Hope and Inspiration

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Comment by Kelly P on November 7, 2009 at 8:45am

Integrity Moments
Workplace Wisdom by Rick Boxx

Blogger's Booty
By Rick Boxx
November 3, 2009

Blogs have become a source of guidance in buying products. Many bloggers share their product recommendations with readers.

But what if their recommendations are biased? Some bloggers receive free products and pay from companies hoping for a favorable plug. However, readers may not know of this potential conflict of interest.

With 25 million bloggers now on the web the Federal Trade Commission wants more transparency. New guidelines require bloggers to disclose any pay or free products they receive.

The Apostle Paul reminded us in 1 Corinthians 4:5, "The Lord will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God."

The right thing to do is to disclose anything that may impact our motives.

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You can now be inspired and encouraged daily with 90 days of Rick Boxx's "Integrity Moments" devotionals. Biblical wisdom and insights for the workplace are illustrated with daily stories, a biblical principle, and a prayer for the day. Click here to order your copy now!
For more biblical teaching and resources from Rick Boxx and the Integrity Resource Center please visit integrityresource.org.

Comment by Kelly P on November 7, 2009 at 8:31am

Today God Is First
Daily Workplace Inspiration by Os Hillman

God Is Not About YOUR Success
By Os Hillman

November 2


"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:24-26).

God is all about your death so that HIS success can be realized through you! This is why the Church is having such little impact - there are too many believers who have not yet died to their old nature so that Christ can live fully through them. When believers come to the end of themselves they will lose their lives to Him and live through the power of the Holy Spirit and begin to see the reality of a living gospel that impacts lives, workplaces, cities and nations.

"Much of modern Christian enterprise is 'Ishmael.' Born not of God, but of an inordinate desire to do God's will in our own way - the one thing our Lord never did," said Oswald Chambers. The psalmist describes what it means to live in our own strength:

"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves" (Ps 127:1-2).

How does one die so that Christ can be our all and all? It usually takes a crisis of significant proportions for most people to relinquish the control of their lives. It means we come to the end of ourselves and our striving to control the events in our lives and we finally come to the place where we can say, "Lord, I surrender. Please take full control of my life."

Have you come to this place with God in your life? Let go and let God make you a success His way.

Contact Os Hillman at www.marketplaceleaders.org.

Comment by Kelly P on November 7, 2009 at 8:27am

A Woman's Walk by Margaret D. Mitchell

Week of November 1
Awakening

"Wake up, Deborah, wake up! Wake up, wake up, and sing a song! Arise, Barak! Lead your captives away, son of Abinoam!" ~ Judges 5:12

God suddenly alerted Deborah to speak a battle command to Barak, Israel's military leader, that would free their nation from 20 years of captivity and oppression.

Like Israel, how long and how often have we found ourselves held captive by ruthless consequences of sin? Perhaps by our own volition or that of others. Perhaps even by generational iniquity. Did it not it feel like an eternity? And did we not cry out for God to rescue us, just like the Israelites?

Indeed, God hears our cries. And in His time, His gavel falls. And when it does, it is swift. Because He loves us, He not only puts an end to our suffering by driving a tent peg through the enemy's head, He revives us (Judges 4:21). And we begin anew.

An awakening is a revival or renewal of something. It is the beginning of a new beginning, a spring season in bud. In Deborah and Barak's case, it was the beginning of a renewed freedom for Israel, a complete turnaround.

Awakenings are a call to action that give us a sudden, glorious opportunity to remove the grave clothes, shake off the dust and get it right. They are rooted in God's infinite mercy and His heart of love for us.

Consider Peter. Acts 12:7 tells us, "Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel tapped him on the side to awaken him and said, 'Quick! Get up!' And the chains fell off his wrists."

As in Peter's case, divine awakenings offer us miraculous opportunity for escape, and they reposition us to fulfill God's plan. Awakenings awe us and burst open doors of opportunity for us to receive God's abundance of life. In divine awakenings, we are quickly relieved of burdens. We are reminded that God's yoke is light (Matt. 11:30).

Divine awakenings send our hearts singing out of gratitude and joy.

Just last week, while sitting in my office, I noticed a bird singing right outside my window. I don't often hear birds singing this time of year, and when I heard it's lovely chirp, I immediately sensed a spring season in my spirit.

This occurred a few more times during successive days, which prompted me to pray about what God was telling me. He responded by showing me the word, "Awakening." As I continue to seek His heart, I believe the Lord will reveal what type of awakening He has at hand.

Are you in need of God's awesome awakening, His miraculous and "sudden" turnaround? Spend time in His presence seeking His heart, worshipping Him, and ask Him for one. God can reverse your circumstances in an instant and can reset you on a path of freedom to complete your divine destiny. He can awe you!

Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ. Check out the God's Love at Work 2009 Women's Conference & Expo [http://www.godsloveatwork.com/2009womensexpo] in the Atlanta area on Saturday, November 7.

