christ-centered values

Character Development

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

Genesis 4:7

If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

Many of today’s universities are indoctrinating the younger generation to become activists. The focus is to become involved in a mission greater than themselves. Usually the aim is to pursue a current left-wing agenda of social justice, diversity, or equity in the name of saving society. The moral dilemma though is the process being taken to achieve their goals.

Instead of respecting the opinion of others, they practice character assassination. Instead of focusing on facts, they allow their violent feelings to attack the messenger. Instead of exercising goodwill and care for those who do not agree, they spew hatred and contempt.

When one’s moral view is without God, fundamental healthy values become distorted. Basic principles which lead to freedom, flourishment, and fulfillment for both sides are destroyed. The self becomes god before others. Somewhere, they have forgotten when one finger points at others, three fingers are pointing back at themselves. Instead of being made aware they are part of the problem, they are taught to blame others. What we witness are individuals lacking self-control. Instead, their natural carnal tendency is to express negative hostility. Life becomes a war zone.

Successful people throughout history have demonstrated the importance of developing moral character. Such character prevents the destruction of self and others. Today as a society, we seem to ignore godly character instead allowing our passions to rule us.

The opening Scripture refers to when Cain and Abel had a disagreement.  The one brother ended up killing the other. God intervened and made the above statement. Like Cain and Abel, we all have emotions and feelings which when left unchecked lead to unacceptable outcomes. Relationships are destroyed. Families disband. Countries fight wars. Tribes attack each other. Labor distrusts management.

To create a society where people proactively do good for each other takes effort, self-sacrifice, and self-control. When these qualities are replaced by victimhood, a “me” mentality, and unbridled emotions, the results are responses without habitual moral strength in charge. Children may act in such a way while still young and learning how to live the good life. But when adults respond with emotional, angry outbursts, one questions their maturity level.

Sin destroys relationships. Whether we are speaking about our relationship with Father God, our mate, or our neighbor, when we respond without guardrails in place, the outcome does not build up anyone. Instead we behave as bullies, and no one wants to be friends with bullies accept another bully.

As a Christ-follower, we are assured that his Spirit lives in us – the hope of glory (Col. 1:27). As we defer and allow His Spirit to live in us and through us, we begin to experience life as the new creation. The fruit of His Spirit (Gal. 5:23-23) becomes more active as we remove more of self out of the picture and allow Jesus Christ to have center stage.    

One day we will all die and leave our material possessions behind. Yet, there is one item you will take with you into eternity – your character. As God’s Spirit morphs you into the image of Jesus Christ, you will also find changes in your character, attitude, and worldview. Your view begins to reflect the Triune God’s. You begin to view life through HIS eyes. Slowly you learn how to act and behave as HE would in each situation.

Yes, we will fail at times. But HIS grace is sufficient to restore us and keep us moving forward as HIS witness. During these hard times, we cry out for HIS intervention. We find ways to participate with HIM.  In return, HE molds our character into HIS image always preparing us for eternity.

When you focus to take part with God in the mission of sharing HIS good news, the byproduct is the development of your character. So next time when you are tempted to stray, you will have character guardrails to keep you from falling into the abyss. You will be in charge of the situation rather than have the situation control you.

Always remember, you are God’s workmanship (Eph 2:10). And HE always makes everything very good.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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Christ-Centered Character

Dr. Mike 2021 , ,

Galatians 4:19

My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you…

The nucleus of a Christian life is Jesus Christ. He is the central core for all of life. When we acknowledge HIM as who he is, only then do we discover a path which leads toward fulfilling our human potential.

In business, we are trained to start with the end result in mind and then work backwards filling in all the steps necessary for its attainment. The same can be said about your life and mine.

In the above Scripture, the apostle Paul states the goal for each believer is to be made in the image of Jesus Christ from the inside-out. A process of having yours and mine attitude and character shaped into the very carbon copy of Jesus. Later in Chapter five he emphasizes the building material being the character attributes of the Holy Spirit being fully expressed through us. Paul compared the entire character-building process to childbirth.

