God’s Guarantee

Dr. Mike 2026 , ,

“He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.”   2 Corinthians 5:5

How do you know you are a Christian waiting for a heavenly home? What evidence confirms you know you know? Or are you unsure? What would it take for you to rest with assurance?

I like the way Paul shared his faith in 2 Corinthians. He expressed and reminded the local brethren of the confidence we have in Christ.

He pointed to our spiritual dwelling as the proof. That one of our responsibilities now is to maintain the physical body. That we will stand before Christ to give an accounting of our deeds while in the body. That we can be assured of our heavenly home because of the Spirit HE has given us as a guarantee. Some translations state a down payment and others a pledge. But the meaning is the same. Our evidence is the Spirit that lives in us.

When we seek to be reconciled with God, HIS arms are open wide. HE gladly accepts us into the fold. When we surrender our personal kingdom for HIS Kingdom, HE then knows we are serious. HE provides us with the resources to live out HIS ways. HE comes with the Holy Spirit to empower us in our walk with HIM.

You know the Spirit is with you when your attitude and emotions become more and more like Jesus’. He may give you special gifts in the process. Or HE may not. HIS decision.  As you lean on HIM and grow in knowledge of HIM, we experience HIS grace. The Spirit will water you with the richness of God’s ways.

As you seek to deepen the relationship, drawing closer to God, HE will draw closer to you. I liken it to a ballroom dance with the Almighty. HE leads and we follow listening to the heavenly music and rhythm of HIS heart. A dance that includes love and adventure around the ballroom floor of planet earth.

If you are unsure you have HIS Spirit, ask HIM. Let HIM know you want a deep, personal relationship with HIM. You want to experience life in the arms of Papa God and be trained under the tutelage of Lord Jesus. We are not talking about a religious event, but a way of life that you carry wherever you go. A deep, abiding relationship with the Creator of the universe. The one who wired you and wants you to live your potential now and into eternity.

It may not be the self-picture you currently hold, but it will become the one HE designed you for eternity.

HE will put HIS guarantee on it. Ask HIM! 

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

Click Here for more Writings Neatly Bound in Book and Audio Formats Available at Your Favorite Bookstore.

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,  so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. ” (Colossians 1:9-12 NIV)

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Pride’s Prison

Dr. Mike 2026 , , , ,

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”  1 John 2:15-17

The enticement of the world is strong. We are all encamped in its arms. We may believe we are independent. We stand on our own two feet. That no one influences us. We make our own beds. We think.

Yet, over time, slowly, within each day, the cultural influence sneaks in. When we are young, we have little awareness of the power of our desires. If it feels good, we do it. If we want something, we go after it. If it makes us exalt ourselves, we get it.

But as the years go by, hopefully one learns before the floor crashes. Not everything we desire is good for us. Our feelings may be misplaced. All the toys, status, fame, and fortune available to us does not buy us real love, joy, and peace. What we thought would give us the freedom to experience life to the fullest, didn’t. Instead it has led us into a prison of emptiness.

The pride of placing oneself the center of the universe has caused many downfalls. We initially see this outcome in Genesis 3 with Eve grasping for the forbidden fruit. Compare this event with Jesus in Luke 4. Under a similar temptation, HE placed God in the center of HIS world and didn’t allow the enemy to win.

The pride of self-importance only leads to a prison of spiritless outcomes. When pride elevates us ahead of God, watch out. We have lost our way. When we take all the credit for our accomplishments, look out. We are walking into solitary confinement. A place where we get a nasty taste of ourselves. Pride is the downfall of many.

Over the years, I have either seen or experienced how pride locks up their victims. For example:

Pride prevents one from having a deep relationship with others.

Pride fails to forgive others and turns the event into a life-long road of bitterness.

Pride fails to forgive oneself causes one to live like a victim without hope.

Pride pushes help away until one lives an isolated life without friends or family.

Pride causes one to sacrifice their health for the attainment of a fleeting moment.

Pride isolates one to their hurt.

Pride makes one miss out on the virtue of humility and its fruit.

Pride’s short-term win leads to long-term failure.

Pride destroys friendships.

Pride leads to poor decisions which may destroy one’s life work.

Pride blinds oneself from the need of a Savior.


The list is endless. Each of us lives with pride. The problem is when it raises its ugly head to blind us from reality. How do we deal with it?

When one begins to live under God’s domain, one learns how to live with a servant’s heart. Humility becomes the robe to cover our pride. Yes, we appreciate pride when the moment is right. But we also know pride without God’s Spirit leading causes damage. As we surrendered our kingdom to Lord Jesus, we are being trained to live like HIM. This means placing Father-Son-Spirit the center of our life. When one does, one learns to share in the Triune God’s life. Pride then doesn’t lead to a prison sentence, but a pathway of humility with freedom for self and others.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

Click Here for more Writings Neatly Bound in Book and Audio Formats Available at Your Favorite Bookstore.

“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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How Do You Know God Loves You?

Dr. Mike 2026 , , , , ,

“For the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” John 16:27

The Bible tells me so. But can you believe the Bible?

First, if God created the universe, how would HE communicate his purpose for us humans? Would not a historical journal of his interactions with people prove beneficial? The question one needs to determine is of all the books claiming to be from him, which one is really his. There are more ancient manuscripts on the Bible than any other known book. Over 3,000 writings that reveal 98% of the words are in total agreement. The other 2% are items that do not change the teachings of faith nor salvation.

When you read the Bible and all other religious documents, you will note the difference. The Bible is a collection set of over 60 books. Books written over a 1,500-year period, by 40 different authors, in three languages. All with a similar theme and story line.

It is not a book written by one person hidden in a cave. It is the most scrutinized book in the world.

But why all the different disagreements between denominations?

People from different denominations have different interpretations. This leads to personal preferences. But most are in agreement with the main essentials.

What are the essentials?

Mainline Christianity believe Jesus of Nazareth is the Jewish Messiah, Son of God and Son of Man. He died, was buried, but resurrected, and ascended into heaven. He will come again to fully restore his Kingdom on earth.

God is Triune: Father-Son-Spirit. Three persons in One Being. His plan from the beginning of creation is to have an adopted family of humans to share life with the Triune God. From now and into eternity.

The Bible reveals God’s story and humanity’s involvement since the creation. Plus God’s plan to restore creation back to His original intent. The last book of the Bible shows God restoring his throne with a new heaven and earth merged together. Life will be restored to its peaceful habitat the way the Garden of Eden started before mankind divorced God. These are probably the top three fundamental common points. The details are where the preferences come into play.

Then what saves you?

Salvation is the work of Father God through Jesus Christ in the communion of the Holy Spirit. Humanity is the recipient of being adopted into the shared life of the Trinity because of the work of Jesus Christ. One does not earn salvation but God’s grace is bestowed upon us. One needs to accept that reality and reconcile themselves to Jesus. By placing our trust, loyalty, and allegiance to Him, the Spirit begins the work of sanctifying you. As the relationship grows, the bond matures into a deeper intimacy. You begin to experience the fruitful, graceful with-God life. Yes, even thru the tribulations caused by a sinful environment. You are his child being prepared for eternity with Jesus.

In other words, salvation is not a commodity nor a free ticket one acquires; but a covenantal relationship with God. A good metaphor is the adoption of a child. God has adopted us, and we now either engage in the process and share in his family culture or we rebel and do our own thing.

Why all the religious overtones?

Religion is mankind’s attempt to pursue and appease God. Christianity is God pursuing humanity with his love. The good news of Jesus is a declaration; not more advice how to solely live better. The message often gets distorted between the two.

What does God want from me now?

Repent is the Biblical word to get you started. It basically means to change your thinking. To turn away from being the center of your universe. Refocus your mind and priorities to worship God before anything else. It includes surrendering oneself under the Lordship of King Jesus.

Then learn and live out the Gospel. Another Biblical word that means good news. You become an apprentice of Jesus. Learn everything you can about him. Begin to hang out with him in prayer. Study his ways. Support him as your Lord and King. Practice his ways-His Kingdom ways. His Kingdom is the government for eternity. It will bring order and value into your world. Ask God to commune with you through His Spirit. May the Spirit fill you with His worldview. Allow your desires to experience and see what he does. Ask him to remove the sinful thoughts and cravings from your life. How? By enriching your soul with His presence.

Why does God want us to love him before anything else?

Because you were created in his image. You were wired to represent him before others. When you focus your heart and mind in worshiping Him, you are giving him the glory he deserves. As a byproduct, you will begin to reflect him. Like the moon reflects the sun at night, so will you. You will reflect him in your thoughts and actions during your daily routine. As you focus on his love and truth, you place his relationship the center of your life. You begin to reflect him before and with others. You will learn to emulate the Creator of the universe in your small corner of the world.

Conclusion:

God is love. He is the source and distributor of love. Everything was created by love, for love, to love. Love is the highest value to be experienced by humanity. The author of Love is the Triune God. Father-Son-Spirit are in love with each other and exude love with every one and every place they go. If you want to experience their love, draw near to them. They will draw nearer to you. God has been pursuing you all along waiting for you to catch Him. Now is always a good time to reach-up and reconcile yourself to HIM.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

Click Here for more Writings Neatly Bound in Book and Audio Formats Available at Your Favorite Bookstore.

“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)

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message! | Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved