Life Tools

Test & Learn

Dr. Mike Life Tools

Romans 12:2 (ESV)

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

In business, leadership continues to develop new products and services for their customers. Which one becomes successful and which one fails is often unknown at the start. Yet through testing and gaining feedback, the eventual one moves to the top and becomes most noticeable.

In scientific research the principle of testing and learning is the guiding force to seek out the truth. Thomas Edison tested and failed over 2,000 times before discovering the best solution for the light bulb. Yet when asked, he replied he didn’t fail 2,000 times, but learned what didn’t work.

As we walked with the Almighty, we are likewise instructed to test and learn what is good according to God’s character and desires. The Scripture identifies it as the will of God. But isn’t God’s will an outcome of His character and desires?

As we allow His Spirit to influence us, and become more aware of His presence in our life, and meditate on His creation and narrative, our minds become refocus away from this culture’s values and political correctness, and more toward knowing who God IS and what life with God looks like.

Whenever we are not sure, Scripture says to test and learn. We can learn through our own trials and errors or we can learn from the success and mistakes of others. The author of the Book of Ecclesiastes tested all avenues of life seeking answers. He pursued every desire in search of purpose and meaning for life. At the end, he came to learn after testing multiple “isms” God’s expectation for mankind while traveling through time and space.

The children of Israel tested God in the wilderness and took over forty years to learn the lesson of truly trusting Him. History is a vivid lesson for mankind to learn from the experiences of others who have failed and succeeded. So why create a new wheel when others have already gone before you?

The Bible is an excellent “history book” which identifies all the key players and life’s trails and errors made by many before you and I were even born. Yet there is nothing new under the sun except for technology and fashion. Otherwise, human nature repeats itself and God’s grace intervenes more than we may ever realize. So, if you are serious of learning the will of God in your life, first start by learning the lessons of all the players in Scripture. Then be open to test and discern the circumstances in your own life with the character and desires of God’s heart.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-2019 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

The Goal

Dr. Mike Life Tools , , ,

Philippians 3:14

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Without goals, we will generally end up someplace. The question is where?

With goals, we have a target and focus for a planned, worthwhile outcome.

So, what are your goals?

Some people have goals for every area of their life. There are physical goals and spiritual goals. There are mental goals and social goals. There are health goals and financial goals. There are career goals and family goals. There are recreational goals and educational goals. There are goals for anything and everything that your passion will easily thrust you toward.

Yet without goals, you will end up someplace. But will it be your paradise on earth?

Studies show until a goal is clearly written it is only a wish. Real goals help you picture the future and gather the resources for your journey. The joy is found with the relationships you make and the people you meet toward your target. In hindsight, after you accomplish your goal, there is always a slight letdown as you prepare yourself for the next one.

Paul is his letter to the Philippians highlighted his primary goal of pursuing his relationship with Jesus Christ and to experience life with Him. To know Him and experience His power of the resurrection and suffering in his life now. He didn’t cry over the past, but kept his focus on the future. He didn’t stop thinking he has already arrived to his destination, but continually pressed himself forward until that day when he would be resurrected with a new body.

If you are young, and haven’t started your bucket list yet, start today. Take out a sheet of paper and dream the impossible dreams. List everything, no matter how unrealistic at the moment that you want to accomplish and how you want your life to look when it’s all done on earth.

I attended a seminar years ago where the speaker then in his 70s shared his list of 100 goals he wrote as a young man. He showed how 99 of his goals have been attained. The only one not achieved was a trip to the moon. My bucket list was written at the age of 25. Today 80% has been accomplished, some will never be because of change in values, and there are a few more than we have scheduled in the future if time and circumstances allow.

Life’s journey is more enjoyable when you see how God directs your steps toward those events and people who bring out the best in you and you bring out the best in them through the process of accomplishing your goals.

The most important goal though is your relationship with Jesus Christ. When He is the center of everything you do, think, and plan, you will find life more enjoyable, adventurous, and life-giving then you would ever imagine. Yes, there will be much trials, tribulations, and painful suffering in the process, but knowing like Paul, God is for you, with you, and will strengthen you as you press onward toward the goal to win the prize which HE has called you in Christ Jesus – definitely gives life more meaning and purpose than without.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-2019 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

What Do You Worship?

Dr. Mike Kingdom Actions, Life Tools

Matthew 6:21††††††††††††††

Sometimes I question my personal value system.

There are days when I would rather have a pizza to cover the emotional pain, than take up the matter with our Lord. On other days, I would rather watch an evangelical preacher on TV then attend a worship service at our church. Then there are days I scream and shout and dance around a football game, but almost stand listless during a church praise session. What does this tell me about my heart at the moment?

I am human. As a human I am created after the image of the Creator God. Yet, many times I fail to live up to HIS standard of holiness. One minute I get a small taste of heaven. The next minute, I feel the pangs of hell. One day I am full with the Spirit of God experiencing the full measure of HIS presence. The next day, I am tired and empty and don’t care about anything or anyone. When I find something that grabs my attention, I am focused, disciplined, and persistent. Yet, there is also something in me that wants to take the easy way out. I may know what is the best solution, but execution of the goal becomes insurmountable. Instead of rolling up my sleeves and delving into the opportunity or challenge, I give into my inner desires and escape with a bag of potato chips.

Comfort food is my escape for the moment until the belt line presses against my favor pair of pants. Then it becomes a battle of starvation. Mentally I know a little hunger will not kill me, but why suffer a little pain. So, I grab a donut.

Satisfied for the moment, but the consequences add up. Instead of tasting the sweet aroma of victory, we again lose the battle. How many battles I have lost in this lifetime is any one’s guess. But I know it’s a lot. Yet someone keeps me going.

His name is Jesus Christ. His Spirit resides in me. And there is a war taking place between my desires and his vision. I’m disappointed at times because instead of surrendering the battle with HIM, my desires win the short-term struggle which means I lose momentum for the long-term vision HE has for me. Yet HIS Spirit doesn’t give up.

As I focus my attention on HIM, acknowledge HIS authority in my life, express my gratitude for everything HE has done for me, is doing for me, and will yet do for me, for HIS namesake, makes me want to praise and worship HIM even more and more. Every time I fail to live up to HIS expectations, HE pours out his grace unto me; undeservingly and generously. He is my Savior, Lord, Hero, Friend, and Brother. He is King of Kings.

As we walk through life’s journey, HE is repositioning our value system to match HIS. The stretching, uncomfortable pain, and disappointments we encounter are the processes of being HIS disciple. And as we are being morphed into HIS image, the more we praise HIM and lift HIM up to everyone we meet. HE has captured our heart and is our Treasure. WE worship HIM because of WHO HE IS rather than what he has done for us. Defeat is a temporary setback and doesn’t define us. Our God, through Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit identifies us and names us as HIS.

All glory, honor, and praise belong to HIM. Set your heart with HIM and let the treasures of HIS Kingdom always empower you.      

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-2019 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved