2024

Happiness, Science, Jesus

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

“my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is”   Lamentations 3:17

The founding fathers of the United States believed in God. The Declaration of Independence states HE gave humanity certain unalienable Rights. These include Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Most children growing up in the United States are familiar with this statement. The pursuit of happiness is indoctrinated into their belief system from an early age. Yet for many people, happiness is a mirage never obtained. Over time, despondency sets in. So how does one live a happy life?

An ongoing 85-year scientific study conducted by Harvard University has investigated this subject. Their conclusion may surprise many. They followed the life of over 700 diverse people from around the world. They started in 1938 and interviewed them every two years. Their conclusion? Long-term happiness isn’t a byproduct of accomplishments, wealth, nor health. But instead the social fitness of one’s relationships.

Isn’t that what Jesus emphasized?

HE reiterated the same some two thousand years ago. When asked what is the most important rule to follow in one’s life, He replied quoting from the Bible. In summary HE stated to love God with your whole being and others as yourself.

HE also highlighted the importance of relationships throughout HIS life. First with HIS heavenly Father, then with His disciples, and lasting with HIS family. Today, HE relates and intervenes for all who seek HIM.

When Jesus becomes your reference point, you then have a north star to follow. You also have a mentor to emulate. Plus you find purpose and meaning for your life. All built on eternal values which are long lasting and fruitful.

You have a proven King to govern and protect you. You develop relationships with others who have accepted HIM. You discover a way of life that produces freedom, flourishment, and fulfillment. Not just for yourself, but for all who practice HIS merits.

One doesn’t chase happiness. Happiness is the byproduct of a well lived life. It begins when one accepts responsibility to serve others for their success. When both sides of the relationship mutually serve each other, good things happen.

When Jesus made the statement that HE is the way, the truth, and the life (Jn. 14:6), HE emphasized what HE brings to the table for all humanity. A unifying relationship that brings God the Father and the Holy Spirit with HIM into your life. In fact, HE brings something better than happiness into your life. He brings heavenly joy into your being. Happiness is temporary and fleeting. But joy lasts a lifetime. HIS peace and joy HE gives you when you start hanging out with HIM.

When HE is the core of your life, circumstances may stink, but life is still good. HE fills you with HIS love, joy, and peace even when life around you is crazy. It starts and grows as you seek a personal relationship with HIM. HE becomes your Savior, King, and Friend. Pursue HIM and something better than happiness is the byproduct.

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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The Struggle To Serve

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  Galatians 5:13

Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. Romans 14:18

Yes, the truth slapped me this past week. A friend called me in the middle of the day and asked for help. He was moving to a new place and had a few more items to haul away. He had one person coming to help and preferred to have more. If it was life and death, I would have dropped everything and went. Yet, I spent two hours doing yard work that morning and was tired and still hurting. So I negated the offer.

Afterward, I spent a few minutes talking to myself instead of to the Lord. I tried to justify my response. Instead, there was a small amount of guilt. When I prayed about it, I repented. Then it occurred to me, I have a natural tenancy to refrain from serving others when asked. If the need is within my gifting, no problem. But if it is outside my gifting, I drag my feet. If outside my schedule and priorities for the day, don’t bother me. If it doesn’t fit into my plans for the day, my immediate response is no.

The last time I took one of those spiritual gift tests, do you know what my lowest ranking gift is? Yep, service to others is last on my list. Right above it is compassion. Yet, the Holy Spirit has opened my heart toward people. When people are hurting, I feel their pain and look for ways to help them. But what about this service thing? How is the Holy Spirit working to change my heart when it comes to serving others?

Yes, we are encouraged throughout Scripture to serve one another. We mimic Jesus who came to serve (Luke 22:27). More important, we are reminded when we serve others, we are truly serving Jesus. But why is serving others so difficult at times?

In my case, my natural inclination is to become self-absorbed with my to-do- list. I have been trained to say no if it doesn’t fit into my plans for the day. There are days even the Lord has to hit me on the side of the head to grab my attention.

I recently read around 60% of the human population are naturally inclined to serve others. Yes, there are people whose gifting is to serve others. They find it natural. They are wired to serve others. Then there are people like myself who are not wired to serve others. The Holy Spirit has to do a work in us. In me, HE has begun. The challenge is my carnal desires. I slip into the human condition of a two-year-old. I want what I want. Yet as a mature adult, I recognize such tenancies. So, when those times arise, I need to be more responsive to the people around me. Also more attuned to what the Lord is bringing my way to better serve HIM.

Yes, the truth hurts. But it also opens the door to make one more aware of negative character traits. I want to be more like Jesus. Events such as this brings out where I stand in comparison with HIM. And it is not pretty. But I am thankful for HIS grace. HIS patience. HIS continual pursue of working with me. Less me, more HIM. The work continues.

Yes, service toward others is an expression of one’s love for others. My love bucket still needs a whole lot of work. What about yours?

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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Do This In Remembrance of ME

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”    Luke 22:19

I love this quote by Jesus. HE is reminding his team that HE is offering His physical life in service and sacrifice for them all. HE is going out as the Lamb being sacrificed in atonement of their sins. Like John the Baptist indicated, Jesus is the Lamb of God designated to take away the Sin of the world.

HE is simply asking them that every time they eat the bread to remember HIM.

Yes, we can debate all the various symbolism. The Jewish Passover meal is eaten only once a year. It is to remind the Jewish people of their ancestry. How the eldest son was spared their life by posting blood outside the doorpost. And the story of them fleeing Egypt to escape from slavery. That event is a religious moment. But now under a new covenant Jesus simply changed the objects of focus from a lamb to Himself.

But the impact this Scripture hits home is much more for me. HE is asking us to remember HIM. Not any one act or event. But to remember Jesus the person. Not just for all HE did. But for all HE IS.

When we focus only on one event that Jesus partook, we limit HIM. Why? Because HE is the sum total of everything HE did and didn’t do. Plus yet to do. No one act defines HIM. Everything HE ever does is simply the outcome of WHO HE IS.

So when we drink the wine and eat the bread, what are we to recall about Jesus?

In short order this is the Jesus that I have come to know.

First, HE IS ALIVE. HE is living out the Triune God’s strategic plan for humanity. The hiccup of sin has been displaced. The Holy Spirit is now more active than before.

HE is my Lord, Savior, Hero, Friend, and Brother. HE is not a historical memory. But a very influential person active in life.

Everything HE did was for me. And you. And for every person who ever lived.

HE also did everything to please HIS God and our God. His Father and our Father.

HE is the central-core that communes us all together.

Yes, bread and wine were the staple food items at most Jewish meals in Biblical time. Now Jesus asks us to remember HIM when we partake of these basic food elements. But in our culture and time, most families rarely eat bread and wine at meal time. But we do eat. So now when I pray over a meal, it means more than thanking God for the food. It is a time to reflect on HIM. Who HE IS. Why HE is important for humanity to know. I am most grateful for everything HE has done. Is doing. And yet will do. That HE is coming back to fully restore HIS Kingdom on earth. Also we can share life with HIM now as HE shares HIS life with us. A relationship HE initiated before the foundation of the world.

Isn’t HE One person worthy to remember and invest time with each day? Is it not great HE left us a daily reminder to talk about HIM during meal time? A time when family and friends can share the day’s events with HIM.

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