Year: 2015

Perfectionism

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms
“Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh”? Gal. 3:3 ESV

 perfectionism3

Human perfectionism is an illusion. Those who strive to be perfect through their own efforts typically are covering up some fear, shame or hidden lie about themselves. Chasing perfection gives them a sense of control and makes them feel good about themselves. The truth be told though, the cost far exceeds the return of time and effort in the process. Like religion, perfectionism only covers the surface to make one feel good about themselves but never gets to the root of the problem.

If you or someone you know seeks perfection, pray for them to see, learn, and integrate what Paul writes about in Galatians. Through human effort, perfection only covers the problem. It never solves the internal hole that binds the person within perfection’s grip. The only long lasting solution is allowing the Holy Spirit to complete His work in you.

Yet Jesus did say that we should strive for perfection (Matt. 5:48). He stated that we should become perfect like our heavenly Father is perfect. However, the perfection he spoke about is built on the foundation of the Holy Spirit. It involves a renovation of the heart. A change of heart and mind focused on His work. He didn’t expect us to become perfect apart from the help he promised us.

His desire is that our character become like His. That by abiding in him he morphs his character into us. We become perfect not by our personal efforts, but by walking and living with him.

If you struggle with perfectionism, start by asking God to change your thinking of how perfection looks like and its fruitlessness. Then, instead of pursuing perfection, chase after excellence. You will find that perfection robs you of time, money, and relationships. On the other hand, excellence is about being effective. Perfection is expecting more than your best. Excellence is giving your best. Perfection is denying your humanity. Excellence is about taking your limitations and resources into consideration. Perfectionism seeks to glorify the self. Excellence glorifies God. Perfectionism leads to relational failure. Excellence leads to success.

Wherever you are in your journey with Jesus, stay focused in him, with him, and through him. He will via the Holy Spirit lead you to experience the freedom we have in him. Remember, perfectionism is slavery to a lie; instead let’s always pursue excellence in Christ.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

God or Mammon

Dr. Mike Business & Faith, Life in Christ
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matt. 6:24 KJV

mammon4

The majority of today’s world systems operate under the spirit of Mammon. Some scholars believe that Mammon refers to a Syrian and Chaldean god of wealth, riches, and money. When Jesus spoke about the god of Mammon, he was referring to a spirit of greed, covetousness, and indulgence. So, when He spoke about the impossibility of serving two masters faithfully, most likely he compared the Supreme God with this pagan idol.

Both have a core set of values. You will either lean towards the one or the other. Since they both hold opposing sides of life, one cannot have both. He is not referring to the ownership of wealth or money. Otherwise, every believer would be living untruthfully. Instead, he is speaking about the motive and spirit behind wealth.

When we become aware of God’s ownership of everything, that Jesus is King and rightful heir of everything, that is when a believer surrenders everything under his authority. With everything under the authority of Jesus, then the Spirit begins freeing a person from the spirit of ownership. Instead of wanting more, the Spirit leads the person to experience contentment. Instead of using the power of money, the believer learns about the power of prayer. Instead of seeking to indulge oneself, one learns to live in the freedom of Christ.

Money, wealth, and riches simply become tools to glorify God and better serve others. We become its master. Instead of bowing down to it, we acknowledge what it is and live life accordingly. No longer are we a slave to Mammon; instead, we are a free people in Christ.

If you are challenged by the spirit of Mammon, then take time out and do business with our High Priest. Ask Him for his help to change your thinking. Ask him to show you His family business – The Kingdom of God. You can’t do it alone. Instead, surrender to the King of Kings and learn about the abundant life he taught. As you do, you will come under his Domain and his Spirit. You will never be the same.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Management By Feelings

Dr. Mike Business & Faith , ,
“You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measures of length or weight or quantity.” Leviticus 19:35 ESV

 feelings 2

One of the principles that I learned early in business was to lead people and manage systems.

As a CFO Consultant for organizations, we spend as much time educating leaders as with developing management systems. The one destructive behavior that seems common to novice supervisors, executives, and entrepreneurs is operating under the model of managing people like they do systems. The challenge is that systems don’t think, react, and grow. People do. When we expect people to operate like a system, we have than DE-humanized them. People want to lead and be led. People are not systems. When these same executives see the difference and begin leading people like they want to be led, the results are easily measurable. The outcomes are very noticeable.

Another challenge with many leaders is their approach of managing processes and systems by feelings rather than objective data. How many times have you asked specific questions on the details only to receive a person’s opinion based on their feelings rather than on objective truth? (If you received a dollar for each person’s emotional insight, you would probably have extra income for an expensive, weekly date night).

If one is not objectively measuring the outcome of the process, than one is not managing. One is simply acting upon their feelings. And feelings are very subjective.

What does this mean for you and I? Simply this: if you want to accomplish something that is very important to you in a timely and effective manner, then you need to have an objective measurement. An objective measurement means something that is universally accepted. It means a standard that doesn’t change. If one hundred different people applied the same standard, you would receive the same answer by the same one hundred people. There may be one hundred different opinions based on feelings, which may cloud the issue or provide information that may require further study, but the real, factual truth of the matter is based on an agreed standard.

So the next time you manage the process or system and ask for a person’s feelings on the matter, expect an answer that is clouded, bias, and most likely inaccurate. The real answer lies in the unbiased facts. Bottom-line: lead people, manage systems.

 

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!