Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for November, 2009

31 Days of Prayer?

Posted in Prayer on November 30, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

Do you feel like I do today? Most of us had a really special, long Thanksgiving weekend spent with family and friends. Then we wake up today and it’s DECEMBER! How is that possible?

So now, we immediately transition from a time of relaxation and thanksgiving, to a time of stress and busyness. We have year-end business goals, family responsibilities and Christmas shopping. Does anyone else feel like we let the Enemy take control of the very month we should give to Jesus?

Let’s fight back. Let’s commit to pray. Let’s commit to pray EVERYDAY of this special month. Let’s commit to take December back.

Join us right here for the next 31 days for a brief word of encouragement, scripture and prayer. Let’s pray for our relationship with Christ, our marriages, our children, and our work. I can’t think of a better place to start than right here:

“Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground…”   Ephesians 6:13

Father, give us the courage to take this month back from the enemy and to live it for you. Amen

Read Full Post »

What Can I Do?

Posted in Economy, Encouragement, Job Search, Prayer on November 7, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

Yesterday it was announced that the unemployment rate in the country is the highest it has been in 26 years, a stunning 10.2 percent.  I read that a major school bus plant in Conway is shutting down and that 477 people will be let go. Layoffs are still happening locally as well.  We all know people who are hurting out there and have been unemployed for a long time now.

Having been through this myself a few short years ago, I understand the stress, strain and other thoughts and feelings that one has when God allows this to happen to us.  As I was reflecting on this in my quiet time this morning, Oswald Chamber’s book, My Utmost for His Highest spoke to me as it has so many times before.  Please allow me to share a few of  his thoughts with you today.

Romans 8:28   We  know that all things work together for those who love God….

The circumstances of a believer’s life are ordained of God.  In the life of a believer there is no such thing as chance.  God by his providence brings you into circumstances that you can’t understand at all, but the Spirit of God understands.  God brings you to places, among people, and into certain conditions to accomplish a definite purpose through the intercession of the Spirit in you…..All your circumstances are in the hand of God, and therefore you don’t ever have to think they are unnatural or unique.

These word provided a great deal of comfort to me when I was going through my own long  journey between jobs.  I found great comfort in meditating on them and praying about them.

If you get the opportunity, please reach out to someone you know who is experiencing this journey and share these words of encouragement with them today.  But if you can’t do that, then please intercede for these people in prayer.  Chambers provides us with another powerful thought on this:

YOUR part in intercessory prayer is not to agonize over how to intercede, but to use everyday circumstances and people God puts around you by His providence to bring them before His throne, and to allow the Spirit in you the opportunity to intercede for them….I must do the human side of intercession–utilizing the circumstances in which I find myself and the people who surround me….then as I lift different ones to God through prayer, the Holy Spirit intercedes for them.

Finally, if you know someone going through this, please connect them with our ministry,  The Joseph Project. We want to help.

http://workmatters.org/the_joseph_project/

Read Full Post »

Who Do You Know?

Posted in Relationships on November 4, 2009 | 1 Comment »

One day last week the big day finally arrived.  I had not really been looking forward to it, but knew it was coming one way or another.  The day was my 50th birthday. Even as I write this I can hardly believe it.  Well, I lived through it, had a great week and have now fully accepted it.  Birthdays always give me lots to think about, but this one especially.

I found that I did a great deal of reflecting and thinking.  One of the things I thought  about  was my job or basically my overall work journey.   However, what I found myself thinking the most about was not the various jobs I had or the successes and failures (experience) I had gained.  What I thought about the most was the people I had met along the way.  The many friends I had made and the various people who had played a role in my journey.

God has blessed us with jobs and careers that will allow us to provide for our families, but what stands out most in my mind are those who I have worked with over the years and how they have impacted my life.  I have been blessed to have met so many fantastic people at work….as well as a few not so fantastic.  It has been so fun to get to know my fellow co-workers and for a season share life and work.  As I sit here writing this, the memories (by far good ones) are washing over me and I am feeling so thankful.

God expects us to let our light shine at work.  This light attracts people  who if we will open to and get to know will add an incredible texture and depth to our lives.   We were created for relationships.  Believe me, as you get older and reflect, you will be glad you invested the time in getting to know those you work with every day.  It really is all about who you know.

Read Full Post »

Powerful Prayer

Posted in Prayer on November 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

Do you ever wonder how to pray for leaders? Whether you know them or not? 

After reading Colossians 1:9-14, I dropped down to read the study notes in my NIV study Bible. I was amazed at the power in the instructions they shared there. Read this scripture, then take some time to think about the guidance given here. These are powerful guidelines for all of our marketplace and personal prayer! 

“…we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.     Colossians 1:9-12

When we pray for others, we pray they:

  1. understand God’s will.
  2. gain spiritual wisdom.
  3. please and honor God.
  4. bear good fruit.
  5. grow in the knowledge of God.
  6. be filled with God’s strength.
  7. have great endurance and patience.
  8. stay full of Christ’s joy.
  9. give thanks always.

Read Full Post »

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 521 other followers