2021

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Dr. Mike 2021, Think About That...

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I (Paul) preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me…

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 12-26 (ESV)

There are times the Scripture needs no further explanation. Chapter 15 of 1st Corinthians known as the Resurrection chapter is such a powerful and logical argument for the basis of our belief, what more can I add. Paul hits a home-run with his persuasive points. If Christ wasn’t resurrected, then our faith is in vain. But based on the eye witnesses of over 500 people, the majority probably still alive when Paul wrote this letter to the Church, who witnessed Jesus alive after his crucifixion – a jury trial would easily reach the same conclusion.

And Paul goes one step further in acknowledging Jesus Christ as the first human morphed into a spiritual being, and eventually you and I will join him when HE returns to fully establish and deliver HIS Kingdom to GOD the Father after destroying every rule, power, and authority under Satan’s spell.   

The same power of God which confirmed that Jesus is the Messiah and Lord, is also the same power at work sanctifying you and I.  The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the basis of yours and mine faith. You either believe and live it out looking forward to a new heavenly life or you deny and slowly decay into oblivion. A 21st century, five-star, award winning Sci-Fi movie couldn’t be written any better. The difference though, this is real life.

Enjoy this Easter season as your reminder that Jesus lives and plans to return for the finale. Until his physical presence is seen again, HE lives in you and I through the Holy Spirit which is transforming us from the inside-out into HIS image. Some days I shake my head as if I am living a dream. Yet the fruit and transformation over the years in my life and others is our statement to the world. HE LIVES.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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Copyright 2013-2021 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Believe

Dr. Mike 2021, Business & Faith, Kingdom Paradigms, Life in Christ , ,

John 17:8,20-21

“For I (Jesus) have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me…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.”

Yes, I believe. I believe Jesus Christ is who HE claims HE IS: The Incarnate Son of God, King of Heaven and Earth, and Humanity’s Savior. I believe the Bible is a recorded narrative of God’s relationship with mankind and written for our sake. We can choose to believe or not.

I didn’t believe all this at the beginning of my faith journey. All I knew was if there was a God, he needs to intervene or this young man’s life was not going to make it through his teen years. And HE did.

Every journey begins with a set of beliefs. Our actions, decisions, and choices are based on these deeply held perceived truths. The more we exercise them, and the results come true, the more confident we become in our beliefs. However, whenever our actions repeatedly fail, we eventually evaluate our belief system and discard the unreliable “truth” for another.

Over a life time, certain beliefs become our anchor – we have proven their fundamental truths over and over again with similar favorable results. Other beliefs are still being evaluated. How many of us though purposely select and choose our beliefs?   

Our initial beliefs are indoctrinated into our souls through family, friends, and teachers. In our early lives, we are typically ignorant of our surroundings and the makeup of our soul. Even as adults, the social and news media bombard us with the latest fads and the current fear factors which we subconsciously allow into our belief safe. 

However, one day (could be late teens or now-a-days even late fifties) we start struggling with our interval belief system. We start questioning everything we have been told. When reality sets in and the realization we have been lied too, manipulated by others for their sake, and then in those extreme cases, thrown out with the bathwater, we most often find ourselves angry and hurt.

Unless we are grounded on a bedrock of fundamental beliefs proven over eons of time, the majority of us will substantially modify our belief system. The transition though is most often costly of time, relationships, and money. The best prevention is having a healthy family upbringing by parents who are grounded in solid values and beliefs. Where does healthy values and beliefs come from?

The number one bestselling book of all time is still the Bible. There is a reason. Within its pages contains valuable principles and truths which have been proven over time to work. The Book also points to the importance of having a relationship with the living God. When one walks with HIM, one slowly becomes more and more like HIM.

Per Jesus’ prayer in John 17, we become one with our Father God and Jesus Christ. When we do, we learn the foundational truths of life; gain knowledge, understanding, and wisdom to manage everyday life; and find assurance and purpose for living.

Yes, beliefs allow us to focus and put structure into our world. If we don’t believe in the Triune God, we will never seek out what HE has for us. On the other hand, for those of us who believe, our focus is to seek HIM out in every day life situations. When we do, we begin to witness answers to prayer, reoccurring solutions from an invisible hand, and broken people healed from inside-out. Like the wind, which we may not see but only witness its impact, we likewise witness the effect when God’s Spirit is engaged with others.

In summary, in regards to the Triune God, to believe opens the window of opportunity to discover HIM and the truth; but not to believe, only closes the window of ever really coming to know HIM and a life built upon lasting truth.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-2021 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

God’s Government

Dr. Mike 2021, Kingdom Paradigms , ,

Hebrews 8:10

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

The prime message Jesus preached during his short stay on earth pertains to His Kingdom. The Bible identifies His government as the Kingdom of God. Jesus is King and we are His ambassadors of His domain.

The central core of His government is built upon His law of Love. He demonstrated His Love through acts of selflessness and humility without delineating from truth, mercy, and justice.   

The motivating intent of service for others comes from the centralized heart of a person. Either the person is serving for their personal gain without concern for the other guy or they are concern for the other person as well as their own.

Every person struggles with the battle between their carnal desires and God’s divine nature. With the soul acting as the governing agency, God’s Spirit influences our spirit. When we yield and marry our spirit with HIS, we become more like HIM in character and attitude. God’s Kingdom is managed through His Spirit influencing our spirit.

As we study HIS ways and teachings, our minds become more transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. Our morals, values, and attitude become more like HIS. Instead of having ten thousand laws on the books to decipher and adhere too, we exercise HIS wisdom and insight to discern an appropriate response built upon the foundation of HIS love and justice. 

The message of God’s government is as important today as it was in HIS time two thousand years ago. Throughout history, people in power have abused their authority for personal gain at the expense of others. All the written laws cannot change a person’s heart. Only God through HIS Spirit living in you has the power to change you into the person you were meant to become.

No matter your political affiliation, the only thing which will unite people, limit governmental abuse, and usher governance that allows all people to flourish, is God’s Kingdom. Meanwhile, the result of a smaller role the Triune God is allowed in people’s life, produces mammoth government, less freedom, and more financial hardships. History demonstrates the best governed are the least governed when morality is the central hub all believe and follow. But when carnal desires lead, corruption, violence, and pain is the norm.

God’s government is available for everyone who wants too experience life to the fullest for themselves and others. Yet they must first personally surrender to King Jesus. When you yield to his authority in your life, you begin the process of relearning what is important and of value. Relationships are restored. People trust and cooperate with one another. You begin to view life through the eyes of God who created you for HIS good pleasure.

And HIS pleasure is to watch you grow and mature and succeed in HIS family business. And yes, HIS family business includes HIS government which is limited in structure but highly effective. And includes your business, family, and community.

Imagine a world without poverty, people fully engaged in uplifting their fellow beings, and one centralized government built upon God’s love. Yes, maybe you can now better understand why I believe mankind’s answer to their governmental problems starts and ends with Jesus Christ.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-2021 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved