Kingdom Paradigms

Building Trust

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms

Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. Proverbs 16:20 ESV.

Trust is a two way street. You may want to trust the other person, but can they trust you? Former President Ronald Reagan loved to quote the expression “trust and verify.” In my experience with others, this simple advice truly works in today’s culture.

If you are having a trust issue with another person, you may want to use this approach. Don’t trust them with everything at one time. Instead, build trust one promise at a time.

Likewise if you want to be considered a trustful person, behave as one. Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Instead, when you make a promise, keep it. Live your life with “yes” or “no” as your promise. You will find over time that when people trust your words, your character and ability, your influence for God’s Kingdom will be more quickly accepted because of your proven actions in the past.

Doesn’t God behave the same way with us? When he personally makes a promise to us, doesn’t he keep it? It may not be on our schedule (isn’t God always late in our human opinion), but in hindsight we will see how everything works out better than we could ever expect. Even when God put Abraham to the test in potentially sacrificing his own son, He was building a trustful relationship one act at a time. God knew Abraham’s heart; afterward Abraham knew his heart and God’s heart – leading to mutually trust which builds a stronger relationship.

We can do likewise. First become a person who can be trusted. Then work to build trust with others. And always lean on building trust with our Lord in everything you do.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Discipleship 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 2017 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

Designed To Be Like God

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms, Your Identity
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Gen. 1:27

Imagine a dog behaving like a cat. Or a lion acting like a monkey. Or an elephant like a snake. We would be concern that there was something mentally wrong with the animal. Yet when people behave ungodly, we have come to accept it as normal.

When we fail to pursue holiness, purity, or honesty, are we not being misdirected from our original design? God created humankind after His image; for God is love, full of joy and abundant in goodness. When we fail to live up to God’s design, aren’t we losing out on God’s best? Satan knows.

Adam and Eve had the opportunity to be more like God. But instead of trusting their Lord, they bit into Satan’s temptation that they may have it all now by taking things into their own hands.

Likewise Jesus knew his purpose and design. So did Satan. In the wilderness after Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit led him into the desert to face the enemy (Luke 4). Satan made three offers to Jesus. Each was God’s destiny for Jesus. But Satan tempted Jesus to accept his destiny by disobeying His Father’s Will and take it all now. We know the event, Jesus resisted the tempter and continued to place His trust in His Father to bring about His divine purpose.

We are no different. God has made many promises for us; including to fulfill the purpose for what you were designed to be. But we must patiently wait on Him and resist the temptation to manipulate circumstances and situations as we believe they need to be.

Yes you are uniquely designed. You have a purpose. It may not be what you think it is. But when you lean on our heavenly Triune God, He will direct your steps toward its fulfillment.  In the late season of your life, in retrospect, you will recognize God’s hand in many of your life’s decisions. But meanwhile, while living through them now, you may question, doubt, and worry. Yet as you lean on Him, He will always be at your side reassuring you, coaching you, and creating His masterpiece in you after His image. For remember, ultimately in this life, it is your purpose to be molded and shaped into the image of Jesus Christ; to be His witness now and in preparation for eternity. Everything else is extra.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Discipleship 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!

Vocational Discipleship – Following Christ in the Workplace.

Dr. Mike Business & Faith, Kingdom Paradigms
So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. Acts 17:17 ESV.

Church is in session. No, not just Sunday morning within your faith community, but also 24/7 within your workplace.

When you come to the realization that ‘Church’ as described through the pages of the Bible is not a building nor a institution, but people coming together in community, it changes everything. For starters, it unlocks one’s mind to the work of God. Typically, his saints assemble together to worship, pray, and learn the Word. But is the format followed by your local faith community the only way “to do church?”

If church is people, and people assemble together for various reasons, and people worship God in various manners, who are we to question the format that is followed? There are common themes mentioned throughout the Bible when saints come together. they may pray, sing, and share the Word with each other (Col.3:16). Jesus himself mentioned that real worship is done in spirit and truth (John 4:24). But how can this be done in today’s workplace?

What about the small group Bible study that meets once a week around lunch time? Isn’t this church in session? What about a private business whose executive team are strong believers? As they speak, make decisions, and serve their customers from a heart of godliness, are they not worshipping their heavenly Father by doing his Will on earth as in heaven? What about the prayers being offered for each other during the day? What about the music one is listening to with earplugs while preparing a financial spreadsheet? How about the mini-counseling sessions taking place at the water fountain where the foundation is God’s Word? And more importantly, how about the actions of believers being constantly displayed through the good times and tough times? Aren’t we witnessing the gospel message to others through our words, motives, and behavior?

The workplace is our mission field. But more so, where two or more are gathered together, a community of Christ-followers are doing Church with their Lord among them (Matt. 18:20). It may be unorthodox. It may not fit into a 20th century mold. But when a community of believers gather together and worship their God with the gifts and talents He gave us for His glory, isn’t this Church in session? When Biblical principles, attitudes, and behavior are displayed as a living testimony for others to witness, isn’t this Church in session? When the Word is being preached without being spoken, isn’t this Church in session?

Don’t limit God. Instead let the world see what Church is truly all about: the love of God in community serving others and praising Him for His glory. Yes, even in the marketplace.

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