DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST

Who Is Your Drill Sergeant?

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ , , , , , , , , , ,

drill sargent 2

Keep on keeping on.  Prod yourself.  When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.  If it’s ever going to get done, then I have to do it.  Go, Go, Go. Go, Go, Go.  Move it, move it, move it…move it, move it, move it.  One, two, three, four…one, two, three, four.  Push it, push it, push it.  Drive yourself.  Focus, focus, focus.  Concentrate, concentrate, concentrate.  Energize yourself.  Do it, do it, do it.  Practice, practice, practice.  Take care of it.  Work it, work it, work it.  Hard work never killed anyone.  Be diligent.  Go for the gold.  Can’t quit now, almost there.  Kick it.  Jump start it.  Make it move.  How sweet it is.  Keep going.  We are closer today then yesterday.  The busy bee earns its honey.  Work the plan.  Never, never, never give up.  Success is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.  OK, second wind.  Let’s do it again.

Keep on keeping on.  Prod thyself.  When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.  If it’s ever going to get done, then I have to do it.  Go, Go, Go. Go, Go, Go.  Move it, move it, move it…move it, move it, move it.  One, two, three, four. ..one, two, three, four.  Push it, push it, push it.  Drive yourself.  Focus, focus, focus.  Concentrate, concentrate, concentrate.  Energize yourself.  Do it, do it, do it.  Practice, practice, practice.  Take care of it.  Work it, work it, work it.  Hard work never killed anyone.  Be diligent.  Go for the gold.  Can’t quit now, almost there.  Kick it.  Jump start it.  Make it move.  How sweet it is.  Keep going.  We are closer today then yesterday.  The busy bee earns its honey.  Work the plan.  Never, never, never give up.  Success is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.  OK, third wind.  Let’s do it again.

Keep on keeping on.  Prod thyself.  When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.  If it’s ever going to get done, then I have to do it.  Go, Go, Go. Go, Go, Go.  Move it, move it, move it…move it, move it, move it.  One, two, three, four. ..one, two, three, four.  Push it, push it, push it.  Drive yourself.  Focus, focus, focus.  Concentrate, concentrate, concentrate.  Energize yourself.  Do it, do it, do it.  Practice, practice, practice.  Take care of it.  Work it, work it, work it.  Hard work never killed anyone.  Be diligent.  Go for the gold.  Can’t quit now, almost there.  Kick it. Jump start it.  Make it move.  How sweet it is.  Keep going.  We are closer today then yesterday.  The busy bee earns its honey.  Work the plan.  Never, never, never give up.  Success is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.  OK, take a deep breath.  Let’s do it again.  Get the point?!

 Our Prayer

PRAY 4

Oh Great Dad, You are our strength.  You are our hope.  You are our mentor.  When times become difficult; when circumstances causes us pain; when we feel like giving up and quitting, it is you who we look to for help.  Help us keep our eyes focused on you.  Help us to keep our prayer life alive with your Holy Spirit.  Help us to keep our involvement in your Word on a personal level.  Help us to keep our heart, mind, and soul diligently immersed in you.  Help us to keep, keeping on.  When we become tired and want to quit, regenerate us.  Let your passion for life exude in us and through us.  Let us live life with your energy.  Let nothing come between us.  Help us to glorify you in everything we do.  In Jesus we ask. Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God

 

What is the Message of Jesus? (a belated reprint)

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ , , , , , , , , ,

KINGDOM 5

Preach what?  Whom?  How?  Where?  When?  Why?  Many of us struggle with the commercial culture of Christmas with the message of Jesus Christ.  A time when the world is reminded that God visited earth as a human with the distinct mission of sacrificing Himself and adopting all people everywhere so they may have the opportunity to live eternally without pain with the Creator.  A time that reminds us that earth’s King came and lived a life meandering with people of all types while teaching us about the government of God.  A time that reveals to us how the love of God is expressed in human form.

Also at this time there is great conflict with the commercialism of the season: a greater focus on gifts than on the Man; when we decorate our homes with festive lights and green leaves; a time when we celebrate everything but the real meaning of His message.  Countries break one day from war in the name of peace in honor of our King, but resume the killing for the rest of the year.  Somewhere, someplace, somehow, the Truth doesn’t equal reality.

Living in America you would think that everyone has heard about the gospel of Jesus.  Wrong.  We have heard something about Jesus, but have we really grasped the significance of His life.  Who He is?  What He accomplished?  What His plans include?  How we all fit in?  We find discussions with people who were raised Christian yet understand very little of the message of Jesus.  They repeat those cute bedtime stories that they were told as children, yet when it comes to integrating the stories, teachings, principles, commandments, and life of Jesus into a lifestyle of everyday living and relating with a living God, they look at us as some type of religious freak.

To live life with a passion and infatuation of God is unreal with most people.  To desire a living, loving, legacy with our Creator and Eternal Dad seems ridiculous with most people.  Yet, when people begin to see real disciples in action, they realize there is something different about that person.  There is a spirit of love, joy, and peace within that person no matter what the circumstances are in their life.  The person’s outlook and attitude in positive living reinforces the message of Jesus that the Kingdom of God now exists among people who are now called to be a part of the universal church of the living God.  Who has an ear to hear, let him hear.

OUR PRAYER

PRAY 9

Our Heavenly Dad, how thankful we are that your graciousness and mercy has touched our life.  Everything we enjoy, partake, and experience is only because of your awesome plan of salvation and redemption.

Help us Great God to live the life of Christ. Help us to share His message with those who are hurting, those who are without real freedom, and those who are searching for real meaning and purpose for life.  Help us to live the life of Christ.

Help us to live as you have initially created life to be lived.  Let us experience the real joy, love, and peace that abides with you.  Leave nothing out from our relationship.  Help us to be true to you and you to us.  Let your kingdom dominate our life.  Let Jesus be our focus in everything we do.  For it is in Jesus name we make this request. Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God

Giving vs Getting

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ , , , , , , , , , ,

giving 7

Have you ever noticed the two opposing ideologies of giving versus getting?  There are people whose main focus is on what they can get.  Every deal they negotiate is a must win situation for them.  Every desire they must experience.  Every situation is evaluated by what is in it for them.  They only give to get.  Their desire is to accumulate as much monetary toys as they can.  It is never enough.  On the other hand, believe it or not, there are people whose focus is on what they can give.  They donate a portion of their income faithfully to serve those less fortunate.  They negotiate every deal willing to give value to the other side.  They realize everything they own is something that will eventually be given away so why not give it away while they can enjoy the process. Both are a way of life: Giving vs. Getting.

Jesus even discussed this philosophy and summarized it by saying “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”  More blessed meaning it will bring us more happiness, joy, and fulfillment in our life. God is a Giver. God loves to give.  Whatever God owns He shares with others.  He constantly gives from His treasurers so we may enjoy life more abundantly.  We believe there isn’t anything He will refrain from giving to us as long as it wouldn’t destroy our eternal salvation.

As a disciple of His, we are learning to give as we see the need.  Giving is becoming a more natural process of thinking and relating with others.  It doesn’t always come easy.  Sometimes our carnal desire appears and needs to be confronted.  We are all probably a long way off from being like our Eternal Dad who gives sometimes what seems to be recklessly (from our human perspective).  But the process is in gear and the Holy Spirit leads us, confronts us, and gently massages us towards living life like God.

As a disciple of His, we hope to keep on giving until our last breath.  Jesus set the example while on the cross.  His focus was still on those around Him and not on Himself.  He made sure His mother was taken care for.  He prayed to God asking for forgiveness on those who physically carried through the hanging.  His heart and mind was on those around Him more than on Himself and His situation.  We hope when our time comes that we likewise follow our Lord’s example and bring smiles to the angels in Heaven and to our Heavenly Dad.  Only time will tell.

OUR PRAYER

PRAY 4

Our Generous Dad, thank you for revealing a blessed way of life.  Thank you for teaching us the joy in true giving expecting nothing in return.  Thank you for your involvement and gifts that you have bestowed upon us.

You are truly awesome.  Help us to continue learning how to give, to share, and to sacrifice when necessary.  Help us to see the opportunities to be of service for others.  Help us to give of what we have of value.  Help us to give our money, time, and attention for others in need.  You know how we can be of service.  You know who needs what.  You know what we have to give.  Help us live life like you do!  Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God