What Is Your Biggest Problem?

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

Romans 7:15-20

“For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.”

What is the biggest problem you have to face each day?

I know mine.

Yes, I am about fifteen pounds overweight. My cholesterol is on the high side. My mental capacity not as sharp as in my mid-thirties. Arthritis is making its appearance in my big toe. The hearing from my one side is only about 50% normal. I have the tenancy to behave obnoxiously when tired. My house projects take three times longer and cost twice more than someone gifted with their hands. I’ve had more investment failures than the creative mind could list. More times than not, I say the wrong words at the most inappropriate moment. I could also continue about relationship issues, work tragedies, and financial failures. Also there are those mental gaps, recreational trauma, and social blunders. The list seems endless.

So what is the central core of all these problems? Would you believe “ME.”

Many of these problems are caused by my desires. Other issues are caused by outside forces which I did not properly respond too. But even these problems are the end result of misbeliefs, illusions, and self lies. All because of my adherence to be satisfied.

Whether the facts are true or not, whether someone gets hurt or not, whether there is a better way, doesn’t matter. At that moment, me, myself, and I need to please the inner desires of my flesh.

Yes, I am my biggest problem.

Yet my biggest problem always leads to the biggest solution. I am thankful for Jesus Christ, HIS work of salvation, and HIS mission of restoration.

It is not my responsibility to save the world. That is HIS job.

My responsibility is to serve him and allow the Holy Spirit to morph my heart, mind, and soul after HIS image.

Yes, there is a battle raging between my carnal desires and the divine nature. I now know the taste of each of their fruits.

Apostle Paul wrote Romans some twenty years after his conversion. He was still struggling with the deception of sin. The longer we live, the more we become aware of the ugliness of sin that resides in each of us. But at the same time, we are thankful for a Comforter and Healer of the Holy Spirit.

Yes, we battle every day between the forces of sinful desires and divine wants. As we mature, we realize the problem is not those around us, but ourselves. As we age, we learn to exercise more patience with others. We learn to love others as Christ loves us. We learn others will occasionally harm us as we have inadvertently harm them. Yet, as Christ sacrificed his life for us, HE also sacrificed himself for them.

Jesus is the answer to my biggest problem. I am so grateful for his intervention. Soon, more and more people will come to realize HE is also the solution to their biggest problem. Possibly even you if you have not already accepted HIM as your Lord and Savior.           

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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Yet & But

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

1 Peter 3:14-15

“Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…”

Two words jumped out at me this past week while listening to a sermon message by our local minister. He is very Christ-centered in his messages and leaves you with more to chew on afterwards. This time the Holy Spirit nudged me to focus on the two words yet & but.

Two three letter words which we use often but the question arose in my mind how those words are used throughout Scripture and in what context. So, this week we started a new study.

What did I find?

“But” is a word that erases everything prior to it and “yet” is a word that adds something to the previous mention item.

For example, in the above Scripture “but” emphasizes being prepared rather than allowing fear or anxiety have a stronghold on you. And later “yet” reminds us to exercise an attitude of love upon the way we respond.

What does this mean when we read the Bible?

Simply this. When you read Scripture and come across either of these two words, stop. You may want to analyze what is being erased and what is being added to the topic at hand. Most of the time you will find nuggets of eternal value which you can imitate in your own life.

Just another way to make reading the Bible more interesting and practical for your everyday use.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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To Believe

Dr. Mike 2023 , , ,

John 6:29

Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.

John 6:40

For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

John 20:31

but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is quite simple to understand. In fact, so simple that many people find it a stumbling block. They have to add something more to the good news. In the process, they make it more difficult than Jesus stated.

To believe Jesus is who HE claimed to BE requires going against our nature. If it sounds too good, it must be untrue is how we have been conditioned by the world around us. This is how we have become. We live in a world where we are bombarded with lies, distortions, and propaganda. Yet, when you actually take the time to investigate, look at all the evidence, than you will be confronted with a life-changing decision to make. 

Is HE the Jewish Messiah promised from the beginning of time? Is HE a divine being who became human to fulfill the requirements of God’s plan? Or is HE a liar or lunatic misread by the public and those close to Him?

Many have tried to prove HIM a liar or lunatic and failed. In fact, many have come to believe in HIM through the process of trying to prove HIM wrong. To accept the good news that God only wants you BELIEVE in Jesus initially sounds too easy.

But it is not that easy. We begin to believe but our view of Godly reality is quite distorted. For example, when we pray and do not receive what we ask for, do we begin to question God rather than our distorted view of HIM? When we read Scripture and place our trust on one of HIS promises that fails to come our way, what then? Do we begin to question God rather than our distorted understanding of the text? When we receive an inspiration we believe is from God and follow through on it only to end up in a deeper hole, what then? Do we begin to question God rather than the process of our actions?

We all have a distorted view of God. Yet what happens as we endure through the process of having the Holy Spirit chisel away at our character? Doesn’t HE open our eyes to become more attuned to HIS heart and ways? Don’t we slowly capture a larger picture of who God actual IS?

To Believe is the starting point. Along with the belief there is a large bundle of unbelief that keeps pushing against our mind and soul. This bundle of worldly garbage will slowly dissipate over time as you learn to trust walking in Christ.

Your belief will constantly be attacked and questioned. But as you focus your mind, heart, and soul to worship God, you will find yourself reflecting HIS character in your life. You will discover you reflect whatever you worship.

If you worship money, you reflect money. You worship lies, you reflect lies. You worship sex, you will reflect sex. You worship integrity, you will reflect integrity. Us humans are wired to reflect what we worship.

If you worship Jesus Christ, you will reflect HIM.

Yes, the good news of Jesus Christ is found when you believe in HIM.  Your belief begins the process of sanctification. This allows you to experience the fruit of the Holy Spirit. HE begins to actively morph you into the image of Jesus Christ from the inside-out.

Yes, your worldview will begin to change. From there, your world becomes more Kingdom oriented. You will become one who believes, and your beliefs will begin to reflect the glory of God for the sake of others. They will see your good works and take notice. You will begin to preach the gospel to others without words.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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