Discover God in Your Brokenness

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , ,

Psalm 34:18 NASB

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

broken4

The one place many of us discover the real God comes through our brokenness. When we find ourselves at the end of our rope hanging on for dear life; when we are on the bottom of the barrel with nowhere else to go; when we just suffered a great financial or relationship loss and we don’t know what to do next; God gracefully and timely (not always my way) answers our prayer. It is from these experiences we learn ASAP – always stop and pray.

In my own walk, God became real and faith came alive during those unpleasant times of unemployment. It was in between jobs where I didn’t know how we were going to make the mortgage payment and put food on the table. It was these times when the answer from our prayer for daily bread became real. Thereafter, it became a family adventure to pray and watch how God was going to help us get out of this mess and other difficult situations.

When you read many of the classics of yesterday, you read about saints who expressed their joy of discovering more about God and His gracefulness during the difficult times of their lives. It seems most of us are too busy when times are good to see God’s presence in a situation. However, when times are bad and we have exhausted all our resources so there is nothing else we can physically turn to, God makes His appearance. (Though He is always already there).

It is typically during these broken times we discover who God is and come to appreciate knowing He truly cares for us. So, the next time you find yourself busted, broken, and beaten, stop and don’t rush through the process. Instead take the time to better develop the most important relationship you can have on planet earth. He will reveal Himself to you when you seek Him. And when we are broken, there are not too many distractions to prevent us from getting to know Him better.

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

#1 Sinner

Dr. Mike Life in Christ

1 Timothy 1:15 NIV

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

sinner3

When we foolishly compare ourselves with our neighbors and think we are better then they, beware the blindness! It is always much easier to see the speck in our neighbor’s eye rather than the plank that is sticking through ours (Matt.7:5).

Yes, we need to recognize sin and its ugly consequences. But when we approach our neighbors from a self-righteous attitude like we are better than them, we are only setting ourselves up for a humpty-dumpty fall.

The apostle Paul kept himself grounded by truly realizing and knowing he was and is the worst sinner of everyone. Yes, he no longer went about persecuting those who didn’t believe as he did. But like the reformed alcoholic, he knew he was one drink away from being led down the path of unwavering slavery to its addiction.

His answers always pointed to Jesus Christ.

Because Jesus fulfilled HIS plan of redemption for humanity, Paul realized his changed attitude and behavior was the result of the Spirit’s work in him. Paul didn’t take the accolades but gave them to whom it belong too – Jesus Christ. He was Christ’s workmanship. The good works, the letters, the words, and the final product was only because of God’s patience and mercy toward him and others.

So, just like how D. T. Niles stated “evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread,” relationships are likewise built by one sinner telling another sinner where to find a real, long term solution.

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

 

Measuring Your Self-Worth

Dr. Mike Life Tools , ,

Genesis 1:27 (NASB)

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

worth3

How do you measure yourself? What standard do you use? What is the basis of your value?

For many people, their success in life is measured by their accomplishments. Their achievements may include independent wealth, political fame, functional family, educational credentials, industry recognition, and the list is endless.

For some though, they have come to realize that all the achievements collected together in a lifetime is simply vanity blowing into the wind (Eccl. 1:2). Our real worth lies in Jesus Christ.

From being made in the image of God himself, mankind has the unique standing of having value not because of what or who he is, but because he was created by God himself. Humanity’s value is determined by God himself. He created us. He bestowed the gifts and abilities we possess. He birthed us in such a time as this. He is constantly disciplining and encouraging us as we journey through life.

Being redeemed by Christ, you and I have been purchased from Satan’s bondage and ushered into God’s royal chamber. You and I are God’s children being prepared for leadership and ministry (Rev. 5:10). All because of the work of Jesus Christ.

We are His workmanship being prepared for good works (Eph.2:10). Therefore, every person has value and deserves respect and honor. Our value is not determined by what we contribute to the whole. Instead our worth is measured by God’s faithfulness for us.

God loves us so much He gave us Himself in Jesus Christ. In Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself (Col. 1:20). Through Christ, we have a direct relationship with the Creator. Everything was made by Christ through Christ for Christ (Col.1:16) who shares everything with us.

You are valuable in Christ. You are highly esteemed in Christ. You are very important in Christ. Your value lies in Christ. You are worth more than you truly realize. But only because of Jesus 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

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-2018 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved