Experience Salvation

20262026 Dr. Mike 2026 Atonement, Experience Salvation, Relationship, Salvation

As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 NLT

When did you first experience salvation?

Was it at baptism? The laying on of hands by a church elder? After you surrendered your kingdom to Jesus? When the truth became real to you?

Or was it ten years after you decided to become a Jesus-follower? When your life wasn’t working out the way you wanted? When you fell unto your knees and cried out to your heavenly Father for help?

Many times we forget that salvation is the work of Jesus Christ. HE is restoring creation back to its original intent. Life began in the garden of Eden. Humanity made a poor choice back then. But God’s plan took all that into account from the beginning of time.

The Book of Revelation reveals the endgame. The full restoration of the garden pictured in the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven. There God’s throne room is surrounded by the tree and river of life. Included in this picture is God’s human children. The family HE wanted from the beginning of time. You and I and our brothers and sisters in the Lord are included.

But sometimes we forget. We mistakenly think that our acceptance of Jesus earns us a one-way ticket to heaven. Since we now own that ticket, we are on the correct path. When we arrive at heaven’s pearly gate, we only have to give the gatekeeper our ticket, and we are in. But are we?

Then again, there are those who are confused with the entire experience. The Bible reveals the Christian life includes an abundant life. But when we look around our world, we only see poverty. Where is the fruit of Christ-likeness?

The confusion many new Christ-followers make is understanding the work of Jesus in salvation. HE is our salvation. He is our atonement. HE owns salvation. This is one reason why you cannot lose your salvation. You don’t owned it.

We only get to experience salvation through a relationship with HIM. HE opens our eyes to the truth. HE in HIS pursuit of us instructs the Holy Spirit to share the Triune God’s way with you. What you experience is the fruit of a relationship with Father-Son-Spirit.

The more you focus on Father-Son-Spirit, the deeper your relationship becomes. When your aim is to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, you become more familiar with HIM. HE then reveals more of the workings of the Spirit in your life. The more you hang out with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, the more you become familiar with Papa God. The more aware you become of the Triune God, the more you see and taste Kingdom living in your life.

Salvation is the byproduct of Jesus’ atonement. HIS life, death, and resurrection restored humanity’s relationship with God. You now have direct contact with our Heavenly Father. But to experience that relationship, you need to exercise faith. When you change your mental map and focus toward God, the Bible calls that repentance. As you surrender your personal kingdom to Lord Jesus, you find ways to support HIS. As you develop a deeper relationship with Jesus, you discover HIS abundant life.

For God wants to share HIS life with you. HE wants a relationship with you. He will pursue you until you catch HIM. For HE respects the personal agency HE created. HE will not force HIMSELF on you.

Yes there will be problems. The world is built around tribulation. But you will learn to navigate around the lies and cultural traps leaning on God’s Spirit living in you. The fruit of this relationship is a love adventure that movies can only scratch the surface. But when you begin to believe the truth and act on it, you become more aware of HIM. As you allow HIM to share HIS life with you, and you share your life with HIM, the commitment bond grows. The relationship becomes like an ideal covenantal marriage arrangement between two Christ-centered disciples.

The ESV translation of the Bible speaks about the salvation process in three terms.

“You have been saved” – The atonement work of Jesus.

“You are being saved” – The Holy Spirit regenerating you from the inside-out.

“You will be saved” – The entrance into eternity with Jesus.

The first step Jesus did. The second step is the result of our acceptance of HIS marriage proposal. The third step is God’s promise for us who continually believe and support HIM through our life. All three are HIS gift to us as we invest time and energy to deepen our relationship with HIM.

You cannot lose your salvation because it never was owned by you. But you can lose the relationship with HIM if you divorce yourself from HIM. HE will not divorce you. HE will pursue you unto your dying day. For all our blessings are including in HIM. HE is our salvation. We get to experience salvation via a relationship with HIM.

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)

Poop-Scooper

20262026 Dr. Mike 2026 Attitude, Servant-heart, Bond-Servant, Servant

“Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” Luke 17:7-10

“No job is too big; no job is too small.” These are the words reinforced in me from an early mentor.

When I graduated with my undergraduate degree in Business, I also carried an inflated ego with it. I was ready to make my mark on the world. I now hate to admit it, but the two were the foundation of my blind superiority glasses. At the time, I didn’t realize how much foul odor I left behind wherever I went.

My first week on the job there was a rush order that required a ton of xerox copies to be made. Back then, the print store would need several days to make it happen. So someone had to print the material in-house. My boss, the CEO and owner drafted me. So there I was mumbling to myself what a waste of resources to have someone of my status to sit at the copier machine. This job didn’t need someone with a college degree. Any one of the other admins could have done it quicker. I even thought of handing in my resignation. Yes, self-importance and ego truly blind a person.

Later that day after lunch, I was returning back to the copier to complete my work. But the sight I witness made me stop in my tracks. The CEO was standing at the copier making copies! When I approached him, he smiled and politely said he needed a few more minutes to complete his work. I was drawn back. And then had to ask him why he didn’t have his secretary do the work. His reply changed my demeanor from that day forward. His secretary was busy working on an important assignment for him. He was in-between appointments. The job had to be done. No one else was around. So knowing that no job is too big or too small, he took it upon himself to complete the task. He smiled and returned to his office with a pound of paper in his arms.

My attitude changed. If the owner and CEO could make copies, so could I.

That moment changed my viewpoint of work. If something needed to be done, no job is either too big or small for me to handle.

This morning, Buddy, our mid-size fourteen-year-old poodle, stopped by my chair as I typed. Usually it means one of two things. Either he is hungry or he needs to relieve himself. If he changes his position from sitting to standing, he is hungry. If he needs to relieve himself, he will stay seated with his head up high and his eyes focused into your eyes. I think he is mentally trying to communicate and thinks I can read his mind. But I’ve learned if I don’t grab the lease and get him outside within the next three minutes, the cleanup is more painful.

So, I stop the important work that I am doing, grab and put his lease on and outside we go. We then trot across the street to a common area and he relieves himself. Now since we live in a home-owners association, they are sticklers of dog owners cleaning up after their pet. Yes this former C-Suite executive, at one time would delegate all the routine work to his associates. But now he puts on his servant hat, grabs a poop bag, and cheerfully picks up Buddy’s droppings. Yes, my new role is the official poop-scooper of Buddy. A position I hold in honor.

In my official capacity, I am responsible to uphold the H.O.A. mandates. To also care for my beloved pet, and keep the community free for other members to enjoy the grounds they walk in. The pay is zero. But the act is a reminder that we are all servants of the living God. Accountable to HIM in how we manage our daily affairs.

Yes, no job is too big; and no job is too small; especially when you serve heaven and earth’s King. After completing an assignment, we have only done what was our duty to do.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

^{Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler}

Click Here for more Writings Neatly Bound in Book and Audio Format 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)

Add Value

20262026 Dr. Mike 2026 Kingdom of God, values, Bless Others, Add value

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth… “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:3-5, 7-8.

What are you bringing to the party?

Your charming, fun-loving personality? Your oversized wallet? Your favorite deep-dish pizza? Your over-the-top wisdom?

What about us Christ-Followers?

Those of us who are poor in spirit. Who are meek and mourn. Who are pure in heart and seek peace.

Jesus gave us the Kingdom of God manifesto recorded in Matthew chapters 5 to 8. For those who seek to walk under the auspices of God’s Kingdom, these are our marching orders. Each point emphasizes the way to live under a grace-paced life. For most people initially introduced to the Sermon on the Mount, they would say impossible. Life isn’t that way.

Yet Jesus lived it. Practiced the life with His disciples. Who likewise over time practiced and taught the same Way to others.

Living life under the umbrella of God’s Kingdom is counter intuitive. It is the ideal that humanity desires but lack the courage to practice. For unless one surrenders their kingdom to the Lord of Lords, they are correct. But when one captures the vision of Jesus’ gospel message, everything changes. Repentance leads one to accept Jesus as the Lord of their kingdom. One then surrenders their kingdom under the domain of God’s Kingdom. The relief allows them to begin participating within the Triune God’s inner circle of life.

The value they now bring to the party is not themselves. But the message, love, and hope of God’s way and purpose of life. The Spirit within them doesn’t allow them to hide under a deceptive façade. Instead they have been given the privilege of sharing God’s truth and Spirit with others. Even if they kept their tongue tied, their walk and mannerism would shout the love and joy they carry with them.

The value they add in the lives of others is giving them a taste of Kingdom living. Others see and desire to share in the same bountifulness. You become a walking billboard of the Kingdom of God on earth today.

They get to witness what a real Christ-Follower brings to every party. The Spirit of love, joy, and peace. The hope of glory. A Way of life that enriches self and others. A life with purpose and meaning. The opportunity to meet someone who knows Jesus, HIS Father, and the Holy Spirit. Plus God’s transformational power to enrich one’s soul on earth now.

God has a plan for humanity. You are included. So why not accept HIS finished work and take part in the preparation of the largest party this world will ever see.

It all probably began because someone added value in your life at the last party…

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

^{Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler}

Click Here for more Writings Neatly Bound in Book and Audio Format 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)