2023

I Do but I Am

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Romans 8:16

When you meet someone for the first time and exchange pleasantries, one normally ask what the other person does for a living. The purpose is to find out something more about the person’s identity. The challenge is it takes a lifetime to truly learn about anyone. So when one has a few minutes, we take cliff notes.

In my early years, I would quickly draw a bias picture based on a youthful and limited knowledge base. Over the years though, I have learned to slowly digest the facts to separate people’s roles from their identity.  

For example, if I met you for the first time, we would start by focusing on things you do. Your family upbringing, your work, your hobbies, your interests, and maybe if we have time your dreams. The goal is to develop a picture of all the roles you take part in. These are the things you do. They are the coveralls of your identity.

But they are not who you are. Your identity is much deeper than the things you do. Your expression of how you do everything gets more into the heart of the matter. Your motive for what you do likewise reveals more of who you  are. Your attitude also reveals the deeper side of who you are. All these combine together gets us closer to who you are.

But who are you?

We are complex beings made in the image of God. That is our status. We are born to reflect what we worship. Worship is a matter of the heart. At our natural birth, we reflect the genealogy of our parents. We grow up and simulate some of their characteristics. Later in life, we develop friendships with others. Some of their character habits may become a part of us. Then one day, God opens our eyes and impregnates us with His Spirit. We are begotten into the family of God.

We are now human with a divine Spirit residing in us. As we live out this life, we are like a child in the mother’s womb waiting to be birth into eternity. We are becoming more and more like our heavenly Father. We are now for all practical purposes His child.

So, who am I?

I am a child of the living God. An apprentice of Jesus Christ. Now hidden in His Grip waiting for the new heaven and earth. Then HE will lead and allow me to serve Him forever. 

Until then, we get to enjoy life under the Son. We get to do the things which brings joy to others and ourselves. God has wired us with specific DNA. He has  given us opportunities to develop skills upon these natural abilities to serve others. Through the entire process, HE has given us the knowledge and opportunity to pursue a life of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. This is our DO. But what I AM is a child of the living God.

Your roles are what you do. Your identity in Christ is who you are!

Don’t confuse your identity with your roles of life. Your roles will come and go. But your identity will remain for a life time plus. This is why we remind ourselves each day: I DO but I AM.

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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Our Micro Plans

Dr. Mike 2023 , , ,

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Last week I highlighted God’s macro plan. Today, we are going to review how our plans work along with God’s goal for us.

One of the major challenges we all face is to determine how our dreams aligned with God’s plan. When one initially surrenders to God, the attitude normally is you are willing to commit to anything. Until you realize afterward what you are sacrificing.

Are you willing to become a missionary in a foreign hostile nation? Are you willing to deny yourself marriage, family, and physical comforts? What about your desires for financial success? These and many other issues confronted me. The question before me was how does one’s personal desires and life goals align with God’s plan?

Yes, I wanted to serve God. But I also desired to experience all life’s good things. Can a person do both?

I searched the Scriptures. I read theological works beyond my understanding at the time. Plus I cried and pondered in prayer. The answer over time became clearer. Yes, when one aligns mind, body, and soul to serve the living God, one does so wherever one is, and whatever one does. (As long as our work is not immoral.)

First one must understand God’s plan is to morph you and me after the image of Jesus Christ. As we worship HIM through our thoughts and actions, we begin to reflect HIM in our daily walk before others.

Then after you realize which of your God given natural talents and abilities are your strongest, you sharpen them. You acquire further knowledge and develop matching skills which when employed serve others.

As your heart becomes more like Jesus, HE will also lead you toward a community of people who you can best serve.

You do not have to enter full time vocational ministry to serve God, unless called. HE has given us the honor and privilege to serve Him in whatever profession, service, career, or opportunity we enter. His only caveat is that what you do reflects His character.

Remember: God is a builder, operator, teacher, strategist, and researcher. He is into business, health, education, and government. He is the author of science, mathematics, and communications. He exhibits fatherhood, motherhood, and family-hood. The list is endless.

The time will come when you realize He is preparing you for eternity. That He walks with you through your daily routines. You then become more assured in your relationship with Him. You appreciate His Presence. As HE shares His life with you, you enjoy sharing your life with Him. He created you and knows what your character needs most to thrive for eternity. And no matter what your situation or circumstance surround you, He is constantly morphing you into the image of Jesus Christ. If you allow Him.

In my early twenties, some friends selected the pastoral route. I chose business. Throughout my career, He blessed me with His presence. He surrounded me with mentors. He challenged me with opportunities to grow. And yes, He disciplined me many times when stupidity struck. Yet His grace always was enough. I chose business because at the time money was attractive to me. God didn’t refrain me. Instead, he took the daily roles, events, and challenges which laid before me and changed my heart to more reflect Him. Business became my ministry to love, serve, and govern others God’s way.

When you realize your role for eternity will involve governing and serving others, then you find more meaning in your daily routine. You find being trained to lead and serve is part of God’s plan for you. You realize He wants you to learn how to generously love and prudently judge others in your everyday life.

God is even involved in your personal roles. You find marriage trains you to submit and serve each other like God Himself. You find parenting trains you to govern a household. You find family is the best social structure to teach and train others in preparation for greater responsibility.

Everything you do under the tutelage of God Almighty prepares you for more and more responsibility. As you gain more expertise, your platform grows. As your heart/mind/soul is molded into the image of Jesus, you begin to reflect Him in your life. Your words, actions, and attitude bring greater glory to your Creator and heavenly Father.

In most cases, God is not going to tell you what to do with your life. He wants you to exercise your God-given gifts and bring glory to Him. He is not a helicopter parent. He wants you to develop character that reflects Him.

Yes, life is a learning process. We try. We fail. We try again. We fail. And we keep trying until one day we succeed. Then we take the next challenge and repeat. Whether you choose the upper road, mid-road, or lower road, God is always with you. By choosing what you desire, you will be more motivated to follow through. He will continue to chisel away and allow His new creation to come alive in you no matter which way you choose.

Many Christians struggle for answers in decision making while seeking God’s Will. When the real issue is the fear within them. They want someone to tell them which way to go so they don’t fail. But failure is what teaches you how to succeed. God knows what we lack in character. He knows what your strengths are. And He knows what will bring out the best in you.

So, pursue your goals. Dream dreams. Create a bucket list. Constantly communicate with Him through the entire journey. He is with you and rooting for you. You may have your sight set on the outcome. But His aim is to prune your character in the process. When both are done, be grateful. If the outcome of your goal fails, that is OK. What did you learn? Be grateful. If you succeed, be thankful for your accomplishment.  And always be appreciative for God’s involvement in your life.

When you abide in Christ, everything you do Monday through Friday and weekends are to glorify your heavenly Father. Yes, you can do godly work within a Christian ministry. But you can also minister outside the four walls of a faith community through your vocation. They both will have their challenges and rewards. It’s your choice.

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

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)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved