Bible Life Questions

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.

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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.

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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!

How About Hanging Out with God?

Dr. Mike Bible Life Questions ,
You were shown these things so that you might know that the Lord is God; besides him there is no other. Deut. 4:35
…so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other. I Kings 8:60
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. Isaiah 43:10
I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. Jeremiah 24:7
But whoever loves God is known by God. I Corinthians 8:3
But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? Gal. 4:9
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Eph. 1:17
They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. Titus 1:16
The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. I John 3:24
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. I John 4:7
NIV
hang w God 1

In a recent small group Bible study, a young person new to the faith pointed a question directly at me, “what is the purpose of life?” Without going into a deep, theological study of the subject, my quick response was simple: “to intimately know Him.” Now I didn’t have time to elaborate as the facilitator turned the meeting toward a different direction. However, if I did, my response might have gone something like this.

First we would view a few scriptures like those above. In addition we might speak how Paul wrote in Romans that even unbelievers can know God through creation. That creation is a reflection of who God is just like a craftsman’s work is a reflection of himself. In fact, everything God created or instituted portrays who He IS.

For example, the institution of marriage between a man and woman gives us a sample taste of the relationship God has with himself as Father-Son-Spirit. When we follow God’s instructions of marriage as defined through properly understood Scripture, we get a taste of God’s attributes. When we rear a family with children, we get a taste of how God views us. Again, through a proper understanding of Scripture we experience the abundant joy that family brings. In our careers, we come to learn more who God IS. As we transfer the talent we possess (gifts given to us from our Creator that are a sample taste of who he is) into serving others for the greater good, we experience the creativity and imagination and order that God naturally shares with us.

Everything in this life is designed for us to come and discover more of who God IS. As we lean on Him through the trials and tests and challenges that Life throws at us, we learn to trust Him. From this trust, a personal relationship is developed. Like a well-tempered child in the arms of a gracious grandfather, a special relationship is developed.

Sometimes the challenge of walking with Him becomes strained because we become memorized by all the glitz and take our eyes off of the center. We focus on the leaves and branches instead of the trunk of the tree. We want God’s power, his gifts, his favor, and his blessings, but neglect the relationship. We want all of the benefits of knowing Him without investing the time to truly come and KNOW HIM.

Like the intimate relationship between a loving husband and wife, the strong friendship that is closer than a brother or sister, or the sweet, infatuation, secret love yearning to become known, the personal relationship with Jesus Christ, His Father, and the Holy Spirit is greater than all of these combined.

When you truly become known by Him and know Him as He IS, and begin to hang out with HIM more and more each day, you will find the human experience greatly enhanced as HIS blessings, grace, and love pours out from Him through you and into the lives of others. Everything that you want from this life begins when you come to know Jesus who bridges every gap known by man. He will intercede for you, teach you, and equip you for greater service.

It all begins when you intentionally hang out with Him 24/7.

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 some Encouragement…Share Today’s Message!