Born to Live a Forever Life

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

Genesis 3:22

Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—”

We all know the Genesis account of Adam and Eve. God gave them the responsibility to manage Eden. They also received explicit instructions to enjoy everything in the garden but not touch nor eat from the tree of knowing good and evil. Of course when one is told not to do something, don’t we gravitate toward it? Does it even matter if there are ten thousand other options for your choosing? Your eyes cannot remove themselves from the one forbidden item. Yes, even if one of the other items includes the tree of life which pictures eternal life.

We have all been there. The moment of truth. Whether we succumb to the temptation or refrain from following through, the choice is ours to make. Like Eve, how often are we told not to touch something. If we did, it would cause us severe pain. So when we did, and nothing immediately occurred, we felt like we were lied too. So we continue on the same forbidden path, entrench in the matter, thinking everything we have been told is also a lie. But after satisfying our indulgence, the negative impact occurs. We eventually regret our decision, but it is too late. The pain from the consequences of our action begins their decent. Our world is turned upside down.

Adam and Eve is our historical example of what happens when we fail to submit to God’s instructions. He is the author of creation and life. His concern, contrary to hostile opinions, is for humanity’s success. So, what happens when we choose to ignore HIM and decide for ourselves what is good and bad?  The long-term consequences are unpleasant.

One decree to follow and our initial parents failed to comply. Are we any different?

Adam and Eve were born to live a full and productive life. They even had the opportunity to take the fruit from the tree of life and live a meaningful, happy, and full life forever. But their self-centered desire along with their lack of trust in God Almighty allowed deception to enter into their world. They failed to consider God’s decrees are designed for our good. How? By maintaining boundaries in place to prevent us from falling into the dark side of life.

The negative consequences of history repeat themselves because we fail to learn from them. Yet, we are thankful Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophesy given at the Fall to reestablish direct contact with God for you and I today. We can now choose to follow the divine practices of HIS Kingdom and escape the fragmented trauma of living in a broken world.

Yes, evil is constantly throwing its ugly darts hoping to dissuade us from pursuing our Lord and HIS promise land. But we are grateful HE has chosen to live in us. To equip us with heavenly tools. To combat the enemy. And to grant us the opportunity of being born again. To live life the way HE intended humanity to be and act.

One day Eden will be restored. Then, you and I will fully participate with our Great God. We will live life to the fullest within a community of others for a greater purpose than surviving for another day. You and I were born to live. And life begins with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. HE made everything possible. Let HIM lead you to a life worth living. You will always be gratefully surprised by the long-term outcome.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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How is the Hole in Your Soul?

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

Psalm 107:9

For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

Blaise Pascal was a mathematician and Christian philosopher alive in the mid seventeen century France. His book Pensées outline his thinking on how  accepting God’s existence is a highly probable event. He also wrote about the hole in every person’s soul. In my observation of human behavior, I have to agree with him on His soul metaphor.

We are all born with an emptiness in our soul. A yearning or desire which needs to be satisfied. A part which completes and fulfills our deepest passion. I believe the hole was deliberately created by God for God himself. HE wired each of us to have a relationship with HIM. Yet HE doesn’t force Himself upon us.

Like mutual, satisfying sex within the marriage bond, so is the act of allowing God to fill our soul hole. But not for a one-night stand. HE is looking for a long-term, permanent intimate relationship.

Our souls also need purpose. Literature, history and even current movies show how us humans have a strong need for romance and adventure. Without either, we shrivel into a wimp like state. But when we are mutually attracted to another person, life becomes exciting. Our emotional cup becomes more satisfied.  

Likewise, having an adventure helps one grow in responsibility and maturity. Competition with an adversary allows one to develop stronger character. And accomplishing a worthwhile mission builds faith and confidence. Life becomes more alive as you grow from the ordeal. And growth adds greater value of self and community.

But when our soul hole is full of false illusions, empty lies, and half-truths, we come out angry, frustrated, and unfulfilled. Only when the real God becomes one with a person does life become worth living. Until then, the ugliness and pain of life destroys the soul’s influence on the person’s spirit and body.

Jesus came so you and I may experience the abundant life (Jn. 10:10). When you seek the Truth, your road is built upon solid ground (Jn 4:24). Freedom. Flourishment. Fulfillment. These are outcomes of HIS lifestyle. His ways empowers all people. We gladly join Him on HIS quest to restore creation. He doesn’t use power to oppress others. Instead HE serves others to build them up into the people they were born to be.

But it all goes back to how you and I are going to fill up our soul hole. Are we going to allow HIM full entrance? Or are we going to keep HIM out?  Adam and Eve could have filled their cup from the tree of life (Gen. 3:22).  But instead took upon themselves to decide what is good and evil.

History is the lesson of choosing who, what, and how one fills up their soul. I chose the Triune God. How about you?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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What Are You For?

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

Acts 28:22

But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”

The Jewish leaders had the apostle Paul arrested and on trial in Jerusalem. The Roman government found him innocent. But the Jewish leaders objected. So Paul, a Roman citizen, then petitioned to have his case presented before Caesar.

We pick up the story now with Paul arriving in Rome under house arrest. There he asks to meet with the Jewish leaders of Rome. They are intrigued to hear more about Paul’s sect. For everywhere in the then world Christianity is spoken against by the status quo.

On the scheduled day, they arrived along with their support staff. The entire day was given to listening and reviewing Scripture with Paul. Paul’s emphasis during the entire meeting was to testify about Jesus as the Messiah and the Kingdom of God. He spent the entire day emphasizing what he believed and stood for.

A few of his listeners were convinced. The majority disbelieved. But Paul fulfilled his mission. Wherever he went, he first started by explaining the gospel message to the Jewish community. Afterward, he followed by proclaiming God’s salvation to the Gentiles.

Yet whenever he spoke, he emphasized what he was for and not what he was against. You and I may want to consider the same when sharing the gospel message with others. In today’s culture, we hear a lot about what everyone is against. But wouldn’t it be more effective if we started with what both sides agree on?

Sounds good you say, but most difficult. And you are right. It is more challenging for you to first understand the other side thoroughly before sharing your beliefs. When you do, you will find it easier to get common ground to build from rather than fight over it.

When Paul spoke with the Jewish leaders they had the Scriptures as common ground. When Paul dealt with the Gentiles, he had a strong understanding of the Greek culture being educated in that world. His starting point was always from their perspective.

But it didn’t change his message. Instead, he continued to emphasize Jesus’ and His Kingdom and what HE stands for. His approach and words and examples may differ. But his message remained the same. Jesus Christ is Lord. God’s Kingdom rules. God has a purpose for humanity and you are included.

As we mature as Believers, we slowly die to self. Our position on any matter becomes less important. Our heart and mind begins to align more with God’s position. Instead of emphasizing what I am for, we illuminate what God is for. We become the messenger, rather than the influencer. Our allegiance is for God’s Kingdom and Lord Jesus. As HE trains us and morphs us into HIS image, we slowly reflect more and more of HIS thoughts and values. HE is what we are for. We become one with HIS Spirit. And what HE is for, so are we.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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