iWork4Him PowerThought

I grew up in a household where faith and work were lived out daily. My mom and my dad prayed over their business all the time. So it wasn't new for me to see a connection between faith and work and prayer when Jim and I got married. However, we had never been discipled to understand the relationship between faith and work. I saw it lived out in my dad's and my mom's lives, but Jim had never seen that done. I saw my mom and dad put prayer at the center of all of their major decisions at work. I saw God...

In praying for those I worked with, serving them above what my job required me to do and in developing real relationships with them outside of "Work", I began to notice when their demeanor changed and they were having a bad day. I learned to ask, "How are you doing today?" I really wanted to know the answer. They would respond with "I'm Fine", then I would respond, really? Freaked out, Insecure, Neurotic, and Emotional? Really, how are you doing? Then I would be quiet and let them share what was really going on because they knew I genuinely cared...

Do you need to be removed?  Sometimes, we start something and think we are supposed to stay in it, lead it, and serve it. And, we stay IN IT…sometimes too long. We no longer seek the Lord's counsel about IF we should still BE where He placed us. Sometimes He just wants us to START something, sometimes He wants us to "help get it off the ground", NOT stay and lead it or serve it. Sometimes, the BEST thing we can do for the work He asked us to start is to leave. So how about you? Are you sta...

Have you ever experienced a major upheaval in your business or work life?  Something that looked like it was taking you in the opposite direction of where you were headed?  Or was (you thought) the next logical step? It's highly possible that God is using this to move you to exactly where HE wants you to be.  For HIS work, in HIS time, for THIS season. Let Romans 8:28 encourage you today, and we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. God is orche...

Life-work balance. How many of us have fallen for that myth and tried to make it happen?  Only to fail over and over…a business coach we interviewed has a better concept. How about living an INTEGRATED LIFE?  One that brings Christ into each aspect of our life and work, so that we are putting The Lord, not our futile "balance" efforts, first.  So how about you?  Are you ready to live ONE INTEGRATED LIFE, where you represent the Lord, you listen to the Lord, and let Him show you your priorities every day? Join us in this prayer: Father, today...

As a business leader, if you turned your business over to God, what would that look like? What would be the result? Hundreds of business owners we've interviewed over the past eight years have done it. They say the result is a DEEP sense of peace vs. stress, pressure, and tension. And a new, deepening understanding of their role as a STEWARD of God's business, vs. "being the OWNER of it".  What would it take for YOU to be ready to turn YOUR organization over to the Lord's ownership today?  We invite you to place Christ in your org. chart a...

Martha: Welcome to the iWork4Him Power thought for the day, we are Jim and Martha Brangenberg with iWork4Him  

Jim: When you woke up today did you find yourself celebrating the first day of the work week or did you find yourself dreading it? 

Martha: It seems that most of us suffer from TGIF syndrome instead of adopting the TGIM revolution. We need to start Thanking God its Monday.  

Jim: you see, God designed our work to have purpose and fulfillment. He also designed it so that He could work alongside us, bringing...

Relationship. Relational. Is there any better word to describe Christianity that sets our "religion" apart from all others? Our faith is based solely on relationship. And is there any better model for us to follow? In our life, in our work?  And the basis of this relationship model is LOVE. 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if...

72% of people who get up and go to work every day think "nobody cares about me". That's a WHOLE LOT of hurting people that will never experience God's love. So, what if we just took God's love to them? What if there was a chaplain in the workplace that looks just like them, that meets them where they are; to just listen, pray and love them?  Workplace chaplains DO exist and are more and more common in today's workplaces! And THAT is the gospel!  Echoing Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 9, "When I am with those who are weak, I share their we...

Per a 2015 Barna Group study, only 20 percent of Christian adults are involved in some sort of discipleship activity.  And, less than one-quarter of Christian adults (23%) are currently being discipled by someone one-on-one.  Discipleship in the context of work is known as "mentorship". How about YOU?  Are you allowing someone to mentor you as a Christ follower in your work?  And if you are a "seasoned" professional, Are YOU making it a priority to intentionally mentor a next generation co-worker? We encourage you to pray about mentorship this week and ask the Lord "Who would you like me to mentor Lord?" and...

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 lead...

There is a word that defines the bible, defines Christ, and defines leadership. That word is LOVE. But isn't love seemingly contrary to business and how it operates? Or IS IT?  Did you ever have a bad boss?  What quality of work did you do for them? Did you ever have a great boss? One that got the absolute best work from you? What was the difference in those two bosses? I'll bet it was LOVE. Love that respects, listens, appreciates and builds up. 1 John 3:11 This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Said another...

Are you feeling as though you're just going to work on auto-pilot? That you can do your work now, with your eyes closed, with one arm tied behind your back?  When's the last time you asked God to stretch YOU, in your work? Comfort is not a place Christ-followers should be camping out in. .... So how about you? Are you brave enough, to ask "Lord, will you stretch me today? Will you put me to better use, in the place where you would have me be? Will you bless me today with the work you have chosen for me, at this...

In the past couple of months, I've heard one word repeatedly out of the mouths of followers of Christ who bring their faith into the workplace. INTENTIONALITY. Intentionality is a concept defined as "the power of a mind to stand for things, properties and states of affairs".  WAS and IS Jesus intentional? You bet. Should WE be intentional?  You bet. HOW DO we shift to this state of intentionality? By starting with the Lord and asking what His intention is for OUR DAY? For OUR WORK?  For OUR TEAM and the clients we serve. By the way, the opposite of intentional...

When's the last time you were UNCOMFORTABLE, OR PUT YOURSELF IN A POSITION TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE in your work? Discomfort = growth, and comfort = stagnation. The people doing the most growing are the ones that submit to spiritual and personal growth, like having a group of fellow Christ followers, who challenge them and hold them accountable, in their professional life, their leadership and business. You know what they say, if you're not growing, you're dying. The wisdom of Proverbs 27:17 says As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. John Maxwell said it best: If we're growing, we're always going to be ou...

After a conversation with Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, of Love & Respect, I'm rethinking the way I go about being a peace-keeper. Here's what he said: Sometimes, as peace keepers we hedge on the truth, or just lie, to keep the peace. .... So let's apply that to our workplace. Are you unknowingly hedging on speaking the truth in work situations, to keep the peace? How can you know? You'll probably have a niggling in your spirit, an unsettledness. So what can we do to know when to speak the truth: We can check in with the Holy Spirit in the moment, before conversin...

If you're someone who watches or reads the news, then you know that there are a lot of bad things going on in the world today. From pandemics and civil wars to inflation and genocides, there is no shortage of darkness in the twenty-first century. How does all this sorrow and hardship affect your life? How about your work? Do you take it with you to the office? Do you chat with your co-workers about it? Do you live in fear or frustration? Bad news was going on during Jesus's day as well, but the Apostle Paul writes in Philip...

We spend more than one-third of our life at work. Yet sadly, Barna research shows nearly two-thirds of churched adults say it has been at least three years or more since they heard church teachings on work and career, and yet, the workplace is where most Americans spend the biggest share of their waking hours.  What can YOU do to introduce your church to the importance of faith and work? Invite your pastor to your office and ask him or her to pray for your team, your clients and your year for maximum impact for the Kingdom.  What day this month w...

What's the difference between a career and a vocation? Career is defined as an occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person's life with opportunities for progress. A VOCATION, on the other hand, is defined as a person's main occupation, especially regarded as particularly worthy and requiring great dedication. WOW. That's a big difference. We heard recently that as a Christ-follower, we should seek to have a VOCATION vs. a career. Because having a vocation keeps us focused on building the Kingdom and living and working FOR the Kingdom of God. Which one do YOU have? What could you do th...

·      Jim: Welcome to the iWork4Him Power thought for the day, we are Jim and Martha Brangenberg with iWork4Him  

·      Martha: Do you ever feel like quitting your job? Even though it's a good job and it pays well. 

·      Jim: We mean quit your perfectly good job so you can go into full time ministry. Have you ever had that thought? 

·      Martha: If you are like us, you feel the need for significance in your work and you feel like a job in a church or a Christian non-profit is the only way to go. 

What do you think would happen to our economy, our country, if all the working Christians decided to "go into ministry"? There would be no "marketplace", our economy would collapse and we would be thrown into chaos. Could it be that is NOT God's plan or design for us? What if each of us were CALLED TO MINISTRY IN OUR WORK, right where we're planted? And that OUR JOB IS our pulpit, our work performance then becomes our Christ-like message and our co-workers our "congregation".  Now THAT'S a powerful realistic vision for building the Kingdom. James 2:14 "What good is it, dea...

What if our WORK WAS our WORSHIP?  The Hebrew word avodah means work, worship, and service, altogether! Work: being productive, worship: praising and glorifying God and service: a form of service to the world and our community. We are MEANT to be of service, to be PARTNERS with God in the ongoing creation of the world. The various usages of this Hebrew word that is first found in Genesis 2:15 shows us it was God's ORIGINAL DESIGN and DESIRE that our work and our worship would be a SEAMLESS WAY of living, as it was thousands of years ago. What ab...

Have you ever thought about what you want to be known for?  Stephen, an executive we interviewed, says it starts with your personal brand. And your personal brand starts with asking yourself "What do I want to be known for?"  So how about you?  If your co-workers were asked about you, and who you are, what would they say? 

We challenge you today, to take this question "What do I want to be known for?" and pen and paper and sit with it until you have an answer. And then, start intentionally beginning to LIVE IT OUT, consisten...

How do you measure your work success?  We're referring to eternal success in your work.  One way is to ask yourself: Is my workplace better off because of having me work there? Have I changed it for the better?  Would my co-workers say that I am a blessing to work with?  A roofing business owner in Florida told us he takes an inventory every year, looks back at the year to see what benefit or good he has added: to his customers, his employees, his community and his family.  So how about you? WE invite YOU to incorporate this "taking inventory" p...

Humility. The term "humility" comes from the Latin word humilitas, a noun related to the adjective humilis, which can be translated as "humble", but also as "grounded", or "from the earth", since it derives from HUmus (earth).  The greatest leaders, including our Lord have it. CS Lewis said: "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of YOURSELF LESS."  What if TODAY, you and I, thought of ourselves less at work, and started to think MORE about others.  James 4:10 says it best: Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. And how about Psalm 149:4 For the Lord takes d...

Wisdom. It's defined as knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action. Wisdom goes beyond KNOWING what is right and into DOING what is right. God calls us to be wise in everything that we do – constantly seeking out what is true and right in his eyes and then acting on it. James 3:17 says, "The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." Are you living out the wisdom from above in your workplace? Before you speak or act this...

As Christians everything about us should be changing. When we were born again, it wasn't just a one-time event. We are to be changing daily…remember the word "sanctified"? We are being "set apart" to be dedicated to God's use.  And to that end, we're to be changing and growing more Christ-like every day, to be conformed to His image. So how about you? Would those you work with say you're a better co-worker today than you were 6 months ago?  Would your manager say you're a better team member today than you were last month? Would your CEO say you're a better...

Kathy Branzell, President of the National Day of Prayer says: there's the idea that when I work, I work, but when I pray, God works.  So how about YOU? Are you working, when you should be praying?  Are you starting work first, before you pray? Are you taking God's place for the results by over-working?  There's a beautiful balance we can obtain between work and prayer. We can choose to pray first, then work. And then pray, staying in constant contact with the Lord to guide and direct our work, vs. all that extra-efforting stuff. Psalm 127 says: It is useless for yo...

Heard this the other day: The principles never change, but the methods always do.  What a solid management philosophy this makes for us Christ followers. Principles are defined as:  fundamental truths that serve as the foundation for a system of beliefs. Our biblical core beliefs are the basis of who we are and what we do. And that applies to how we work, lead and manage. But the methods, those change based on the circumstances and the people involved. So we need to be flexible, not rigid. Deeply rooted, but like the branches of a tree, sway with the wind. So how about...

Are there ROCKS in YOUR schedule? ROCKS are IMMOVABLE commitments. Those priorities that are unchangeable.  As a working Christ-follower, what are some of YOUR ROCKS? Here are some of mine: Time with the Lord. Family commitments. And anything I have given my word to, to be there.  Is WORK one of YOUR ROCKS? If it is, maybe it's time to look at that rock, and decrease its size, or the amount of space it's taking on your calendar. Don't' let Luke 20:18 define how you live and manage your life:  "Everyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it wi...

Some things in life are more challenging than others. Like finances. And even more challenging: How do we glorify God with our finances?  If you think you've mastered your finances, there's a next step, a better way to glorify God with them. To transform the money we make from working for the Lord, and seeing that it is invested in Kingdom building. It's called Biblically Responsible Investing and it's transforming the way Christians look at the money they invest, and where they invest it. So how about you and your finances? .... Are you willing to look at every dollar and steward it e...

When people around you at work succeed, do you find yourself happy for them or feeling bad for yourself? It can be easy to compare our career path to someone else's and come out feeling like we missed our chance at moving up - but the truth is that everyone's journey will look different. Galatians 6:4 says, "Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else." So next time the temptation to compare yourself to a coworker comes up, take th...

There is a truth about work that has been lost to much of our culture since the creation of the world. It is that GOD CREATED WORK. He created work for us, to do together and for HIS glory. Genesis 2:19 - "So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one."  Work is NOT a PUNISHMENT, it's a GIFT. And God wants to JOIN US in it. Every day. He...

I heard a clever quip the other day about trying to take control from God's hands. God is writing the story of your life: so STOP TRYING TO GRAB THE PEN FROM HIS HAND! This applies to our work as well. Sometimes we think we are living God's plan for us in our work when we are actually just "taking Jesus with us".  And only praying to Him to ask for blessings on what we are doing at work. How can we know when we've succeeded in FOLLOWING Christ in our work? By changing our mindset to one of FOLLOWING...

If you are like me you jump up out of bed, check for emergency text messages, check the weather, rush through your morning devotional time so you can get on to the "real work of the day." Just recently Martha and I were reading a book by Kim Avery "The Prayer Powered Entrepreneur" and she suggests a different approach. Kim suggests that when we have our morning quiet time, be quiet and ask our Lord what His priorities are for us today. Instead of letting distractions rule our day, ask the Lord to prioritize our day so His will is d...

Is God leading your work? How do you get the point where you can say YES, He is.  Here're a couple of ideas to get you started. First, read a book or listen to faith at work podcasts that introduce you to the concept of working for the Lord. Second, pray and ask God to show you how and where He is at work in your work today. Three, take a faith at work devotional and put it on your desk. Before you turn on your PC, read the devotional and pray that God lead you in your work.  This might ta...

Being intentional seems to be a consistent hallmark of followers of Christ. Because Christ is our best example of intentionality. Intentionality is defined as being deliberate or purposeful. How about you? How are you working with intentionality today? In the office, with your co-workers, intentionally representing Christ and showing His love and patience to everyone you come in contact with? Most days we may just be unconsciously going through our work day. We invite you to begin today by going before the father and asking Him: "Here's all I have, what do YOU want me to do with it toda...

Are you a leader in your organization? If so, what are you doing to care for your team members? Your employees?  Are you ignoring the big stresses in their lives? If you are, it could be costing you in a big way. For example: The divorce of a $60,000 a year employee will cost $86,000 in lost productivity.  There are legal, low cost remedies to helping your employees get the help they need to calm the sometimes raging seas of their lives. So how about YOU? Are you turning a blind eye to the pain in your workplace? Wake up! Look and listen, an...

I wonder how much of our life is lived from a place of "taking". Not consciously, but just getting up and living our life, as we go to work and just delve in. I've found my unconscious self is pretty selfish. If I don't pray first, submit in obedience, my day, my hands, my mouth, eyes and ears, to serve all those I come in contact with, I'll just spend all day at work taking what I need and want. .... So how about you? Are you living your life and workday taking? .... We challenge you today, to stop unconsciously working...

At work, sometimes we walk away from a meeting or conversation and think to ourselves "Boy, that person sure needs some fixing." But, in reality, if we took a moment, and thought more carefully about it, maybe even looked a little deeper, we may just see what needs to be fixed is US, not them. Leaders know this. They know that the organization is a reflection of WHO they are and WHO they are being.  A leader knows that before their "team needs fixing", THEY need fixing first.  So how about YOU?  Are you a leader that leads knowing they need to...