And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my just decrees. Ezk. 36:26-27 ESV.

The nation of Israel during the prophet Ezekiel’s watch again ran into personal isolation. They would repeatedly find themselves in God’s dog house for their continual rebellion against Him. Rather than focus on Him, they continued to chase after local gods and found themselves captured by their surrounding enemies. Yet God, as usual, took the time to encourage them and foretell what He planned to do with them for His name’s sake.

Rules and laws are for those who need them. And most of us need them because we do not have a heart that looks at the big picture for the sake of others. Instead we want what we want and we want it now. Our desire and motive is primarily self-oriented. From Adam and Eve satisfying their desire without taking into consideration the whole consequence of their actions, to our craving for French fries yesterday that we didn’t need, without the heart of God leading us, we are apt to quickly satisfy our inner desires without a care for the long term effects.

Ezekiel’s prophecy was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit made His public display and recruited over 3,000 people (Acts 2). His manifestation caused a revival which led to the start of the Church and lives being changed from the inside-out. The fruit of the Spirit began to be seen in the people who surrendered to the King (Gal.5:22-24). The heart of stone was being replaced one person at a time.

Today is no different. Those who have become Christ-followers and surrendered to their King have likewise experienced life with the Spirit. Sin is no longer attractive. Instead the desire to live, play, and work from a holy seat is the joy of the Lord. No longer do we have a heart problem. Instead we have a new heart that mirrors our God (Gal.4:6). A heart centered in Jesus Christ (Eph.3:17). A pure heart that allows us to see the work of God (Matt. 5:8).

So if you are having heart problems, you have direct access to the #1 surgeon of the universe – our heavenly Father. Ask him for a new one. It’s His business. And He is very good at it.

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

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. Matt. 26:8 ESV.

Jesus was visiting Simon the leper at his house when a woman came to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment. She poured it on his head as he reclined at the table. The disciples saw it and became indignant because they believe it was a waste of money. However, Jesus’ reply was on the act itself which came from her heart. He took the situation and directed the focus toward the gospel message, his coming burial, and her worshipful testimony.

God waste’s nothing.

You & I may look at a situation and develop an expected outcome that we consider good or bad. However, God looks at the heart of the people involved and turns it into a teachable moment for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear; hopefully you and I.

Jesus was having dinner at a tax collector’s house surrounded with other undesirables (in the eyes of the Pharisees). These teachers of the Law questioned Jesus’ association with people who were sinners. Again Jesus took the moment to share the gospel message.

God waste’s nothing.

What may look like contempt to us, or a challenging moment, may prove to be the changing point in our lives. Every act, every circumstance, every situation, is truly a moment of time God works to create His masterpiece in each of us. God is always working through the good and the bad for our benefit.

God waste’s nothing.

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

…so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Cor. 2:5 ESV.

When you review the last 40 years of my life with the people who entered into our small world, most have more faith then they generally believed. There limitations usually came from the so call general education they received from others. Some were consistently placed in positions that limited their thinking or distorted their view of life. Others were surrounded by people who put the fear of the unknown in their heads. And some went the other extreme believing fantasies and lies while living in denial. In fact, most of these people put more faith driving down a two-lane road then exercising the awesome gift they already have in their possession.

Faith comes from God. He allocates as He desires. A little is all you need. The problem is most of us would rather rely on ourselves, or our associates rather than trust God.

When one’s journey takes them into the deep crevices of life were darkness penetrates the soul, and we survive, nothing will ever be the same again. For most of us, it is in the pits of life when we recognize Jesus as He shares His faith, character, and wisdom with us.

After such an ordeal, we realize what real faith is and the assurance we have from Him. We begin to recognize the Godly character and wisdom we lack and desire to have. Typically, after such an experience, we want more of Him.

So we pursue him through religion, but eventually discover how empty and unfulfilling performance-oriented living becomes. We cram our brains reading and studying philosophies of the great minds who have gone before us. But soon realize they don’t have the answers either. We may bury our pain with drink, food, or sex. But the demons remain. Only when we surrender our heart to Jesus, will we experience the real fruit of godliness.

When He enters into our lives, we learn to follow his ways. When He carries us through our struggles, we learn to trust Him. When He answers our prayer requests, we pray more. When He instructs us through His Word, we gain wisdom for living. When He shapes and molds our character, we experience the fruit of His masterpiece.

Over time, He shows his love for us by molding us into the character, faith, and wisdom He manifests.  Grateful we become because of the workmanship He displays in us and through us. With humility we learn to exercise the fruit of His work. He receives all glory, honor, and respect because we know where we came from and now appreciate where we are in the hands of our Maker. He is the Teacher, we are the student. He is Lord, we are His subject. He is the Source, we are the recipient.

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