C.S. Lewis in his writings like to define Christians as “little Christs”; like children being molded after their parents. A life-long process over time which ends with the son or daughter grown up with similar characteristics of their parent. The same is true of us believers.

When you start with the end of life, you will quickly acknowledge that we came with nothing into this world and we shall leave with no material possessions at the end. However, there is something we will take with us into the next phase of our lives – our soul.

The soul, which includes the entire bastion of one’s emotional attitudes, mental bank, and characteristic willpower, will one day be resurrected into a new body. Until then, like the new born child awaits in the womb of their mother being prepared for life outside of the womb, we likewise are being prepared in this life for a new adventure in the world tomorrow when we will be resurrected into eternity. The last chapters of the Bible showcase the new resurrected life we are currently being prepared to enter.

So, what does all this mean?

As a mother nurtures her begotten child, being careful to eat and drink healthy items which will assist in her child’s positive development, so must we the Church, nourish and feed believers until they mature into the image of Christ being formed in each one of us. Just as a responsible mother makes her primary purpose for nine laborious months doing everything in her power to give birth to a healthy baby, likewise the Church needs to do the same.

Yet, just as there are mothers who have failed to fulfill their responsibility, there are also believers who have failed to participate in the process. The end result are children of the faith who may be mature in the eyes of the world, but are yet babes in the eyes of God. One Pew research study showed that most Christians understanding of their faith stopped when they quick going to Sunday school in the 8th grade. In other words, their growth and understanding of God’s work stopped at the same time. Physically, they grew up, but spiritually they are still babies drinking milk.

If you are unsatisfied with your spiritual walk with the Lord, maybe its time to join a small group of believers who understand the importance of sharing life and growing together in preparation for eternity. More Jesus and less me is a motto used by one of the small groups I had the privilege to participate for a number of years. Like iron sharpens iron, so one believer sharpens another. Of all the church activities I have participated in, the small group is where I believe the work of the church comes more alive in helping Christ be formed in 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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Twenty Minutes, Twenty Days, Twenty Years

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , , , , ,

“What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” James 4:14 ESV

 

 vapor 1

One of our small group member’s Mom passed away this week. This past year along, his father and sister likewise died.  The loss of three of your family members in one year is more grief than most of us sustain in any year. Yet, for us still alive and dealing with the challenges of life, death is sobering and allows us to pause for the moment to reflect on what is most important in our world.

This is when I most often think of the 20/20/20 concept. If you knew you only had twenty more minutes to live, what would you do?  If you knew you only had twenty more days to live, what would you do? And what if you knew you only had twenty more years left to live, what would you do? At least once a year I ask myself these questions to be sure we are intentionally redeeming the time in our life.

By asking the twenty minute question, I focus on those people who are most important in my life and let them know I love them, appreciate them, and am rooting for them. I don’t like to say good-byes. Instead, I let them know good tidings until we meet again.

The twenty day question helps me focus on those important items that need to be completed. If I knew I had only twenty more days left, would I be doing this? If it is important for someone in my world that I truly care about, I would probably do it. Otherwise, if we only had twenty more days left, what are those items that I always wanted to do, but always postponed them with the lazy excuse. If it is not important, admit it. If it is important, do it.

Then there is the twenty year question. If you knew you had twenty more years to accomplish something in this life, what would you do? This question helps you focus on your career or mission in life.  Instead of trying to accomplish everything overnight, you could easily start today and slowly work towards your personal worthwhile goal. As long as you are realizing your goal, you are being successful in your pursuit. It adds flavor to life, allows you to fully express your talents, and you can take on other temporary assignments knowing this is only a temporary obstacle and you will eventually accomplish your goal over time. It helps you to keep focused on the important aspects of life. You may occasionally deviate from you plan, but always return to it knowing that in twenty years you can look back and appreciate the people and events that God has allowed you to experience and share in preparing you for eternity.

So why not take the time today and ask yourself: twenty minutes? twenty days? twenty years? You may be pleasantly surprised by your answers.

 

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Chair, Consultant, Encourager
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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