Who Are You Lord?

“And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Acts 9:5 ESV.

 

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Saul was a zealous religious leader whose personal mission in life was to destroy the Christian movement. He stood by, watched, and celebrated when the first Christian martyr was murdered. He took it upon himself to obtain the necessary papers from the ruling religious leaders to travel to Damascus and eliminate as many Christians as he could find. It was on this journey to Damascus riding horseback that he had the unexpected privilege of personally meeting Jesus Christ.

Being blinded by a great light that also startled his horse, he fell to the ground. It was there that he first heard Jesus speak to him. Saul’s reply was simple. “Who are you, Lord?” From that point onward began a transformation that would turn Saul’s life 180 degrees.

He started to learn who is the Lord of his life. He participated with his Lord through trials, tests, and ministry. He learned how the Torah pointed to the Christ. He had to relearn scripture in light of Jesus Christ. His entire world and life changed from a persecutor of men to a fisherman of saints.

Every day thereafter his knowledge and understanding of God became clearer. Yet even he stated many years later how we now look at God through a foggy window. That the time will come when we will see God as he is. But for now, we only partially see everything that God wants us to see.

For you and I, the good place to start our search of truth, wisdom, and success is to know who God is. We start with Jesus Christ. He is the bridge to Father God. And from Father God and through Jesus Christ we meet the Holy Spirit. As we come to know Father-Son-Spirit God, we grow and are sharpened by the relationship. As we desist and allow Christ to become more magnified in our life, we experience the life that God intended all humanity to enjoy.

It all begins for us as it did with Saul. As Saul changed his name to Paul, we likewise go through a transformation. Now through Jesus Christ, God names us as He sees us. It all starts when you begin to seek the answers of the question, Who are you Lord?

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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It’s Not About Us

 

For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 2 Corinthians 4:5 ESV.

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Sometimes sermons sound like an info commercial to join a church. There are ministers that communicate a silent message that you are missing out on everything God has for you unless you become a member of their faith community.

One of those Ya-Ha revelation moments came when I realized God’s plan is not and was not and will not be centered around me.

The book of Colossians and Ephesians make mention that His plan of salvation, His Kingdom, and all of creation was built by and for Jesus Christ. He is the central figure of life. God calls people throughout history to join Him in His plan for mankind. As we align our goals, ambitions, and vocational ministries around His Purpose, we quickly learn and experience the joy of working along and in partnership with the Creator of the Universe.

For our scientific community, it may be shocking. For our non-believers, they struggle with the relevancy of faith. However for those who have surrendered to Lord Jesus, they understand better than most. They gladly serve their King. They seek to expand His Kingdom. They want everyone to enjoy the riches that they have received from heaven’s basket of life. They want God’s love to preeminent their relationships. They want to introduce everyone to their King. They cannot stop speaking about the freedom, gifts, and treasurers of heaven that is now available to everyone on earth.

Yes, God has a purpose for you. But that purpose is His for you; not yours for Him. His purpose slowly becomes your reality as you obey your King’s commands. He will show you through the people you meet, serve, and love. You will experience heaven’s riches; not by chasing after them, but by deeply pursuing an intimate relationship with the person who is the center of life: Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the central core of life. He gives you meaning, purpose, and significance. Not by pursuing yours, but by pursuing HIS.

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!

Jesus Is Lord

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” Acts 2:36 ESV.

 

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How do you know whether or not you are a Christian? Is it because someone told you that you are? Is it because you do everything that the good Book says too? Or is it because you know you have surrendered to King Jesus proven by the spiritual fruit in your life? Paul writes that no one is capable of saying from the heart that “Jesus is Lord” unless they are being led by the Spirit of God. How about you?

Have you acknowledge Lord Jesus as Boss in your life? Does He have last say in every area of your life? Or are you simply giving him lip service? Or are you like many who simply give him one hour per week and the remaining time is yours to rule?

These are tough questions. If we are honest with each other, we will acknowledge that he rules certain parts of our personal domain, but there are other parts that we still struggle with. He may be Lord of my values, principles, and goals, but is He also Lord of my ambitions, business affairs, and entertainment choices?

Some people falsely think that if they totally surrender to Lord Jesus, that they will end up as a missionary in Timbuktu. That they will have to sell everything and give it to the poor. That they will never marry or raise a family. Or…the list is endless.

The truth of the matter is when one surrenders to Lord Jesus and places their trust in Him, real life only then begins. God knows our strengths and weaknesses. He made us for a purpose. We may think we know what that purpose is. However, he knows how our purpose aligns with his Kingdom plan. Typically, many see our purpose solely as an economic, valueless piece of machinery in this world’s system. We don’t have a clue where and how we fit into His invisible Church unless He reveals it to us. Yet many of us are afraid to trust Him. We want his favor but are challenged by his requirements.

Total surrender to the King means we give up any “rights” we think we possess. Those rights of course only are made available because of Him. However, we rarely think from an eternal perspective. Our mind generally struggles to understand earthly advice. When we come to the place in our life where we can acknowledge Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, then we have come to the place where earthly matter meets eternal bliss. The result is an intimate relationship with our elder Brother, Savior, and King. So don’t be afraid to surrender your hope, dreams, and allegiance to Lord Jesus. In hindsight, it will be one of the best decisions you will ever make. Your only regret will be that you had done it sooner.

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!