Who Are You Lord?

Dr. Mike 2026 , , ,

And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Acts 9:5

Paul was a zealous Pharisee persecuting a Jewish sect. A sect who practiced a different way then he and his associates. On a trip from Jerusalem to Damascus, he experienced a life-changing event in his life. He met Jesus.

As he tells the story, a flash of bright light caused his horse to throw him off the saddle to the ground. A bright figure appeared before him. When he asked who HE was, he met Jesus for the first time. The first words out of his mouth were “Who are You Lord?”

These same words are repeated by many of us throughout history in our engagement with Jesus.

When Jesus was in Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16).

When Jesus met the disciples the second time in the upper room after HIS resurrection. This time Thomas was present. He knelt down and expressed the heartfelt words, “My Lord and my God” (Jn. 20:28).

Today in the Muslim world, men & women are having dreams of a man in white appearing to them. The man introduces himself as Jesus. The dreams are so vivid, that even in the face of death, people are converting to follow HIM at the risk of their own lives.

Whoever you are, when you are introduced to HIM, you have a decision to make. Either HE is who HE claimed to BE, or HE is not. There is no middle ground. When you accept the reality of HIS Life and purpose, you begin a journey of discovery. You want to know all you can about HIM. HE becomes your main focus for living. Everything you do involves HIM. You and HIM become non-separable. You begin a relationship that becomes the center of your life. From that relationship, all other relationships become joined together. As you come to discover more and more about HIM, you find HE is more than a Savior. HE is Lord. He is your Hero. HE is your Friend. He is your elderly step-brother.

Papa God wants a family and you are included. HIS family business is the Kingdom of God. You are now in an executive training program being prepared for eternity with Jesus. It’s called discipleship. You are in training to reign. Today you are learning to govern yourself. Tomorrow you will also learn to govern (serve & minister) others. You will find purpose and meaning in everything you do when HE is the center of your life. It all begins when you start to answer the question, “Who Are You Lord?”

Yes, you will spend your lifetime seeking, discovering, and experiencing the answer. It never ends.

“Come, Follow Me”

Dr. Mike 2026 , , , ,

Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” John 21:22

When Jesus makes the statement, “follow me”, what does all that mean?

In my younger days, I associated this as a student following his rabbi. Later, it meant addressing HIM as Lord and King under the rule of HIS Kingdom. But now, just a few days ago, the meaning even has gotten deeper.

I was listening to a person explain his life story to a group of us. This was like the fourth or fifth time I heard it. But this time coming to know him better, I listened deeper. Not just for the words but his psychological state of mind. It was like listening to a tape recorder. He had his story down pat. He believed it. It was his viewpoint of the situation. Who was I to disagree with him.

Yet, the story left a sad mark on me. The story made him the center of all life’s problems. He was the victim. There was no hope. No future. Just yesterday’s pain rolled up into today’s victimhood. Then it dawned on me. Jesus statement to follow HIM is more than a spiritual invitation. It is the invitation to write a new story. A life story where we join HIM in HIS story. We forgo our story. Instead of being the central character in our story, we accept the supporting role. Jesus is the central character. We join HIM in HIS story.

In our story, we are the hero or the victim. In Jesus story, HE is the hero and savior. We repent. We forgo our central position of the story. We refocus on Jesus. We join HIM. We support HIM as HIS follower. HE takes top billings. We accept the role which makes HIM look best. We become engaged with HIM in HIS story. We look forward to making all things new with HIM. We practice the art of Kingdom living with HIM. We do our work and play with HIM. We acknowledge HIM as the lead partner in our dance around life’s floor.

When now asked to share our story, Jesus is the central character, we are the supporting cast. We no longer are the prisoner of our story. We are no longer the villain. We are no longer the hero, savior, or ruler. We are but HIS servant joining HIM in our role at work, home, and community. We gladly deny ourselves. We maturely take up our responsibilities. We now follow HIM as HE completes HIS story in us, with us, and through us.

As Jesus states in this Scripture to Peter, don’t be concern with John’s part in HIS story, but yours. For both of them have a role to share in HIS story. The same is true with us. So let go and let Jesus be the central person in your story. When we do, watch as our part in HIS story becomes more real and rewarding. For HIS story becomes alive and we receive the benefits of HIS Kingdom for ourself, and for the sake of others.

History is HIS story. Current events are unfolding to reveal more of HIS story. The future waits for HIS story to be completed. The Bible gives us a general outline of what to expect. The details are happening as time moves forward. One’s faith only grows when one sees Jesus as Lord, King, and Savior for all humanity. The sad part is when one fails to see HIM as HE truly IS. HE is the hope for all humanity. Hopefully more may come to know HIM, HIS story, and our role with HIM.           

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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Coming Soon: The Shape of a Faithful Life in a Unfinished World.

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Captain of Your Soul

Dr. Mike 2026

Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die. Ezekiel 18:4

Who is the captain of your ship? The one responsible to maintain its operations and lead the ship to its destination? The metaphor of course is comparing our body to a ship. Who is in charge?

There are those who desire to be the captain of their ship. They want the title, the perks, and the benefits of being in charge. But they neglect the responsibilities and duties of a captain.

They want the people to respect them. To honor them. To even worship them. They want the power and glamour but not the work associated with it.

There are those who think the captain is in charge. Accountable to no one but themselves. They liken themselves as a god, but do not say so.

I was recently speaking with a believer whose mental map made God their captain of their ship. They were only an employee. They would wait around for their captain to tell them what to do, and how to do it. If they weren’t given any instructions, they would just hang around. You would find them doing nothing productive but play and watch videos all day.

I also spoke with another believer. His mental map showed themselves as the captain of their ship and God the owner of their soul. The fruit in their life was the opposite. They were rich to the people around them and more rich to the God they served. They learned how to govern their soul for the betterment of those around them.

Which one are you?

What happens when we acknowledge God owns our soul? Does it not make us accountable to HIM? Does it not keep us humbled and productive? As the captain of our ship, we acknowledge HIS authority in our life. We accept the fact we are responsible to serve HIM in a fiduciary role. As the captain of HIS ship, we act and carry ourselves representing HIM, not ourselves.

Are we not made in HIS image? This of course means more than sharing some of HIS attributes. It also means HE has given us the responsibility to care for HIS earth. HIS instructions to the first humans were to have dominion and be fruitful over all HIS creation. Yes, HE owns it all. But HE gives us the role of being HIS captains.

Our role is to accept the responsibility to make this a better world for humanity to live in. Not for our sake alone. But for the sake of others and for God’s glory.

Every owner I knew was generous but firm in dealing with their employees. They rewarded those who made the company successful. At the same time, disciplined those who failed in their role.

Yes, you and I are captains of our soul. We are accountable to the owner, the Triune God. As we learn to lead by serving others as ambassadors of HIS Kingdom, we allow the light of God’s ways shine. We introduce others to HIM. We live with a purpose greater than ourselves. It all starts when we accept our role as the captain of our ship and sail under the identity of the owner. HIS brand is magnified. HIS ways are introduced to others. And we reap the benefits of a captain’s life.

Yes, God owns our soul. But HE allows us to be its captain. So, take charge. Always keep HIM in the loop. When unsure, confirm your actions with ownership beforehand. Know what HE wants. Act as you know HE would if HE was there with you. For HE is. And when our final review takes place, don’t we all want to hear the words of Matthew 5:21. “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”

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)

Aspirations and Writings Neatly Bound in Book Formats:
* indicates audio version available at Apple Books

Coming Soon: The Shape of a Faithful Life

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved