2025

God is Always at Work

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , , ,

But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working…”  So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. John 5:17, 19-20
 

Jesus just healed an invalid man on the Sabbath. The man was incapacitated for thirty-eight years. Instead of celebrating the healing of the man, the Jews focused their anger on Jesus. They were angry because Jesus spoke about his familial relationship with HIS Father God. To them this was blaspheme. Their understanding of Scripture did not equate how Jesus could be related to Father God.

Along with their uneasiness, Jesus also took the time to explain HIS heart behind HIS actions. HE shared the process of how HE chose what to focus on.

HIS mind, heart, and soul were focused on the work HIS Father was doing around HIM. HE was so attuned to HIS Father’s Will; HE acted and did as HIS Father did.

The relationship between Jesus and HIS Father was very close. They mutually agreed and acted in similar fashion. Jesus knew HIS Father loved him so much that HE would reveal all HIS doing to HIM.

IS this not the type of relationship we want with Jesus and Father God? To have a ring-side seat to participate in the work of God?

Imagine walking into a room of strangers and participating with the Spirit’s work in front of you? Is this not the Christian journey in Christ? To participate with Jesus in HIS work? To share our life in Christ with others?

Instead of walking into a room with a planned agenda of what you are going to do for Jesus, how about a new approach? What if you asked Jesus how you can join HIM and work with HIM? No expectations. No planned purpose? Only our heart, mind, and soul focused on the work our Triune God is doing in the present.

God is always at work. Ask HIM how you can join HIM. HE loves to share HIS plans with others. Especially HIS children as HE prepares them for eternity 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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Would You Have Carried Jesus’ Cross?

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

“And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.” Luke 23:26

We all have a cross to carry. Jesus stated so. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

Your cross may be the responsibilities thrusted upon you at a young age. Your cross may consist of financial or relational challenges. Your cross may be the physical or emotional disability you are dealing with each day. Whatever the situation or circumstance you are facing today, this is your cross.

Many times, we feel our cross is so heavy and burdensome when compared to others and their cross. Their cross is so little that you would gladly exchange yours for theirs. Most likely, they look at yours and feel the same way.

Yet each of us has a cross we carry. You may call it a burden. It may be a heavy weight of responsibility. Or something that is preventing you from achieving your personal dreams. An obstacle that needs to be removed. How many times have we felt helpless and long for someone to help us through the pain? Jesus did.

All three Synoptic gospels highlight the story of Simon of Cyrene. A named person helping to carry the wooden cross of Jesus toward Calvary. Jesus, the God-Man, beaten and busted from all the abuse he faced up to then. Jesus, who help heal thousands during his ministry. Jesus, who was convicted and being executed by the government for being a King. This Jesus was now so broken he needed help to carry his cross.

We don’t have any details of Simon of Cyrene except he was the father of two disciples, Rufus and Alexander (Mark 15:21). Everything else is speculation. But we do know, he helps Jesus carry his cross. We don’t know if he deliberately stood before the Roman soldiers begging them to allow him to help Jesus. We don’t know if the Roman commander simply grabbed him from the crowd and drafted him to help. Either way, Simon carried Jesus’ cross when HE needed the help.

How many times have we gone through the day thinking we are the only one who has a cross to carry? That the other person has their act all together. They don’t need any help. We are so focused on our cross we don’t notice the cross they may be carrying.

What this Scripture reminds me is every single human being has a cross they carry. Though ours may be light at the moment, the day will come when it will get heavy. A time when we will be thankful someone like Simon of Cyrene comes around and helps us. Meanwhile, I pray to be more aware of the needs of others. Like Simon of Cyrene, that someone may even be Jesus Himself (Matthew 25:40).

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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Why Be Thankful?

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,


“…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18

Ever notice how difficult it is to be thankful in all circumstances? Especially in those hard times when your world is broken. When the people around you don’t even know you exist. When you are in pain. When you are physically, mentally, and emotionally drain. Those times when you don’t want to speak with anyone. You only want to withdraw and cry. Those are the times when you feel no one seems to understand what you are going through. You are in a self-pity party and no one else wants to show up.

We have all been there. If not yet, wait. One day you will find yourself at the end of yourself. In need of a savior.

The apostle Paul writes here that we all need to give thanks in all circumstances. Why? Because that is how the Triune God acts.

Through the incarnation, you and I are now buried and resurrected in Christ. Baptism reminds us of this. When we surrendered to Jesus, we committed ourselves to follow HIM. Our responsibility today is to learn to live the way Jesus lived. We don’t become like HIM via fiat. It is a process of transformation of the mind, heart, and will.

Every watch how parents struggle to teach their child when and how to express the words “thank you?” It doesn’t happen naturally. When someone gives their child a present, the parent coaches the child to say thank you. Most often, the child is repeatedly reminded. Then one day the words come out without the parent’s nudge. The entire process of learning may take years. Yet this is only behavior modification.

How much longer do you think it takes for the Holy Spirit to train our emotional heart to be thankful? Where our spirit is thankful without any coaching. And not only thankful, but with loving action. Where we follow through with our willpower to act like Jesus in the circumstances we face.

When we are thankful from the heart, we are expressing love in the situation. We are acknowledging our humanity and appreciation for what we gracefully receive. We are also focusing on God who is the ultimate giver. In a sense, being thankful is a mode of repentance. We are refocusing our mind toward Father-Son-Spirit. The giver of all good gifts.

When we are truly thankful, our attention is focus on others and not ourself. We find in so doing God’s love is extended toward others. The giver shares in their act of giving. They are being blessed. Jesus reminds us (Acts 20:35), “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” The cycle of giving and receiving allows both to enjoy the experience.

Thankfulness is the starting gun of every race. It leads one into putting everything in perspective. It allows love to lead. It focuses on God and others before self. It allows our spirit to align with God’s Spirit in the moment.

Learn to be thankful and you will learn to be more like Jesus.

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)

Aspirations and Writings Neatly Bound in Book Formats:
* indicates audio version available at Apple Books

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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved