Knowledge

20152015 Dr. Mike Business & Faith, Life in Christ growing in Christ, Knowledge, Learning

Today we work in the age of the knowledge industry. History records the agricultural, industrial, and technological periods have come, are still with us, but are not the leading industry at this time. The industry that leads today is in the knowledge arena.

Those who know are paid for what they know, not what they actually do. Those who know how to best interpret the information at their disposal and make it applicable are the leaders of their industry.

As an apprentice of Jesus Christ, we are likewise to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Though most of us in the business arena understand the importance of gaining head knowledge of our industry and products, the truly successful entrepreneurs also realize the importance of growing in heart knowledge.

As Jesus’ apprentices, we are instructed to acquire knowledge that will transform our thinking and worldview (Romans 12:2). Likewise, as we abide in Christ, our hearts are being renovated into the image of our Chief Mentor (2 Corinthians 3:18). This basically comes via the Spirit as we walk through the challenges of life.

Most of us either have a bias to pursue one or the other. We either invest time to acquire head knowledge or emphasize heart knowledge. The fact is we need both. As the book of 2 Peter outlines, we are to grow in the grace & knowledge of Jesus Christ. Grace is a byproduct of experiencing the work of the Spirit in our life. Knowledge is coming to know Jesus Christ from a relational perspective which includes both the head and heart.

So no matter your natural preference, realize we need both. As we pursue both, we place ourselves in the position to grow in the grace and knowledge of 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

To Know God

20152015 Dr. Mike Life in Christ

“But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.” 1 Corinthians 8:3 ESV

What is life all about? That question has been debated over eons of time by every philosopher and want-a-be philosopher. As I gracefully age and look back at life, the answer becomes more focused: To Know God. To know is more than head knowledge; it is the head and heart and willpower mutually focused on the Source. The God I speak about is the same one that Jesus witnessed to all.

He is not a God who roams somewhere in heaven and doesn’t intervene into history unless invited. That is the God of some. But my God is involved in every aspect of life. Whenever and wherever and whatever we do, God is there. When you wake up in the morning, God is there with you in the shower and at the breakfast table. When you drive to work, God is with you. When you perform you work, God is there. When you stop at the gym on the way home, God is with you.

When you work out a math problem, you come to know more about who God is. When you discover more about science, you come to know more who God is. When you do your debits and credits and reconcile your check book, you discover more of who God is. When you listen to a song on the radio, you learn more about who God is. Everything we do reveals more of who God is. Yes even when we see or experience evil or sin, we discover more of who God is and is not.

When Jesus Christ becomes the center of your life, your worldview begins to change. You begin to view the world from God’s perspective. You begin to recognize his work. You begin to come to know him better even as he knows you. Together, you learn to dance through life’s obstacles and challenges.

It all begins when you learn to love him with all your heart, mind, and strength. When you do you begin to see him in every aspect of life. You see him after disasters. You see him in the middle of a crisis. You see him celebrate life’s good moments. You come to know him and grow with him.

Yes the older we become, the more we realize that everything in creation reveals His character, heart, and mind. We simply spend our lifetime discovering more of who he truly is in everything we do. So the next time you find yourself in the middle of a project, ask yourself, “what are you discovering about God that you didn’t know before?” Your world will never be the same.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Apprentice of Jesus Christ, His Domain, His Spirit
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

Belief & Character

20152015 Dr. Mike Life in Christ faith to move mountains, life in christ

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”. 2 Peter 1:5-8 ESV

Over the years I marvel at how God works within people’s lives, including yours truly. Most of the time, He comes through not on our schedule, but His. The process rarely repeats itself unless there is something uniquely being creating within us. Though there are people who believe that God will instantly move mountains from their life, reality seems otherwise.

Fiat. Immediately. No sweat. Just convenient quick results is not standard operating procedures for a Jesus apprentice in training. Now God does produce miracles. He also does answer prayers immediately. However, there are situations when He extends the outcome for our sake or for the sake of others. There is not one method or formula that fits all when it comes to God.

What I find in my life and in many others is God has more in mind than just immediate resolution of a problem. Most of the time, He opens the door that will create growth opportunities for you and me. Most of the time, those challenges are not what we want, but what we need. Like 2 Peter states, he wants our faith supplemented with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. Real godly character. Character built on the foundation of Jesus Christ and not self, vain glory. A life secured by an eternal foundation rather than a humanistic platform.

So how does little faith move mountains? Yes, God can move it without any assistance. But like many of his solutions, it just may require us to grow in godly character. He will lead us through the solution, but it may take time. He may bring an earthquake, an explosion, or a super strong wind. But most likely he will bring people into your world that will help you. The final solution is not as important as our obedience to walk in our small faith trusting Him.

So hang in there. With God, mountains do move.

Rooting For You in Christ!