2025

What Does Holiness Look Like?

Dr. Mike 2025 , ,

…but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”   1 Peter 1:15-16

To be holy is to be different from the culture around you. To be holy is to be separated from the world’s definitions of good and evil. For when one is holy, one is unlike the world and more like their heavenly Father. Holiness is the byproduct of being connected with Jesus via the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus is the central core of your life, you begin to express life HIS way. You seek to mimic HIM in your relationships and tasks. You put on the character of God. You allow HIS presence in you and around you to lead you.

To be holy is a byproduct of your desire to be like Jesus. Your heart is not to please those around you but how can you please HIM. You seek to bring honor and glory in HIS name. Wherever you go, you walk without religious bias. You include others in your decision-making. Your desire is for all to come to know HIM who you represent.

To be holy is more than doing the right thing at the right time. To be holy is to express the character of God at each moment. To allow HIS love, joy, and peace express itself through you. To celebrate life around you. To do good for others. To practice self-control at all times; not for fanfare, but because you are holy. You have been set apart by HIM for your sake and for the sake of others.

To be holy is to be set apart from the sinful actions around you. You know there is a penalty to be paid for such acts. Instead, you are being navigated by HIS Spirit to live a life rich in moral wealth. To experience life without the penalties of sin. Even when the sin virus lures you into an act of self-destruction, you quickly refocus your heart and mind to HIM. For HE is always there to shower you with HIS grace. You are thus grateful for HIS presence and involvement in your life.

To be holy is not a religious thing. To be holy is a way of life that mimics the God of the universe. The same God who created humanity for a purpose. The same Being who knows how to enjoy life to the fullest. The same heavenly Father who wants what is best for HIS children. To be holy is the culture of eternity.

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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Which God Do You Most Entertain?

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

“‘You shall have no other gods before me.”   Deut. 5:7

Tell me your god and I will know more about you in the quickest amount of time. Whichever god you focus your attention on is a reflection of how you view life. Your beliefs, values, and practices are a byproduct of the god you entertain.

There are many gods in the world. They may be spirits, images, or even other people. They may be movements, religions or political affiliations. They probably represent something good in life. Faith, family, and country affiliation are some examples. Health, education, and career are some others.

You worship what your heart desires and longs for. For life is a constant process of making decisions on who you are going to serve.  Whatever becomes the center core of your life is the god you eventually entertain.

If money is your god, your values and practices will reflect your actions. You will pursue your god without ever finding full inner satisfaction. If your god is family, again your values and practices will reflect your actions. Family is a good thing. But you will likewise still find that inner hole empty and unsatisfied over the long haul if they are your central means of worship.

The list is endless. There are many gods seeking your attention and allegiance. But there is only one who will truly satisfy the thirst of your inner soul. The God-Man Jesus Christ. HE is the Incarnate Triune God.

When you come to know HIM, you come to the place where you realize your story has always included HIM. But you ignorantly never realized HE was always there.

As you refocus your heart, mind, and will toward HIM, you come to the place of inner peace, love, and joy. You realize when HE is first in your life, everything else falls into its proper priority. HE is the culmination of all the other good gods. HIS ways and purpose put to shame all the evil gods.

When HE gave this commandment to Moses, HE did so for our sake. HE knew what a mess we would become by pursuing all the other gods in this world. But HE also knew when you and I abide in HIM, life is much better.

So, take a hard look at the gods you entertain and serve. Which one has been good for you? Which one has robbed you of your freedom? Which one has enslaved you? Which one steals most of your time away from being the person God has made you to be?

After your evaluation period, compare your god with Jesus Christ. Read the Gospel of John in the Bible for yourself. Discover more about HIM and how HE wants what is best for you. Set aside the rumors and gossips of ignorant folks. They most likely are people who never stopped to investigate the real Jesus. Instead, accept HIS invitation to engage HIM in your daily life. Make HIM the core of your life and watch what a difference HE makes.

Yes, keep HIM before all the others and HE will help you keep all the other gods in their place of priority. In fact, when HE is your central command center, all other gods are aligned and eventually bow down their presence in serving HIM. HE brings out the best in all of us.        

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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Home with Jesus

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , 
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.   John 14:23
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For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on[a] we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.  2 Corinthians 5:1-5
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Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16

Jesus gives us two homes to share life with HIM. The first is our earthly body. The second is our heavenly abode. Whether on earth or in heaven, we are at home with Jesus.

As our physical body wears out, we look forward to our eternal home. Until then, we care and govern our bodies.

Paul writes that our bodies are God’s temple. God’s Spirit resides in us.  Father God and Jesus Christ share their life with us via the Holy Spirit that lives in us. At the same time, we share our life with the Triune God. There is a mutual bond and relationship.

The more we spend time together, the greater the bond grows. The more we share our interests and discover each other, the deeper our love grows. Though God’s love for us is more than we can even fathom. It is our love for HIM that blossom.

As we share life together, we grow to worship HIM. We learn and teach HIS ways to others. We magnify HIS Kingdom ways. We gladly sacrifice our ways for the greater good of HIS purpose.

Yes, home is wherever Jesus abides. Today, HE lives in you and me. HE also lives in heaven. One day when earth and heaven are merged together in the new age, then our permanent home with Jesus will be in place. Until then, we are humbled and honored to have HIS Spirit share space with our spirit in this tent called the body.

Meanwhile, do enjoy this Easter season and be grateful for everything Jesus has done for you.

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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