Encourage One Another

Living out your faith - Aug 15, 2013

The inspirational challenge below focuses on the workplace.  Can you apply it to where ever you might be?

From Today God is First, by Os Hillman

When is the last time you saw a miracle in your workplace?  Perhaps you prayed for a coworker, and he or she was instantly healed.  Perhaps you prayed for a coworker's financial problem, and  it was resolved.  Perhaps you led a co-worker to Christ.  Or maybe god gave you an answer to a major problem at work that benefited your organization.
The disciples were working people.  They turned the world upside down not because of their knowledge of Jesus but because of their outflow of the power of Jesus. And they did so in the public square, where all could see.
Workplace Bible and prayer groups are great, but you must transition to public action i you want to change the spiritual climate in an organization. The only risk is that God might actually show up in a powerful way. 
A number of years ago, I taught a lunchtime bible study in an insurance company for two years. God moved powerfully in the meetings  People came to Christ. some experienced healing.  Word go out and non-believers came to check out what we did. 
When is the last time someone saw something happen that could not be explained other than that it was God working through you?  When you begin to see this happen, you will be modeling ministry as Jesus modeled it.  You will be bringing the Church to the people, not the people to church.
Pray that God makes you a vessel of His power, not simply a vessel of words.

 The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders 

among the people. And all the believers used to meet together 

in Solomon's Colonnade.  Acts 5:12

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Making The Right Choices

“I Choose Love...
No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I Choose Joy...
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I Choose Peace...
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so I may live.

I Choose Patience...
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so, Rather complain that the wait is to long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I Choose Kindness...
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for that is how God has treated me.

I Choose Goodness...
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I accuse. I choose goodness.

I Choose Faithfulness...
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My friends will not question my word. And my family will not question my love.

I Choose Gentleness...
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I Choose Self-Control...
I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then when this day is done I will place my head on my pillow and rest.”
― Max Lucado