What is Your Commitment Level?

20142026 Dr. Mike 2014, Journey in Christ apprentice of Jesus, christ-follower, Christianity, christlike, DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST, discipleship, enjoy life in christ, enjoy salvation, Jesus Christ, Kingdom of God, life in christ, radical in christ

What other pragmatic choices are there that make more sense? If eternity is a one out of one hundred chance probability, would you still hang in there? Everything in this life is temporary. You came into the world naked and you might as well leave naked because you can’t take anything with you. Is there a better life with a greater promise? As his disciple, we put our faith in the man who claims He is God. If He isn’t God, then He put on the greatest acting performance of any person who ever lived. It would be the greatest lie of all history. But, He made it possible to prove He is who He said He is. Where else is there to go’?

Martin Luther King, Jr. made the statement once that if you haven’t found something worth dying for than you haven’t found something worth living for. If being a disciple is only for outward appearance, than you might as well give up now. If being a disciple is only to keep peace in the house, than you might as well give up now. If being a disciple is only a socially cultural acceptable position of life, than you might as well give up today. Why? Because you are not going to practice the discipline it takes to finish the race.

It takes character to keep Christ the center of one’s life. What gain is it to run only 95 yards of a 100-yard race? What gain is it to play only one inning of a nine-inning baseball game? What gain is it to read only two-thirds through a mystery book and never finish it? Why even begin a project if you don’t plan to finish it?

As a disciple of His, we have started a journey along a path with many choices. The road is narrow at times. The environment is difficult. But the rewards are monetarily priceless. After you have tasted the joy of living in the spirit-filled life, what else is there? Everything else seems cheap in comparison. Everything else is either artificial or empty of substance. It is only living in harmony with our Creator that we experience the inner life of real godliness. We are not speaking of an outward appearance of godliness that many people could easily duplicate its behavior for a time. But an inner joy, peace, and love that comes from the Creator in the presence of the Holy Spirit that lives in you.

It is this life that lives in you no matter what the outer world is experiencing. This is what Paul spoke about when his world was being torn apart yet he found joy living. This is the same spirit that is found in many Christ-followers today who may be physically challenged, or confronting cancer, or financial hardship, yet they are internally at peace. It is not something they do, but it is a Special Spirit living in them. To give up all that Christ makes available just doesn’t make sense.

Everything Christ makes available to us is what mankind seeks daily in their pursuit of vanity. The only difference is He gives us this gift now and the rest of mankind is working to earn it. Mankind wants peace, but doesn’t know how to attain it. Mankind wants love in their life, but doesn’t know how to attain it. Mankind wants joy in their life, hut doesn’t know where to find it. Jesus has made it all possible for every single person to have everything mankind has been seeking since the beginning of dawn. Why give up something so precious and valuable? Let’s realize what we really have in our possession and live our life enjoying salvation accordingly as His Disciple.

OUR PRAYER

Our Faithful Dad, your ways are the joys in our life. Help us to live fully for you. Help us to start with enthusiasm and finish with greater enthusiasm in everything we do for you. Let nothing come between us.

Help us to keep focused on what is always important each and every day. Let each day begin and end with you. Let everything sandwiched in between be lived with your approval. Let us be true to you and honest with self in our pursuit of your kingdom. Let your glory live in us forever! Thank you Jesus. Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God

The Spirit of Christmas

20132026 Dr. Mike Christmas, Spirit Follower apprentice of Jesus, christ-follower, Christianity, christlike, DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST, discipleship, enjoy life in christ, Kingdom of God, life in christ, radical in christ, transformation

Two of my most favorite movies to watch during this time of year is A Christmas Carol and How The Grinch Stole Christmas. In both, we witness how the Spirit of the season renovated the heart of a self-centered person. We can relate to both characters. As we have grown from childhood to adulthood, our view of Christmas has changed. In the early years, it was about the gift giving. In the middle years, it was the festivities of the season. Now in the later years, it is more about the reason for the season.

Yes Christmas originally began as a pagan festival where people exchanged gifts with one another. But like the Spirit of Christ has done over the years, we take what is broken and mend it to pay homage and worship to Him who makes all things possible.

To realize that the Spirit of Christ becomes more impactful and noticeable during this time of season, is one of the best presents anyone can give and receive. To remember that the second person of the Trinity chose Himself to become a human being is mind-bending. Through this one act we witness the Spirit of humility, meekness, and servanthood. We come to learn that it is not about giving, but more of sharing. Jesus Christ came to share the life that He has with our heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit with us.

When we witness the uplifting festivities, the display of lights, and the time with family, we behold the life that Jesus Christ came to share with all humanity. He didn’t come to start a religion, but a movement of the Spirit. A newness of Life. A Spirit that rejoices with Christ. A Spirit that comforts us in our times of distress and pain. A Spirit that we have come to know as the third person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit expresses the fruit of God’s life: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, and Self-Control. These are the gifts that the Spirit bestows upon us each and every day. We don’t have to wait until this time of year to experience the life that the Triune God gracefully shares with others.

Contrary to the two main characters from the above mentioned movies who are & were oblivious to what God is doing in the world, we can allow the Spirit to have His way with us. We can share the eternal abundant life with others. In my opinion, He is the reason for rejoicing this season and every season. Unlike Mr. Scrooge and Mr. Grinch who didn’t publicly acknowledge because of political correctness that the one true bridge of the Spirit’s influence is the Triune God, you may openly share your story with family and friends in what Christ is doing in your life.

Will you join me this Christmas and share the story of God’s plan of redemption for all humanity with others? What other gift lasts a lifetime plus?

OUR PRAYER

Our Triune God, thank you for sharing your life with us. Thank you Heavenly Father for developing the strategy and implementing your universal plan of adoption of humanity into your eternal circle of life. Thank you Jesus Christ for displaying real life with us. Thank you Holy Spirit for empowering us to experience the same life that you, Jesus, and the Father live each and every day.

Help us to live fully for you. Help us to start with enthusiasm and finish with greater enthusiasm in everything we do for you. Let nothing come between us.

Help us to keep focused on what is always important each and every day. Let each day begin and end with you. Let everything sandwiched in between be lived with your approval. Let us be true to you and honest with self in our pursuit of your kingdom. Help us to rejoice and celebrate real life with you and others. Let your glory live in us forever! Amen.

Merry Christmas!

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God

Would You Negotiate At The Table of The Enemy?

20132021 Dr. Mike Journey in Christ apprentice of Jesus, christ-follower, Christianity, christlike, DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST, discipleship, enjoy life in christ, enjoy salvation, Jesus Christ, Kingdom of God, life in christ, radical in christ, transformation

You may notice the title does not say “do not eat at the table of the enemy,” or “do not spend time at the table of the enemy.” All it asks is would you negotiate with the enemy. In other words, are we to love our enemies or negotiate with them? Yet how are we to spend time serving them and prayerfully dealing with them if we are not at their table? Are we to totally avoid them because they may cause us great harm? Doesn’t Jesus require us to love them as He loves us?

Yes, we are not to allow their influence, their arguments, or their ways to change our commitment to serving our Lord first. We are not to compromise our position in Christ. Everything else though is negotiable, but not the Word, not our faith, not our belief, not our relationship with God. One writer summarized it like this, “First Things First.”

When we find ourselves at the table or house of the enemy, we need to be cautious. We need to be “as harmless as doves but as wise as serpents.” We need to see into the heart of the enemy. We need to realize what he is attempting to accomplish and with the Spirit of God confront it. We are not to compromise our crown, but lead like the servant King Jesus did when confronted by Satan. He was tempted, but he didn’t negotiate. He didn’t accept any part of the offer from Satan, but turned it all down by placing His relationship with His Heavenly Father first. He didn’t trade His future for immediate gratification. Instead, He reiterated God’s position on each confrontation. By stating God’s position on each temptation, He didn’t allow Satan any room to influence his stand.

As a disciple of His, you will find yourself likewise confronted by Satan. He will do everything possible to negotiate a spiritual surrender in his favor. He will try to buy you, he will try to steal you, or he will try to weaken you with gifts. He will do everything for you to try to negotiate with Him. He knows when we start negotiating with him, than he has us. We will lose. Like Jesus, don’t even start negotiating with him. Focus on your relationship with your Heavenly King and ask Him for the wisdom, words, and strength to be the ambassador of the Kingdom of God as a witness for Satan and the world to see.

Don’t ever forget who the real enemy is. It is not the people or the world’s system per say. They are just the pawns of Satan. They have been deceived and lied to over time that they may even believe they are doing God a service. When in reality, they are blind, wretched, and poor. They need to be introduced to the real Jesus and experience the real changing power of the Holy Spirit. You may be the source that God chooses to bring the good news to them. Don’t negotiate, stand firm in the armor of God, and watch His power change lives.

OUR PRAYER

Our Life-Sharing Dad, thank you for revealing your Truth to us. Thank you for opening our eyes to see the enemy. But now help us to live more victorious for you. Help us to put the enemy to shame. Help us to reveal his strategies and tactics. Help us to call on the power of Heaven to dismantle the enemy’s strongholds. Help us to nip temptation at the bud by relying on your Truth, Strength, and Hope.

Everything we seek involves you in some fashion. Help us to be your ambassador of the Kingdom. Let all people come to know you and the joy of your salvation. Thank you Jesus.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God