His Custom

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.   Mark 10:1

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And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.   Luke 4:16

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And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.   Luke 22:39

We all have habits which we repeat in our everyday life. Habits which we built over time to make it through life. Some of our habits are positive and beneficial to ourselves and others. Then there are those which we live with even though deep inside our desire is to stop them.

Jesus also had a regular routine that the Bible identifies as HIS custom. When with people, HIS habits influenced the custom of the group.

Jesus was a Rabbi of his time. A teacher of Scripture. So, whenever people gather, HE took the time to teach them the ways of God (Mark 10:1)

His habit was also to attend the weekly Sabbath service. When HE visited his boyhood hometown of Nazareth, HE acted from his habit to attend services. There HE would stand up to read Scripture. Then HE would follow up in a discussion of the topic (Luke 4:16).

HIS habits also included finding time to privately communicate with HIS heavenly Father. Whenever HE visiting Jerusalem, his custom was to go and pray in the gardens at Mount of Olives (Luke 22:39). HE also was an early riser and often woke up early while dark and found a desolate place to pray (Mark 1:35).

HIS disciples would observe their Rabbi and learn his ways. They would then implement these habits into their own life. Their goal was to become more and more like their teacher. Today we would consider it like an apprentice training program.

As HIS modern-day disciple, we are students learning to become like our teacher. We study his ways and make changes to our life to practice the ways of godhood. Though we may not be gifted in certain areas as HIM, we learn to exercise our gifting in similar manners.

We practice disciplines which overtime become habits. These habits soon propel us naturally in the ways of God. Over time, when people watch our behavior, they see a way of life that enriches others. They see a way of life that feeds the soul. They witness a spirit of love and joy at peace with self. They eventually may even witness and grasp a tiny vision of what Jesus must have been like in HIS time on earth.

It starts with learning HIS customs and practicing the same in your everyday 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)

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Bedtime Virtues

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.   1 Peter 1:5-8

How did your day go?

What standard of measurement do you use to determine how your day went?

Or do you just live serendipity and it doesn’t matter?

In my youth, I was introduced to Benjamin Franklin and his end of day evaluation habit. Though not a Christian, he had the habit at the end of each day to review certain virtues. His chosen virtues were areas he considered important in his daily life.

History doesn’t reveal to us the depth of his spiritual relationship with God. But his focus on spiritual formation is one habit that is known. That caught my attention.

Peter writes this letter to us in a similar way. His focus is for faith-keeping Christ-followers to exercise our effort toward certain virtues. The goal of practicing these virtues is to keep us always aware of Jesus being the center of our lives.

Peter starts with the importance of acquiring knowledge. To fill our mind with everything we can about God. From Scripture to creation, everything you can learn about HIM.

Then practicing self-control in all areas of one’s life. Learning to discipline oneself in regards to food, work, relationships, desires, and attitudes. The ability to say NO to the self and follow through.

Being steadfast or unwavering. Stay focus and finish what you start. To follow through on a matter no matter how hard or cost.

Choose to be clothed in godliness. Allow God’s Spirit to influence your heart, mind, and soul. Align yourself with the Creator’s character.

When relating with others, treat them with brotherly affection. Care for them as a family member.

And above all, let love bloom. Be willing to sacrifice for another. Show them the love and grace that God bestows on you.

So, if you want a bedtime checklist to determine how your day went, why not use these verses? There are others you can also include. But when you measure your day as a Christ-follower, you are evaluating the walk with the talk.

The day may have been a physical wreck. You may be dealing with financial challenges. And of course, these you are conversing with your Lord for help. But meanwhile, you need to remind yourself that you are following the steps of your Rabbi. You want to become more and more like HIM. Thus, the day’s priority is to review how you are managing your entire kingdom. The good with the bad.

Bring it all and place it before your Savior and Lord. HE will help you carry it through. HE wants you to become the person you were created to be. It takes two; our effort, and HIS grace. Together you and HIM will make the journey more than worthwhile.

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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The Inclusive Gospel

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Acts 2:36

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(Paul)…proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.  Acts 28:31

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But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.   Ephesians 2:4-7

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 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.   Ephesians 2:18-22

When the gospel message is preached, what do you normally hear? Is it not from a humanistic perspective? The emphasis so often is on us humans in need for a savior. So, the central point preached is on Jesus as Savior. A true statement. But is it the main point or only one of its tenants? For when preached, people think that is all there is. But as one grows in the faith, one comes to appreciate the rest of the story. I like to summarize the gospel message like this:

  • Jesus Christ is Lord.
  • God’s Kingdom Rules.
  • God has a Purpose for Humanity.
  • You are Included.

Within this outline is built the necessary steps of repentance and belief in Jesus. That HE is the Jewish Messiah and global Savior. Yet the gospel message involves more. It highlights that Jesus defeated Satan and now sits at the right hand of God the Father. HE now has all authority over heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18). That Satan knows his time is short and now operates on earth as a terrorist. His game plan is to prevent or just slow down God’s plan for humanity. For God’s purpose from the foundation of the world is to raise a family. To prepare and train HIS children to reign within the family business – the Kingdom of God. The devil knows it. And is doing everything in his power to make God and his children fail.

Jesus, the God-Man, died, was resurrected, and ascended into heaven. When HE did, the curtain that separated humanity from God was ripped in two. No longer do people need to sacrifice animals, or work through a human mediator. Instead, every person now has direct access to our heavenly Father through Jesus.

But there is more.

When one accepts Jesus as their Lord, HE sends the Holy Spirit to impregnate you. God’s divine spirit merges with your human spirit. The work of sanctification then begins (2 Thess. 2:13). As you walk, talk, and hang out with the Triune God, your character and attitude changes. You begin to reflect your heavenly Father’s demeanor. You are being morphed into the image of Jesus Christ.

As you mature, your new beliefs and outlook begin to influence the world around you. You colonize your personal life, your home life, and your work life under the authority of the Kingdom of God. You are being trained to serve and lead as Jesus would. You are being prepared for eternity. And yes, you are included.

But like an adopted child, you can either choose to accept and take part in the family affairs, or not. In rebelling, you will lose out in the family blessings. But when you extend your appreciation for being accepted, you are grateful. You look for ways to share in the family experience.

Yes, you are included in the gospel message.

For the good news is about Jesus, HIS Kingdom, and your inclusiveness in HIS family plan. So, you are either now living under HIS authority in your life or not. You are either participating with HIM on earth or not. You are on mission with HIM or not. The real question now is, where will you go from here?

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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