surrender

Repentance Opens Oneself to the Holy Spirit

Dr. Mike 2026 , , , ,

Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” Acts 8:18-24

Simon Magnus was a renowned man in the city of Samaria because of his magic. He amazed the crowd. The people recognized him as the power of God that is called Great (Acts 8:10). He himself heard Philip preach the gospel message and became a believer. He was baptized and continued to follow Philip watching him perform miracles. He was amazed.

But the people who were baptized did not yet receive the Holy Spirit. So, Peter and John came to lay hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit. When Simon Magnus saw this, he wanted the same power to do the same. So he offered the apostles money. He thought he could buy this ability. Peter though rebuked him and chastised him to repent. Simon’s heart was not right before God. His intention was for selfish reasons. Peter recognized that Simon was in a state of bitterness being held in a bond of iniquity. He needed to repent before God.

In some ways I can relate with Simon. In my early walk, I wanted the blessing of God. My sole purpose was to please the inner hunger of satisfying my dreams and goals. I needed God to help me achieve my plans. In many ways, it was a business transaction. I supported him if HE would support me. I didn’t really surrender my entire kingdom. Instead, I wanted his Kingdom to help make my kingdom to grow.

In many ways, it was Mike walking the Christian lifestyle the best he knew how on his own. Jesus was only a passenger observing my frustration. The Holy Spirit continued to nudge me, but I ignored HIS major advances.

But through a process of loses, pain, and struggles, my eyes slowly began to open. I got tired of banging my head against the wall. There had to be a better way. There is. It’s called repentance.

When the truth slapped this face, I then realize my stupidity. I had never totally surrendered my kingdom to Lord Jesus on day one. But over time, HE dismantled each corner of the soul. Yes, at the start HE was the Lord of my faith. Then He was the Lord of my money. Followed by the Lord of my relationships. But no, HE was not the Lord of my goals and dreams yet. I was doing everything in my ability to keep this kingdom while supporting God’s Kingdom. Only after I surrendered this kingdom, did life in the Spirit began to noticeably change.

God knew for this person to continue growing, there was one piece of the old man that had to go. Yes, God’s Spirit is alive and working in each of us. But HE will not involve HIMSELF more than you allow. As we taste more and more of God’s Spirit though, our willingness to repent grows. As we realize what needs to change, we repent. We refocus our eyes onto Jesus. We thank HIM for HIS life work, death, and resurrection. We seek ways to support HIS Kingdom in our small world. We learn to follow the influence of the Holy Spirit in us. We cry out longing to see the world through the eyes of the Triune God. HE is creating HIS masterpiece in us – the new YOU.

The work is not about us improving ourselves. The work is the Holy Spirit regenerating us into the image of Jesus Christ. This is HIS work. We are allowing HIM to change us as we hang onto our Lord in the process. Nothing is sacred but HIM. Everything is possible, with HIM. HE is the reason we can now experience life the way God intended it to be.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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“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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Surrender, Sacrifice, Service

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.   Luke 9:23

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“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”   Hebrews 13:16

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“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.” 1 Corinthians 9:19

Being an adopted child in the family of the Triune circle requires the acceptance of a new paradigm. The family culture follows the pattern of the life of Jesus. HE established the norm. Throughout HIS ministry, HE lived and practiced the Triune way. He lived a life of surrender, sacrifice, and service.

HE taught not only with words, but with HIS actions. HE didn’t ask anything from anyone that HE hasn’t already done himself.

When HE made the statement “to deny yourself, take up your daily cross, and follow HIM,” HE was already doing the same. His entire ministry was focused on following HIS Father’s Will.

When HE met people who ask for his help, HE stopped what HE was doing and obliged. When a person was tied to a rope and flung down from a ceiling in a private house, he didn’t criticize them for destroying the roof. Instead, HE healed them. When someone reached out and touched HIM in the crowded marketplace, HE stopped from HIS task at hand. HE recognized someone in pain. HE didn’t shame them but addressed the person with respect and dignity. HE gave what HE had to help solve their problem at hand.

HE didn’t lord over others, but served them. HE washed his disciples’ feet when needed. HE multiplied a handful of bread and fish to feed five-thousand hungry people. HE healed the sick. HE restored life to those who died. HE gave HIS time and attention to those who were neglected by society.

Surrender, sacrifice, and service are three amigos built from the Christ-followers spiritual DNA. They don’t naturally come. But the Spirit of God is working in us as we yield to HIM. The more we hang out with our heavenly host, the more HIS ways become the norm. The more we practice, the more HIS grace helps us through the process.

Over time we find ourselves living the Triune way. A life of surrender, sacrifice, and service without much effort. A life patterned after Jesus. The Kingdom way. A life that leads to true freedom, flourishment, and fulfillment. God’s way.

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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Jesus Is Lord

Dr. Mike Jesus Christ , ,
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” Acts 2:36 ESV.

 

surrender 6

How do you know whether or not you are a Christian? Is it because someone told you that you are? Is it because you do everything that the good Book says too? Or is it because you know you have surrendered to King Jesus proven by the spiritual fruit in your life? Paul writes that no one is capable of saying from the heart that “Jesus is Lord” unless they are being led by the Spirit of God. How about you?

Have you acknowledge Lord Jesus as Boss in your life? Does He have last say in every area of your life? Or are you simply giving him lip service? Or are you like many who simply give him one hour per week and the remaining time is yours to rule?

These are tough questions. If we are honest with each other, we will acknowledge that he rules certain parts of our personal domain, but there are other parts that we still struggle with. He may be Lord of my values, principles, and goals, but is He also Lord of my ambitions, business affairs, and entertainment choices?

Some people falsely think that if they totally surrender to Lord Jesus, that they will end up as a missionary in Timbuktu. That they will have to sell everything and give it to the poor. That they will never marry or raise a family. Or…the list is endless.

The truth of the matter is when one surrenders to Lord Jesus and places their trust in Him, real life only then begins. God knows our strengths and weaknesses. He made us for a purpose. We may think we know what that purpose is. However, he knows how our purpose aligns with his Kingdom plan. Typically, many see our purpose solely as an economic, valueless piece of machinery in this world’s system. We don’t have a clue where and how we fit into His invisible Church unless He reveals it to us. Yet many of us are afraid to trust Him. We want his favor but are challenged by his requirements.

Total surrender to the King means we give up any “rights” we think we possess. Those rights of course only are made available because of Him. However, we rarely think from an eternal perspective. Our mind generally struggles to understand earthly advice. When we come to the place in our life where we can acknowledge Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, then we have come to the place where earthly matter meets eternal bliss. The result is an intimate relationship with our elder Brother, Savior, and King. So don’t be afraid to surrender your hope, dreams, and allegiance to Lord Jesus. In hindsight, it will be one of the best decisions you will ever make. Your only regret will be that you had done it sooner.

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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