Does God do miracles in business?

Is He concerned about the mountains we face in our work life?

Does He want us to bring the everyday problems we face in the workplace to His attention?

The answer to every one of these questions is yes. God wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives.

Gunnar Olson, the Swedish founder of the International Christian Chamber of Commerce, tells a story about God performing a miracle in his own business a few years ago. He owns a plastics company in Sweden. They make huge plastic bags that are used to cover bales of hay in the farmlands across Europe. It was the harvest season and they were getting ready to ship thousands of pallets of these bags to their customers.

More than 1,000 pallets were ready to ship when an alarming discovery was made. Every bag on the warehouse floor had sealed shut from top to bottom. Scientists declared the entire stock as worthless trash. Nothing could be done. The company would go out of business.

Gunnar, his wife, and children sought the Lord in prayer about this catastrophe. The Holy Spirit spoke through various family members. The wife said, “If God can turn water into wine, what are plastics?” The daughter said, “I don’t believe this is from the Lord. We should stand against it.”

Gunnar sensed they were to trust God for a miracle in this situation. They began to pray. They took authority over this mountain of a problem based on Matthew 17, which gave them the authority to cast a mountain into the sea if faith only the size of a mustard seed could be exercised.

The following Monday they went to the warehouse and laid hands on every pallet asking the Lord to restore the bags to their original condition. It took several hours.

Later, the employees began to inspect the bags. As they inspected the bags, they discovered that every single bag had been restored to its original condition! An incredible miracle had taken place.

What obstacles have been placed in your life that need a miracle today?

Could God be setting the stage in your life for you to trust Him at new levels you’ve never trusted before?

God sets the stage to allow His power to be revealed for those willing to exercise the faith of a mustard seed.

All things are possible with God.

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While they were waiting for their food, they noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to table visiting with the guests.

The professor leaned over and whispered to his wife: “I hope he doesn’t come over here.” But sure enough, the man did come over to their table. “Where are you folks from?” he asked in a friendly voice. “Oklahoma,” they answered. “Great to have you here in Tennessee,” the stranger said. “What do you do for a living?” “I teach at a seminary,” he replied. “Oh, you teach preachers how to preach? Well, I’ve got a really great story for you.”

And with that, the gentleman pulled up a chair and sat down at the table with the couple. “See that mountain over there?” (pointing out the restaurant window). Not far from the base of that mountain, there was a boy born to an unwed mother.

He had a hard time growing up, because every place he went, he was always asked the same question: ‘Hey boy, Who’s your daddy?’ Whether he was at school, in the grocery store or drug store, people would ask the same question, “Who’s your daddy?”

He would hide at recess and lunchtime from other students. He would avoid going into stores because that question hurt him so bad. When he was about 12 years old, a new preacher came to his church. He would always go in late and slip out early to avoid hearing the question, “Who’s your daddy?”

But one day, the new preacher said the benediction so fast he got caught and had to walk out with the crowd. Just about the time he got to the back door, the new preacher not knowing anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him, “Son, who’s your daddy?”

The whole church got deathly quiet. He could feel every eye in the church looking at him. By now, everyone knew the answer to the question, ‘Who’s your daddy?’

This new preacher, though, sensed the situation around him and using discernment that only the Holy Spirit could give, said the following to that scared little boy… ‘

Wait a minute!’ he said, ‘I know who you are. I see the family resemblance now. You are a child of God.’ With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said: ‘Boy, you’ve got a great inheritance. Go and claim it.’ With that, the boy smiled for the first time in a long time and walked out the door a changed person. He was never the same again.

Whenever anybody asked him, ‘Who’s your Daddy?’ he’d just tell them, ‘I’m a Child of God.’ The distinguished gentleman got up from the table and said, “Isn’t that a great story?”

The professor responded that it really was a great story! As the man turned to leave, he said, “You know, if that new preacher hadn’t told me that I was one of God’s children, I probably never would have amounted to anything!”

And he walked away. The seminary professor and his wife were stunned. He called the waitress over and asked her, “Do you know who that man was who just left who was sitting at our table?” The waitress grinned and said, “Of course. Everybody here knows him.

That’s Ben Hooper. He’s the former governor of Tennessee!”

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“But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory making us conquerors through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:57).

