Christmas: The License To Celebrate Early, Late, & All Year Long

Dr. Mike Christmas, Kingdom Paradigms ,

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 ESV

love 33

It is easy to criticize the dark-side of Christmas. Who among us doesn’t get upset over the commercialization of the season. The busyness of this time of year that keeps people apart before bringing them together again. The multitude of people on the road and in stores driven to acquire their next toy or gift without mercy toward others. The battle to keep within a budget that always seems to become overextended no matter how hard we try. The list can keep on going. Instead though, let’s focus on the good side of Christmas.

Isn’t it a joy to watch the Spirit of God work this time of year?

In a recent Saturday morning prayer group, one man shared his story about shopping at Wal-Mart. He went into the store to purchase blankets that he planned to pass-out to the homeless. Based on the advertisement he saw and the limited monetary resources at his disposal, he figured he could purchase at least ten blankets. However, upon visiting the department where the blankets where kept, he quickly realized he may have to purchase less than he planned. The items that he wanted were already sold out.

However, explaining his dilemma to a nearby attendant, she told him to wait as she would check the backroom for more of the blankets that were on sale. After several minutes she returned and explained that there were a few more blankets available and also mentioned to him that if he would stop by the manager’s office, he could receive a $10 gift card to help with his purchase. So off he went to the manager’s office. Upon entering and repeating his story, the manager reached down and did not give him a $10 gift card but a $25 card. So taking the additional money back to the home goods department, he grabbed a few more blankets. Upon the checkout he found out that several of the blankets were selling for less than the advertised price. Therefore, he went back and grabbed a few more.

Long story short, he went in to purchase 10 blankets. He left acquiring 35 better quality blankets. All he could do throughout the entire process is laugh as he witnessed how the Spirit worked to change people’s hearts and events. He called it his early Christmas present to witness the hand of God at work in his life.

Christmas is the season to witness how people express God’s love through their sharing and giving. It’s as though this time of year people have the grace-laden license to magnify the spirit of giving. That being said, than please accept this message as your license to celebrate Christmas early, late, and yes, even all year long. Merry Christmas everyone!

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!

God’s Perfect Reflection

Dr. Mike Life in Christ ,
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? John 14:9 ESV

relection 1

Do you want to know what God is like? Than study into the life of Jesus Christ. In theological terms it is called Christology. In faith terms, it is the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior (2 Peter 3:18).

In several places found in Scripture, Jesus mentioned that Father God and He are one. That if you know Jesus Christ, you will also know the Father. Either Jesus is making the claim from a position of fact or He is lying, or He is a crazy man. It is the same accusation people made about Him during his ministry. Our position is that Jesus Christ is the perfect human reflection of Father God.

So how would God act if He was you in your situation today?

When you study the life of Jesus Christ, you quickly learn how he communicated, encouraged, and taught the people around him. Like a great Rabbi, he modeled the life he wanted his disciples to practice. Unlike the religious leaders of his day, He walked the talk.

The Jewish leaders were great at sounding knowledgeable, dissociating themselves from the common people of the day, and desiring to serve others for their personal gain. Not Jesus.
He eagerly pursued His Father’s Will. He and His Father where united in spirit. How Jesus responded to the people’s needs was a reflection of how Father God would respond. Everything was done with His Father’s purpose in mind. He went where His Father was working.

He gave credit to His Father for the accomplishments and miracles. He called no one good but God. He knew the evil intent that was in man’s heart. But He also knew the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to lead, comfort, and counsel others for the sake of the Kingdom and others.

So if you want to know more about God, pickup that Bible and start reading the four gospel accounts of the Jesus’ story. But this time read it from the perspective that Father God was living life in and through Jesus Christ. That Jesus Christ is the perfect reflection of our heavenly Father.

Again you may be pleasantly surprised to discover what and who Father God is truly like.

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!

Savior

Dr. Mike Life in Christ
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” Philippians 3:20 ESV

savior4

As we gear up for another political season to elect the next president of these United States, we are reminded as God’s children that we hold dual citizenship – citizens of God’s Kingdom and citizens of the United States. As citizens of the United States we have the privilege to add our vote for the candidate we strongly believe may best serve this country at this time. However, as citizens of God’s family Kingdom, we already have acknowledged our King and gladly serve him faithfully for His glory and for the sake of others.

Yet for many people who do not have an abiding relationship with King Jesus, they still seek a hero or savior to give them the life they desire. Whether the candidate is a democrat, republican, or an independent doesn’t really matter. What typically matters is electing a person who will give them what they believe is in their best interest. In other words, they seek someone to save them. A savior.

There a many people who claim they can save you. But can they?

Then there are people who state they don’t need a savior. That they have everything under control. That a savior is for those unfortunate weak people. It always amazes me when a person who has everything that they ever wanted suddenly finds themselves without. How they suddenly react in crisis mode realizing for the first time that they need help beyond themselves.

The other day a person I know made a statement that would shock some people. She is one of those persons who has lived a life doing all the things one must do to be healthy. She eats wholesome, natural foods. She exercises. She prays and practices daily devotionals. She has crossed her “T’s” and marked her “X’s” on every life test that came her way. If you had to grade her performance, she would receive an “A+.” Yet her health is failing her. Her list of ailments are enough for a dozen people to manage. It is not that she hasn’t done everything one must do to maintain her health, it is simply she inherited dysfunctional DNA from her generational tree. Her statement? “I do everything one possible can to maintain good health. Yet suffer. Others abuse themselves and live a long, prosperous life. It’s not fair.”

No, Life is not fair. Which is a reason we need a Savior. Life dumps unexpected crap on each one of us. Which is a reason we need a Savior. This life stops at the grave. Which is a reason we need a Savior. Without a Savior, we are all dead. We may be walking, talking, and breathing. But real, enjoyable life escapes us now and the afterlife becomes a crap shoot.

Saviors come in many different packages. The one I choose to hang my hat with is Jesus Christ. He alone has proven to me over and over again that He is my Savior and the Savior of the entire world. How about you?

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!