TGIF, Today God Is First by Os Hillman

In business and life the opportunity to habor bitterness is great. If bitterness is allowed to take root, we will become imprisoned to it. God's grace will become ineffective in our lives. We will become spiriutally dead. We can even become physically ill! God does not live in bitterness - He lives in grace. This is the real place where God's power is revealed.

If we are truly going to remove the separation between what we think is secular and holy, then we need to expand our vision. It may mean that we make decisions based on prayer, and what we feel God is calling us to do. We need to understand we are called to bless our employees, clients, and vendors as Christians in the marketplace.

In the early 3rd and 4th century, Socrates and other Greek thinkers began to influence the church in ways that were different than the early church. This resulted in more "program" oriented Christianity that focuses on knowledge. The Hebraic model focused on relating to God from the heart. As we focus more on programs versus an intimate relationship with God, we will find ourselves distant from Hi...

If I were to ask you what is your primary purpose in life, what would you say? The most important thing that God desires from each of us today is fellowship with Him. How do we fellowship with Him? Prayer, quiet time, and worship are good ways. We'll find that as we do that everything else falls into place.

God makes us fruitful in our suffering AND our prosperity. Suffering produces character. It is the change in our character that produces deep-rooted faith, much like trees grow their roots deep in times of famine. We often won't be able to see these character changes occuring, since they are beneath the surface. But, we become "twice fruitful" because of them.

Have you ever heard someone say "I will NEVER do business with another Christian?" We must realize that we are in a war for the souls of men - a war to discredit all that a Christian stands for. Satan wants to discredit Christians by allowing them to fail others by performing work in a dissatisfactory way, or by lacking in excellence. Misunderstandings or lack of communication can further cause da...

Have you ever felt that serving God had little reward, and the ungodly seemed to be even more blessed than you? This is how the people of God felt during the time of Malachi. God heard them, and responded through the prophet Malachi on this matter. Visit us at http://www. MarketplaceLeaders.org

Few people of greatness have been without the influence of a mentor. A mentor is someone who takes responsibility for the spiritual and sometimes physical care of another. It requires a commitment from the teacher and the student. Visit us online at http://www. MarketplceLeaders.org

The prophet Haggai wrote about a people who had lost concern for the need to build God's house because they were so focused on their own worldly needs. It is a dangerous place to get with God. When we fail to make what is important to God important in our lives this should be a warning to us. When we begin to "blend in" with our culture, we begin losing God's perspective on life. At some point we...

A donkey was an animal of commerce in Jesus' day. It was used to carry goods from place to place, and was known as "the beast of burden." The donkey was an important part of Jesus' triumphant journey into Jerusalem. Jesus used a vehicle of commerce to bring him into His most important public display. The donkey was surely owned by a local trade person. Will you allow God to use your "donkey" for H...

When David learned that his persecutor Saul had been killed by the Amalekites, he displayed an unusual reaction - he mourned! When we begin to see people as God does, we'll be able to no longer see them as enemies, but as souls in need of grace. Visit us at http://www. MarketplaceLeaders.org

If you were to drop a glass of water into the ocean, it would be so small in comparison to the large body of water. This is much like the extent our lives compared to eternity. Do you have an eternal perspective of significance? Or are you only focused on the here and now? Visit us at http://www. MarketplaceLeaders.org

In the third Chapter of Joel, the prophet talks about a time when we will have a great harvest. The tools described in this passage have to do with the catalyst - our work. Ask God to show you how He can use your work as a weapon of righteousness and love to bring forth a harvest in these last days. Visit us at http://www. MarketplaceLeaders.org

When was the last time you saw supernatural circumstances in your life that could only be explained as God? If it's been a long time since you've seen God's hand, you may not be trusting to a level that requires faith. God wants to show Himself in supernatural ways. Allow God to move supernaturally in your life today. Visit us at http://www. MarketplaceLeaders.org

A stronghold is a fortress of thoughts that controls and influences our attitudes. It colors how we view situations, circumstances, or people. In order to walk free of spiritual strongholds, we need to repent, and ask God's forgiveness. When we discover the influence of strongholds in our lives, we are freed to love God to an even greater extent. Check us out at http://www. MarketplaceLeaders.org

God is raising up Josephs throughout the world. A true Joseph is a provider both spiritual and materially. He or she understands that they are managers of all that God has entrusted to them. How does God prepare a modern-day Joseph? Often brokenness and humble circumstances is a prerequisite for becoming a Joseph today, so that He can entrust them with greatness. Check us out at http://www. Market...

When unexpected calamities happen, we often panic until we can see that God is behind these events. How long do we want to keep our eyes on the circumstances instead of Jesus? We cannot look at the circumstance and Jesus at the same time. Choose which you will look at: The circumstances or Jesus. Visit us at www. MarketplaceLeaders.org

Do you know how to gain a greater revelation of Jesus? It's all tied to obedience. Why can't I see God's presence in my life or hear Him? Seek God Himself, versus just godly activity. This way, we will live lives empowered by His presence. Visit us at http://www. MarketplaceLeaders.org.

Have you ever wanted to go your own way instead of God's way? God called Jonah to deliver a message. Jonah refused. It was Jonah's will versus God's. Do you know who won? God blesses our willing obedience. Visit us at http://www. MarketplaceLeaders.org

Spiritual death is a requirement of truly becoming alive in Christ. We cannot experience the fullness of life in God and be free to serve Him completely until this death takes place. "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." Has our spiritual seed been able to die? Visit Marketplace Leaders a...

Do you retreat in times of crisis? Do you allow self-pity and discouragement to consume you? Sow-in tears, and be a blessing, even in times of crisis. A harvest will return to you. Visit Marketplace Leaders at http://www. MarketplaceLeaders.org.

Sign up for the audio version of TGIF Today God Is First, a FREE daily devotional email which combines Bible teaching with practical insights for your work and life. TGIF is also available in book format - visit http://www.faithandworkresources.com to learn more. TGIF currently has over 180,000 email subscribers worldwide. Subscribe by email at http://www.todaygodisfirst.com.

Sign up for the audio version of TGIF Today God Is First, a FREE daily devotional email which combines Bible teaching with practical insights for your work and life. TGIF is also available in book format - visit http://www.faithandworkresources.com to learn more. TGIF currently has over 180,000 email subscribers worldwide. Subscribe by email at http://www.todaygodisfirst.com.

Sign up for the audio version of TGIF Today God Is First, a FREE daily devotional email which combines Bible teaching with practical insights for your work and life. TGIF is also available in book format - visit http://www.faithandworkresources.com to learn more. TGIF currently has over 180,000 email subscribers worldwide. Subscribe by email at http://www.todaygodisfirst.com.

Sign up for the audio version of TGIF Today God Is First, a FREE daily devotional email which combines Bible teaching with practical insights for your work and life. TGIF is also available in book format - visit http://www.faithandworkresources.com to learn more. TGIF currently has over 180,000 email subscribers worldwide. Subscribe by email at http://www.todaygodisfirst.com.