christlike

Mature Manhood

Dr. Mike 2022 , ,

Ephesians 4:13

…until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…

Yep, I’m still a kid at heart with a way to go before I grow up and find something to do which grownups are supposed to do. These are the words I jokingly respond whenever someone asks me what my career plans are now that I am semi-retired.

Society and culture always seem to have the ideal which in hindsight you eventually discover is most often the opposite of what you should have done in the beginning. The same can be said about Manhood in the 21st century.

In my lifetime, we have witnessed the slow destruction of fathers and mothers’ authority and responsibility in the home which has led to the self-imposed destruction of the nuclear family. The end result which we are now living through are lives with major mental health issues, young men confused with their masculine identity, and the loss of godly role model examples of men living a happy, successful, meaningful life for the benefit of others and self.

Paul identifies here in the Book of Ephesians 4:12-13 that the Church leadership is responsible to equip and buildup men to become mature followers of Jesus Christ measured against HIS stature.

As mature men, we are to follow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ in our everyday life. The problem is most men have a confused view of who Jesus IS and the life HE lived. We have tidbits of correct information intertwined with false illusions of bedtime stories.

When you grow up surrounded by men who walk with their Lord everyday within the home, business, and community, you discover how life can be rewarding and how great God IS. But when you lack such examples, or distorted fantasy figures portrayed through the movies, you are unsure how a mature, Christ-follower behaves. You fail to grasp what and how the abundant life as outlined throughout Scriptures is lived out in daily affairs.

So, if you are confused, then my recommendation is to find a small group of older men who have lived life to the full and will openly share their wisdom learned through hard knocks. Yes, there are godly men functioning each day in the marketplace. However, the culture ignores them because they don’t fit the secular narrative of the day. But I assure you, if you start attending a local Church, ask around, and you will find at least one person who will gladly mentor with you what real Christ-like masculine maturity looks like.

Jesus Christ is our perfect example of mature manhood. Study, learn, and grow in knowledge of HIM and HIS grace, and you will find yourself maturing like HIM. And with a small circle of other men, you will also find encouragement and examples of others growing up into HIS likeness.

The world needs more men reflecting the glory of Jesus Christ.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

PS: For those who seek to jump start into building a stronger relationship with our Perfect Father, or just seeking a monthly devotional, you may be interested in my new prayer book devotional – Overflowing Prayers Rooted in Jesus Christ v1 & v2. Check it out at here.

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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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Appeasing the Crowd

Dr. Mike 2022 , , , , ,

Mark 15:15

Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified. (ESV)

Do you need courage to stand up against the crowd?

When you know what is right and you give in to the noise and threats of others, you discover your slackness of character. Here Pilate weighed the consequences and found it politically easier to satisfy the crowd’s desire rather than do what is right. Why trouble yourself over one person’s life he may have thought? Don’t the power players teach you to carefully choose your fights? What do I have to gain if I choose to do what is right in this case? (He probably murmured to himself). 

Most likely, many of us have been there where the bully threatens one into submission. Rather than fight for what is right, we roll over and succumb to the more traveled road. Yet in hindsight, we know the best route would have been to stand up and face the evil rather than run from it.

Yes, it takes courage to face our adversaries. When we discover our lack, we shamefully accept the situation without putting up resistance. In the process we also discover a weakness of our humanity and quickly try to cover the matter up rather than expose our shortcomings to the world. The moment of truth has arrived.

Our Triune God knows our weaknesses. If we had the godly character in place, the matter would have been differently handled. But in that moment of truth, we discovered something lacking in ourselves and the real you is exposed.

Life is a learning process preparing you and I for eternity. Moments like this slap us in the face and wake us up to the matter. Either we change or we shall continue to repeat the situation over and over again until the pain becomes unbearable, and our lives become intolerable.

However, when we accept Jesus as Lord, HIS Spirit begins the process of living in you. You slowly take on the characteristics of your Creator. Yes, you were made in the image of God. You were also destined to live life like HE did when he visited planet some 2,000 years ago.

The Holy Spirit wants to fully empower you to reflect the strength and character of Jesus Christ. As you walk along with HIM, you will discover the power of faith, truth, and love. You will become embolden with HIS characteristics. Then one day, you will find yourself in a similar situation and you will boldly stand up to the truth, do what is right, and afterwards marvel at your conduct giving thanks to God. The circumstantial outcome may or may not be the same, but you will be at peace and fully prepared to handle the consequences just like your Teacher, Jesus Christ.

So, if you need courage to stand up against the crowd, you now know where to find it.

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

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Being Jesus-Centered

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , , , ,
“For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11 ESV

jesus-centered1

What is the foundation you build your life on?

Do you pick and choose from what you see in the culture around you? Do you adhere to a specific philosophy of a person or teacher? Whatever your reply, if the answer is anything other than Jesus Christ, you haven’t yet found your center for real, fruitful, enjoyable living. Not as the world shows it; but as God designed you and I for maximum utopia.

When you analyze many of the various religions, teachings, and beliefs around the world, most of them will have some Biblical truth included. That is why certain teachings agree with many of Jesus’ statements. For example, Confucius stated the Golden Rule hundreds of years before Christ. This isn’t anything new. The fact is Reality is built around Jesus’ existence; not the other way around. Since He lived before the foundation of the world as one of the Godhead, His truth has always existed.

To be Jesus-Centered is more than just making him #1 in your life. It is including him in every decision one makes. That includes all your relationships, business arrangements, educational goals, career paths, family ties, marriage partnerships, etc.

To be Jesus-Centered is allowing him full access into the secret chambers of your heart. You are free to stand physically, spiritually, and mentally naked before him. You are transparent. You open your values, beliefs, and goals for his redeeming work.

To be Jesus-Centered is viewing the world through his eyes. It is serving others from Christ’s viewpoint. It is letting him walk along side us through our daily routine. It is having a friend, companion, and associate with us throughout the day.

To be Jesus-Centered is already knowing His answer even while you ask.

To be Jesus-Centered is surrendering your rights in exchange for his imprint into your life.

To be Jesus-Centered is to be home with him in mind, spirit, and soul.

To be Jesus-Centered is to have the north star always shining brightly in your life.

To be Jesus-Centered is to find yourself emulating his spiritual power toward others.

Until one stops playing religion, throws out all the do’s and don’t of playing cultural niceness, and invites Jesus to become the center of one’s life, one hasn’t tasted the fruit of how life was truly designed for a more abundant experience. How about you? Have you asked our Heavenly Dad to show you how Jesus can become the center of 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

Encourage your Friends…Share Today’s Message!