transformation

The Flourishing God

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , , , , ,

Have you ever met a person that exudes confidence with humility, love with justice, and strength of character with a compassionate attitude for others? I personally haven’t yet met such a human in my walk through life. But, as we read the Bible, commune with God, and witness His work in our life and in others, we become more amazed at someone such as this. The story of Jesus is such a person. What the writers of the gospels reveal about Him leaves us with an awe of wonder. He not only amazes us, but also gave us a glimpse of who the Father is like. When we look through the frosted lens of our glasses, we then truly realize why He is God and we are not.

Another attribute that astounds us of God is His life-giving nature. Wherever God goes, whatever He touches, it flourishes. There is a character in the “Lord of The Rings” series (book version, never made it into the movie) that the author portrayed him as a person who made everything around him to flourish. The Newsboys sang a song several years ago (that made it as my ring tone for the iPhone) entitled “Wherever We Go” whose words showcase how life blooms wherever they went: the grass grows greener, the stock market goes up, the sun shines, and the birds sing joyfully. The imagination only limits what the God-Life must be like.

Our narrow view of God limits us in our understanding of a life that flourishes. Typically in the western world we associate flourishing with personal material gain. Though it is a part, it is a small part. For God, flourishing involves so much more. It is an outer expression of His internal divine nature. It is the standard of who He IS. When he asks humanity to live up to His ways, it is because that is how he lives. It involves healthy, mutual submissive relationships; it emphasizes community along with the individual. Its basis is real love that sacrifices for the sake of others. It emphasis is not what is in it for me but how can I participate with God as He continues His work of completing His plan for humanity.

God wants us to flourish. However, he doesn’t want us to perish along the way. For most of us, we are like a rebellious teenager that wants to learn how to drive a car, but still lacks the maturity, responsibility, and accountability for his actions. As parents we want them to enjoy more, but providing gifts to early in one’s growth may quickly turn deadly for that person and others. Therefore, it is best to wait until the proper time. God is no different with us. His nature is to bless and share His world with others. Yet many of us are just not yet ready to handle a life that flourishes. But through time, discipline, and obedience we prove to Him that we are ready. Yet when we are ready, we have most likely matured at a level that it isn’t important for us any longer. We are thankful that God in His wisdom knows what is best for us at the right time.

OUR PRAYER

PRAY 8

Our great Father, Son, and Spirit: thank you for hearing our prayers. Thank you for allowing us to know you. As we walk with you, open our eyes, heart, and mind to participate you as you bless others. As you bless us, in small ways and large ways, help us to likewise to bless others. Let you river of life continue to pass through us and into the people we meet. Let everything we do, say, and think bring glory to you and your kingdom. Let whatever we touch, magnify you. Let whatever we become involved with prosper for your name sake. Let this life flourish for your glory. Amen.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Consultant, Coach, Encourager
Author of Great Business Emulates A Good God

The Enjoyable God

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , , ,

The more our Triune God reveals Himself to us, the more we bow down in awesome amazement. The theme running through my mind for the past several years is simply how much life exuberates from His Being. Growing up in an Eastern European family (my parents immigrated from what is now Poland & Ukraine after WWII), life during and after the war was no picnic for either of them. Though they survived, the scars of battles, death, and prison camps carried with them for most of their lives. Of course, as parents it eventually rubbed off on the children even though they tried their best to shelter us from their pain. Most of the time is was duty, responsibility, and work that was the number one topic of discussion. It was a rare sight in our household to see laughter and joy fully expressed.

So when God invited us to join Him on His redemptive mission, we enthusiastically accepted without truly knowing the cost or sacrifice required. All we knew was what we were doing wasn’t working. In life’s journey, we began to grow in Christ’s grace and knowledge. We began to unlearn old in-grain beliefs and replace them with God’s truth. We discovered a new Spirit within us that was never there before. It was our introduction and now assurance of God’s work within every believer through the Holy Spirit. As we explored and discovered more about Father God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, the more we witnessed a change in attitude, behavior, and confidence not in self but in the Triune God.

What happened over time was basically a miracle of transformation. This person changed from an introverted, quiet, reserved personality to an opened, expressive character that can’t seem to stop expressing the love, joy, and faith of life in Christ. The inner life that God’s Spirit influences has become like an unstoppable river that flows without limitations. The more that comes out and is shared with others, the more remains on the inside. It is like a bottomless churn that continues to flow without any physical laws that explains its methodology.

Why am I so excited about this? Simply because the more we hang out and walk with God, the more His attitude, beliefs, character, and divine nature is pressed upon us. The one character trait that I marvel more about God than others because of the struggles in my life, is simply the way God enjoys life. From creation where He said everything He made was “very good,” to the resurrection of Christ where the angels rejoiced over the victory of death, sin, and Satan, God enjoys what He does. Jesus himself enjoyed eating and drinking as he was accused for partying with the socially undesirables of his day. How much joy does He express when one of His children returns home from their wandering ways? Jesus portrays in the parable of the Prodigal Son a Father than came running to meet his “lost” son and threw a party in celebration of the event.

When we wonder through life and see “God Events” in the routine, mundane circumstances that we are confronted with each day, we are reminded of God who created everything as a gift for us to enjoy. He speaks about Joy in His word; the fruit of God’s Spirit includes Joy; and Joy is one of the attributes of who God Is. Most of us take joy for granted; not I any longer.

OUR PRAYER

prayer 5

Joyous Father, Son, and Spirit: thank you for sharing your life with us. Thank you for living in us. Open up our hearts and minds to see the wonders of your life. Help us to fully express your joy through us. Though circumstances may stink at times, help us continue to keep our eyes and hopes focused on you. Do not let us down. Instead, glorify your name through your servant. Let your joy impact those around us. Let your joy lead others to you. Thank you for everything you do. Thank you for your joy in our life.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Consultant, Coach, Encourager
Author of Great Business Emulates A Good God

Graceful Love or Legalized Affection

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , , , , , , , , ,

LOVE 8

Love is one of those expressive words that has been overused and underperformed in the 21st Century.Typically, if you asked 10 people for a definition of love, you would probably receive as many remarks.They would include such catch phrases as:

an emotion that makes one feel good

a decision to act

a sexual encounter

a worshipful moment

an exhilarating experience

an intimate friendship

a temporary relationship

a hookup

an act of giving

There are other statements you have heard that you could also include on the list. Yet, at the end of the day isn’t the best standard of love the source itself: the Triune God. We witness that love in the relationship between our heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Both sides totally giving of themselves for the other. Not a 50%/50% partnership. But 100%/100% of total sacrificial blessing toward the other. Totally unconditionally as exemplified through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for humanity. He died for us while we were still rebelling against him. A graceful love is a totally, unconditional, freely given sacrificial expression without any strings attached.

On the other hand, how often have we experienced the legalized affection that some label as love. We have all witnessed that love somewhere in our lives. For example:

The parent that denies their emotional praise unless the child behaves according to specific demands.

The boss that manipulates others with a caring facade for the purpose of achieving their objectives; if not accomplished according to their desires, you end up in their dog house with no option for restoration.

The politician that kisses each baby in exchange for your vote. (every see a politician kiss a baby after the election?)

The wife or husband who refrains from sexual activity unless their mate meets their specific demands.

The little female princess that behaves accordingly to get what she truly wants from her Dad.

The neighbor who forcefully smiles across the fence at you yet internally mutters that life would be better off if you simply dropped dead.

The list is endless. The bottom line is we exhibit loving affection as long as others live up to our level of expectation. But the moment our standards are not met, we want to throw the bum out.

Legalized affection is “playing nice for what we want out of the relationship.” Graceful love is sacrificing ourselves for the betterment of the other with no other conditions except that God is glorified in the end. When God is glorified, Love gracefully wins. Which do you believe is the one God wants us to live?

OUR PRAYER

prayer 5

Holy Father, Holy Lord, and Holy Spirit – thank you for revealing to us what makes love work. Help us out of our ignorance, pride, and lust. Let your heart manifest our actions, thoughts, and words so that you are always glorified. Whatever we lack physically, mentally, socially and financially, provide us with the means and the resources to bless others as you bless us. Thank you Jesus for showing us the way. Amen.

Yours In Christ,
Dr. Mike
Consultant, Coach, Encourager