It’s Not About Us

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , ,

 

For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 2 Corinthians 4:5 ESV.

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Sometimes sermons sound like an info commercial to join a church. There are ministers that communicate a silent message that you are missing out on everything God has for you unless you become a member of their faith community.

One of those Ya-Ha revelation moments came when I realized God’s plan is not and was not and will not be centered around me.

The book of Colossians and Ephesians make mention that His plan of salvation, His Kingdom, and all of creation was built by and for Jesus Christ. He is the central figure of life. God calls people throughout history to join Him in His plan for mankind. As we align our goals, ambitions, and vocational ministries around His Purpose, we quickly learn and experience the joy of working along and in partnership with the Creator of the Universe.

For our scientific community, it may be shocking. For our non-believers, they struggle with the relevancy of faith. However for those who have surrendered to Lord Jesus, they understand better than most. They gladly serve their King. They seek to expand His Kingdom. They want everyone to enjoy the riches that they have received from heaven’s basket of life. They want God’s love to preeminent their relationships. They want to introduce everyone to their King. They cannot stop speaking about the freedom, gifts, and treasurers of heaven that is now available to everyone on earth.

Yes, God has a purpose for you. But that purpose is His for you; not yours for Him. His purpose slowly becomes your reality as you obey your King’s commands. He will show you through the people you meet, serve, and love. You will experience heaven’s riches; not by chasing after them, but by deeply pursuing an intimate relationship with the person who is the center of life: Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the central core of life. He gives you meaning, purpose, and significance. Not by pursuing yours, but by pursuing HIS.

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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Jesus Is Lord

Dr. Mike Jesus Christ , ,
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” Acts 2:36 ESV.

 

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How do you know whether or not you are a Christian? Is it because someone told you that you are? Is it because you do everything that the good Book says too? Or is it because you know you have surrendered to King Jesus proven by the spiritual fruit in your life? Paul writes that no one is capable of saying from the heart that “Jesus is Lord” unless they are being led by the Spirit of God. How about you?

Have you acknowledge Lord Jesus as Boss in your life? Does He have last say in every area of your life? Or are you simply giving him lip service? Or are you like many who simply give him one hour per week and the remaining time is yours to rule?

These are tough questions. If we are honest with each other, we will acknowledge that he rules certain parts of our personal domain, but there are other parts that we still struggle with. He may be Lord of my values, principles, and goals, but is He also Lord of my ambitions, business affairs, and entertainment choices?

Some people falsely think that if they totally surrender to Lord Jesus, that they will end up as a missionary in Timbuktu. That they will have to sell everything and give it to the poor. That they will never marry or raise a family. Or…the list is endless.

The truth of the matter is when one surrenders to Lord Jesus and places their trust in Him, real life only then begins. God knows our strengths and weaknesses. He made us for a purpose. We may think we know what that purpose is. However, he knows how our purpose aligns with his Kingdom plan. Typically, many see our purpose solely as an economic, valueless piece of machinery in this world’s system. We don’t have a clue where and how we fit into His invisible Church unless He reveals it to us. Yet many of us are afraid to trust Him. We want his favor but are challenged by his requirements.

Total surrender to the King means we give up any “rights” we think we possess. Those rights of course only are made available because of Him. However, we rarely think from an eternal perspective. Our mind generally struggles to understand earthly advice. When we come to the place in our life where we can acknowledge Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, then we have come to the place where earthly matter meets eternal bliss. The result is an intimate relationship with our elder Brother, Savior, and King. So don’t be afraid to surrender your hope, dreams, and allegiance to Lord Jesus. In hindsight, it will be one of the best decisions you will ever make. Your only regret will be that you had done it sooner.

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

Encourage your Friends…Share Today’s Message!

What Does the Bible Mean By “In Christ?”

Dr. Mike Life in Christ
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…” Ephesians 1:3 ESV

christ in me 2

The concept “in Christ” is mentioned in scripture approximately 300 times. Yet many readers of the Bible pass over that phrase with a limited view of its meaning. Therefore, we shall provide a quick overview that will open our eyes to the riches we have in our relationship with Jesus Christ. In summary, the apostle Paul used that phrase to highlight four distinct views of our relationship with Jesus Christ.

In certain instances, Paul would simply use the word interchangeably with our position as a member of His physical body: the Church (Romans 12:5). Because of Jesus Christ, we are spiritually incorporated within the same membership one with another. Jesus is the center that keeps us together. He leads and directs us as He chooses.

Again at times Paul would use the phrase to emphasis our identity (2 Corinthians 5:17). That we are associated with Jesus Christ. We are his brothers and sisters. We are included within Jesus’ life. As we mature in the faith, we become more and more like him. Our identity is no longer found is our performance, our race, or sexual status, but found only in him. When the Father looks at us, He views us through the lenses of Jesus Christ.

Sometimes he would embellish on our shared participation with Christ (2 Corinthians 1:5). That we have been buried and resurrected with him. That like he suffered, we also may accept suffering. Not as a savior from sin, but as believers learning obedience through the trials and tests of life. Like many of the early apostles that died a martyrs death, we likewise may share in the experience. Our participation with Christ comes in walking and serving him through similar encounters with others in our daily life. Jesus said that through him we may even do mightier works than He.

At other times Paul would focus on our union with Christ (Ephesians 2:6, Galatians 3:26). Just as the Father and Son are one, we are also one with Jesus and the Father. In fact, we are one with the Triune God – Father, Son, and Spirit. As the Father-Son shared life’s experiences together and with us, we likewise now share our life’s experiences with Jesus.

Jesus is the Author and Sustainer of our salvation. He has given us the opportunity to be identified with him, incorporated with him, participate with him, and walk in union with him. This is the short, simply definition of what it means to be “in Christ.”

So how about starting the New Year living life knowing what all this truly means each day?

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

Encourage your Friends…Share Today’s Message!