Comment by Kelly P on November 7, 2009 at 8:15am

Home Word Where Parents Get Real Answers
with Jim Burns

Build It Right
This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt

The foundation that has already been laid is Jesus Christ, and no one can lay down any other foundation. But if people build on that foundation, using gold, silver, jewels, wood, grass, or straw, their work will be clearly seen, because the Day of Judgment will make it visible. That Day will appear with fire, and the fire will test everyone's work to show what sort of work it was. --1 Corinthians 3:11-14 (NCV)

A parable has been told of a carpenter, who on the verge of retirement, was coaxed into building one last home by a wealthy client. The carpenter was pressed by his own thoughts to put his working days behind him, so he made decisions to cut corners on the project. He used inferior materials and his workmanship was suspect, at best. Clearly his heart was not in the work. Eventually, the carpenter finished the home. It looked good from the outside, yet the carpenter felt guilty, as he knew the quality of the home was not up to his old standards.

On the day that the wealthy client was to take possession of the home, the carpenter received word from the client, saying, "I'm aware of your reputation as a builder. I know how hard you've worked for your clients throughout your career. So, I wanted to reward you at your retirement. I'm giving you the house you've just built." The carpenter was shocked! If he had only known beforehand that this was to be his home, he would have built it with the finest materials and workmanship. But, now it was too late.

This parable reminds me that we all build our lives, much like a carpenter builds a house. Our home-building materials are "what" we build our lives with and include characteristics such as faith, love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and kindness (or their opposites). And our workmanship looks at the "how" we build our lives. Are we living purposefully, pursuing excellence, working with all our hearts, in the name of Jesus and for His glory? Or, has shoddy workmanship been the story of our lives? My own confession: Too often I forget that I'm building my own house. How about you?

One day, the house-building project that is our life, will be completed. And, each of us will stand before the Lord and give an account for our workmanship. Don't be like the carpenter in the parable. Be prepared. Build intentionally. Build it right. Our motivation ought to be to hear the Savior say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

GOING DEEPER:

What does the parable remind you of about your own life?
Is your life in need of some re-modeling? What needs to be fixed?
FURTHER READING:?1 Corinthians 3:10-15; Matthew 25:14-30; Colossians 3:17; Romans 14:12

Comment by Kelly P on November 7, 2009 at 8:11am

John North,
Ambassadors For Christ International

Time With God

Genesis 2:18

Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."

Build friendships that will help you live a godly life!

We were made for relationships. We need one another. It is a terrible mistake to try and face temptation and grow spiritually without the support, encouragement and accountability of spiritually-minded people around us. As AW Tozer put it, "God knows nothing of solitary Christianity". Or as our passage says, "It is not good for the man to be alone".

We need to be building meaningful relationships in two directions. On the one hand, we need to be spending time with people who do not have God in their lives so we can be walking with them towards Christ. But our spiritual lives will always be in danger of falling into temptation if we're not also building spiritual relationships with people who love the Lord.

If you want to stand firm in your spiritual life, beware of lonely moments. Loneliness leaves you open to temptation. Rather, work hard at your spiritual relationships. Talk to your Christian friends about taking your relationship to the next level.

Pray together and hold one another accountable for your responses to temptation and for your responses to God's purposes in your life. Discuss what God is teaching you. Listen and learn. You won't be sorry!

Comment by Kelly P on November 7, 2009 at 8:08am

Nora, thank you so much for your prayer for me. It looks like money is starting to come in for the insurance work I have put so much time and effort into.

I love you girl and thank you so much. I have lots of Daily Devotions to catch up on sharing. They are truly blessings to read.

Comment by Kelly P on November 7, 2009 at 8:06am

Nora, wonderful news. Thank you for jumping in here to let us know how the surgery went and that your Dad is going home tomorrow. Yessss!

God is so good and I am so glad that your family not only knows The Lord, but also knows we are lifting you all up to our glorious God.

I am so glad that part is past and you can now focus on the future.

Thank you Lord for you are God. I praise your Holy Name on high.

Comment by Leonora on November 7, 2009 at 6:01am

Kelly, thank you so much for all your prayers and support;
I love you girl!!

God is opening the doors for you right now! I see prosperity all
around you and your life.. It's developing right as I type!

I speak increase over your finances, your health and everything
you set out to do! The windows of heaven is pouring out so much
in these areas that you will have more than enough!!

It is happening right now, in the Mighty Name of Jesus!!

Open up your arms kelly, and see how full your joys will be.

In Jesus Name, Amen!

Comment by Leonora on November 7, 2009 at 5:55am

Update!

I would like for you to know,
Dad is doing well, the operation was a success!

They removed his private parts and said that they got it all,
and stated that they will not have to do any further
surgery at this time, which is wonderful to hear..

They also stated that there was no signs of cancer in his Kidney
or bladder.. I am so over joyed!! Yeaaaaaaa :)

God does answer prayers!!!!!!!

He will be coming home tomorrow as Emory Hospital has a 24 hour
surgery center and outpatient care.. So tomorrow dad will be coming
Home!!! Yes!!

I am so tired, I think I may be able to finally get some real sleep. :)

I am so thankful to you guys for all the support and prayers!

My Father and Mother said, they are so happy to know that I have
support from such wonderful people, I told them all about each of
you!

You guys are the best!

Much love always,

Nora

Comment by Kelly P on November 5, 2009 at 7:01am

Nora, I have been scarce here, because I am busy and hopeful that God will bless the work I am doing with prosperity. But . . . I have been lifting your dad and your entire family up to God and yes, He is so good.

It is exciting to hear that the doctors have put it off 'til Friday! That is encouraging to hear.

Know that you are being kept lifted up to the Father. I love you so much.

I am rejoicing, yes I am rejoicing and now encouraged to hear this news.

Kelly

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