Overcomer

What Is Your Biggest Problem?

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

Romans 7:15-20

“For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.”

What is the biggest problem you have to face each day?

I know mine.

Yes, I am about fifteen pounds overweight. My cholesterol is on the high side. My mental capacity not as sharp as in my mid-thirties. Arthritis is making its appearance in my big toe. The hearing from my one side is only about 50% normal. I have the tenancy to behave obnoxiously when tired. My house projects take three times longer and cost twice more than someone gifted with their hands. I’ve had more investment failures than the creative mind could list. More times than not, I say the wrong words at the most inappropriate moment. I could also continue about relationship issues, work tragedies, and financial failures. Also there are those mental gaps, recreational trauma, and social blunders. The list seems endless.

So what is the central core of all these problems? Would you believe “ME.”

Many of these problems are caused by my desires. Other issues are caused by outside forces which I did not properly respond too. But even these problems are the end result of misbeliefs, illusions, and self lies. All because of my adherence to be satisfied.

Whether the facts are true or not, whether someone gets hurt or not, whether there is a better way, doesn’t matter. At that moment, me, myself, and I need to please the inner desires of my flesh.

Yes, I am my biggest problem.

Yet my biggest problem always leads to the biggest solution. I am thankful for Jesus Christ, HIS work of salvation, and HIS mission of restoration.

It is not my responsibility to save the world. That is HIS job.

My responsibility is to serve him and allow the Holy Spirit to morph my heart, mind, and soul after HIS image.

Yes, there is a battle raging between my carnal desires and the divine nature. I now know the taste of each of their fruits.

Apostle Paul wrote Romans some twenty years after his conversion. He was still struggling with the deception of sin. The longer we live, the more we become aware of the ugliness of sin that resides in each of us. But at the same time, we are thankful for a Comforter and Healer of the Holy Spirit.

Yes, we battle every day between the forces of sinful desires and divine wants. As we mature, we realize the problem is not those around us, but ourselves. As we age, we learn to exercise more patience with others. We learn to love others as Christ loves us. We learn others will occasionally harm us as we have inadvertently harm them. Yet, as Christ sacrificed his life for us, HE also sacrificed himself for them.

Jesus is the answer to my biggest problem. I am so grateful for his intervention. Soon, more and more people will come to realize HE is also the solution to their biggest problem. Possibly even you if you have not already accepted HIM as your Lord and Savior.           

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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Problems, Trials, Obstacles

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , ,
“…strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14.22 ESV.

overcome-2

Question: what is one of the biggest illusions faith communities portray to the world? Answer: that the Christian Life is free from pain, troubles, and heartaches.

I remember in my mid-thirties having a heated discussion with Mom about being unprepared to handle the constant problems life throws at us. Growing up under the false assumption that life is a formula when applied will result in favorable outcomes, I came to the slow realization that the only person who prospered from such erroneous thinking were the authors and publishers generating such propaganda. Life involves constant battles of survival, obstacles that need to be overcome, and many activities without guaranteed outcomes.

Yet if someone had told me back then what I now know, would things turn out differently?

Maybe. Or maybe not. But it would have been more focused and life-generating.

Today’s scripture was the outcome after the apostle Paul was left stoned to death a few days earlier. Being left dead, his associates gathered him and brought him back to the city where he arose the next day to preach the gospel to his audience. Did Paul know something we don’t?

His message? “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

God doesn’t necessary always prevent crap from happening in our life. Most of the time, he promises to walk through it with you and I. As he joins us in the cesspool of life, we come to know him better, learn to communicate with him, and develop a trust in him. In the process of overcoming the turmoil, we also grow in godly character and may even redeem the situation for Him. You may also come into contact with others who will witness your patience and trust in Christ. You become a living testimony. When your Savior and Lord works out the mess you are in, you will discover more of his grace. After you walk through several of these undesirable situations, your faith is strengthen. You begin to realize how much God truly loves you.

Yes your circumstances may stink, but life is good. God not only resides in you, but is actively involved in morphing you into his divine image. You slowly or quickly learn that tribulations are the escalators that Father-Son-Spirit use to strengthen and encourage us and others in our daily walk with Him. Like an Olympic athlete, we appreciate the coach; knowing we are being pushed and trained for bigger purposes. The event: a taste of God’s Kingdom now while we wait for the full completion in the world tomorrow.  The earlier we realize the circumstances and problems this life brings our way are designed to prepare you and me for eternity, the quicker we will turn to our Savior and walk with Him through the ordeal. The process may be unnatural, but the outcome is definitely supernatural. So the next time you face problems, trials, and obstacles – pray, rejoice and learn from the Master Builder and Coach: Father-Son-Spirit. You may  be pleasantly surprised to find yourself rejoicing through the ordeal.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Discipleship 360
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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Overcomer

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , ,
“They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.” 2 Peter 2:19 ESV

 overcomer 2

Want to know how free you are as a person? Ask yourself, what enslaves you?

Are you a slave to your hunger? Do you have a constant appetite for sweets, salt, or chocolate? Are you enslaved by your thirst for beer, wine, or a strong alcoholic drink?

Are you a slave to your hobby? work? or family? Maybe you are enslaved by the culture around you? Or your government, employer, or client? Or are you simply a slave to either money, power, status, or fame?

The fact is before becoming a heir with Jesus Christ, we were all slaves to our emotional plugs. Sin reign in us without us even choosing to follow it. Yet, because Christ lived a free life for you and I, we now enjoy the same heavenly perks He manifested throughout His life. By submitting ourselves to the righteousness of Jesus Christ, we are given the freedom from all the addictions thrown our way.

It is not easy, but it is simple. As we abide in Christ, the Holy Spirit disarms the old man and allows the new man ample room to grow. By abiding in Christ our boundaries are eternally established and serve as a defensive shield. By obediently living in Christ, the Spirit breaks down the spiritual strongholds that unleashes the true you.As a branch feeds itself from the vine, so do we. As long as we continue to abide in Him, we begin to experience real freedom built on eternal values.

Unlike the world that teaches oneself to indulged yourself and pick-up yourself by the bootstraps, we deny ourselves. We overcome because He who lives in us has already overcome the world (Jn. 16:33) and His strength manifests itself in our lives. We overcome because we choose to follow Him. We overcome because our heart, mind, and soul is totally trustful in Him. We overcome because He does the work as we respond to His Will. We overcome not because of our character development, self-discipline, or sacrificial effort. Instead we acknowledge Jesus Christ lives in us, strengthens us, and creates within us His attributes. So that at the end of day, He receives the glory as we harvest the benefit. That is what makes a Christ-follower an Overcomer.

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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