apprentice of Jesus

What Else Is There?

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

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How often in our life have we felt like just quitting?  Just giving up whatever we were pursuing and calling it quits. In fact, maybe we even may have a bad habit of quitting whenever life just doesn’t work out the way we expect it to. Are we natural quitters? Or do we know when to quit?

We recall a friend who was taking his third class in graduate school when he decided to call it quits. At the time, he just needed a break from the academic routine and convince himself it was only going to be for the one semester.  He didn’t return until ten years later.

Yet, when it comes to walking with our Lord, where does one go after one decides to quit? Turn back to where? Stop moving forward? In fact, turning back is worst then just quitting. When one quits, one just stops moving forward. When one turns back. one is walking away from their destination leaving a larger distance between oneself and one’s goal.

If one decides to turn back, where will they go? After one has tasted the fruit of the Spirit, what compares?  After one experiences Grace and Freedom, does one revert to slavery? After building a relationship of Love and Trust with the Living Creator, is there anyone else who one could better depend on? After one’s eyes are open to understand God’s Plan for a new heaven and a new earth being occupied by eternal beings, who has the greater vision and power to accomplish it?

Satan believes his plan is better for mankind. Do we? The world’s systems believe their plan is better for us. Do we? At times, even our carnal nature temporarily convinces us that there is a better way. But do we really believe it afterwards?

After many of His disciples deserted Jesus because of His teachings (Jn 6:66), Jesus asked Peter if he likewise was turning back. But Peter replied where else is there to go; Jesus had the words of eternal life. Likewise, it is true today.

Of all the major religious movements that impacted mankind, only Christianity has a Founder that claimed to be God and offers Grace to the sinner. Truly unique. To be a follower of His is also truly unique. For in following Him, we acknowledge His lordship. His teachings, His authority, His government, and His involvement in our life until His return. Just like some people in His time thought He to be a crazy man possessed by demons, there are those today who think the same of us. So be it.

OUR PRAYER

PRAY 21

Our Eternal Almighty Dad, thank you for remembering that we are just humans. We are temporary beings with eternal goals. Apart from you we will never accomplish eternity. It is you who has given it to us via Jesus Christ as a gift. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

There are those who ridicule us for what we believe and how we live. If we are bringing any shame to you and your eternal name, please let us know and help us change it. If we are not living up to your glory, let us know and help us to repent.

Everything we desire is in you. Let us live our life in your glory and honor.  We may sometimes go overboard in our actions and preaching, but pray that you capture our results and words and plant them into the lives of others that need it. We all need you. Help us to live dependant on you. Help us to exercise the freedom you have given us for your glory. Let your freedom ring out loud for others to hear and experience.

Thank you Jesus. Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God

We Take Substance Over Form Any Day

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

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Remember your early business career days, when the highest bidder would receive your services?  It didn’t matter what the job was all about.  It didn’t matter what the company was all about.  It didn’t matter what the product was all about.  The bottom line was money.  It probably took a few years and many experiences to learn that money isn’t what work is all about and it isn’t always greener on the other side.  It is using your God-given abilities and gifts to serve your fellow man.

But the reason we mention the above pertains to being lured away from your main purpose for living.  If your life is built on sand, your foundation is going to shift all the time.  If your life is built on rock, your foundation is going to remain stable all the time.  The sand of course is this world’s values.  The rock is Jesus Christ.

The world’s values are constantly changing.  Through the media, movies, books, and social organizations, the core values of life arc constantly being portrayed without a God-centered foundation.  One doesn’t always see the fruit of experience until they lived it.  But by then, it may be too late.  However with the Word, we have man’s experience living life with God and apart from God.  We have a solid core of values that have proven beneficial over time.  We have the lessons and experiences of many people who have tried it their way and suffered the consequences.  We also have those who lived by faith and died in the faith.  People don’t become martyrs unless the reward is greater than the cost.

When you are in possession of the great pearl of life, the fountain of eternity, the wisdom of the ages, the crown of crowns, and the joy of joys, you do not take it lightly.  You treasure what you have received.  You hold it close to your heart.  You protect it from all danger.  Yet you cannot hide it.  You freely received it and you freely give it away.  But only to those who know its value and worth.  Otherwise, it will be trampled underfoot and taken for granted.

