life in christ

Sufficiency in Christ

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , ,
“I (Jesus) can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.” John 5:30 ESV

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Many of us either intentionally or wishfully want to be self-sufficient. We desire to depend on no one for anything. If we had our way, we would be self-fulfilled financially, relationally, and spiritually without relying on anyone but our self. To be financially, relationally, and spiritually secured without having to work-out the emotional and irrational issues between people, some would say, would be a relief. In fact, their conclusion is that this would be a wonderful world if we could just get what we want without all of life’s soap opera drama.

This leads me to our first parents. Some believe that Adam & Eve’s sin was the desire to be self-sufficient. Their desire was to be like God, dependent on no one but themselves. Hasn’t humanity been in the same mindset since?

How do you think God designed us to be? To be SELF-sufficient or GOD-sufficient? SELF-fulfilled or GOD-fulfilled? SELF-esteemed or GOD-esteemed? SELF-loved or GOD-loved?

If Jesus’ himself said that he could do nothing apart from his Father God, what about us?

Are we more capable than Jesus? I think not. Maybe it’s time to change our viewpoint and seek out how to live life from a Christ-centered perspective. Or is that just a little too radical for some of us?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Founder & Executive Director
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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Marriage, Dancing, Daytrading

Dr. Mike Business & Faith, Life in Christ , , ,
” What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.” Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 ESV

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The best things I learn about life and walking with God comes through marriage, dancing, and daytrading.

Marriage is the platform that introduces me to self-sacrificial love and mutual submission. The same love that Jesus demonstrated through his life is put in practice everyday within the marriage relationship. The same attitude the apostle Paul writes about is likewise tested each day within the bounds of marriage. Marriage cultivates the fruit of godliness within a relationship when Christ is the center of the two. If I can’t make it work in marriage, how do I make it work elsewhere?

Ballroom dancing teaches me to lead others by mutually working together focused on the same goal. Whether we are dancing the foxtrot, waltz, or polka, two people expressing themselves through the rhythm of the music in unison is a joy to behold. Though typically one leads (the male in most circles), when professionals dance, the lead role may switch without the casual outsiders even recognizing the difference. In my early dancing attempts as a young man, I had many a widow move me around the dance floor. They knew I wasn’t ready to lead. I was happy just to learn. Later in life, I learned that there is a time to lead and a time to let the other lead. Insecurity and control are the demons that prevents one from truly experiencing the joy of following the lead of the Spirit in one’s life. Dancing teaches me the joy of mutual leadership.

Daytrading the stock market involves risk and reward built upon reality, repentance, and boundaries. To trade successfully, one needs to recognize what they may not initially see. That the market is greater than any one person and deserves a high amount of respect. Realizing its power, we need to change our thinking towards it. We need to relearn everything we think we may know about it. In a sense, we need to repent and believe in its possibilities. In the process, we need to develop boundaries that protect us from harm but yet allows us to experience the fruit of success. The trade masters from yesterday have much to say what it takes to manage our relationship with this mighty beast. For some this beast is cruel and mean robbing them of their livelihood. For others, the beast is a rewarder of those who praise and respect its might learning to live within its boundaries. I chose the latter. Like God, when one grasps His reality, repents and changes their thinking about Him, and learns to walk within His Divine boundaries, life becomes immeasurable more than just breathing, eating, and sleeping.

Now you know why I am always reminded how awesome our Triune God is whenever the subject of marriage, dancing, and daytrading come up. How about you? What activities make God come alive in your life?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Founder & Executive Director
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

Doing Church

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms, Ministry , ,
” For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:20 ESV

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When I initially submitted my first dissertation proposal on “doing church,” the Chair turned me down. In his opinion, the subject matter was too vast and the research too difficult. His recommendation was to find another topic more easily digested. I did. However the subject of doing church still intrigues me.

When most of us think of church, we picture a building or an institution. In America we may even think of a legal corporation. Some of us may associate church with a specific denomination. Others are more open.

When we think of how church is conducted, most of us will associate a church service as the only way of doing church. Yes there are a variety. The Catholic and Greek Orthodox have their rituals and traditions with a short message. The Protestants have their contemporary music with a more lengthier message. The Amish and Mennonite’s have a more yesterday act. Yet, how many other ways are there to do church?

What has intrigued me is how Church is more than a meeting held in an official place. When one understands that Church is a Body of people (Eph. 1:22-23) who come together to worship God, the venues become worldwide.

When your immediate family comes together with an everyday heart and mind of worshiping God, isn’t Church in session? When two or more of you come together in the workplace in the Spirit of serving God and man, isn’t Church in session? When you are driving on the freeway with a fellow believer with a heart to glorify God, isn’t Church in session?

The fact Church is much larger than most of us ever contemplated, makes how Church is conducted even more than what most of us ever practice.

So the next time you are in the marketplace, ask yourself how can you best glorify God through your work, relationships, and deeds. In so behaving, are you not doing Church?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Founder & Executive Director
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