Year: 2016

What New Creation?

Dr. Mike Bible Life Questions, Life in Christ

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV.

new creation 1

Do we understand what the new creation is all about? When we look at ourselves in the mirror of Jesus, do we recognize a new creation? How does the new creation come about?

Most of us don’t get into the details of life in Christ. We simply accept what we read or hear. However some of us want to know more. We desire to know the heart of God. We thirst to understand its purpose. We hunger for the wisdom to express God’s character wherever we go.

When Jesus Christ died, resurrected, and ascended into heaven, he became the first born of a new creation: the first man to morph into a heavenly being. His physical flesh changed into a spiritual entity. A person with the ability to eat physical food and also walk through physical doors. He was the first of many who are yet waiting for their resurrection.

Today we only capture a glimpse of that reality through marriage. The ordained marriage institute of man and woman pictures the relationship of a new creation. As Jesus mentioned in Scripture (Mt. 19:5), a man shall leave his parents and cling to his wife – where the two become one flesh. A healthy marriage is when both the man and woman live life sacrificing the self and giving 100% for the other with the purpose of creating a new entity: two people operating as one a new entity.

As we are included in Christ because of His new work for us, we join him in his new venture. For now, he has done and is doing his part. We are now simply learning to give 100% to him in response to his love for us. As we deny ourselves and allow him to bathe us with his Spirit, we participate in His new creation. The two of us are becoming one.

So now we can enjoy his life and participate with him as he shares his new life with us. Yes you are a new creation. You are no longer dead, but alive in Him: a new creation, tasting His fruit while waiting to be finally and fully revealed at your resurrection.

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

Does a Friend Need Encouragement…Share Today’s Message!

How Does God Generally Introduce Himself To Us?

Dr. Mike Bible Life Questions, Jesus Apprentice, Spirit Follower , ,
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? Rm 10:14 ESV.

intro 1

Through others.

Whether it is the spoken word, written word, or visual word, God works with and through people for humanity’s sake. As one listens and observes, we analyze and reach conclusions based on the evidence we acquire. Yet unlike all great scientists, our hypothesis is often built on faulty reasoning instead of objective reality.

Because of our inherent prejudices and bruised heart, we allow our hidden anger and pain to blind us from Him. We generally place God in a human box. Rather than opening our minds to the possibilities of someone more intelligent, more powerful, and more effective than ourselves, we look for the evidence from a limited mindset.

God is always here, and there. I don’t understand how. Maybe it is because I am a limited, tiny, physical spot in this universe. But through observation, I’m always pleasantly in awe while He is attending to my world, He is also working with my sister on the other side of the planet.

Since most of us are wired differently but alike, God meets us where we are at. Most of the time when we are broken and need a miracle, He comes along and we reach out for him. Since we can’t touch him or hold him we may still feel alone. Yet, after He responds and our circumstances change for the better, we may or may not stop to reflect on what just happened. If we did, we may truly experience for the moment what grace is all about. Him working, not us.

As we experience answers to pray, unusual circumstances coming together for a positive outcome, and unbelievable favor bestowed upon us by others, our eyes and mind become more attune to a Force at work. Welcome to the presence of God.

As we begin to discover ways to better communicate with each other, a trust building relationship is built over time. Yes God woos you until you notice Him. When you do, you will eagerly find ways to invest more time together like lovers of the night.

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

Does a Friend Need Encouragement…Share Today’s Message!

 

How To Read The Bible For the First Time?

Dr. Mike Bible Life Questions, Shaped By The WORD , ,
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Acts 17:11 ESV.

read the bible 1

 

If you asked me today how to best read the Bible, my answer would be something like this:

First, read the book like any other story narrative. Start in the first book called Genesis and read right through until you finish the last book called Revelations. However read with only one question in mind: “How does God relate to humanity?” As you read, get to know God’s attributes, purposes, and mode of operation.  Don’t get stuck trying to understand anything else at this time but only focus on who “God IS.”

When you have finished, plan to reread the entire Bible one more time. This time though pay particular attention in how humanity responds to God. However this time read first the New Testament before the Old Testament. But again only study how mankind behaves before God. Don’t get sidetrack on anything else at this time.

After you have completed that assignment, then re-read the entire book from beginning through end with only one other question in mind: “How does this apply to me?” As you read you will become more aware of how God may be working with you. Some scripture may only make you yawn. Others you will find yourself strongly relating too. You will discover more about yourself as you focus on how God has worked with others and how others have responded to Him.

Only after going through the above exercise, I would than study one book at a time starting with the New Testament.  Read each book to discover the major theme, audience, and purpose behind the writing. You will not need any outside material to assist you. Instead, look for supporting points toward your main theme and outline it in your own words. This exercise will help you recognize when people take scripture out of context to make a personal point. When you recognize how that specific scripture supports the theme and answers the specific reason for the book, you will know probably just as much as any so-called Bible scholar.

You will find the Holy Spirit working with you as you discover more about God, humanity, and yourself in the process. It is a lifelong journey so don’t expect to understand everything you read at once. Through life’s divine appointments, listening to others, and walking in the Spirit, the Bible will become a relevant tool in your hand to decipher the season of life you are going through. When you look back, you will realize that the Bible is a living testament of 40 authors inspired by God so we may come to know Him more intimately as He reveals Himself through its pages. You will also come to recognize Him in the many daily routines and through life’s diverse moments.  It all happens as you lean on Him studying His expressed Word like those Jews who were considered more noble than those in Thessalonica.

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

Does a Friend Need Encouragement…Share Today’s Message!