2023

No Jesus

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

Mark 8:38

“For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

As a young college person watching some of my favorite riveting heroes on screen, I would leave the theater somewhat perplexed. I recall completing a humanity’s course where we analyzed various movies from the director’s perspective. We learned what we saw and didn’t see was purposely conducted to produce a certain affect. Rarely nothing was shown or not shown on purpose. Everything was constructed to leave the audience with an unspoken message.

Many times I watched and enjoyed these action packed movies. Where the teenage superhero saves humanity from another world apocalypse. But I would then leave asking myself how come God is never favorable mentioned. Instead, HE is nowhere to be found. In HIS place, the super villain is given some extraordinary power of a god. And then, us less endowed humans must rise up to destroy him. God is usually entirely left out of the picture.

Movies showcase culture.

If I was God’s enemy, the plan would be never to mention HIS name. I would eliminate any symbol, knowledge, and reference to HIS existence. I would also instruct my subjects to behave in a similar manner. We see this practice lived out within communistic nations. In China and North Korea, the political party considers Christianity the enemy of the state. They do everything within their power to destroy its existence.

Where Jesus is removed from cultural significance, freedom dies.

As you watch many of the classical old movies from the early twenty century, you will see favorable references about God. Scripture and prayer was acceptable acts presented on screen. Today, if shown, they are lambasted.    

Look around you. How does the culture portray Jesus? Can you find HIM in the movies? Music? Books? Is HE discussed in the classroom? Newsroom? Marketplace?

Is HE shown respect due HIM? Or simply ignored?

The founding fathers of America acknowledged HIM. They designed a governmental structure based of their understanding of human nature and its potential. They were Biblically literate. They understood and practiced the moral code defined from its roots. Perfect they were not. But they strived to live out HIS teachings.

Today, we live in a society where many have forgotten the importance of knowing Jesus. The consequences of their lives demonstrate the outcome. They seek purpose and meaning from temporary passions. They don’t understand the difference between divine and carnal desires. They have thrown away Life’s Answer in pursuit of intellectual ignorance. Love and Truth are now subjective personal constructions rather than objective eternal  values. When Jesus is removed from society, the majority of people suffer. Only those who are in power benefit. Everyone else becomes their enemy. Instead of serving the masses, they exercise power over them.

Jesus knows and sees what is happening. HE birthed the Church. The Church continues to teach about HIM and HIS message. HIS ways are anti-cultural. But HE is the link who integrates everyone together.  Without HIM, turmoil. With HIM, peace and grace abound. Those who already walk with HIM know the difference. Their challenge is making HIM known to everyone else. This is the saints adventurous journey in Christ!        

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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A Man’s Man – Jesus

Dr. Mike 2023 ,

So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” John 19:5

What kind of man was Jesus?

Initially when we start reading the gospel accounts, we may project our values and characteristics upon Him. Whenever he behaves like we do, we see ourselves. When he behaves differently than ourselves, we may ignore that side of him.

But what kind of man was Jesus?

I grew up in a household with two other brothers. Both of them took after Dad. Dad was a self-reliant man, skilled with his hands. He could fix or build anything. In fact, he built the last three homes we lived in. He was a carpenter by trade. And a very good one. Today, my two brothers are like him in many ways. They are self-assured and can build or fix anything around the house.

My temperament and natural abilities didn’t follow dad’s, but mom’s. So I became her assistant around the house. I think today we would call me a mommy’s boy. But at the time, I was just helping her out around the house. As she explained later in life, her goal was to make me into a gentleman’s gentleman. And in many ways she did.

What does this have to do with Jesus?

Everything. He was a Jewish male following the cultural traditions of his time. He was home-schooled. Learned so well at the age of twelve he debated with the teachers of the law in the Jerusalem synagogue during the feast.

He was a carpenter before starting his public ministry. The biblical translation is better identified as a stone mason; a builder of stone structures. For some reason, I have great difficulty thinking Jesus was a physical wimp. Lifting stones for a living doesn’t picture a 100 lb. weakling, but a man with physical strength.

During his ministry, he spoke before large audiences. They didn’t have microphones with sound systems to magnify his voice back then. To have a strong voice which reached out to the masses required a large, healthy set of lungs.

When He recruited his disciples, they followed him. And they were a mixture from different tribes who normally wouldn’t hang out together. But Jesus’ leadership abilities kept them together molding them into the foundation of His future Church.

Even when he stood before Pilate after being beaten and humiliated, Pontus Pilate was impressed with the Man. Jesus didn’t exhibit fear in the situation. He commanded a kingly presence. Jesus demonstrated more courage at the time than Pilate. Pilate buckled under the political pressure from the crowd. Jesus marched toward His cross.

Jesus was a man’s man.

The women of his time knew it. There was something different with this man. He exhibited all the traits of a real man. But there was also the other side. The compassion expressed through words and touch. The humility with strength to stoop down to their level and raise them up to his level. Jesus was a man’s man and a woman’s man. He was humanity’s man.

Today’s culture has de-emphasized the masculine side of Jesus. Paintings of him showcase a long hair, feminine guy. (Even though the Bible states that long hair upon a male is unnatural.)

Without Jesus, the world runs amok. They have difficulty defining a man or woman. They have no objective standard of real masculinity. But with Jesus, we have an example of how God intended humanity to express manhood.

So if you are a male seeking a role model to pattern your life after, choose Jesus. Read the gospel accounts. Study how Jesus related with other people. How did he present and express himself. He was and is the best mentor I found these past fifty years leading me to become the person I am today. My only wish is I could have started earlier.     

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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If I Was Satan

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

Revelation 12:9,12

“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… But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

1 Peter 5:8

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

In any competitive battle, knowing one’s opponent helps in the development of strategy and tactics to win. Satan, our adversary, is one enemy we all face. The better we know and understand his purpose, character, and motive, the more attuned we are in combating his influence in our space.

 Jesus knew him (Lk. 4:1). He spoke about him continually with his disciples. He warned them of the devil’s deceitful nature (Jn. 8:44). His desire to oppress people (Jn. 10:21). To destroy young people (Psalm 106.37). To enslave people (Mt. 8:28). The adversary aim is opposite of Jesus’. The enemy’s goal is to steal, kill, and destroy you (Jn. 10:10). His aim is opposite of God’s. Jesus wants you to experience the best of life (Jn. 10:10).

So knowing Satan’s character and aim, and if I was him, how would I put in place a strategy today? If one looks around the world today, the answer becomes obvious.

Knowing that Jesus plans to return to earth, I would first do everything to slow down the process. I would be a spiritual terrorist. I would hit God by destroying his plans for humanity.

Since the beginning of creation, God planned to adopt humans into His family (Eph 1:5). Thus, what better way to prevent Him from having a family than by eliminating births? Abortion reduces the number of children in His family. In fact, the more lives one can prevent from happening, the longer it will take to fulfill God’s number of children He plans to accept into His family.

Then I would create an alternative utopia for humanity to pursue. Whatever it would take to remove the vision of God’s Kingdom is a win for Satan. I would also place people who deny God’s existence into positions of authority. This would include the government, entertainment, and communication networks. Any talk about God would have to be cancelled. God’s name, purpose, and character would need to be assassinated.

Instead of objective truth, we would make truth a subjective perspective. Each individual would be an empowered god. The more confusion and chaos sprinkled throughout culture would produce fear. Fear leads to emotional breakdowns and mental confusion. The cycle between fear and confusion stops people from reaching their human potential. Plus lead them to potential destructive outcomes.

We would also dummy down people. Teach them to follow their feelings. Critical thinking and reasoning would need to stop. The longer we could keep children from growing up, the less impact they will have in the world for positive change.

We would keep people overly active so they don’t have time to reflect on the purpose of life. We would destroy the meaning of life. By killing God in the minds of people, they would only have themselves to praise. And after we destroy God in their life, we would have them turn against each other with racial and gender divide.

The sole purpose of our attack is to destroy the human race. As long as humans fail to recognize their eternal purpose and fight for their rights, evil will be allowed to roam their homes, streets, and country. We would emphasize guilt without redemption. We would glorify the pleasure of sin without consequences. And we would praise immorality rather than godliness. We will practice a destructive lifestyle. We will aim for the same moral decline which has led every great nation toward oblivion. History has shown there is nothing new under the sun. Every nation without God as their center has declined into oblivion.

Yes, if I was Satan this is how we would tactfully implode humanity. But God, in His foresight knows this. Satan is simply a piece of the puzzle which helps humanity to discover God. As one comes to know God and compare His way with Satan’s worldly way, the choice becomes obvious. God’s way produces a life that flourishes for all parties. HIS way provides freedom for all. HIS way leads to a fulfilling life for all. Without Satan, we would not have anything to compare between both ways of life.

The last chapter of the Bible reveals God is victorious. Those in Christ join Him to start a new age where heaven and earth are united. And Satan is no more. But until then, one needs to know who the enemy is and how God’s ways are superior. Know your enemy. But know God more. Always remember – the Triune God is your foundation for victory.   

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