Kingdom of God

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”

 

Graceful Love or Legalized Affection

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

LOVE 8

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

prayer 5

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

prayer 5

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