life in christ

Christian

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , , ,

“…And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” Acts 11:26 ESV

follower 4

The first time the word Christian is mentioned in the Bible is in Acts 11:26. The Greek word is Christianous. It basically means a follower of Christ. C.S. Lewis though like to refer it as “little Christs.”

So when someone calls you a Christian today, are they comparing you to a smaller version of Jesus Christ or just a religious fuddy-duddy? In the first century, the title “Christian” was a derogative statement or pun that translated to something like “follower of goody-goody. The disciples however took the title and transformed it into a positive statement of being a follower of Jesus Christ. Today we may call that redeeming an idea for Christ’s Kingdom.

Yet are we not all ambassadors of Christ’s Kingdom (2 Corinthians 5:20)? Do we not represent His ways with everyone we meet as a little Christ? Are we not a little Christ in the home with our family members? our associates at work? at the gym? the tennis court? while driving? or eating at a restaurant?

The fact is we can’t live like a little Christ doing it all ourselves. I know, many of us have tried. Yet, when we allow King Jesus through the Holy Spirit to live and transform our life from the inside-out, our attitude and behavior begins to model His. In many cases, it even amazes us. For we know what this old man was like and is like. What we long for though, is the final development of the new creation. Until then, we only gather a few glimpses of what the new man will one day represent: a little Christ.

So do you want more, blessed excitement in your life? How about leaning on Him every day, everywhere, with everyone, as a little Christ? Then when someone points at you and calls you Christian, it will mean what God’s intention is for all of us in the first place; a true representative of Him.

Remember, we are rooting for you!

Yours 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.

 

Lean On Him (LOH)

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , , , , , , , ,

“Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you.” Psalm 71:6 ESV

lean 1

When you find out you are no longer the smartest, strongest, fastest, or whatever you are good at, maybe it is time to start: LOH.

When you realize you can’t do it alone, others have failed you, and you don’t know where to turn too, LOH.

When you finally admit you are broken and need help, LOH.

When your dreams are shattered, your hope disappears, or you feel forsaken, LOH.

When you come to the end of yourself, and can’t go any further, LOH.

Or maybe instead of waiting until you reach that moment of truth, you get ahead and start today. You may be pleasantly surprised of the outcome when you first learn to Lean On Him.

Our Triune God wants you to have a life like His. Though we are limited by physical boundaries, He has wired us as a mini reflection of Himself. He wants you to learn and grow into His complete image. It all begins when you learn to lean on Him. How radical is that?

We are rooting for you!

Yours 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.

Blessed How?

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , , , , ,

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:3-14 ESV

 

blessed

 

 

Last week the question arose in regards to my Blssdguy email address that I use for commercial non-solicitation purposes. Blessed in what way was the question?

After I gave one of my smirk smiles and before I could answer, he began to ask: blessed with good health? Money? Family? Work? How are you blessed?

My reply? I am blessed with a trustful relationship with the Triune God. Anything that comes from that relationship is secondary and frankly doesn’t rate as being known and knowing the Creator God.

What compares?

He is the source, the reason, and purpose behind life. Everything is known by Him. He shares his life with me and others. He lets us play in his worldwide sandbox. He wants us to explore, discover, and learn from Him. Through the challenges of life, He wants us to lean on Him and trust Him as He navigates us through the redemption maze.

To know Him and to be known by Him in a favorite light is the greatest blessing one can receive in this life. What would it take for you to realize the same?

Jesus is rooting for you!

 

Yours 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.