Jesus Christ

In Pursuit of Spiritual Excellence

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

OLYMPICS 3

Have you ever noticed how most people would like to experience the thrill of excellence without paying the personal price? Yes, if the price is money that we possess, than there is no problem. However, if the price is personal sacrifice, than we put reins on ourselves. It amaze us how some people dedicate their life for a political cause, or even a personal hobby with such intensity that nothing but the best outcome matters. Yet, when it comes to following Christ, they are satisfied with unfruitful results.

Paul described this way of life as a spiritual, Olympic race that we should all run seeking the prize. Again, he describes this life as warfare that we should pursue with only victory in mind. We don’t know about you, but this kid knows that when it comes to running with the intention of winning takes sacrifice, time, and intense focus. It doesn’t just happen by itself. It takes regular practice. It takes training in every area of the total person. It takes disciplining the mind, the body, proper eating, rest, and the list goes on. It just doesn’t happen.

One has to wonder if most people are satisfied with mediocrity in their spiritual walk because they don’t know what spiritual excellence looks like. Or maybe they believe one could never be like the saints we read about or hear about? Or maybe, they believe it takes some personal, innate abilities rather than the power of God to change them. Whatever the reason, now is the time to change and accept nothing else but the best. If we are a disciple of His, don’t we want to be the best in Christ eyes?

How many of His children have been lied to over the ages and have grown up believing lies to be true? In our society, we are bombarded with so many lies that we develop a defensive wall to protect us from the poison darts that are thrown our way. As children, we accept everything as the truth. But as we grow up, we discover that our parents have lied to us. Our teachers have lied to us, our coaches have lied to us, our political leaders have lied to us, our bosses have lied to us, advertisers have lied to us, and the list is as long as you want to make it. The point is even our church leaders have lied to us.

We have been deceived to accept mediocrity as the high standard of faith. Because the majority of church members are spiritual powerless, biblically ignorant, and culturally influenced, we accept that as the standard of faith. We believe that the people of the Bible are the example of the few and most of us will never attain such a spiritual relationship with our Heavenly Dad, so we don’t even try. We are a people who have lost, or maybe never even caught, the vision of the Kingdom.

Have you ever noticed a struggling student discover a worthwhile goal in life to pursue? All of a sudden he is more able to see how the pursuit of excellence in his studies will help him accomplish his plans. The level of motivation jumps to the top of the chart. Nothing seems to matter anymore but the attainment of his goal. Everything he does is a part of that passion. He becomes enthusiastic. He becomes purposeful. He becomes contagious. He is not satisfied with just getting by any longer. Now he wants to know everything there is to know. He wants to be in the center of it all. And in the process, he soon begins to excel in everything he pursues. Life has meaning and purpose.

Likewise, when a disciple discovers the Triune God’s plan and how he is a part of that plan, his motivation grows. With the best Teacher and the best Coach in the entire universe working with him to prepare for the accomplishment of that plan, life takes on a new purpose and meaning. The everyday frustrations that trap most people are nothing more but building blocks towards the attainment of the goal in our life.  We no longer accept other people’s standards of spiritual success. Our standard is Jesus Christ. Our goal is the Kingdom of God. Our passion is to be the best for the glory of God. We want all people to succeed. We want all people to have a deep, personal relationship with our Creator Dad. We will only settle for second best if our Heavenly Dad desires it. Otherwise, we are running the race for the prize.  We are fighting the war to win. We will give it our all because Jesus gave it His all.

OUR PRAYER

PRAY 8

Our Great, Awesome, Wonderful Dad, Help us to capture your vision and plan for mankind. Motivate us to pursue with a passion the goals you believe are ours to attain. Let nothing prevent us from living this life in full glory of you. Let us be and do our best for you.  Thank you Jesus. Amen.


 

Why Does It Matter What They, Them, and Others Think?

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

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Remember as a youngster asking permission from your mother to attend an event where “everyone” was going to be there.  Mom would give it some thought and decided it was not for your best interest to attend.  Most of us would become upset because “they” were able to go and how come we couldn’t.  We wanted to do what ”they, them, and others” did.  So it probably doesn’t amaze us even to this day that “they” are also a part of our children’s vocabulary.  Whatever the popular trend is for that period of life seems to slowly induce us to lose our individuality.  We seem to more easily accept the most popular trend as the gospel because the majority of people cannot be in error: we think.  What’s wrong with everyone looking like yellow pencils?  Or everyone writing with a number two yellow pencil?

You be the judge.  Is it wrong to do what is popular for that day?  No, but is it automatically the best thing for you to do?  We know the answer.  As we mature, we begin to realize that we are each an individual creation with different abilities, talents, and passions all waiting to come together in its time and place.  When the time and place  arrives the exhilaration of accomplishment or feeling of meaning elapses all the pain and struggles we may had to endure.  We become our unique selves.  God’s creation is glorified as His handiwork comes alive.  We express to the outside world what has been cultivating from the inside of our inner being since birth.  Our uniqueness colors the spectrum of society adding flavor to our relationships.  We live and walk by a different drummer, but that drummer is beating in unison with all the rest of creation.  Only others may not hear it because they are distracted with superfluous appearances and values.  The world’s view is to make everyone the same by thinking differently than God.  That is what makes popularity so dangerous.  The question we always need to ask before making a decision is, “God are you with this program or are you outside looking in?

When we agree with the popular view, is it typically because the opinion of the majority can’t be wrong, or is it because the Word and Spirit support the conclusion?  Isn’t it the majority that believes in God, but only the few who have responded to His calling?  Isn’t it the majority that voted for legalize abortion?  Isn’t it the majority that voted for legalized gambling?  Isn’t it the majority that feeds the Hollywood greed machine?  Isn’t it the majority that remains silent with most political, social, and economic issues of the day?

What is there to ponder about?  Whether you choose what is the popular, what is acceptable, what is normal, or what is held in the highest opinion, it doesn’t matter with us any longer.  Our best choice, being His disciple, is to follow to the best of our abilities His Word and Spirit at all times.

OUR PRAYER

PRAYER 1

Our Real, Heavenly Dad, your glory and honor reveals itself everyday through your creation.  Your Truth and Strength is a companion to our soul.  Your thoughts and questions challenge our mind.  Your companionship brings us comfort and encouragement each and every day.

You are the center of our popularity.  Everything that makes us excited embodies within you.  You are our hope, faith, and substance.  Everything of value encircles you.  Help us to keep you first on everyone’s list.  But most importantly, help us keep you first on our list.  Let nothing come between us.  Breakdown all walls of vanity, blindness, and ignorance between us.  Let us know you as you truly are.

We Love you Dad and thank you for this precious life.  Amen.  Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God

Would You Negotiate At The Table of The Enemy?

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

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You may notice the title does not say “do not eat at the table of the enemy,” or “do not spend time at the table of the enemy.” All it asks is would you negotiate with the enemy. In other words, are we to love our enemies or negotiate with them? Yet how are we to spend time serving them and prayerfully dealing with them if we are not at their table? Are we to totally avoid them because they may cause us great harm? Doesn’t Jesus require us to love them as He loves us?

Yes, we are not to allow their influence, their arguments, or their ways to change our commitment to serving our Lord first. We are not to compromise our position in Christ. Everything else though is negotiable, but not the Word, not our faith, not our belief, not our relationship with God. One writer summarized it like this, “First Things First.”

When we find ourselves at the table or house of the enemy, we need to be cautious. We need to be “as harmless as doves but as wise as serpents.” We need to see into the heart of the enemy. We need to realize what he is attempting to accomplish and with the Spirit of God confront it. We are not to compromise our crown, but lead like the servant King Jesus did when confronted by Satan. He was tempted, but he didn’t negotiate. He didn’t accept any part of the offer from Satan, but turned it all down by placing His relationship with His Heavenly Father first. He didn’t trade His future for immediate gratification. Instead, He reiterated God’s position on each confrontation. By stating God’s position on each temptation, He didn’t allow Satan any room to influence his stand.

As a disciple of His, you will find yourself likewise confronted by Satan. He will do everything possible to negotiate a spiritual surrender in his favor. He will try to buy you, he will try to steal you, or he will try to weaken you with gifts. He will do everything for you to try to negotiate with Him. He knows when we start negotiating with him, than he has us. We will lose. Like Jesus, don’t even start negotiating with him. Focus on your relationship with your Heavenly King and ask Him for the wisdom, words, and strength to be the ambassador of the Kingdom of God as a witness for Satan and the world to see.

Don’t ever forget who the real enemy is. It is not the people or the world’s system per say. They are just the pawns of Satan. They have been deceived and lied to over time that they may even believe they are doing God a  service. When in reality, they are blind, wretched, and poor. They need to be introduced to the real Jesus and experience the real changing power of the Holy Spirit. You may be the source that God chooses to bring the good news to them. Don’t negotiate, stand firm in the armor of God, and watch His power change lives.

OUR PRAYER

PRAYER 1

Our Life-Sharing Dad, thank you for revealing your Truth to us. Thank you for opening our eyes to see the enemy. But now help us to live more victorious for you.  Help us to put the enemy to shame. Help us to reveal his strategies and tactics. Help us to call on the power of Heaven to dismantle the enemy’s strongholds. Help us to nip temptation at the bud by relying on your Truth, Strength, and Hope.

Everything we seek involves you in some fashion. Help us to be your ambassador of the Kingdom. Let all people come to know you and the joy of your salvation.  Thank you Jesus.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God