2025

Reality of Life

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

“In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” John 14:2

Life is God’s most precious gift to us. Somewhere back in time, you and I were not here. Today, we are breathing with the living. Somewhere in the future, our body will no longer take breath on planet earth. Between the time we are born until the day we die, we have the privilege and blessing to experience human life.

How we experience life in most cases is subject to what meaning and purpose we place on our existence. If we believe in a Creator God, then we accept HIS plan for life. If we do not believe in a divine being but life is a happen chance, then we operate from a position of being our own god. Whichever route we choose will determine the outcome of one’s life experience.

One life lesson I learned from business is to build teams and processes with best practices. My first major business project, I started by re-creating “the wheel.” After working super long hours and taking many arrows in the back, I knew there must be a better way to do the task at hand. My mentor saw my pain and made a quick suggestion that changed the way I would pursue life thereafter. Why re-create the wheel? Instead, why not gather the best practices already implemented by others. Then make small modifications to fit your situation.

This same approach that worked in the business world also works in everyday life. When you review all the worldviews, Christianity explains life better than the others. The Bible is the number one seller each year for a reason. When one lives the lessons of forty authors all inspired by the same God, life becomes an adventure built on solid ground. One is able to customize the best practices of life into one’s personal world.

You discover the One God of humanity. You learn HIS purpose for your life. You accept HIS declaration to be adopted into HIS family. You gladly surrender and sacrifice your personal agenda to support HIM and HIS ways. You become engaged with Papa God, Lord Jesus, and Holy Spirit. Your everyday world expands. You join others sharing the good news of Jesus with those who haven’t yet seen what you have. You learn to dance with the God-Man in your daily routines of life. As you hang out with the Divine, your spirit and soul become more patterned after the image of Jesus. You are being prepared for eternity with HIM.

What happens after this life is yet to be determined. As a believer, my faith and hope are connected with Jesus of Nazareth. The God-Man who claimed to be divine. Who substantiated HIS claim through a resurrection from the dead. And verifies HIS claim every day by the Spirit living in those who believe. HE lives in us today. We have been promised our spirit will be with HIM after we take our last breath. Then we wait to share in the resurrection of all humanity. When God will judge and assign HIS children new responsibilities. This is the fruit of living life with God.

For those who choose not to live with God, reality is painfully different. Judgement will hurt. Your will, will be done.

Life is precious. You are unique. God has a place prepared for you. But HE only wants those who are willing to share in HIS life HIS way. Rebels are welcome as long as they surrender to HIM and HIS way!

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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Courage

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
    all you who wait for the Lord!   Psalm 31:24

Someone once asked Charlie Kirk what is the most important value quality to live by. His reply – courage.

He would then explain that without courage, one is paralyzed. Instead of acting in the moment, one freezes. Instead of moving forward as a person, one continues down the path toward immaturity.

With courage, one defeats fear with action. With courage, one precedes to love their enemy rather than fall victim to their abuse. With courage, one faces truth with the willingness to bend. Courage is the backbone that allows all other virtues to shine.

As Christ-followers, we have God’s assurance that HE is always with us (Mt. 28:20). As we lean on the Holy Spirit, we learn to trust HIS counsel. We learn to follow HIS lead. We learn to deny ourself and allow HIS presence be magnified through us.

We learn by living on the foundation of truth. When corrected, we have the courage to change our convictions. We are open to acknowledge we don’t have the answer at times. But we do know who does. HIS name is Jesus. Our courage is built on HIM. HIS faith lives in us and gives us the strength we need in the appropriate time.

Do not fear is a line that God’s messengers kept reminding others when dealing with a difficult situation. Jesus himself stated the same when dealing with truth matters. Instead of being captured by fear’s emotional jailhouse, we need to exercise courage. As children of God, we have the faith of Jesus to help us breakthrough.

Sometimes we just need someone to remind us to take courage into the arena of life. Consider this your reminder.      

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 at Apple Books)

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A Test of Your Joy

Dr. Mike 2025 , ,

And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.  Luke 8:13

Often I heard Dallas Willard respond with the following words to someone in a difficult period in their life. He would reply with the phrase, “this will definitely test your joy.” In many ways, it was his way of acknowledging a difficult situation. A place in life where pain and suffering leads to an unknown outcome. A time where one’s faith is being tested. Where God’s intervention is necessary to fix the problem.

In the above Scripture, Jesus was explaining a parable to his disciples. One of the challenges for those who hear God’s Word is when testing comes along. Initially, one is excited to learn new truth that helps transform one’s life. But when a difficult situation arises, one is being tested. One then is confronted by the truth. A choice needs to be made. God’s Word meets your desire. Truth confronts your willpower. Does your willpower win the test? Or does your desire quiet truth?

Jesus faced a similar test prior to HIS public ministry (Lk. 4:1-12). HE was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to face Satan. Satan attacked Jesus with doubt of HIS identity. He offered Jesus the convenience of satisfying HIS kingly role immediately. Why fulfill Scripture per HIS Father’s will when you can have it now? This was Jesus’ temptation. The result is HE passed the test. 

Every one of us will face similar tests throughout our life. We will pass them and we will fail them. When passed, it will energize and assure us in our walk with Jesus. When we fail the test, God’s grace will be upon us. HE will reveal something about us that needs transformation. It will keep us humble. It will keep us leaning on HIM. It will give us a ringside seat to see how the Spirit works in us and through us.

When one is committed for the long haul, one views each test as a building block. We keep plowing ahead making adjustments toward the high call of Christ. If we are in this only for immediate gratification, we risk quitting right before the goal line.

The fruit of the Spirit includes joy. As we learn to walk empowered by the Spirit, we will be tested. Each test will reveal more about our character. Each test may temporarily rob us of our joy. Yet, as we make the effort in our life to align with the Triune God, the Spirit will give us the power to walk in Christ.

Tests are God’s way of allowing us to evaluate our true selves. Under the empowerment of HIS grace, we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us after the likeness of Jesus. Each failed test, is a course adjustment. More time to reflect on God’s character and lean on HIM.

Each passing test, is a grateful praise for the work of the Spirit in our lives. We are humbled by Christ’s work in us. For HIS joy is our constant reminder. Whether we pass or fail the test, it is better to walk with HIM then not. For when you are committed for the long haul, HE has a way of bringing out HIS joy in you through all the tests.  

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 now available)

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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved