2025

Expectations

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , 
For nothing will be impossible with God.”   Luke 1:37

Expectations limit God. They put HIM in a box. The impossible becomes discharged by only the known possibilities. We see this over and over again throughout Scripture.

Here in the first chapter of Luke a virgin is pregnant with the Messiah. Impossible? Not for God.

An angel tells her a relative who is beyond childbearing age is now six months pregnant. Impossible? Not for God.

In Acts 3, a lame man is begging for money in front of the temple. As Peter and John walked by him, the beggar is expecting to receive money from them. Instead of meeting his expectation, Peter reaches out and touches the man by the hand. He commands him to stand. The man stands up and begins to walk. Impossible? Not for God.

In Mark 6 and 8, Jesus is preaching to crowds of 4,000 and 5,000. HE realizes the people are hungry. But there are only 5 loaves and 2 fish among them the first time. And only seven loaves the next time. The disciples are instructed to feed the masses. How? An impossible situation you say? Not for God. Not only does Jesus multiply the food present and feed the crowd, but there are leftovers.

Over and over again, our limited minds focus on what we believe is possible. Yet, our creator God who understands the natural forces at work, also knows how to bypass their limits. HE is the God who surpasses our expectations.

So why do we get upset when our expectations are not met? When we pray for an outcome and the results are often the opposite of what we desire? Is God playing a game with us?

In most cases, I find God simply wants us to learn to trust HIM. HE focuses on building an abiding relationship with each of us rather than a Santa Claus affair. HE wants us to love HIM for who HE IS, not what HE can give us. The gifts, blessings, and favors are easy for us to accept. But will we love HIM for being HIM when the toys stop coming?

HE will keep chiseling away at all our idols. Those mini-gods that prevent us from having a deep, trustful relationship with HIM. HE wants us to be assured that whatever HE has promised, HE will deliver upon. HIS Word is HIS bond.

This type of relationship takes time to build. But when completed, HE and you will have a bond stronger than anything or anyone can separate the two of you.

So, let’s remember to keep our expectations under control and trust God. Let HIM be God and do what we label as the impossible. For nothing is impossible with HIM. Yes, do your part. Then watch as HE showers HIS grace upon your situation. The outcome most likely will be nothing that you expected. But the results will be a long-term victory for all parties involved.

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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What Does God Want From You?

Dr. Mike 2025 , 
He has told you, O man, what is good;
    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
    and to walk humbly with your God?   Micah 6:8

What does any caring parent want from their children?

From the day a young couple finds out she is with child; the family focus changes. The expectant mother re-prioritizes her life. The soon-to-be-dad senses the new responsibility of raising a family. Everything changes for the young couple. They begin to sacrifice their wants and desires for the sake of the expectant newborn.

When the birthday arrives, the miracle of life is overwhelming. A baby is held in the arms of each parent. The tiny fingers and toes are forever printed on your mind. This along with the entire structure of the child is for a moment a glimpse into the miracle of life. The bond between child and parent begins.

Each parent begins to grow from the maturing process of parenthood. Also in the process, the child follows suit and learns about her new world. The family culture is taking shape.

Over the years, the relationship between parent and child changes. At first the child learns at the feet of her parents. In his teenage years, the striving for independence begins. The process of discovering themselves and their relationship with others takes shape. As young adults, the relationship shifts again. No longer is the role a parent/child relationship. Instead, the interchange becomes more like an adult/adult one. Later in life, if fortunate, the shift happens again. The parent begins to act more like the child. The aging parent now needs the help of others to perform basic childlike functions. Yet through the entire process, the ideal is for love and honor from the child always remain in place.

As a parent, don’t we want an abiding, healthy relationship with our children? We may at times fail to communicate our desires. Our intentions may at times become confused. Circumstances may cause our plans to fail. But through the entire process, we appreciate their acknowledgement we did our best. That our sacrifice of helping them grow up was the best we could do at the time. We did what we knew to provide them the building blocks for life.

What does God want from you?

Maybe I’m just revealing the parent in me. But maybe all HE wants is the honor and love due HIM for HIS sacrifice. The opportunity to have a meaningful relationship with HIS children. To watch them grow and become faithful stewards within HIS family. To continue HIS legacy for others to witness. Could HE be like any parent who is pleased to see their child grow up and make a life worth living?

Yes, sometimes the rules and sub-structures get in the way. They form barriers for an abiding relationship with our heavenly Dad. I for one still enjoy being thrown up in the air and bounced on his lap. The thrill and trust that HE will always catch me is still there. And deep inside, I think HE still enjoys doing the same.

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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Divine Knowledge

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods, he holds judgment:   Ps. 82:1

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For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4

The Bible speaks about another dimension. A spiritual one. One where God resides with other spirits. Within this dimension, God sits in the midst with other gods. His council.

Our forefathers believed in a spiritual dimension. One that impacts the physical world we live in. But today, like back then, people only accept what they can see and touch. They disregard any higher dimension with powers greater than what is known.

Jesus though believed in the supernatural. HE spoke highly of HIS heavenly Father. HE manifested through HIS good works the fruit of that relationship. HE was a super rabbi of his time. HE strongly taught and interpreted Scripture with authority. HE introduced HIS kingly role to the people. HIS government was not of this world. HIS divine knowledge and wisdom opened the eyes of the people.

There is more going on in this world than what the human eye sees. There are spiritual forces impacting everyday life. There are domains led by spiritual beings who seek to destroy God’s plan for humanity. There are powers at work behind the scene terrorizing people. Fear and hate are negative consequences of their efforts. Mental anxiety and worry are fruits of their deception. Yet Jesus foreknew their plans.

HE gave us the Sermon on the Mount to mentally prepare us for the enemy. HE introduced us to the Holy Spirit. HE equipped us with spiritual armor. HE incentivized us with the heavenly vision and purpose of life. HE comforted us with assurance HE is always with us. HE emphasized the importance of continual communications through prayer. The ability to ask, seek, and knock on HIS door with immediate access. HE has made himself, HIS Father, and Holy Spirit available at moment’s notice.

All this and more becomes ours as we open our eyes in belief. We pursue a relationship with HIM. We grow in HIS grace and knowledge. As we do, a whole new world opens up. The potential possibilities that lay before us become overwhelming with delight. We kneel in awesome amazement. Our world becomes more align with the Creator’s vision for humanity. The more we hang out with the Divine, the more we capture a way of life that is more abundant than everyday survival. As our desires align with the Triune God’s character, the more we experience life the way HE created life to be.

Yes, there is knowledge that God reveals to us that science and philosophy can’t quite capture. The knowledge of how to live life to the fullest. The way our Triune God created life to be.   

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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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved