September 7, 2015

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18

Labor Day is traditionally an unofficial beginning of the political campaign season. With that in mind I thought I would give you my take on Donald Trump. This has no particular spiritual value but hey, it IS a day off!

·         Our nation is desperate for leadership and the Donald is a leader.

·         He has a much better and more compelling vision for America than the secular progressives who are in charge now.

·         It is clear to see why he is successful!

·         He is proof of the adage, “Nothing succeeds like success.”

·         He has the courage of his convictions.

·         I would love to know A LOT more about his core convictions.

·         He doesn’t like Jeb Bush!

·         I believe he got into the race to take out Jeb Bush if nothing else.

·         It is refreshing to have someone unintimidated by political correctness.

·         His boldness is emboldening others and putting a dent in the PC crowd.

·         I doubt his conservative credentials.

·         BUT, he does have common sense and a vested interest in a prosperous America.

·         I believe he will surround himself with qualified and capable people in the White House.

·         He will delegate where he isn’t qualified or knowledgeable.

·         If he wins the nomination he will name a genuine conservative to the VP spot.

·         His First Lady will be a SERIOUS upgrade from our current one.

·         He will largely bypass Congress and go directly to the American people as President to implement his agenda.

·         The “establishment Republicans” are frightened by him.

·         He knows what it takes to strengthen the economy and create jobs.

·         He is not against Capitalism and his policies will stimulate the creation of thousands of good paying jobs.

·         I believe the Chinese, Iranians and Russians will respect him.

·         He knows the mood of the country and is in touch with the American people.

·         He will close the border and restore sanity to immigration policies. He MAY actually build the wall.

·         He will quickly and systematically dismantle the Obama “legacy”.

·         He will be a strong advocate of Israel.

·         He may end up being a John the Baptist figure as a “voice crying in the wilderness” and preparing the way for a true conservation (Cruz, Rubio, Walker, et al) when he finally gets his head handed to him on a platter.

·         The true leader(s) among the other candidates will be identified by how they respond to Trump.

·         His foreign policy will be guided by the best interest of the United States of America.

Just my humble opinions on one Donald Trump for what they are worth.

But, I caution you against investing too much hope in any political person. As a believer you have the hope you need! And as a healthy growing church we, FredWes, represent the hope that the world needs!

What say you?

September 6, 2015

8 Truths I’ve Learned About Faith at Work

A good friend sent me this very insightful and practical article from Dr. Jim Harris.

Perhaps like you, I sometimes reflect on lessons I’ve learned over the years, usually by the mistakes I’ve made. Today as I asked the Lord what I could post that would be helpful to you, He brought several things to mind that, frankly, I was excited to receive.

Here are eight truths I’ve learned about faith at work that I pray help you, too.

1. It’s more than applying business principles. Non-believers can apply the same principles. Just trying to apply principles (e.g. Jethro’s delegation system in Exodus 18, Jesus’ reward system in Mathew 25:14-29) can easily become more of a focus on the power of your works rather than on the power of the Spirit behind your works.

2. Cursing is the fastest way to ruin your testimony. It continues to amaze and disappoint me the number of faith-filled business people who can not control their tongues. Even after they apologize, the weight of hearing such language come from the heart of a Christ follower not only crushes the spirit of other believers and annihilates their testimony to non-believers.

3. Walking it is far better than talking it. Need I say more? When people SEE the love of Christ and not just HEAR it, they pay attention. The walk is the thing - not the talk.

4. Everyone loves to be around others who love them. Jesus gave his disciples his last and a new commandment - to love one another (John 13:34). When we walk in love (See #3), no one - regardless or the particular faith or lack thereof - can be offended.

5. Christians in business have far more religious freedom at work than we think. Not enough room to go onto all the details here (more in future posts), but just realize that we also have guarantees under the law for expressions of our religious beliefs - just not to “impose” ours on others. A fine line? Sometimes yes, but take a breath and relax.

6. Fear is Satan’s #1 line of business attack. Too often we focus on our fears (the down-side, what we can lose, how to protect ourselves) rather than on the gifts we are given by God to overcome these fears - power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Of course we must consider the downsides of any decision, but I’ve learned it is far better to leverage what we’ve been given to overcome our fears (where the Spirit lives) than to dwell on the fears (where the enemy lives).

