Pride Speaks

Dr. Mike Life in Christ
“Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.” Psalm 31:23 ESV

 pride 3

Pride speaks blindly. When pride covers our true identity, we forget who we are and act accordingly: stupidly. Our words may sparkle, but they carry empty rhetoric. (Witness the political arena and you get a taste of it.) Whenever I feel a touch of pride-me-o-us coming, I turn to Scripture for grounding.

Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 29:23
One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

Obadiah 1:3
The pride of your heart has deceived you…

Mark 7:21-23
For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

The Bible has much more for you to read and discover about pride. For now though, those of us who have truly surrendered to Lord Jesus, we are most grateful for Him releasing pride’s grip on us.

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 a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Perfectionism

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms
“Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh”? Gal. 3:3 ESV

 perfectionism3

Human perfectionism is an illusion. Those who strive to be perfect through their own efforts typically are covering up some fear, shame or hidden lie about themselves. Chasing perfection gives them a sense of control and makes them feel good about themselves. The truth be told though, the cost far exceeds the return of time and effort in the process. Like religion, perfectionism only covers the surface to make one feel good about themselves but never gets to the root of the problem.

If you or someone you know seeks perfection, pray for them to see, learn, and integrate what Paul writes about in Galatians. Through human effort, perfection only covers the problem. It never solves the internal hole that binds the person within perfection’s grip. The only long lasting solution is allowing the Holy Spirit to complete His work in you.

Yet Jesus did say that we should strive for perfection (Matt. 5:48). He stated that we should become perfect like our heavenly Father is perfect. However, the perfection he spoke about is built on the foundation of the Holy Spirit. It involves a renovation of the heart. A change of heart and mind focused on His work. He didn’t expect us to become perfect apart from the help he promised us.

His desire is that our character become like His. That by abiding in him he morphs his character into us. We become perfect not by our personal efforts, but by walking and living with him.

If you struggle with perfectionism, start by asking God to change your thinking of how perfection looks like and its fruitlessness. Then, instead of pursuing perfection, chase after excellence. You will find that perfection robs you of time, money, and relationships. On the other hand, excellence is about being effective. Perfection is expecting more than your best. Excellence is giving your best. Perfection is denying your humanity. Excellence is about taking your limitations and resources into consideration. Perfectionism seeks to glorify the self. Excellence glorifies God. Perfectionism leads to relational failure. Excellence leads to success.

Wherever you are in your journey with Jesus, stay focused in him, with him, and through him. He will via the Holy Spirit lead you to experience the freedom we have in him. Remember, perfectionism is slavery to a lie; instead let’s always pursue excellence in Christ.

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 a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

God or Mammon

Dr. Mike Business & Faith, Life in Christ
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matt. 6:24 KJV

mammon4

The majority of today’s world systems operate under the spirit of Mammon. Some scholars believe that Mammon refers to a Syrian and Chaldean god of wealth, riches, and money. When Jesus spoke about the god of Mammon, he was referring to a spirit of greed, covetousness, and indulgence. So, when He spoke about the impossibility of serving two masters faithfully, most likely he compared the Supreme God with this pagan idol.

Both have a core set of values. You will either lean towards the one or the other. Since they both hold opposing sides of life, one cannot have both. He is not referring to the ownership of wealth or money. Otherwise, every believer would be living untruthfully. Instead, he is speaking about the motive and spirit behind wealth.

When we become aware of God’s ownership of everything, that Jesus is King and rightful heir of everything, that is when a believer surrenders everything under his authority. With everything under the authority of Jesus, then the Spirit begins freeing a person from the spirit of ownership. Instead of wanting more, the Spirit leads the person to experience contentment. Instead of using the power of money, the believer learns about the power of prayer. Instead of seeking to indulge oneself, one learns to live in the freedom of Christ.

Money, wealth, and riches simply become tools to glorify God and better serve others. We become its master. Instead of bowing down to it, we acknowledge what it is and live life accordingly. No longer are we a slave to Mammon; instead, we are a free people in Christ.

If you are challenged by the spirit of Mammon, then take time out and do business with our High Priest. Ask Him for his help to change your thinking. Ask him to show you His family business – The Kingdom of God. You can’t do it alone. Instead, surrender to the King of Kings and learn about the abundant life he taught. As you do, you will come under his Domain and his Spirit. You will never be 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

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!