2025

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
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Waiting is the Hardest Part

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.   Psalm 69:1-3

Someone recently asked me what is the hardest part of trading the futures market. I didn’t hesitate but replied. The waiting. You are sitting and observing the day’s activity for your anticipated setup. You will spend 90% of your time waiting. Waiting for your setup to form. Then waiting for your entry point to arrive. When your entry point arrives, you are still waiting for confirmation. Are all variables verifying the move? If yes, you enter. If no, you pass on the trade. You then wait for the next opportunity.

Everything in life worth pursuing requires patience. If your wife is pregnant, you are waiting. You are waiting in anticipation of the delivery of your child. If you are interviewing for your ideal job, you are waiting. You are waiting for a favorable reply. If you are competing in a championship game, you are waiting. You wait for the day and moment to arrive. Waiting is part of the cycle of life.

But waiting is hardest when life isn’t working according to plan. When life throws curve balls at us and we keep missing the mark, life can get ugly and depressing. The feeling of hopelessness and helplessness can be overbearing. Without a companion to lean on and help us along the way, the world can turn into a very dark place. Thankful, none of us are every truly alone. God is always present.

King David had his moments of discouragement and helplessness. Psalm sixty-nine expresses his overwhelming sorrow as he calls on God for deliverance. He cries out about the suffering and injustice he is facing. He is crying out for divine intervention. We all have been there. The question is how did we respond?

When circumstances are in stink mode, waiting for an upgrade is hard. When temptation is overbearing, and the future looks bleak, waiting is hard. Yet this is when our faith is being tested. But will we focus on God’s faithfulness or not? Will we recall all the moments God intervened in our past? Will we acknowledge HIS true character or believe lies? Will we hang unto HIS love for us as a Perfect Father? Do we believe HE knows what is best for HIS children and respect HIS decision and timing of the situation? Or do we throw in the towel and quit the race?

When we are down, the devil can’t resist to throw more doubt and lies our way. He knows patience is a virtue that most people lack. Waiting on God is always the hardest part of any situation. As I have said, God is always late according to my schedule. But in reality, HE is always on time. HE is teaching and training and developing us to be more like Jesus. No matter how difficult the situation may seem at the moment, I am always reminded. HIS discipline is the most merciful way for me to learn. So, I again learn to wait on HIM.

David waited thirteen years from being anointed to be crowned the king of Israel. Noah took at least seventy-five years to build the ark. Abraham waited twenty-five years for the birth of his son Isaac. The list of other faithful saints demonstrates the same experience. We all need to learn the importance of waiting on God.

Yes, waiting is the hardest part. But waiting on our Lord Jesus is the best place to be. It may not seem like it now. But in hindsight, you may find it was the physically worst and the spiritually best time in your life. Two of my favorite verses are Matthew 24:13 and Hebrews 12:7. Both highlight the importance of endurance, the fruit of learning to wait on 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)

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

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Underestimating Jesus

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.  I John 4:4


 

What are some ways we may limit Jesus in our lives?

The other day I spent some time with an associate struggling with a whole set of issues. He is a 21st century Biblical Job. Just like Job lost everything important to him, so has he.

His health is battered. He is battling addiction from pharmaceutical drugs. He is financially broke and unemployed. He struggles against strong demonic influences. His family is ready to commit him into a mental ward.

He questions his belief in God. He holds HIM responsible for his poor condition. Yet his prayers are deeply sincere asking God for help and direction.

He has been a faithful Christian his entire life. But now wonders why God has abandon HIM. He has lost all hope and meaning for his life. Every hiccup, muscle sprain, and one less hour of sleep each night brings him into the mindset his days are short.

He is crying out for help but at the same time wallowing in a victim mindset. As I listen to him, my heart hurts. I pray along with him asking for wisdom in the situation. My focus is trying to see what the Holy Spirit is doing. How can I best participate with our Lord in this situation. For now, I only sit and listen. I ask questions trying to help him see things more clearly. God is the cure-giver, not I. For we both will learn patience waiting on HIM.

It is times like this we discover how strong our faith in Jesus actually is. Is HE bigger than any problem we are dealing with? Do I really have a strong relationship with HIM or is HE just someone I know? Have I been true and supportive of HIM my entire life? Or have I just played church with HIM? Does HE really have last say on this matter? Can HE be trusted?

Is HE really the solution for my problems or the cause? Isn’t HE supposed to protect me from harm? From my stupid choices? Does HE practice safe-zone behavior or will HE allow the situation to enter the high-risk area?

Why am I truly following him anyway? These are only a few of the questions that may arise when we struggle with life’s darkest moments.

When Jesus is your central-core of living, bad things are still going to happen. The difference being HE is always with you. HE will lead you through the mess. In the process, you will learn to better govern yourself and others. His purpose is not to make you happy and successful in this life. HE wants to prepare you for eternity to rule with HIM serving others. Everything we go through in this life trains us to know HIM better. To enjoy life with HIM in greater degrees, and prepare us for greater service of others.

We can choose to limit Jesus or allow HIM access to lead us with HIM as HE navigates us through the jungles of life. We can let HIM live in us and through us or just reside. As we allow HIM to live HIS life through us, HE accomplishes HIS macro-plans. We also achieve our micro-ones. Everything else are the small details that we deal with along the way.

Walking with HIM doesn’t eliminate the problems. But helps us focus on the solutions. We limit Jesus when we don’t allow HIM to live in us and through us. One step at a time. One day at a time. One person at a time. For HE is always with us. You especially notice when family, friends, and community surround you with HIS love and care in your darkest moments. Yes, HE is always with you.

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