2025

You Believe, Now What?

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.   Titus 3:8

You have studied the evidence. You have reviewed all the historical facts. You have pondered the life and death of Jesus Christ. You have analyzed the pros and cons of the resurrection. You are now at the turning point. The evidence is overwhelming. If you seek the truth, you have found it. You now understand. You accept HIS claim. HE is Lord, Savior, and King. So, now what?

As you read Scripture, you find passages which instruct you. As His new disciple, you begin following HIM to the best of your ability. He is now your teacher. You want to know more. But there is much you read and don’t understand. So, you begin to search the internet. You read from different sources. Your head becomes overfilled with options and choices. Where do you go from there?

You ask your friends, neighbors, and others who you also know are Believers. What faith community do they attend? Why is it their choice? You may make a list of two or three faith communities to attend. You meet the people. You listen to the preacher. You do more reading about their denomination. What is their mission? How does that mission agree with what you read in Scripture?

You read where the early disciples spent time in prayer and fellowship together. So, you begin to do the same. After reviewing some tips from a few of your online sources, you begin to talk with God. You search which faith community has a small group you can join. You begin to regularly attend.

As you become aware of a Christ-follower’s Walk with Jesus, you put into practice what you see others do. But before you jump in, you always confirm what Scripture reveals. You also constantly communicate with Father-Son-Spirit. The more you practice, the more you begin to witness God’s grace in your life. Also, the more divine knowledge you acquire, the better you understand God’s work in your life and others.

Your walk will eventually lead you to learn and apply HIS Kingdom ways in your everyday life. You will practice HIS ways in your home, at work, and within your community. You will meet others who likewise practice Kingdom ways. Maybe even form a fellowship with others in the marketplace. A place you can build a platform of serving others through a business. Where you can be a witness of how Jesus leads you to live a productive and meaningful life. A place you can excel at doing good work. Work that is rewarding for those you serve and for all the families involved.

The life of a Christ-follower is a journey of love and adventure. As we learn to dance with Father-Son-Spirit on earth’s floor, we participate with HIM in HIS work. As HE shares HIS life with us, we share ours with HIM. We allow HIM to live HIS life in and through us. We benefit from the process and HE is glorified.

We become HIS witnesses of the Kingdom of God in action. As others come to see your good works, they also come into contact with your God. As Joseph found favor with Pharaoh, so may you. As Daniel found favor with his King, so may you. They realize the God they serve was very powerful. When you introduce the Jesus you have come to know, others will want to know HIM too. HE is not the shallow Jesus the world portrays. HE is the God-Man who makes a vast difference in the lives of those who follow 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)

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Spiritual Adaptation

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.   Romans 13:14

There are more people today who have improved their health going from a high-carb diet to a fat adaptation model. There are also medical studies that show the benefits of such a health regimen. Whether one follows the Keto plan or a carnivore diet, it is agreed that both are a change to the body.

As one who has experienced the weight loss under each plan, they do work. The challenge though is to whether accept either plan as a long-term lifestyle. Do the benefits outperform the sacrifice?

Since each person is unique, the answer depends on your biological makeup. Now though, I want to only look from a spiritual viewpoint. And we will start by asking this question. What is the comparison of our spiritual walk with Jesus and following a keto lifestyle?

First, let’s look at the keto lifestyle. The plan involves reducing carbohydrates one eats while increasing the fat one consumes. This strategy is based on realizing that the body’s energy comes from either burning glucose or fat. The body can produce glucose without ever eating any carbohydrates. Whereas over eating carbohydrates can produce harmful health conditions. For example, insulin resistance which leads to diabetes and other metabolic issues.

Fat, unlike carbs, more quickly satiates the hunger. When one eats carbs, one can easily overeat unnecessary calories. Then again repeat a couple of hours later for more unneeded calories. Whereas fat fills one up quicker for a longer period of time.

What does all this have to do with spiritual adaptation?

Well, the challenges are similar. For the keto diet to effectively work, one has to become fat adapted. For the Christ-follower to be effective, one needs to become spiritual adapted. The keto lifestyle requires the severe reduction of carbohydrates from the diet. The Christ-follower needs to limit sin’s influence in one’s life. Both plans need not only the elimination of something but also the addition of a new way of life.

Some people have attempted a part of the keto plan. They may reduce their intake of carbs with some benefit of weight loss. But they may still be in a pre-diabetic state because they haven’t become fat adapted. They want to hold on to the past while stretching toward the future. They are not ready to deny themselves from the pleasure of carbs.

So is the case with Christ-followers. They want to experience the new creation with Jesus. But they have great difficulty letting go of their past.

If the person wants the full keto benefit, they must become fat adapted. If a Christ-follower wants the full gospel benefit, they must become Spirit adapted.

There is no way around it. If one holds unto the past while grasping for the future, neither approach will succeed. Both will fail.

Jesus gave the same warning to the church in Laodicea. “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth (Revelations 3:15-16).”

So, like the writer of Romans stated. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Allow the Holy Spirit to influence your attitude, decisions, and worldview. Learn to see the world through the eyes of Father-Son-Spirit. Let go of the past. Let go of the self. Let go and let Jesus lead you around earth’s dance floor.

Be fully committed. Read the Book. Focus on eternity. Let HIS kingdom come alive in your world. Instead of seeking how to please your personal desires, seek how you can best serve those around you. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes. To discern how you can best support Father-Son-Spirit in your corner of the world.

It all starts when you allow Jesus to clothe you with HIMSELF. When you abide with HIM, HE will abide with you. When you focus on HIS plans for you, HE will direct your steps and bring people into your world. HE will fill you with the spiritual riches via the Holy Spirit. The fruit of HIS Spirit will abound with you. As you follow HIM, you will become more and more spiritually adapted.

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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Life to the Fullest

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.   Galatians 2:20

Jesus Christ lived, died, and was resurrected for you. HE sacrificed HIMSELF. HE showed us what love means through HIS words, actions, and purpose. The end result is HIS Spirit living within you. You and Jesus are now joined together through the Holy Spirit. As your spirit yields to God’s Spirit, you are both partnering in a great dance called life.

You are also wired for good work. Jesus has a place for you in HIS Kingdom. Yet HE will not force you nor coerce you toward it. You must decide whether or not you want to be engaged with HIM. When you do, you begin to experience life the way HE designed you to be.

Like a good marriage where couples share in the decision-making, so is your dance with Jesus. HE has open the lines of communications with you in prayer. HE instructs us to ask, seek, and knock. As we ask HIM for HIS thoughts on the matter, we also put forth our effort. Together, HIS grace and our effort germinate faithful action. All for HIS glory, the benefit of others and ourselves. For HE cares about you and those around you.

HE is the incarnate Triune God of humanity. HE has a greater purpose for life than this earthly experience. Yet, as we pursue our daily tasks with HIS spirit leading us, we learn how life is lived within HIS Kingdom culture. We don’t dream about the impossible, we ask HIM to show us the path toward making the dream become reality. We don’t play virtual life, we live life. We work, play, and relate with real people in real places doing real work for HIS glory and for HIS children.

Though at times life gets hard. Circumstances may stink. There may be days when you feel no one truly cares you even exist. These are the times we reach out for heaven’s help. We lean on HIM. We place our faith on HIS life living in us. We ask HIM for help. To direct our steps. To bring people who can help us. To give us the internal fortitude and strength. We wait. But we focus. We keep leaning on HIM. As we move through the dance floor of life, we sense HIS touch, HIS push, HIS confidence. We follow HIS lead. We partake and observe at the same time.

As the dominoes fall, and the music becomes clearer, the doors begin to open. As we walk forward, events move fast. Before we know, we are looking in hindsight to what just happened. A miracle. An outcome better than we expected. Not as we wanted it, but good. Good for ourselves. Good for all those involved. But most respectfully, a good outcome that glorifies our God in heaven.

This all begins when we choose to be engaged with the Savior and Lord of heaven and earth. HE brings life to the full for everyone who walks 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)

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Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved