apprenticeship

^“for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13

God is at work. HE is a master designer. HE is a master planner. HE is a master operator. HE makes university-level genius’ look stupid.

HE started the plan of salvation from the foundation of creation. HE wants to have a human family join HIM in HIS Triune circle. HE didn’t want preprogrammed walking robots. But independent thinking people who choose to love and share life with HIM. So HE created time, space, and matter. HE then added life. All sorts of life. From plants, fish, and insects to crawling lizards, flying birds, and over-size elephants. And of course people.

People made in HIS image. To represent HIM on earth. To govern and serve HIS creation. People with attributes patterned after their Creator but limited in physical form. Children given a taste of adulthood. They may not be ready for full responsibilities to manage the universe. But they can now play the game as if eternally real.

Most importantly, HE gives the option to choose between joining HIM in HIS way of life or not. If we choose to follow HIM, HE provides personal help and training for eternal adulthood. If we decide to live outside HIS will, HE will not force you to join HIM. In fact, HE will accept your decision. HE loves you more than you realize. HE doesn’t force HIS Will upon you, but honors your decision.

But if you do decide to join HIM on HIS adventurous training program to eternal adulthood, HE will work with you. HE created you and knows how you are wired. HE knows how you may add the most value to HIS Kingdom. HE will share HIS advice and coach you into becoming the best person possible. HE will mirror your worldview, attitude, and character after Himself. History knows HIM as Jesus.

HE started the process at the foundation of the world. HE continued the process through HIS life, death, and ascension from earth to heaven. HE now intervenes on behalf of humanity before our Father God. HE now leads HIS siblings toward the restoration of everything HE planned from the start.

The process hasn’t changed, but the relationship has. HE has formally adopted us into HIS family. We are now heirs of an eternal home with HIM. Yet we are not ready. The training has only begun. As HIS disciples, we are learning to lead, govern, and serve others with Jesus. We are being prepared for eternal responsibilities. We are being morphed into a new creation. A new human. Where the divine nature smooths out human nature. Where a divine heart replaces a stony heart. Where Kingdom values replace self-centered values. Where sacrificial love replaces fleshy desires. The process is the divine work of a supernatural being in cooperation with the recipient.

We may not understand how HE manages the entire process. How HE gives us the free will to choose and yet is sovereign to fulfill HIS plan. Yet we experience the fruit. We over time see the outcome. But in between, there is the pain. The struggle. The disappointments. The hurt. The failures. The dreams that die. The hope that is stretched to the max. Our relationship with Father/Son/Spirit is put to the test.

We understand the process. We know diamonds are made from coal through the pressure. We know gold is refined through the heat. We understand the test and trials are necessary to prepare us for eternity. But man, can a guy get a break. This may be our current mindset, but as we pray and lean on HIM, HE restores are heart. HIS peace comes upon us. HIS joy returns. We acknowledge HIS love for us and our love for HIM.

HE is the master designer. HE is the master planner. HE is the master operator. HE knows how to best manage the process. HE is also the Best PAPA any earthling can have. You can always trust HIM.

Thank you Daddy for caring and preparing us for eternity with Jesus.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

^{Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler}

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“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)

And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them. Mark 10:1

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And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. Luke 4:16

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And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. Luke 22:39

We all have habits which we repeat in our everyday life. Habits which we built over time to make it through life. Some of our habits are positive and beneficial to ourselves and others. Then there are those which we live with even though deep inside our desire is to stop them.

Jesus also had a regular routine that the Bible identifies as HIS custom. When with people, HIS habits influenced the custom of the group.

Jesus was a Rabbi of his time. A teacher of Scripture. So, whenever people gather, HE took the time to teach them the ways of God (Mark 10:1)

His habit was also to attend the weekly Sabbath service. When HE visited his boyhood hometown of Nazareth, HE acted from his habit to attend services. There HE would stand up to read Scripture. Then HE would follow up in a discussion of the topic (Luke 4:16).

HIS habits also included finding time to privately communicate with HIS heavenly Father. Whenever HE visiting Jerusalem, his custom was to go and pray in the gardens at Mount of Olives (Luke 22:39). HE also was an early riser and often woke up early while dark and found a desolate place to pray (Mark 1:35).

HIS disciples would observe their Rabbi and learn his ways. They would then implement these habits into their own life. Their goal was to become more and more like their teacher. Today we would consider it like an apprentice training program.

As HIS modern-day disciple, we are students learning to become like our teacher. We study his ways and make changes to our life to practice the ways of godhood. Though we may not be gifted in certain areas as HIM, we learn to exercise our gifting in similar manners.

We practice disciplines which overtime become habits. These habits soon propel us naturally in the ways of God. Over time, when people watch our behavior, they see a way of life that enriches others. They see a way of life that feeds the soul. They witness a spirit of love and joy at peace with self. They eventually may even witness and grasp a tiny vision of what Jesus must have been like in HIS time on earth.

It starts with learning HIS customs and practicing the same in your everyday life.

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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