Author: Dr. Mike

Appeasing the Crowd

Dr. Mike 2022 , , , , ,

Mark 15:15

Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified. (ESV)

Do you need courage to stand up against the crowd?

When you know what is right and you give in to the noise and threats of others, did you just uncover your slackness of character. Here Pilate weighed the consequences and found it politically easier to satisfy the crowd’s desire rather than do what is right. Why trouble yourself over one person’s life he may have thought? Do not the power players teach you to carefully choose your fights? What do I have to gain if I choose to do what is right in this case? (He probably murmured to himself). 

Most likely, many of us have been there where the bully threatens one into submission. Rather than fight for what is right, we roll over and succumb to the more traveled road. Yet in hindsight, we know the best route would have been to stand up and face the evil rather than run from it.

Yes, it takes courage to face our adversaries. When we discover our lack, we shamefully accept the situation without putting up resistance. In the process we also discover a weakness of our humanity and quickly try to cover the matter up rather than expose our shortcomings to the world. The moment of truth has arrived.

Our Triune God knows our weaknesses. If we had the godly character in place, the matter would have been differently handled. But in that moment of truth, we discovered something lacking in ourselves and the real you is exposed.

Life is a learning process preparing you and I for eternity with Jesus. Moments like this slap us in the face and wake us up to the matter. Either we change or we shall continue to repeat the situation over and over again until the pain becomes unbearable, and our lives become intolerable.

However, when we accept Jesus as Lord, HIS Spirit begins the process of living in you. You slowly take on the characteristics of your Creator. Yes, you were made in the image of God. You were also destined to live life like HE did when he visited planet some 2,000 years ago.

The Holy Spirit wants to fully empower you to reflect the strength and character of Jesus Christ. As you walk along with HIM, you will discover the power of faith, truth, and love. You will become embolden with HIS characteristics. Then one day, you will find yourself in a similar situation and you will boldly stand up to the truth, do what is right, and afterwards marvel at your conduct giving thanks to God. The circumstantial outcome may or may not be the same, but you will be at peace and fully prepared to handle the consequences just like your Teacher, Jesus Christ.

So, if you need courage to stand up against the crowd, you now know where to find it.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

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

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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Learn. Integrate. Grow.

Dr. Mike 2022 , , , , , ,

Revelation 5:10 (ESV)

“…and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
    and they shall reign on the earth.” (ESV)

Life is a learning process preparing one for an eternal position in God’s family business, the Kingdom of God.

As we learn to serve others from a heart of love, and exercise leadership to govern ourselves and others in the Triune God’s way of freedom, flourishment, and fulfillment, we slowly integrate HIS attitude, values, and character into our inner being and soul.

Like a small mustard seed with proper watering, sunshine, and nourishment grows up into a large tree, Christ-followers mature into the image of their Lord and Teacher.

As apprentices of our Great Rabbi, we study, observe, and mimic what we see to become more and more like HIM. Every situation, challenge, and opportunity life throw’s us is a learning step. Whether we immediately overcome or suffer a temporary setback, lessons are gleamed and integrated into our inner being to prepare us for the next challenge.

Like a two-year old learning to walk, we may fall multiple times, but each time stand right back up and proceed to keep moving forward. The joy of growing and experiencing more of who we are and what we can do is greater than the short-term pain of the moment.  

We focus more on the process than the outcome realizing God will generate the spiritual growth within us. We may grow 30%, 60%, or even 100% more than when we first started our journey, but also recognize and acknowledge the fruit is God’s actions and not ours. Yet we also know our efforts demonstrate our willingness to walk with our Creator and will eventually form the habits built upon HIS godly character which leads to a more productive and viable life.  

To take what we learn from life’s experiences each and every day and integrate those lessons into our inner soul and being, lays the foundation to maximize our potential for good work on God’s behalf and for the sake of others. How much we grow from the overall experience is an open door only God knows for sure. Our role is to make ourselves available and apply ourselves at the task at hand.

Most of the work will be joyous because you are building on your internal gifts God has bestowed upon you. Yet some of the work will be outside of your giftedness. In which case, it may be a challenge and burden. However, because you know you are being prepared for eternity, you accept the task at hand as part of the learning curve. Before you know it, you have mastered the lesson at hand and moved on to the next assignment. One day you will look back and realize your current success was due to the lessons learned during that ordeal.

God wastes nothing. In every situation you encounter, God is producing something in you which will eventually bloom and become known to you. You may have to wait years before you realize what the lesson was all about, or maybe even when you cross over into the next age, as hindsight is always 20/20.

But as Revelation reveals, God has made us to be priests (to minister) and to reign (leaders) in his eternal Kingdom. “Have made them” means God is currently training and preparing us for these roles. Or as I stated in the first sentence, life is a learning process preparing you & I for an eternal position in God’s family business – HIS Kingdom.   

So, accept every day as a new day to learn something new, find ways to integrate the lessons into your daily life, and watch how the Holy Spirit manifest’s HIMSELF in you laying the foundation and growing HIS fruit through you. There is more going on than you and I realize each and every moment. Grasp at what you can and watch what and how God produces one of HIS masterpieces in you and in others.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

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

Obstacle Course

Dr. Mike 2022 , , , ,

Acts 20:24

But I (Paul) do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (ESV)

At times, life feels like an obstacle course.

Luke the writer of Acts wrote about Paul speaking with the elders of the local church where he identified his purpose with them and mentioned the many trials and obstacles he had overcame and the many that still awaits him in the future. You and I are no different than Paul in regard to facing the challenges of life.

As a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, our intentional purpose is to serve HIM and HIS Kingdom. Whatever life throws our way either temporarily prevents one from moving forward or propels one to fulfill their purpose.

Without purpose, life is a happen chance and we simply go with the flow of the moment. With purpose and aim, this same unplanned event may prevent us from moving toward our intentional mission. The same situation and circumstance have different perspectives depending on one’s course laid out for them.   Which is why, more days than not, I say life resembles an obstacle course to overcome.

Life is an obstacle course because everyday events and circumstances are pivot points either bringing you closer to God and strengthening your character and faith in HIM or to awaken you from your spiritual stupor.

Life is an obstacle course because when pain and suffering occur, one either leans more on HIM and your relationship with HIM becomes more intimate and deeper, or further distances you from being aware of HIS presence.

Life is an obstacle course because constant distractions take your mind away from your purpose as your human nature seeks the easy and quick solution without concern for the long-term consequences.

Life is an obstacle course because the culture bombards you with emotional appeals to satisfy your every desire without considering the cost.

Life is an obstacle course because constant short-term pain for long-term gain becomes tiring without needed rest and refreshment from the Spirit.

Life is an obstacle course because lies, doubts, and personal inadequacies keeps one constantly seeking the truth of a matter.

Life is an obstacle course because managing the personal relationships between one’s body-soul-spirit with others is a constant exercise of wisdom to balance individual freedoms with community peace.

You could list more that impacts your life and the course you have chosen.

Yet, I am grateful and thankful through all the challenges and opportunities which come our way. Why? Because we have a faithful and committed God who has an eternal purpose in mind for you and me. Every obstacle and every situation are times for HIM to reconstruct and build a new you. The you HE plans to bring with HIM in HIS eternal Kingdom as HE prepares you and I for good work now and in the new age to come.

So, this is why I believe each obstacle that comes our way is simply another opportunity for us to learn more about HIM and HIM preparing you and me to better serve others.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

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