Kingdom of God

Lean On Him (LOH)

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , , , , , , , ,

“Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you.” Psalm 71:6 ESV

lean 1

When you find out you are no longer the smartest, strongest, fastest, or whatever you are good at, maybe it is time to start: LOH.

When you realize you can’t do it alone, others have failed you, and you don’t know where to turn too, LOH.

When you finally admit you are broken and need help, LOH.

When your dreams are shattered, your hope disappears, or you feel forsaken, LOH.

When you come to the end of yourself, and can’t go any further, LOH.

Or maybe instead of waiting until you reach that moment of truth, you get ahead and start today. You may be pleasantly surprised of the outcome when you first learn to Lean On Him.

Our Triune God wants you to have a life like His. Though we are limited by physical boundaries, He has wired us as a mini reflection of Himself. He wants you to learn and grow into His complete image. It all begins when you learn to lean on Him. How radical is that?

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.

Where is Church?

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , , , ,

“So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.” Acts 16:5 (ESV)

 church 1

In the New Testament the Greek word “ecclesia” and in the Old Testament the Hebrew word “kahal” both mean an “assembly.” The Greek word is typically translated “church” in the English language. Therefore the word Church as signified in the Bible is simply an assembly of people. Today we have various faith communities that meet in buildings who identify themselves as a church. This is typically how most of us learn and identify a church. Yet isn’t a church larger than this?

One of the most eye opening revelations for me was when I realized the church extends beyond the four walls of a faith community. Jesus made the comment that when two or three are gathered together in prayer, he is among them (Matt. 18:20). He didn’t limit meeting together in a specific location. In fact, in John 4:21-23 he even stated that location wasn’t important, but worshiping God in Spirit and Truth is the priority. So can’t we say that where two or more believers come together in Spirit and Truth that Church is in session?

Wouldn’t this mean that the Church is actively operating 24/7 non-stop around the globe? Isn’t it in session where two or more believers come together? Isn’t it in session where a husband and wife come together? Isn’t it in session where two employees of the same company come together? Isn’t it in session where two neighbors meet together? Couldn’t church take place when two or more come together at a golfing tournament? ballgame? party? grocery store? school? the beach?

What makes a Church? Is it the corporate legal structure? An organizational team? Or simply two or more coming together to share their faith, buildup one another, and glorify God in the process?

When one realizes that Church is simply an assembly of people who trust and worship Jesus Christ, doesn’t that open the door for a 24/7 church service? As a believer, don’t we walk in the presence of God all day and night? So when we sit through a one hour church service isn’t that just a continual process of doing church for the entire day? week? month? life?

Think about it.

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.

 

 

 

Work

Dr. Mike Business & Faith , , , ,

“But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” John 5:17 (ESV)

God works

Why work? Is it because we have too or because we want too?  Don’t people work for various reasons? For example:

Most people work for an income to cover their living expenses;

Yet some people work to express their God-given gifts;

Others work to enjoy the social interrelationships;

Some work to escape from internal problems;

Than some work because they have been asked to serve others in a specific capacity;

Others work to fulfill their obligations;

Many work to satisfy some driven-need;

Some work to earn a little extra income to help others;

Others work for a cause they believe in;

A few even work for the glory of God.

This is only a few of the reasons studies have shown why we work. Yet, the result of good work is the reason we have food, clothes, shelter, and transportation for the masses. It is the reason we have schools, hospitals, churches, and factories. It is the fruit of labor for the common good of all.

How about you? Is work a spiritual discipline that allows you to move with God in the arena of life? Or is work some kind of drudgery that is required while you serve your prison time on earth?

Jesus’ stated that His Father God is working even as he spoke. That God didn’t complete the creation of the world and then retired into His heavenly home. Likewise, Jesus was purposely working instead of enjoying life on easy street. Jesus came to serve; and service requires work.

Work became difficult when Adam left the garden of Eden rebelling against Almighty God. God allowed mankind to taste what life is like apart from Him.  Since the arrival of the incarnated Jesus Christ and the reconciliation of man with God, work is the means of grace that allows us to experience the fruit of God Himself. Even today, God is at work; and with Jesus Christ via the Holy Spirit we can partner with Him in His work that includes the redemption of all creation. Believe it or not, that includes the work you do today. Ask yourself, how many ways can you glorify God today through your work? What if you took one way today and worship Him through your work. How radical would that be?

 

Remember, we are rooting for you in Christ!

 

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.