Values, Beliefs, Relationships

Dr. Mike Business & Faith
“If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.” I Corinthians 3:14 ESV.

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What is the foundation of your life? And how do you focus your energy toward building upon it?

After a 30+ year career in corporate America (and still going), plus 40+ years following Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, I’ve learn many lessons the hard way. One of those lessons include how to determine what is more important for the long term.

I’ve seen short-term solutions that caused severe long-term problems. I’ve also seen solutions that blessed everyone involved in the matter. Not winners-losers, but winners everywhere.

The core of those favorable long-term solutions were built on Biblical values. They were deliberate decisions based on Biblical beliefs. In addition, those decisions that placed the importance on relationships proved invaluable over and over again.

Yes there were temporary setbacks. However, in most cases, they were just timing situations that had to be worked through.

If a young person entering the business profession today asked me, “What areas should I invest most of my personal development toward”?  I would simply reply: seek out Eternal values, base your beliefs on reality as revealed by the Triune God through the pages of the Bible, and learned everything you can about how to be a blessing for others.

These three friends when chosen and acted upon will open the doors for you to see opportunities, improve your relationships with others, and give you a mental perspective attuned to the living God. In other words, which values, beliefs, and relationships will lead you toward a life worth living?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Does a Friend Need Encouragement…Share Today’s Message!

Why Graceful Pain?

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , ,
“Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NIV.

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Have you ever petition the Lord for help but the problem remains? Maybe God is telling you something that may be difficult for you to hear. Maybe the unwanted situation is for your good. Maybe He has already answered your prayer. Maybe He is blessing you with graceful pain.

Graceful pain is what Paul learned to accept for his sake. The Bible doesn’t tell us specifically what the pain was, except that it negatively impacted his flesh. He asked God three different times to remove it. But instead of removing it, God informed Him that it was for Paul’s benefit. From this crutch, Paul would live in humility rather than give conceit room to grow.

God is no respecter of persons. If He blessed Paul with the means to enjoy life through graceful pain, who are we do be any different? Our pain may be physical, mental, emotional, financial, or social. No matter the area, maybe God is revealing Himself to us through these unwanted means. Maybe He is growing us more effectively as we lean on Him. Maybe as we realize our weakness, we also see His power and strength at work in us.

So, if we have petitioned our Lord at least three different times without the answer we desire, maybe we need to see the benefits of our situation from His perspective. Maybe the trials we are currently traveling through are His mercies in disguise. Maybe living without graceful pain would be more harmful for us at this season of life than not. Maybe this period of pain is God’s blessing for us to see how strong we actually are in Him.

Paul boasted of his weaknesses. Maybe we need to do the same.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Does a Friend Need Encouragement…Share Today’s Message!

 

 

Conformity or Transformation?

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , ,
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 ESV.

conformity 1

We live in the world were acceptance of another is important too many. Studies have been conducted proving that people have a tenancy to lean towards a particular point of view because the majority adhere to it. The idea that just because a majority believe in something does not necessarily make it right or truthful or the best approach.

This world’s system (governments, business, education, culture, etc.) naturally operate apart from God’s best.  When God is left out of any equation the outcome is generally a feeble attempt toward excellence. When we compare the natural created order with man-made systems, we have a long way to go. God’s created order, unless interrupted by man’s touch, is built on a natural process of inter-dependency, self-renewal, and non-prejudicial growth.

God is in the business of making everything good: good for you, me, and others. God doesn’t make junk. He makes unique masterpieces of art that scientifically functions and serves a purpose for the benefit of others.

He is also in the business of restoration. He takes what is broken and transforms it into His original intent.  Whether we are speaking about one of His adopted children, or His ultimate goal for heaven and earth, He has a multi-dimensional plan that involves the entire universe.

When we try to conform to the world around us, we close the door to allow God’s best. However, when we are open to His influence, discipline, and knowledge, He slowly renews our perception of Him and His ways that opens paths toward a more fulfilling life.

How many times have you driven by the same corner without noticing the sign in the store front window? Then one day, there it is. It’s been there for years but you just never noticed it because you weren’t looking. You weren’t looking because no one brought it to your attention. What made the sign so important to you then and not before? Maybe the sign advertised what you have been looking for in all the wrong places. And there it is; the answer you have been seeking.

Don’t seek to conform to this world’s ways. Instead allow the Triune God to morph your thinking towards His worldview. When you begin to see the world like He does, you will see, hear, touch, and smell things like never before. Your only complaint is you wish you could have started earlier in life.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Does a Friend Need Encouragement…Share Today’s Message!