Kingdom Paradigms

Why Graceful Pain?

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , ,
“Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NIV.

graceful pain 2

Have you ever petition the Lord for help but the problem remains? Maybe God is telling you something that may be difficult for you to hear. Maybe the unwanted situation is for your good. Maybe He has already answered your prayer. Maybe He is blessing you with graceful pain.

Graceful pain is what Paul learned to accept for his sake. The Bible doesn’t tell us specifically what the pain was, except that it negatively impacted his flesh. He asked God three different times to remove it. But instead of removing it, God informed Him that it was for Paul’s benefit. From this crutch, Paul would live in humility rather than give conceit room to grow.

God is no respecter of persons. If He blessed Paul with the means to enjoy life through graceful pain, who are we do be any different? Our pain may be physical, mental, emotional, financial, or social. No matter the area, maybe God is revealing Himself to us through these unwanted means. Maybe He is growing us more effectively as we lean on Him. Maybe as we realize our weakness, we also see His power and strength at work in us.

So, if we have petitioned our Lord at least three different times without the answer we desire, maybe we need to see the benefits of our situation from His perspective. Maybe the trials we are currently traveling through are His mercies in disguise. Maybe living without graceful pain would be more harmful for us at this season of life than not. Maybe this period of pain is God’s blessing for us to see how strong we actually are in Him.

Paul boasted of his weaknesses. Maybe we need to do the same.

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

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Conformity or Transformation?

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , ,
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 ESV.

conformity 1

We live in the world were acceptance of another is important too many. Studies have been conducted proving that people have a tenancy to lean towards a particular point of view because the majority adhere to it. The idea that just because a majority believe in something does not necessarily make it right or truthful or the best approach.

This world’s system (governments, business, education, culture, etc.) naturally operate apart from God’s best.  When God is left out of any equation the outcome is generally a feeble attempt toward excellence. When we compare the natural created order with man-made systems, we have a long way to go. God’s created order, unless interrupted by man’s touch, is built on a natural process of inter-dependency, self-renewal, and non-prejudicial growth.

God is in the business of making everything good: good for you, me, and others. God doesn’t make junk. He makes unique masterpieces of art that scientifically functions and serves a purpose for the benefit of others.

He is also in the business of restoration. He takes what is broken and transforms it into His original intent.  Whether we are speaking about one of His adopted children, or His ultimate goal for heaven and earth, He has a multi-dimensional plan that involves the entire universe.

When we try to conform to the world around us, we close the door to allow God’s best. However, when we are open to His influence, discipline, and knowledge, He slowly renews our perception of Him and His ways that opens paths toward a more fulfilling life.

How many times have you driven by the same corner without noticing the sign in the store front window? Then one day, there it is. It’s been there for years but you just never noticed it because you weren’t looking. You weren’t looking because no one brought it to your attention. What made the sign so important to you then and not before? Maybe the sign advertised what you have been looking for in all the wrong places. And there it is; the answer you have been seeking.

Don’t seek to conform to this world’s ways. Instead allow the Triune God to morph your thinking towards His worldview. When you begin to see the world like He does, you will see, hear, touch, and smell things like never before. Your only complaint is you wish you could have started earlier in life.

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!

 

 

 

The Honorable Choice

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , ,
“The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value”. Proverbs 8:10 NIV.

 

honorable choice 1A


 

Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.

What criteria do you base your choice on?

Experience? Values? Desired Outcome?

 

When the decision impacts the life of people, do you take the easy way out or the more challenging route? Do you make the effort to take the more honorable path or simply the road that makes you feel better?

For example, when you come to a fork in the road with another person, how do you deal with it? The person may deserve the full repertoire of your worldly arsenal for total annihilation, but is that required at this time? The Godly choice would be to speak words that build up, encourage, and empower the person to a more fruitful life. But what will you do?

One question that seems to appear for me during these moments that you may also want to include in your arsenal of personal tools is, “What is the most honorable thing I can do at this time?”

Your answer will lead you to reply, act, and leave the scene with a more positive impact than what you most likely would have otherwise done. In fact, by being led with God’s heart, mind, and Spirit, you will most likely make a transformational impact into the life of another as a witness for His glory.

  1. May seem simple. But the outcome are typically the type of scenes that the movie industry likes to capture for their audience. Why? Because it is unnatural for the human heart to behave in such a fashion. But saintly behavior is next to godliness and therefore shines in a world of darkness.

So next time you find yourself at the prism of the choice between two paths, choose wisely. Choose the more honorable way.

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!