Home with Jesus

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , 
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.   John 14:23
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For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on[a] we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.  2 Corinthians 5:1-5
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Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16

Jesus gives us two homes to share life with HIM. The first is our earthly body. The second is our heavenly abode. Whether on earth or in heaven, we are at home with Jesus.

As our physical body wears out, we look forward to our eternal home. Until then, we care and govern our bodies.

Paul writes that our bodies are God’s temple. God’s Spirit resides in us.  Father God and Jesus Christ share their life with us via the Holy Spirit that lives in us. At the same time, we share our life with the Triune God. There is a mutual bond and relationship.

The more we spend time together, the greater the bond grows. The more we share our interests and discover each other, the deeper our love grows. Though God’s love for us is more than we can even fathom. It is our love for HIM that blossom.

As we share life together, we grow to worship HIM. We learn and teach HIS ways to others. We magnify HIS Kingdom ways. We gladly sacrifice our ways for the greater good of HIS purpose.

Yes, home is wherever Jesus abides. Today, HE lives in you and me. HE also lives in heaven. One day when earth and heaven are merged together in the new age, then our permanent home with Jesus will be in place. Until then, we are humbled and honored to have HIS Spirit share space with our spirit in this tent called the body.

Meanwhile, do enjoy this Easter season and be grateful for everything Jesus has done for 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)

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Expectations

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , 
For nothing will be impossible with God.”   Luke 1:37

Expectations limit God. They put HIM in a box. The impossible becomes discharged by only the known possibilities. We see this over and over again throughout Scripture.

Here in the first chapter of Luke a virgin is pregnant with the Messiah. Impossible? Not for God.

An angel tells her a relative who is beyond childbearing age is now six months pregnant. Impossible? Not for God.

In Acts 3, a lame man is begging for money in front of the temple. As Peter and John walked by him, the beggar is expecting to receive money from them. Instead of meeting his expectation, Peter reaches out and touches the man by the hand. He commands him to stand. The man stands up and begins to walk. Impossible? Not for God.

In Mark 6 and 8, Jesus is preaching to crowds of 4,000 and 5,000. HE realizes the people are hungry. But there are only 5 loaves and 2 fish among them the first time. And only seven loaves the next time. The disciples are instructed to feed the masses. How? An impossible situation you say? Not for God. Not only does Jesus multiply the food present and feed the crowd, but there are leftovers.

Over and over again, our limited minds focus on what we believe is possible. Yet, our creator God who understands the natural forces at work, also knows how to bypass their limits. HE is the God who surpasses our expectations.

So why do we get upset when our expectations are not met? When we pray for an outcome and the results are often the opposite of what we desire? Is God playing a game with us?

In most cases, I find God simply wants us to learn to trust HIM. HE focuses on building an abiding relationship with each of us rather than a Santa Claus affair. HE wants us to love HIM for who HE IS, not what HE can give us. The gifts, blessings, and favors are easy for us to accept. But will we love HIM for being HIM when the toys stop coming?

HE will keep chiseling away at all our idols. Those mini-gods that prevent us from having a deep, trustful relationship with HIM. HE wants us to be assured that whatever HE has promised, HE will deliver upon. HIS Word is HIS bond.

This type of relationship takes time to build. But when completed, HE and you will have a bond stronger than anything or anyone can separate the two of you.

So, let’s remember to keep our expectations under control and trust God. Let HIM be God and do what we label as the impossible. For nothing is impossible with HIM. Yes, do your part. Then watch as HE showers HIS grace upon your situation. The outcome most likely will be nothing that you expected. But the results will be a long-term victory for all parties involved.

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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What Does God Want From You?

Dr. Mike 2025 , 
He has told you, O man, what is good;
    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
    and to walk humbly with your God?   Micah 6:8

What does any caring parent want from their children?

From the day a young couple finds out she is with child; the family focus changes. The expectant mother re-prioritizes her life. The soon-to-be-dad senses the new responsibility of raising a family. Everything changes for the young couple. They begin to sacrifice their wants and desires for the sake of the expectant newborn.

When the birthday arrives, the miracle of life is overwhelming. A baby is held in the arms of each parent. The tiny fingers and toes are forever printed on your mind. This along with the entire structure of the child is for a moment a glimpse into the miracle of life. The bond between child and parent begins.

Each parent begins to grow from the maturing process of parenthood. Also in the process, the child follows suit and learns about her new world. The family culture is taking shape.

Over the years, the relationship between parent and child changes. At first the child learns at the feet of her parents. In his teenage years, the striving for independence begins. The process of discovering themselves and their relationship with others takes shape. As young adults, the relationship shifts again. No longer is the role a parent/child relationship. Instead, the interchange becomes more like an adult/adult one. Later in life, if fortunate, the shift happens again. The parent begins to act more like the child. The aging parent now needs the help of others to perform basic childlike functions. Yet through the entire process, the ideal is for love and honor from the child always remain in place.

As a parent, don’t we want an abiding, healthy relationship with our children? We may at times fail to communicate our desires. Our intentions may at times become confused. Circumstances may cause our plans to fail. But through the entire process, we appreciate their acknowledgement we did our best. That our sacrifice of helping them grow up was the best we could do at the time. We did what we knew to provide them the building blocks for life.

What does God want from you?

Maybe I’m just revealing the parent in me. But maybe all HE wants is the honor and love due HIM for HIS sacrifice. The opportunity to have a meaningful relationship with HIS children. To watch them grow and become faithful stewards within HIS family. To continue HIS legacy for others to witness. Could HE be like any parent who is pleased to see their child grow up and make a life worth living?

Yes, sometimes the rules and sub-structures get in the way. They form barriers for an abiding relationship with our heavenly Dad. I for one still enjoy being thrown up in the air and bounced on his lap. The thrill and trust that HE will always catch me is still there. And deep inside, I think HE still enjoys doing the same.

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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