Character

Suffering. Endurance. Character. Hope.

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , 
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:2-5

Why is suffering a problem for many people who blame God for its existence? The question arose again this week at our weekly small group meeting. The man has a friend who is a “good person.” But now he is going through medical challenges. This is causing hardship and pain within the family. Why does God allow it he asks.

Some of us have the illusion that suffering is the exception. When in reality, it is the norm. Being free from suffering is the exception.

Suffering is the event that God uses to bring about his spiritual masterpiece in you and I. No one wants to suffer. But a broken world with broken people produces a broken society. In due time, we all will suffer pain.

It may be physical, emotional, relational, or financial. It may cause us to lose our freedom, our dreams, and our well-being. Yes, even good people will suffer. Ask Jesus.

A perfect, sinless man who confronted the masses and political machines of his day. His contribution to society led him to a most torturous death. Yes, even HE could not escape the human clothe of suffering.

Suffering is part of the human condition. One can either wallow in it or accept it. One either moves on or allow its teeth to mull you into oblivion. Yet as the apostle Paul writes, Christ-followers rejoice in their suffering. For believers know God’s Spirit lives in them. HE is doing a work through the pain that will produce a spiritual masterpiece. For suffering produces endurance to lean more and more on Christ. As we lean on HIM, HIS Spirit is remaking our inner heart after HIS image. As we look at the fruit, our hope grows more and more on our relationship with HIM. We see HIS involvement in our life.

Yes, we may not like the process. It hurts. It produces hardships. Yet we have learned to trust HIM. Our focus in on eternity. Our desire is to yield ourselves into HIS arms. To allow HIS Spirit to produce the character needed to serve HIM and others in HIS Kingdom forever.

Yes, suffering produces endurance, character, and hope with the Spirit that lives in us. The sad truth though, without the Spirit, suffering is a waste of energy and resources. A painful trip without meaning and purpose. Thus, lean on Jesus and allow HIS Spirit free reign in shaping you for HIS purpose and plans. 

It is not the story I planned in my youth, but it is the narrative I have chosen to follow. This is HIS story and HE has allowed us to participate with HIM through it. It includes suffering from poor decisions on my part. It involves suffering from the acts and decisions of others. It is the narrative that confronts us on a daily basis. How we respond and follow through is the story-line we write. Through the painful process our heart and character will be shaped. Hopefully, as we trust our Maker, yield to the Spirit’s influence, the final image we reflect will honor HIM.

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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Mature in Christ

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” Colossians 1:28

How do you define maturity?

When my daughter was around six years old, she was misbehaving. I don’t recall the exact behavior. But do remember looking at her and in a serious tone of voice asking her why she doesn’t behave her age. Then I broke out laughing. She was acting like a six-year old. My expectations were out of kilter.

Looking back, she was always mature for her age. For maturity isn’t about one’s age, but how one behaves and acts in their season of life.

If you live long enough, you will witness sixty-year-olds behave like six-year-olds. You will also see six-year-olds at times behave like sixty-year-olds. Maturity is the aging process of learning how to apply wisdom in the situation you are in. As we grow and accept responsibility, we discover our strengths and purpose. We also find meaning in the service of others. We mature.

The human growth cycle involves accepting responsibility. Healthy young adults seek responsibility or have responsibility thrust upon them. The outcome is growth of character. Character includes learning the art of patience, handling conflict, and helping others to flourish. Like Jesus (Lk. 2:40,52), as more responsibility is accepted for serving others, one grows in wisdom, judgement, and stature.

For example, as an eleven-year-old, I delivered newspapers door-to-door. I learned responsibility. My job description included collecting payment, managing money, and paying suppliers. Later as a sixteen-year-old, I was given the responsibility to manage a large food concession. There I learned to supervise others, deal with customers, and manage food operations. Each season brought new responsibilities. Others depended on me. I grew from the experience.

