March 29th – Believe It or Not?

Taking It to Work:

Do we need faith at work? Believe it or not, yes. Unfortunately though, for the most part, we can get away without it. I think that is one of the reasons why, for many, that work and faith are not naturally integrated. Our work world on Monday can seem a million miles away from the scriptures we heard about on Sunday. It has been put on my heart, and many of you listening or reading the devotional today, that God is calling us past that divide. Specifically today, in the area of belief.

Why belief, and how does that fit into work? Look at it this way, our work is integral to all our lives. It consumes most of our best hours, it puts food on the table, sends the next generation to school, it repairs our cars, puts a roof over our head, and it is our chief means of being able to give to others. Many of our lifelong relationships will stem from the workplace, as most of the real accomplishments, outside of family, will occur at work.

So, don’t you think, with work playing such a huge role in our life, wouldn’t God want to be an integral part of that huge and instrumental part of our life? And on the flip side, wouldn’t you want God’s intervention, blessing and favor on your career, knowing that so much flows from it?

This is where faith-work integration enters in. We have a Lord that promises that “anything is possible for those who believe.” What better, more powerful, place to apply that than in the workplace.

Believing God for the wisdom to solve that problem, or for the ability to handle that bad situation. Believing that He will give you strength to see you through that layoff. Believing He is by your side as you interview or head into your review. Believing He knows better what path to take, and praying for that wisdom or patience that you need so badly. Believing He cares about your work in the first place, and he is as present there, as He is in church.

Ripley challenged the world a hundred years ago to, “Believe it or Not,” centering around the amazing things people were able to do. Two thousand years ago Jesus Himself challenged us to believe in what He could do, through us having a deep and real faith in Him, even at work, as His Word works in your career, today.

Mark 11:24- Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Mark 9:23 – And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”

Matt 13:58 – And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

Proverbs 3:5-8- Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

Listening to the Holy Spirit:

Faith is required of each from the beginning, for this is the way I have chosen. As blood is the means of forgiveness, so faith is the means of Godly power. He who has little faith will see little, but those who believe deeply shall find My power inexhaustible.

Believe not of the power itself, as not in the written word itself, but in the Son, the Word incarnate, in whom the Father has sent in power, and with all authority, to bring His will upon the created. In My Name, in the heavens and in the all the earth, in the power given by the Father, given motion by true faith, all things are and will be.

Seek faith in Me. Seek faith in the God you claim infinite. Seek faith in the power promised to those who believe. Nothing is impossible for he who believes, but even the common is difficult for those who believe not. Who am I that you doubt? Am I not He who was raised? Who speaks to torrents and hidden hearts? Who multiplies the shortfall to more than enough? Then believe, and you shall see the hand of God and live. Not as the perishing live, but as those who put faith beyond doubt, and believe in Who I Am.