Where is Your Faith?

Dr. Mike Bible Life Questions ,

 

He said to them, “Where is your faith?” Luke 8:25 ESV.

 

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The disciples are on a boat with Jesus and are panicking because of the vast storm they find themselves battling.  Jesus awakes from his sleep and notices the frighten faces. Before he commands the winds and waters to behave, he looks at the disciples and asks the question, “Where is your faith?”

The same question may be asked of you and I multiple times as we face the challenges that life throws us. Where is your faith?

Paul writes in I Corinthians 12: 4-11 that the Holy Spirit distributes various gifts to us including faith. Likewise in Romans 12:3 he again writes that God distributes the gift of faith to each of us.

Jesus himself stated that all we need is faith the size of a mustard seed to move mountains (Mt. 17:20).

One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is faithfulness (Gal. 5:22). To be full of faith is faithfulness.

Faith is a gift from God. God has given each of us a portion as he determines. You may have been given a 100 gallon tank of faith and I only a pint. But we each have the gift of faith. We only need to exercise it.

It is also unwise to compare ourselves with someone who has a 100 gallon faith tank when we only have a pint. God knows. Like the parable of the talents, we are to be good stewards of what God has given us and invest for future returns.

For me to turn the faith pint into a faith quarter is a 100% return. For the person who has 100 gallon faith tank, a pint return is only a .125% return.

So yes the person who has been given much faith, much is expected from him. However, the person who has been given a little faith, much is also expected from him. However, their reward at the finish line will probably be as much and maybe more than many expect.

What does this all mean?

Simply this: God gives us the faith we need to operate under. Don’t compare your faith with each other. Compare your faith with Jesus’. That will keep you humble, dependent on Him, and allow you to maximize your potential as God created you to be.

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

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Who is Our #1 Enemy?

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , ,

 

“The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” I Corinthians 15:26 ESV.

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When Jesus Christ arose from the pits of the grave, he accomplished several key strategic moves for the battle over planet earth. He defeated Satan and in return took back the earthly domain from mankind’s thorn in the flesh. He fulfilled the requirements of the Jewish Law and in the process rip the curtain that hung between God and humanity restoring direct relationship between each. He also defeated death being raised by His Father as a new creation: flesh and spirit united as one eternal being.

This Easter season also reminds us who is humanity’s #1 common enemy. Whether we are believers or non-believers, male or female, rich or poor, saints or sinners, democrats or republicans, Paul writes that the last enemy that Christ will place under his authority is death.

Physical death lays at the end of life’s journey. No matter how many toys we accumulate, friends we have, children we raise, businesses we develop, money we earn, recognition we receive, and awards we are given, death comes to all.

Yet we can rejoice knowing that God in Christ broke the chains of sin’s domain and restored our fellowship with the Creator of heaven and earth. That in Christ we have died with him and in Christ we have already arisen to a new life. That in Christ our eternal home awaits us. That Christ died for all humanity so that all humanity may also live with him. On that day after our last physical breath, like Christ, we will commit our spirit into the Father’s hand and await for the time of full restoration when all who have died will be resurrected unto a new world. When the age of man will be behind us and the new age of the spirit/human will travel throughout the universe on missions representing our King.

Jesus described our future home as a large mansion with many rooms; John describes one city with gold streets; and Paul concludes that this perishable body must put on the imperishable and then death will be swallowed up in victory (I Corinthians 15:35-58).

So knowing the love, grace, and peace we have in Christ, let’s celebrate Easter and everyday as we calmly walk in Christ towards victory over the #1 enemy of mankind.

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 some Encouragement…Share Today’s Message!

 

Who Are You Lord?

Dr. Mike Bible Life Questions , , ,

 

And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Acts 9:5 ESV.

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Which Jesus are you familiar with?

Do you know the gregarious, celebrating Jesus who was accused by the religious leaders as a wine bibber and glutton? Or do you recognize the weeping Jesus who cried prior to resurrecting Lazarus? Or maybe the healing Jesus who gave sight to the blind?

Then what about the beaten Jesus with bleeding cuts and bruises prior to his crucifixion? The hungry Jesus who fasted for 40 days prior to his confrontation with Satan? The popular Jesus who drew crowds of thousands to hear what he had to say? Or the controversial Jesus who questioned the religious teachings of his day?

Maybe you are familiar with the runaway Jesus who left his family at the age of twelve for three days discussing Scripture with the teachers in the Jewish temple? How about the Jesus who hung around prostitutes, thieves, and debt collectors? Or the wimpy Jesus who hung around women all day?

Many probably identify the teaching Jesus who took every event of the day to expound on his kingdom and way of life. Or the Jewish Jesus who kept the Holy days outlined in the Bible. Or the rebellious Jesus who broke the religious traditions of the times. Then there is the praying Jesus who would rise early in the mornings to spend time with His Father. Or the carpenter Jesus who built tables, chairs, and houses for people in the community.

Possibly some may even recognize the obedient Jesus who resisted the temptation of Satan and trusted God for His destiny. Or the suffering Jesus who took everyone’s Sin unto himself while focusing on the joy that laid before him. Maybe even the dying Jesus who was unjustly accused and sentenced to death by the government establishment.

My question for today though, is how many identify the living Jesus now sitting next to his Father in authority for heaven and earth? How many see Jesus now sitting at the table along with all our brothers and sisters? How many of us identify with the Jesus who is returning to complete the Triune Project started at the foundation of the universe?

Whichever Jesus you identify with is probably where you find him today in your life. And as the seasons change while we walk with our King, Savior, and Friend, He reveals himself to us as we need to know. Meanwhile, enjoy the journey, share the good news, and allow Him full access to make his imprint in your life story.

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 some Encouragement…Share Today’s Message!