TAKING ACTION

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You can have all the biblical knowledge in the world but if you don’t put it into action, it means very little. Tom Cruise’s character Maverick, in the original Top Gun movie was an amazing pilot. He was smart, skillful, and confident. In one scene, he was pushed to his mental limit and was not responding well when another character yelled at him these famous words "Engage Maverick! Engage!" This quote is one we all need to tell ourselves on occasion. 

 

It is easy for us to get settled in our routines and comfort zones. But, there are times when God wants us out of those comfort zones and taking action. When you feel that nudge from God leading you to do something, don’t hesitate, just engage!

 

James 1:22

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves 

 

James 4:17

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin

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GOD's GLORY

Last month’s tip focused on spiritual training; specifically on spending consistent time in prayer and reading the Bible. Let’s take that a step further this month by focusing on two additional practices. 

 

1. God gets the glory- As a workplace believer in Jesus, our vocation is not a pedestal; it’s a platform. God has given us the ability to glorify Him. When we see the workplace as an opportunity to impact others, God will be glorified, and lives will be transformed! 

 

2. God leads us- He will lead us through Scripture, prayer, discipleship (sharing God’s love and message with others), and any circumstance that we encounter.  
 

In summary, this month, focus on two things. Give God the glory by directing your adoration, thanksgiving, and worship to Him. The second is to stretch your faith; let God lead you and give Him control even when you are afraid to.

 

Next month’s tip, the third part of this series, will be focusing on how to put into action, what we have learned the past two months.

 

 

1 Corinthians 10:31

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 

 

Isaiah 48:17

Thus says the  Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. 

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SPRING TRAINING

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Whatever vocation we find yourselves in, we likely had to undergo some type of trade school, college or even on the job training to do our job effectively. This training is important because it teaches us what to do and how to do it. Those that are the best at what they do, never stop training. They are in a constant process of learning, applying and repeating.

 

If we want to be effective and impactful workplace believers, we also need to train spiritually. When we are consistent with our spiritual training, we are equipping ourselves to extend that knowledge to others. It also gives us the strength and motivation to face any situation that may come our way. 

 

Our ask for you this month is to do two things in order to further your spiritual training. Consistently spend genuine heartfelt time in prayer and in reading your Bible. Then all you have to do is; Learn - Apply - Repeat

 

1 Timothy 4:8

For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work 

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OBEDIENCE

We all experience a variety of ups and downs in our work life. Sometimes we are in the valleys where we feel far away and separated from God. These are times when things don’t seem to be going our way such as problems with our supervisor, employees, vendors and more. Other times we are on the peaks. These are times when things are good, sales numbers are great, employee morale is high, everything seems to be going our way. 

 

The danger for us as workplace believers is to consider these ups and downs in our day or week as evidence of our closeness or distance from God’s will.  This is simply not the case. The plumb line for determining success can be only one thing: obedience.   

 

As workplace Christians, we can make a difference in the world through our work; God has placed us there for a reason. Our job is to learn to be obedient to where the Holy Spirit directs us. We are able to make a difference for the kingdom by helping people, influencing situations, and so much more. 

 

Has God prompted you to do something, or to speak up, or to act, or to come alongside someone. Ask God today to help you hear the whispers and nudges of the Holy Spirit, so that you might be used mightily in your workplace.

 

Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.  

 

Jeremiah 7:23

But this command I gave them: Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you

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WORKPLACE CHALLENGES

God understands the human heart. He understands that for us to become all that He hopes for us, there are seasons of fire. Some of God’s greatest tests are found in the workplace where we live every day: the employee who betrays our trust, the client who refuses to pay, the vendor who falls short of our expectations. Each of these can be a test from God to find out how we will respond. 

 

Our task for you this month is to ask yourself two important questions; What tests are being brought my way today? Am I responding the way Christ would want me to?

 

His grace has been provided that we might pass the tests that He brings before us. Should we fail, we need not fear. His grace is sufficient for this as well. Ask God for the grace to walk with Him in whatever tests He has placed before you this day.

 

Proverbs 17:3

"The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests hearts."

 

Psalm 26:2

Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; test my heart and my mind.

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TEAMWORK GOD'S DESIGN

We’ve all heard the saying – “Teamwork makes the dream work”.  You can relate to that saying if you have ever been a part of a group of people who work cohesively as a team. It’s almost magical…things are flowing, people are helping each other, talents are on display and the results happen. Sadly, many companies are filled with people who have lost the concept of being a good teammate; instead, they look to put themselves first and behave in ways that show they are not interested in the people or the tasks of the team. The problem with this is twofold:  1) it is not a productive way to work and 2) it’s not pleasing to God because you are not serving others nor are you using the gifts/talents he’s given you to the fullest.

 

No matter what team you are on, God is looking for you to put others above yourself and to use your gifts and talents as an act of worship onto him. You’re on a team and it’s important to the success of that team that you be engaged. And be assured of this:  God has given you specific experiences, skills, and talents that He wants you to use within the teams that you are on. A great example of this, is the metaphor the apostle Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 12:14-26.

 

This month, be on the lookout for the specific gifts and talents God has given you and use them to your utmost ability to serve others and glorify Him in your workplace!

 

1 Peter 4:10-

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace, in its various forms.

 

Colossians 3:23-

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.

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THE POWER OF PRAYER

Many of us fill our calendars to maximum capacity with tasks, meetings and various work commitments. Have you ever found yourself powering through half of your work day or more, only to realize that you haven’t taken the time to talk to God yet?

 

Like physical rest, prayer is a time of renewal and strengthening. It is a time when we can truly be still and know that God is God (and that we are not). A time for giving our burdens, anxieties and fears to God – trusting in him for his provisions. A time to trade the sins which so often entangle us for his yoke, which is easy. 

 

Our task for you this month is to prioritize prayer. If you have trouble consistently spending quiet time with God, you can try this tip. Make an appointment with God in your calendar, just like you would with any other business meeting. Do this consistently and you will see the power of prayer manifest itself in your life! We can’t think of a better way for Compass members to start 2023!

 

Romans 8:26

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.  

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THE REAL REASON FOR THE SEASON

It can be easy to get caught up in all the busyness of the holiday season. So busy, that we can almost forget the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

 

This holiday season will be busy but please take a moment to pause. Spend some time thinking about the significance of Jesus' birth and what He did for us by dying on the cross.

 

We want to challenge you to share that reason in your conversations at work, at home and even at the holiday parties you may be attending this year. 

  

Isaiah 9:6- For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

 

John 1:14- And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

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TAMING THE TONGUE

Last month, the topic of our, tip of the month, was disagreements. This month we want to expand on that a little further by addressing how some of these disagreements get started.

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Have you ever said something to a boss, employee or coworker, only to realize as soon as the words came out of your mouth, you should not have said it? We have all done that at times. 

 

Controlling the tongue is a problem for many of us. Oftentimes, we create more problems with our words than with our actions. When we speak before thinking, we usually do not honor God with our speech. He would much rather we say nothing at all than speak too quickly. God’s Spirit living in us through the work of Jesus can help us think before we speak, even in the most challenging situations.

Our ask for you this month is simple. The next time you find yourself in a situation where you think you may say something that you would regret… pause for just a moment and think, will this honor God. Put this into practice in your conversations and watch and see, God will honor you for honoring Him.

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Proverbs 13:3-

The one who guards his mouth protects his life; the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.
 

Matthew 15:18-

But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 

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DISAGREEMENTS

If you have spent any amount of time in the workplace, you will find yourself in disagreement with others. It comes in many forms. Maybe you don't agree with how a coworker or vendor handles a situation. Maybe you don't even agree with what your boss wants you to do. When we encounter this, we have a choice: take the Godly path or the worldly path.

 

The way we handle disagreements reflects who or what our focus is. Our focus should be Christ.

Your challenge this month is simple. When you find yourself in a disagreement or an argument with others, remember that you represent Christ, and ask yourself how Christ would want you to respond. Be empowered to show others Him through your actions! 

 

1 John 3:18

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 

 

Ephesians 4:1-3

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

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