2025

Trained in God’s Family Business

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , , ,

And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”   Matthew 13:52

During my career, I had the opportunity to meet key leaders of various businesses. Some of them inherited their companies from parents and grandparents. But each had a similar story to tell. They all would state nothing was given to them without a heavy cost of lessons learned along the way. Their stories showcased the work ethic and discipline they faced each day. They learned the business from the bottom-up.

I changed their names, but the situations are accurate.

Adam started working in his dad’s company the summer he turned sixteen. He was shy, reserved, and quiet. His dad gave me the honors to find something for him to do in the accounting department. We tried him in various roles until we discovered he was a natural working with spreadsheets. Today he is the president and owner of this major national real estate company.

Robert graduated from U of M with a degree in business. His father owned a large national investment company. Instead of bringing him into the company, dad worked out a deal with his son. The son would have a small, closet size office within his organization but not work for him. Instead, his son started his own company. A one-person operation. Dad would only support him with advice and counseling when asked. He drew no salary and lived on what he made. Over the next several years, he learned the trade from the bottom-up. He was the receptionist, janitor, accountant, sales manager, and CEO. The long days and hard work paid off over time. Today he is the CEO of his company which is the largest private-owner in the industry.

There are dozens more examples I could share with you. They all have one common theme. They all took the opportunity in front of them and paid their dues. They learned and grew in preparation of leadership. They all knew when starting out they were not ready to seize the mantle of running the company. But they also knew as they mastered the material in front of them, they would one day be ready for the CEO role. They all started at the bottom of the ladder and worked their way up.

Is not that the same for us Christ-followers? God’s Kingdom is Father-Son-Spirit’s family business. Today, HIS disciples are being prepared to lead and serve under the umbrella of God’s Kingdom on earth today. We learn to govern ourselves. To serve others. And produce good work for the glory of God. We do so knowingly we are being trained for greater responsibilities into eternity (Rev 5:10). The work may seem small in our eyes at the moment. But those little tasks and small choices build upon each other into larger tasks and choices (Matt 25:21).

I always enjoyed Dallas Willard’s line, “Christ-followers are being trained to reign.” Genesis one and the last chapter of Revelation reveals this mandate for humanity. God wants life to flourish and humanity to govern the earth. As we operate under the Kingdom of God, God’s family business, the more we experience the treasures of HIS domain.

Yes, life is a learning process preparing one for eternity with Jesus. We all start somewhere at the bottom. But we all have a chair waiting for us at the table with Jesus in HIS family business. So, let’s roll up our sleeves, put forth the effort, and allow God’s grace cover us as we learn the family business.

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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Are We Puppets on a String?

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

“for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”   Philippians 2:13

God created man and woman after HIS image. He made them to have free agency. Like himself, HE has given us the ability to imagine, create, and choose. At the same time, HE has given us a heart of self-preservation. We are naturally self-centered. Whatever we desire, we can immediately pursue, or we can delay gratification. It is our choice. It also takes willpower to refrain. This is the battle with the self between the mind, heart, and will.

Yet Paul writes here that God is also at work in us. This raises the question: How can we be considered free if God can manipulate us according to HIS will?

A friend and I recently had this discussion. He was scratching his head and asked this question. How can we be free people if God could manipulate us like a Marionette string puppet?

Yes, God is sovereign. He has the last word. He can intervene and do what HE wants to do anytime and anyplace. Yet, HE made humanity to function after HIS image, though limited in the physical realm. The book of Genesis states that humanity has authority over everything on earth. God has given us the responsibility and accountability to perform. To make this a flourishing world. Yet what happens when we fail to fulfill our responsibility? Who are we accountable too?

HE wouldn’t be God if HE would close HIS eyes so we could destroy everything HE has made. What parent would allow their children to destroy everything around them including themselves?

This Scripture is addressing the believer. One who has already chosen to surrender their kingdom under the authority of King Jesus. As a believer, Jesus lives in you via the Holy Spirit. He is your Lord and Friend. He is there to walk with you and share HIS life with you. As HE shares HIS life with us, we learn to share our life with HIM. Life then becomes like a ballroom dance. The two are working together around the dance floor of life. They are acting in unison to the rhythm of the music expressing themselves with the sounds and beat. The two operate as one.

God’s work and pleasure is for your training and development of becoming more like HIM. HE will take the time to discipline us. HE will take the time to support us in doing good work for HIS glory. His desire is for you to find rest in HIM. To learn and appreciate the grace HE provides to help you live a meaningful life – now and into eternity. If you don’t want HIS involvement in your life, HE will keep hands off. HE respects you and HIMSELF to follow the relationship boundaries HE has placed at the start.

No, humans are not puppets on a string. But free agents able to choose which partner we will dance with through life. So, choose wisely.

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

The Integrity Edge 

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

Proverbs 11:3

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Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?   Job 4:6

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But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever.  Psalm 41:12

Integrity is usually defined as firmly living a code of conduct. For a Christ-follower, this means one is clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. One adheres to HIS character. One is allowing HIS Spirit to influence their thoughts and actions. One then is learning to live under the integrity of Jesus.

Why is this important?

Because as we draw closer to God, HE draws closer to us (James 4:8). When we practice HIS ways, HE notices. HE is rooting for us. We have the examples of people in the Bible. God mentions them and calls them blameless. You have Noah, Abraham, and Job. In the New Testament, us saints are instructed to live similar blameless lives. When one lives with integrity, one lives in the freedom of the Lord.

We live with confidence HE is our protector, provider, and peace monger. We walk in faith trusting HIM to go before us and clean up our meshes after us. Yes, we are constantly repenting. Yes, we are adjusting our ways as we align ourself with HIM. Yet HE is always faithful. HE knows our human condition. HE understands the pull of the flesh. But HE also knows the power of the Holy Spirit. HE also knows as we learn to yield ourselves to HIM, the Spirit will work with us. The Spirit will help us to build the virtuous character we need to fully walk with HIM.

Yes, integrity gives you the edge in your relationships. In business, community, and family affairs you will be on display. People with integrity are noticed by those in leadership positions. We look at how Daniel, a foreigner, served under three different kings as a governor of the land. They and Daniel’s enemies recognized his integrity. God protected him and gave him favor throughout his life. Daniel was thankful. He praised his God in prayer three times per day. Even when his life was in jeopardy, he didn’t succumb to the powers but trusted God. As a youth and again as an aged senior, he was willing to die for his beliefs. He never wavered.

Yes, integrity gives you an edge in life. It may cost you your life. But if you haven’t found anything worth dying for, then you haven’t found anything worth living for. That is what Martin Luther King stated and how he lived. That is also how every convicted believer lives.

Learn and live under the integrity of Jesus. Let HIM be your code of conduct.

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