Author: Dr. Mike

Life Quips

Dr. Mike 2022 , , ,

Ecclesiastes 12:12

My son beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

Over the years, I find myself repeating various quips when life throws challenges and obstacles my way. I don’t take credit for most of them. They just come out when the appropriate circumstance occurs.

Someone once suggested that I should jot them down and share them with family members. They are personal quips, not Scripture. But they help me focus on the important things in Life. Maybe one of them may benefit you with the circumstances you are currently working through.

Here are a few:        

  • Life is a learning process preparing one for eternity.
  • Life is an obstacle course drawing one either towards God or away from Him; the choice is always yours.
  • Life is a bowl of cherries; you are either waddling in the pits or enjoying the taste.
  • Life is a journey down a road with views of goodness and evilness on either side of you – you choose which side you view, support, and emphasize.
  • Life teaches us there are people who serve you expecting nothing in return and others who stand at your door with their hand out expecting something from you while dishonestly stating, “I’m here to help you.”
  • Life is a treasure hunt to discover the love of your life – God Almighty.
  • Life is an adventure of discovering God, self, truth, and purpose.
  • Life is learning about personal responsibility for oneself while serving others to likewise grow in responsibility for themselves until everyone is fully sharing their gifts and talents with each other becoming a community of responsible people.
  • Life is searching, gathering, and discarding different values until one has a priceless treasure chest of eternal truths to live a full, abundant life.
  • Life without God is an empty soul longing for a home with real love, joy, and peace.
  • Life with God gives meaning, purpose, and significance in everything one does.
  • Life is coming to know God, walking with Him, and becoming like Him in character and purpose.
  • Life throws lemons at us each day; our job is to convert them into lemonade.
  • Life has no real meaning apart from God.
  • Life is God’s greatest gift to us.
  • Life is God’s reflection of Himself in you.
  • Life is God’s priceless investment in you.
  • Life reveals God’s magnificence.
  • Life begets life.
  • Life is for the living, not the dead.
  • Life is as complicated or simple as one chooses.
  • Life is best lived with the endgame in mind.

There are more. These are only the ones that came to mind this morning. Hope you find one applicable in your walk with our Lord and Savior. Until next time.

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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Knowledge Trap

Dr. Mike 2022 , ,

1 Corinthians 13:2,8

And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing…love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away…

What values are important to God?

The Bible outlines many good and outstanding qualities to possess. Some are better than others depending on the situation and circumstances of life you are presently navigating through. Here the apostle Paul outlines a few that are dear to him and close to heart for others and puts them in their right place.

His list includes the gift of prophecy, understanding mysteries, faith, languages, and knowledge. His conclusion was that they shall all pass away except for one – Love.

The knowledge trap is thinking your I.Q. and the accumulation of all you know of God, the Bible, and any other subject is the utopia of life. Yes, knowledge may be your number one strength, but compared to God’s love, it leaves you empty.

He wrote in 1 Corinthians 8:1 that “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” In Ephesians 3:19, “to know the love of Christ surpasses knowledge…”, and today’s Scripture he reminds us that “without love, I am nothing.” Yes, knowledge is one of the great gifts to possess, but it’s not the most important.

Knowledge is the foundation of any field of study. When you acquire knowledge on a subject, and then begin to understand all the interrelationships and applications, you slowly acquire the wisdom to make the knowledge beneficial in its use among yourself and others. Without knowledge, not much would ever get done.

Yet in comparison with God’s love, it is secondary. When the love of God enters your soul, and you can express that love to others, every other gift you possess, including knowledge, becomes more effective and alive as it touches the lives of others.

By itself, apart from love, knowledge stands alone, morbid, and empty, waiting for life to enter. But when color is added, along with enthusiasm, beauty, and meaningfulness unto the subject, not to impress others but for their true benefit, then knowledge becomes alive and valuable.  

Therefore, don’t throw away your thirst for knowledge. But instead, make love your number one treasure to pursue and acquire and share with others. Let knowledge be your gift for others standing on the foundation of love. Or as others have said before, let them know how much you care for them rather than how much you know. Let love lead your knowledge base for the sake of others and for the glory of God.

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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How Real Is God in Your Life?

Dr. Mike 2022 , , ,

Colossians 1:27

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Just like Peter and John in Acts 4:13, Jesus is also with YOU!

Imagine living life where God was visibly and actively present in your world?

Wherever you went and whatever you chose to do, you acted and behaved knowing God was walking right next to you. How would that change your decision-making and choices?

How would you act towards all the people you meet? How much confidence and sureness would you speak with others knowing HE stood next to you?

Yes, HE is nearer to us than we most often realize. Yet, because HE is invisible and unnoticed, we naturally move about our day ignoring HIS presence.

But what if we could live-out each minute under the umbrella of absolutely acknowledging HIS presence every single minute of our lives?  What difference would that make in your life?

The mystery of the Christian faith as the apostle Paul writes, is “Christ in YOU.”

I recall reading a book written by a missionary in the early twentieth century (sorry I don’t recall the name), who tried living every minute with the mental awareness God was with him every minute. He stated that he could do it for a short time and then his mind would waiver. When I tried one day to live out the day with a mental focus of God’s presence, I likewise could only do it minutes at a time. The daily routine and events kept diverting my attention away. However, the result did make me more aware of God’s grace and assured of HIS immediate availability when needed.

Maybe you would be different and able to capture HIS presence for longer periods of time. Either way, the important matter is being aware that HE lives in us, is doing a work in us, and through us. The more we lean on HIM and become aware of HIS presence in our world, the greater the joy we experience acknowledging HIS love for us and knowing HE holds us in HIS grip.

So why don’t you give it a try this week and see what impact it makes with you in your walk with our Incarnate Triune God. You may do better than I did, and whatever the outcome, I assure you will come to realize how much more you become of HIS awareness in your life by the practice.

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!