The cost of discipleship is high.  But so is the reward.  The privilege and honor to serve the Living God on a one-to-one relationship is mentally staggering.  What does this world’s system have in comparison with being a disciple of His?  Many careers may look more appealing.  Many lifestyles may look more appealing.  Many avenues of life may look more appealing.  They may all have the outward image that glistens and shines from the outside, but none of them holds any real substance in comparison with a life in Christ.  Give us substance over form any day.

OUR PRAYER

PRAYER 1

Our Richly, Magnificent Dad, thank you for revealing your way of abundant living!  Your ways have always proven in the long run to be the way to live.  You are surely awesome.  Everything we do in you, we do thankfully, gratefully, and gracefully.

You have surrounded us with your treasures.  You have revealed to us your Son.  You have given to us a Comforter in the Holy Spirit.  You have surrounded us with your angels.  You have given us all the resources of the universe to pursue your kingdom.  You have always given us what we need to survive.  You are continually creating your masterpiece in us preparing us for all eternity.  You are truly awesome!

Help us always to focus on your character and Word in pursuit of our goals.  Let our actions and achievements bring you glory.  Even as the outer body slowly decays, continue to renew the inner man with your divine presence.  It is what we live for and wait for each day: to eventually be with you in your eternal home serving you and your world as you serve us.

Thank you Jesus for everything you made possible.  Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God

OK To Compromise Truth; But Not THE TRUTH

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

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“Facts are facts and promises are promises” is a line taken from a recent song played on the radio.  The name of the singer escapes us at the moment, but the chorus keeps playing over and over again in our mind.  When it comes to the Word of God, certain truths are universally accepted.  Likewise, His promises are promises of faith.  With faith, His promises are always universally sure, yet the timing is unpredictable.

For example, the Bible is crystal clear that Jesus died for our sins opening the door for humanity’s salvation.  The Bible is also clear on the resurrection of the dead.  Jesus arose from the dead and likewise we shall at His return.  But there are concepts that are not as clear in the Bible.  For example, is everyone that has never heard the gospel of Jesus lost for all eternity?  Or, when you die, does your soul immediately go to heaven or does your soul sleep until the resurrection?  There are scriptures that support both concepts.  Does that mean we must agree with these universal beliefs if the scriptures are not crystal clear on the subject?  We believe not.

It amazes us how the scriptures were written.  Certain concepts are so black and white that the majority of theologians agree with its meaning.  On the other hand, certain scriptures are so unclear that there are a multiple of opinions from a multiple of theologians.  What does all this mean?  God could have easily produced a Book that would have been universally agreed by everyone.  But He didn’t.  He deliberately allowed the Bible to be written where certain concepts would be argued until the end of the age.  What does this tell us?  Only that God knows Absolute Truth.  The rest of us are searching.  When we discover the truth, it is the truth as we perceive it based on our experience and understanding.  It may not be the Truth, but it is the truth in our eyes.

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The scriptures in the Bible that are crystal clear so that every denomination agrees with their meaning can be almost guaranteed to be the Truth.  It is The Truth valuable enough to live and die for.  There is no compromise with The Truth.  However, the other truth is something that we believe based on our experience, relationship, and understanding of God in our life while studying and living the scriptures.  These little truths we approach with a more open mind.  Some people call these preferences.  Others call them non-essentials.  We have come to realize over time that some of our beliefs have changed over time based on the work of the Holy Spirit in our life.  We have no problem compromising on these little truths in our life knowing that they are not important for eternal salvation.  We believe if they were important, God would have made them crystal clear in the Bible.  As a disciple of His, we pray that God gives us the wisdom and insight to determine what and when we need to compromise and when we need to stand still and not waiver.  God is good!  God is great!  All the time!

OUR PRAYER

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Our Perfect Dad, thank you for revealing your Word to us.  Thank you for having your Word put into writing.  Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit to learn your Truth and to live your truth.

Help us always place what you consider to be most important in the front of our mind.  Let us not get lost in the controversies and debates of your word.  Instead, help us to live your word in love and truth to the best of our ability always being truthful to you.  Help us to share your gospel with others and teach your word as you have revealed it to us.  Let nothing come between us.  Let your word build us closer with each other.  Help us find unity with our other brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Keep your eternal Truths always in our heart, mind, and soul.  Let nothing remove it.  Help us to stand up for what we believe and to respect others for what they believe.  Help us always to live in love, in faith, and in hope of your salvation.

In Jesus we thank you and pray this.  Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God