Author: Dr. Mike

God Reflector

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.   John 5:19

Jesus reflected God in HIS words, motives, and actions. We are HIS apprentices. HE set the standard and pattern for us to follow.

I just finished reading the book Critical Journey by Janet Hagberg & Robert Guelich. The authors outlined their understanding to the stages in the life of faith. Their final stage is reflecting God. They summarize five stages one needs to move through before arriving at this last level. Whether you agree with each stage or not, one has to admit one doesn’t reflect God overnight. The life of faith is a process of maturity in Christ.

As one learns to trust Jesus, one moves through each stage maturing in the process. The process begins with first discovering God. Then learning about HIM. As we are discipled, we begin to work for HIM. But then something happens. We hit the spiritual wall. Our will comes face to face with God’s will. We either reconstruct and rediscover God or deconstruct and turn away from HIM. As we surrender to God we move with HIM in HIS work. As we continue this process, we begin to reflect HIM more and more.

Jesus reflected HIS Father God. So can we. HE has empowered us with HIS Spirit to live under HIS domain. As we grow in the knowledge and grace of Jesus, we start living the process. As we allow the Holy Spirit access into our inner being, we continue living the process.

The journey is lifelong. It takes a mother nine months to nurture and grow a baby in her womb. During each stage, the pre-born body is being shaped and prepared for an earthly life. Likewise, God’s new creation, you and me, the new self, over decades, is being shaped and prepared for a heavenly life.

You will hit many spiritual walls in your journey. Each wall allows us to move closer to discovering the authentic God. You will slowly remove the access baggage accumulated during the early days of your life. Your spirit, words, and actions will reflect God more often than not. As you near the end of your journey, you look forward to the birthing of a new you into the heavenly realm.

Yes, Jesus did reflect God on earth. So can we. But do we? Do we allow the Holy Spirit full access into our heart and mind to mold us into the person HE wants us to be? Are we at peace living the grace-paced life for HIS glory? Or are we still trying to figure it all out? Wherever you are at, always remember. HE is for you and with you. Lean on HIM. As you do, HE will reflect HIS glory through you.

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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Who Done It?

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”  James 4:8

How can you prove someone is alive if you can’t see them?

Children make up imaginary friends; so why can’t adults? Could God just be a delusional fantasy to explain away questions we can’t truly answer?

My wife and I enjoy watching “who-done-it” detective shows. The good ones keep you engaged by throwing out small clues throughout the film. After the culprit is caught, you look back at all the loose ends which led to their capture. You never see the act being committed, but all the clues eventually point to the person.

In the beginning for many, discovering God uses the same “who-done-it” approach. 

We have a vast material universe. Matter dies. According to science, what dies also must have a beginning. How did the universe begin? What caused it to appear? Who done it?

In studying how the universe operates, science acknowledges the fine tuning of all its functions. How gravity, light, oxygen, movement, placement, and a long list of specific laws keep the universe operating so well-tuned. For example, the planet earth is so specifically tuned to allow life to exist. What are the probable stats that all this fine turning is the result of chance? Who done it?

When you study the DNA code in the human body. A specific language which programs the body to function as it does. For such a program to exist requires a programmer. Language code doesn’t just appear so finely tuned. It requires a coder. Who done it?

How does the human heart determine what is right from wrong? How is it people from different continents who never met have similar standards of human interaction? Where does objective moral truth come from? Who wrote the moral code for humanity?  Who done it?

Death is undeniable. People are born into this world and people die. But when someone is brutally killed, buried for three days, and arises from a grave, how does someone explain it? The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a historical documented fact. As strong, if not stronger, than any other known historical fact. So, who done it?

You can deny the facts. Or you can collect the evidence and look for the one who done it.

As you seek HIM, you will find HIM. The Bible reassures us. As we draw closer to HIM, HE draws closer to us. He is closer to you than you realize!

The evidence points to HIM. Now is your turn to make the move toward 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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Godly Incompetency

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.   Acts 18:24-28

Whenever I become aware of my false propensity that I got it all together, a smirk crosses my face. That is when I look into the mirror of Christ. Yep, compared to HIM, I am one incompetent student of HIS.

The illusion of competency for the moment quickly dissipates.  Though we have matured and are becoming more like HIM in character and worldview, we still have a long way to go.

Ask any knowledgeable professional in their field. The more they read. The more they study. The more they realize how little they know compared to the potential out there. The same is true for us apprentices of Jesus.

Yet HE doesn’t belittle us. HE doesn’t make us feel incompetent when we are with HIM. Instead, HE is rooting for you and me. HE wants us to succeed in life.

When times get hard, HE is there with us. When we experience a moment of success, HE is there with us. When times look bleak, HE is there with us.

HE is waiting for us to invite HIM into the conversation. HE doesn’t force HIMSELF into our lives. HE wants a mutual relationship where both sides enjoy the experience.

The older we become, the more we realize how unrighteous we naturally are. We may want to do good, but how often we fail to act on it. We may want to say the proper words at that moment to encourage a fellow saint, but our tongue is tied. Worst yet, the words that come out cause more damage than before.

In studying the life of Jesus, we marvel at HIS ability to ask the right question, share an appropriate story, and leave his audience with their heads spinning in joyful contentment. Many times we do just the opposite.

Though chronologically we are consider old, our spiritual maturity is that of a two-year old. My emotions still get the best of me. My stogy habits of yesterday still haunt me. I know change is possible. But is the effort worth the cost?

These thoughts crossed my mind this morning. As a professional manager I would fire incompetent people. The organization could not afford their repeatable errors. Yet in God’s Kingdom, His grace abounds. HE simply moves us into other areas of life where we can make a more positive difference into the lives of HIS children.

It sort of like volunteering in church. They don’t fire you for incompetent work. Instead, they keep moving you around until you find your giftedness. Then they watch you bloom. The same it is in God’s Kingdom. The more we lean on HIM, the more of HIS character and traits rub off on us. HE knows where and what is best for you and me. HE wired us. HE knows. HE is allowing us to discover the answers as we walk with HIM.

Apollos didn’t have it all together either. Yet he spoke what he knew. Was open for correction. Learned from others. And kept on letting the world know about Jesus. A lesson for you and me to do the same.  

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)

Books By Dr. Mike:

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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved