Grace Changes Everything

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”   2 Corinthians 9:8

Grace changes everything. Grace changes you. Grace changes others.  

Do you recall your first encounter with God’s unmerited favor? Did the moment make you stop, look, and grasp the meaning of being human?

You probably heard this many times before. That you are made in HIS image. You are like a god. You can imagine, create, and influence the world around you. You can analyze your situation and list options to choose. You are free to select your path. You can accept your position or make plans to change it.

Yet, there is something missing. Though you are made in HIS image, you are chemically produced. You are created from matter. You need to eat and sleep.  Chronologically your time is limited. Your body will stop functioning one day. Life as you know will come to an end. Something is missing.

If you are like me, than you know the choices you make are not always the best. Many times poor decisions come back to haunt us. We experience the pain and consequences of failure. Then there are those decisions from others which impact us. As they seek their aim in life, they ignore you. You are only a pawn or an insufficient obstacle in their way.

Yes, you are the captain of your ship. But these forces continue to bombard you with unwanted obstacles. Most of them you haven’t taken into consideration in your plans. They rob you of your dreams. They rape you of your innocence. They unfairly take away your hope for a better tomorrow.

There is much outside of our control. No matter how much we manipulate, bully, or abuse others, we start to ponder there may be a better way.

Enter Almighty God. HIS natural inclination is to share HIS way of life with HIS creation. How does HE introduce HIMSELF to us? There are many ways, but the most often way is by first experiencing HIS grace. Most often in the beginning you are totally unaware of what is happening.

Yes, those times when HE intervenes on your behalf. When HE brings people into your world that changes everything. When HE directs your steps into situations that help you become victorious. Grace begins to change you.

When HE inspires you with an idea or solution which has been hampering you for a long time. When HE opens doors for you to express your natural, God-given abilities with others. When HE gives you the internal fortitude to hang in there and keep trucking toward your destiny. When HE hugs you with HIS love that brings tears of joy into your life. HIS grace changes you.

God is generously good. HIS grace is the outer expression of HIS inner character. HE loves HIS creation. HE loves you. HE wants you to succeed in life. But like a responsible parent, HE also wants to prepare you for the future. HE wants to mature you. His desire is for you to share in HIS family business. To make wise judgements. To exercise HIS ways of fruitful living with others. HE thus may discipline you. To correct bad behavior and attitudes. But that is HIS grace changing you for the better.

Grace changes everything. You. Others. Purpose. Meaning. Fulfillment. When you are old and look back with hindsight you will align the dots and see the hand of God more clearly in your life. You will see how HIS Grace altered your life. You will see how HIS grace open the doors for you to have a relationship with HIM. Through it all, you will eventually acknowledge HIM and thank HIM for HIS Grace upon your life and the life of others.

Yes, grace changes everything.

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 is a Faith-Integrator?

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”   Matt. 4:4

“ For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.  Hebrews 5:12-14

Had a recent conversation with a group of young adults. The subject of God came up in the middle of our talk (always surprised, and never taken for granted). Some of the people indicated that they were not religious. Others indicated they were into spirituality. When they asked for my view, I replied I was neither religious, nor spiritual. Instead, I am a faith-integrator.

From there, the questions and comments became fast paced. What do you mean by faith-integration? Which faith? What is the difference between the three?

Slowly we open the conversation into one of my favorite topics. Walking with the Creator God in everyday life.

Yes, I am not religious. For me religion is man’s attempt to pacify their God. Now religion is helpful to keep one disciplined and acknowledging the existence of a God. But religion in the 21st century is an institution built to keep its operation going. Most people who are religious have the form but lack the power of God in their life (2 Tim. 3:5). Yet I give them kudos. It is an attempt to find purpose with the Almighty. That is a step in the right direction.

When it comes to spirituality, the question is which spirit? There are many spirits in the world. Some are good and others are evil. How do you decide which spirit to follow? Does your spirit give you access to the supernatural? Does it have favorable influence on yourself and others? What type of relationship do you have between your soul and the spirit you follow? Spirituality is a step in the right direction. But falls short due to the lack of specifics and commitment.

So why am I a faith-integrator? Because I choose to integrate the Biblical God’s ways into all my daily relationships and tasks. It is intertwining the physical with the spiritual. When one comes to have a relationship with the Triune God, one gains entrance into the throne room of heaven. You recognize your position within God’s Kingdom as HIS child. You realize God’s purpose for your life. You find meaning in everything you do aligning your micro plans with HIS macro plan.

With that knowledge and understanding comes wisdom. One also learns to place their trust and hope in their heavenly Father. They know their Savior intervenes on their behalf. Though circumstances may not always workout as planned, they learn from the ordeal. They know God is good. With Christ the center core of every area of their life, they have confidence. They know everything will eventually work out for the good. Though they may initially fail, they learn from the event, and grow. Their aim is to conduct themselves with Kingdom parameters. They are learning to walk with their King and mentor. The primary goal is to allow the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of God’s character within them. The physical outcome is secondary.

Their relationships are Christ-centered. In the home, at work, or in the community, they serve and add value to other people’s lives. They want all people to come to know who their God IS. Not only with words, but through the fruit of their attitude and behavior.

They integrate their faith within the everyday routines of life. They pray constantly. They first seek how the Holy Spirit is working with others and then find ways to support HIM.

Jesus Christ is the center of their life. From the center, they have a relationship with HIS Father. From the center, they have access to the Holy Spirit. From the center, they have a common bond with other saints who are likewise walking with the Triune God.

Faith-integrators live in the presence of Jesus in every avenue of their life. They are the same person at home and at the office. They are transparent in their conversations. They speak the truth with love. They speak the truth into power. They speak the truth even when it hurts. They represent Jesus Christ as HIS ambassador of HIS Kingdom to others.

They worship their God not only within the faith community, but every day of the week. Their work is their ministry and worship. They are there to help the people they meet. The services or products they produce are to add value into the lives of others. They colonize their workspace under the authority and love of Jesus Christ.

Faith is the belief and trust in the God who created everything. HE revealed Himself in Jesus Christ. HE is working HIS plan for the adoption of humanity into the Triune God circle. Faith-integrators accept their responsibility within the family of God and respond accordingly. They serve and expand God’s government wherever they go. They start at home. They serve in Church. They expand HIS Kingdom in their business. They volunteer in their community.

They want all people to come to know their King, Savior, and Redeemer. They are God’s light in a dark world. They are faith-integrators. Yes, I choose to be one. I hope you do too.

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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Very Little…Very Much

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”   Luke 16:10

It’s those little things in life that either makes you or breaks you.

One of my early mentors strongly believed in speaking the truth. He had difficulty remembering anything that occurred more than 24 hours earlier. To offset his weakness, he built on his strength. He always told the truth. If you asked him a question on something that happened yesteryear, he would reply with a question. He would ask what would be the right thing to do? Being a man of integrity, he knew that is what he would have done.

The same principle applies with our faith. People with integrity will display the same behavior no matter the situation.

Ask yourself, what would it take for you to change your mind on a personal high value position?

You say you would never do (add your behavior). Pick your poison. Eat liver (my poison). Sex with a stranger. Kill your neighbor. Doesn’t matter the act. The question is how much money would you accept to change your mind? If you were guaranteed one million dollars, would you do it? Not enough you say? How about One hundred million dollars? If that is not enough, then what is your price?

We either stand on principle or not. We either are true to our beliefs, or not. Most of us are not aware what we would do until we are actually confronted with the situation. But if we are honest with ourselves, we can identify those areas where we would die for our beliefs. If we are not willing to die for something, than we having yet discovered something worth living for.

Jesus statement hits the heart of the matter. Your character confirms your beliefs. Your actions when true display your beliefs. But if your character doesn’t uphold your beliefs, do you actually believe it?

If you are faithful in the little things, your character muscle is being exercised into a habit. When the larger challenges appear, your character is already programmed to respond. The same when you are dishonest in the little things. Your character muscle is being exercised into a habit. So lying is being built into your character. When faced with a larger obstacle, your natural inclination is now programmed to lie.

Life is in the details. Build your life on solid values. In this case, let faithfulness and honesty support you in the larger challenges. Those little things in life will make you or break you. Yes, your character is the backbone of your life. This is one reason why Jesus is your best mentor.

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:

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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved