Renewal

Dr. Mike 2021, Kingdom Paradigms, Shaped By The WORD , , ,

Titus 3:5

…he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Yes, when you allow the Holy Spirit full access into your inner chamber of your thoughts, values, and possessions, only then real transparent, quality living begins.

And this new you being morphed isn’t because you earned more bonus karma points with all the good actions you have performed through life, but simply because our Triune God loves you and me.

When we accept Jesus Christ as our savior and Lord, HE introduces us to Father God and Holy Spirit. As we accept HIS authority in our daily life, all Three move into your inner neighborhood. The weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:16-17) is God living in you and me. 

I remember a time in my early twenties when I found myself exercising patience. Though at that time the naturally inclination was to be overly active and wait for no one, but this time I found myself at peace and contented. Totally out of character. This was the first time I realize God was creating something new in me that wasn’t there before.

Over time, the fruit of HIS SPIRIT became more and more naturally inclusive within my everyday life. I didn’t’ discipline myself to behave this way. It wasn’t my prime focus. But slowly over time, God’s presence in my life became more and more visible through the actions being expressed with the people and situation I found myself around.

As I invested more time with other brothers and sisters in the Lord, they also shared their experiences which mimic mine. God is creating a new human which Jesus Christ was the first fruit. He paved the way and equips us with the same Spirit. He continues to share truths of life and more importantly the reassurance of HIS Father’s love for us.

As Christ-followers, we are HIS students. The work being performed within us isn’t for our glory, but God’s. We are being renewed for the opportunity to do good work now for His Kingdom by serving others as He also prepares us for greater work in the world tomorrow.    

We marvel at the work the Holy Spirit conducts in the lives of people. While many of us delusionally pat our own backs as if we are the cause of the change, HE continues to shape, counsel, and comfort us through the daily routine of life. Over time though, most likely when we are older and look back, we have to admit most of life’s best changes came about without our direct influence – God in HIS loving way keeps birthing HIS character into our inner chambers.

Thank you, Father-Son-Spirit; continue your work in us, and help us to continue doing good work serving others for your glory and Kingdom.

   

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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God Seekers

Dr. Mike 2021, Knowing God , ,

Hebrews 11:6

…for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Psalm 10:4

In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”

Deuteronomy 4:29

But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Simply stated – sometimes I wonder if life’s prime purpose is nothing more but to discover and walk with the God of the universe. The same God who created heaven and earth (Gen 1:1). The One who worked with Moses, David, and the prophets from the Old Testament along with all the saints in the New Testament. The God who from the foundation of the world created everything with a specific goal. Could that goal simply be to enjoy a benevolent relationship with HIM and each other?

Life has the tenancy to involve us in many different activities. Just the act of survival in many third world countries is an all-day affair. In more developed nations, the routine job of living has become more automatic and convenient allowing us to pursue avenues of perceived self-fulfillment. Yet at the end of our lives, what do we have to show?

The rich continue to become richer building up storage barns for their wealth. In comparison, the poor struggle for just the basic necessities of life. Yet both will leave everything behind when life’s curtain closes. So why bother start a race if you know how it will end?

If eternity doesn’t exist, and this life is it, then why bother doing anything for the simple pleasure of feeling happy for a few moments? If this is one’s perspective, then yes life is meaningless and empty and void of any reason for doing anything. BUT what if eternity is real?

What if the Biblical narrative is true? What if Jesus Christ is the Messiah promised thousands of years ago? Then would there be a reason to live with purpose and meaning greater than ours?

I strongly believe God created everything for you and I to enjoy life now and into eternity with HIM. That assurance has become stronger and stronger each day as we pursue our dreams and fight our daily battles. As we seek HIM, HE draws closer to us with HIS thoughts. As HE becomes known to us, we begin to witness HIS involvement with everyday life. As HE answers our prayers, we become struck in awe as how HE works out circumstances and changes hearts to fulfill our desires. And when we fail to live up to HIS righteousness, HE reminds us of HIS love for us and that we are already included in HIS family.

This walk of faith started in my late teen years when I surrendered to HIM without even knowing WHO HE IS. I started to seek HIM and have kept wanting to know more and more about HIM. I discovered more about HIS character and heart through the daily actions of living and studying in HIS world. Math, science, and history open the doors to reveal more of HIS ways. Love, Joy, and fatherhood are moments that reveal more of HIS brilliant mind. The gospel of Jesus Christ solidified HIS superior insight into how human nature is best unleashed for the benefit of all mankind.

Yes, one must be a God Seeker if one wants to experience life the way HE intended us to be. When we make HIM the central core of all other relationships and objectives, life gains real meaning and purpose. When one begins to understand HIS ways and implement those means into their very steps, real freedom and flourishment is experienced by the self and others. The more amazing thing though, is we have only seen a small fraction of WHO HE IS. It will take eternity to discover and learn how the most successful BEING in the universe thinks, works, and plays. And I for one look forward to each day now and the hereafter toward that realization.

What about you?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Dr. Mike 2021, Think About That...

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I (Paul) preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me…

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 12-26 (ESV)

There are times the Scripture needs no further explanation. Chapter 15 of 1st Corinthians known as the Resurrection chapter is such a powerful and logical argument for the basis of our belief, what more can I add. Paul hits a home-run with his persuasive points. If Christ wasn’t resurrected, then our faith is in vain. But based on the eye witnesses of over 500 people, the majority probably still alive when Paul wrote this letter to the Church, who witnessed Jesus alive after his crucifixion – a jury trial would easily reach the same conclusion.

And Paul goes one step further in acknowledging Jesus Christ as the first human morphed into a spiritual being, and eventually you and I will join him when HE returns to fully establish and deliver HIS Kingdom to GOD the Father after destroying every rule, power, and authority under Satan’s spell.   

The same power of God which confirmed that Jesus is the Messiah and Lord, is also the same power at work sanctifying you and I.  The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the basis of yours and mine faith. You either believe and live it out looking forward to a new heavenly life or you deny and slowly decay into oblivion. A 21st century, five-star, award winning Sci-Fi movie couldn’t be written any better. The difference though, this is real life.

Enjoy this Easter season as your reminder that Jesus lives and plans to return for the finale. Until his physical presence is seen again, HE lives in you and I through the Holy Spirit which is transforming us from the inside-out into HIS image. Some days I shake my head as if I am living a dream. Yet the fruit and transformation over the years in my life and others is our statement to the world. HE LIVES.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-2021 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved