Author: Dr. Mike

God is with You

Dr. Mike 2022 , , , ,

Matthew 28:20

“…And surely, I (Jesus) am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Since God is always with you, are you always aware of HIS presence?

If you are human like me, your initial response is a resounding no. How does one stay permanently together when the other person keeps a low profile, stays invisible, and rarely speaks. And when you do receive communications from HIM, you are unsure if you correctly perceived the message and need confirmation whether you understood the matter as you believed you heard.

It is hard enough to understand your mate who is next to you, visibly communicating with their words, actions, and attitude. So how much more challenging with someone unseen?

Yet, when the Spirit is alive and active in one’s life, we begin to acknowledge there is a part of us that seems to understand the Word we receive (I Corinthians 2:10, Romans 8:27).    

Now “with” is a function word. We use the word to indicate participation and to express agreement. So, when God and you are walking together through life sharing each other’s interests, challenges, and hopes, are you not doing life together? Like any committed relationship, when you are together you are either fully engaged or partially engaged. Yet you are engaged. The only question is the degree of your engagement.

The with-God life is one where you and God are mutually in agreement and supporting each other through life’s trials, tests, and successes. Now God doesn’t need our support as much as we need HIS. Yet, HE allows us to participate with HIM in HIS macro plan to restore creation to HIS original intent. So as God shares HIS life with us and allows us to share our life with HIM, doesn’t life become a great ballroom dance with a full orchestra in the background traveling around the maze of other dancers who are likewise moving to a unique pattern as only HE and and each of you recognize your own?

As we allow HIM to lead us and likewise struggle to follow HIM, we slowly realize over time we are reflecting HIS glory for others to witness what the with-God life truly represents. Our engagement with HIM is determined most of the time with how focused and intentional our heart, mind, and behavior respond to HIS presence.

So, since HE is always with you, how intentional are you with HIM?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books 

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Go or Having Gone?

Dr. Mike 2022 , , ,

Matthew 28:18-20

And having come near, Jesus spake to them, saying, `Given to me was all authority in heaven and on earth; having gone, then, disciple all the nations, (baptizing them — to the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all, whatever I did command you,) and lo, I am with you all the days — till the full end of the age.’ (Young’s Literal Translation)

Matthew 28:18-20 ESV

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The word “GO” when properly translated from the original Greek text reads poreuthentes and is properly translated in most all other places as having gone or went.

Many in the Evangelical Church use this Scripture to encourage their members that real Christians focus their time and energy on going on mission trips. They imply this Scripture indicates we are to leave our families, work, and personal affairs behind and travel to a remote part of the world to save the lost. If you don’t, then you must not be a real Christian.

A poor Biblical understanding messes up many a saint. In fact, this is one of the best lessons of learning to read Scripture through the eye of multiple versions to determine its actual meaning.

Here the original word “Go” is translated in many English versions as an imperative verb rather than the corrective passive particle. A passive particle indicates an ongoing or state of completion, not an imperative command. Yes, even translators have their bias.

Jesus didn’t state a command to immediately pack up your bags and go on a mission trip. Instead, HE instructed that wherever you find yourself, make discipleship your primary purpose. Discipleship is the central core purpose behind the Church – to baptize and train students as they grow into the mature image of Jesus Christ. 

We read in the Books of Acts how the early Church was forced to leave Jerusalem and, in the process, continued to teach and make disciples in the other cities and towns they fled too. Wherever they found themselves, they spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

Wherever you “go” does not necessarily mean you leave your career, family, and community and travel to some far-off place. Instead, it means where you are already planted and active you share the message and teachings of Jesus Christ to others. 

This is why I believe the largest mission field for any Christ-follower is the marketplace in your own community. Having setup shop in your neighborhood is a good place to begin. Your local school and shopping community is also a place where others are looking for the same relationship you have with our Lord.

You do not have to feel guilty if God doesn’t send you on a special mission trip. Yes, there are those who are specifically called for missions; just as there are Christians called to be single, or into full time vocational ministry. But we need to remember that every Christian is a full-time minister. Our vocation may be business, but our heart and mind are always reaching out to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to others.  

So, since you already have gone where you are currently residing, and whether you are a business maverick, an educational tutor, or a medical practitioner, your current world is your opportunity to live out this Scripture and make disciples of others. 

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

PS: For those who seek to jump start into building a stronger relationship with our Perfect Father, or just seeking a monthly devotional, you may be interested in my new prayer book devotional – Overflowing Prayers Rooted in Jesus Christ v1 & v2. Check it out at here.

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Mature Manhood

Dr. Mike 2022 , ,

Ephesians 4:13

…until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…

Yep, I’m still a kid at heart with a way to go before I grow up and find something to do which grownups are supposed to do. These are the words I jokingly respond whenever someone asks me what my career plans are now that I am semi-retired.

Society and culture always seem to have the ideal which in hindsight you eventually discover is most often the opposite of what you should have done in the beginning. The same can be said about Manhood in the 21st century.

In my lifetime, we have witnessed the slow destruction of fathers and mothers’ authority and responsibility in the home which has led to the self-imposed destruction of the nuclear family. The end result which we are now living through are lives with major mental health issues, young men confused with their masculine identity, and the loss of godly role model examples of men living a happy, successful, meaningful life for the benefit of others and self.

Paul identifies here in the Book of Ephesians 4:12-13 that the Church leadership is responsible to equip and buildup men to become mature followers of Jesus Christ measured against HIS stature.

As mature men, we are to follow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ in our everyday life. The problem is most men have a confused view of who Jesus IS and the life HE lived. We have tidbits of correct information intertwined with false illusions of bedtime stories.

When you grow up surrounded by men who walk with their Lord everyday within the home, business, and community, you discover how life can be rewarding and how great God IS. But when you lack such examples, or distorted fantasy figures portrayed through the movies, you are unsure how a mature, Christ-follower behaves. You fail to grasp what and how the abundant life as outlined throughout Scriptures is lived out in daily affairs.

So, if you are confused, then my recommendation is to find a small group of older men who have lived life to the full and will openly share their wisdom learned through hard knocks. Yes, there are godly men functioning each day in the marketplace. However, the culture ignores them because they don’t fit the secular narrative of the day. But I assure you, if you start attending a local Church, ask around, and you will find at least one person who will gladly mentor with you what real Christ-like masculine maturity looks like.

Jesus Christ is our perfect example of mature manhood. Study, learn, and grow in knowledge of HIM and HIS grace, and you will find yourself maturing like HIM. And with a small circle of other men, you will also find encouragement and examples of others growing up into HIS likeness.

The world needs more men reflecting the glory of Jesus Christ.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

PS: For those who seek to jump start into building a stronger relationship with our Perfect Father, or just seeking a monthly devotional, you may be interested in my new prayer book devotional – Overflowing Prayers Rooted in Jesus Christ v1 & v2. Check it out at here.

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved