Jesus

God’s Perfect Reflection

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , ,
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? John 14:9 ESV
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Do you want to know what God is like? Than study into the life of Jesus Christ. In theological terms it is called Christology. In faith terms, it is the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior (2 Peter 3:18).

In several places found in Scripture, Jesus mentioned that Father God and He are one. That if you know Jesus Christ, you will also know the Father. Either Jesus is making the claim from a position of fact or He is lying, or He is a crazy man. It is the same accusation people made about Him during his ministry. Our position is that Jesus Christ is the perfect human reflection of Father God.

So how would God act if He was you in your situation today?

When you study the life of Jesus Christ, you quickly learn how he communicated, encouraged, and taught the people around him. Like a great Rabbi, he modeled the life he wanted his disciples to practice. Unlike the religious leaders of his day, He walked the talk.

The Jewish leaders were great at sounding knowledgeable, dissociating themselves from the common people of the day, and desiring to serve others for their personal gain. Not Jesus.
He eagerly pursued His Father’s Will. He and His Father where united in spirit. How Jesus responded to the people’s needs was a reflection of how Father God would respond. Everything was done with His Father’s purpose in mind. He went where His Father was working.

He gave credit to His Father for the accomplishments and miracles. He called no one good but God. He knew the evil intent that was in man’s heart. But He also knew the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to lead, comfort, and counsel others for the sake of the Kingdom and others.

So if you want to know more about God, pickup that Bible and start reading the four gospel accounts of the Jesus’ story. But this time read it from the perspective that Father God was living life in and through Jesus Christ. That Jesus Christ is the perfect reflection of our heavenly Father.

Again you may be pleasantly surprised to discover what and who Father God is truly like.

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!

Speculation

Dr. Mike Jesus Christ , , , , , , ,

 “…nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.” I Timothy 1:4

truth 3

Several posts ago, I wrote under the assumption that Jesus was a carpenter prior to his public ministry. I apologize for the bold statement. The fact is nowhere in the Bible does it stipulate that Jesus was a carpenter (See note below). The Gospel per Matthew states that he was “the carpenter’s” son (Matt 13:55). We could assume that the eldest child of their parent would have learned the parent’s skill growing up.  But that would only be speculation on our part.

How often do we speculate on matters and discuss them like they were solid facts? A recent survey of the best known scripture resulted in “God helps those who help themselves.” Yet nowhere will you find that scripture in the Bible. Again, we only hear and quickly assume.

You know what happens when one assumes?

So lesson learned. We all are human and no one is perfect. Especially me. Let speculation be address as it is and not as reliable fact. That may not be radical, but it is the truth.

We are rooting for you!

Yours in Christ,

Dr. Mike

Executive Chair, Consultant, Encourager
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

Learn. Integrate. Grow.

Note: Correction – Mark 6:3 does stipulate that people in the community did identify Jesus as “the carpenter, son of Mary.” This is not speculation, but a fact. However, the point about speculation is still solid – we all need to confirm and verify before making presumptions. And when in error, correct oneself and move on. My apologies.

WHERE DOES YOUR RECOGNIZATION COME FROM?

Dr. Mike Essays , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A DISCIPLE’S PRAYER
PRAY 9

Dear Wonderful Dad:
You are my success, joy, and recognition in everything I do. You surround me with your Grace and Presence each and every day. You give me more than I deserve. You make my cup overflow with your abundant riches. Everything I own is a loan from you. You created everything for us to share in and we likewise share it with others. Without you there is nothing worth owning, possessing, or having. You add value to everything because you created value. I can never express my gratitude and thankfulness for your involvement in my life. Everything is because of you.

If I have not express my thanks to you today, let me say thank you again and again. If I have already expressed my thanks to you today, express it again. There is not enough time in a day to thank you for your Grace, your Gifts, but more importantly just knowing you. We humbly thank you and express our gratitude.

word 14

 

“so we, who are many, are one body in Christ,
and individually members one of another.”
Romans 12:5

Why do you serve? Do you want to let the world know how good of a person you are? Does ii make you feel important? Or is it just a part of your nature? Do you truly believe it is more blessed to give than receive?
 

I just finished reading an old Discipleship Journal magazine which had an article entitled “Secret Service.” The article outlined how a few Christ-followers are serving others incognito. They practice the scripture of not letting your right-hand know what your other hand is doing in serving others. When they help others they do it either through a third party or in secret. At the end of the day, all glory goes to God and the act. They just receive the personal satisfaction of helping others without the fanfare. I love it.
 

Was Jesus’ primary attitude to draw attention to Him or to help others for their sake with as little fanfare as possible? Did Jesus die for us because He wanted to achieve personal glory or because He Loves us? When He walked the earth, who did He give the glory to?
 

As His disciple, I have learned that the glory and honor belongs to Jesus, my Heavenly Dad, and the Holy Spirit. All the glory and praise is God’s. I have come to realize that everything I accomplish, whether in service or for personal gain, I achieve only because of God’s grace. For starters, He gives me life itself. He gives me the air to breathe, makes my heart tick, and mind to operate effectively (unless I damage it). He gives me His Spirit of compassion and love. He allows me to work and earn an income. He allowed me to be born in America, the land of physical wealth and personal freedom. He blesses me so I can bless others. He provides me the opportunities to serve. He teaches me the joy and privilege of serving. No wonder all the praises and glory go to Him. Everything begins and ends with Him.
 

I don’t need the recognition anymore. My recognition comes from Him. I am His disciple and He takes exceptionally good care of me. All recognition goes to Him. What about you? Where are you in your relationship with Jesus?

 

Dr. Mike