Year: 2015

He is Greater Than I

Dr. Mike Life in Christ ,
” He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30 ESV

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Someplace, somewhere, sometime we shall all suffer from a severe case of stupidity. Most often it occurs when we think we have the world in the palm of our hand. The symptoms are very noticeable. Typically we feel invincible. We feel powerful. We feel in control of our destiny. Than something happens. Reality strikes. We are knocked off our high horse. Our mortality bites us.

It takes approximately three minutes without air for life to stop. It takes approximately 3 days without water for bodily organs to begin shutting down. And it takes about 3 weeks without food when the body likewise starts shutting down. What all this means is that you and I are no gods. Our physical life had a beginning and will one day end. We are not born immortal. Immortality is a gift. A gift that comes from someone who is greater, bigger, and stronger than you and I.

John the Baptist knew that his mission was to introduce Jesus the Messiah. John was not the main event. His preaching and baptizing was to prepare the people for the arrival of the Jewish King. When Jesus arrived and began to gather a following larger than John’s, he took to a teaching moment which is now quoted as John 3:30.

Jesus’ mission was to grow. John’s was to become smaller. His fame was to step aside for Jesus’ fame. His story was now to move back into the rear while Jesus’ took over the narrative. He didn’t complain. He didn’t sulk. He simply acknowledged his work was done. A ministry that lasted for a very short time. In today’s measurement of organizational success some would say a failure. Yet in Jesus’ eyes, John fulfilled his mission and later praised him among all men (MT. 11:11).

What lesson do we learned from this? It is not about the size, length, or impact of your service to others. Instead it is about being faithful to the one who sends you. It is realizing where your strength, sustenance, and resources come from. It is acknowledging who you are accountable to.  When all is said and done, most of us will come to the realization that He is greater than any person. Then it becomes the question, what are you going to do about it?

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

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Becoming One

Dr. Mike Life in Christ
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17:20-21 ESV

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In Jesus’ prayer after what scholars call his last supper he thanks his Father for being one with each other. In addition he asks His Father that his current and future disciples also  become one with Father God & Jesus.

What is so important about this request?

Simply this, Jesus shares with us his vision of the relationship he expects between the Triune God and us. His prayer is we walk in union, harmony, and agreement with the Triune God.

In fact, his example of Biblical marriage between a man and woman gives us a model to emulate. In marriage, the purpose is for two people to become one. A single entity with dual input.

Likewise in our relationship with Father, Son, and Spirit who lives in us, we have the privilege to walk in union with the Creator of life. Jesus’ desire is to make it so. Doesn’t God become more real when both you and Him are in agreement with purpose, meaning, and methodology?

Like a successful marriage were both give 100% of each other for the sake of the other, so is the same in our union with the Triune God. God is 100% committed and faithful in the relationship. The ultimate question: How about you & I?

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 your Friends…Share Today’s Message!

You Are Unique

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , ,
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalms 139:13-16 ESV

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Ever notice how the culture around us works hard to make everyone the same? The media through advertisement, news, and fantasy shows continue to sell their products without concern for godly impact.

The media preaches tolerance as long as it agrees with the (their) status quo. Students are taught to comply with standardized tests. If one drops out of school, then there must be something wrong with the person – not the institution. One mustn’t question those who have gone before us but simply accept the facts as given. When someone different appears on the scene, we either quickly agree (because it reflects our lifestyle) or disagree. The world’s culture teaches truth is personal and subjective with no absolutes. Yet the 1% who influence culture still live their life as if absolutes exist. A double standard?

God created you and me with an unique DNA. There are no two people alike in the world today. In fact, there is no one who ever lived under heaven with the same personality, DNA, and character combined in one person. You are unique.

So what are you going to do about it? Are you going to work hard to conform to what others dictate as normal? Are you going to go along with the status quo to be accepted even though deep inside something is telling you no? Are you going to live your life conformed into the image of some other person’s box? Or are you going to allow God’s Spirit to morph you into the Creator’s original purpose for your life?

You are unique in regards to talent, personality, and fortitude. God specially bestowed upon you His specific attributes. He wants you to enjoy life while you learn to love Him, others, and yourself. God is unique. His creation is unique. Therefore, you are also unique.

Don’t settle for less, the artificial, or forgery. Instead, seek Jesus Christ and ask Him to lead you to be YOU. The YOU God so uniquely designed in your mother’s womb when he chose which sperm and egg would unite to form you.

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!