Perception

Dr. Mike Life Tools , ,

Matthew 13:15 (NASB)

For the heart of this people has become dull, with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes, otherwise they would see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and return, and I would heal them.’

perception

The other day there was money to be made trading the futures market. The volatility was lively and volume at extreme highs. Yet at the end of the day I didn’t even make one entry. After reviewing the day’s activity, the realization of my perceived blindness shocked me.

I spent the time seeking out one setup that has been very good for me during times of volatility. The setup this day never happened. However, in review I notice five other types of entries that I have successful profited in the past. Yet this day, I was blind to these opportunities.

Lesson learned.

How often do we walk through the day focused on one specific outcome and ignore all other opportunities?

Our perception is not reality. While trading, there was real money being made by those who were open to different possibilities. My perception never occurred; therefore, I didn’t monetarily benefit that day. Yet the fact is money was made by many others. Their perception aligned with what was truly happening that day.

When it comes to God, our perception is either align with Him or not. Ignorance blinds us from seeing or hearing what is actually happening. A narrow mind focused on a perceived idea may limit one from what is actually happening. A misunderstood word may blind one from what is actually happening. A dull ear may also limit one from fully knowing what is actually happening.

However, an open mind, heart, eye, and ear seeks the truth from all sources. Instead of viewing the situation from one single view, we entertain multiple perceptions for confirmation of reality.

Whether trading the futures market or walking with our heavenly Father, our perception is limited. However, when we are open-minded and realize there is more before us than we see and hear, then maybe we can begin to discover what is really happening before us.

Perception is not reality, but only one person’s opinion. Don’t confuse opinion with reality.

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 2013-2018 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Re-Do

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms ,

Romans 5:20 (NASB)

…but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more…

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There is more grace than sin available for your life (Romans 5 & 6). Just as God is greater than any sin, His grace is also always more than whatever sin enslaves you.  Not that you deliberately choose to sin and abuse His grace, but when we disappointingly fail for the umpteen time, his grace is more than enough for you to try again.

For God’s grace corners the market on do-overs, second chances, and the opportunity to try again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, etc.

When you realize life is a learning process preparing you and I for eternity, do-overs are a part of the process of growth. Like any professional endeavor which requires time and diligent effort to master, so does discipleship.

For example, Peter denied Jesus three times. But after Jesus poured out his grace upon him on the beach after His resurrection, Peter boldly spoke His name wherever he went.

When Saul the Jewish persecutor of Christians was knocked off his high horse when confronted by Jesus, he redirected his life mission to serving Christ rather than fighting him.

During our life journey, we will likewise be knocked down, rugs pulled from under us, lied too, gossiped about, reputation driven through the mud, fired, beaten, misunderstood, put our foot in our mouth, kicked from behind, succumb to our addictions, introduced to new vices, and this is only the start of the list. Through all of this, you can be assured that our heavenly Father still loves you and will continue to pour out His grace upon you.

He has promised He will complete the work He has started in you.

You only have to keep trying again, and again, and again…He will do the rest.

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

Be a Blessing

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms, Life Tools ,

Genesis 12:2

“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. NIV.

bless1

 

You were created to be a blessing for God and others! Just like Abraham was blessed by God as His chosen vessel to fulfill His plans for humanity, God has chosen and blessed you to be a blessing for others.

Many of us spend most of our lives seeking to be blessed. We want God’s favor. We want riches, relationships, and respect. We want. We want. We want. Yet somewhere in our journey we will meet up with our true self and come to realize what a blind, ignorant, self-centered creature we have been.

We will eventually repent of our attitude and behavior. We will then begin to better hear God’s truth as He unfolds our story with His and begins to renovate our heart. The end result is a new creation patterned after Jesus Christ.

So why fight it any longer?

The sooner we come to realize we are all walking down a path which will eventually end in death makes us all realize what Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians 15:26. The #1 enemy of all humanity is death.

However, the #1 solution has already arrived. His name is Jesus. He resolved our dilemma by living a perfect life and offering His life in exchange for ours. In the process He opened the door for us to begin exploring eternity.

When the realization hits you that God has a universal eternal plan that already includes you, me, and our neighbors, our typical response is “how do I join?”

When you join Him in His walk, He rubs off on you. His Character, Attitude, and Values become yours. You begin to see life through His eyes. You heart opens up for the success of others. You find ways to contribute your talents, gifts, and treasures for the betterment of others.

You come to realize you were created to be a blessing for God and others. Wherever you walk with God, you seek ways to uplift others, restore those who have been broken, and introduce everyone to the One who is the Center of Life. He is the source of everything good, the truth, and the way.

In other words, since you were created to be a blessing, who will you bless today?

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