power

Divide and Conquer

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

“Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.”   Matthew 12:25

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“I (Paul) appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”  1 Corinthians 1:10

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“ So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.”  1 Corinthians 3:21-23

The divide and conquer strategy is used by manipulative leaders. It is their prime tool to gain control over people. In today’s culture, this method is constantly employed in business, government, and social networks.

In business, there is profit to be made from fear. For example, we witness how the news media positions their headlines. They are written to cause emotional trauma between people. The sole purpose is to generate traffic to increase their ad revenue.

There are also votes to be gained within government power structures. If the opposing party stands up for an idea, their side takes the other side. The outcome is an us against them mentality. The more fear they can produce, the greater financial support they are able to generate. They play each side against one another to distract from their real agendas.

These bad actors don’t truly care for unity. Instead they ask themselves what profit or popularity is there to gain? The power masses generally don’t care for the people. They only want more of what they have. Divisiveness is their tool to manipulate you.

The early Corinth church dealt with a similar us against them mentality. Groups were being formed to support their man. Some claimed they only followed the teachings of Apollos. Others sided with Paul. Others with Peter. And of course some only Christ. The faith community was becoming divisive.

Paul’s solution was for everyone to refocus on God through Christ. That God’s servant leaders only exercised their gifts and functions to support Christ’s work. Some planted. Others watered. But God gives the growth. So, be grateful for the people who are serving you. We all share in the bounty of Christ. You are HIS. HE is for you. Let everyone work together for God’s glory and good.

Don’t play the divisiveness game. Be aware when you are being manipulated to play their game. Instead, focus on what the Spirit is doing for the glory of Christ and God. Don’t let them divide you from each other. Ask Jesus to intervene for you. To show you how best to act in the situation.

Jesus was aware of this maneuver (Mt.12). He called it out. You can do the same.

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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Power. Prestige. Possessions.

Dr. Mike 2023 , , ,

Luke 22:25-26

And he (Jesus)said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.

Luke 9:46-48

An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”

Luke 12:15

And he (Jesus) said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Human desires have not changed since the first man and woman focused their primary attention on the fruit from one tree among thousands in the garden of paradise. Their desire to immediately become like God bypassing HIS timetable caused them to lose the most important relationship in their life. Has anything changed since then?

You and I were designed in the image of our Creator. We are made to reflect his glory. Yet we stumble more times than not because of our ignorance of what is truly good. Instead of yielding ourselves to the authority of our Creator and waiting until HE acknowledges we are ready to accept more responsibility, we rebel because we want to do it our way now.  

In some cases, we may also hold to the false illusion we are different than others and have the capacity to better manage ourselves where they fall short. Yet time and our actions throughout history continually prove us wrong.

Somewhere I recall reading one of the self-help books where the author’s main point when selling anything to anyone was to take advantage of the need and desire people have to feel important. What life has shown me over time is some people have a greater need than others to be important in their eyes. The vicious trap of seeking self-importance through power, prestige, and possessions is the insecure game people play to compete against others for the top of the hill.

Now Jesus addresses these issues three different times with his disciples. For those who seek power, they should seek to become servants. For those who want to have the most prestigious position, they need to become like little children. And those who covet possessions, are battling against the spirit of greed within materialism and need to become rich toward God if they are going to save their soul.

The solution to break these vices are counter-intuitive to human nature. Our natural desire is for self-importance. But Jesus emphasizes humility. He instructs us to submit ourselves to HIS authority in life. When we do, HE provides us with HIS Spirit which empowers us to become more like HIM.

In HIS Kingdom, all power, prestige, and possessions belong to HIM. He is willing to share the same with others when they have the proven character to manage these items for HIS glory and for the sake of others. For example, power is typically noticed only when it is abused. In HIS Kingdom, serving others for their enrichment is the prime motivating factor. Not self-aggrandizement.

Leadership also walks in meekness. The role is to serve others, not for one’s glory, but for the glory of God and the benefit of others.

Likewise, possessions belong to King Jesus. Each child of God are stewards of HIS belongings. HE gives us the responsibility to manage them for our families and others who are in need.

HIS entire Kingdom is built upon HIS character and attributes. When we follow HIM in our walk with each other, we live in harmony with heavenly principles being acted upon on earth today. This is God’s way of living which again is counter-intuitive to human nature. To become effective saints living out God’s Way of life requires HIS Spirit and knowledge of HIM. Anything less is our guessing to live a productive life. Yes, we may become #1 in our hierarchy at the expense of all others. However, God’s way makes Jesus #1 and brings everyone else to join HIM at HIS table.

Yes, God, you, and all others participate at the victory table when we fully live out the Christian life.    

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager, Faith-Integrator, Scribbler

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The Real Issue

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

1 Corinthians 1:23

“…but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles…(ESV)

Some days I shake my head in disbelief at the cultural confusion caused by illogical and unreasonable leaders pushing their personal agenda without considering the long-term consequences.

When a society bullies those who are less fortunate to maintain their positional status, then it is only time before they themselves experience the same fortune.

I remember in grade school playing a game called “king of the hill.” There was a four-foot mound of dirt that was considered the hill. Someone would stand at the top of this small hill and fight to keep everyone else off of it. The one who would knock the person off the mound would receive the right to stand on the hill and claim the kingship role. As young boys full of energy and rowdiness, we would spend lunch time pushing each other off to gain control of the top. The one who remained standing when the lunch period ended was considered the king for the day.

As an adult, I look at many of the games being played in the institutional, governmental, and business arena and I recall the king of the hill game. Young, immature boys and girls are still playing the same game, but the consequences and stakes are substantially higher. But now instead of finishing the day with a few people with torn pants and bruised shinbones, large groups of people are being displaced, families torn apart, and communities abandoned by those whom they need most.

Leaders find themselves in shock when people do not want to follow them. When leaders quit serving the people and become autocrats, they have lost their way. But even though many have told them that, they do not want to relinquish their position at the top of the hill. Instead, they keep fighting to stay at the top.

At the end of the day, I am more sure than ever before of the importance of Jesus Christ in one’s life. When you meet people who have accepted being accountability to Him, their lives take on a whole new venue. They are no longer blinded by their carnal desires. Instead, a new Spirit of service toward others and trust in a Master Designer who we call God has a purpose which He gladly shares with us, and we are humbly grateful for this opportunity.

Yes, many who do not know Him continue their blatantly destructive ways because He doesn’t have what they want. Rather than pursue Him and put Him to the test, they rely on their self-importance to get what they want from life – no matter who or what they have to destroy along the way.

Yes, the real issue is choosing to follow Him or not. For those who have chosen, they have found a richer meaning to life that pleasures of money or power, or fame cannot even come close to duplicate. For those who have not decided to follow the King of Kings, they keep stumbling around, showcasing their ignorance as brilliance, and fearful someone will soon knock them off the top of their hill.

Keep preaching Christ through your actions. Maybe use a few words when necessary. And hopefully, those around you will soon realize what the real issue is and make the decision to accept the reality of Jesus Christ. Yes, the Jewish faith can’t accept HIS accomplishment on the cross and likewise the Gentiles find the cross to be mentally foolish, but for those who acknowledge Jesus Christ and his finished work on the cross can only marvel and humbly submit themselves under HIS authority.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager, Faith-Integrator, Scribbler

Available for Your Devotional Study: 

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