Resisting Sexual Temptation in the Workplace

With more interaction between men and women in the workplace, the battle to be more like Jesus and maintaining a Christ-like testimony has become harder to win. Besides the elementary disciplines of the Christian life, such as stay in the Bible, stay in prayer, and stay in Christian fellowship. There is more we can do to protect ourselves from the attacks of the enemy.
The Call
The first needful thing for us to do is realize that we as Christians are called to be Ambassadors for Christ wherever we are. Considering that most of us spend the largest part of our waking hours at work would suggest the Lord intends for us to serve Him in the marketplace.
And as an Ambassador, everything we do and say is a direct reflection on the One who has called us. Namely Jesus.
If one of the ladies from the office walks through the shop and all the guys quit working to stop and stare. How do you glorify God by doing likewise?
If the ladies in the office gather at the cooler to talk about the delivery guy who brings in the office supply, how will you further the cause of Christ by joining in?
The Enemy
Second, When you committed yourself to being a witness in the workplace, unseen enemies vowed to see you fail. If not destroyed, they will put forth their best effort to cause your failure. The only way to battle them is to resist {James 4:7} or cease being an Ambassador on earth for Christ and return to being a tourist, buying worldly trinkets that will not last.
It is hard to believe there are persons placed in our lives by the enemy to cause our downfall. For a long time my wife tried to warn me about getting too close to the women at work. Some who would love to seduce me and leave me in ruins. Of course I laughed it off, not believing that there were such people. Through years of management experience and dealing with employee relationship conflicts, I came to the conclusion that once again she was "right".
The Testimony
In Revelation 12:11, the Bible states:
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their TESTIMONY, and they loved not their lives to the death."
We know the blood of the Lamb cleanses us from past, present and future sins, and relieving the enemy of any claim to our spirit, soul or body. We also know we should not love our lives so much that we would trade our faith for it. But what many people don't know is that our testimony is one of the most powerful weapons against the enemy. He can dispute the scripture, but he can not dispute what the Lord has done for you.
We can live a good life in front of people, but without the confession of faith, we are just a "good" person. We are no different than the rest of the workforce.
To battle temptations in the workplace, I would first find ways to express my faith to others in a loving way. Anything from face-to-face discussion to simply speaking of your church or pastor during a regular conversation. T-shirts, bracelets and crosses are good, but anyone can wear them.
"For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation." Romans 10:10
By establishing your faith verbally, you will divide your co-workers into two groups: those who respect your position and those that do not. The enemy will use those who don't.
Along with voicing your faith, try bringing your Bible to work and maybe even reading it at the break table. Not just any good ole' boy would do this. And remember not to keep your head buried in the pages. Come up for air and breath the Spirit of Life on someone in need.
The Resisting
As mentioned before, we are commanded to resist the enemy, and he will flee. There are many ways of resisting. There is the refusing to commit the sin when tempted. And there is the "Karate Kid" way. You remember the movie. The kid was told the best defense against a blow was not to be there. I must believe that the best way is the latter. To do this I would first recommend you do not allow yourself to be placed in a position where the enemy can foster temptation.
If your supervisor pairs you with a partner of the opposite sex that is known for "sweet talking the ladies" or dressing seductively, ask to be changed. If this does not work, stay focused on your work and insist they do likewise. And of course seek an opportunity to be a witness. If you are in a position to decide company policy, insist on a dress code that demands that nobody dress in " attire that distracts others from their work".
The Relationships
The emphasis in evangelism now is for the evangelist to cultivate a relationship with the prospects before sharing Christ with them. This is widely known as "relationship evangelism". This is a good idea, but we must use caution when befriending someone of the opposite sex. Do not become caught up in the affairs of their home, married or sex life. The person may sound in need, but they might just feel lonely and wouldn't mind using you to temporarily fill that void.
Men, if a woman talks to you, she's trying to communicate something to you. Listen, and if it has a hint of intimacy., Flee! Do not get caught with her alone.
Ladies, If a smooth talking guy comes over to your work area uninvited, send him on his way. Unless it is work related.
The best way to treat a friend of the opposite sex is to treat them as a brother or sister. As stated in First Timothy chapter five and one thru two. There is no problem with having friends of a different gender. Just don't get off alone with them. Stay around the break area where there is safety and support. And never agree to meet after hours unless your spouse can attend.
For those truly in need, keep a list of trusted pastors and their wives and be prepared to refer to them.
Let me stress to you that this is not the final word on the matter. If we would just focus on the Lord, other interest will fade away. Do not forget to stay in the Word, prayer, and Christian fellowship. In these disciplines you can put on the full armor of God, so that you can stand against the scheming of the Devil {Ephesians 6:10-20}. And if you are still having problems, then there is always Matthew 5:27-30.

