Kingdom of God

Graceful Love or Legalized Affection

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

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Love is one of those expressive words that has been overused and underperformed in the 21st Century.Typically, if you asked 10 people for a definition of love, you would probably receive as many remarks.They would include such catch phrases as:

an emotion that makes one feel good

a decision to act

a sexual encounter

a worshipful moment

an exhilarating experience

an intimate friendship

a temporary relationship

a hookup

an act of giving

There are other statements you have heard that you could also include on the list. Yet, at the end of the day isn’t the best standard of love the source itself: the Triune God. We witness that love in the relationship between our heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Both sides totally giving of themselves for the other. Not a 50%/50% partnership. But 100%/100% of total sacrificial blessing toward the other. Totally unconditionally as exemplified through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for humanity. He died for us while we were still rebelling against him. A graceful love is a totally, unconditional, freely given sacrificial expression without any strings attached.

On the other hand, how often have we experienced the legalized affection that some label as love. We have all witnessed that love somewhere in our lives. For example:

The parent that denies their emotional praise unless the child behaves according to specific demands.

The boss that manipulates others with a caring facade for the purpose of achieving their objectives; if not accomplished according to their desires, you end up in their dog house with no option for restoration.

The politician that kisses each baby in exchange for your vote. (every see a politician kiss a baby after the election?)

The wife or husband who refrains from sexual activity unless their mate meets their specific demands.

The little female princess that behaves accordingly to get what she truly wants from her Dad.

The neighbor who forcefully smiles across the fence at you yet internally mutters that life would be better off if you simply dropped dead.

The list is endless. The bottom line is we exhibit loving affection as long as others live up to our level of expectation. But the moment our standards are not met, we want to throw the bum out.

Legalized affection is “playing nice for what we want out of the relationship.” Graceful love is sacrificing ourselves for the betterment of the other with no other conditions except that God is glorified in the end. When God is glorified, Love gracefully wins. Which do you believe is the one God wants us to live?

OUR PRAYER

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Holy Father, Holy Lord, and Holy Spirit – thank you for revealing to us what makes love work. Help us out of our ignorance, pride, and lust. Let your heart manifest our actions, thoughts, and words so that you are always glorified. Whatever we lack physically, mentally, socially and financially, provide us with the means and the resources to bless others as you bless us. Thank you Jesus for showing us the way. Amen.

Yours In Christ,
Dr. Mike
Consultant, Coach, Encourager

Where is God’s Domain?

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

 

kingdom 9One of my disciplines is to read through the Bible each year. Though it may take longer some years than others depending on what concepts and verses jump out at me, I’m always amazed to discover something new about God or myself in the process each year.

This year we are reading the New Testament from a Greek Lexicon that contains the Greek and precise translation of each word in English.  Starting in the Book of Matthew, I was pleasantly surprised to notice that the Greek translation of “Kingdom of Heaven” in many of our English versions was originally written in Greek as “Kingdom of Heavens.”  The difference of course is that the Bible denotes three definitions for heaven. The first is the eternal habitat of God.  The second is the sky above the earth.  The third is the universal body of stars and planets that surrounds the earth.  Why does this matter?

The English translation of “heaven” implies that God’s government is only effective in his eternal habitat.  The Greek manuscript’s version “heavens” however reinforces that God’s domain includes all three heavens: everything in the universe, physically and eternally.  A larger domain than just the heaven that is God’s abode.  Whatever its worth, it simply reminds us that the Bible was not originally written in English and therefore requires us to do some homework before we accept what is written.  This is why it is good to have various translations that provide us with a more complete picture of the author’s intent and message.

So next time when we read Matthew’s gospel, remember that God’s kingdom and domain includes the entire heaven, earth, and universe.  But then again, you probably already knew that.

OUR PRAYER

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Holy Father, Holy Lord, and Holy Spirit: Almighty God, we thank you for allowing us to live in your kingdom.  Thank you for also allowing us to experience your way of life through Christ Jesus.  Help us to share your life with others in our small world.  Help us to witness your way through our actions and if necessary through our words. Whatever we do, let it always glorify you.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Consultant, Coach, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God

What Do You Mean Ask, Seek, Knock?

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , , , , ,

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  “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”  Luke 11:9-10 (NIV)

Jesus was speaking about receiving good from our God including the Holy Spirit when he stated the principle of asking, seeking, and knocking. Over the years, I have come to learn the same principle after praying. I now expect my prayers to be answered because God is Good; may not be the answer I want or prefer, but when we pray seeking God’s Will the answer is very livable.  The paradigm for prayer is to focus on asking, seeking and knocking for the answer.

For example, how often have we asked our Heavenly Father for help in a matter and then sat back and waited. When nothing happens, we wonder how come God didn’t answer our prayers. We, like the bird in the nest that God provides food on a daily basis, need to learn the art of leaving the nest in search of the answer.  God provides food for the bird, but the bird must leave the comfort of the nest and search for it. We need to do likewise.

The principle of knocking is one that I have just recently began to understand. For many years, I would come to the doorway and knock at an opportunity. If the door opened slightly, I would then exercise all the strength and tools at my disposal to manipulate the door wide open, especially if it was something that I really wanted.  Now however, I come to the door, knock, and wait for it to totally open.  I don’t force it.  I don’t push.  I don’t seek influential help from others to open it.  I simply wait for God to open the door for me.  What have I discovered?  That when I wait unto the Lord, the door opens so sweetly and easily from the other side and the entire passageway is a blessing all the way through to the other end.  It’s like dominoes all falling down with very little effort from myself.

So next time you ask your Heavenly God for something, keep seeking for confirmation of your answer.  And when you come up to the door of opportunity, wait for the Spirit to open it.  You will be pleasantly and amazingly surprised by the results.  In the end our Great God, not us, is Glorified.

OUR PRAYER

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Our Holy Father, Holy Lord, Holy Spirit – we thank you for sharing your life with us.  We thank you for revealing your love to us, revealing your favor to us, and revealing your plan of redemption to us.

Lead our steps toward fulfilling what you have designed us for.  Lead us to find the best solution to the events in our life.  Give us the patience and faith to trust you to open the door wide and reveal your Glory to us.

You are our hope.  You are our sanctuary.  You are our guide.  Help us to live your life through us and about us.  Let everything we do, say, and think be done for your Glory.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Consultant, Coach, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God