Less IS More

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.   1 Thessalonians 4:1

I remember being at a church service listening to the preacher emphasize his 7th point of the sermon. What he was saying was going in and out of my ear. In fact, I was beginning to find myself angry. Angry at a message that probably would have won a prize at the nearest convention of humanism. But as a message for God’s children, it was abusive.

His focus was not on the beauty of Jesus’ good news of HIS Kingdom. Instead, he was belittling the congregation for not living up to the standards of the Bible. Instead of teaching on the rest found in Jesus, he was using Jesus as the means to entice the soul. He was taking the place of the Holy Spirit to convict God’s children. He was replacing the gospel with a message of do more.

He emphasize we needed to do more service, more bible study, and more giving of resources. We needed to add more activities into our normal busy world. If we don’t, we are failing as Christians. God is not going to be happy with us unless we do more. It was sad. It was disturbing. It was hurtful.

The truth will set you free. Listening to this humanistic message made me appreciate the freedom Jesus gives me. We don’t need to add more unto our plate. Instead, we need only to walk with Jesus in what we already are doing. 

When we live in the presence of God on a daily basis, all our normal activities are important. HE is with us. HE is already doing a work before we even get there. Our role is simply to attune ourselves to HIM and follow HIS lead.

We generally don’t need to do more stuff. But one thing we all need to do better, is learn how to dance with God with what we are currently doing. There is great peace and joy knowing HE is with you. Instead of doing more, we all may need to learn how to do less. Less WITH Jesus, is better than more of anything else.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Engage God’s Government

Dr. Mike 2024 , , , ,

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.   Romans 14:17

The gospel message of the Kingdom of God was a strong motivating influence for the early Church. When you read the Book of Acts, the good news being preached was about Jesus Christ and HIS Kingdom (Acts 8:12, 28:13, 28:31). Whether a Jew or a Gentile, the message resonated to the people who lived under an authoritative government. If you were a Roman citizen, you had special privileges. If you were the other two/thirds of the population, you struggled to put food on the table for your family. But if you expressed your allegiance to Caesar, submitted yourself to the government, you had a better chance to survive.

In this pagan culture of many gods, entered the message of Jesus and HIS Kingdom. The Jewish messiah who was raised from the dead. When walking on earth, taught a way of life contrary to the norm. HE perform miracles healing people from major diseases and even raising them from the dead. He claim to be a king. But HIS kingdom was not yet of this world, but to appear in the future. Until then though, one could live under its rule and benefit from its presence.

Enter today. HIS government is still available. I became more familiar with its operations and methods as a student of organizational leadership. While working on my graduate degree in management, I was challenged by our professor. He taught us over a thirteen week period all the latest theories and methods of leading people within organizations. But concluded the course with the statement that none of it actually works. The proof is in the real world. His final statement for us was to go out into the world and discover what does work.

When he made that statement, the Holy Spirit must have convicted me. Then and there I accepted the challenge to show how God’s Kingdom is the best way to lead people and manage systems. The rest is now history.

At the time there were few books on business and faith. So one had to do their research through the pages of the Bible. And so I did. That started a stewardship career leading organizations with a Kingdom of God perspective. Yes, I made some poor judgements in the process. But learned. We witness how living and working under the umbrella of God’s Kingdom allows one to witness God’s amazing grace in action.

In hindsight, most people want God’s gift of joy and peace in their world. But, don’t want HIM. They believe through their own efforts they can make themselves happy. They can make themselves tranquil.  They can experience godliness apart from the Maker. So they work hard. They manipulate circumstances their way. They use people as the means to their end. And yes, they may reap material prosperity along the way, but their inner-world is in turmoil. The stress and tension leaves them looking twenty years older than they are. Their outer world looks impressive. But their inner-world hurts.

When one lives under the tutelage of Jesus Christ, one obtains the benefits of HIS domain and HIS Spirit. As one builds a relationship with the King of the Heavens, one finds a teacher, Lord, and friend along the way. As a citizen of the Kingdom of God, one inherits a whole list of good things (read the first chapter of Ephesians). One is blessed beyond measure. One’s life becomes full of the fruit of HIS Spirit. Yes, one learns when one seeks HIS Kingdom first, HE can be trusted. HIS promises of all the other necessary needs also come packaged together.

You may want to read Brother Lawrence’s classic book, The Practice of the Presence of God. He lived a life as a friar serving in the kitchen of a monastery. To him, the kitchen was like a chapel. He experienced God’s presence while he prepared meals and worked to keep the kitchen in operation. He shows how we can do likewise in our everyday life.

So if you haven’t yet learned how to live under the presence of Lord Jesus and HIS Kingdom, give it a try. Ask HIM to show you how and then begin.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Always

Dr. Mike 2024 , , , ,

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  Colossians 1:27

_____

“…And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”   Matthew 28:20

How much more engaged would you be if you knew you were being watched by important people? People who could advance your career?

If you were singing in a night club knowing talent scouts were in the audience?

While on the football field and you knew there were scouts in the stands watching you?

No matter what field of endeavor, what if your hero and mentor was next to you rooting you on? What difference would that make in your performance?

Well, we are assured God is always with us. He is observing you. Not to strike you down. Not to punish you. Not to destroy you. Instead, HE is waiting for you to ask his advice. He is wondering how long before you ask HIM to assist you in the matter. In fact, HE probably is even nudging you now to look HIS way.

Life changes when HE knows you know HE is with you and for you. When this realization strikes us, the confidence level increases. You learn the holy swagger walk. Yes, that humble and assertiveness approach toward life. You know you are in good hands. You know HE is holding you in HIS GRIP. You are so empty of yourself that HIS presence goes before you.

HE is living HIS life in you and through you. You begin to reflect HIS character. The more you step aside and allow HIM to lead you around the dance floor of life, the more you experience HIM. HIS peace and assurance comes upon you that all things will work out in the end.

You no longer need to lift yourself up by your bootstraps. You have learned the art of denying yourself for HIS glory. You have discovered the spiritual life HE taught on the sermon on the mount. You no longer have to act as if you believe. You believe and allow HIM to act on your behalf through you. The goodness of Christ comes alive because HE is in you and with you. You have allowed HIM to lead your kingdom.

Yes, God is with us. But is HE only an observer or an active participant in your life? That is the question we all have to answer too.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved