Month: March 2017

Hooks of Expectation

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ, Traps
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3 ESV.

One of the best ways to build a strong relationship with our Heavenly Father is through prayer. To take the time and listen what He has for you and to empty your heart before him is a life-building relationship event. There is no better way to quickly capture the realization that God cares for you and wants what is best for you.

One of the obstacles though you will need to overcome is trapping yourself with your expectations. Many times we will go before our Father and ask for something specifically believing it is the best solution to the problem. However, instead of delivering the answer the way we expect, God maneuvers the outcome in a substantially different way. Because it is not the way we want it, we may quickly become angry with God and give up on Him. Yet in hindsight, we truly recognize that the outcome was better than we could have ever expected.

These hooks of expectations are both a blessing and a curse. To appreciate the blessing, we need to be open to the final outcome. If we limit God to workout events within our little box, it can easily become a curse. God is vastly larger than any box or solution we come up with. His ways impact a multitude of people and events and purposes. Yet He cares for you and wants you to join Him in His adventures. But you have to be flexible and open.

In Acts three, Peter and John went to the temple to pray. There they met a lame man. The lame man ask them for money. Based on Peter’s and John’s reply, he expected to receive some remuneration. However, instead of a monetary blessing, the man experienced complete healing.

The outcome was more than he expected. So when we go to God, don’t limit yourself with your expectations. Instead allow Him to share His generous heart with you. Not only will you be pleasantly surprised, but you will come to know Him who is more than you ever realized.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Discipleship 360
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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Copyright 2017 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Soft Love; Tough Love

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV.

One day when the world wakes up and recognizes that the central core attribute built in every nook and cranny of this planet is from a heart of Love, then life will be actively lived out like God’s original intent. But until then, we who have already met our maker in the shadows of life, have the honor and privilege to share his ways with others today.

Love is one of those terms which means different things to different folks. The only example that I have learned to respect and weight carefully is how the Triune God relates and deals with me. He knows when to hold and comfort me. He also knows when to hold and discipline me. I call this soft love and tough love.

The basic heart is the same. He cares for me and knows what is best for me. He knows when to push me and when to rest me. He knows my limits and my potential. He is the Master love mechanic.

Isn’t that the way we need to learn to be with others?

When my daughter misbehaved, I didn’t have to take a rod to her. Instead, one look from the eye of Dad and she knew she needed to change. On the other hand, when I did something that was disapproving to my Mother, she knew the look wasn’t going to change anything. Instead, she took the frying pan and let me experience the full impact of a good swing.

Aren’t we the same way with each other? Some circumstances require soft love; other situations require tough love. Jesus himself extended mercy and compassion (soft love) to many of the common folk around him. Yet when he faced the religious leaders and lawyers of his day, he came at them with stronger language and emotional cuts to the heart (tough love). He knew the people involved and the best method to employ.

We need to learn the same.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Discipleship 360
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!

Copyright 2017 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

 

Broken Bodies, Pristine Souls

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , ,
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matt. 10:28 ESV.

This life goes by quickly.

It seems only like yesterday we graduated from high school, married, raised a family, and retired from work. Today, we barely recognize the same man in the mirror.

Hard muscles, trim abs, and smooth skin is now replaced with soft hands, a stout belly, and  bruised wrinkles. The aging process reinforces inner beauty over outer dress. The character of soul easily replaces the facade of dress.  Bodies that at one time were fully functional are now dragging along. Yet beauty becomes more alive as the soul of life takes preeminence.

We have all witness those who are physically challenge do what we believe is the impossible. Without mentioning names, there are those who have no arms nor legs yet fully  function within society. There are those wheel chair bound yet move about experience everything good that life has to offer. There are those who are blind, yet travel through life seeing more than you and I.

Physical limitations are just that – self-imposed strait jackets we place upon  ourselves. The real battle begins at the soul level. This is where the emphasis is on our heart, mind, and character. Every long lasting triumph worth pursuing begins here. Today we may call it attitudes, smarts, and inner muscle. The Bible calls these a matter of the heart, wisdom for the mind, and godly character developed through life’s battles.

The bottom-line – teach your children and grandchildren to first focus on developing the soul. Let them discover the hidden nuggets written through the pages of the Bible. Learn to listen and follow the Spirit of God. And develop a Jesus-Centered, Incarnate Triune God worldview. The end result? A soul that will positively influence every aspect of your life.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Discipleship 360
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!

Copyright 2017 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved