Imitators of God

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , ,
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” Eph 5:1

imitators 2

When you were a child and an adult asked you what did you want to be like when you grew up, how did you reply?

Did you say you wanted to be like your dad or mom? Or like your grandpa or grandma? Maybe you wanted to be like that sports star or rock star? Or maybe you were more mature than your peers and simply wanted to be yourself?

As children and even young adults we either intentionally or unintentionally look to imitate someone we want to be like.

In my life I had several mentors and role models who I patterned this life after. Most were a positive influence. Some not so. Yet the point is we mimic and learn from those we admire and associate with.

The same is true as disciples of Jesus. The more we study, walk with, and admire him, the more we imitate him. The more we imitate him, the closer our relationship becomes.

As he is one of three persons within the Triune God, the more we observe him, the more with see the Father who he represents. The more we see the Father and Son, the more closer we recognize the Holy Spirit. As we admire and worship the Triune God, the more we desire to imitate Him.

Though we are physically limited, he created us with certain attributes similar to His. So whatever we can grasp and understand, we can likewise intentionally imitate.

So I guess you can say that when I grow up I want to be more like my Heavenly Father, Son, and Spirit. How about you?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Founder & Executive Director
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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Sufficiency in Christ

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , ,
“I (Jesus) can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.” John 5:30 ESV

sufficiency 1

Many of us either intentionally or wishfully want to be self-sufficient. We desire to depend on no one for anything. If we had our way, we would be self-fulfilled financially, relationally, and spiritually without relying on anyone but our self. To be financially, relationally, and spiritually secured without having to work-out the emotional and irrational issues between people, some would say, would be a relief. In fact, their conclusion is that this would be a wonderful world if we could just get what we want without all of life’s soap opera drama.

This leads me to our first parents. Some believe that Adam & Eve’s sin was the desire to be self-sufficient. Their desire was to be like God, dependent on no one but themselves. Hasn’t humanity been in the same mindset since?

How do you think God designed us to be? To be SELF-sufficient or GOD-sufficient? SELF-fulfilled or GOD-fulfilled? SELF-esteemed or GOD-esteemed? SELF-loved or GOD-loved?

If Jesus’ himself said that he could do nothing apart from his Father God, what about us?

Are we more capable than Jesus? I think not. Maybe it’s time to change our viewpoint and seek out how to live life from a Christ-centered perspective. Or is that just a little too radical for some of us?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Founder & Executive Director
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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YOU, Inc

Dr. Mike Business & Faith, Jesus Apprentice , , ,

 

“Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways.” Proverbs 2: 9:15 ESV

you inc 1

Everyone of us can be viewed as an incorporated entity: a YOU, Inc. As the CEO of YOU, Inc. you have talents, abilities, and skills that you market and operate with each day. Your impact toward those around you is a direct correlation between how well you exercise your God-given attributes to solve the problems of those you serve.

One of the primary function of every CEO of YOU, Inc. is to make decisions. Your ability to make wise judgments that impact your future and the future of those around you separates the mature adult from the immature child.

Since we are apprentices of Jesus, we are likewise being prepared for leadership in the world tomorrow (Rev. 5:10, 20:6). The one function of all leaders is to make godly decisions. The Bible even states when the righteous are in positions of leadership, good happens. (Proverbs 2) When decisions are based on eternal values, the people rejoice. When decisions are made like Solomon (1 Kings 3:16:28), people nod their heads in approval. When decisions are based on reality that includes the heavenly and earthly, even the angels rejoice (Luke 15:10).

We are all being trained to make wise decisions. One discipline that is practiced by many apprentices is through the continual reading of Scripture. For example, some read the Book of Proverbs on a monthly cycle; one chapter for each day of a 31 day month. Others make it a habit to read the entire Bible each year via a different translation. Then others study the interaction
of people within scriptures to better understand the problem, the solution implemented, and the outcome.

When one has a clear focus of God’s domain, a deep commitment for the Divine life, and abide heavily in Christ, one learns good from evil. One learns Godly values that produce fruitful results. One learns to view life through the eyes of the God of the universe.

Bottom-line: If you want to learn the art of making better choices, exercise your prerogative of learning from the best teacher of decision making: Jesus Christ.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Founder & Executive Director
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!