointed in the end.
God is merciful. He will take the worst sinner, under one condition. The sinner must agree with God he/she needs a savior and trust in Jesus’ finished work on the cross as punishment for his/her sins. That’s it. God’s gracious gift of salvation comes one way and one way only, folks. The sooner we accept it, the faster we turn things around in American.
Lord Jesus you are the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by you. Holy Spirit reign down on American. Open our eyes and hearts to receive your truth. Raise up believers to witness your truth before our fellow countrymen. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray Amen.
© Elizabeth Marks has 20 years business experience in sales, marketing, operations, Six Sigma project management, and business planning areas. She enjoys sharing her knowledge to benefit others’ development and growth. For more articles, business resources and other advice, visit http://www.ThinkOnIt4Business.com today.
April 23, 2008
Are you a good worker?
Colossians 1:10 NKJV says “that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
Do everything as unto the Lord for He is our true master. With regards to work, are we good at what we do? Do we excel for His glory? Are we walking worthy of the Lord?
What does day at work look like? Ask yourself a few clarifying questions:
- Am I reliable?
- Am I on time?
- Am I prepared for each meeting?
- Am I finishing my deliverables on time?
- Is my work done to the best of my ability?
- Is my attitude one of helpfulness?
- Am I increasing in knowledge?
- Am I using that knowledge to improve things?
- Am I nice to people I come in contact with?
- Can my boss depend on me to get the job done?
If you answered no to any one of the above question, ask why. Then do something about it. Pray for wisdom and discernment on how to improve these areas. God is faithful to direct your steps.
Jesus, thank you, for giving us everything we need to live godly lives until you return. Help us remember that applies to our work life too. In your name we pray Amen.
© Elizabeth Marks, Author of ThinkOnIt4Business devotions, longs for Christians in the workplace to live out their faith so God gets the glory.
April 21, 2008
What are you known for?
What would your co-workers say you are known for? What do you want them to say about you?
Let’s look at an example. There is a woman who head of a department focused on leadership and innovation. This woman desires to be influential throughout the organization so the program of innovation can be successful. However, this woman’s creditability is tarnished by being late, unprepared and unwilling to increase in knowledge.
How might this woman change to improve her creditability and reach her goal of being influential?
One way might be to improve her time management skills. Something is causing her to be late all the time. Therefore, she could identify it and focus on being on-time instead. Showing up on time indicates the event or meeting is a priority. Promptness shows respect to meeting organizer. Time management will also help with being unprepared because once the priority items are identified, she would know exactly what to focus on and what to be prepared for.
Another way to improve creditability is to be willing to accept criticism. If someone points out a weakness, it’s an opportunity to learn and grow. If you know you’re not strong at time management, ask someone who is to help you prioritize. Don’t be too proud to ask for help. We all know the Bible tells us pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. A willingness to learn and grow is a sign of true humility. Being authentic draws people in.
If there is a disconnect between what your co-workers says about you and what you want them to say, what will you do about it? Take a small step today to build your creditability and bring glory to God by doing so.
Lord Jesus, you are our role model. Help us to be good stewards of all you have given us. Enable us to use our gifts, talents and abilities to bring glory to you in the workplace. Where we are weak, equip us to be strong. Help us admit when we need help. In your precious name, Amen.
© Elizabeth Marks, Author of ThinkOnIt4Business devotions, longs for Christians in the workplace to live out their faith so God gets the glory.
April 2, 2008
Get Rich Quick Schemes
Have you ever thought about what it would be like if you fell into a lot of money? Most of have I believe. We have this romanticized notion money will solve at lot of our problems. But that’s not true at all.
Having thoughts like those any points out our “love of money”. First Timothy 6:10 NKJV says “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Larry Burkett’s teaching series entitled “God’s Principles for Operating a Business” talks about the trouble we can get into when we follow the get-rich-quick mentality:
- We get involved in things we don’t fully understand.
- We risk what we cannot afford to loose.
- We make hasty decisions.
God has a way to help us discern these schemes. Through reading God’s Word, prayer, listening to godly counsel we can avoid these mistakes.
Lord thank you for giving us what we need to steer clear of the love of money. Enable us to call on you when tempted to think about get-rich-quick ideas. In Jesus’ name Amen.
© Elizabeth Marks, Author of ThinkOnIt4Business devotions, longs for Christians in the workplace to live out their faith so God gets the glory.
March 31, 2008
Stewardship
Nothing really belongs to us. God owns everything. He made it and we just get to use for the few years we’re alive on this earth. Daniel 5:23 NKJV says “the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified.”
My husband and I returned from getting out taxes done. This year we have to pay rather receive a refund. It’s disappointing, but that’s how our system works. If we don’t pay enough taxes during the year, at the end of year we pay what we missed. Jesus taught us to pay what is owed to our government, when Peter asked about the topic in Matthew 17:24-27.
Remembering Romans 13:1 NKJV says “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God” may help us be subject to our government.
As we think about the concept of stewardship, how do we know if we are not handling our possessions appropriately? One way is if our thoughts are primarily focused on reducing taxes and increasing our take-home pay. That might be an indicator we are failing to remember who owns it all anyway.
However, stewardship isn’t just about money and possessions. It’s also about our time. Are we spending our time in a godly ways or self-centered ways? We are called to manage what God’s given us with the proper attitude towards what we have been given.
Lord, thank you for owning everything for it is too much for us to handle anyway. Help us remember hoarding and selfishness are not traits of stewardship. Teach us to have the proper relationship to the possessions you have given us. In Jesus’ name Amen.
© Elizabeth Marks, Author of ThinkOnIt4Business devotions, longs for Christians in the workplace to live out their faith so God gets the glory.
March 28, 2008
Where’s the Honor
In our work, do we give honor to those around us? In God’s economy, honor works just like love, in that to receive honor, it much first be giving away. In first Samuel 2:30 NKJV the Lord said “for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.”
Jabez is another example. In first Chronicles 4:8-10 NKJV it describes Jabez as more honorable than his brothers. In Jabez’ prayer he called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.”
How do we give honor to others?
Larry Burkett says we give honor to others through:
- Honesty
- Respect
- Fairness
Are we honest in our dealings? Are we respectful of others? Are we fair in our transactions? If not, ask why, confess it and ask God to get you on the right path again.
Lord thank you for honoring those who honor you. Enable us to honor others as you honor us. In Jesus’ name Amen.
© Elizabeth Marks, Author of ThinkOnIt4Business devotions, longs for Christians in the workplace to live out their faith so God gets the glory.
March 27, 2008
Pure and Right
Proverbs 20:11 NLT “Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure and whether it is right.”
We can tell if our conduct pure and right by examining our self to see if any wicked way be in us (Psalm 26:2).
We look to see if any of these things are in our heart:
- Envy, jealousy, boasting or bragging
- Pride, arrogance, self-promotion
- Scheming, manipulation
If there is something unbecoming we are quick to confess it before God and receive His forgiveness. He is faithful and just and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
We are children of God, so our actions should demonstrate purity and righteousness.
Lord you teach us to examine our ways, therefore please give us the courage to take an honest assessment. Guide us in your truth. Enable us to see our sins to confess and be cleansed. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
© Elizabeth Marks, Author of ThinkOnIt4Business devotions, longs for Christians in the workplace to live out their faith so God gets the glory.
