Keep On Keeping On…and On and On and On…

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. …who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body”   Philippians 3:14,21

The apostle Paul wrote these words at a time when his circumstances looked bleak. He was in prison. He wasn’t sure of the outcome. He reviewed his life’s achievements and counted them as dung. He considered the prize before him worth the cost paid. His focus was on Jesus. He looked forward to the return of Jesus and the resurrection from the dead.

History doesn’t give us an exact date when or how Paul died. But it is believed he was released from prison shortly after these writings. He was later beheaded around 64-65 AD per Eusebius’ historical records.

Paul’s mindset though was always focused forward. He didn’t dwell on the pain and suffering of the past. He wasn’t bitter. His head and heart was on Jesus. He was willing to forgo all the trappings of worldly success for life in Christ. What kept him going was the promises of God.

He personally had a strong relationship with Jesus. He has seen the life of Jesus in his daily walk. His pain and sufferings reminded him of Jesus. Whatever Jesus went through he wanted to experience the same.

He found his meaning and purpose in Jesus.

Every hurdle, every obstacle, every nuance, was a stepping stone toward his goal. He knew his mission, and lived it.

No matter where he found himself. No matter the situation. No matter the outcome. He kept preaching the good news to everyone around him. When isolated from people, he wrote the good news. When held under house arrest, he invited people to visit him. When held in chains, he spoke the good news with his captures. Whether before governors or daughters of slaves, he kept on living out his purpose.

Yes, Paul is an example for all. He was zealous for God before meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus. Then after being knock down from his high horse, he continued to be zealous. This time equipped with the good news of Jesus.

My bet is even on his last day when he was most likely beheaded, he was preaching the good news to those around him. In fact, some two-thousand years later, we are still reading what he preached. Yes, he is one of our faithful examples of a life that keeps on keeping on for the glory of God.

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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Christ in You

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27

If you are in Christ, then Christ is in you!

What does that mean?

It means HE is alive and living out HIS life in and through you. If you allow HIM.

It means HE goes before you.

HE has your back.

HE walks along with you through the good times and the bad.

HE is present with you.

HE is available to directly communicate with you for wisdom and strategy. To share your pain and pleasure.

HE is rooting for you.

When you accept Jesus as your Lord and King, HE makes HIS entire domain available to you. HIS entire Kingdom is at your disposal.

As a child of God, HE is your elder brother. As HIS sibling, HE works with Father God and the Holy Spirit to help you grow and prepare for eternity.

You walk under the umbrella of HIS Kingdom. As you work along with HIM, you provide the effort and HE provides the grace.

You may give your best effort and fail. But HIS grace will support you through the process.

You will share your life with HIM and HE will share HIS life with you.

HE who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (I Jn. 4:4). You will defeat your demons. You will learn from the ordeal. You will mature through the process.

Yes, if Christ is in you, you have the riches relationship available to any human. You have humanity’s savior and king as your personal friend and teacher.

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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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

God Reflector

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.   John 5:19

Jesus reflected God in HIS words, motives, and actions. We are HIS apprentices. HE set the standard and pattern for us to follow.

I just finished reading the book Critical Journey by Janet Hagberg & Robert Guelich. The authors outlined their understanding to the stages in the life of faith. Their final stage is reflecting God. They summarize five stages one needs to move through before arriving at this last level. Whether you agree with each stage or not, one has to admit one doesn’t reflect God overnight. The life of faith is a process of maturity in Christ.

As one learns to trust Jesus, one moves through each stage maturing in the process. The process begins with first discovering God. Then learning about HIM. As we are discipled, we begin to work for HIM. But then something happens. We hit the spiritual wall. Our will comes face to face with God’s will. We either reconstruct and rediscover God or deconstruct and turn away from HIM. As we surrender to God we move with HIM in HIS work. As we continue this process, we begin to reflect HIM more and more.

Jesus reflected HIS Father God. So can we. HE has empowered us with HIS Spirit to live under HIS domain. As we grow in the knowledge and grace of Jesus, we start living the process. As we allow the Holy Spirit access into our inner being, we continue living the process.

The journey is lifelong. It takes a mother nine months to nurture and grow a baby in her womb. During each stage, the pre-born body is being shaped and prepared for an earthly life. Likewise, God’s new creation, you and me, the new self, over decades, is being shaped and prepared for a heavenly life.

You will hit many spiritual walls in your journey. Each wall allows us to move closer to discovering the authentic God. You will slowly remove the access baggage accumulated during the early days of your life. Your spirit, words, and actions will reflect God more often than not. As you near the end of your journey, you look forward to the birthing of a new you into the heavenly realm.

Yes, Jesus did reflect God on earth. So can we. But do we? Do we allow the Holy Spirit full access into our heart and mind to mold us into the person HE wants us to be? Are we at peace living the grace-paced life for HIS glory? Or are we still trying to figure it all out? Wherever you are at, always remember. HE is for you and with you. Lean on HIM. As you do, HE will reflect HIS glory through 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)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved