How to Make the Most at Work

Human nature is to magnify the small problems. The longer we stare at our problems, the bigger they look. If we’re not setting the tone for our day with a positive attitude right at the beginning, our circumstances will probably set the tone for us in a negative way.

One reason we feel bad about ourselves is because we complain. We dislike the traffic. We don’t like our jobs. Our boss is too stiff. Our co-workers are lazy. We feel unappreciated and so on and so forth. However, when we change our attitude, we can change our lives.

Let me give you some perspective. Think about the person who doesn’t have a car, a job, or a nice environment to work in. Think about the person who is battling a long-term disease. Think about a family who is going through a divorce or a foreclosure on their house. Even worse, they just lost their loved one to a dreaded disease.

People go through extreme difficulty every single day. While we complain and throw a fit over petty things, others are fighting life or death situations. Somebody would love to have your job, your health, your vehicle, your house, or your income.

Our lives gravitate towards our thoughts. What we constantly think about, we bring about. If you’re expecting clients to be demanding, they probably will be. If you’re planning to have a tough day, you probably will. On the contrary, if you believe that today you’ll hit that sales goal, you probably will. If you believe that you’re favored by the Power on High, you’ll be the most productive employee in the company. Whatever you believe, you’ll experience.

The famous Zig Zigar said, “You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” Years ago, I worked at a nation-wide computer retail store. Most people there had a sour attitude at work. They didn’t like the management. They were offended at a customer. They complained about the constant change in the company policy. They had relationship problems at home and they brought it to work with them. I was going through a difficult phase in my life with some of my own personal problems. I was a sales person but very quickly I realized how blessed I was compared to those around me. I was in a negative environment but I didn’t allow the negativity to get in me. I began to reach out to my co-workers. I took time to listen to their frustrations. There was one guy who was struggling so I got lunch for two of us the whole time I was there. I prayed for them in the break room. Amazingly, I got promotion after promotion!

Don’t misunderstand me; I wasn’t perfect at all. Once, I stormed into my manager’s office and let him have several pieces of my mind. I took off my Christianity for a while and cussed him out. My manager was shocked! Half an hour later, when the Holy Spirit began to deal with me, I went back to my manager and asked him to forgive me. He was relieved!

I spent most of my time at work trying to help customers or co-workers. I became the go-to person with difficult customers or employees. I was the minister in the marketplace. As I helped others, my sales increased. I was making more on my off days than when I was present because the cashiers were putting sales through in my employee number. In a short time, I became one of the top performers in the company among thousands, winning all sorts of trophies, vacations, and awards. Change your attitude about work! Jesus said, “Give and you’ll receive.”

Today put on a sun-dried, lemon-fresh attitude. Wear a big smile – it says you’re open for business. Take the first step to make someone feel like a million dollars. Buy your co-worker a coffee or a lunch. Hum a praise song of God’s goodness in your life. Look at your family picture at your office and remember that because of you, their lives are blessed. Set your mind in the right direction first thing in the morning. You’re born to do great things. I speak blessing, focus, creativity, favor, increase, peace and prosperity in your life this week. Change your attitude and you’ll change your life. I’m praying for you!

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8 NLT).

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How to Be the Most Valuable Employee

Most people spend a substantial amount of time getting ready for work. It’s important to look professional for the job that you do. However, how we prepare ourselves internally has a lot more to do with our success than how we look on the outside.

Going to work can be a battleground. Things come flying at you at hundred miles an hour. Starting from the traffic to dealing with a difficult boss, employee, or a demanding customer, it can easily sap your energy quickly. Let’s discuss seven traits of a valuable employee.

Be at peace. When you’re at peace, you are in control. The more you can handle a stressful situation in a calm manner, the less frustrated you’ll be. Don’t be surprised at the unexpected demands and behaviors of people. Part of that is what you’re getting paid to handle. When you stay calm, cool, and collected, people respect you and you become more valuable. Inner peace produces outer success.

Attitude is everything. Your attitude reveals your character and it determines your altitude. Attitude is simply confronting a tense situation in a relaxed, easy-going manner. Unfair things will happen. You have to choose your attitude from the moment you get up or else the world outside will set it for you. Employers are dying to find people with good attitudes. You can be the most valuable employee in the company simply by having a can-do attitude. 

Be positive. This one quality will separate you from 90% of the people in your organization. People are so quick to tune in to the negative. Anyone can report a problem. You’re hired to solve problems. Bosses want to hear how it can be done. The bigger problems you solve, the better compensation you’ll receive. No matter what’s thrown at you, your first response should be, “Yes. We’ll get it done.” Don’t worry about the details; it’ll all fall into place.

Delay response. Not all matters require immediate response. Especially, when you’re dealing with a critical email, customer, or employee, it will be to your benefit if you delay your response. When you face a problem, put it on the shelf. I’m not saying ignore the problem but don’t rush into action. Life has an amazing way of working itself out. Sometimes the best action is no action.

Have integrity. Why and how you do something is as important as what you do. In life, always promise less and deliver more. Do what is right even when it’s hurting your bottom line. A true test of integrity is to think, “What will I do if I was on the receiving end of my action?”

 

Celebrate someone. The world is full of selfish and ambitious people who want to step on others to get to the top. A better way to get to the top is to serve others. When we appreciate, recognize, and celebrate the achievements of others, not only will they rise higher but you will go to the top with them. Be genuinely happy for your co-worker’s success. What you send out always comes back.

Don’t panic; pray. There will be the unexpected and the inevitable. There will be things beyond your control. What you cannot change, pray that God will. When you pray, you have power (from on high). Build a reputation of being a prayer person at work and you’ll be amazed at the respect you earn! Unlike popular belief, don’t separate your faith and work life. We’re all called to be light in the world. Your witness for the Lord is vital to win the lost.

Be a balanced person at work. Don’t let others run over you, but don’t be a slacker either. Showing up is half the job done. Whatever you do, do it with all your might and enthusiasm. When you do a hard task with a good attitude, you’ll accomplish your goal faster. Honor God in the marketplace and He will honor you. You’re the only witness some people will ever see. Instead of complaining, learn to enjoy work. It will benefit everybody around. I’m praying for you and your success.

“Do everything without complaining and arguing” (Philippians 2:14 NLT).

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Become a Miracle

Many people today are waiting for a miracle. They need a healing in their body, a job, or a relationship rescue. While we all need a miracle for ourselves, we can reach out and touch somebody who God has placed in our path.

Human nature is to be self-focused. We’re all going about our day like a busy bee trying to gather for ourselves. While it’s not wrong to provide for your own family, it is not healthy to be so self-absorbed. God has made you a miracle! You’re a miracle waiting to happen.

You may be thinking, “Sandy, that is good but I need a miracle for myself.” Here’s the key. When you become a miracle for others, God will become a miracle for you. Most people don’t realize that the greatest miracles are the smallest things in life. God touches people when you do. He provides for the poor through you. He shows His love when we embrace the crying, sighing, and dying humanity. One touch of God can change people’s lives. People experience God by experiencing you!

Years ago, I worked at a computer company. By the grace of God, I was their top producer. One day a total stranger walked into the store. I got to talking to him and realized that he’d come looking for a job. After probing a little, I found out that he was in a bad situation but he was ready and willing to work hard to amend his life. After escorting him to the hiring manager, I gave him the highest recommendation and the young man was hired. The rest is history. That young man got his life back together and went on to become one of the best employees for the company. What was that? It wasn’t hard or big but that was becoming a miracle for someone else.

In the Bible, Jesus told a parable of the Good Samaritan. A man was traveling from Jericho to Jerusalem and on the way he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him, and left him half dead. Isn’t this what the devil still tries to do to God’s people today? People commit a sin and make a bad choice and their lives go into a tailspin. The first two people who encountered the wounded man were a priest and a Levite. They were on their way to worship God in Jerusalem. They were in a hurry to meet God but they didn’t have time for His creation. They failed to recognize that true religion is to care for people. They passed him by but a Samaritan outcast stopped and helped the man recover from his wound and payed for his restoration. I wonder how the world would look at us Christians if we stopped long enough to become a miracle!

It’s pretty to sing, “Jesus I love you!” in the church but you can’t love God without loving people. When we reach out and become their miracle, we’re storing up treasures for ourselves. You cannot outgive God!

 

One of the greatest things we can give to people is our encouragement. I’ve found most people know what to do to get out of their misery. What many people don’t have is someone to believe in them. One of the most powerful phrases in the world is to say to a struggling person, “I believe in you!” When a series of negative things happen, people get discouraged and depressed. These people are not failures. They’ve been on the top before and they can do it again. What they need is someone to believe in them. When we look into their eyes and point them to God, they find a new source of strength within themselves. It’s easy to find faults in others but it’s divine to become a miracle!

Today, I challenge you to go about your day looking to become a miracle. Speak a kind word to a stranger. Endorse someone. Give a referral. Call a friend who is going through a difficult situation. Pray with someone about their problems. Give someone a hug. Be generous. When we do these little things for others, God will make sure to do the big things for you. Become a miracle and God will become a miracle for you!

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36-37).

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Attitude Determines Altitude

There are many things we cannot control in life. However, one of the most important things that we can control is our attitude. Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we respond to it.

Everyone wants to succeed in life but very few do. It is not an accident that some people soar while others struggle. Ability teaches us how to do a task. Motivation decides why we do it. Attitude determines how well we do our job.

One of the greatest lessons I learnt in life is to shake off disappointment quickly. None of us like rejection yet, it is an inevitable part of life. It is not our falling that makes us a failure but whether or not we get back up. Successful people are those who understand that failure is an event, not a person.

In the Bible, Elijah was a great prophet. Once he had to pray down rain from a draught. After prayer, he sent his apprentice to check if there was any sign of rain in the sky. Six times the servant returned and said, “There is nothing!” Elijah could have easily said, “It’s not working. I give up!” Instead, he simply told his helper, “Go again.” He kept a good attitude even when he didn’t get the desired results. On the seventh time the servant came back and said, “There’s a cloud in the size of a hand rising from the sky.” Elijah declared, “I hear a sound of abundance of rain.” Friend, when you learn to keep an excellent attitude, rain will pour down upon your life filled with drought.

Long time ago, a Chinese king had a boulder placed on a roadway. He then hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it.

Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear but none of them did anything about getting the big stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. On approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. As the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many others never understand; every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve one’s condition.

While God is not the author of our problems, like the king in this story He always makes sure to reward us for our good attitude. The Bible promises to bless us double for our troubles.

Walt Whitman said, “Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you.” Murphy’s Law says, “If anything can go wrong, it will.” Today, I have another law for you to live by. “If anything can go right, it will go right for me!” Why? Because you honor God with your life!

Recently I came across a poster defining attitude. “The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects the wind to change. A Leader adjusts the sail.” Let me ask you a question. Who are you? My friend Terri says, “A bad attitude is like a flat tire. Unless you change it, you’re not going anywhere.”

Friend, we cannot control all that life throws at us but we can control our response to it. No matter what you’re facing, choose to find something good in it. Look at life’s boulders as your rewards. Like Elijah, if you’re not getting desired result, “go again!” God wants you to soar to your highest potential. Remember, your attitude determines your altitude in life. I love you and I believe in you!

“Because you got a double dose of trouble and more than your share of contempt, Your inheritance in the land will be doubled and your joy go on forever” (Isaiah 61:7 The Message).

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Add a Little Favor in Your Day

Rewards, promotions and satisfactions are great motivation to work hard, be creative and be productive. For many of us, our self-worth is deeply rooted into the work we do. W-O-R-K is one my favorite four-letter-words in the Bible. I believe part of our God given purpose in life is to work and not be lazy.

However, I know too many people who are trying too hard. We should never be slave to anything – not even work. Today I want us to consider a better approach to work. Have you ever tried to cook? You may have done everything right – applied exact temperature, put in the precise ingredients but food taste terrible simply because you forgot to add a little salt in your cooking.

This is how we often go about our business. We try to do everything within our own power. We use our connections, skills and exert our influence. It is good to do our due diligence but today I’m asking you to call in God’s favor in everything you do. This week, be more favor-minded. You’re His son/daughter. He wants to give you preferential treatment at work. One touch of God’s favor will turn everything to your advantage. When we trust God more than our own skill, we’ll experience a new level of peace and productivity like never before. Will you trust Him today? I know you will. I’m praying for you!

“They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do” (Psalm 1:3 NLT).

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Put On God’s Favor

As finite human beings we can only think, do and achieve so much by ourselves. When we call on God’s favor, we’ll attract more of it. When we have God’s favor working in our lives, we’ll live a supernatural life.

One of the benefits of following God is that we come into His favor. That means, God watches over us and executes special things for us. We don’t deserve it, most of the time we don’t even expect it but God sends special favor just to put a smile on our face. Our job is to recognize God’s favor and thank Him for it when it happens.

Yesterday, I was at the Honda Service Center because some warning light had come on. Darrel has been servicing my car for a long time. When he checked me in he warned that it could take a while and cost a bit of money. Obviously, I wasn’t thrilled to hear about the cost. When Darrel got done after almost two hours I was ready to pay anything and get out of there. When I went to the payment counter, Darrel said, “Mr. Anderson, you don’t have to pay anything.” He had found some way to cover for my cost. I was ecstatic! I thanked him and left with my car keys. Half way to my car I turned around and asked, “Darrel, if I were to pay you for the work, how much would it cost?” Darrel said, “Three to four hundred dollars!” I smiled and left quickly before he could change his mind. When I sat down in the car, I began to thank God for His favor in unusual places. I’m praising Him by acknowledging His goodness!

One of the things we can do to live a victorious life is to be aware of God’s favor. Just like we put on our clothes before we leave our homes, we have to learn to put on God’s favor before we face the world every day. In front of the mirror, when you’re driving, put on God’s favor. When we call on God’s favor and expect it, we’ll attract more of it. Every day, before I leave home, I release God’s favor upon my life. I like to think of God’s favor like a force field that surrounds me wherever I go.

In the Bible, a Persian King Ahasuerus was looking for a bride to be his queen. There were plenty of young ladies qualified for the vacancy. In the middle of all the beautiful women from rich and famous background was a simple Jewish girl named Esther. She was an orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai. When it was time for King Ahasuerus to choose, he picked Esther to become his wife. What was that? It was God’s favor over Esther. Friend, no matter what you’re going through today, do not underestimate the favor of God. When your life pleases God, He will make you stand out in the mob.

Friend, your business may have been slow but don’t write off God’s favor. Sales numbers may look depressing but God is not finished with His favor yet. The sickness may have lingered longer than you expected – don’t give up without calling in God’s favor. The debt may have been there for years but one touch of God’s favor will eliminate it. Friend, the more we’re aware of God’s favor, the more we’ll attract it. God has 101 ways to bring us favor.

 

When we live right before God, it is our inheritance to live under the blessings of God. One of the things we can actively do to bring God’s favor into our lives is to proclaim it. Allow me to speak a blessing of favor into your life today.

“Thank you Lord, I’m blessed coming in; blessed going out. I’m the head and not the tail. The favor of God surrounds me. My children are blessed and mighty in the land. Even strangers will be good to me and my family today. As I show favor to others, God will bring favor into my life. I have God’s favor of plenty upon my life. I have overflowing, joy, peace and provision. I will have abundance for my family and plenty left over to bless others. As I follow God, I call in sales, commissions and bonuses to find me. I have the job of my dream. Promotion is seeking me. I’m God’s favorite and people around me acknowledge that. Divine health is coming into my life. I am healed! My marriage is blessed and prosperous. I’m above and not beneath. Today something gooooood is going to happen to me. I’m blessed and I cannot be cursed. Thank you Lord for sending me favor and causing me to stand out! I’m aware of your favor and I thank you for it. In Jesus’ name.” Friend, be aware of God’s favor. It’s chasing you down today! I love you and I’m praying for you.

“Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield” (Psalm 5:12 NIV).

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There’s Plenty for You

Our vision is our future but yet there are so many people content with so little. If we can only raise our vision, we’ll have plenty for what we need and plenty left over to bless others.

One thing I love about our God is that He is a BIG thinker. He created the universe lavishly. His vision to save the world was equally outrageous! The Bible says, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things” (Romans 8:32 ESV)? If we’re to make a difference in our lives, family, community and the world then we too must think, talk and act like God. Our lives will only produce to the heights we envision ourselves to succeed.

What is your vision? Do you see lack, scarcity and mediocrity? Or are you a big thinker and even harder worker? Vision, hard work and patience will get you just about anything you want in life. In the early 70s, Honda’s vision statement was, “We will destroy Yamaha.” In the 60s, Nike’s vision statement was, “Crush Adidas.” Both have matured and evolved since then. If your personal ambition is to compete with others you’re wasting your resources in the wrong channels. Pursue your own dreams. There are seven billion people in the world today! Someone has a need of your service. No matter what business you’re in, remember this: people don’t buy products; they buy the experience of you. Nobody in the world can substitute what you have to offer to people. You can’t be everything to everybody. Focus on your strength. Don’t try to win everyone. Target those who understand your value, principle and cause.

This year, our goal is to reach 300,000 people with the Gospel. We are well on our way. By the grace of God, your support and the sacrifices of our native missionaries, we’ve already touched over 200,000 people. Next two months are our biggest outreach months of the year. One way we achieve our goal is to constantly remind the vision to ourselves and our co-workers. We don’t wake up in the last month of the year and say, “Oops, I guess we better work harder now.” We start off a new year in full steam and keep the momentum going throughout the year. If we do the right thing long enough, rewards will come. Consistency pays off.

Maybe you’re running a business today and you’ve had a slow year thus far. Don’t panic. There’s plenty for you! The so called “experts” may have a negative report. The Wall Street may say contrary to your belief in God’s ability. Your personal experience may not have been so good. Remember this: God has plenty for you. You will only acquire what you can aspire to achieve. If you think small, you’ll receive small. If you expect great things from God and work equally hard for it, you’ll have everything you need and more. Increase your capacity to receive from God.

A great stumbling block to our accomplishment is when we get bogged down to the details of how things should happen. Don’t misunderstand me. I believe in planning and strategy but never underestimate the power of God. He is a great finisher. What you didn’t achieve the whole year, He can bring to you just through one customer. Your labor in the Lord is not in vain. He knows the desires of your heart and He loves to see you fulfilled. Give God praise by faith. For if God be for us, who can be against us?

Friend, there’s plenty for you. This week, go out with a new spring in your footstep. Expect sales, business, favor and customers to come to you. God has already commanded those into your account. Now it’s your job to walk out by faith and meet your blessings. There’s plenty for you and plenty left over to bless the world. I’m praying for you!

“The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom” (Deuteronomy 28:13 NIV).

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Dress for Success

A lot of books have been written about dressing for success. Our appearance makes people decide how they’re going to treat us. How we dress has an impact on how successful we’re going to be.

We have to pay attention to what we wear. However, today we’ll discuss dressing for success with our inner attitudes. In order to help us remember this lesson we’re going to discuss the acronym D-R-E-S-S.

Have Determination. Everybody wants to be successful but very few people have determination. It is not enough to have a wish-bone but we must have a backbone in our pursuit of happiness. If we give up easily then our strength is too small. In order to be successful, we have to have bulldog tenacity. Once you get hold of the vision, you must hang tight to it. Anyone can start but only those are rewarded who finish the race. If we want to have success, we have to be determined.

Take some Risk. Insanity is to keep doing the same thing over and over and expect a different result. Don’t just stay with what’s comfortable. Good is the worst enemy of the best! Stretch yourself to the new level. Take some risk. Don’t do anything foolish. Process it with your spouse and people who have your best interest at heart. Faith is all about taking risk and trusting in God’s ability to deliver. Everyone paints picture of Peter drowning in the water but he is the only man in history who walked on the water with Jesus! Make those cold calls. Do your due diligence. Take corresponding actions. Develop a communication system to be in touch with your patrons. Invest in educating yourself. Associate with the wise. A ship is safe in the dock but its greatest potential is unleashed when it sails in the vast ocean. You too will fly high in life if you step out of your comfort zone and take some risk.

No more Excuses. The Bible says, “The lazy person claims, "There's a lion on the road! Yes, I'm sure there's a lion out there" (Proverbs 26:13 NLT)! Yes, there will be challenges on your way to success but God has equipped you to overcome them. Quit saying, “This is too hard. It is not working!” Your life will follow your mouth. Get in the game. Have a “can do” attitude. “I've lived long life, Cadmos, but the glory and the memory of men will always belong to the ones who follow their great visions.” – Old Ptolemy speaking of Alexander the Great.

Be Sympathetic. In the run chase to success many people trample others to get what they want. Don’t sacrifice your family and loved ones at the altar of your success. It’s not worth it. Have a tender heart. Help the people God brings in your path right now. Be sympathetic to other people’s needs and wants. Your success is directly tied up to the measure you help others. The famous Zig Zigler said, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”

Say Sorry. Nobody is perfect. You will make mistakes. The greatest in life are those who take ownership for their mistakes, turn away from them and move forward. When you make a mistake, simply say, “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” No buts… ifs… and because…

Dress for success! You’re born to do great things. God made you to leave a mark on this planet. You’re destined to win. You have what it takes. You are born to fly. Get your inner dialogues right. You cannot have a poor mouth and live a rich life. Have faith in God. Take some risks. Help others along the way. Every day when you wake up, dress for success with your inner attitudes. You and God are a winning team! I believe in you and am praying for you.

“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it” (Colossians 3:12-14 The Message).

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Doing Business in Deep Waters

Inside each of us is a desire to do great things in life. When we experience a few setbacks, we tend to tone down our dreams and settle for a mediocre life. If we want to accomplish great things we have to nurture a big vision.

The Bible talks about doing business in great waters. It talks about experiencing God’s miracles in the deep waters. When we’re splashing around in the shallow it is safe.  When you’re in the deep waters, out in the middle of the sea, you have to trust and depend on God for your very survival. You have to take risks but the payback is the great treasures in the depth of the ocean floor.

I want to talk to primarily business owners today. However, these things are applicable to anyone who wants to make a big impact for God. Your dreams and purposes are not there by chance. The Creator of the universe put those desires in you. You’re born for such a time like this. The wealth of the world is stored up for you. God knows your heart is not just to provide for your family but also to touch the world with your influence and resources. Today, let’s talk about a few principles that will propel you to your ultimate destiny.

Believe in the dream God placed in your life. When you set out to do great things for God, you’ll have many opportunities to abort your dream. God will always give you some people who will believe in you but most of the time you have to be your biggest cheerleader. Protecting your dream will be one of your greatest challenges. Very few Christians believe that God wants them to become wealthy and change the world. There’s a small-mindedness that keep most people limited in the shallow waters. It will require all your faith and determination to do business in deep waters. Protect your dream. God is with you in the deep!

There will be oppositions. Great visions will have great oppositions. It comes with the territory. When Joseph had a dream, his own family was the first to laugh at him and tried to steal his dream. He went to the pit, then to the prison but ultimately to the palace to become second in command in the country. Moses faced a similar fate when he struggled for his own survival. But God’s grace led him to the very heart of Pharos’s house floating in a basket. He became the deliverer of the great nation of Israel. David would still be known as a shepherd boy had he not faced his Goliath. Daniel faced the lion’s den. Jesus had to flee to another country as a child to escape the great slaughter. His whole life was marked with challenges but He championed all of life’s trials when He rose again from the dead. You too my friend possess the same potential as the great men of faith before us. You can’t please every person and God at the same time. You will have oppositions but God has prepared a banquet table in front of your enemies. Those who oppose you now will see your success and marvel at God’s goodness in your life. Embrace challenges; it will help you rise higher.

Have some determination. If you build it, they’ll come! Most people give up without finishing the goals and visions God placed in their hearts. What they don’t realize is how close they were to accomplishing their dream! You’re closer than you think. You have come too far to go back now. Great treasures of the sea are in the deep. Give up the low life. Stretch towards heaven. It takes the same faith of a mustard seed to believe God for a $250,000 or a $5,000,000 business. With the later, you can have more influence to win our world for Jesus. You’ve got what it takes. God has the right people lined up for you. Your breakthrough is just in the horizon. Don’t give up until you see God’s miracles in the deep.

Friend, no matter what you do, dream big. Expect great things from God. Don’t let the enemy steal the seeds of greatness from your heart. Embrace challenges. The magnitude of your problem is an indication to the size of your destiny. Don’t be surprised if your dream is taking longer than you anticipated. Get out of the shallow waters. The wealth of the world is yours but you have to launch out into the deep! God is with you and I’m praying for you.

“Those who sail on the sea in ships, who do business on the high seas, have seen what the LORD can do, the miracles he performed in the depths of the sea” (Psalm 107:23-24 God’s Word).

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Dignity of Labor

Work has been a part of man’s life since the beginning of creation. God gave Adam a garden to care for. He made Eve to improve Adam! If we’re to live a balanced life, it is important for us to have the right attitude towards work.

John D. Rockefeller was a businessman and philanthropist. He said, “I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.” America is one of the greatest countries in the world to provide opportunity and reward work excellence. Yet there are more people today who are going on social welfare simply because they don’t want to work.

My friend Ben came to this country with seventy dollars in his pocket. He understood the value of work and opportunity. He worked through several menial jobs but today has three thriving restaurants in Colorado, serving Himalayan cuisines. He employs over fifty local college students and hires chefs from Nepal. His family supports our ministry sending destitute children to school.

God’s Word provides instructions on work and ethics. One of my favorite verses is, “If a man should not work, he shouldn’t eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). It is God’s will for us to work. One mistake people often make is to wait for a perfect job. While it’s good to pray, believe and search for the job of your dream, it is better to start with the best job you can get and work your way to the top. Don’t worry about promotion and the time it takes to get to the top, just be your best at what you have. The cream always rises to the top.

If you’re an employee, work as unto the Lord. Your work-life is a daily sermon to your co-workers. If you’re coming to work on time, putting in a full day’s work, reliable, kind, team player and productive soon they’ll begin to question about your God. You’re setting a God-standard at work when you don’t gossip or talk down on the management. When you’re practicing your Sunday values at work, you’re being a witness for Christ. Your example will draw men and women to the Lord.

Employers, be fair to your co-workers. Recently I was visiting with my friend Ms. Joyce. She works for some other friends of mine in an insurance business. I was having dinner at her home with her children and grandchildren. When the subject of work came up, Ms. Joyce couldn’t say enough nice things about her employers and her office. She kept bragging on the kindness of her boss and the flexibility they offer. The owners go out of their way to treat their employees with great love, respect and honor. Is there any wonder that the company is doing well in spite of the economy! We have workers in our ministry who have been with us fifteen, twenty years because they feel the love and care we provide for them and their families.

A very important part of life is to have balance. I know many friends who are workaholics. All their conversations and social life revolves around work. This is not healthy. People at work are too stressed out today. If you make God your Provider, you’ll be less stressed and more productive. Don’t be a lion at work and come home to give the leftover (time, effort and energy) to your family. Don’t miss out on the best part of life. Once a week, keep a day reserved for your family. Don’t take business calls, emails or do other work activity. When your family sees you value your family, spend time with them and keep healthy boundaries then they will love, respect and honor you more.

“If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need” (Ephesians 4:28 NLT).

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Book Sandy Anderson as Speaker: Call 972 800 4346, Email: buildinternational@sbcglobal.net 

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Stay Hungry

Much of life’s success is our desire to get what we want and be what we want to be. While we should not be driven by fame, prosperity and vain glory, we should always have a passion for life. When we lose our purpose, we begin to die.

Many people today are going through the motion. Like a robot they get up, get dressed and rush to their work place. They live for the weekends and life’s never exciting for them. They eat the bread of complacency and idleness in their spare time. They’re breathing but there’s no life, purpose, excitement or zeal in them.

Yesterday, I was in Target with my daughter Cassandra. We came across an associate who was working very diligently. She had a big smile on her face and every time we passed by her, she radiated positive energy. When we went to the checkout counter the same young lady was there. Again, she was very friendly, energetic and had a smile on her face. My daughter noted immediately and said, “Wow! She’s friendly and excited about her work!” I said, “Yes, she’s going to go places in life.”

When we’re at our job or business, we must have the same enthusiasm and zeal for our work. This is where many Christians are failing. We’re great in church but we act like we’re serving the devil on Monday through Friday. This attitude affects our performance. It devalues what we’re capable of doing in the marketplace. On the contrary, when we’re hungry and passionate about doing our best in the marketplace we draw in God’s favor and continue to rise to the top. The higher we go the more influence we’ll have. The more influence we have the better witness we can be for our Lord at our work. Being a passionate worshiper in Church is great but when we’re on top of our game at work, we’re being a witness for our Lord among the non-believers. Let’s get hungry and up our game to please the Lord at our workplace.

Daniel in the Bible was in a foreign land. He worked among the heathen people. Daniel and his friends had excellent work ethic. This brought great favor to Daniel. As a result “God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief” (Daniel 1:9). Daniel had a gift of interpreting dreams just like you have a gift from God. When the decree went out to kill all the wise men of the country, Daniel interpreted the king’s dream. “Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon” (Daniel 2:48). In modern times, you can say, “all the employees were threatened to be sacked from their job. But when they saw Daniel’s excellence and performance at work, he was spared and promoted to be the manager of the whole department!”  Friend, you’ll not be at your current position forever. Blossom where you’re planted and your promotion will come sooner than you think. You’re the light of the world in the marketplace. Shine don’t whine!

I heard about a world famous cellist in his eighties. He practiced five-six hours every day. When a reporter asked him why he still practiced every day, the famous artist said, “I think I’m getting better at it!” What would happen if we as Christian would rise up and perform better every day? I believe just like king Nebuchadnezzar, we’ll have company presidents running to us offering us promotion, more control and influence at our work place. Let us remember, we don’t work unto people, we work unto our Lord. Our job is our ministry! Let’s become the best representation of God in the marketplace. You’re not only there for a paycheck you’re preaching a sermon with your life. What people see in you is what people believe about your God.

Let me proclaim a blessing over you today. “You’re smart. You’re intelligent. You’re creative. You’re disciplined. You are surrounded by favor. You are in the right place at the right time. You are the solution and not the problem. You have keen insight and nifty inventions. You save your company from waste and you add to the company’s bottom line profit. You provide a vital service; you cannot be replaced but only be promoted to a higher position.” Stay hungry. Promotion comes from the Lord.

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' (Acts 20:35 NIV)

Click Here to Spread the Message of Hope: www.buildinternational.org

Book Sandy Anderson as Speaker: Call 972 800 4346, Email: buildinternational@sbcglobal.net 

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