discipleship

Ever Try Thinking For Yourself?

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

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How well do we know our Bible?

After a certain number of years, we quickly understand why people who study the Bible and look at the Christian churches are confused. It’s easy to see the hypocrisy between what a Christ-Follower is to be like compared to a secular Christian.

When Martin Luther asserted the scriptures to the Catholic Church during the Reformation, he was only clarifying what the Universal Church believes versus what people have come to know through human appeal. The gospel of Jesus, the good news of the kingdom of God, and the message throughout scripture is a message of hope in a simplistic manner. For example, the message of salvation is through Jesus Christ. As Martin Luther demonstrated, salvation cannot be earned but is a gift from God. We as a people may read it in scriptures. We as a people may even understand it. But, do we as a people live it? It amazes many of us how so many denominations take such a simple message and add onto it. It’s almost like now the message is “Jesus Plus”. That is “Jesus Plus” how well one keeps the commandments. Or it’s “Jesus Plus” how much one serves. Or it’s “Jesus Plus” how much one attends church on a regular basis. Or it’s “Jesus Plus” how much money one donates. Or it’s “Jesus Plus” which church one attends. The list is endless.

So how well do we know our Bible?

Everything we need to know regarding salvation is easily understood from scriptures. The scriptures are clearly explained and repeated throughout the New Testament by various writers. On the other hand, there are scriptures that are not so clear. These are the scriptures where people have disagreed over the ages and new denominations are built because of it. But the simple truth is that if these issues where important for salvation, wouldn’t our loving Dad have clearly explained them to us. But no, He has allowed us to disagree, argue, and build walls over issues that are not important. Why? We don’t really know but wonder if He is trying to teach us how to live with the differences of people.  It’s easier to love someone who totally agrees with you on every issue. But, is it not harder when you disagree with a person’s opinion? And really, many of the differences are nothing more than people’s opinions on the interpretation of scriptures. We argue over these issues like salvation is really the result of a correct answer. Don’t be deluded.

Again, how well do we know our Bible?

The next time we read the Bible through its entirety, mark down all the scriptures that pertain to salvation. Keep these in front of you and never let any person or power take away your crown. Don’t let people tell you what scriptures are important. You read it and you with the Holy Spirit determine what scriptures you are willing to die for. Your eternity is at stake. Don’t be deluded. Don’t be captured by the delusions of others. You have the ability to determine yourself. Think for yourself. You have been given a wonderful mind, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit to lead you into all the Truth. Remember always to A.S.K: Ask Him, Seek Him, Keep Knocking, and He will lead you. Don’t be deluded.

Again we ask.  How well do we know our Bible?

OUR PRAYER

PRAYER 1

Our Great Heavenly Dad, thank you for your supreme gift of salvation and the Bible.  Help us to study it. Help us to learn from it. Help us to develop a deeper, closer relationship with you through it. Help us to understand what you consider important and live our life accordingly. Let no one delude us or mislead us in your Word. But open our mind to understand your mind, open our eyes to see through your eyes, open our heart to feel with your heart. This is what we ask great Dad.  Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God

What Else Is There?

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

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How often in our life have we felt like just quitting?  Just giving up whatever we were pursuing and calling it quits. In fact, maybe we even may have a bad habit of quitting whenever life just doesn’t work out the way we expect it to. Are we natural quitters? Or do we know when to quit?

We recall a friend who was taking his third class in graduate school when he decided to call it quits. At the time, he just needed a break from the academic routine and convince himself it was only going to be for the one semester.  He didn’t return until ten years later.

Yet, when it comes to walking with our Lord, where does one go after one decides to quit? Turn back to where? Stop moving forward? In fact, turning back is worst then just quitting. When one quits, one just stops moving forward. When one turns back. one is walking away from their destination leaving a larger distance between oneself and one’s goal.

If one decides to turn back, where will they go? After one has tasted the fruit of the Spirit, what compares?  After one experiences Grace and Freedom, does one revert to slavery? After building a relationship of Love and Trust with the Living Creator, is there anyone else who one could better depend on? After one’s eyes are open to understand God’s Plan for a new heaven and a new earth being occupied by eternal beings, who has the greater vision and power to accomplish it?

Satan believes his plan is better for mankind. Do we? The world’s systems believe their plan is better for us. Do we? At times, even our carnal nature temporarily convinces us that there is a better way. But do we really believe it afterwards?

After many of His disciples deserted Jesus because of His teachings (Jn 6:66), Jesus asked Peter if he likewise was turning back. But Peter replied where else is there to go; Jesus had the words of eternal life. Likewise, it is true today.

Of all the major religious movements that impacted mankind, only Christianity has a Founder that claimed to be God and offers Grace to the sinner. Truly unique. To be a follower of His is also truly unique. For in following Him, we acknowledge His lordship. His teachings, His authority, His government, and His involvement in our life until His return. Just like some people in His time thought He to be a crazy man possessed by demons, there are those today who think the same of us. So be it.

OUR PRAYER

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Our Eternal Almighty Dad, thank you for remembering that we are just humans. We are temporary beings with eternal goals. Apart from you we will never accomplish eternity. It is you who has given it to us via Jesus Christ as a gift. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

There are those who ridicule us for what we believe and how we live. If we are bringing any shame to you and your eternal name, please let us know and help us change it. If we are not living up to your glory, let us know and help us to repent.

Everything we desire is in you. Let us live our life in your glory and honor.  We may sometimes go overboard in our actions and preaching, but pray that you capture our results and words and plant them into the lives of others that need it. We all need you. Help us to live dependant on you. Help us to exercise the freedom you have given us for your glory. Let your freedom ring out loud for others to hear and experience.

