life in christ

What Does The Christ-Centered Life Look Like? (2)

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , , , , , ,

in christ

“But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:32-34 (NSRV)

From a practical aspect, we allow Jesus’ story to become the main plot in our life. The question no longer is “what do I want?” Instead the core question becomes “what is Jesus doing that I may join him?” We learn through life’s challenges that as we seek Christ’s Kingdom, we discover that our required needs are satisfied. They may not always be according to our expectations or what we are accustomed too, but in hindsight we learn to place our trust in his provision which is what we truly needed at the time.

How often have we heard a person share their story of answered prayer? When everything looked bleak and all they could do is muster a short prayer of desperation. Then suddenly, a knock at the door and their laid a bag of groceries so their children would not go hungry another day. Or the business executive who didn’t know where to go for help to meet his payroll, but cried out to God for a solution. Then a phone call from a person who hasn’t spoken to him for years with a check in hand that would solve his immediate problems and create more opportunities for others. Again, the engineer stuck with an unsolvable problem and in frustrating and humility asks God for help. Then suddenly the inspiration comes to mind and the problem is solved. All of these are simple daily events that makes one realize that we are not alone. That the God of the universe, Father-Son-Spirit, is active and involved in our lives.

In a brief summary, a CC life is focused on Jesus, not the self. The aim and motivation is to elevate Jesus in the eyes of all we come into contact. As we yield our self unto the Triune God’s hand, we develop a bond of trust with Him. As we ask and commune with Him, we witness His involvement that eventually brings about our requests for His glory. Over time, we build a close familial relationship like a child with a loving, engaged parent. For most of us, when the pride is gone, we eventually come to the end of ourselves. Typically, it is through the trials and tests of life that we realize our need of God. Like the apostle Paul, we come to realize that when we are weak, our strength (Jesus )rises to the occasion (2 Corinthians 12:9). Over time we give him more and more leeway to lead and influence us as his new creation. Then like David of Goliath fame, our Lord becomes our strength and refuge (Psalm 59:16). Outsiders begin to witness a divine change in your countenance and demeanor. God is slowly expressing Himself through you.

OUR PRAYER

PRAYER 1

Holy Father – Holy Lord – Holy Spirit: Thank you for your love, mercy, and grace upon us. Thank you for redeeming us Jesus and restoring the relationship between heaven and earth; between Father God and humanity. Thank you for your sacrificial love and continual empowerment through your Spirit. Thank you for covering us and hiding us in you. ; We long for the time to celebrate your plan, your work, and your glory. Whether at work, at home, or at play, we thank you and praise you as our King, Teacher, Savior, Helper, Friend, and Brother. Help us to hear you and follow your lead in our life each and every day. So Be It.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

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

If You Are Seeking a Devotional Study, Check Out My New Book Be Radical…Follow Christ.

The Christ-Centered Life

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , , , ,
“It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.” Ephesians 1:11-12 (HCSB)

christ centered 1

There are many concepts thrown around each Sunday from Pastors with the desire to influence their congregations for Christ. Most are Biblical based. Some though require an advance degree in theology to comprehend the practicality of the topic. My hope over the next several months is to share some of these paradigms in a more practical surrounding.
Take for instance the concept, living a Christ-Centered Life. What does it mean to live a Christ-Centered life? Can one live a Christ linear life? Can one live a Christ oblong life? Or what about a Christ-Cliff Hanging Life? I’m not making fun of the concept, simply the changes culture places on us to effectively communicate the gospel message of Jesus Christ, His Domain, and His Spiritual influence in today’s world.
In the apostle’s Paul day, he would continually write expounding the concept of life “In Christ.”

The concept was to explain Paul’s theology of Christology. For Paul life in Christ can be summarized into four segments of relationship: Identity, Fellowship, Participation, and Union.

He would reiterate that our identity is “Hid in Christ.” That we have been redeemed by Christ and therefore are now included in Christ before the eyes of God the Father. When our Father God now looks at humanity, He looks through the prism of Christ.

We are likewise in fellowship with God and other believers who are likewise included in Christ. We belong and share life together on a journey that started at the foundation of creation. We share God’s truth, love, and grace with each other as we learn how to live the divine life.

In addition, we participate with Christ. In baptism we publicly acknowledge Christ’s life, death, and resurrection until he comes. We become his hands and feet throughout the world. We suffer as he suffered. We rejoice as he rejoices. We serve as he serves. We are His Body and continue the work that he started.
Now being in union with him, we abide and have our strength through Him. Like he said to His Father that he can’t do anything without Him, we likewise can’t do anything for God without Him. Whatever we do in non-union with Him, we do for ourselves. Everything we do in union with Him, we do for his glory.

Our life, our rewards, and our hope is all included in him. We, as members of His universal Church, are engaged to be married to Him. We are in a committed relationship bound by a covenant. Not a contract where if one side fails to perform, the other can walk away. This is a covenant where both sides promise to fulfill their obligations for life no matter what the cost. A real commitment.

So for the short definition, when we speak about the Christ-centered life, we are making a 21st century statement that Paul outlined in the 1st century. The Christ-centered life is simply catching the divine life “In Christ.” More to come…

OUR PRAYER

PRAYER 1

Holy Father, Holy Lord, Holy Spirit — thank you for showering us with your grace, truth, and love. Thank you for revealing a small part of your plan of salvation to restore all creation per your original intent. Help us to follow your lead in our daily walk. Help us to serve others with you. Help us to truly understand the depth, and height, and magnitude of your love for us. Help us to truly live a Christ-centered life for your glory. In your name we pray.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

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

If You Are Seeking a Devotional Study, Check Out My New Book Be Radical…Follow Christ.

More God Less Me

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , , , , , ,

more god

“There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews. Late one night he visited Jesus and said, “Rabbi, we all know you’re a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren’t in on it.” Jesus said, “You’re absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom.”
“How can anyone,” said Nicodemus, “be born who has already been born and grown up? You can’t re-enter your mother’s womb and be born again. What are you saying with this ‘born-from-above’ talk?” Jesus said, “You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the ‘wind-hovering-over-the-water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. When you look at a baby, it’s just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can’t see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit.
“So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.”   John 3:1-8 The Message

How does this born again from above process workout in everyday life? We read scripture where Jesus meets a religious leader at night and emphasizes that we must be born again. OK. Got it. Now what? Is this simply our meal ticket to the last great eternal party with Jesus? Or is there more? (Isn’t there always more?).

One of the great mysteries of life is the workings of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul writes that wherever the Spirit is, so is Jesus. Trinitarian theology also demonstrates that wherever one of the three, Father, Son, or Holy Spirit are present, so are the other two. In other words, wherever the Spirit is, Jesus and the Father are also there.

What does this all mean in a practical matter? It means that when you receive the Holy Spirit, you have also invited the rest of the Godhead. Jesus and our heavenly Father also make their abode in you. That is why the Bible says we are His Temple; we are also the Body of Christ: individually and collectively. So when we learn to let God fully express Himself in us and through us, we experience the adventurous ride of life with Him.

Paul also wrote that “when we are at our weakest, then we are at our strength (2 Corinthians 12:8-10). Why? Because the more we elevate Christ in our life, the less our human nature shows. The more we elevate the Spirit in our life, the less our human tendencies get in the way. The more we elevate the Father, the less our human carnality is revealed. Learning to allow the Spirit of God, that includes Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, to lead, to influence, and to teach, is the way to fully enjoy God and life. The more God and the less me in the daily decisions, thoughts, and actions may make me worldly weak, but kingdom strong in Christ.

Now isn’t that a little more radical than just allowing religiosity to have its way?

OUR PRAYER

prayer 5

Heavenly Father, Lord, and Spirit, we thank you for your plan of life, redemption, and glorification. We thank you for sharing your life with us through your Spirit. Thank you for residing in us and making your home in us. Thank you for allowing us to share your home in the heavens in Christ.

Help us to listen and learn how to follow your Spirit in our life. Cleanse our hearing and open our hearts to see you and your work in our daily responsibilities and service to others. Help us to explore and enjoy you in our daily comings and goings. Help us as we help others. And help others as you help us. In everything we think, say, and do, help us to do our best for your glory.

So be it.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

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