Author: Dr. Mike

Evidence of Faith

Dr. Mike 2021 , , ,

Acts 1:3

He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

Some people have the false idea that faith is a blind conviction. That Christianity is a Way of life built upon illusion and unproven facts. But when one becomes a Christ-follower, if they did their homework, know their decision is based on forensic and empirical evidence.

When one studies the historical evidence of the resurrection and life of Jesus Christ and those who were his immediate disciples, one walks away from following all the facts with a colossal choice to be made. Either accept Jesus was and is who he claims to be or deny Him.

The foundation of Christianity is built upon the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. If HE did not rise, there would be no Christianity. Yet over 500 eye witnesses saw him over a forty-day period after his death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:6). This was recorded by the apostle Paul some 20 years after the event. If he was exaggerating, we would have written accounts from the other side stating so. But no one in this time period has come out to deny these events did occur.

If we looked at the Bible like any other historical text book, we would agree its authenticity and marvel at its content. But because of the carnal enmity against the Triune God, some have the tenancy to deny or accept such claims.

I always wonder why some accept the gospel message quicker than others. Yet as I get older, I am beginning to wonder how much one’s pride blinds themself from seeing clearly the facts and evidence before them.

If you want to do your own research on the subject, I advocate two books written by an investigative journalist, Mr. Lee Strobel. They are: The Case for Christ and The Case for the Resurrection. Both books walk you through the evidence and confronts the excuses. I recommend both for your study to equip you with the evidence of your faith.

In regards to empirical evidence, you have the combination of yours and others with answered prayers and internal changes of attitude and heart. When you start to pursue the Triune God, you find your prayers being answered in ways that will dumbfound you. As others share similar stories with you, you begin to realize these outcomes are more than just coincidences. The writing of the saints from yesterday and your experiences today all point to a God who cares and is involved in your life.

These results along with the forensic evidence strengthen your confidence and trust in the Almighty God. At times you think you are only imagining these things. But over time, these events repeat themselves so often, you develop the holy swagger of a saint. You know God loves you and cares for you and is preparing you for an eternal home.

Meanwhile as you humbly learn to walk in His presence, sharing your life with HIM as HE shares HIS life with you, your faith is strengthened and you become a living billboard for HIS Kingdom as you live out your life serving HIM and 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 2013-2021 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

It’s a Crazy World

Dr. Mike 2021 , , ,

1 John 5:19

We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

It is an upside, down world.

The biggest problem: you and me and our carnal desires.

We may want what is best for ourselves and others, but apart from the Spirit of God, we fool ourselves into believing we know best.

The end result is chasing after wind. In the process, we lead ourselves, our families, our community, and nation into crazy directions which only end up in pain and misery for the masses.

We see it today within the political world. We witness it in the lies and propaganda displayed by the mainstream media. And closer to home, we even participate in the craziness with our personal family members.

We all want what is best; to pursue our dreams and goals, and experience life the way God intending life to be lived. Yet, what gets into the way?

When one is empty of the Spirit of God and relies on their own counsel, the end result usually may be good for yourself, but not for everyone else around you. Or maybe, everyone else around you are having a better day than you because of your lack of wisdom and decisions you have made in the past.

So rather than correct one’s worldview, we roll up our sleeves and declare war against everyone else to get what we deserve – we venture into the ways of the world.

Eventually, most of us will come to realize, the world doesn’t really care about you. In fact, the majority of us will fail and become bitter at the end because of the lies and falsehoods we accepted to build our lives upon.

The spirit of this world is on a mission to enslave you into their way of thinking and responding to their every command. Those in control of the key positions within government, business, and education want to maintain their life style and will continue to operate under the pretense of doing you a favor in exchange for the power and money they desire.

I have personally seen this in business board meetings when the decisions were based on maintaining control of those less fortunate so the company and ownership could prosper.

Human nature without God’s Spirit is dangerous. In fact, human nature with God’s Spirit is challenging. But over time leads to a life built upon the love and justice of an Eternal Being who has the wisdom to separate the good from the evil.

So rather than pontificate further, I simply copied the Biblical verses below that I read in preparation for this blog. God’s word speaks louder than I can. Read responsibly.    

Revelation 12:9

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Jude 1:19

It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.

1 John 5:4

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

1 John 5:19

We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

2 Peter 1:4

by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

James 1:27

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Colossians 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Philippians 2:15

that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

Galatians 4:9

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

1 Corinthians 2:12

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

John 7:7

The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.

John 15:18-19

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 17:14-15

I (Jesus) have given them your (Father God) word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.

Mark 4:19

but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

Isaiah 26:9

My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

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 2013-2021 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Weakness

Dr. Mike 2021 ,

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

In your weakness, you will discover more of who God IS and HIS power in your life.

Our human nature naturally despises weakness. We artificially put on facades to hide our shortcomings. We act tough when in reality inside we are little frighten kittens. When ask how are we, we immediately put on the smile and say everything is O.K. when we really want to hug someone and cry. We are naturally a shame of our weak condition.

Yet Paul writes here in the Book of 2nd Corinthians, plus in 1st Corinthians and Romans, as well as the writer of Hebrews, that when we are the weakest, we are privilege to witness God’s Spirit work in us and through us. In fact, he writes we should be boasting about our weakness so Christ’s power is manifested through us.

The Bible is loaded with examples. We see how Moses, who stuttered when he spoke, walked humbly with his God and led the people out of bondage. We read how even Jesus fasted for 40 days and physically was weaken from the ordeal but victoriously battled Satan in the desert, and Paul who personally writes how he asks God to remove a thorn from his flesh, but was told no so the pain would continue to remind him of his dependency on God.

Weakness is the natural cycle of life. As we all age, we decay. Our bodies slowly loose their tone, the eyes find it more difficult to see, hearing aids become the new fashion, and walkers the new vehicle of choice. Life leads us into a state of weakness.

In our youth, we are full of energy and feel invincible.  In our old age, we mellow out and realizing time is short; we learn to quick playing games and laugh at our shortcomings. We realize our time on earth is almost over and need to put our house in order. And yet we are at peace and look forward to each day as a gift from God. If only we had learned the joy of accepting our weaknesses much earlier in life.   

It took a while, but now we understand. So, the quicker we stop fighting to pretend and accept our weakest moments as the doorway for a more meaningful relationship with our Triune God, the better we will be for it. Life is a preparation for eternity; and weakness is the means to discover more of who God IS and HIS power in your life.

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 2013-2021 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved