Author: Dr. Mike

God’s Macro Plan

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

…He chose us in him before the foundation of the world…HE predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will…as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Eph. 1:4,5,10

God wants a family.

His entire plan in this age from beginning to end is to birth and prepare a people for eternity (Romans 8:15, 23). Jesus’ entire mission on earth was a victorious battle to defeat HIS adversary and lay the foundation for the Church. The Church’s responsibility is now to teach, nourish, and prepare a people for the end game. The end game being the final merger of heaven and earth (Rev. 21:1-4). This is after Jesus returns to claim HIS throne for all to see (Rev.5:11,13).

As HIS children, we will govern and serve within HIS eternal kingdom (Rev.5:10).

Yes, God wants to share HIS life with you and me for all eternity. HE wants His children to be involved in the family business: the Kingdom of God. We have the opportunity to now practice His ways within our everyday world.

As we allow HIS Spirit to lead us, we are colonizing our home, business, and neighborhoods after His governmental principles.  We are being tested (Rev.2:10) and disciplined as His children (Heb.12:7-11). We are learning HIS ways. As a church body, we reach out to others. We teach Christ’s ways for others to learn and grow in relationship with Him (Matt. 18:18-20).

From Adam and Eve, to you and me, humanity’s story is God working out HIS macro plan. The Bible is a prophetical and historical account of the people and events HE orchestrated to fulfill HIS desire for a family. After a couple of disappointments with the human response, HE started with Abraham. From their the family tree began to grow into a tribe. The tribe eventually became a Jewish nation. Then Jesus fulfilled the prophecy given to Adam & Eve. HE restored man’s direct relationship with God and removed the religious rituals which foretold His purpose. The result was the merger of Gentiles and Jews into membership of one body, the church (Eph. 3:6).

The church today is the hands and feet of Jesus. As we follow Jesus, you and I are now responsible to serve one another participating with HIM in HIS work preparing a people for eternity.

Yes, God’s plan from the beginning of time is to prepare for a family. Today we are in the womb of the church. One day, there will be a universal birth as HIS children are given a new body and a new home with a new eternal start (1 Corinthians 15:42-49).

This is why when you live out your life under God’s macro plan, your micro plans take on new meaning and purpose. You realize Father-Son-Spirit have bigger plans for you and I than we can ever imagine.  

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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Mature in Christ

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” Colossians 1:28

How do you define maturity?

When my daughter was around six years old, she was misbehaving. I don’t recall the exact behavior. But do remember looking at her and in a serious tone of voice asking her why she doesn’t behave her age. Then I broke out laughing. She was acting like a six-year old. My expectations were out of kilter.

Looking back, she was always mature for her age. For maturity isn’t about one’s age, but how one behaves and acts in their season of life.

If you live long enough, you will witness sixty-year-olds behave like six-year-olds. You will also see six-year-olds at times behave like sixty-year-olds. Maturity is the aging process of learning how to apply wisdom in the situation you are in. As we grow and accept responsibility, we discover our strengths and purpose. We also find meaning in the service of others. We mature.

The human growth cycle involves accepting responsibility. Healthy young adults seek responsibility or have responsibility thrust upon them. The outcome is growth of character. Character includes learning the art of patience, handling conflict, and helping others to flourish. Like Jesus (Lk. 2:40,52), as more responsibility is accepted for serving others, one grows in wisdom, judgement, and stature.

For example, as an eleven-year-old, I delivered newspapers door-to-door. I learned responsibility. My job description included collecting payment, managing money, and paying suppliers. Later as a sixteen-year-old, I was given the responsibility to manage a large food concession. There I learned to supervise others, deal with customers, and manage food operations. Each season brought new responsibilities. Others depended on me. I grew from the experience.

As children of the living God, HE is likewise giving us responsibility now to prepare us for eternity. HE has plans for you and I when we crossover into the new world. Included in the training is learning how to act and behave as a representative of HIS family and kingdom. We are currently babes in Christ. Yet we yearn to know more. To experience more. Though we are immature in God’s eyes, HE still allows us to play house until we are ready for the real thing.

We are to set aside our childish ways (1 Cor.13:11). To grasp the responsibility of being a Christ-follower. Then we will begin to experience the fruit of maturity in Christ.

As members of HIS body the Church, we all have been given gifts and abilities to serve one another. As we exercise these gifts in service for others, we mature in Christ. As we allow God’s Spirit to express Himself through us, we mature in Christ. As we help others to capture the vision of HIS Kingdom, we mature in Christ.

As we accept our responsibility as a member of HIS Church and a citizen of HIS Kingdom, doors will open for us to mature in Christ. As we mature in Christ, we discover our purpose. We find meaning through our work and service for others. And like all God’s ways, when one follows Christ, everyone else around us also benefits in the long-term.  

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

Let’s Unpack Heaven

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11:15

Heaven wins. And I like to win. And I’m sure you do too. But what do you know about heaven? When I was recently asked the question, my reply was “very little.” Most of my understanding in those early years was from movies, books, and hearsay. People speculating on their view of heaven. Since then I have taken a more factual approach. The only person I know from humanity’s history to travel from and to heaven is Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:13). Therefore, I have made HIM my reference point to learn everything I need to know about heaven.    

Most of us hold a cultural view of heaven. I say that because based on a recent Pew research study, less than 12% of Americans are Biblically literate. Thus the other 88% gather their information from other sources. And since Jesus upheld Scripture (Mt. 22:29, Mk. 12:24), we are going to briefly unpack heaven solely from the Biblical viewpoint.

Based on Scripture heaven is:

  • God’s supernatural realm (Deut. 10:14, Dan, 2:28, Matt. 7:11) . Earth is the natural domain (Isa.66:1, 24:21) Both were created by, through, and for Jesus Christ (Co; 1:16). 
  • Where God’s throne room and divine council resides (Ps. 11:4, Mt. 5:34, Rev. 4,5; Psalm 82:1).  
  • Where God’s main home is based (Eph 3:15, Mt: 5:45, Mt.7:21).
  • Where God’s government operates (Phil. 3:20, Jn. 3:27, Mt. 28:18, Dan. 4:26).  
  • Where God’s characteristics shine (Lk. 15:7).
  • Where Jesus now intervenes for His saints (1 Pt. 3:22, Heb. 8:1, Heb. 9:24).
  • Where God’s spiritual agents reside (Mk. 12:25, Dan. 4:13).
  • Where Jesus is preparing a place for his saints (Heb 11:16).
  • Where Satan rebelled and initiated a failed coup against God (Rev.12:7-9, 13,17, Ezek. 28:11-17).  The result is now terrorist warfare by evil forces against God’s creation. (Eph 6:12).
  • Where secrets of life are kept and slowly revealed at their appropriate time (Mt. 13:11, Dan. 2:28, 1 Cor. 4:1, Rm. 16:25, Col. 1:27, 2:2)
  • Will be replaced by a new heaven (Rev 21:1, Lk. 21:33, Mt. 24:35).
  • Where the saints inheritance awaits them (1 Pt. 1:4, Eph 1:3, 2:6, 2 Cor. 5:1-2, 1 Cor. 15:49, Lk. 10:20).
  • Where our reward awaits us (Lk. 6:23, Lk.18:22, Mt. 6:19-20).
  • Earth’s future merger partner (Eph. 1:10).
  • Now being colonized on Earth (Mt. 6:10, Mt. 3:2).

This is the heaven I know. Everything else is speculation. And I’m OK with that. My goal is to have an intimate relationship with Jesus; today, tomorrow and beyond eternity. For wherever HE is, HE assures me I will be with HIM. Today HE gives me a taste of heaven. In the future, we look forward to breaking bread at HIS table in HIS kingdom when heaven and earth are one.

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:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved