KINGDOM REALITY

Why Does It Matter What They, Them, and Others Think?

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ , , , , , , , , , , ,

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Remember as a youngster asking permission from your mother to attend an event where “everyone” was going to be there.  Mom would give it some thought and decided it was not for your best interest to attend.  Most of us would become upset because “they” were able to go and how come we couldn’t.  We wanted to do what ”they, them, and others” did.  So it probably doesn’t amaze us even to this day that “they” are also a part of our children’s vocabulary.  Whatever the popular trend is for that period of life seems to slowly induce us to lose our individuality.  We seem to more easily accept the most popular trend as the gospel because the majority of people cannot be in error: we think.  What’s wrong with everyone looking like yellow pencils?  Or everyone writing with a number two yellow pencil?

You be the judge.  Is it wrong to do what is popular for that day?  No, but is it automatically the best thing for you to do?  We know the answer.  As we mature, we begin to realize that we are each an individual creation with different abilities, talents, and passions all waiting to come together in its time and place.  When the time and place  arrives the exhilaration of accomplishment or feeling of meaning elapses all the pain and struggles we may had to endure.  We become our unique selves.  God’s creation is glorified as His handiwork comes alive.  We express to the outside world what has been cultivating from the inside of our inner being since birth.  Our uniqueness colors the spectrum of society adding flavor to our relationships.  We live and walk by a different drummer, but that drummer is beating in unison with all the rest of creation.  Only others may not hear it because they are distracted with superfluous appearances and values.  The world’s view is to make everyone the same by thinking differently than God.  That is what makes popularity so dangerous.  The question we always need to ask before making a decision is, “God are you with this program or are you outside looking in?

When we agree with the popular view, is it typically because the opinion of the majority can’t be wrong, or is it because the Word and Spirit support the conclusion?  Isn’t it the majority that believes in God, but only the few who have responded to His calling?  Isn’t it the majority that voted for legalize abortion?  Isn’t it the majority that voted for legalized gambling?  Isn’t it the majority that feeds the Hollywood greed machine?  Isn’t it the majority that remains silent with most political, social, and economic issues of the day?

What is there to ponder about?  Whether you choose what is the popular, what is acceptable, what is normal, or what is held in the highest opinion, it doesn’t matter with us any longer.  Our best choice, being His disciple, is to follow to the best of our abilities His Word and Spirit at all times.

OUR PRAYER

PRAYER 1

Our Real, Heavenly Dad, your glory and honor reveals itself everyday through your creation.  Your Truth and Strength is a companion to our soul.  Your thoughts and questions challenge our mind.  Your companionship brings us comfort and encouragement each and every day.

You are the center of our popularity.  Everything that makes us excited embodies within you.  You are our hope, faith, and substance.  Everything of value encircles you.  Help us to keep you first on everyone’s list.  But most importantly, help us keep you first on our list.  Let nothing come between us.  Breakdown all walls of vanity, blindness, and ignorance between us.  Let us know you as you truly are.

We Love you Dad and thank you for this precious life.  Amen.  Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God

What Else Is There?

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ , , , , , , , , , ,

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How often in our life have we felt like just quitting?  Just giving up whatever we were pursuing and calling it quits. In fact, maybe we even may have a bad habit of quitting whenever life just doesn’t work out the way we expect it to. Are we natural quitters? Or do we know when to quit?

We recall a friend who was taking his third class in graduate school when he decided to call it quits. At the time, he just needed a break from the academic routine and convince himself it was only going to be for the one semester.  He didn’t return until ten years later.

Yet, when it comes to walking with our Lord, where does one go after one decides to quit? Turn back to where? Stop moving forward? In fact, turning back is worst then just quitting. When one quits, one just stops moving forward. When one turns back. one is walking away from their destination leaving a larger distance between oneself and one’s goal.

If one decides to turn back, where will they go? After one has tasted the fruit of the Spirit, what compares?  After one experiences Grace and Freedom, does one revert to slavery? After building a relationship of Love and Trust with the Living Creator, is there anyone else who one could better depend on? After one’s eyes are open to understand God’s Plan for a new heaven and a new earth being occupied by eternal beings, who has the greater vision and power to accomplish it?

Satan believes his plan is better for mankind. Do we? The world’s systems believe their plan is better for us. Do we? At times, even our carnal nature temporarily convinces us that there is a better way. But do we really believe it afterwards?

After many of His disciples deserted Jesus because of His teachings (Jn 6:66), Jesus asked Peter if he likewise was turning back. But Peter replied where else is there to go; Jesus had the words of eternal life. Likewise, it is true today.

Of all the major religious movements that impacted mankind, only Christianity has a Founder that claimed to be God and offers Grace to the sinner. Truly unique. To be a follower of His is also truly unique. For in following Him, we acknowledge His lordship. His teachings, His authority, His government, and His involvement in our life until His return. Just like some people in His time thought He to be a crazy man possessed by demons, there are those today who think the same of us. So be it.

OUR PRAYER

PRAY 21

Our Eternal Almighty Dad, thank you for remembering that we are just humans. We are temporary beings with eternal goals. Apart from you we will never accomplish eternity. It is you who has given it to us via Jesus Christ as a gift. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

There are those who ridicule us for what we believe and how we live. If we are bringing any shame to you and your eternal name, please let us know and help us change it. If we are not living up to your glory, let us know and help us to repent.

Everything we desire is in you. Let us live our life in your glory and honor.  We may sometimes go overboard in our actions and preaching, but pray that you capture our results and words and plant them into the lives of others that need it. We all need you. Help us to live dependant on you. Help us to exercise the freedom you have given us for your glory. Let your freedom ring out loud for others to hear and experience.

Thank you Jesus. Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God

Sainthood is a Joint Venture in Prayer

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ , , , , , , ,

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Where does our best source of encouragement come from?  When we don’t know where to go for help or support, where is our hand held most securely?  When we are discouraged or discontented, where does our spark of hope be lit? What is one of life’s natural highs that bathes the soul with rushing waters of refreshment? What changes hearts, minds, and at times even circumstances? What elevates the soul to heaven?

We are of course speaking about prayer; the privileged discipline that allows us to have a one-on-one heartfelt, mindful, and soulful communion with the Living Creator of life. Not only our prayers, but the prayers of other disciples around the world. Do you ever wonder whose prayer really made the difference regarding that one situation? Was it yours? Or was it the prayer of that unknown widow who heard about it via a friend that God nod His head in final approval? Whosoever prayer it was doesn’t really matter, because sainthood is a joint venture. Somewhere we all come to realize that our spiritual success is not only built on our relationship with our Heavenly Dad, but it also rides on the help of others. There is great inner joy to know that real saints are praying for you and your successful journey through time.

Likewise, when we look back in our life, we may realize that many people have prayed for us throughout our life. Our parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, neighbors, friends, church members, priests, ministers, nuns, teachers, counselors, gas station attendants, newspaper delivery persons, coaches, bosses, and whoever else you may have come in contact with throughout your journey in time. The point being that many people have cared about you even though you may have never realized it until now.

There are many people who have already learned about the powerful blessings given through prayer before we even heard or seen it in action. Prayer is a gift that we are given to bless others, and others have been given to bless even more others. And the cycle continues, with the central source of all blessing starting from our heavenly Dad and finishing with our heavenly Dad. Paul taught that we should pray without ceasing. This means that during the day in whatever circumstances or situation, we are to ask the Source of strength and make our requests, petitions, thankfulness, and praise known to Him. One day we may be all surprised to find out how many prayers where being offered to Him at the same time from other people in the same room with no one truly being aware of all the sources but God Himself.  All the praise and thanks go to Him. He developed the means for us to pray. He has taught us how to pray. He hears our prayers. He acts on our prayers. All the glory and honor goes to Him as He does it His way and in His time. We are simply joint-servants in this journey with Him. Praises to Him!

OUR PRAYER

PRAYER 1

Dear Eternal Dad, thank you for always being available to hear our prayers. We don’t understand how you do it, and we don’t know how you make it work, but you care and want to hear our hearts and minds in prayer. You have created it. Help us to practice it, to live it, and to become effective with it.  Let our prayers come straight to you without delay. Act on them without delay. But always, answer our prayers in the best way possible. We know many of our prayers are childlike, self-centered, and without soulful diligence. Forgive us and change us. Let our heart commune with yours. Let the passion flow between us. Be our lover. Let everything in our being communicate with you.

Open the doors of heaven and glorify your name by answering the prayers of your saints and servants. Add our words with those of our brothers and sisters. Let our petitions and praises make a joyful noise throughout heaven. Teach us what we do not know about prayer. Help us be a great prayer warrior for your kingdom.  Jesus we thank you. Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Speaker

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God