Where is God in all aspects of your life? Is God in all your work? There is no such thing as "just business." We are to be Christians and act like Christians (act like Jesus) all the time.
"23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,"
Colossians 3:23
"27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” John 6:27
We are working for God. All aspects of our life are to be lived for him.
Is there any place in your life you don't want God to be? If there is, that is a problem.
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans." Proverbs 16:3
36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" Mark 8:36
"Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man." Proverbs 3:3-4
4 You adulterous people,[a] don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." James 4:4
Are we willing to love our friends enough to tell them about Jesus even when it feels awkward? Even if that means they distance themselves from us?
"Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" 1 Corinthians 15:33
As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
"3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:" Philippians 2:3-5
46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:46-47
"24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25
People need to know you love them. Spur each other one -- push each other to love, love, love and tell people about Jesus.
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." Exodus 20:12
"20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen." 1 John 4:20
"Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6
Influence over yourself: (called self-control)
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever-- 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you." John 14:15-17
3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3
His Spirit is our advocate. He will help us live for Jesus; to become like Jesus; to become the people we were created to be.
What are the influences in your life?
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Colossians 3:1-2
"5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5
You can learn. You can grow. Both are choices you can make. Make them. One person can change everything!!