life in christ

What Else Is There?

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ , , , , , , , , , ,

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How often in our life have we felt like just quitting?  Just giving up whatever we were pursuing and calling it quits. In fact, maybe we even may have a bad habit of quitting whenever life just doesn’t work out the way we expect it to. Are we natural quitters? Or do we know when to quit?

We recall a friend who was taking his third class in graduate school when he decided to call it quits. At the time, he just needed a break from the academic routine and convince himself it was only going to be for the one semester.  He didn’t return until ten years later.

Yet, when it comes to walking with our Lord, where does one go after one decides to quit? Turn back to where? Stop moving forward? In fact, turning back is worst then just quitting. When one quits, one just stops moving forward. When one turns back. one is walking away from their destination leaving a larger distance between oneself and one’s goal.

If one decides to turn back, where will they go? After one has tasted the fruit of the Spirit, what compares?  After one experiences Grace and Freedom, does one revert to slavery? After building a relationship of Love and Trust with the Living Creator, is there anyone else who one could better depend on? After one’s eyes are open to understand God’s Plan for a new heaven and a new earth being occupied by eternal beings, who has the greater vision and power to accomplish it?

Satan believes his plan is better for mankind. Do we? The world’s systems believe their plan is better for us. Do we? At times, even our carnal nature temporarily convinces us that there is a better way. But do we really believe it afterwards?

After many of His disciples deserted Jesus because of His teachings (Jn 6:66), Jesus asked Peter if he likewise was turning back. But Peter replied where else is there to go; Jesus had the words of eternal life. Likewise, it is true today.

Of all the major religious movements that impacted mankind, only Christianity has a Founder that claimed to be God and offers Grace to the sinner. Truly unique. To be a follower of His is also truly unique. For in following Him, we acknowledge His lordship. His teachings, His authority, His government, and His involvement in our life until His return. Just like some people in His time thought He to be a crazy man possessed by demons, there are those today who think the same of us. So be it.

OUR PRAYER

PRAY 21

Our Eternal Almighty Dad, thank you for remembering that we are just humans. We are temporary beings with eternal goals. Apart from you we will never accomplish eternity. It is you who has given it to us via Jesus Christ as a gift. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

There are those who ridicule us for what we believe and how we live. If we are bringing any shame to you and your eternal name, please let us know and help us change it. If we are not living up to your glory, let us know and help us to repent.

Everything we desire is in you. Let us live our life in your glory and honor.  We may sometimes go overboard in our actions and preaching, but pray that you capture our results and words and plant them into the lives of others that need it. We all need you. Help us to live dependant on you. Help us to exercise the freedom you have given us for your glory. Let your freedom ring out loud for others to hear and experience.

Thank you Jesus. Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God

We Take Substance Over Form Any Day

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ , , , , , , ,

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Remember your early business career days, when the highest bidder would receive your services?  It didn’t matter what the job was all about.  It didn’t matter what the company was all about.  It didn’t matter what the product was all about.  The bottom line was money.  It probably took a few years and many experiences to learn that money isn’t what work is all about and it isn’t always greener on the other side.  It is using your God-given abilities and gifts to serve your fellow man.

But the reason we mention the above pertains to being lured away from your main purpose for living.  If your life is built on sand, your foundation is going to shift all the time.  If your life is built on rock, your foundation is going to remain stable all the time.  The sand of course is this world’s values.  The rock is Jesus Christ.

The world’s values are constantly changing.  Through the media, movies, books, and social organizations, the core values of life arc constantly being portrayed without a God-centered foundation.  One doesn’t always see the fruit of experience until they lived it.  But by then, it may be too late.  However with the Word, we have man’s experience living life with God and apart from God.  We have a solid core of values that have proven beneficial over time.  We have the lessons and experiences of many people who have tried it their way and suffered the consequences.  We also have those who lived by faith and died in the faith.  People don’t become martyrs unless the reward is greater than the cost.

When you are in possession of the great pearl of life, the fountain of eternity, the wisdom of the ages, the crown of crowns, and the joy of joys, you do not take it lightly.  You treasure what you have received.  You hold it close to your heart.  You protect it from all danger.  Yet you cannot hide it.  You freely received it and you freely give it away.  But only to those who know its value and worth.  Otherwise, it will be trampled underfoot and taken for granted.

