Year: 2015

Repentance

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , ,
“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Luke 24:46-47 ESV

repentance 1

So many words. What do they really mean? Take repentance. Most of us growing up in the Bible belt associate repentance solely with sin. Whereas Jesus in the above scripture stated that repentance (metanoia) and the forgiveness of sins are two distinct subjects that need to be proclaimed.

Repentance has to do with changing your mind. In today’s vernacular, it is to change your worldview.

It is to acknowledge Jesus Christ is Lord and King and Savior of heaven and earth. It includes renouncing sin, but so much more. It involves being reeducated. It is learning life from the Triune God’s perspective. It involves questioning everything you have learned from the world’s system and comparing it to how God sees it and does it.

Like Saul who was zealous for the traditions of his fathers (which led him to murder Christians), he changed his entire viewpoint of life after being encountered by Jesus Christ (including his name to Paul). We likewise experience the same through repentance.

It involves our beliefs, values, and traditions. It is a complete house cleaning of one’s soul and mind.

John the baptist preached about the repentance of sin until Jesus fulfilled his initial destiny on earth. He died for us removing the eternal death sentence (past, present, and future sins) from us. Repentance is acknowledging what He did, admitting that we have been wrong about him, and now move toward focusing our mind, heart, body, and soul for his glory. It is leaving behind what we were before we came into contact with Him. It is allowing His Spirit to change us from the inside-out. It is acknowledging that we are poor of spirit and need His involvement to permanently change our hearts to match his.

Repentance is so much more than just eliminating the practice of sin from one’s life. It is thankfully aligning ourselves with the Triune God’s divine order and perspective. It is the process of adding God’s worldview into your world which leads to a refocusing of your time, talents, and treasury. When God becomes the center of your life, you can’t help but be thankful and grateful for everything He has done and is doing for us. It all begins when we repent.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Founder & Executive Director
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

Little Faith

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , ,
“For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 ESV

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How much faith do you need to live a productive life as a Christ-follower?

Whenever I hear people state that we need more faith, I cringe. My reason and encouragement comes from Jesus himself. He rejoices over the fact that we have “little faith.” His claim is with very little faith we can move mountains.

There is no shame to have only “little faith.” Faith is faith. Look at Jesus’ statements in regards to having a little faith.

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much…” Luke 16:10

 

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Matthew 6:30 (Doesn’t He provide for us who have ‘little faith’.)

 

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:23

 

We have learned over a lifetime that God is good and faithful. He always delivers on time and in the best method possible. Over the years we have slowly learned that it is not my faith but His faith that helps me through life’s ordeals. Also as we pray and ask, we don’t know specifics of how or when. All we know is God produces good and whatever happens is God taking everyone into consideration. It may not always be best for me in my opinion. But it is best for the advancement of His Kingdom.

For example, whenever we have mountains to move in our life and wait patiently for God to provide a solution, isn’t it challenging to wonder how God is going to do it this time? In prior times, he may have sent a person to help us through. He may have “dropped a meteor out of the sky” to miraculously have the mountain flatten. Or he may have simply given us a shovel to start digging and build character and strength through the process. He may even allow our great-great children to continue the process until the mountain disappears. He doesn’t always reveal his plans to us. He simply deals with the issue in a way that we all know He is responsible for the productive outcome. And we are grateful for his involvement in our life.

I for one am thankful that my little faith is more than enough that allows us to walk with our heavenly God. So if you have little faith – REJOICE.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Founder & Executive Director
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

What Are You For?

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms ,
” For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 ESV

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Do people know you by what you are for or what you are against?

In no particular order, but as defined from a Biblical perspective, and as an apprentice of Jesus Christ, I am for…

 

The Triune God

Jesus Christ

Kingdom of God

Holy Spirit

Love

Joy

Peace

Patience

Goodness

Kindness

Gentleness

Faithfulness

Self-Control

Humility

Excellence

Knowledge

Understanding

Wisdom

Truth

Healthy Relationships

Respectful Boundaries

Marriage

Family

Justice

Unity

Worship

Service

Stewardship

Life-Giving events

Grace-filled situations

There are more, but these attributes are the building block that I hope others see as my banner and brand wherever and whomever I meet. How about you? What are you for?  What are you broadcasting to others?

 

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Founder & Executive Director
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