Journey in Christ

Are You Ready To Turn The World Right-Side Up?

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ , ,

What is worldliness?

Some people feel that playing cards, socially dancing, or sipping an alcoholic beverage is worldliness.  Some feel listening to rock or rap music is worldly.  Others feel going to the movies is worldliness.  How do you define worldliness?  Or more importantly, how does God define worldliness?

worldliness 5

Remember those early days when you were still dating and the other person was shocked at the end of the date to find out that you were a baptized Believer?.  As one person explained in amazement, ”I never knew anyone who could be a Christian and have so much real fun.”  Some people have the impression that a Christ-follower lives a dull, boring, totally unfulfilled life.  That a real, religious person would spend their entire day at church or serving the helpless and never spend a few moments enjoying life’s gifts.  Quite the opposite if you ask us.  Life in Christ is always new and you experience it everywhere you go.

How many of you truly believe that if Jesus walked within our churches today, the majority of people would probably classify Him as worldly?  Many of us would probably be shocked to discover that he enjoyed being with people of all races, economic, social, and educational levels.  He would probably enjoy a good party.  People in His time called Him a “glutton and wine bibber.”  Which means the religious people of the time perceived that he ate and drank too much.  He also spent time with the undesirables of His time.  The prostitutes found a friend in Him.  The tax collectors found acceptance from Him. He was looked upon as a wimp because of the many women (who were considered second class citizens at the time) who supported Him and His ministry.  Like the apostle Paul after Him, He was all things to all people.  He communicated with people from their level, from their understanding, from their perspective.  He first accepted them as they were, then He challenged them to follow Him; to deny themselves, to take up their cross, and to follow Him.

 To surrender all: not just status, power, time, money, or relationships, but attitude, heart, and mind.  Jesus surrendered all to His Dad.  That is why He could mingle among the people and escape from being controlled by the current culture, social pressure, or religious traditions.  He was free from the taboos of His time.  He expressed the love of God in His actions, thoughts and deeds.  He went to the spiritually sick.  He wasn’t concerned with outward appearances.  He wasn’t concerned with what people would say. His concern was preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God and ministering to those His Heavenly Dad sent His way.

What is worldliness?

Is it the outward appearance of doing what everyone else does in the world for fun?  Or is it a much deeper?  Is it a matter of the heart?  Is it a matter of attitude and spirit?  Is it more than just actions? We believe so.  In fact, some of the more worldly people we know are religious fanatics.  They attack, accuse, gossip, and spread discord among one another.  Instead of trying to discern the spirit, they evaluate the situation according to their standard of righteousness.  Typically, a standard that is even higher than God’s.  Are we not thankful that grace is available from Him to all people?

We are also thankful that in Christ we are free from being obligated to pursue the passions of this world.  We find real fulfillment while pursuing the spirit-filled life in Jesus; were there are no overnight penalties with our fun.  Where the good gifts of life are already paid for by our Savior and the Spirit is positive, caring, and peaceful.  Who needs the world’s definition of fun when being a disciple of His gives so much more than the world can ever give?

A DISCIPLE’S PRAYER

PRAY 8

Our Joyous Dad, thank you for your eternal riches. Thank you for creating fun and joys without penalties.  Thank you for lavishing your abundant riches into our lives.  You are truly awesome.

Thank you for patiently teaching us how to have fun without sin.  Help us to continue to live life in your presence; to enjoy the riches of this life through your eyes.  To experience pleasures that you reserve for your children.  Help us all to truly appreciate your pleasing, humorous, fun-loving side.  You are truly awesome.  Thank you and thank you for your awesomeness.  Amen.

Your Consultant & Coach for Christ-Centered
Business Owners & Executives

Dr. Mike

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God

 

Our Planning Partner

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ , ,

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Have you ever known anyone who pursued only goals that they knew could be achieved with very little effort?  They seemed to carry an attitude of risk aversion in everything they pursued.  They would only pursue goals that they absolutely knew could be achieved without any risk of failure.  Their objectives are always few and their resources are easily obtainable.  They rarely experience failure, but again, they rarely experience the thrill of victory.  Their successes are boring, routine, and unchallenging.  Mediocrity is the best that they have ever attained.  Sound familiar?

Imagine a world where God settled for mediocrity.  Instead of a vast, inter-relationship of micro systems with each one itself a masterpiece, there could have only been one.  There could have been only one mammal. one fish, one tree, one flower, one … get the point?

Someone once wrote that what the mind can perceive, it can conceive.  I believe it.  It is only a matter of the time that it will take.  It may not happen during your life but it will eventually happen.  History gives many examples.  The idea of a man on the moon was originally written in a fictional book in the 1800’s;  wireless communications was the mouthpiece of the old Dick Tracy comic strips;  the helicopter was originally designed in the 1500 – 1600’s.

God wants you to succeed in life. His priorities for you though may be different than yours, but He gladly works with you.  He is patient and understanding.  He realizes that we have needs since He did create them.  But His number one priority is to create a spiritual masterpiece in our life and the life of the church. His prime focus is eternity, not just the present.

Nothing is impossible for God.  He created the foundation of the impossible.  He can alter time, space, and circumstances when He so chooses.  When you became His Partner in life, He allows you to enter into His life’s mission.  He has big plans.  He thinks bigger than all people put together.  He wants you to become like Him in character, attitude, and purpose.  God’s plans may start out small to the human eye, but in reality, they are just one small piece of a much larger pie.  Learn after Him.  We are His disciples.  Let’s make our plans accordingly.

OURPRAYER

PRAY 21

Our Heavenly Dad, thank You for allowing us to be a part of Your plan of salvation.  Thank You for giving us the resources to live life victoriously.  Likewise, thank You for allowing us to have a relationship with You; to learn about You, from You, and to come to know You.  Help us to follow Your Will in all that we plan and do.  Help us to discover what our mission is as it relates to Your plans.  Help us to live in Your Kingdom now and to work fulfilling Kingdom business.  Help us see the plan You have for us.  Help us live it faithfully and zealously.  Help us pursue goals that require Your involvement in our life each and every day.  Let us not take You for granted, but live each day knowing how much we need You to help us live a victorious life.  Bless You in Jesus name we pray.  Amen.

Your Consultant & Coach for Christ-Centered
Business Owners & Executives

Dr. Mike

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God
Website: EnjoyLifeInChrist.com

Calluses on the Knees Are Our Medals of Honor

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ , , , ,

PRAYER 1
A minister once made the comment that “Christ-followers are easily identified by the calluses on their knees.” As disciples of His, we have learned the power and refreshment of prayer. We, like the apostle Paul, have learned to pray unceasingly all day. Whether we are driving in the car during rush hour, walking around the block, or sitting in a restaurant, we find ourselves making short petitions to our Heavenly Dad.

However, we have also learned the necessity of private prayer away from the outside world and alone with our Dad. This is the type of prayer when we humbly in respect and awe bow down on our knees before the presence of our Lord and make supplications, petitions and plain talk with our Dad. This is quiet time to speak what is on our heart. This is communion time.

When we spend time on our knees, we invest in our relationship with our Heavenly Creator. We acknowledge His superiority and lordship in our life. We also acknowledge our dependency and faithfulness to Him. It takes time to pray this way. In our hyper active lifestyle, we find our lives busy to make the time to pray in this fashion. We justify it by saying we can pray anywhere, anyplace, at anytime. This may be true. However, just like having a diet of fast foods everyday for breakfast, lunch and dinner, our health will suffer. Likewise, if we live our spiritual life with the same mentality, we will find our spiritual life and relationship with our Dad suffering.

We know. In our younger days when life had fewer responsibilities, we could probably find more time to pray on our knees mornings and evenings. As our life becomes more demanding, we find ourselves too tired to pray in such a fashion. We know God understands. But, we have also acknowledged that He deserves our best.

In those younger days, our prayer life was probably more mechanical. It was us probably practicing the disciplines for discipline sake and not for the real reason we pray. We could easily pray for an hour on our knees without any outside interruptions or demands. But in our self-righteous way, we probably would pat ourselves on the back because of our superior spiritual practices.

Today though, when we pray on the knees, we probably pray as long as our knees and joints are able to handle the strain and before we are interrupted by the outside world. We again probably don’t count the time anymore but have learned to enjoy the intimate fellowship with our Heavenly Dad. It’s investing time with our Lover, Provider, and Soul-Mate. It’s speaking from our heart and listening with our soul. It’s humbly asking for personal help and praising Him for His Majesty. It’s petitioning Him on behalf of others, and asking Him how we may best serve His Kingdom. It is waiting with expectation and excitement to see how He is going to answer. No matter what the answer, He knows best. We know that He stills loves us and will always be with us, even when we stray from Him.

We are thankful He has called us to be His Disciple.

OUR PRAYER

PRAY 8

Our Caring Dad! Thank you for prayer. Thank you for creating a vehicle that allows us to commune with you. Your ways of living are so simple but so effective. Thank you for always listening to us. Even when our prayers are selfish and self-centered, your love is patient and understanding. You don’t harass us, but you slowly change us to become like you.
Thank you for revealing your purpose of prayer. Help us to pray like Jesus prayed. While we pray, change our heart, mind, and soul to become like yours. While we pray, transform us into your image. While we pray, let us see the situation through your eyes. While we pray, let us see your answers. Answer our prayers, not as we always request it, but as you know what is best for all parties involved. Help us in prayer to focus on expressing your life through us in any and all circumstances. If necessary, bless us with difficult circumstances that challenge us to cry out to you for help. There is no greater joy than to see you glorified through answered prayer. Though we may want our circumstances changed for the better, you know it is more important to change our heart, mind, and soul to be greater than the surrounding environment. Thank you for hearing our prayers. Let your glory shine. Jesus we ask. Amen.

Your Consultant & Coach for Christ-Centered
Business Owners & Executives

Dr. Mike

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God