apprentice of Jesus

What is the Message of Jesus? (a belated reprint)

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ , , , , , , , , ,

KINGDOM 5

Preach what?  Whom?  How?  Where?  When?  Why?  Many of us struggle with the commercial culture of Christmas with the message of Jesus Christ.  A time when the world is reminded that God visited earth as a human with the distinct mission of sacrificing Himself and adopting all people everywhere so they may have the opportunity to live eternally without pain with the Creator.  A time that reminds us that earth’s King came and lived a life meandering with people of all types while teaching us about the government of God.  A time that reveals to us how the love of God is expressed in human form.

Also at this time there is great conflict with the commercialism of the season: a greater focus on gifts than on the Man; when we decorate our homes with festive lights and green leaves; a time when we celebrate everything but the real meaning of His message.  Countries break one day from war in the name of peace in honor of our King, but resume the killing for the rest of the year.  Somewhere, someplace, somehow, the Truth doesn’t equal reality.

Living in America you would think that everyone has heard about the gospel of Jesus.  Wrong.  We have heard something about Jesus, but have we really grasped the significance of His life.  Who He is?  What He accomplished?  What His plans include?  How we all fit in?  We find discussions with people who were raised Christian yet understand very little of the message of Jesus.  They repeat those cute bedtime stories that they were told as children, yet when it comes to integrating the stories, teachings, principles, commandments, and life of Jesus into a lifestyle of everyday living and relating with a living God, they look at us as some type of religious freak.

To live life with a passion and infatuation of God is unreal with most people.  To desire a living, loving, legacy with our Creator and Eternal Dad seems ridiculous with most people.  Yet, when people begin to see real disciples in action, they realize there is something different about that person.  There is a spirit of love, joy, and peace within that person no matter what the circumstances are in their life.  The person’s outlook and attitude in positive living reinforces the message of Jesus that the Kingdom of God now exists among people who are now called to be a part of the universal church of the living God.  Who has an ear to hear, let him hear.

OUR PRAYER

PRAY 9

Our Heavenly Dad, how thankful we are that your graciousness and mercy has touched our life.  Everything we enjoy, partake, and experience is only because of your awesome plan of salvation and redemption.

Help us Great God to live the life of Christ. Help us to share His message with those who are hurting, those who are without real freedom, and those who are searching for real meaning and purpose for life.  Help us to live the life of Christ.

Help us to live as you have initially created life to be lived.  Let us experience the real joy, love, and peace that abides with you.  Leave nothing out from our relationship.  Help us to be true to you and you to us.  Let your kingdom dominate our life.  Let Jesus be our focus in everything we do.  For it is in Jesus name we make this request. Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God

Giving vs Getting

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ , , , , , , , , , ,

giving 7

Have you ever noticed the two opposing ideologies of giving versus getting?  There are people whose main focus is on what they can get.  Every deal they negotiate is a must win situation for them.  Every desire they must experience.  Every situation is evaluated by what is in it for them.  They only give to get.  Their desire is to accumulate as much monetary toys as they can.  It is never enough.  On the other hand, believe it or not, there are people whose focus is on what they can give.  They donate a portion of their income faithfully to serve those less fortunate.  They negotiate every deal willing to give value to the other side.  They realize everything they own is something that will eventually be given away so why not give it away while they can enjoy the process. Both are a way of life: Giving vs. Getting.

Jesus even discussed this philosophy and summarized it by saying “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”  More blessed meaning it will bring us more happiness, joy, and fulfillment in our life. God is a Giver. God loves to give.  Whatever God owns He shares with others.  He constantly gives from His treasurers so we may enjoy life more abundantly.  We believe there isn’t anything He will refrain from giving to us as long as it wouldn’t destroy our eternal salvation.

As a disciple of His, we are learning to give as we see the need.  Giving is becoming a more natural process of thinking and relating with others.  It doesn’t always come easy.  Sometimes our carnal desire appears and needs to be confronted.  We are all probably a long way off from being like our Eternal Dad who gives sometimes what seems to be recklessly (from our human perspective).  But the process is in gear and the Holy Spirit leads us, confronts us, and gently massages us towards living life like God.

As a disciple of His, we hope to keep on giving until our last breath.  Jesus set the example while on the cross.  His focus was still on those around Him and not on Himself.  He made sure His mother was taken care for.  He prayed to God asking for forgiveness on those who physically carried through the hanging.  His heart and mind was on those around Him more than on Himself and His situation.  We hope when our time comes that we likewise follow our Lord’s example and bring smiles to the angels in Heaven and to our Heavenly Dad.  Only time will tell.

OUR PRAYER

PRAY 4

Our Generous Dad, thank you for revealing a blessed way of life.  Thank you for teaching us the joy in true giving expecting nothing in return.  Thank you for your involvement and gifts that you have bestowed upon us.

You are truly awesome.  Help us to continue learning how to give, to share, and to sacrifice when necessary.  Help us to see the opportunities to be of service for others.  Help us to give of what we have of value.  Help us to give our money, time, and attention for others in need.  You know how we can be of service.  You know who needs what.  You know what we have to give.  Help us live life like you do!  Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God

 

He is Always On Time

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ , , , , , , , , ,

 

time 2

Time is of the essence.  This phrase is found in many legal proposals to move the party  to realize the importance of a quick decision and completion of the bidding process.  If the matter is important, don’t delay because someone else is going to move ahead of you and win the proposal.

Likewise, being a disciple of His means that time is of the essence.  When an assignment is giving to us by our Lord, it is important to handle it quickly and expediently.  We see what happened to Jonah who delayed and ran away from his calling.  He didn’t want any part of the ministry to preach repentance to the people of Nineveh.  Instead, he jumped unto a boat going in the opposite direction.  When the ocean became angry, he went down to sleep while the rest of the crew petitioned their gods for help.  When they ask him to petition his God, Jonah went to sleep rather than have God interfere in his life’s priorities.  But he eventually learned an important lesson and completed the assignment given to him.  But even after which, he had an attitude problem with God’s mercy.

The point being that God’s plan will be completed.  We either choose to participate or not.  If a plan is God’s Will, nothing is going to prevent it from being accomplished.  There is no obstacle large enough to prevent it.  There is no person who will prevent it.  There is no time delay that will prevent it.  The time delay only affects us as people because of our physical limitations.

We are instructed to redeem the time.  We are not to waste the time, but to put it to good use.  And good is a relative term.  One person’s treasure is another person’s junk.  For example, if we are waiting on the Lord for an answer to our prayer, we may wait while resting, while visiting with friends, while walking through the park, or while reading a new book.  Other people may look at us and disagree with our approach.  They can’t seem to understand that approach.  They believe we should be diligently working and busy in some ”productive activity” in seeking the Lord’s answer.  The fact is we have a different approaches to solving the problems in our lives.  Either one is acceptable to our God depending on our attitude and faith.

No, God doesn’t delay.  God’s timetable is right on schedule.  And we’ve learned over time to follow His timetable.  Since He is always on time, our faith waits on Him.

OUR PRAYER

PRAY 21

Our Eternal Dad, it is good to know that you are always with us and in us and for us as we live in Christ.  It is reassuring that you have a plan and timetable for all of us.  We thank you that you are eternal and not limited by time.  You control it and direct its course.

Help us to learn to live with the time we have each day.  Let us learn to redeem the time and invest in it wisely.  Let our time be dedicated to serving you and discovering more of you and your ways.  Help us to redeem the time through service for others.  Let us learn to manage our time for your glory and honor.  Thank you Jesus. we pray. Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God
Portal: Be Radical…EnjoyLifeInChrist.com