The cost of discipleship is high.  But so is the reward.  The privilege and honor to serve the Living God on a one-to-one relationship is mentally staggering.  What does this world’s system have in comparison with being a disciple of His?  Many careers may look more appealing.  Many lifestyles may look more appealing.  Many avenues of life may look more appealing.  They may all have the outward image that glistens and shines from the outside, but none of them holds any real substance in comparison with a life in Christ.  Give us substance over form any day.

OUR PRAYER

PRAYER 1

Our Richly, Magnificent Dad, thank you for revealing your way of abundant living!  Your ways have always proven in the long run to be the way to live.  You are surely awesome.  Everything we do in you, we do thankfully, gratefully, and gracefully.

You have surrounded us with your treasures.  You have revealed to us your Son.  You have given to us a Comforter in the Holy Spirit.  You have surrounded us with your angels.  You have given us all the resources of the universe to pursue your kingdom.  You have always given us what we need to survive.  You are continually creating your masterpiece in us preparing us for all eternity.  You are truly awesome!

Help us always to focus on your character and Word in pursuit of our goals.  Let our actions and achievements bring you glory.  Even as the outer body slowly decays, continue to renew the inner man with your divine presence.  It is what we live for and wait for each day: to eventually be with you in your eternal home serving you and your world as you serve us.

Thank you Jesus for everything you made possible.  Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God

A Sign, a Sign, Everywhere a Sign

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ , , , , , , , ,

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A disciple’s life is always walking down a path with construction in progress.  Like most construction sites, there are warning signs instructing you to change your normal routine to better handle the congestion.  These signs warn you to change lanes or not to change lanes, to merge or to divide, to slow down or to stop, to switch lanes or to ride on the shoulder, and many other choices.  There are also those that read “Detour” meaning the road ends and you must take another route.  But the signs instruct you on which route to take.  Of course, the alternative route is not always the fastest or quickest, but the one chosen by some civil engineer that will effectively manage the traffic flow.  Most of the time however, especially if you are a local resident, you will take an alternative route that only the local drivers know.  The out-of-towners must follow the signs.  But the locals always know a better route.  Likewise, as a disciple of His, we will face detours in our life.  Signs will be placed in front of us by good, nature people who want to be helpful.  These signs will be the best that the world has to offer.

However, if one is not well trained in scripture, they may easily be misled.  When faced with a detour, a disciple will immediately turn to the best traffic officer on the beat: Jesus Christ.  In prayer, and possibly fasting or one of the other disciplines, a disciple will ask for directions.  She will trust the Holy Spirit to direct their path.  The Holy Spirit may lead them to seek counsel.  The Holy Spirit may lead them to a mentor.  The Holy Spirit could lead them to a mule or elephant.  Wherever the Holy Spirit leads you, the answer will be there.  The path to follow will be clear.  The detour will only be an inconvenient nuisance that probably will bear godly fruit in your life and the life of others that you may touch in your journey.

Our paths will have many detours.  But the detour is not the end of our journey, but the beginning.  It is the start of a temporary, new direction where you will meet new people, new encounters, new locations, and new events.  You may also meet your old nemesis the devil.  But you know how to handle him.  It’s a new route with new opportunities to fulfill your mission in life.  It may be only to serve someone that asked God for help and He is sending you there.  It may be only to lend an uplifting word to someone who is in trouble.  It may only be to direct your steps away from a potential problem and give your soul rest.  Whatever the results, some we may know instantly, some we may know many years down the road, and others we may never know until the Kingdom has fully arrived.  But this we do know, the Master Planner has everything under control.  As we have surrendered to serve Him, He will lead us in a direction that will prove most beneficial for those we come into contact with and for ourselves as well.  We will not be detoured.  Our mission goes forth no matter which way we travel.

OUR PRAYER

PRAY 21

Our Masterful Dad, thank you for calling us out of this world and giving us real meaning and purpose to live.  Thank you for caring and loving us.  Thank you for giving us the encouragement to try different paths.  Thank you for the opportunities that you present to us.  Thank you for giving us the abilities and talents to choose our heart desires.  Thank you for allowing us to live true to our heart.

Yet help us to deal with the obstacles. trials, and inconveniences that come our way.  Give us the courage and conviction to live your truth no matter what problem arises.  Help us to transform all problems into solutions for your glory.  Let every road we travel down, every door we open, every window we look out from, every step we climb, and every task we accomplish be done in sharing the good news of your Kingdom for your glory.  Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Coach, Consultant, and Encourager

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God