life in christ

Let Christ Lead

Dr. Mike Jesus Christ , , , ,

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 ESV

hearing 1

 

One of the traditions on January 1st is to establish a new goal for the coming year.

If you are one that makes such a commitment, how about making a covenant to focus more attention on hearing the word of God. No, I’m not saying spend more time reading the Word (though that wouldn’t hurt), or listening to more preaching (that always helps), but to actually spend time listening for God’s influence in your life.

One reason we read the Bible is to acquire knowledge of God’s Word. But knowledge doesn’t build faith. Hearing the Word builds the faith we need.  Otherwise, if God speaks to us, how do we know it is Him?

By reading the Word, we acquire a basic understanding of who God is. We study the life and relationship between Jesus, His Father, and the Holy Spirit. We pray to communicate with our heavenly Father. Though we may not know what to say, we are assured that Jesus intercedes on our behalf with the appropriate request.

Have you always wondered how a sermon is preached centered around a specific topic but when asked the congregation what the message was, you receive a multitude of various answers? Isn’t it amazing how the Spirit is working through the words spoken by the minister making it personal for each of us.

Have you ever prayed seeking an answer from God and the answer came from the most unusual circumstances?  How often the answer you seek comes through a person at the checkout counter at the grocery store? Confirmed by the officer who pulled you over for speeding the same day? And reconfirmed by your child at the dinner table? God speaks to us in many different ways. However, it helps to know His Word, His Character, and His method of operations to be more aware of His influence in our life. For some it may be a word. For others in may be a nudge. For some it may be an inspiration. Others it may be like a rainbow in the sky. For each of us grasp information in different ways.  Doesn’t God know the best way to communicate with us?

How about this year focusing on one thing in regards to the Lord? How about listening to Jesus Christ who lives in you and allow Him to lead you in every avenue of your life? Forget the rules. Acquire knowledge of His Word and then listen for him to show you how it applies in your entire life. That includes your marriage, your parenting, your business, and your community service. Invite Him into everything you do. Let Him lead you. You may be pleasantly surprised with the results.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Chair, Consultant, Encourager
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Learn. Integrate. Grow.

 

 

 

Feelings

Dr. Mike Jesus Apprentice, Life in Christ, Shaped By The WORD , , , ,
“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” Proverbs 29:11 ESV

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I don’t feel like it!

How often have we expressed the same?

What did we do with that feeling?

Did we follow through as a victim of our feelings?

Or did we balance the feelings with God’s Character?

Did we weigh the feelings with His Word?

What is the truth when you compare your feelings with His Word?

Yes, there are times when our feelings will be correct. Other times your feelings will blind you to the truth.

Be a wise person. Stop, pull back, and evaluate the situation. Don’t let your feelings lead you unless you already know they are built upon the foundation of God’s love, grace, and truth.

 

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Chair, Consultant, Encourager
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
* Great Business Emulates a Good God
* Be Radical…Follow Christ!
* Simply The Messenger
* Unequally Married

Learn. Integrate. Grow.

 

 

Poor in Spirit

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms, Life in Christ , , ,
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 ESV

poor spirit 1

Who are the poor in spirit?  Are we not taught to be rich in spirit? Isn’t those who have a positive attitude, an assurance of confidence, and strong self-esteem the model we are told to desire?  Is this not the spirit we are told will make us happy? Did Jesus get it all wrong?

Some people believe that if one is poor in material goods, than one is also poor in spirit? Is this true?  Others say that poor in spirit is simply humility in action. In Revelation 3:17 the writer addresses those in the church that have all the dressings of success but don’t realize that they are living in spiritual poverty.  Who then are the poor in spirit?

When one begins to walk with the Lord, one slowly begins to realize the vast difference between the teacher and student. One quickly attains that the Teacher is the Master and the student is the pupil. When the student compares oneself with the Teacher, one humbly acknowledges that they lack or fall far short of the many qualities related to holiness. When God’s love and grace is demonstrated into one’s life, one begins to realize how far below the measuring bar one sits.

One soon begins to pray and ask God for the fruit of His Spirit to grow within themselves. Yet even as the fruit begins to bloom in one’s life, one is always comparing themselves with Jesus. In that comparison one is always coming to the reality how poor one is when compared with the vast riches found in Christ.

When one compares themselves with their neighbor, one is easily blinded to their spiritual immaturity.  It is easy to feel or think one has arrived to the highest level of spiritual maturity when one compares the self with the devil. Yet when one compares themselves with the real measuring scale of Jesus Christ, one quickly repents and admits one’s state of poverty. It is only through the Spirit of Christ that one inherits the richness of His Kingdom. It is only through Christ, that one truly experiences the treasurers of the Kingdom of God.

So when one can honestly admit how poor they are when comparing themselves with Christ, and how needy they are for a living, deep  relationship with Christ, then one can also begin to experience the fruit of Kingdom living now and the hope of Kingdom living for eternity. It all begins when one realizes how poor they truly are when compared with the Incarnate Triune God.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Chair, Consultant, Encourager
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Learn. Integrate. Grow.