adoption

Oneness

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

 “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”   John 17:21-23

Someone once asked me if I was either a fan or follower of Jesus? My reply shocked him. “I am inclusively neither. Yes once I was only a fan and later a follower. But today I strive to walk in oneness with Father-Son-Spirit.”

Jesus is still my hero and I am definitely one of his most favorite fans. But winning or losing when the times get hard does not make me switch allegiance like a fan. Fans are fickle. They cover their heads in brown bags when their team is losing. But they wear the latest clothing gear and can’t say enough positive things when they are winning. The same could be said about some people who are only fans of Jesus.

Jesus is still my rabbi. I look to HIM for guidance and wisdom in dealing with people and situations. He is my Lord and teacher. Not just for spiritual guidance, but in every area of life. But that relationship has grown over time. Like a student who has graduated and is now teaching others, we share similar interests. He remains more knowledgeable of the subjects than me. But we still tackle certain subjects together exchanging lessons learned through the process. But the relationship is now deeper than before.

Today there is more of a oneness between Jesus, Father-God, and Holy Spirit with myself. In every area of life, we now seek a mutual oneness. I am more and more trying to align and focus myself with the Triune God. For example, in negotiating transactions, I now seek to make all sides win. In relationships, how can I best support you and God and myself. In establishing priorities, how can I best rearrange schedules for all parties.

It is no longer simply about me. It is also not about you. But it involves you, me, and the Triune God. This oneness grows through surrender, sacrifice, and service for the sake of others. It is centered around God. This allows us to produce fruit in our life without sinful desires being resurrected. God knows what I need and others need. Now the goal is to learn how to align what God desires with others and the self.

Oneness is a nice place to be. You are in the center of God’s presence. You are in the center of HIS will. You are in the center of reality. A solid foundation from where to view the world and operate. Do I fail at times to capture the moment? Yep. Do I often misjudge what God is doing at the moment? Yep. But God’s grace is more than enough to keep me going.

Bottomline: Thank you Jesus for praying to allow us to be one with you and Papa God and Holy Spirit. Help us always walk in oneness with 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)

Aspirations and Writings Neatly Bound in Book Formats:
* indicates audio version available at Apple Books

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

God’s Favorite

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , ,
“In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don’t feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children? My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either. It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.” Hebrews 12:4-11 The Message

 favorite1

How do I know I am one of God’s favorites? How do you know you are? Would you believe because of the discipline He dispenses? If He didn’t care for us, He would just leave you and me alone. Yet, because of His immense love and care for us, he invests so heavily in the production of divine character within us for our sake and for the sake of others.

In my twenty’s, he subdued this person’s temper and instilled the patience of Job. In my thirty’s, He unleashed His joy within me. In my forty’s, he taught me the art of Kingdom living through mutual submission with others. In my fifty’s, he raised my awareness of the love He magnifies in us, through us, and with us for everyone’s sake. Now chronologically entering my sixties (still feel like a pre-teen looking forward to growing up), he has ripen the fruit of self-control. Each decade He reminds me through the godly character He produces within us that we must be one of His favorites.

However during the trial or test, I may not feel like one of His favorites. Yet afterward, we thank Him for creating a new heart within us. A heart patterned and emulating the King of Kings. Are we not also always grateful for his intervention? How else would we make the time for crying out to our Heavenly Dad if it wasn’t for the challenging times we find ourselves struggling through?

Yes, He reminds us constantly that we are one of His favorites each time He ripens the fruit of His Spirit within our lives.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage your Friends…Share Today’s Message!

A Special Relationship

Dr. Mike Life in Christ , , ,
“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”” Romans 8:15 ESV

father 1

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews (3:1-6) compares Moses with Jesus. He states that Jesus is greater than Moses as the builder of a house is greater than the building itself. That Moses was a servant in God’s house but Jesus is a Son in God’s House. The Son holds a greater position and relationship with the owner than a servant. What does this mean for you and I?

Sometimes we walk through life’s journey as an outside servant simply doing our job rather than a child of God enjoying the fruit of our relationship with Father God. As a brother (HB. 2:11) and friend (Jn. 15:15) of Jesus Christ, we have the privilege of a special relationship with the King of heaven and earth. Yes we are Christ’s servant at heart. However, we are also adopted children within the heavenly family business. Because of the grace of God, we have been given an unique role on the planet earth (Hebrews 2:5-9).

So when dealing with life’s struggles, maybe it’s time to change our worldview. Instead of approaching the situation as a victim, what if we face the dilemma as that special son or daughter of the King? When trials or tests come, what if we thank God for allowing you to move through it leaning on Him and learn more about who God is and your role in life? In other words, when life hands you a lemon, maybe it’s time to learn how to make lemonade.

Instead of playing the religious guru, maybe it’s time to walk this life like an apprentice of Jesus. How? Maybe we need to take each step more gratefully, speak each word more compassionately, and work more joyously for the sake of others and His Kingdom than for ourselves.It may seem too easy, but in the eyes of God it brings a smile. Like a cherished Father/child relationship.

Isn’t life more grand when your beloved Daddy owns the business?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!