apprentice of Jesus

God Equips You

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

John 6:63

 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I (Jesus) have spoken to you are spirit and life.

How does the Holy Spirit empower you?

When you lean on the Triune God. When you solely stop picking yourself up by the bootstraps. Then through the trials and tests of life, HE will equip and empower you to be…

Still and know Him

Holy

Reconciled

Believe

Confident

Disciplined

Faithful

Fruitful

Free

Forgiving

Graceful

Hopeful

Humble

Joyful

Knowledgeable

Loving

Life-giving

Merciful

Mindful

Obedient

Prayerful

Peaceful

Praiseful

Patience

Repentive

Rejoiceful

Righteous

Strong

Serving

Trustful

Truthful

Understanding

Unified

Victorious

Worshipful

Working

Zealous

If you lack any of these qualities, follow Jesus’ advice. Ask our heavenly Father to grant you these treasurers and more via the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13). These are HIS qualities. He wants to share them with you. So you can reflect them before others. And come to better know Him. Life’s most priceless attributes come from having a personal relationship with the Triune God.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager, Faith-Integrator, Scribbler

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Boxes or Circles

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , , , ,
“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” 2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV

circle2box1

Are you living your life through boxes or circles?

We live in a culture that loves to place people and activities into tiny boxes so they can be better classified and managed. We have a box for family, friends, work, career, church, investments, play, education, etc. The list could be almost endless depending on one’s resource.

I was one who grew up living the highly productive life juggling boxes throughout the day. I had a box for every person in my life. My spouse, daughter, parents, siblings each had a box that I would place in priority each day and week. In addition, all my work functions and relationships had a box. Yes, even church and God had their own box.

As an executive, time was my enemy. The best way for me to manage the daily routine was through boxes. It wasn’t until later that I discovered circles. Instead of segmenting my life, I opened myself to allowing Jesus Christ to become the center of my soul, heart, and mind. When that happened, life began to significantly change. Instead of creating boxes that I would continue to juggle, I began to draw circles. Now instead of treating God like any other box fighting for my time, He always has top priority.

The center of the circle is now Jesus Christ. The next circle around Him is my health. Next is immediate family. Followed by a circle of other family members, friends and associates.

Now instead of juggling boxes and feeling guilty for not investing more time with God, I let him into every circle of my life. He is the center of all my circles. No longer is he an independent box fighting for my time and attention. Instead he dwells within me and I seek to allow him full access into every area of my life. No longer do I have to fight to make Him #1 in my life. He is the center of my entire life.

Maybe this may be too strong, but I believe the person who uses boxes to cope with life still hasn’t surrender their total being to our Lord. Yet God’s patience leads us to repentance. As we draw closer to him, he draws closer to us. Eventually we catch on to what he is teaching us. He may initially accept being placed into a box if that is one way to grab our attention. But eventually He is going to want to be the center of your life. So why not help speed up the process and exchange your boxes for circles? You may be pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
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

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Live Like Larry

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , ,
“…keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” Philippians 3:17 ESV

Larry

Larry passed away several months ago. Cancer caught up with him in his mid-seventies. He didn’t survive the surgery. He is now with his Lord.

I knew Larry for a couple of years. We shared the same table at our Tuesday morning small group. His life is like many of us. We could write a book or do a movie about him and it would probably be a top seller. He served in the arm forces; was a successful general contractor, and with his bride raised a couple of daughters. But more importantly, his testimony was written in his actions each and every day.

He walk the talk. He didn’t surrender to our Lord until about a year after he joined our small group. He was then baptized and enthusiastically put his faith into action wherever he went.

He wasn’t born with a glib to speak. He was introverted. But volunteered to lead and preach in a small venue for senior citizens of an independent living community. I’m sure it made him feel younger. But more importantly, his congregation loved him and he them.

He wasn’t highly educated in a formal setting. But had more common sense than most. He couldn’t read enough about Jesus, His Kingdom, and the power of the Holy Spirit. And whenever something he read moved him, he would make copies and share it with whomever he met. He wasn’t bashful.

He loved to pick up the check at restaurants without any fanfare or recognition. He simply enjoyed making people happy without having to be noticed.

He would volunteer without being asked to help someone who needed carpentry work done.

He knew his limitations yet didn’t let that get into his way. He simply trusted Jesus.

Paul wrote in Philippians that we need to keep our eyes on those who truly live out their faith. Therefore, one of the men in our small group had these buttons made with the caption “Live Like Larry.” It’s our way to pay tribute to a man who walk the talk. How many Larry’s do you know?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
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

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!