7. The Holy Spirit is our most valuable and the most underutilized resource for marketplace believers. This recent revelation is so impactful to me, He directed me to write my new book you’ve already heard all about. For almost three decades, I basically ignored the Spirit living in me and went about building a rather successful speaking and consulting business. But if I knew then what I know now, how much richer, deeper, and more meaningful would my business career be today!

8. The ultimate win is the manifestation of the Spirit of God in the marketplace. When we unleash the power of the Holy Spirit at work through His promised gifts (1 Corinthians 12:5-11) which releases His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), we enter into the cherished and eternally impacting presence of God (Matthew 6:10).

In summary,

Remember where the power in you business lives.

Check your tongue.

Walk it - don’t just talk it.

Love everyone.

Lighten up - believers have legal freedoms too.

Lead without fear.

Be led by the Holy Spirit.

Watch for His manifestations at work—the ultimate win!

Which one was most helpful or meaningful to you? What truths have you learned? 

September 5, 2015

"This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.  Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.  They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart."  Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 

Until you can get the job you want, why not ask God to help you want the job He's provided for you?

How?

View your job as a blessing!

View your job as a bridge!

Third, view your job as a building project!

"Build what?" you ask.

Build your confidence!

In the book “Scully”, there is a dialogue between Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple Computers and John Scully, who at the time was president of Pepsi. Jobs was attempting to recruit Scully for the top job at Apple and he asked Scully, “Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water or do you want a chance to change the world?”

One way to build your confidence is to study and spend time with confident people.

Build your competency!

A local business puts a sign in the window, stating the following: “HELP WANTED. Must be able to type, must be good with a computer and must be bilingual. We are an equal opportunity employer”

A short time afterwards, a dog trotted into the office manager’s office, jumped up on the chair and stared at the manager. The office manager said “I can’t hire you. The sign says you have to be able to type.”

The dog jumped down, went to the typewriter and proceeded to type out a perfect letter. He took out the page and trotted over to the manger and gave it to him, then jumped back on the chair. The manager was stunned, but then told the dog, “The sign says you have to be good with a computer? The dog then executed a perfect program that worked flawlessly the first time.

By this time the manager was totally dumbfounded! He looked at the dog and said, “I realize that you are a very intelligent dog and have some interesting abilities. However, I still can’t give you the job? The dog jumped down and went to a copy of the sign and put his paw on the sentence that says Equal Opportunity Employer. The manager said, “Yes, but the sign also says that you have to be bilingual? The dog looked at the manger calmly and finally said, “Meow.”

Competency is a combination of creativity, common sense, confidence and connecting your learning with your life experience.

Build your character

”Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving”  Colossians 3:23-24.

“Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him”  Ecclesiastes 5:18-19

For years Gordon MacDonald rode the same bus daily from his home to his church in New York City. One day the bus driver complained to MacDonald: “You’ve got it a lot better than me. You have an interesting job and travel different places. I just drive this bus up and down the same streets every day.” MacDonald told the bus driver his job could be a Christian ministry too. “Every day, when you first get on this bus, before anyone else gets on, dedicate this bus to God for that day. Declare it to be a sanctuary for God for that day. Consecrate it to God’s glory, and then act like it is a place where God dwells.” Several weeks later MacDonald returned from a trip and saw the bus driver. “You’ve transformed my life,” the man said. “I’ve been doing what you said every day, and it has made me see my job in an entirely new perspective.”

THAT MAN LEARNED TO LOVE HIS JOB BECAUSE HE UNDERSTOOD IT WAS MORE THAN WORK – IT WAS WORSHIP!

IF I COULD SPEAK FOR GOD TODAY I BELIEVE HE WOULD SAY, “TAKE THIS JOB AND LOVE IT……..”

UNDERSTAND THESE TRUTHS TO HELP YOU LOVE YOUR JOB:

• You didn’t get your job it was GIVEN to you by God - Give it back to Him
• Don’t see your job as a profession but as a PLATFORM.  – Live Godly through it.
• Plan your retirement to be a RE-ENLISTMENT. – His plan is out of this world!

September 4, 2015

"This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.  Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.  They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart."  Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 

Your job is a blessing! I hope that is your attitude toward the work God has provided for you.

I'm sure all of us have had to take some jobs we really weren't excited about. I had several of those at various times in my life. It was necessary to have those "dirty" jobs in order to get prepared for my "dream" job! That brings me to the second point about your attitude toward your job.

Love your job as a bridge!

One day an eager young man from Stanford University applied for a part time position at the school. The man who was doing the hiring said, “All I need now is a typist.” “I’ll take the job, said the applicant. “but I can’t start until next Tuesday.” On Tuesday he reported for work. The employer said, “Why couldn’t you come until today?” “Because I had to rent a typewriter and learn to use it!” Do you know who the student was? Herbert Hoover!

Here is a real life example of how Herbert Hoover used an entry level job as a bridge to his dream job!

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT YOUR JOB AS A BRIDGE?

It is a bridge to a strong reputation

“We know how telephone conversations are; we usually hear only one side of the conversation. A young boy was talking and his father was listening, "Hello, sir, I was calling you to see if you could use a lawn boy to do your yard work!" "Oh, I see you already have one!" "Well, is he doing your work to your satisfaction?" "He is! Thank you, sir, I was just checking," then the young boy hung up the phone. The father looked at his son and said, "Sorry son, you didn’t get the job!" "Oh, no sir," said the boy. "I’ve already got that job. I was just calling to check up on myself!"

WHAT IS YOUR REPUTATION AT THE PLACE YOU WORK?

ARE YOU MAKING YOUR FATHER PROUD?

It is a bridge to showing real faith.

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people”  Galatians 6:10

Here are a few practical tips:

• Be “pre-prayered” – Pray for God to fill you so he can use you.
• Be pleasant and positive – Be a joy to work with!
• Be productive – Make the boss money and assist your co-worker

     YOUR WITNESS WILL BE ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR WORK!
   
     It is a bridge to redemptive relationships

     What sort of bridges are you building to introduce the reality of Christ where you work?

If you are called to be a witness (and you are) – and if you spend 40 hours per week 50 weeks a year around the people at your job (and you do) – then how can you NOT be intentionally building bridges to your co-workers?

In the south tower, the first to collapse, a young quadriplegic was at work on the twenty-seventh floor. As evacuation of the building began, this young man instructed his personal-care attendant to leave with others via the stairs. While the attendant was at first hesitant, she agreed after the quad's best friend at work, a 55-year-old man, volunteered to remain until fire-fighters arrived to carry the quad down the stairs. The best friend could easily have made his way down the stairs, but selflessly he chose to stay with his buddy. Both men lost their lives when the south tower came down.

In the north tower, two men started down the stairs from the eighty-first floor. When they reached the sixty-eighth, they came upon a young woman in her wheelchair on the stairway landing. They quickly moved her from her wheelchair to a special fire-emergency carrying chair. Then, without regard for their own well-being, carried this lady down 68 flights of stairs to safety.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO INTENTIONALLY BUILD REDEMPTIVE RELATIONSHIP BRIDGES WITH THOSE YOU SPEND 2,000 HOURS EACH YEAR?

September 3, 2015

Some of us remember the old country western classic, “Take This Job and Shove It” sung by Johnny Paycheck. A few years later during a recession of the early 1980’s, I heard someone say that the new version of the song had been changed to say, “Shove That Job – I’ll Take It!”

This morning I have entitled this thought,  “Take This Job And Love it”.

Two factory workers are talking. The woman says, "I can make the boss give me the day off." The man replies, "And how would you do that?" The woman says, "Just wait and see." She then hangs upside down from the ceiling. The boss comes in and says, "What are you doing?" The woman replies, "I'm a light bulb." The boss then says, "You've been working so much that you've gone crazy. I think you need to take the day off." The man starts to follow her and the boss says, "Where are you going?" The man says, "I'm going home, too. I can't work in the dark."

What is your attitude toward your job?

What should it be?

“This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.”  Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

You should love your job as a blessing!

A husband and his wife woke up one Sunday morning and the wife dressed for church. It was just about time for the service when she noticed her husband hadn’t moved a finger toward getting dressed. Perplexed, she asked, “Why aren’t you getting dressed for church?” He said, “Cause I don’t want to go.” She asked, “Do you have any reasons?” He said, “Yes, I have three good reasons. First the congregation is cold. Second, no one likes me. And third, I just don’t want to go.” The wife replied, wisely, “Well honey, I have three reasons why you should go. First the congregation is warm. Second, there are a few people there who like you. And third, you’re the pastor! So get dressed!”

Here are some sobering facts that may remind you to love the fact you have a job.

