christ-follower

Disciple-less Christianity

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”   Matthew 28:18-20

What is the difference between being a Christian and a disciple of Jesus?

Why are there Christians who accept the teachings of Jesus, but lack the power of the Spirit in their lives?

Why is the Church declining in the developed countries of the world today? Whereas in the third-world domains, Christianity is growing.

Somewhere the western Church has lost their way.

To clarify definitions, the Church are the people, not the buildings. Discipleship is the process of being spiritually train for Kingdom impact. This process is Spirit led from the inside-out. The goal is to be shaped into the character of Jesus.

The faith institutions provide the leadership for their respective members. Why are they not held accountable for the condition of the Church today? The majority of established Church communities have lost membership these last thirty years. Many of these churches are at the end of their life expectancy.

When did the Church stop growing?

Could it be when leadership began to water down the cost of discipleship? Instead of providing a path of being a disciple of Jesus, they lowered the bar. They switched goals. They made it easier for people to become members of their faith community.

One now can become a member of the Christian community without being a disciple. In a sense, one could practice Jesus’ teachings without committing to HIM. People now confuse living within a Christian culture is all that is needed to be a disciple. Instead of majoring in the most important mission of the Church, they get lost in activities.

The Church began to focus on social programs to signal their virtue. These programs took energy and resources away from a pathway to discipleship. Discipleship programs became the minor activities of the Church. Though they have remained on the docket, the content contains introductory material. Instead of training and maturing disciples, the courses repeat grade school material. If one wants graduate work, one is on their own.

Thus today, one can be labelled a Christian. They could be a member of a faith community. But they may not even have a relationship with Father-Son-Spirit. Membership allows one to maintained the outer form of service, yet ignore the inner practice of becoming more Christlike in their everyday routine. Members may have a form of religion, but lack the power of God in their lives.

So, if you want more from life than play church, commit to being a disciple of HIS. Ask Jesus to make you a full-time disciple of HIS. Ask HIM to show you how to be a follower of HIS within your home, marketplace, and community. Ask HIM to lead you to people who are likewise hungry for more of HIM. Allow HIS Spirit to enter your heart and mind. Seek HIS Kingdom to govern yourself and others. Become a theologian yourself. Study HIS Word. Learn to dance with HIM in your everyday routine. Let HIM be your #1 partner at work, at home, and play. Focus on building a walking relationship with HIM. Otherwise, who are you going to become? A Disciple-less Christian? Or a Disciple of HIS?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Learn, Integrate, and Grow with Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

What is a Faith-Integrator?

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”   Matt. 4:4

“ For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.  Hebrews 5:12-14

Had a recent conversation with a group of young adults. The subject of God came up in the middle of our talk (always surprised, and never taken for granted). Some of the people indicated that they were not religious. Others indicated they were into spirituality. When they asked for my view, I replied I was neither religious, nor spiritual. Instead, I am a faith-integrator.

From there, the questions and comments became fast paced. What do you mean by faith-integration? Which faith? What is the difference between the three?

Slowly we open the conversation into one of my favorite topics. Walking with the Creator God in everyday life.

Yes, I am not religious. For me religion is man’s attempt to pacify their God. Now religion is helpful to keep one disciplined and acknowledging the existence of a God. But religion in the 21st century is an institution built to keep its operation going. Most people who are religious have the form but lack the power of God in their life (2 Tim. 3:5). Yet I give them kudos. It is an attempt to find purpose with the Almighty. That is a step in the right direction.

When it comes to spirituality, the question is which spirit? There are many spirits in the world. Some are good and others are evil. How do you decide which spirit to follow? Does your spirit give you access to the supernatural? Does it have favorable influence on yourself and others? What type of relationship do you have between your soul and the spirit you follow? Spirituality is a step in the right direction. But falls short due to the lack of specifics and commitment.

So why am I a faith-integrator? Because I choose to integrate the Biblical God’s ways into all my daily relationships and tasks. It is intertwining the physical with the spiritual. When one comes to have a relationship with the Triune God, one gains entrance into the throne room of heaven. You recognize your position within God’s Kingdom as HIS child. You realize God’s purpose for your life. You find meaning in everything you do aligning your micro plans with HIS macro plan.

With that knowledge and understanding comes wisdom. One also learns to place their trust and hope in their heavenly Father. They know their Savior intervenes on their behalf. Though circumstances may not always workout as planned, they learn from the ordeal. They know God is good. With Christ the center core of every area of their life, they have confidence. They know everything will eventually work out for the good. Though they may initially fail, they learn from the event, and grow. Their aim is to conduct themselves with Kingdom parameters. They are learning to walk with their King and mentor. The primary goal is to allow the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of God’s character within them. The physical outcome is secondary.

Their relationships are Christ-centered. In the home, at work, or in the community, they serve and add value to other people’s lives. They want all people to come to know who their God IS. Not only with words, but through the fruit of their attitude and behavior.

They integrate their faith within the everyday routines of life. They pray constantly. They first seek how the Holy Spirit is working with others and then find ways to support HIM.

Jesus Christ is the center of their life. From the center, they have a relationship with HIS Father. From the center, they have access to the Holy Spirit. From the center, they have a common bond with other saints who are likewise walking with the Triune God.

Faith-integrators live in the presence of Jesus in every avenue of their life. They are the same person at home and at the office. They are transparent in their conversations. They speak the truth with love. They speak the truth into power. They speak the truth even when it hurts. They represent Jesus Christ as HIS ambassador of HIS Kingdom to others.

They worship their God not only within the faith community, but every day of the week. Their work is their ministry and worship. They are there to help the people they meet. The services or products they produce are to add value into the lives of others. They colonize their workspace under the authority and love of Jesus Christ.

Faith is the belief and trust in the God who created everything. HE revealed Himself in Jesus Christ. HE is working HIS plan for the adoption of humanity into the Triune God circle. Faith-integrators accept their responsibility within the family of God and respond accordingly. They serve and expand God’s government wherever they go. They start at home. They serve in Church. They expand HIS Kingdom in their business. They volunteer in their community.

They want all people to come to know their King, Savior, and Redeemer. They are God’s light in a dark world. They are faith-integrators. Yes, I choose to be one. I hope you do too.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

What Are You For?

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

Acts 28:22

But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”

The Jewish leaders had the apostle Paul arrested and on trial in Jerusalem. The Roman government found him innocent. But the Jewish leaders objected. So Paul, a Roman citizen, then petitioned to have his case presented before Caesar.

We pick up the story now with Paul arriving in Rome under house arrest. There he asks to meet with the Jewish leaders of Rome. They are intrigued to hear more about Paul’s sect. For everywhere in the then world Christianity is spoken against by the status quo.

On the scheduled day, they arrived along with their support staff. The entire day was given to listening and reviewing Scripture with Paul. Paul’s emphasis during the entire meeting was to testify about Jesus as the Messiah and the Kingdom of God. He spent the entire day emphasizing what he believed and stood for.

A few of his listeners were convinced. The majority disbelieved. But Paul fulfilled his mission. Wherever he went, he first started by explaining the gospel message to the Jewish community. Afterward, he followed by proclaiming God’s salvation to the Gentiles.

Yet whenever he spoke, he emphasized what he was for and not what he was against. You and I may want to consider the same when sharing the gospel message with others. In today’s culture, we hear a lot about what everyone is against. But wouldn’t it be more effective if we started with what both sides agree on?

Sounds good you say, but most difficult. And you are right. It is more challenging for you to first understand the other side thoroughly before sharing your beliefs. When you do, you will find it easier to get common ground to build from rather than fight over it.

When Paul spoke with the Jewish leaders they had the Scriptures as common ground. When Paul dealt with the Gentiles, he had a strong understanding of the Greek culture being educated in that world. His starting point was always from their perspective.

But it didn’t change his message. Instead, he continued to emphasize Jesus’ and His Kingdom and what HE stands for. His approach and words and examples may differ. But his message remained the same. Jesus Christ is Lord. God’s Kingdom rules. God has a purpose for humanity and you are included.

As we mature as Believers, we slowly die to self. Our position on any matter becomes less important. Our heart and mind begins to align more with God’s position. Instead of emphasizing what I am for, we illuminate what God is for. We become the messenger, rather than the influencer. Our allegiance is for God’s Kingdom and Lord Jesus. As HE trains us and morphs us into HIS image, we slowly reflect more and more of HIS thoughts and values. HE is what we are for. We become one with HIS Spirit. And what HE is for, so are we.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

Learn & Grow with these eBooks:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved