Lord

Who Are You Lord?

Dr. Mike 2026 , , ,

And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Acts 9:5

Paul was a zealous Pharisee persecuting a Jewish sect. A sect who practiced a different way then he and his associates. On a trip from Jerusalem to Damascus, he experienced a life-changing event. He met Jesus.

As he tells the story, a flash of bright light caused his horse to throw him off the saddle to the ground. A bright figure appeared before him. When he asked who HE was, he met Jesus for the first time. The first words out of his mouth were “Who are You Lord?”

These same words are repeated by many of us throughout history in our engagement with Jesus.

When Jesus was in Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16).

When Jesus met the disciples the second time in the upper room after HIS resurrection. This time Thomas was present. He knelt down and expressed the heartfelt words, “My Lord and my God” (Jn. 20:28).

Today in the Muslim world, men and women are having dreams of a man in white appearing to them. The man introduces himself as Jesus. The dreams are so vivid, that even in the face of death, people are converting to follow HIM at the risk of their own lives.

Whoever you are, when you are introduced to HIM, you have a decision to make. Either HE is who HE claimed to BE, or HE is not. There is no middle ground. When you accept the reality of HIS Life and purpose, you begin a journey of discovery. You want to know all you can about HIM. HE becomes your main focus for living. Everything you do involves HIM. You and HIM become non-separable. You begin a relationship that becomes the center of your life. From that relationship, all other relationships become joined together. As you come to discover more and more about HIM, you find HE is more than a Savior. HE is Lord. He is your Hero. HE is your Friend. He is your elderly step-brother.

Papa God wants a family and you are included. HIS family business is the Kingdom of God. You are now in an executive training program being prepared for eternity with Jesus. It’s called discipleship. You are in training to reign. Today you are learning to govern yourself. Tomorrow you will also learn to govern (serve and minister) others. You will find purpose and meaning in everything you do when HE is the center of your life. It all begins when you start to answer the question, “Who Are You Lord?”

Yes, you will spend your lifetime seeking, discovering, and experiencing the answer. It never ends.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Who Are You Lord?

Dr. Mike Bible Life Questions , , ,

 

And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Acts 9:5 ESV.

who 1

Which Jesus are you familiar with?

Do you know the gregarious, celebrating Jesus who was accused by the religious leaders as a wine bibber and glutton? Or do you recognize the weeping Jesus who cried prior to resurrecting Lazarus? Or maybe the healing Jesus who gave sight to the blind?

Then what about the beaten Jesus with bleeding cuts and bruises prior to his crucifixion? The hungry Jesus who fasted for 40 days prior to his confrontation with Satan? The popular Jesus who drew crowds of thousands to hear what he had to say? Or the controversial Jesus who questioned the religious teachings of his day?

Maybe you are familiar with the runaway Jesus who left his family at the age of twelve for three days discussing Scripture with the teachers in the Jewish temple? How about the Jesus who hung around prostitutes, thieves, and debt collectors? Or the wimpy Jesus who hung around women all day?

Many probably identify the teaching Jesus who took every event of the day to expound on his kingdom and way of life. Or the Jewish Jesus who kept the Holy days outlined in the Bible. Or the rebellious Jesus who broke the religious traditions of the times. Then there is the praying Jesus who would rise early in the mornings to spend time with His Father. Or the carpenter Jesus who built tables, chairs, and houses for people in the community.

Possibly some may even recognize the obedient Jesus who resisted the temptation of Satan and trusted God for His destiny. Or the suffering Jesus who took everyone’s Sin unto himself while focusing on the joy that laid before him. Maybe even the dying Jesus who was unjustly accused and sentenced to death by the government establishment.

My question for today though, is how many identify the living Jesus now sitting next to his Father in authority for heaven and earth? How many see Jesus now sitting at the table along with all our brothers and sisters? How many of us identify with the Jesus who is returning to complete the Triune Project started at the foundation of the universe?

Whichever Jesus you identify with is probably where you find him today in your life. And as the seasons change while we walk with our King, Savior, and Friend, He reveals himself to us as we need to know. Meanwhile, enjoy the journey, share the good news, and allow Him full access to make his imprint in your life story.

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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Are You in Good Hands with God’s Plan?

Dr. Mike Jesus Apprentice, Prayers , , , ,

A DISCIPLE’S PRAYER

PRAY 9

Our Awesome Heavenly Dad:

 

All glory, honor, and worship belong to you. You are greater than we can even imagine. Our small glimpse of you makes us shudder in how

awesome you truly are. You created everything that is in existence. You keep everything in order throughout the universe. You have a time table that you move history through its pages. You are One Awesome Being.

 

Let your greatness always be magnified in our life. Help us see your greatness in every aspect of this life. Hide nothing from us. Let us learn about you and teach you to others. Reveal your truths to us. Reveal your creation to us. Reveal your plan of salvation to us. Reveal your glory to us.

 

Help those who are searching for you. Help them find you. Open the doors to your kingdom for them. Let everyone enter. Let everyone see your awesomeness. Hide nothing from us but let you glory be praised throughout the nations.

 

Help us be your faithful child in the Lord. Let us be the apple of your eye. Grant us your favorite blessings. Shower upon us your richly treasures. Hold back nothing of you to us. In return, help us share you and your riches with others. Help us always to glorify you before others.

 

You are our God. You are our Creator. You are our Provider. Thank you for making all this possible Jesus. Amen.

***

 TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

  “Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we witnessed against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.”    1 Corinthians 15:12-19 NAS

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***

Are You in Good Hands with God’s Plan?

 

          Heaven and earth united for eternity. The Kingdom of God in all its fullness. If there is no resurrection, no future life after death, than have we been a fool in living this way? What assurance do we have that the plain teachings of the Bible are going to happen? What does the future hold?

 

     

RESURRECTION 9

 

I think we have all asked ourselves the above questions at one time or another. The answer of course always goes back to the beginning. Is there a God? If there is no God, than let’s party. Let’s live and let live. Anything goes. Who cares about anything but getting what’s best for me now. Anyhow, anyway, anywhere, anything and everything goes IF there is no God.

 

          Or on the other hand, if there is a God, we better fear. We better seek out what He is all about. We better find out what He expects from each one of us. All these thoughts have entered my mind at one time or another. Thankfully, God reveals Himself through the Bible, through creation, through the lives of other people, and through life’s experiences.

 

          If creation was a happen chance, so are we. But on the other hand, if creation was a planned activity, doesn’t that mean you and I are a part of that plan? Which is easier to believe? The bottom line is if creation was a planned activity, than it requires a planner. And that planner must be One Awesome Being to pull it all off. I believe that is what scares those who find it difficult to have faith in a Creator. Because if there is a Creator, than we all are only small dudes with someone larger than ourselves that we may be accountable to in life.

 

If the Bible is not God’s working manual for mankind, than it’s the second greatest con job of all time (Jesus’ resurrection would be the first). However when you read it, you find quotes from God Himself. And these quotes are challenging us to exercise trust in Him; quotes that are giving us a choice of lifestyle that would benefit us individually and collectively; quotes that are directed to us personally to prove Him. And when you take Him up on His challenge, you begin to experience radical changes in your life that is described throughout the Bible. You begin to realize that God uses the Bible to reveal Himself to us and to help us know Him better. It points us to having a relationship with the Greatest Dad of all; a heavenly Father that is good and wonderful to all; a God who reveals Himself as the Creator of all and cares about His creation.

 

Doesn’t the Bible already reveal all that we need to know at this time about our future? A future with Christ for all eternity. If there were no other people involved in this adventurous journey of transformation in Christ, than I could easily see doubts arise in my own walk with the Lord. However, when  one is a witness to the internal, spiritual transformation in people’s lives, than it reassures me that what we are living through is for real. When I discuss the internal struggles with others and they understand me, than I find it reassuring that I’m not going crazy. That this Christian life is for real, and the experiences, struggles, hopes, and joys are not something strange but the realization of walking with a living God. The bond and unity you experience in sharing yourself in a small group or in a congregational worship service reassures me that God is alive and living in the lives of those that have fully acknowledged Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Likewise, when I read the classical writings of the saints from yesterday and thoroughly relate to their everyday struggles, hopes and faith, it again reassures me that my walk is not something new, but the way it has been from the very beginning. It is the way God reveals Himself to us and builds His masterpiece – the invisible, universal Church.

 

          If my experiences through life were all disappointments, then I probably would question my walk with the Lord. However, there has been much joy in witnessing the power of God in one’s life. From answered prayer, to blessings of joy, God has extended His unmerited grace and favor upon me. Even if I didn’t live in America with all its physical trappings of abundance, 1 believe  that God would  have still showered upon us His grace and blessings that only a Believer really understands. Yet, I am very thankful that my earthly dad persuaded my mother to come live in America. It makes the Christian walk more challenging in many ways that our brothers and sisters in other countries can’t even phantom. For it allows us to experience facets of the good life and see the abundance of God’s wealth and leads us to a better comparison of the physical wealth with God’s spiritual riches. We are constantly tested to choose between the two. It allows us to practice self-control that people in other countries can’t even imagine.

 

The Christian in America does have a different challenge than many of our brothers and sisters in third-world countries can’t even imagine. We are privileged to learn how best to manage our wealth for the betterment of others. Many of us are challenged to learn how not to indulge ourselves at every meal. We eventually learn that blessings are not just a physical matter. In many ways, physical blessing could become a curse. The real riches of life are found in the spiritual treasures that God gives to those who truly yield themselves in heartfelt obedience to Him. And to experience the Giver with all His riches is truly the greatest high this life has to offer. I am very thankful that He has included me to live a life as a disciple of His!

 

 

What about you?

 

 

 

In Christ,

 

Dr. Mike