The number of Americans 16 years and older who did not participate in the labor force meaning they neither had a job nor actively sought one in the last four weeks--rose from 92,898,000 in February to 93,175,000 in March, according to data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

That is the first time the number of Americans out of the labor force has exceeded 93 million.

Also from February to March, the labor force participation rate dropped from 62.8 percent to 62.7 percent, matching a 37-year low.

Five times in the last twelve months, the participation rate has been as low as 62.8 percent; but March’s 62.7 percent, which matches the participation rate seen in September and December of 2014, is the lowest since February of 1978.

Consider this, God blesses work!

God created work! The first time you see God in the Bible He is working! I'm sure you've heard of creation!

The first thing He did with Adam was to put him to work tending Eden.

Have you ever thought of that?

That makes quite a statement about the importance and the sanctity of work!

Work is honorable so why not honor God through the work He has given you to do?

How will you honor Him in the workplace this week?

Also consider this, work blesses you!

There is a great deal of satisfaction and security in being able to provide for yourself and your family. 

When God put Adam to work in the Garden he blessed him and blessed the work he did.

I'm sure there are days your job seems more like a curse than a blessing but imagine life without a job.

Also consider, work allows you to bless others.

One of the most spiritual and godly things you can do after providing for your family is to help others in need.

We do that well at FredWes! We teach tithing and we honor stewardship. We see ourselves as pipelines of Gods blessings not buckets that hoard them.

Ronald Reagan was famous for saying, “The man who does what he loves will never work another day in his life”.

And if you don't get to do what you love, God can help you love what you do! 

DO YOU SEE YOUR JOB AS A BLESSING – OR A BURDEN?

September 2, 2015

"And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work He had done." Genesis 2:3

With our first look at God in the Bible we see Him working!

Have you ever thought of that?

That makes quite a statement about the importance and the sanctity of work!

When you have finished thinking about that think about this, with few exceptions you know the great heroes of the Bible because of the work they did.

Adam was a care-taker before he was careless.

Noah was a farmer who became a ship builder.

Joseph was a dreamer turned dream-reader turned prime minister.

Moses was a prince turned fugitive turned rancher turned deliverer turned tour-guide!

Rahab was a member of the oldest profession turned rescuer.

David was a shepherd who became a giant-killer and part-time musician who became a king.

Nehemiah was a wall-builder.

Peter was a fisherman. So were James, John and Andrew.

Matthew was a tax-collector. So was Lazarus.

Paul was a pharisee turned evangelist.

Jesus was a carpenter for maybe 18-20 years and a rabbi for only three years. (I'm REALLY thankful for those last three years!)

This represents a short list of Biblical characters who are identified in terms of the work they did.

Work is honorable so why not honor God through the work He has given you to do?

How will you honor Him in the workplace today?

September 1, 2015

"The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take car of it." Genesis 2:15

"So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals." Genesis 2:20

"His servants will serve Him." Revelation 22:3

According to the Department of Labor, the first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, according to the plans of New York's Central Labor Union. The second Labor Day followed a year later, on September 5, 1883. Labor Day wasn't part of a three-day weekend until 1884, when the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed by the Central Labor Union, who then urged other labor organizations in other cities to celebrate the holiday on the first Monday of September.

The first state to enact a bill that would eventually become law to celebrate Labor Day was Oregon on February 21, 1887. Other states jumped on the bandwagon, just a few at first, but more than half of the states adopted the holiday to honor America's workers by 1894. On June 28, 1984 the U.S. Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories. So the idea of a three-day Labor Day weekend was well in place across the U.S. over 100 years ago.

Am I the only one to find it ironic that we celebrate the American Labor Movement by taking a day off and not working?

I also find it interesting that work is God's idea while taking a day off of work to celebrate work is man's idea! Just another of the multitude of reasons He is God and you're not!

As we head into this week leading up to Labor Day how do you feel about your job? Do you enjoy working?

Would it help to know that God invented work, put together the first job description, made the first hire and supervised the job site?

And remember that this all took place in a the original paradise, the Garden of Eden!

We see in the Scripture verses above that work was the part of God's will for man at the very beginning of time and it will continue to be a significant part our responsibilities in Heaven! He made meaningful work for man and He made man for work!

So, if you find your boss testy, your job tedious and your co-workers trying it might help to remember Who created work!

And remember, praising Him is job one!