Bold Confidence

Dr. Mike Life in Christ

Ephesians 3:12
in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. ESV.

The Hebrew view of faith from the old testament emphasized Chutzpah or high confidence rather than just a mental exercise. This concept is also re-emphasized in the new testament from the Book of Hebrews. Faith is more about knowing you know because of the living experiences you walked through rather than just an analytical dream you conceive in your mind. We sometimes like to make practical applications into something religiously mystical. But faith is that bold confidence your body, soul, and mind expresses when you are faced with a challenge or opportunity.

How is this faithful confidence built? Isn’t it through life’s experiences? When we try something new and learned from the experience, don’t we grow our confidence? When we try and fail or succeed at something, don’t we gain confidence in the process? Isn’t it the same in our relationship with our Lord?

Yes we can have confidence apart from our Lord and in ourselves or abilities. But that isn’t the bold confidence we are speaking about here. That confidence is built solely on human skills and abilities and will eventually fail you. The Chutzpah we are writing about is that bold confidence you develop when you leaned on the Lord and in hindsight you know he carried you through the ordeal.

It is eating food and drinking water every day for forty years in the desert like the nation of Israel in their exodus march. It is like a teenager defeating a lion and a bear to defend his family’s sheep like David. It is a beauty pageant winner standing before the autocratic King risking her life to save her nation from genocide like Deborah. It is a confidence built through the actual experience of trusting God.

It starts with the small things in life and grows from there.

We all have been given faith by the Holy Spirit. But unless you use it, you will never experience the joy of knowing your heavenly Father and the riches He shares with His children.

Faith is fully alive when confidence exudes boldness. But it only starts when you place your trust in the God of 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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Why Be A Student of the Bible?

Dr. Mike Life Tools , , ,
Deuteronomy 8:3
..but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. ESV.

The Bible is a book that reveals the portal of life. Within its pages are the lessons learned by those who have gone before us. As you peruse each chapter, you come to realize that human behavior, experiences, and desires have remain the same for thousands of years. Or as one historian stated, there is nothing new under the sun except technology and fashion.

As you read, you will become a student of history, psychology, and human relations.  The Book becomes your manual for everyday joy. Throughout its pages, you discover more of God’s character, purpose, and story. You discover where real peace and prosperity comes from and how to attain them. You learn to separate real Truth from the lies thrown your way each and every day. You come to experience and share the power of love from God’s heart.

You learn to quickly recognize the hypocrisy and fears in yourself and others. But more importantly, you find the faith which leads to the dismantling of these ugly demons in yourself and others.

As you read and study the events, circumstances, and lives of people who encountered God, you realize you have more in common with them then not. And more importantly, over time you will come to know the Author of Life and your place with Him. You will uncover your true identity and purpose which will lead to a more meaningful life of adventure and passion.

You may even come to realize that the Book was personally written just for you. That the God revealed through its pages truly loves you and wants what is best for you. That He wants a personal relationship with you. That He is nothing like the stern grandfather you may have heard from others. Instead, He is the loving Dad who provides, protects, and shares life with all his children.

When you come to the place where you recognize there are more Pros than Cons to study the Bible, then do the smart thing; make the commitment. In hindsight, it will be one of the best decisions you will make in your entire life time. Or it may be one of those regretful choices that you would have liked to have changed. Either way, your choice today will determine your quality of life tomorrow.

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

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

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2017 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved