Author: Dr. Mike

Are We Puppets on a String?

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

“for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”   Philippians 2:13

God created man and woman after HIS image. He made them to have free agency. Like himself, HE has given us the ability to imagine, create, and choose. At the same time, HE has given us a heart of self-preservation. We are naturally self-centered. Whatever we desire, we can immediately pursue, or we can delay gratification. It is our choice. It also takes willpower to refrain. This is the battle with the self between the mind, heart, and will.

Yet Paul writes here that God is also at work in us. This raises the question: How can we be considered free if God can manipulate us according to HIS will?

A friend and I recently had this discussion. He was scratching his head and asked this question. How can we be free people if God could manipulate us like a Marionette string puppet?

Yes, God is sovereign. He has the last word. He can intervene and do what HE wants to do anytime and anyplace. Yet, HE made humanity to function after HIS image, though limited in the physical realm. The book of Genesis states that humanity has authority over everything on earth. God has given us the responsibility and accountability to perform. To make this a flourishing world. Yet what happens when we fail to fulfill our responsibility? Who are we accountable too?

HE wouldn’t be God if HE would close HIS eyes so we could destroy everything HE has made. What parent would allow their children to destroy everything around them including themselves?

This Scripture is addressing the believer. One who has already chosen to surrender their kingdom under the authority of King Jesus. As a believer, Jesus lives in you via the Holy Spirit. He is your Lord and Friend. He is there to walk with you and share HIS life with you. As HE shares HIS life with us, we learn to share our life with HIM. Life then becomes like a ballroom dance. The two are working together around the dance floor of life. They are acting in unison to the rhythm of the music expressing themselves with the sounds and beat. The two operate as one.

God’s work and pleasure is for your training and development of becoming more like HIM. HE will take the time to discipline us. HE will take the time to support us in doing good work for HIS glory. His desire is for you to find rest in HIM. To learn and appreciate the grace HE provides to help you live a meaningful life – now and into eternity. If you don’t want HIS involvement in your life, HE will keep hands off. HE respects you and HIMSELF to follow the relationship boundaries HE has placed at the start.

No, humans are not puppets on a string. But free agents able to choose which partner we will dance with through life. So, choose wisely.

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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The Integrity Edge 

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

Proverbs 11:3

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Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?   Job 4:6

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But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever.  Psalm 41:12

Integrity is usually defined as firmly living a code of conduct. For a Christ-follower, this means one is clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. One adheres to HIS character. One is allowing HIS Spirit to influence their thoughts and actions. One then is learning to live under the integrity of Jesus.

Why is this important?

Because as we draw closer to God, HE draws closer to us (James 4:8). When we practice HIS ways, HE notices. HE is rooting for us. We have the examples of people in the Bible. God mentions them and calls them blameless. You have Noah, Abraham, and Job. In the New Testament, us saints are instructed to live similar blameless lives. When one lives with integrity, one lives in the freedom of the Lord.

We live with confidence HE is our protector, provider, and peace monger. We walk in faith trusting HIM to go before us and clean up our meshes after us. Yes, we are constantly repenting. Yes, we are adjusting our ways as we align ourself with HIM. Yet HE is always faithful. HE knows our human condition. HE understands the pull of the flesh. But HE also knows the power of the Holy Spirit. HE also knows as we learn to yield ourselves to HIM, the Spirit will work with us. The Spirit will help us to build the virtuous character we need to fully walk with HIM.

Yes, integrity gives you the edge in your relationships. In business, community, and family affairs you will be on display. People with integrity are noticed by those in leadership positions. We look at how Daniel, a foreigner, served under three different kings as a governor of the land. They and Daniel’s enemies recognized his integrity. God protected him and gave him favor throughout his life. Daniel was thankful. He praised his God in prayer three times per day. Even when his life was in jeopardy, he didn’t succumb to the powers but trusted God. As a youth and again as an aged senior, he was willing to die for his beliefs. He never wavered.

Yes, integrity gives you an edge in life. It may cost you your life. But if you haven’t found anything worth dying for, then you haven’t found anything worth living for. That is what Martin Luther King stated and how he lived. That is also how every convicted believer lives.

Learn and live under the integrity of Jesus. Let HIM be your code of conduct.

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 now available
at Apple Books)

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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Waiting is the Hardest Part

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.   Psalm 69:1-3

Someone recently asked me what is the hardest part of trading the futures market. I didn’t hesitate but replied. The waiting. You are sitting and observing the day’s activity for your anticipated setup. You will spend 90% of your time waiting. Waiting for your setup to form. Then waiting for your entry point to arrive. When your entry point arrives, you are still waiting for confirmation. Are all variables verifying the move? If yes, you enter. If no, you pass on the trade. You then wait for the next opportunity.

Everything in life worth pursuing requires patience. If your wife is pregnant, you are waiting. You are waiting in anticipation of the delivery of your child. If you are interviewing for your ideal job, you are waiting. You are waiting for a favorable reply. If you are competing in a championship game, you are waiting. You wait for the day and moment to arrive. Waiting is part of the cycle of life.

But waiting is hardest when life isn’t working according to plan. When life throws curve balls at us and we keep missing the mark, life can get ugly and depressing. The feeling of hopelessness and helplessness can be overbearing. Without a companion to lean on and help us along the way, the world can turn into a very dark place. Thankful, none of us are every truly alone. God is always present.

King David had his moments of discouragement and helplessness. Psalm sixty-nine expresses his overwhelming sorrow as he calls on God for deliverance. He cries out about the suffering and injustice he is facing. He is crying out for divine intervention. We all have been there. The question is how did we respond?

When circumstances are in stink mode, waiting for an upgrade is hard. When temptation is overbearing, and the future looks bleak, waiting is hard. Yet this is when our faith is being tested. But will we focus on God’s faithfulness or not? Will we recall all the moments God intervened in our past? Will we acknowledge HIS true character or believe lies? Will we hang unto HIS love for us as a Perfect Father? Do we believe HE knows what is best for HIS children and respect HIS decision and timing of the situation? Or do we throw in the towel and quit the race?

When we are down, the devil can’t resist to throw more doubt and lies our way. He knows patience is a virtue that most people lack. Waiting on God is always the hardest part of any situation. As I have said, God is always late according to my schedule. But in reality, HE is always on time. HE is teaching and training and developing us to be more like Jesus. No matter how difficult the situation may seem at the moment, I am always reminded. HIS discipline is the most merciful way for me to learn. So, I again learn to wait on HIM.

David waited thirteen years from being anointed to be crowned the king of Israel. Noah took at least seventy-five years to build the ark. Abraham waited twenty-five years for the birth of his son Isaac. The list of other faithful saints demonstrates the same experience. We all need to learn the importance of waiting on God.

Yes, waiting is the hardest part. But waiting on our Lord Jesus is the best place to be. It may not seem like it now. But in hindsight, you may find it was the physically worst and the spiritually best time in your life. Two of my favorite verses are Matthew 24:13 and Hebrews 12:7. Both highlight the importance of endurance, the fruit of learning to wait on 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)

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

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved