November 12, 2008
Turn Org Charts into Prayer Charts
Looking for ways to improve your business? Partner with God and let loose His power in prayer.
While reviewing an organization chart, pray for each person and their team. Drill down in the organization as far as you can. Unleash God’s power through prayer on behalf of your company, your co-workers and the entire organization.
Pray for wisdom, discernment, knowledge and godly business decisions. Pray for things you know about specifically. If Sally has a problem being on-time to work, start with “God, help Sally manage her time more efficiently.”
Ask God to help your company bring Him glory and carry out His purposes. Pray everyone manage their work as though they were working for God instead of men.
Try it!
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 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 12, 2008
Lack Wisdom
Ever been faced with a seemingly impossible task? Are you troubled with a complex problem you are trying to solve but don’t have a clue how? Where do you start?
The best place to start is with prayer. Remember James 1:5 NKJV says “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Since wisdom comes from God, let us pray for wisdom!
Try praying before conducting/attending a meeting:
Lord, please give us wisdom and discernment on how to proceed. Amen.
Try praying before assigning new work to your employees:
Lord, may their minds be open to this new task. May their skills, talents and abilities be used for your glory. In Jesus’ name Amen.
Try praying for a solution to a problem:
Lord, I don’t know what to do. Please send your wisdom, knowledge and discernment regarding this problem. Help us find an appropriate solution to this problem. In your name, Amen.
Lord, thank you for answering prayers aligned with your will. Your word tells us to ask for wisdom when we need it. Help us to recognize when we need your wisdom and the discipline to start asking for it. 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.
March 6, 2008
Willing to Receive Criticism
It’s always easier to give out criticism to others. How well do we handle criticism aimed at us?
Proverbs 1:7 NKJV says “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
When someone criticizes us, we need to discern whether there may be truth in what is being said. God is the one who provides us with discernment and reveals the truth. Therefore, our first step should be prayer.
Father in heaven, is there truth in these accusations? Point out any way in me that is offensive to you and lead me in the path of righteousness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
The next step is to make a conscious effort to change what needs to be changed. Again, this requires prayer.
Lord, you know what needs to change in my life. Guide, strengthen and compel me to make the changes honoring to you. In your name I pray. Amen.
Celebrate the next time you are faced with that situation and you handle it in a godly manner. Cheer and praise God for He has helped you become more like Him!
© Elizabeth Marks, Author of ThinkOnIt4Business devotions, longs for Christians in the workplace to live out their faith so God gets the glory.
February 26, 2008
Prayer at Work?
How well is your faith integrated into your every day life at work? Do you remember to take God with you when you walk through the office door? There are plenty of opportunities to pray at work. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
(1) Claim your workplace for Christ. God doesn’t want a single one to perish but all to come to know him. Therefore, try praying something like this: Dear Lord, I pray all the employees at my work will come to know you as Lord and Savior. This day I claim them for you, Jesus. In your name I pray Amen.
(2) Wisdom and discernment are always something to pray for. Try praying like this: Lord Jesus we need your wisdom and discernment for our management team to be wise and make decisions based on solid facts and data rather than hunches or gut feelings. In your name we pray Amen.
(3) Integrity and honesty are necessary at work. Pray something along these lines: Father God above, you are truth. Help those who manage the company’s assets to handle the books with integrity and honesty. May they have wisdom to decide which projects to fund or not. In Jesus’ name Amen.
(4) Spirit-filled responses are critical in the workplace. As a result, we should always pray for our self like this: Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit so the words of my mouth are pleasing to you. Help me yield to you, O’ Lord, so your light will shine through me. In your name I pray, Amen.
(5) Open my eyes Lord. Where ever we are, our eyes need to be open to seeing the needs of others around us. Pray for the Lord’s leading: Father, lead me to someone who needs encouragement today. If there anyone needing a word from you today let me be there for them. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
These are just a few things to pray for at work. Tap into the Holy Spirit during the day. Invite Him to your meetings. Talk to Him as you do your work. Watch how He moves through you. Ask for help with your work and watch Him teach you things you didn’t know before.
Lord Jesus, may those who read this be encouraged to build up in their faith. May these words be helpful for building Christ-like character in your believers. In your precious name I 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 business articles visit http://www.ThinkOnIt4Business.com. For devotions or bible studies please visit http://www.ThinkOnItDevotions.com today.
February 23, 2008
Welcome to ThinkOnIt4Business blog.
We’re glad you made it to our blog. We hope you will enjoy the content. Our goal is to help you learn to live out your faith in the workplace. We do this by studying God’s Word together, sharing ways to witness in the workplace and encouraging you to be who you are in Christ Jesus.
