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.

learnlove2

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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Wealth Creation Manifesto

Dr. Mike Ministry, Think About That... , , , , ,
Isaiah 48:17 (NASB)
Thus, says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel,“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go.

wealth2

BAM is a global Christian ministry focused on bringing people, communities, and nations out of poverty through business. BAM stands for Business as Mission. Recently they outlined their manifesto. They did in my opinion such an outstanding job summarizing God’s purpose for wealth that I just copied word by word to share for the benefit of others. The link to their paper is below.

Affirmations:

1. Wealth creation is rooted in God the Creator, who created a world that flourishes with abundance and diversity.

 2. We are created in God’s image, to co-create with Him and for Him, to create products and services for the common good.

 3. Wealth creation is a holy calling, and a God-given gift, which is commended in the Bible.

 4. Wealth creators should be affirmed by the Church, and equipped and deployed to serve in the marketplace among all peoples and nations.

 5. Wealth hoarding is wrong, and wealth sharing should be encouraged, but there is no wealth to be shared unless it has been created.

 6. There is a universal call to generosity, and contentment is a virtue, but material simplicity is a personal choice, and involuntary poverty should be alleviated.

 7. The purpose of wealth creation through business goes beyond giving generously, although that is to be commended; good business has intrinsic value as a means of material provision and can be an agent of positive transformation in society.

 8. Business has a special capacity to create financial wealth, but also has the potential to create different kinds of wealth for many stakeholders, including social, intellectual, physical and spiritual wealth.

 9. Wealth creation through business has proven power to lift people and nations out of poverty.

 10. Wealth creation must always be pursued with justice and a concern for the poor, and should be sensitive to each unique cultural context.

 11. Creation care is not optional. Stewardship of creation and business solutions to environmental challenges should be an integral part of wealth creation through business.

http://matstunehag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Wealth-Creation-Manifesto-v-4.0-23-April-17.pdf

Wealth is the byproduct of providing services or products for the satisfaction of others. As stewards of God’s Kingdom on earth, our responsibility includes investing to help others flourish. As the old saying goes, “Give a man a fish today to eat, and you have to do it again tomorrow. Invest and teach a man to gather his own fish, he will eat today and tomorrow. Multiply the process with others and the entire community will do the same.

Go and Do Likewise…

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

 

 

The Prosperous Soul

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , , , ,

3 John 1:2

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.

prosporous soul1

The apostle John wrote to his local church with the reassurance God wants each one of his children to prosper not only spiritually, but also physically. The challenge though is more people emphasize the physical objectives of life and ignore the spiritual. They want the benefits of a healthy spiritual walk, but don’t want to invest the time and effort.

The prosperous life is so much more than physical comforts. You could gain the whole world, but be vastly poor in spirit. You could have beauty, power, and fame, but be empty, frustrated, and lonely. A disciple’s walk with his Teacher is life enriched with confidence, boldness, and humility. Her life radiates from an inner peace of contentment. The toys and material items that surround her are simply the means to fully experience the vast richness of God’s creation.

To be healthy is a blessing. But to be healthy for self-aggrandizement is pompous and vain. Health is a physical and mental condition. Both though are empowered by the soul. A soul that is rich in love, joy, patience, goodness, kindness, and self-control. The essence of God’s character is displayed through a soul that is in constant contact with Him.

A soul rich in spiritual blessings is the master of the physical comforts around them. The computer, television, smart phone, and automobile are simply tools being managed by the soul keeper. A rich soul is not addicted to the toys around him. Instead the rich soul effectively manages the comforts of life for a greater purpose.

A rich soul likewise treasures the body as a temple for His divine presence. Therefore, her attitude is to maintain and operate the body’s functions for the long haul. She will not glorify it but discipline it. She will praise its Creator and sustain it for His glory.

Whatever the enriched soul pursues, he does so with the intent to make it better than before. Whether mind, body, or soul, the desire is to magnify the creator. The enriched soul is not self-made. Instead, the prosperous soul knows Her Creator, regularly thanks him in gratitude, and humbly walks with those around him for their benefit and God’s purpose.

So, whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. Prosper in your health, in your bank account, and in your relationships. But always remember your priorities and your most important function today. God knows. So do you.

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