life in christ

The Suffering God

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , , , , ,

“Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.” Hebrews 5:8

Suffering in many cultures is typically looked upon as if the person is doing something wrong. In some faith-communities, suffering is typically viewed as the result of personal sin. Yet when one views the spectrum of the entire Bible one learns that is not true.

First there is Jesus Christ. As the writer of Hebrews states: Jesus learned obedience through what he suffered. Jesus of course never sinned. In the beginning of his ministry, he was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit where he suffered physical exhaustion from lack of food and water. His suffering was not the result of sin, but the deliberate choice of obeying His Father. In his last days, he suffered death on the cross. Again, not because of his sin, but his deliberate choice to fulfill the Godhead’s plan of redemption.
Jesus stated in John 9:1-3 that a certain blind man was born sightless not because of sin, but for God’s glory. The Book of Job 1:1,8 states that God considered Job blameless (sinless) yet his entire world came crumbling down. He suffered physically, emotionally, and financially. Yes, many other religions and faiths have difficulty in believing God knows anything personal about suffering. Yet the Incarnation demonstrates what Jesus learned through suffering.

There are those in the Protestant ranks who emphasize the cross without an image of Christ because of the resurrection. However, those in the Catholic faith maintain a statue of a suffering Jesus on the cross as a reminder of the crucifixion. Both images are correct. Yet one-side likes to focus on one side of the spectrum and ignore the other. The fact is joy and suffering is a part of life.
To enjoy life in Christ is to admit the reality of suffering. Paul wrote in Colossians 1:24 that his suffering is for the benefit of others in the Body of Christ. Yet even in suffering, Paul rejoiced in the Spirit that lived in him and help him through the pain. In I Corinthians 12:26, Paul writes that when one suffers in the Body of Christ, the entire Body of Christ suffers. Also, in Acts 9 Jesus is speaking with Paul (then Saul) asking why is Paul persecuting Him? Paul was persecuting believers, the Body of Christ, not the physical Jesus; yet Jesus’ reply was he was taking the pain personally when the Body of Christ is being attacked. Isn’t it the same when one member suffers within the Body of Christ? When one suffers, isn’t Jesus already there in Spirit? Doesn’t he recall what it was like walking in his physical temple? And as our mediator with the Father, doesn’t he groan with the Spirit working out what is best for all parties involved?

Yes, God created life to be enjoyed. Yet when one realizes that joy comes from the Spirit, not the physical surroundings that we live in, the more comforting it becomes to continue the journey knowing Christ is with us, empathizing in our suffering, and providing the means to move through the pain where God will be glorified and we will be acknowledged by our Creator for the faith we exercised in those moments of truth.

OUR PRAYER

PRAY 9

Our Great Empathic God: thank you for experiencing humanity in person. Thank you for knowing what pain and suffering is all about. Thank you for mediating between heaven and earth. Thank you for always walking with us through our suffering. Help us to have the courage and conviction to always trust in you. You have made everything possible through your life, death, and resurrection. You are victorious and triumphant in your ways. You learned obedience through your suffering. Help us to likewise learn to trust you and follow your lead no matter how ridiculous the decision is in the eyes of others. Help us to walk through our suffering and learn from it. Help us walk through our pain and glorify you through it. Help us baffle those around us by allowing your Spirit to reside in us full of joy and the fruit of your divine nature. No matter the circumstances, no matter the challenges, and no matter the results, help us enjoy everyday life in you for your glory. Forever and ever. Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

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

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

PRAY 8

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

The Enjoyable God

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , , ,

The more our Triune God reveals Himself to us, the more we bow down in awesome amazement. The theme running through my mind for the past several years is simply how much life exuberates from His Being. Growing up in an Eastern European family (my parents immigrated from what is now Poland & Ukraine after WWII), life during and after the war was no picnic for either of them. Though they survived, the scars of battles, death, and prison camps carried with them for most of their lives. Of course, as parents it eventually rubbed off on the children even though they tried their best to shelter us from their pain. Most of the time is was duty, responsibility, and work that was the number one topic of discussion. It was a rare sight in our household to see laughter and joy fully expressed.

So when God invited us to join Him on His redemptive mission, we enthusiastically accepted without truly knowing the cost or sacrifice required. All we knew was what we were doing wasn’t working. In life’s journey, we began to grow in Christ’s grace and knowledge. We began to unlearn old in-grain beliefs and replace them with God’s truth. We discovered a new Spirit within us that was never there before. It was our introduction and now assurance of God’s work within every believer through the Holy Spirit. As we explored and discovered more about Father God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, the more we witnessed a change in attitude, behavior, and confidence not in self but in the Triune God.

What happened over time was basically a miracle of transformation. This person changed from an introverted, quiet, reserved personality to an opened, expressive character that can’t seem to stop expressing the love, joy, and faith of life in Christ. The inner life that God’s Spirit influences has become like an unstoppable river that flows without limitations. The more that comes out and is shared with others, the more remains on the inside. It is like a bottomless churn that continues to flow without any physical laws that explains its methodology.

Why am I so excited about this? Simply because the more we hang out and walk with God, the more His attitude, beliefs, character, and divine nature is pressed upon us. The one character trait that I marvel more about God than others because of the struggles in my life, is simply the way God enjoys life. From creation where He said everything He made was “very good,” to the resurrection of Christ where the angels rejoiced over the victory of death, sin, and Satan, God enjoys what He does. Jesus himself enjoyed eating and drinking as he was accused for partying with the socially undesirables of his day. How much joy does He express when one of His children returns home from their wandering ways? Jesus portrays in the parable of the Prodigal Son a Father than came running to meet his “lost” son and threw a party in celebration of the event.

When we wonder through life and see “God Events” in the routine, mundane circumstances that we are confronted with each day, we are reminded of God who created everything as a gift for us to enjoy. He speaks about Joy in His word; the fruit of God’s Spirit includes Joy; and Joy is one of the attributes of who God Is. Most of us take joy for granted; not I any longer.

OUR PRAYER

prayer 5

Joyous Father, Son, and Spirit: thank you for sharing your life with us. Thank you for living in us. Open up our hearts and minds to see the wonders of your life. Help us to fully express your joy through us. Though circumstances may stink at times, help us continue to keep our eyes and hopes focused on you. Do not let us down. Instead, glorify your name through your servant. Let your joy impact those around us. Let your joy lead others to you. Thank you for everything you do. Thank you for your joy in our life.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

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