Atheist No More By Marijo Phelps

Through a series of events that God had put together, this atheist of nine years found herself praying. I was praying to the god I wasn't sure was really there. Life was a mess. I was hurting those I professed to love. I was drinking too much and making terrible choices.

My younger sister has changed tremendously. I had to ask questions. I scoffed and poked fun at her but underneath that tough exterior I was thoughtful. As soon as I put her on the plane, I found myself at the Christian bookstore getting the book on Bible prophesy she recommended.

Three weeks after reading the book, my husband and I had gone for a walk in a nearby park. I was crying but instead of release, the tears felt muddy as they dribbled down my face. Life was a tangled snarl and I was even more tangled.

Later that day, I found myself getting ready for work, taking a bath and talking out loud, to god, IF he was there. I needed help.

"I've made a wreck of my life. If you're there, I need you to forgive me and to have you take over." This went on for some time. I am not sure what I expected, but nothing "weird" happened. I felt calm and peaceful, like a huge bounder in a backpack was lifted off my shoulders.

"Hey, JO, are you ok in there, you've been in there an hour and a half now?" questioned my husband.

It was then I realized I was sitting in a bathtub filled with stone cold water. But I felt free for the first time ever in my life.

There was a born again nurse's aide at work. I spoke with her much. I began to read the Bible. I still had so many questions: How did I know this was really the literal Word of God? How could I believe every word? What was just "good stories" and what was real?

Did you really inspire these writers? Is every word literal? Can I trust this book?

I found myself reading in the Old Testament and came across Isaiah 40:22


"It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in." (RSV)

Then it "popped into my head" that when we studied history "in 1492 when Columbus sailed the ocean blue" they all thought if he went too far, he'd sail off the edge of the earth this scripture was written way before Columbus. Yet, whoever inspired this writing knew the earth was a circle and it sounded like he was sitting above that circle.

Next I found Psalms 103:11-12: "For as the heavens are high above the earth, so is his great steadfast love towards those who fear him, as far as the east in from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." (RSV)

I started thinking about this. If you go north pretty soon you are going south because the earth spins on its axis which is from north to south

However, if you go east you keep going east forever and never go west.

The lights were coming on just like the sun rises each and every morning.

The person who inspired this knew that the earth was a circle and rotated on an axis. Who but God?

Shortly after this I was reading in the New Testament and found two scriptures regarding end times: Matthew 24:40-41 "Then two men will be in the field; one is taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one is taken and one is left."

And Luke 17:34-35 (speaking of the same end times event) Í tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding together; one will be taken and the other left." (RSV)

I mentally checked this out too. It was too early in time for electricity in the fields, no night lights, so those in the field and grinding had to be in the daytime. And those asleep, looked like it was nighttime. Showing the concept of an earth with part of it in day and the rest in night when this event happened.

Again, who but the Lord God knew about this at the time in history when these scriptures were written.

Thank you, Lord God, for caring enough to help me with my "issues" about the Bible. Thank you for looking upon my converted atheist's heart and teaching me, answering my questions and giving me much to think about in the years that followed.

I no longer wondered which parts of the Bible were "just good stories" and which were literal. I knew from that day on I could rely on what was written within those incredible and wonderful pages. And I knew that I would have these examples to share with anyone else who was questioning, like I was.

How much more could I be loved? How much more personable could my Lord and savior be? I came to find out that this was just the beginning, the very beginning. All these years later I am still learning and growing, daily thanking my incredible raboni, the Lord Jesus Christ.

About Self

Saved by His grace in 1974, from 9 years of professing atheism into His loving arms. RN for 23 years, missionary with YWAM then statistical analyst for Every Home for Christ over 9 years. Living with my husband in the middle of a mountain meadow. GRIN! Wanting to spread the good news

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS-MAKE A WEBSITE

The Temp Job By C.M. Erickson

"You should take the accountant temp job." Lisa stated firmly.

Josh hadn't held down a steady job in over a year. Right now he was taking some work as a fill in UPS driver getting paid about eight dollars an hour. Lisa's full time job as a church secretary garnered a paltry nine dollars an hour. They had three young children at home and one on the way, and no insurance among the 5.5 of them. Winter was coming, and the price of heating gas was going up.

"The temp job is only good for a year, and they might not renew. Shawn promised me if I went for the permanent accountant job, he would guarantee me the slot. I've worked with a bunch of them before, and they even requested me. I want to provide some financial stability here for the family." Josh countered, desperation written on his face. The shame of not providing for his family ate at him every time he walked into their run down farm house with broken windows. The landlord never fixed anything, but at the same time, she never complained when they were late on the rent.

"I think you should take the temp job. We need the money. That's forty grand a year!! With that kind of money, I could quit at the church and be with the kids. We only have one car, and getting up early enough to drive you half an hour one way for your shifts, and then still getting to church at eight thirty in the morning is painful for the whole family. They could renew the temp job. You'd have a year to build a solid track record at work." Lisa stuck to her guns. Looking at her husband's face, she relented a little. "But you have to make the choice. You need to do what you think is right. I trust you to make the right decision for the family."

Josh applied for the permanent job. The interview was great, and Shawn told him afterwards that he was a definite shoo-in. Lisa was so relieved to hear the good news. She had never worked all the way through a pregnancy before, and wasn't sure if she could make it all the way. She'd had complications on her last pregnancy, and the reassurance that the rent and utility bill wouldn't be dependent on her was a massive burden off her shoulders. Relief was in sight.

Months passed. Christmas came and went with still no word. Lisa remained faithful, praying for patience and the peace that passes all understanding. Everyone knew the hiring office was slow. Then one day in mid January, Josh came into the church office visibly furious.

"I was the accounting office today on a UPS run, and I ran into Tim. I asked him what he was doing there, and he told me he had been accepted for the permanent accounting job and was getting the standard tests done before his taking the job became official. He told me Shawn had promised him the job and had really come through. I tried to track down Shawn, but when he saw me in the hall, he turned around and went the other way." Josh snarled.

Lisa decided this was not the time to bring up past conversations. She told her husband that God just had something better in mind for the family, trying to hide her disappointment. Josh refused to be placated and returned to work. Lisa prayed once again for strength to face the coming months of late bills, no heat, and a burgeoning pregnancy. God had carried her through worse storms, and she knew he would carry her and her family through this one as well.

Carolyn Erickson has lived a storied life, from graduating the United States Military Academy, to living in Germany for five years, to a tour to Iraq, to now an Army spouse. She is a freelance writer and personal trainer in her free time.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS-MAKE A WEBSITE

What is a Marketplace Christian?

Although I post on many subjects. Marketplace Ministry is my Primary subject. Articles and resources for the Marketplace Christian. So you may ask, "What the heck is a Marketplace Christian". What is the difference?

To some in the Christian circle of followers the MC is a person who starts a business and then tries to bring his or her faith into that area of life. This is not entirely wrong.
Just as David Wilkerson in the 70's & 80's coined the phrase,"Street Christian" to describe those converts that feel a call to ministry. But unlike the standard believer that believes they must serve in the church loop. These Christians felt they needed to stay on the streets so they could reach their own.
Like wise I feel the Marketplace Christian is a person called to ministry, but feels they need to stay in the workplace to be the light the Lord intended them to be.
Not all are called to this area. The need for Church Pastors is a great need. The need for over seas missionaries is even greater.
There are many who live as a Bi-Vocational Minister, Lay-Minister or just a pastor of a small church that needs to work part time to support their family. I am speaking of a Christian called to reach their co-workers and does no desire to be supported by the Church. The Apostle Paul felt this way. He earned his way as a missionary for himself and those who traveled with him. He did this as long as he could. Although he did receive offerings and help from others, he did not charge for his teachings. Now I must say that this is not a rule. Not every Pastor or Missionary is called to support him or herself. Peter and the other Apostles it is believed were supported by the Church in Jerusalem.
The point is that it is a calling, a choice.
So in explanation that is what this blog was set up for. To supply resources for the MC. But because the number of called is so small, I've spread the range of the articles I write.

Prayerfully, you should find something you like.