Thank you Jesus. Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God

You’re in Good Hands with God’s Plan

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

“Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we witnessed against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised.  For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised;  and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.”      1 Corinthians 15:12-19 NAS

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Heaven and earth united for eternity. The Kingdom of God in all its fullness. If there is no resurrection, no future life after death, than have we been a fool in living this way? What assurance do we have that the plain teachings of the Bible are going to happen? What does the future hold?

We have all asked ourselves the above questions at one time or another. The answer of course always goes back to the beginning. Is there a God? If there is no God, than let’s party. Let’s live and let live. Anything goes. Who cares about anything but getting what’s best for us now. Anyhow, anyway, anywhere, anything and everything goes IF there is no God.

Or on the other hand, if there is a God, we better fear. We better seek out what He is all about. We better find out what He expects from each one of us. All these thoughts probably have entered most of our minds at one time or another. Thankfully, God reveals Himself through creation, through the Bible, through the lives of other people, and through life’s experiences.

If creation was a happen chance, so are we. But on the other hand, if creation was a planned activity, doesn’t that mean you and I are a part of that plan? Which is easier to believe? The bottom line is if creation was a planned activity, than it requires a planner. And that planner must be One Awesome Being to pull it all off. We believe that is what scares those who find it difficult to have faith in a Creator. Because if there is a Creator, than we all are one small dudes with someone larger than ourselves that we may be accountable to in life.

If the Bible is not God’s working manual for mankind, than it’s the second greatest con job of all time (Jesus’ resurrection would be the first). However when you read it, you find quotes from God Himself. And these quotes are challenging us to exercise trust in Him; quotes that are giving us a choice of lifestyle that would benefit us individually and collectively; quotes that are directed to us personally to prove Him. And when you take Him up on His challenge, you begin to experience radical changes in your life that is described throughout the Bible. You begin to realize that God uses the Bible to reveal Himself to us and to help us know Him better. It points us to having a relationship with the Greatest Dad of all; a heavenly Father that is good and wonderful to all; a God who reveals Himself as the Creator of all and cares about His creation.

Doesn’t the Bible already reveal all that we need to know at this time about our future? A future with Christ for all eternity. If there were no other people involved in this adventurous journey of transformation in Christ, than we could easily see doubts arise in our own walk with the Lord. However, when one is a witness to the internal, spiritual transformation in peoples’ lives, than it reassures us that what we are living through is for real. When we discuss the internal struggles with others and they understand us, than we find it reassuring that we are not going crazy. That this Christian life is for real, and the experiences, struggles, hopes, and joys are not something strange but the realization of walking with a living God. The bond and unity you experience in sharing yourself in a small group or in a congregational worship service reassures us that God is alive and living in the lives of those that have fully acknowledged Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Likewise, when we read the classical writings of the saints from yesterday and thoroughly relate to their everyday struggles, hopes and faith, it again reassures us that our walk is not something new, but the way it has been from the very beginning. It is the way God reveals Himself to us and builds His masterpiece: the invisible, universal Church.

plan 6If our experiences through life were all disappointments, then we probably would question our walk with the Lord. However, there has been much joy in witnessing the power of God in one’s life. From answered prayer, to blessings of joy, God has extended His unmerited grace and favor upon us. Even if we didn’t live in America with all its physical trappings of abundance, we believe that God would have still showered upon us His grace and blessings that only a Believer really understands. Yet, we are very thankful that our earthly fore-parents came to live in America. It makes the Christian walk more challenging in many ways that our brothers and sisters in other countries can’t even phantom. For it allows us to experience facets of the good life and see the abundance of God’s wealth and leads us to a better comparison of the physical wealth with God’s spiritual riches. We are constantly tested to choose between the two. It allows us to practice self-control that people in other countries can’t even imagine.

The Christian in America does have a different challenge than many of our brothers and sisters in third-world countries can’t even imagine. We are privileged to learn how best to manage our wealth for the betterment of others. Many of us are challenged to learn how not to indulge ourselves at every meal. We eventually learn that blessings are not just a physical matter. In many ways, physical blessing could become a curse. The real riches of life are found in the spiritual treasures that God gives to those who truly yield themselves in heartfelt obedience to Him. And to experience the Giver with all His riches is truly the greatest high this life has to offer. We are very thankful that He has included us to live a life as a disciple of His. Praise Be to God!

OUR PRAYER

PRAYER 1

Our Awesome Heavenly Dad: All glory, honor, and worship belong to you. You are greater than we can even imagine. Our small glimpse of you makes us shudder in how awesome you truly are. You created everything that is in existence. You keep everything in order throughout the universe. You have a time table that you move history through its pages. You are One Awesome Being.

Let your greatness always be magnified in our life. Help us see your greatness in every aspect of this life. Hide nothing from us. Let us learn about you and teach you to others. Reveal your truths to us. Reveal your creation to us. Reveal your plan of salvation to us. Reveal your glory to us.

Help those who are searching for you. Help them find you. Open the doors to your kingdom for them. Let everyone enter. Let everyone see your awesomeness. Hide nothing from us but let you glory be praised throughout the nations.

Help us be your faithful child in the Lord. Let us be the apple of your eye. Grant us your favorite blessings. Shower upon us your richly treasures. Hold back nothing of you to us. In return, help us share you and your riches with others. Help us always to glorify you before others.

You are our God. You are our Creator. You are our Provider. Thank you for making all this possible Jesus. Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Speaker

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God