Journey in Christ

Learn to Love

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ ,

John 13:34

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

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Some things are easier to learn than others. Learning to eat comes naturally. Walking may take a few tries but eventually most toddlers ignore the bumps and bruises and wander their way about. Learning to swim or bike may take a little longer but most people who attempt it manage to get by. But somethings are just harder than others.

Take Love.

Most of us in our early days think love is how we feel about someone. It is an emotional high that we can’t get enough. When the feeling goes away, we look for someone else to fill the hole.

Yet as we mature, most of us learn that love is an action with a heartfelt attitude toward another. It’s more about the other person than the self. In fact, the self only gets in the way to fully express love the way God does.

Take Jesus Christ.

The night before his crucifixion, when most of us would be having a self-pity party, he chose to wash the feet of his disciples before observing the Passover meal with them. Usually this act was performed by the house servants. But Jesus from his heart not only demonstrated what humility looks like but showed how serving one another is love in action.

For most of us, we choose who we love and who we refrain from loving. Yet, to become perfect like our heavenly Father, we all need to learn how to love everyone. He does.

So, life’s lessons include learning to love the obnoxious associate from work, and the loud, partying neighbor, along with the aggressive drivers on the freeway, and the narcissistic boss. Learning to love those who are like us is easy. But learning to love those whose behaviors and values we disdain, can be challenging.

Just another reason to lean more heavily on Christ.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
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 2013-2018 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

 

Living Faith

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ , ,

James 2:26

For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

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What is faith?

Faith is obedient action with trustful confidence in God’s character. It is the confident assurance that God is always working out the best solution for you and others.

Any problem with Faith is typically tied to our ignorance of God. We believe what others have told us about God rather than discovering Him ourselves. We typically project our dysfunctional souls toward God, rather than believe Him and His Word.

We don’t realize where we actually stand in His eyes. If we did, we would humbly and respectfully place all our being onto Him without concern with the outcome.

What is not faith?

Faith is not the inner belief of an outward expectation. Rather it is knowing Him with no concern with the results.

Faith is not the cause of your salvation; rather it is the umbilical cord which connects you with the living Source of Life.

Faith is also not the anecdote of your situation. God is. Faith is simply your worldview of God’s presence in the world and your role in His kingdom.

A living Faith is not necessary about moving mountains but more about healing your soul while serving others.

Through this graceful act of redemption and sanctification, you are being morphed into the image of Jesus Christ. A byproduct of this living faith is a more active and expressive fire within the deepest, inner workings of your soul toward others. It is a life not of empty motions but actions covered with inner joy. This outer behavior is a byproduct of the inner construct of a new creation. The work is being conducted by the Holy Spirit with your yielding cooperation.

This living faith is active, confident, and obedient to the Word and Spirit of God.  It is built on God’s viewpoint and not ours. The faith we trust in is not from us but is Christ’s own faith. Since God’s purpose for your life is a new creation according to His design, it involves His Spirit developing His character, eternal values, and divine love in you with all you speak, think, and do.

If this faith is not alive in you yet, pray and ask your heavenly Father to open your eyes to know Him better.  Pursue Him with all your heart. In the process, over time, Christ’s faith will become more perceptive and active in your assigned world. You will come to know Him and the workings of real, living faith. His faith will become your faith.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
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 2013-2018 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

 

 

Hooks of Expectation

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ, Traps
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3 ESV.

One of the best ways to build a strong relationship with our Heavenly Father is through prayer. To take the time and listen what He has for you and to empty your heart before him is a life-building relationship event. There is no better way to quickly capture the realization that God cares for you and wants what is best for you.

One of the obstacles though you will need to overcome is trapping yourself with your expectations. Many times we will go before our Father and ask for something specifically believing it is the best solution to the problem. However, instead of delivering the answer the way we expect, God maneuvers the outcome in a substantially different way. Because it is not the way we want it, we may quickly become angry with God and give up on Him. Yet in hindsight, we truly recognize that the outcome was better than we could have ever expected.

These hooks of expectations are both a blessing and a curse. To appreciate the blessing, we need to be open to the final outcome. If we limit God to workout events within our little box, it can easily become a curse. God is vastly larger than any box or solution we come up with. His ways impact a multitude of people and events and purposes. Yet He cares for you and wants you to join Him in His adventures. But you have to be flexible and open.

In Acts three, Peter and John went to the temple to pray. There they met a lame man. The lame man ask them for money. Based on Peter’s and John’s reply, he expected to receive some remuneration. However, instead of a monetary blessing, the man experienced complete healing.

The outcome was more than he expected. So when we go to God, don’t limit yourself with your expectations. Instead allow Him to share His generous heart with you. Not only will you be pleasantly surprised, but you will come to know Him who is more than you ever realized.

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