2025

Knowledge & Love

Dr. Mike 2025 , ,

“Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.” 1 Corinthians 8:1

The apostle Paul made this statement when dealing with food being offered to idols. He highlighted the importance of knowledge and love when dealing in any situation. Whenever one-side ignores the other, the situation becomes out of kilter.

To get knowledge is important. Without knowledge one is ignorant and vulnerable to all types of negative influences. The Book of Proverbs contains over forty maxims emphasizing the importance of knowledge. One of my favorites state that knowledge is more valuable than gold. With knowledge one gains understanding, wisdom and insight. After the gold is gone, with knowledge one can repeat the process and acquire more. But without knowledge, one only ends up spending all the gold and not know how to get more.

Love is how best to interrelate with others. Love is concern with the welfare of others. Jesus is our role model. He demonstrated that sacrificing oneself for others is the best way to express your love. In modern vernacular, love means sacrificing something of the self to add value in the other person’s life.

When knowledge becomes the means of self-aggrandizement, one has lost their way. Likewise, when love becomes self-centered, one has misplaced love’s aim.

The purpose to gain knowledge is not for ego building or to make one feel important. But how can one best serve others. If love likewise turns inward, it is no longer love, but selfish vain glory.

So, Paul demonstrates here in regards to the fallacy of offering food to idols. Your brother may be ignorant of the subject. He has no knowledge of the matter. Don’t stone him. Instead use your knowledge to share the truth in a way that builds up the other rather than devour them. It is not simple to do. Our human tenancy is to blur out the truth like a heavy weight fighter throwing a punch in a world boxing match. Rather we need to learn like Jesus to balance compassion with the truth.

Love and truth best move together hand-in-hand for the Christ-follower. So does knowledge and love best move together hand-in-hand. Some of us find the path naturally easy. The rest of us need to ask the Holy Spirit teach us how best to approach the situation.

Yes, life is a learning process preparing you and me for eternity with Jesus. Each day we get to practice how best to apply the knowledge we gain into the lives of others with love. Every day we get opportunities to share the truth with others. Over time we will come to learn one important fact. People really don’t care how much you know. They really want to know if you truly care for them.

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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Aim Up

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.   Isaiah 51:6

Whenever there is a tough decision to make, what are some guidelines you use?

Like most of us, do you look at cost, time-restraints, and sacrificial requirements? Or are you willing to accept those only as part of the package and focus on the eternal outcome?

Over the years, you will be confronted with difficult decisions. Some of these moments you may not take the godlier route. Sometimes the cost will be more than you can endure. Other times the convenience of having it now will win out. Most times, you will not want to give up anything in exchange. Looking back, you will realize the faith living in you was expressing itself through your choices.

Yet over the years, God’s grace is constantly pored upon us. We learn that aiming up rather than down may hurt in the short term, but the long-term benefits far out weight them. It took a while for me to understand this. But focusing on the eternal aspects under God’s Kingdom has proven to be the better outcome.

Now when in doubt, I trust more. When I am being taken advantage of, I learn to bless more. When someone asks a little from me, I give them more. When someone needs a shoulder to cry on, I give them that and more. When God’s peace is being stolen from me, I give more away.

My aim is to please Jesus more than myself and others. When I get distracted, iniquity seems to show up. Thus, I want to know what Jesus is doing wherever I go. Sometimes HE lets me know. Most of the time, I don’t see or hear HIM. But other times, I see the impact the Spirit is having with someone and ask for discernment to join them. Other times, HE doesn’t let me know, but HE may get others involve. Life is not solely about me. But what the Triune God is doing in preparing eternity for his children. HE knows what is best. My aim is to trust HIM, follow HIM, and support HIM wherever I go.

So, aim up. Keep your focus on Jesus. Make your decisions knowing HE is always with you. Let HIM lead you around the dance floor of life.

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
at Apple Books)

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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Surrender, Sacrifice, Service

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.   Luke 9:23

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“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”   Hebrews 13:16

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“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.” 1 Corinthians 9:19

Being an adopted child in the family of the Triune circle requires the acceptance of a new paradigm. The family culture follows the pattern of the life of Jesus. HE established the norm. Throughout HIS ministry, HE lived and practiced the Triune way. He lived a life of surrender, sacrifice, and service.

HE taught not only with words, but with HIS actions. HE didn’t ask anything from anyone that HE hasn’t already done himself.

When HE made the statement “to deny yourself, take up your daily cross, and follow HIM,” HE was already doing the same. His entire ministry was focused on following HIS Father’s Will.

When HE met people who ask for his help, HE stopped what HE was doing and obliged. When a person was tied to a rope and flung down from a ceiling in a private house, he didn’t criticize them for destroying the roof. Instead, HE healed them. When someone reached out and touched HIM in the crowded marketplace, HE stopped from HIS task at hand. HE recognized someone in pain. HE didn’t shame them but addressed the person with respect and dignity. HE gave what HE had to help solve their problem at hand.

HE didn’t lord over others, but served them. HE washed his disciples’ feet when needed. HE multiplied a handful of bread and fish to feed five-thousand hungry people. HE healed the sick. HE restored life to those who died. HE gave HIS time and attention to those who were neglected by society.

Surrender, sacrifice, and service are three amigos built from the Christ-followers spiritual DNA. They don’t naturally come. But the Spirit of God is working in us as we yield to HIM. The more we hang out with our heavenly host, the more HIS ways become the norm. The more we practice, the more HIS grace helps us through the process.

Over time we find ourselves living the Triune way. A life of surrender, sacrifice, and service without much effort. A life patterned after Jesus. The Kingdom way. A life that leads to true freedom, flourishment, and fulfillment. God’s 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)

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

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved