Follow the Rabbi

Dr. Mike Jesus Apprentice
Matthew 23:8
But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.ESV.

 

Jesus was a rabbi. A super rabbi. Most rabbi’s are knowledgeable of the text but not all rabbis interpret the text.  Jesus was the youngest of the super rabbis’ of his time and truly interpreted the Scriptures. When he approached Peter and Andrew and said if you follow me I will make you fishers of men, the youngsters drop their nets and left the family business to pursue the opportunity to become like their rabbi.

In Jesus’ time, it is estimated that one of 10,000 men had the gift to memorize the bible in its entirety. Those who didn’t have the gift went on to learn the family trade. With Andrew, Peter, James, and John, the family business was fishing. So when Jesus approached them and invited them to follow him, it was a honor that normally wasn’t available for those who weren’t gifted with super memory.

For when a Jewish lad turned twelve, it was then determined whether or not they were gifted to be a rabbi. Those gifted would have at least memorized word by word the entire first five books of the old testament. If one wasn’t able to recite the text accurately, they were led to follow their father’s trade.

So Jesus went recruiting disciples who initially didn’t qualify. The apostle Paul wrote later in 1 Corinthians 1:27 “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” What most of us will eventually come to realize is the outcome depends more on God than us. When Jesus invited us to the table to become his disciple, he didn’t choose you because of your great beauty, memory, or skill-set. Instead, he chose you because he loves you and wants to prove to you and others that it is what God is doing and not what you are doing that counts. This is Jesus’ story. We are included in His narrative. We follow him because He is the super rabbi that we want to become like. He is our passion. He is our strength. He is our hope. In the end, it is a humble honor and privilege for us all to follow the Rabbi. How about 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

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Copyright 2017 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Change

Dr. Mike Life Tools

James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.ESV.

 

One constant we all deal with each and every day is the continual process of change. Change happens every day. In hindsight, one could easily admit that life is designed to produce change. People make decisions that impact your life. Processes change. Circumstances evolve where everything is different today than it was yesterday.  When our foundation is shaken, life becomes unstable and unpredictable. The future looks bleak and the current situation unmanageable. Yet there is one constant that always remains the same: GOD.

Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8 state that HE doesn’t change. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Jesus summarized his message to his disciples of the blessed life in Matthew 7:24-27. He reminded them that when all of life’s constant problems and troubles are thrown your way, you better have a solid foundation under your feet. The words he spoke previously pertained to how we can live a more richer life than we ever imagined. But without a sure foundation, life can be treacherous.

Change with God is a whole lot better than change without Him. When one leans on him through the good times and bad, one becomes reassured that He is always there for us. Instead of suffering anxiety, worry, or self-pity, you come to realize as you trust HIM that something very good is going to come out of the mess you are currently in. Yes you may have to suffer for a while, or longer, but the end will definitely be much better than the beginning.

HE doesn’t change. As HE delivered the children of Israel, as HE leads his Church, and as HE prepares a place for you and me for eternity, we know HE is faithful and committed toward the fulfillment of HIS plan to birth a new age that will include you and me forever. As He blessed others, He will bless you. So let’s build our life on HIS foundation and watch in amazement what HE will do for you in your corner of the world.

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 2017 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

 

Does God’s Love Abide In You?

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms
Romans 5:5
…because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. ESV.

When a terrorist commits their act of violence, does God’s love abide in them? Would a person who is in love with the Almighty kill innocent people in the name of their religion? As the debate continues, do guns kill people or is it a matter of what is inside the heart of the person?

In John 5:42, Jesus was speaking with the religious leaders who where criticizing him. His comment though was true then and remains so today. “But I know that you do not have the love of God within you.” Again in Luke 11:42, “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”

Without the love of God vibrating in us and through us, we are just empty containers seeking fulfillment in all the wrong places. We pursue our goals and dreams thinking we will find the answer there. We cover our hurts and pain through addictions which gives us a momentary escape, but when reality comes back the ugliness of our situation still face us. So like an insane person, we repeat the harmful process over again. At times, the unholy anger may build up until the human spirit explodes in violence.

Instead of allowing the love of God soothe us, we withdraw. Instead of forgiving and allowing the love of God to be released, we bind our hostility until our emotional tank explodes. When one begins to understand and experience the love of God in their life, only then the victory for wholesomeness and Shalom becomes real.

We were born to have a relationship with the Invisible God. The Bible reveals who HE IS. As James 4:8 states, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” He has built within humanity the means for you and I to experience life the way He originally designed men and women to function. This is not religion but a way of life built around having an intimate relationship with your Creator. So if you have tried everything else and are still running empty, maybe it’s time to do business with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let Him know you are ready to follow Him. He will lead you.  He will reside in you via the Spirit. In the process, his love will embellish you and you will enjoyably share his love with others. And when someone asks you whether or not God’s love abides in you, you will only smile and place the focus on Jesus Christ. For you know that the love of God resides in you only because of Jesus.

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 2017 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved