life in christ

Being Jesus-Centered

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , , , ,
“For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11 ESV

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What is the foundation you build your life on?

Do you pick and choose from what you see in the culture around you? Do you adhere to a specific philosophy of a person or teacher? Whatever your reply, if the answer is anything other than Jesus Christ, you haven’t yet found your center for real, fruitful, enjoyable living. Not as the world shows it; but as God designed you and I for maximum utopia.

When you analyze many of the various religions, teachings, and beliefs around the world, most of them will have some Biblical truth included. That is why certain teachings agree with many of Jesus’ statements. For example, Confucius stated the Golden Rule hundreds of years before Christ. This isn’t anything new. The fact is Reality is built around Jesus’ existence; not the other way around. Since He lived before the foundation of the world as one of the Godhead, His truth has always existed.

To be Jesus-Centered is more than just making him #1 in your life. It is including him in every decision one makes. That includes all your relationships, business arrangements, educational goals, career paths, family ties, marriage partnerships, etc.

To be Jesus-Centered is allowing him full access into the secret chambers of your heart. You are free to stand physically, spiritually, and mentally naked before him. You are transparent. You open your values, beliefs, and goals for his redeeming work.

To be Jesus-Centered is viewing the world through his eyes. It is serving others from Christ’s viewpoint. It is letting him walk along side us through our daily routine. It is having a friend, companion, and associate with us throughout the day.

To be Jesus-Centered is already knowing His answer even while you ask.

To be Jesus-Centered is surrendering your rights in exchange for his imprint into your life.

To be Jesus-Centered is to be home with him in mind, spirit, and soul.

To be Jesus-Centered is to have the north star always shining brightly in your life.

To be Jesus-Centered is to find yourself emulating his spiritual power toward others.

Until one stops playing religion, throws out all the do’s and don’t of playing cultural niceness, and invites Jesus to become the center of one’s life, one hasn’t tasted the fruit of how life was truly designed for a more abundant experience. How about you? Have you asked our Heavenly Dad to show you how Jesus can become the center of your life?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
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

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Boasting

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , ,
“Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV

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Like Jeremiah before him, the apostle Paul boasted not in his accomplishments, achievements, or personal attributes. Instead he boasted in Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 1:31). He even wrote in chapter 13 that boasting is one of the attributes not consider an act of love.

In 2nd Corinthians 11:30, Paul writes that if he must boast about himself, he will boast about his weaknesses. For as he explains in 2 Corinthians 12:9, he will gladly boast about his weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon him.

If you see a person who loves to boast about himself, you can quickly identify who is his god. Whenever a person bows down before himself, he places himself as a godhead. History proves how dangerous such a person may become. Eventually, (s)he may learn when the end of this life comes that self delusional human gods also come to an end. Meanwhile, many a person will have suffered in the hands of a boastful fool. For only a person void of the Spirit boasts about himself (Jude 1:16,19).

There is only one God. Worship Him. For without Him, we are only dead men walking. Like Jude writes, focus on your relationship with Jesus Christ. Boast about Him. He will present you blameless before him with great joy. Let humility cloth you. Let Jesus praise you.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
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

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Stop It!

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , , ,
“O Lord, do not your eyes look for truth? You have struck them down, but they felt no anguish; you have consumed them, but they refused to take correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; they have refused to repent.” Jeremiah 5:3 ESV.

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Mr. Bob Newhart is a standup comedian and actor noted for his deadpan delivery. One memorable,  humorous routine involved him playing a psychologist providing services for $5 a session. His one-line response after listening to the patient’s problem was always the same: “stop it.” No matter the problem, the solution was simply for you to stop doing it. A simple reply that in many ways is funny because we humans like to make our personal problems seem larger and more difficult than the challenges of others.

Yet Bob Newhart’s response is actually the best advice we can implement. (This of course does not apply to conditions caused by physical or mental structural damages.) When the problem is caused by harmful behavioral or attitudinal responses, something needs to change. As long as we continue to respond in the same routine fashion, how do we realistically expect the results to be any different?

The challenging circumstances we face each day is the opportunity to lean more on the Triune God. As we lean more on God, we witness his grace in action. The process slowly changes our heart as we develop a trust walk with the Almighty. This change of heart the Bible denotes as repentance. It is changing how we think and respond to the world around us. Instead of centering the pain on our shoulders, or throwing the pain in the face of others, we learn to give the pain over to Jesus who helps carry us through the ordeal via the Holy Spirit.

So the next time to find yourself experiencing a negative outcome, review the process that got you there, and ask God for the strength to change it. In other words, stop responding in your old way and ask God to show you how you can respond differently. Ask Him for wisdom. Ask Him for more love and patience. Ask Him for whatever you need. Like a caring Father, He will gladly provide you with the help you need. Otherwise, if you don’t change, who are you going to become?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
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

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!