As children of the living God, HE is likewise giving us responsibility now to prepare us for eternity. HE has plans for you and I when we crossover into the new world. Included in the training is learning how to act and behave as a representative of HIS family and kingdom. We are currently babes in Christ. Yet we yearn to know more. To experience more. Though we are immature in God’s eyes, HE still allows us to play house until we are ready for the real thing.

We are to set aside our childish ways (1 Cor.13:11). To grasp the responsibility of being a Christ-follower. Then we will begin to experience the fruit of maturity in Christ.

As members of HIS body the Church, we all have been given gifts and abilities to serve one another. As we exercise these gifts in service for others, we mature in Christ. As we allow God’s Spirit to express Himself through us, we mature in Christ. As we help others to capture the vision of HIS Kingdom, we mature in Christ.

As we accept our responsibility as a member of HIS Church and a citizen of HIS Kingdom, doors will open for us to mature in Christ. As we mature in Christ, we discover our purpose. We find meaning through our work and service for others. And like all God’s ways, when one follows Christ, everyone else around us also benefits in the long-term.  

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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The Tough Jesus

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

1 JOHN 2:5 (EXB)

But if someone ·obeys [keeps] ·God’s teaching [L his word], then in that person ·God’s love [or love for God] has ·truly reached its goal [been fulfilled/perfected/completed]. This is how we can be sure we are ·living in God [L in him].

We all easily agree with Jesus when HE speaks about compassion, service, and justice. But what about those hard sayings?

“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt. 5:48) is a challenging goal. How does that compare with your standard of righteousness?

How about forgiveness? How many times are we to forgive those who hurt us? Peter thought seven times is a good standard before you put the person in your unforgiveness tent. But what did Jesus say?  “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Mt. 18:22). Now 490 times raises the forgiveness bar to an all-new time high. You might as well say indefinitely. (I don’t know any person who keeps count of such times unless they are working hard towards 491 to put the person in their personal unforgiveness prison.)

What about seeking to become great in something? Where you are #1 in your field. Looked up and praise by your fellow peers. How does Jesus expect you to achieve that goal? His disciples had similar desires. Jesus replied to them and to us with these words: “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all” (Mk.9:25). His way isn’t about manipulation, power plays, and putting spin on one’s viewpoint. If you want to be a leader in your field, learn to serve those around you from a humble perspective. Be a servant and help them achieve their desires. There is no glory in being a servant, but servant-hood is God’s way of leadership.

Where does evil come from? Jesus would often repeat what makes a person good or evil comes from the heart.  “But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? (Mt. 9:4).
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander (Mt. 15:19).
“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Lk. 6:45). So how does one replace the evilness found in one’s soul?  It begins with God’s Word and is strengthen through HIS Spirit. When God’s values are planted and allowed to bloom in a person’s heart, the fruit of righteousness and joy of living are expressed in everyday life.

Repentance is about changing your current worldview. When you replace your mental inputs with God’s knowledge of life, you begin to view the world from HIS perspective. You begin to better understand your potential and shortcomings. You acknowledge your need for a Savior. You gratefully surrender your soul and support the King of Kings. As you mature in the faith, you grow in grace and knowledge of your Lord. You become a servant within HIS kingdom. You learn to govern and serve others from HIS perspective. You realize the importance of living life mutually submitting yourself with others. You find life becomes more of a romantic adventure. Yes, life is hard. There are trials and sufferings. Yet, you want others to experience the awesome joy and peace you have within yourself even through these tough times. For you know all good things come from your heavenly Father. And you want everyone to know what you know about HIM, HIS Son, and HIS Spirit.

Yes Jesus comes across as tough at times. But HIS purpose is for us to reach out to HIM. To accept HIS authority in our life. To follow HIS ways. To reach out to HIM as HE as already reached out to us. For HE is the reason you live. He wants you to know your are included in HIS story. HE knows your potential. HE is preparing you for an eternal role in HIS family business: the government of God. For today HE may be tough on us. But HIS plans for you and I are greater than anything we can even imagine.   

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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