Kingdom of God

What Does The Christ-Centered Life Look Like? (3)

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , , , , , ,

in christ“Anyone who is not with Me is against Me, and anyone who does not gather with Me scatters.”
Luke 11:22-24

From the outside looking in, one would never know whether a person is living a Christ-centered life or a Christ-Religious one. Typically, a Christ-Religious life is doing things for Christ. However a Christ-Centered life is doing things with Christ. It may be a matter of semantics for some, but the heart speaks louder than words or actions.

For example, when you walk into a room, are you looking to “save” people for Christ? Or are you looking to see how the Spirit is navigating the room and where you can partner with Him?
The difference between the two is that in the first scenario one already has a prior plan agenda that “they” want done and the second is seeking how they may best serve Christ at that moment. The believer has come to a place where they now realize that God’s ways and means are absolutely different than ours.

The apostle Paul prior to his conversion is an example of the first type of person and then after his conversion he became the second. His focus prior to conversion was destroying Christians because they didn’t comply with his standards of righteousness (Acts 9:1-19). After Christ engaged him on the road to Damascus, then Paul (known then as Saul) changed his method of operations. Thereafter, he sought out the Spirit’s intentions and partnered with Him in his ministry.(Acts 13:2, 16:6)

In summary, a Christ-Religious life likes to parade around using theological terms, mannerisms, and performance standards that look impressive, but they lack the power of God (2 Timothy 3:5). On the other hand, a Christ-centered life is hidden in Jesus and most of the time the right hand is not even aware what the other hand is doing (Mathew 6:3). A Christ-centered life seeks to serve others “with Jesus” instead of “for Jesus.” Jesus is the center of our relationship with all people. We serve others based on His standard, His desires, and His Spirit, not necessarily what we want or believe.

OUR PRAYER

prayer 5

Holy Father – Holy Lord – Holy Spirit: Thank you for engaging us and deeply desiring to have a familial relationship with us. Thank you for being faithful and committed to loving us and accepting us as we are. Yet thank you also for wanting to better us and changing us to truly reflect your glory and divine nature.

We realize whatever good we possess is you and only you. We thank you for living in us and expressing yourself through us. Help us to glorify your name in everything we say, think, and do. Amen

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Consultant, Coach, Encourager
Author of Great Business Emulates A Good God

If You Are Seeking a Devotional Study, Check Out My New Book Be Radical…Follow Christ.

What Does The Christ-Centered Life Look Like? (2)

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , , , , , ,

in christ

“But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:32-34 (NSRV)

From a practical aspect, we allow Jesus’ story to become the main plot in our life. The question no longer is “what do I want?” Instead the core question becomes “what is Jesus doing that I may join him?” We learn through life’s challenges that as we seek Christ’s Kingdom, we discover that our required needs are satisfied. They may not always be according to our expectations or what we are accustomed too, but in hindsight we learn to place our trust in his provision which is what we truly needed at the time.

How often have we heard a person share their story of answered prayer? When everything looked bleak and all they could do is muster a short prayer of desperation. Then suddenly, a knock at the door and their laid a bag of groceries so their children would not go hungry another day. Or the business executive who didn’t know where to go for help to meet his payroll, but cried out to God for a solution. Then a phone call from a person who hasn’t spoken to him for years with a check in hand that would solve his immediate problems and create more opportunities for others. Again, the engineer stuck with an unsolvable problem and in frustrating and humility asks God for help. Then suddenly the inspiration comes to mind and the problem is solved. All of these are simple daily events that makes one realize that we are not alone. That the God of the universe, Father-Son-Spirit, is active and involved in our lives.

In a brief summary, a CC life is focused on Jesus, not the self. The aim and motivation is to elevate Jesus in the eyes of all we come into contact. As we yield our self unto the Triune God’s hand, we develop a bond of trust with Him. As we ask and commune with Him, we witness His involvement that eventually brings about our requests for His glory. Over time, we build a close familial relationship like a child with a loving, engaged parent. For most of us, when the pride is gone, we eventually come to the end of ourselves. Typically, it is through the trials and tests of life that we realize our need of God. Like the apostle Paul, we come to realize that when we are weak, our strength (Jesus )rises to the occasion (2 Corinthians 12:9). Over time we give him more and more leeway to lead and influence us as his new creation. Then like David of Goliath fame, our Lord becomes our strength and refuge (Psalm 59:16). Outsiders begin to witness a divine change in your countenance and demeanor. God is slowly expressing Himself through you.

OUR PRAYER

PRAYER 1

Holy Father – Holy Lord – Holy Spirit: Thank you for your love, mercy, and grace upon us. Thank you for redeeming us Jesus and restoring the relationship between heaven and earth; between Father God and humanity. Thank you for your sacrificial love and continual empowerment through your Spirit. Thank you for covering us and hiding us in you. ; We long for the time to celebrate your plan, your work, and your glory. Whether at work, at home, or at play, we thank you and praise you as our King, Teacher, Savior, Helper, Friend, and Brother. Help us to hear you and follow your lead in our life each and every day. So Be It.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Consultant, Coach, Encourager
Author of Great Business Emulates A Good God

If You Are Seeking a Devotional Study, Check Out My New Book Be Radical…Follow Christ.

More God Less Me

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , , , , , ,

more god

“There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews. Late one night he visited Jesus and said, “Rabbi, we all know you’re a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren’t in on it.” Jesus said, “You’re absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom.”
“How can anyone,” said Nicodemus, “be born who has already been born and grown up? You can’t re-enter your mother’s womb and be born again. What are you saying with this ‘born-from-above’ talk?” Jesus said, “You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the ‘wind-hovering-over-the-water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. When you look at a baby, it’s just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can’t see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit.
“So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.”   John 3:1-8 The Message

How does this born again from above process workout in everyday life? We read scripture where Jesus meets a religious leader at night and emphasizes that we must be born again. OK. Got it. Now what? Is this simply our meal ticket to the last great eternal party with Jesus? Or is there more? (Isn’t there always more?).

One of the great mysteries of life is the workings of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul writes that wherever the Spirit is, so is Jesus. Trinitarian theology also demonstrates that wherever one of the three, Father, Son, or Holy Spirit are present, so are the other two. In other words, wherever the Spirit is, Jesus and the Father are also there.

What does this all mean in a practical matter? It means that when you receive the Holy Spirit, you have also invited the rest of the Godhead. Jesus and our heavenly Father also make their abode in you. That is why the Bible says we are His Temple; we are also the Body of Christ: individually and collectively. So when we learn to let God fully express Himself in us and through us, we experience the adventurous ride of life with Him.

Paul also wrote that “when we are at our weakest, then we are at our strength (2 Corinthians 12:8-10). Why? Because the more we elevate Christ in our life, the less our human nature shows. The more we elevate the Spirit in our life, the less our human tendencies get in the way. The more we elevate the Father, the less our human carnality is revealed. Learning to allow the Spirit of God, that includes Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, to lead, to influence, and to teach, is the way to fully enjoy God and life. The more God and the less me in the daily decisions, thoughts, and actions may make me worldly weak, but kingdom strong in Christ.

Now isn’t that a little more radical than just allowing religiosity to have its way?

OUR PRAYER

prayer 5

Heavenly Father, Lord, and Spirit, we thank you for your plan of life, redemption, and glorification. We thank you for sharing your life with us through your Spirit. Thank you for residing in us and making your home in us. Thank you for allowing us to share your home in the heavens in Christ.

Help us to listen and learn how to follow your Spirit in our life. Cleanse our hearing and open our hearts to see you and your work in our daily responsibilities and service to others. Help us to explore and enjoy you in our daily comings and goings. Help us as we help others. And help others as you help us. In everything we think, say, and do, help us to do our best for your glory.

So be it.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Consultant, Coach, Encourager
Author of “Great Business Emulates A Good God”