Similarities & Differences

Dr. Mike 2025 , ,

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,   Colossians 1:9

An old mentor taught me that you don’t really understand a subject until you compare it with its opposite. You need to know all its similarities and differences. When you do, then you will be able to identify its strengths and weaknesses. Only then will you have an understanding of its practical application.

It doesn’t matter what subject you are discussing. We could speak about love and hate. Or people and institutions. Males and females. Rich and poor people. Life of indulgence and sacrifice. How to lead and follow. When to submit and rebel. The list is endless on what two items you can compare. The purpose is simply to identify everything you can about the subject. Then look at its practical application within the confinements of the situation. This is taking knowledge to a level of understanding all its applications. Then you will be able to exercise your understanding into wise action on the matter.

This holds true in the fields of business, government, and education. This is true in the operations of the local faith community. This is also true in our personal relationships, including our with-God understanding.

Take for example the with-God or without-God life.

What are the similarities?

Your list may include something like this: both require a choice. Both are a worldview. Both determine who you are going to serve. Both establishes a moral basis for decision-making. Both reflect the core of one’s identity. You could list more. But these are just a beginning example.

What are the differences?

You could list these for starters. One places a higher authority of accountability on oneself and others. The without-God places supreme authority unto self or government or another person. One finds meaning for living from their eternal God and the other finds it in themselves. One finds an ultimate purpose for life with-God and the other finds life is a happen-chance. One places value on each life because they are made in God’s image. The other finds only utility value in a life – a rat is like a dog and a dog is like a person. There is no value difference between each.

By analyzing similarities and differences, you develop a better picture of each. You then can choose which way you want to live your life.

This is a modest example of an exercise to help one determine a more thorough understanding of a subject. Most of us live life under the one note music theme. We hear or think of one message and that becomes the basis of our knowledge. An educated person gains knowledge from many sources. Then integrates different scenarios for a better understanding of the matter. This allows you to better apply wisdom in the situation you find yourself in.

The same is true in spiritual matters as in physical items. Know your similarities and differences. They open the door for a greater experience with God and others.

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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Know. Participate. Become.

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
    in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
    my flesh also dwells secure.
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
    or let your holy one see corruption.

You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.   Psalm 16:7-11

The Bible is our introduction to the God of Creation. When you study its contents, you are presented with a BEING who wants to be known. A BEING who created a life simulation world to allow us to participate with HIM. A BEING whose desire is to enlarge HIS eternal family with children. A family who reflects HIS character before others. This is the overall message of the Bible.

To know HIM; To participate with HIM; To become like HIM.

If you are looking for purpose and meaning for life, reread the above line one more time.

When you apply yourself to seek HIM, HE will draw closer to you. As you hang out more and more with HIM, you discover who GOD truly IS. You become more aware of HIM in your daily affairs. You stand more and more at awe of who HE IS.

As you join HIM in HIS work, HE leads you to discover your natural talents and abilities. As you participate with HIM in worldly affairs, you marvel at HIS workmanship. You begin to experience HIS grace in your life. As you allow HIM to take part in your life, HE allows you to share in HIS. You both begin a relationship of two beings actively living life together. As you give 100% into the relationship, so does HE. The more you invite HIM into your private affairs, the more you experience HIM and HIS knowledge and ways.

You discover real freedom living out your natural self as HE has wired you. You begin to flourish in your work and relationships. You find joy in serving others and adding value into their life. Just like your heavenly Father does for you. You notice how HE leads you to find real fulfillment in your work, play, and social entanglements.

The more you hang out with HIM and follow HIS lead in your life, the more your character and spirit becomes like HIS. You begin to reflect HIS ways before others. You govern yourself after the pattern of HIS Kingdom. You become more like your Rabbi. While the outer person is wasting away, your inner person is becoming more and more like Jesus. You are being prep for eternity.

Knowing God is not becoming a religious person. But a social being in love with their Creator.

Participating with God is not a religious event. But a day-to-day adventure of allowing God to join you in your daily affairs.

Becoming like Jesus is also not a religious act. But a disciplined life allowing HIS Spirit to transform you into the person you are wired to be.

Focus on these major components of Scripture instead of the minor themes. When you do, your world will become more alive with HIS presence.

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)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Desire and Willpower

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”   Genesis 4:7

_____

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.   1 John 2:16-17

Where does evil that corrupts the world come from? How does one escape from it?

Don’t we all have the tenancy to point a finger at others when we notice they did something unrighteous? Yet when we do, are we also not pointing three at us?

I love the passage from 1 Peter 3:10-12. “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

We may all desire the good life, but how we manage ourselves forward is the challenge. We have the misconception that evil, sin, and the uglies are out there somewhere. That if everyone was more like me, this would be a better world. Yet when one meets Jesus, who is the reflection of the perfect God, one’s own mirror reveals otherwise.

There is not a person who ever lived on planet earth who is morally perfect with the exception of Jesus. HE had the immunity of the Holy Spirit from birth. His divinity gave him strength to resist temptations. The rest of us however have had our spirit corrupted with the sin virus. But those who have surrendered their kingdom to God’s kingdom are now being sanctified. We are being prepared for eternity through the workings of the Holy Spirit in us. But the process is slow.

It starts in the heart. We need to desire the good. This starts with first learning what good looks like. The anti-god crowd have their definition. But how does the Triune God define the situation? This is why coming to know God’s heart is important if you are a serious student of Jesus.

We discover God’s Truths through the pages of the Bible as well as throughout creation. This is the foundation of divine knowledge. As we begin to seek HIM through prayer and other disciplines, HE draws closer to us. HE begins to reveal HIMSELF to us. The more you seek HIM, the more you will come to know HIM. The more you come to know HIM, the more you come to know HIS ways. HIS desires. HIS values.

But then the work begins. No, you are not saved by your work. We cannot earn salvation. We are all saved through the grace of God. It is HIS gift to us. But as we are being saved , we exert effort to walk with HIM in doing good work. Where we fall short or fail, HIS grace sustains us. As HE molds and shapes our spirit from the inside/out, our behavior follows. We begin to exert energy for doing good. This is not an overnight change. Our character, until then, has been ignorantly shaped since our birth. Our habits and automatic responses need to be rewired. The hurtful pasts and painful triggers need to be reprogrammed. There is much healing that is needed.

Evil desires need to be replaced with holy ones. The Willpower needs to be reshaped and exercised to follow these new attributes. You may even join others in the gym of practicing spiritual disciplines. This helps you keep your mind and focus on Jesus in your daily routines.

Over time others begin to see more and more of Jesus’ reflection in you. God’s divine nature begins to shape you and prepare you for eternity. The evil desires are now replaced with a heavenly heart. Your heart begins to bloom with action. You become a servant of God’s kingdom doing good work that HE has prepared for you from the beginning of your birth. You are now living your potential for HIM. You begin to reap the benefits of a Christlike life.

Yes, it takes a lifetime to convert godly desires with habitual willpower into action. Otherwise, who are you going to become? As others who have gone before us have shown, the adventurous journey of transformation in Christ is worth the effort. Both for this life and the one to come.

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)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved