Good. Better. Best.

Dr. Mike Life Tools
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Tim. 2:15 ESV.

Over the years we have noticed the challenge some people have in making decisions. They typically struggle always looking for the “right” answer. The tenancy usually is the fear of making a “wrong” decision. For some reason, they have never learned the art of making wise choices. If this is you, hopefully the below will help you.

For most decisions, the issue isn’t right from wrong. For right and wrong are moral dimensions. In most cases, the decision isn’t whether something is morally right, but which is the better choice. Now if you were deciding on becoming a prostitute or selling illegal drugs, then we have a moral dilemma. Sin is never a good choice to make. However, for most times the decision isn’t whether to sin or not, but to determine which is good, better, or best.

So the next time you are pondering a choice to make, gather as much information, opinions, and hard facts within the time restraints you have. Then review and analyze each option based on the top three important values you have determined to be. You will usually end up with one, two, or three options. Pray and ask our Lord for direction. Set a deadline when you have to make the decision. Keep praying, meditating, and evaluating each option before your deadline. Be sure to count the cost in time, money and resources. Are you willing to pay the price with your remaining choices? If not, eliminate it. When the deadline comes, choose one that your gut is telling you and commit to it.

You will not know which is good, better, or best until somewhere far in the future. So don’t fret, question, or become discourage. Instead, exercise your plan, keep seeking direction from your heavenly Father, and run with it. You may have to make some minor adjustments in the process, but continue in that path until you have hit your preliminary review date. This is the date you established when you made your decision to determine if the choice was a prudent one and you will continue moving forward or events and circumstances arose which makes the current choice a reason to quit or readjust.

Generally, you are seeking to make something good, or something good even better, or turn something better into the best ever. They all are going to be at least good. So enjoy the process, thank God for the opportunity and help, and go make it work. Bottom-line: leave right and wrong for the moral decisions – good, better, and best for all the other choices.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Discipleship 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

 

Building Trust

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms

Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. Proverbs 16:20 ESV.

Trust is a two way street. You may want to trust the other person, but can they trust you? Former President Ronald Reagan loved to quote the expression “trust and verify.” In my experience with others, this simple advice truly works in today’s culture.

If you are having a trust issue with another person, you may want to use this approach. Don’t trust them with everything at one time. Instead, build trust one promise at a time.

Likewise if you want to be considered a trustful person, behave as one. Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Instead, when you make a promise, keep it. Live your life with “yes” or “no” as your promise. You will find over time that when people trust your words, your character and ability, your influence for God’s Kingdom will be more quickly accepted because of your proven actions in the past.

Doesn’t God behave the same way with us? When he personally makes a promise to us, doesn’t he keep it? It may not be on our schedule (isn’t God always late in our human opinion), but in hindsight we will see how everything works out better than we could ever expect. Even when God put Abraham to the test in potentially sacrificing his own son, He was building a trustful relationship one act at a time. God knew Abraham’s heart; afterward Abraham knew his heart and God’s heart – leading to mutually trust which builds a stronger relationship.

We can do likewise. First become a person who can be trusted. Then work to build trust with others. And always lean on building trust with our Lord in everything you do.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Discipleship 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

 

 

 

Let God Change Your World

Dr. Mike Think About That...
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new. Revelations 21:5 ESV.

Ever great change begins when one person decides to make a difference in the life of another. Every movement begins when one person serves another. Any one act, any one word, and any one thought has the potential to change your world.

Yet potential changes nothing but the fantasy of mere dreams. Real change occurs only when work becomes focus on a specific outcome.  When your chosen work aligns with your God-given gifts, and most importantly, when the Triune God champions your endeavor, then you know only time will separate your work from final completion.

James writes that faith apart from works is dead (James 2:17). That one needs to act out ones belief for faith to turn into positive results. However, those beliefs need to be grounded in the reality of  Jesus Christ. Otherwise we may be guilty of stealing from Him, plagiarizing him, or even working against him.

Faith also teaches us to rely on Christ for leadership. Instead of seeking God to bless our endeavors, we seek out what God is already doing and ask if we can join Him. Most often, He will gladly share the spotlight with you. Sometimes though He has other plans and you may have to pass on the adventure. Either way, when you rely on directions from your Heavenly Father, you can be assured His Will is already accomplished. You just have to ride the wave toward the shore.

So when you live each day realizing that our Lord may give you one moment, one word, or one act which may positively influence a person’s life or even the course of human history, doesn’t that make your time and life more meaningful in your relationships and pursuits? Think about that…

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Discipleship 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