Your Soul

Dr. Mike 2021, Your Identity

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV)

As the apostle Paul states in today’s Scripture, the Bible describes people as having a body, soul, and spirit. In this blog we will review a few scriptures which highlight the soul.

From the Biblical summary aspect, your soul involves the mental aspects, emotional attitudes, and character willpower of your personhood. Your soul is the governing operating side of your body and defense system against the spiritual influences which surround you.

Every human being is born with a soul and every soul belongs to God. As written in Ezekiel 18:4, Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine. Every person born is precious in HIS sight. For every child’s soul has the opportunity to grow up into the image of her heavenly Dad. And every grown child’s purpose is to be prepared for eternity. For from the foundation of the world, Father God’s plan is to birth humanity for the sole purpose of rearing a heavenly family to rule and minister in HIS global kingdom in the new age (Mt 25:34, Rev 5:10).

The basic building block of rearing a healthy soul begins with the Word of God. James the brother of Jesus, wrote: Therefore, put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21). And again, the writer of Hebrews emphasizes the importance of using the Word of God to help determine the best course of action for your soul (Hebrews 4:12).

And contrary to public opinion, the soul is not immortal. Jesus stated that the soul could die, And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28). In other words, people can destroy your body, but only God can put an end to your inner soul. However, we have a part to play in how our soul matures.

Jesus states that instead of emotional roller coaster rides we can find rest for our soul. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus states – Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:29). Yet to do so, one must first be responsible and accountable to Jesus. Life is a learning process preparing you and I for eternity. For those who accept God’s purpose, we learn to master the art of godly living now which we will live out as a witness now and into the future. Isaiah even wrote in the old testament while dealing with personal challenges, my soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness (Isaiah 26:9)

And again, in the old testament, God states how HE is concern for the health of our souls. In Jeremiah 31:25, For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” And again, the psalmist in 19:7 wrote, the law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

In our culture today, we place heavy emphasis on maintaining the physical body and science tries to explain the psychology of a person apart of God. However, when one better understand the importance of the role the soul plays in the whole person, and understands the purpose and endgame of the soul, life’s priority shifts. God becomes more important and HIS purpose gives meaning to life.

As a parent rears a child preparing her for adulthood, God likewise prepares HIS children for an eternal role in HIS kingdom and family. He cares for your soul and works to discipline us whenever necessary so we grow up able to manage the challenges life throws our way. Not only in this life, but in the world tomorrow when we have proven to HIM, we can be and act responsibly and trustfully as good stewards of what he bestows on us. If he is going to give us authority over others in the next world, HE wants to be sure we are made ready before then.

The body is needed to carry the soul for the soul is the driving force behind the body. And more importantly, the soul is the intangible matter one will take with them from this life. The sum total of your mental consciousness, character, and emotional attitude developed and exercised in this life will be the starting point when we crossover into a new body at the resurrection. This is why Jesus emphasized the importance of the soul:   

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? (Matthew 16:26)

When your soul is built upon God’s righteousness and holiness, you experience life the way God intended one to fully live.

Next, we will explore the role of the body and spirit which along with your soul make up you, the person.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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Evidence of Faith

Dr. Mike 2021 , , ,

Acts 1:3

He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

Some people have the false idea that faith is a blind conviction. That Christianity is a Way of life built upon illusion and unproven facts. But when one becomes a Christ-follower, if they did their homework, know their decision is based on forensic and empirical evidence.

When one studies the historical evidence of the resurrection and life of Jesus Christ and those who were his immediate disciples, one walks away from following all the facts with a colossal choice to be made. Either accept Jesus was and is who he claims to be or deny Him.

The foundation of Christianity is built upon the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. If HE did not rise, there would be no Christianity. Yet over 500 eye witnesses saw him over a forty-day period after his death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:6). This was recorded by the apostle Paul some 20 years after the event. If he was exaggerating, we would have written accounts from the other side stating so. But no one in this time period has come out to deny these events did occur.

If we looked at the Bible like any other historical text book, we would agree its authenticity and marvel at its content. But because of the carnal enmity against the Triune God, some have the tenancy to deny or accept such claims.

I always wonder why some accept the gospel message quicker than others. Yet as I get older, I am beginning to wonder how much one’s pride blinds themself from seeing clearly the facts and evidence before them.

If you want to do your own research on the subject, I advocate two books written by an investigative journalist, Mr. Lee Strobel. They are: The Case for Christ and The Case for the Resurrection. Both books walk you through the evidence and confronts the excuses. I recommend both for your study to equip you with the evidence of your faith.

In regards to empirical evidence, you have the combination of yours and others with answered prayers and internal changes of attitude and heart. When you start to pursue the Triune God, you find your prayers being answered in ways that will dumbfound you. As others share similar stories with you, you begin to realize these outcomes are more than just coincidences. The writing of the saints from yesterday and your experiences today all point to a God who cares and is involved in your life.

These results along with the forensic evidence strengthen your confidence and trust in the Almighty God. At times you think you are only imagining these things. But over time, these events repeat themselves so often, you develop the holy swagger of a saint. You know God loves you and cares for you and is preparing you for an eternal home.

Meanwhile as you humbly learn to walk in His presence, sharing your life with HIM as HE shares HIS life with you, your faith is strengthened and you become a living billboard for HIS Kingdom as you live out your life serving HIM and others. 

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-2021 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

It’s a Crazy World

Dr. Mike 2021 , , ,

1 John 5:19

We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

It is an upside, down world.

The biggest problem: you and me and our carnal desires.

We may want what is best for ourselves and others, but apart from the Spirit of God, we fool ourselves into believing we know best.

The end result is chasing after wind. In the process, we lead ourselves, our families, our community, and nation into crazy directions which only end up in pain and misery for the masses.

We see it today within the political world. We witness it in the lies and propaganda displayed by the mainstream media. And closer to home, we even participate in the craziness with our personal family members.

We all want what is best; to pursue our dreams and goals, and experience life the way God intending life to be lived. Yet, what gets into the way?

When one is empty of the Spirit of God and relies on their own counsel, the end result usually may be good for yourself, but not for everyone else around you. Or maybe, everyone else around you are having a better day than you because of your lack of wisdom and decisions you have made in the past.

So rather than correct one’s worldview, we roll up our sleeves and declare war against everyone else to get what we deserve – we venture into the ways of the world.

Eventually, most of us will come to realize, the world doesn’t really care about you. In fact, the majority of us will fail and become bitter at the end because of the lies and falsehoods we accepted to build our lives upon.

The spirit of this world is on a mission to enslave you into their way of thinking and responding to their every command. Those in control of the key positions within government, business, and education want to maintain their life style and will continue to operate under the pretense of doing you a favor in exchange for the power and money they desire.

I have personally seen this in business board meetings when the decisions were based on maintaining control of those less fortunate so the company and ownership could prosper.

Human nature without God’s Spirit is dangerous. In fact, human nature with God’s Spirit is challenging. But over time leads to a life built upon the love and justice of an Eternal Being who has the wisdom to separate the good from the evil.

So rather than pontificate further, I simply copied the Biblical verses below that I read in preparation for this blog. God’s word speaks louder than I can. Read responsibly.    

Revelation 12:9

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Jude 1:19

It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.

1 John 5:4

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

1 John 5:19

We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

2 Peter 1:4

by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

James 1:27

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Colossians 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Philippians 2:15

that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

Galatians 4:9

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

1 Corinthians 2:12

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

John 7:7

The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.

John 15:18-19

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 17:14-15

I (Jesus) have given them your (Father God) word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.

Mark 4:19

but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

Isaiah 26:9

My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-2021 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved