KINGDOM REALITY

Making Decisions

Dr. Mike Business & Faith , , , , , , , , , ,

Our personal decisions have a greater impact into other people’s lives than we may ever realize. When Eve decided to take the forbidden fruit that looked so attractive to her, did she consider the consequences of her decision? In a recent decision that you made last week, did you consider all the people who owned a part of the decision and its ramifications? Probably not. Most of us don’t unless we are reminded.

What the story of Adam and Eve demonstrates is that we all forego a better solution so we may immediately satisfy our personal desires. One effective technique I’ve learned over the years before making any decision is to list at a minimum three other parties that may be impacted by the outcome. From that list, I contact each one for their opinion of the impact of the decision in their world. From their answers, we do our best to develop a solution that will be best for all parties. Some may benefit slightly better than others, but all need to benefit in some way.

Imagine if Eve followed in such a manner. She would have taken the serpents’ statements and asked herself who else would be impacted by the decision. Her list of a minimum of three would include Adam, God, and the serpent. If she had spoken directly with God, He would have gladly given her the consequences of such an action. If she discussed it with Adam, he would have given his view of the situation. Likewise, even though the serpent is a deceiver, one could match his replies with God’s and Adam’s to determine the best course of action. Do you think if she followed such an approach that the world would be in a different place today?

It is a simple approach that has served well over the years for many leaders. The challenge is to always implement the same process each time. Otherwise, the time one fails to follow through is the one event causing one’s world to fall apart. Again just another simple approach to manage the multiple decisions that every leader needs to make. Or is that simply too radical for you?

OUR PRAYER

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Our heavenly Father, Lord, and Spirit: thank you for sharing your heart with us. Thank you for caring enough for us to help learn your values, truths, and purposes. Help us to seek counsel from others who may be impacted by the decisions we make. Help us to seek the answer not only from you, but all others who may be impacted by our decisions. Help us to be honest and caring for all the people and lives our decision impacts. Help us walk with you in the entire decision making process and open our eyes to see and ears to hear the truth and best solutions for all parties involved. Thank you Lord.

 

Yours in Christ,

Dr. Mike

Executive Chair, Consultant, and Encourager
Marketplace Bible Institute & Resource Center, Inc
Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God &
Be Radical…Follow Christ!

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The Flourishing God

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , , , , ,

Have you ever met a person that exudes confidence with humility, love with justice, and strength of character with a compassionate attitude for others? I personally haven’t yet met such a human in my walk through life. But, as we read the Bible, commune with God, and witness His work in our life and in others, we become more amazed at someone such as this. The story of Jesus is such a person. What the writers of the gospels reveal about Him leaves us with an awe of wonder. He not only amazes us, but also gave us a glimpse of who the Father is like. When we look through the frosted lens of our glasses, we then truly realize why He is God and we are not.

Another attribute that astounds us of God is His life-giving nature. Wherever God goes, whatever He touches, it flourishes. There is a character in the “Lord of The Rings” series (book version, never made it into the movie) that the author portrayed him as a person who made everything around him to flourish. The Newsboys sang a song several years ago (that made it as my ring tone for the iPhone) entitled “Wherever We Go” whose words showcase how life blooms wherever they went: the grass grows greener, the stock market goes up, the sun shines, and the birds sing joyfully. The imagination only limits what the God-Life must be like.

Our narrow view of God limits us in our understanding of a life that flourishes. Typically in the western world we associate flourishing with personal material gain. Though it is a part, it is a small part. For God, flourishing involves so much more. It is an outer expression of His internal divine nature. It is the standard of who He IS. When he asks humanity to live up to His ways, it is because that is how he lives. It involves healthy, mutual submissive relationships; it emphasizes community along with the individual. Its basis is real love that sacrifices for the sake of others. It emphasis is not what is in it for me but how can I participate with God as He continues His work of completing His plan for humanity.

God wants us to flourish. However, he doesn’t want us to perish along the way. For most of us, we are like a rebellious teenager that wants to learn how to drive a car, but still lacks the maturity, responsibility, and accountability for his actions. As parents we want them to enjoy more, but providing gifts to early in one’s growth may quickly turn deadly for that person and others. Therefore, it is best to wait until the proper time. God is no different with us. His nature is to bless and share His world with others. Yet many of us are just not yet ready to handle a life that flourishes. But through time, discipline, and obedience we prove to Him that we are ready. Yet when we are ready, we have most likely matured at a level that it isn’t important for us any longer. We are thankful that God in His wisdom knows what is best for us at the right time.

OUR PRAYER

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Our great Father, Son, and Spirit: thank you for hearing our prayers. Thank you for allowing us to know you. As we walk with you, open our eyes, heart, and mind to participate you as you bless others. As you bless us, in small ways and large ways, help us to likewise to bless others. Let you river of life continue to pass through us and into the people we meet. Let everything we do, say, and think bring glory to you and your kingdom. Let whatever we touch, magnify you. Let whatever we become involved with prosper for your name sake. Let this life flourish for your glory. Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

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

Enjoy Life

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , , ,

When you take the time to look at people in your workplace, home, neighborhood, church, gym, or family, how many do you know that truly enjoy life? Doesn’t it seem like most people are hurriedly jumping from one activity to another without truly rejoicing in what they do? How many people do you know that truly sing when they are actively working? No, not listen to the music of others, but truly deep inside rejoice with beautiful (to them) joyful noise? Doesn’t it seem most people we meet have a plastic smile on their face as they force themselves to complete whatever they are doing so they can move on to the next item on their daily to do list? Then again, how many people say that IF they had a different job, or made more money, or were married (or single), or whatever, that they would definitely be enjoying life more? But would they?

There are many factors that may cause a person to lose their joy, and I am not going to dwell on all of them. But the one that I am going to shout out today is my personal favorite: Life in Christ. For most of us this is simply a religious expression within the Christian culture. For myself, it is the core of life. Life only makes sense when one truly comes to know who Jesus is, understand who He is, and apply His teachings in their daily life. When one comes to that point in their journey, one truly begins to be free, amazed, and rejoicing in life’s adventurous relationship with the Creator God.

When one walks with Him, one acknowledges that his purpose is supreme over any personal plans. And one rejoices that He allows us to participate with Him in His purpose. As we participate with Him, we begin to experience the freedom that comes from serving the King who made us all free from the darkness of Satan and the rebellion of godliness. Not only are we free, but gracefully amazed at His loving nature and supreme care for each of us. He will pursue us even if one of us leave the 100-fold in pursuit of our personal desires. But more importantly, after one has an intimate relationship with the Supreme Lover of the universe, who else is there? what else compares? When one reads such scriptures as:

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” 1 Timothy 6:17

“In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:23-24

“These things I have spoken to you, that my (Jesus) joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

“There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God.” Ecclesiastes 2:24-25

These are only a few of the scriptures that immediately come to mind when we behave radically in Christ – that is enjoy life in Him. What if you became a committee of one and ask our heavenly Father to open the gates of heaven and earth so you may fully enjoy life the way He created life to be? And as you do so, and as you let His blessings flow to those you know and meet, what a wonderful testimony of Kingdom reality as God is glorified. So why not today, Be radical – Enjoy Life in Christ!

OUR PRAYER

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Our great Father God, Lord God, and Spirit God: thank you for everything you have provided to us at this time for our enjoyment. Thank you for our mates. Thank you for our children. Thank you for all the people in our little world. Thank you for our struggles and challenges that allow us to learn more from you and trust in you. Thank you for your words and promises of encouragement. Thank you for letting us to be grateful. Thank you for everything you have created for our enjoyment. Thank you for allowing us to share our joy with others. Thank you for everything you give and everything you provide and everything you are and everything you do and everything you share with us for your sake. Help us to truly appreciate and enjoy everything you have given us to enjoy. No matter how small or how large, help us always to be grateful. Amen. Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Consultant, Coach, Encourager
Author of Great Business Emulates A Good God
Portal: EnjoyLifeInChrist.com

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