Jesus Apprentice

YOU, Inc

Dr. Mike Business & Faith, Jesus Apprentice , , ,

 

“Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways.” Proverbs 2: 9:15 ESV

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Everyone of us can be viewed as an incorporated entity: a YOU, Inc. As the CEO of YOU, Inc. you have talents, abilities, and skills that you market and operate with each day. Your impact toward those around you is a direct correlation between how well you exercise your God-given attributes to solve the problems of those you serve.

One of the primary function of every CEO of YOU, Inc. is to make decisions. Your ability to make wise judgments that impact your future and the future of those around you separates the mature adult from the immature child.

Since we are apprentices of Jesus, we are likewise being prepared for leadership in the world tomorrow (Rev. 5:10, 20:6). The one function of all leaders is to make godly decisions. The Bible even states when the righteous are in positions of leadership, good happens. (Proverbs 2) When decisions are based on eternal values, the people rejoice. When decisions are made like Solomon (1 Kings 3:16:28), people nod their heads in approval. When decisions are based on reality that includes the heavenly and earthly, even the angels rejoice (Luke 15:10).

We are all being trained to make wise decisions. One discipline that is practiced by many apprentices is through the continual reading of Scripture. For example, some read the Book of Proverbs on a monthly cycle; one chapter for each day of a 31 day month. Others make it a habit to read the entire Bible each year via a different translation. Then others study the interaction
of people within scriptures to better understand the problem, the solution implemented, and the outcome.

When one has a clear focus of God’s domain, a deep commitment for the Divine life, and abide heavily in Christ, one learns good from evil. One learns Godly values that produce fruitful results. One learns to view life through the eyes of the God of the universe.

Bottom-line: If you want to learn the art of making better choices, exercise your prerogative of learning from the best teacher of decision making: Jesus Christ.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Founder & Executive Director
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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Faith of Christ

Dr. Mike Jesus Apprentice, Life in Christ , , ,
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Galatians 2:16 KJV

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So many translations; so many different opinions. What is a person suppose to believe?

There is debate among Biblical scholars that the verse in Galatians 2:16 is correctly written in the King James Version. Newer Bible versions have altered the meaning by using the word “in” versus “of.” (I have underline the two places above). The problem is the meaning. When we use the word “of” we are placing the emphasis on Jesus’ faith. When the word “in” is used, we are placing the emphasis on our faith.

I will leave the scholarly details for those who are better trained to educate. Instead, I will simply say that I lean toward the KJV interpretation because it makes more sense from a holistic basis.

If I am justified based on my faith, than what is the difference between human works of law and human works of faith? Both employ an emphasis on saving oneself by oneself.

On the other hand, if I am justified by the faith of Christ, than it is not my work, but Christ’s work. He made it all happen and grants us the grace to accept it.

My part is to believe in Him. He lived, died, and was resurrected on our behalf. He is the cornerstone. The faith or trust that I have in Jesus is because He did it, is doing it, and will accomplish it. He made it all possible.

Even the faith that I have in him is a gift from him. Through the Holy Spirit, he has empowered us to believe. Yes, I had to acknowledge that Jesus is who he claims to be. Yes, I had to ask for the Holy Spirit. And yes, I submit to the authority of the Father/Son/Spirit.

It is a relief that my tiny belief is being upheld by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. Isn’t that simply a breath-taking, grace-filled, and life-giving fact that makes one more thankful and grateful for our Triune God sharing His life with us without heaping religious burdens on us? I for one am more at peace for placing trust in Jesus’ faith than in my own. How about you?

 

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Chair, Consultant, Encourager
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

Living in God’s Presence

Dr. Mike Business & Faith, Jesus Apprentice, Journey in Christ, Kingdom Paradigms, Life in Christ , , ,
“…And behold, I (Jesus) am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 ESV

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Want to participate in the greatest adventure of life?
Want an accountability partner that understands you?
Want to be held by a higher standard?
If so, live in the presence of God.

The other day, the worship leader invited God into the church service. My thought was “isn’t He here already?”

The preacher standing on the street corner with his sign predicting the end of the world shouted, “God wants nothing to do with you until you repent.” Which begs the question: doesn’t God gracefully provide rain and sunshine to the just and unjust?

The business owner after a very profitable year asks the pastor “how much do I need to donate to the church to keep receiving God’s blessings?” Which leads to another question: Is our relationship with God built on a contractual arrangement or a grace-filled, loving Father?

When one begins to understand the good news of Jesus Christ, one relishes the joy of living in His Presence. When the self is denied, the personal cross is carried, and we follow Jesus wherever He leads us, the world begins to look differently.

When we realize that every person we meet has been reconciled and included by Jesus Christ at the cross, Kingdom values take over. As we meet people, we prayerfully seek to discover how the Spirit is working with the person. We seek ways to love the person as Christ loves us; through service. Our objective is to witness Jesus to the person without words. To allow the Spirit to convict and introduce the person to the savior of the world.

As we enter the marketplace, we seek to participate with Jesus in the work we do. We strive to balance excellence with love as a witness of God’s Kingdom economy. In everything we do, we acknowledge Him. We prayerfully ask, seek, and knock for solutions in business and relationships. We judge no one; not even ourselves. We live fully accountable to Jesus.

When wrong, he will discipline us. When right, he will help us to keep humble as we know it all comes from Him. Where we lack faith, we will rely on his. When love flickers, we ask Him to intercede. When walking, bicycling, or driving, we communicate with Him. We seek ways to bring glory to Him. As we place our trust in Him, he reveals Himself through the people and means that come our way. We become more aware of His work in the world. We seek ways to participate with His purposes. Wherever we fail, he is there to carry us through to the very end.

He is always with us. He is always available and nearer to you than you and I even realize. Be glad to live in His presence each and every day.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Chair, Consultant, Encourager
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