apprentice of Jesus

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

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Find a Mentor

Dr. Mike Business & Faith, Jesus Apprentice , , ,
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8 ESV

mentorship 2

In a conversation with several business men and women, the question was asked “what is the one thing you would do differently if you could relive life over again in the business world?”   My reply startled some of the them and made others quickly reevaluate their situation. For my answer was simple; “to follow the Holy Spirit’s lead in all my business undertakings.”

Even though I surrendered to Lord Jesus at 17 years of age, my understanding of how business, ministry, and faith integrated was almost non-existent.  I did not understand how my “business life” could be a ministry that glorifies God and serves others for the common good. At the time church pastors were not teaching about it and there were very few resources that addressed the idea. It has taken many years, much prayer, and sacrificial work searching to discover how this integration works. I often consider that if I had a mentor, how different things might have been.

That is why I now encourage men and women today to diligently seek-out spiritual business mentors willing to coach them on how to fully integrate all aspects of life that leads to the most adventurous journey rooted in Jesus Christ. Ask your pastor to refer someone. Ask someone in your congregation that you know is both success in business and has a heart for God. There are many who talk about faith in business, but there are few in comparison who “walk the talk.”

When you find that mentor, you will find an advisor and a spiritual guide who will assist you through the many challenges and opportunities that will come before you. They are not to make your decisions for you. They are there as a sounding board because they have already gone through the battlefield of spiritual warfare in the marketplace. You will find a mentor will increase your learning curve and move you faster toward achieving your dreams while staying true to God’s purpose for your life.

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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Vocational Discipleship

Dr. Mike Business & Faith ,
“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 ESV

disciple 2

What is your favorite church program? Sunday school, women’s ministry, choir, praise band, small groups, bible studies, missions, etc. My answer may surprise you. The reason why may even challenge your #1 choice.

Of all the programs I have been associated with over the last forty plus years, the one with the greatest impact in my life and in the life of many others is discipleship. Not just being mentored on how to live in Christ, but how to live each day in the workplace with, in, and through Christ. So when we speak about vocational discipleship, we are emphasizing how to integrate faith with our vocational calling.

The reason vocational discipleship rates so high in my book is it takes every area of one’s life into consideration. Most of us will spend more than a third of our waking hours working in the marketplace. When one practices the discipline of following Christ through mutual submission with another believer who likewise has surrendered his business kingdom to our Lord, personal and cultural transformation is exciting to witness.

Through discipleship one learns and puts into practice leadership, serving, giving, loving, communicating, and over one hundred other attributes that imitates our Triune God.

So when vocational discipleship is the prime program of every church, members exercise their gifts and talents for God’s glory and for the sake of others in the immediate church community as well as outside their four walls. Church becomes more relevant when one sees how God is involved in everyday life within the marketplace. In addition, vocational discipleship lays the ground work for saints to capture more ground for God’s Kingdom. Church becomes a 24/7 activity.

The believer grows to trust and rely everyday on God’s faithfulness and grace through the challenges and opportunities presented in the marketplace. When You see God move through the workplace each day, your faith and witness becomes stronger. You learn leadership by following your King’s lead. As you follow the Spirit’s lead, you relate with others by how God relates with you.

So if you have time to become involved with only one church program, my recommendation is vocational discipleship. If your church doesn’t have such a program, maybe the time has come to start one.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Founder & Executive Director
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!