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria

God desires that you live in victory in every area of your life. The scripture says He always causes us to triumph through Christ Jesus! No matter what you may be facing today, God wants to make you more than a conqueror. Are you battling sickness? God wants to give you healing. Are you struggling with a broken relationship? God wants to give you restoration and peace. Are you facing a need—physically, spiritually, or emotionally? God wants to give you provision and supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. Notice this verse starts out by saying, “Thanks be to God…”

Many times in the Bible when God’s people were going into battle, the worshipers were out in front of the warriors. When you choose to be thankful and bless the Lord in the midst of your battle, you are making a way for Him to move in your life. Start today by thanking Him for His goodness and the promise to give you the victory. Magnify your God, don’t magnify your problems! As you do, you’ll see Him move on your behalf, and He’ll lead you into victory in every area of your life!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, today I give You thanks for Your mercy and faithfulness in my life. Thank You for leading me in to victory! I magnify You and bless Your holy Name today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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What makes marriage so special and precious is the fact that it is ever-humbling. What makes it ever-humbling is the fact that another person, another human being, another mortal, with life as fleeting as our own, with such a short time to stay in this world, chose to spend and commit the rest of his or her life with us.

And once we have truly grasped the shortness of life, the preciousness of mortality and the beauty of moments that pass with the whispers of every breath, time becomes golden in our eyes. And what makes this even more of a treasure is the fact that this time is spent with us.

These golden times and moments become as diamonds. And as the ancients used to say, where your treasure is, there your heart is also.

Who am I to deserve a gift as gentle as the twinkle of a star?

Who am I to receive a treasure as priceless as the song of a silent waterfall?

How could I hope to believe that I deserve an ounce of another’s fragile heart.

Here I am, trying to stay deserving, yet ever-failing, holding on to the hope that she cares enough to give me that angel-kiss.

Here I am, struggling to stay moldable in the Potter’s hands.

Here I am, here I am, waiting, hoping, believing.

A Woman’s Question
-Lena Lethropdo

You know you have asked for the costliest thingever made by the Hand above?

A woman’s heart, and a woman’s life-and a woman’s wonderful love.

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thingas a child might ask for a toy?

Demanding what others have died to win,with the reckless dash of a boy.

You have written my lesson of duty out, manlike, you have questioned me.now stand at the bars of my woman’s souluntil i shall question thee. You require your mutton shall always be hot, your socks and your shirt be whole; I require your heart be true as God’s starsand as pure as His heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef, I require a far greater thing; a seamstress you’re wanting for socks and shirts-I look for a man and a king. A king for the beautiful realm called Home, and a man that his Maker, God, shall look upon as He did on the firstand say: “It is very good. “I am fair and young, but the rose may fadefrom this soft young cheek one day; will you love me then ‘mid the falling leaves, as you did ‘mong the blossoms of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and true, I may launch my all on its tide? A loving woman finds heaven or hellon the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and true, all things that a man should be; if you give this all, I would stake my life to be all you demand of me. If you cannot be this, a laundress and a cook you can hire and little to pay; but a woman’s heart and a woman’s lifeare not to be won that way.

Ladies, keep your standards high. Require all things that are grand and true. Don’t lower your standards for a moment; any guy who asks you to do so is not worth your time.

Men, have we grasped the costliness, the pricelessness, of a woman’s love? It is no small thing, no game, to invite a woman to accompany us through life. May we earn the right to make such a request by striving to be men of integrity- men whose hearts are strong and true. Then, and only then, should we stand at the bars of a woman’s soul and ask to gain entrance.

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He changes times and seasons.” -Daniel 2:21

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria

God is always looking to take us to higher levels. He wants us to grow and increase in every area of life. Change is often a catalyst for growth in our lives. It keeps us from getting stuck in a rut. God will supernaturally open and close doors to keep us on the path toward our destiny. He will “stir us” out of comfortable situations and stretch us because He loves us too much to allow us to live in mediocrity. Just like a mother eagle will stir her young, God will stir His children. Do you know how an eaglet learns to fly?

That eagle will take her eaglet to the very highest point—way out of its comfort zone—and then she releases it. As the eaglet falls, the mother swoops down and picks it back up again. She does this over and over until the eaglet spreads its wings and soars through the air. That’s what God wants for you today. He wants you to soar in life! You might feel like that eaglet learning to fly, but know that God is right there with you! He’ll never leave you. Embrace God’s change today, knowing that He is using it to take you up higher so that you can live in victory all the days of your life!

A Prayer for Today

Dear God, today I open my heart and mind to receive all that You have for me. I trust that You are with me directing my every step. I embrace Your seasons of change and thank You for helping me grow and increase in every area. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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The Great Depression was at its height and Grandpa had six children. He had spent $20 for those glasses that very morning. He was really upset by the thought of having to buy another pair. “It’s not fair,” he told God as he drove home in frustration. “I’ve been very faithful in giving of my time and money to your work, and now this.”

Months later, the director of the orphanage was on furlough in the United States. He wanted to visit all the churches that supported him in China, so he came to speak one Sunday at my grandfather’s small church in Chicago.

The missionary began by thanking the people for their faithfulness in supporting the orphanage. “But most of all,” he said, “I must thank you for the glasses you sent last year. You see, the Communists had just swept through the orphanage, destroying everything, including my glasses. I was desperate. Even if I had the money, there was simply no way of replacing those glasses. Along with not being able to see well, I experienced headaches every day, so my coworkers and I were much in prayer about this. Then your crates arrived.

When my staff removed the covers, they found a pair of glasses wedged between two blankets. The missionary paused long enough to let his words sink in. Then, still gripped with the wonder of it all, he continued: “Folks, when I tried on the glasses, it was as though they had been custom made just for me! I want to thank you for being a part of that.”

The people listened, happy for the miraculous glasses. But the missionary surely must have confused their church with another, they thought. There were no glasses on their list of items to be sent overseas. But sitting quietly in the back, with tears streaming down his face, an ordinary carpenter realized the Master Carpenter had used him in an extraordinary way.

There are times we want to blame God instead of thanking him! Perhaps it is something we ought to try more often, “Thank you, God, for not allowing my car to start this morning.” He may have been saving your life from a car accident. “Lord Jesus, thank you for letting me lose my glasses; I’m sure they’ll be put to good use or there is a lesson to be learned.”

I have to remember this in these times of trial with my own family.

May GOD bless your week. Look for the perfect mistakes. God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. – Phil 4:19

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“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria

Do you need wisdom for something today? Ask God. He loves it when you call upon Him, and He longs to give generously to you. Do you need wisdom to lead your family? Do you need wisdom on your job? Do you need wisdom for a decision you have to make in life? Ask God! The next verse goes on to say that when you ask, you must ask in faith without wavering. That means you have to be absolutely determined to get your answer from Him. You can’t just ask and then decide to do things your own way, or doubt that He will give you the answer. That’s being double-minded.

When you’re double-minded, the Bible says you won’t be able to receive anything from the Lord. Don’t let that be you! Have a one-track mind that’s focused on God and His promises. Believe that He is going to generously bless you with His wisdom. As you keep an attitude of faith and expectancy, He’ll cause you to rise higher and higher, and you’ll live the abundant life He has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, thank You for being a good and generous God. Thank You for pouring out Your abundant blessing in my life. Keep my heart and mind focused on You always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea’ and it will obey you” (Luke 17:6).

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria

A mustard seed is a very small thing. But when it’s planted, it grows into a huge tree. In the same way, Jesus is saying that a little bit of faith can bring tremendous results! As a believer in Him, you already have enough faith on the inside of you to overcome any obstacle. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead actually dwells in you! It doesn’t matter if you grew up in church or not; it doesn’t matter what you know or don’t know; God wants to work in your life today. And you may not see how, but all you have to do is believe God. With God, all things are possible.

Do you have mustard seed faith today? The Bible says that faith without works is dead. When you have faith, your words and actions reflect it. Take a step of faith today and declare your trust in Him. Even if you don’t see how, declare that God is working behind the scenes in your life. As you act on your mustard seed faith, you’ll see it grow stronger and stronger, and you will live in victory all the days of your life!

A Prayer for Today

Father God, today I confess my trust and reliance on You. Thank You for depositing seeds of faith in my heart so that I can live in total victory. I believe that with You all things are possible! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

I encountered people whose lives amazed me, ennobled me, made me laugh and weep. But none touched me more than a woman I picked up late one August night. I was responding to a call from a small brick four-plex in a quiet part of town.

I assumed I was being sent to pick up some partyers, or someone who had just had a fight with a lover, or a worker heading to an early shift at some factory for the industrial part of town.

When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under such circumstances, many drivers just honk once or twice, wait a minute, then drive away. But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself. So I walked to the door and knocked.”

Just a minute,” answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters.

In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware. “Would you carry my bag out to the car?” she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. “It’s nothing,” I told her. “I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated.”"Oh, you’re such a good boy,” she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, “Can you drive through downtown?” “It’s not the shortest way,” I answered quickly. “Oh, I don’t mind,” she said. “I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice.” I looked in the rearview mirror. Her eyes were glistening. “I don’t have any family left,” she continued. “The doctor says I don’t have very long.”I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. “What route would you like me to take?” I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she’d ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness,saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, “I’m tired. Let’s go now.” We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. “How much do I owe you?” she asked, reaching into her purse.”Nothing,” I said. “You have to make a living,” she answered. “There are other passengers,” I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. “You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,” she said. “Thank you.” I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn’t pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought.

For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don’t think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID,~ BUT ~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

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