Life in Christ

Kingdom Thoughts on Marriage

Dr. Mike Life in Christ ,

Hebrews 13:4

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

Today’s culture is winning the battle, but the war is far from over. In fact, victory is certain and on the horizon. For those who truly want the best, Jesus Christ has given mankind the opportunity to now experience human life to the fullest. Yet, many still don’t see it and fall back into the destructive tenancies this world calls happiness.

When one begins to strip away the lies, illusions, and facades, and see creation as an expression of God’s character, one gathers insight into God’s heart and purpose for you and me. The blessed life isn’t about wealth and prosperity, nor fame or power, but the realization and fulfillment of experiencing life with God – the most enjoyable, successful, Being in the entire universe.

God’s instructions to us, recorded through the pages of the Bible, outline boundaries, goals, and values which shadows the heart, mind, and will of the Creator. As one pursues the God-with life, Christ’s character and nature of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control rub off onto us. The book of Proverbs calls it “iron sharpening iron.”

To intimately know God as God knows us is the most powerful love relationship you will ever experience. The closest institution on earth which exemplifies such a relationship is found in a Christ-centered marriage between two people who get it. This binding, life-long commitment between two disciples of the opposite sex is a God ordain covenant rather than a self-centered contract.

God’s purpose in marriage is not only for the procreation of life on earth, but also the social foundation of family and the intimate workshop for love to bloom. When you study God’s entire creation, you notice how everything operates from order and continual self-renewal. When mankind deviates from God’s intentions, a heavy price is paid.

The primary, fundamental foundation of marriage is not love, but commitment. The same faithful, commitment that God lives out for humankind is what God wants us to learn through marriage. HIS covenant and faithfulness toward the Jewish race exemplified HIS love and commitment to us all. Even though HIS chosen people continued to rebel against HIM, HE was and is always faithful. Again, to reiterate, even though we are not 100% faithful to HIM, HE always remains 100% faithful toward us.

Marriage is not a contract between two business partners, but a life-long promise between two people and God. When God is thrown out-of-the-home, the marriage relationship is than built on human desires and purposes. However, when the Triune God is the central binding relationship within the marriage, then our Creator’s original intent for a man and woman is slowly realized as we are being shaped and nurtured into HIS image. For in the committed marriage relationship, one eventually learns and grows to experiences real intimacy, self-less service for another, genuine Christ-centered leadership, and God-centered community living. The fundamental building block of HIS eternal Kingdom is found within the ordain marriage covenant.

Today’s culture has blinded the eyes of people yearning for real intimacy and fulfilment. The media, entertainment, business, education, and governmental institutions have taken advantage of people’s fear of commitment, horrifying experiences of broken homes and relationships, and ignorance of God’s best for them. But when you turn away from the world’s smoke and mirrors, and diligently seek HIM, God promises to share HIS life with you and in your marriage.

This is one reason why I believe the marriage relationship is the bedrock of God’s Kingdom on earth and why covenant marriage is held in the highest honor among her constituents.

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 2013-2019 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Priceless Grace

Dr. Mike grace, Life in Christ, Life Tools

Luke 4:12

And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote a book “The Cost of Discipleship” where he coined the phrase “Cheap Grace”. His intention was to emphasize discipleship which he felt was being neglected. Like we all do at one time or another, we emphasize one point while distancing others. He did the same.

Grace is priceless. All the money in the world cannot purchase it. Grace is the outer expression of God’s inner character. There is nothing cheap about God. His grace has been around as long as HE has.

When most of us write or speak about cheap grace, aren’t we speaking from our humanistic perspective? As mortals normally do, we place a value on everything from our view. Therefore, my purpose today is not to critique his book and concepts but simply borrow his phrase – cheap grace.

My definition: cheap grace is our lackadaisical attitude toward God when we intentionally, deliberately and repeatedly abuse HIS goodness in our life.

God is always good. His mercy and compassion are always overflowing. He wants what is best for us. Sometimes though, we take advantage of HIS kindness and love by placing ourselves in planned difficult situations which deliberately requires HIS intervention on our behalf.  

Like the little child desiring one of mom’s freshly baked cookies hidden in the upper cabinet of the kitchen, I am no different. As a child in great need to satisfy my sweet tooth, I would drag the chair over to the other side of the kitchen, place a box on top of the chair and then climb on top so I could reach the upper shelf where the cookies were hidden. I don’t recall how many times I fell or how many times I succeeded to obtain a cookie before dinner, but I do recall once falling and being caught by my mother before hitting the floor. I think the act of being caught hurt more than the spanking I received.

I’m not sure how long I continued to seek those cookies, but this I knew through it all. Mom still loved me even after my disobedience. And the price of hurting oneself for one of her treats was worth the risk.    

I still catch myself at times behaving the same way with God. I abuse his love more times then I can count. Jesus himself faced such a temptation from Satan at the beginning of his public ministry but never gave in. He was tempted by Satan to leap off from the top of the temple (commit suicide) stating that because He was God’s Son, God will catch him. But Jesus didn’t succumb to the liar’s temptation. Instead Jesus quoted Scripture reminded everyone that we are not to put God to the test.

God is always good. And knowing HE is always good allows the carnal heart to sometimes take advantage of HIS goodness. This attitude though runs the risk of slowly destroying one’s consciousness. The more times we give in to the temptation, the easier it becomes to fail the next time. And the more we become like that child thinking we are getting away with something in the short term but not realizing the next one may be life threatening.

Cheap grace is taking advantage of God’s love. The action is not from love, but of self-indulgence.

Thankfully though, Jesus Christ knows our human condition and heart. He has already forgiven us for our ignorant stupidity. And more importantly, loves us so much that he will continually discipline us until we change. So, the quicker we stop abusing HIS love and allow HIM to live out HIS life in us and through us, the richer life becomes and the deeper the relationship grows where our desire is to truly respect and honor HIM in every way.

Every test is an opportunity to grow stronger in HIM. The outcome is victory. The reward is a greater faith in HIM. The prize is to experience life more abundantly. The result is a deeper, more meaningful relationship with our King.

Yes, we are more than grateful for the priceless grace of God.

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 2013-2019 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

God’s Home

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ, Life in Christ, Think About That... , ,

John 14:23

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

The Christ-centered life is not a religion, but a relationship with the living God. When one focuses on the rules, tasks, and activity rather than the relationship, one has then diverted from the central core of a God-with life.

As a child of the living God, with a high worshipful and respectful love for Jesus Christ and His teachings, we are assured both God the Father and Jesus himself via the Holy Spirit are actively living within us. As they are always present, whether we are aware or not, are we truly enjoying God’s presence? Or do we take Him for granted?

Throughout Scripture you and I are described as God’s temple, His building, and His abiding place. Paul writes one of the greatest mysteries is about God living in you. How well does that sink in? His holy presence lives in you.

So how are you treating your royal guest?

Do you ignore Him? Do you take Him for granted? Or do you share your life with Him as He shares His life with you?

The Triune God wants an active relationship with you and I. So much so, He literally establishes a home with us. He has promised to always remain with us. No matter how often stupidity attacks us. He remains true and committed to the relationship.  

We demonstrate our love for Jesus by following his teachings. Whenever we are unsure of a matter, we discuss the matter with Him through prayer. Whenever we find doubt or are troubled on a matter, we may seek His advice through prayer and through other disciples of His. We follow the example of our Rabbi as outlined through the pages of the Bible.

We would rather error on the side of love then fail to follow through on a matter. But more importantly, we just enjoy hanging out together. There is something about home we take for granted. For home is the place we can relax, be ourselves, and enjoy the time without outside interference, calls, or distractions. Home is where we discover our true self. And home is where we can visit with our friends and share in life triumphs and defeats.

God has multiple homes. Two of those homes are with you and I.  Today our bodies are HIS temple; so, we are home. Tomorrow our new bodies will be in HIS presence; then we will likewise be home. Our home is with our Lord and His God and Spirit. Wherever they may be is where home is for you and I.

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 2013-2019 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved