Distractions and Traditions

20262026 Dr. Mike 2026 Christ-centered, discipleship, life in christ, Love God

“…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.” Mark 4:19

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And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ Mark 7:5-7

One day, if you haven’t done already, you will come to a place in life you stop, look around, and shake your head at all the distracting noise surrounding you. Each way you look, you see nothing but others pushing their agenda upon you. Influencers vying for your attention. Marketers packaging their merchandise in your face. Politicians communicating their message of fear and more dollars to feed their mission. Every which way you look you are being bombarded with distractions from your goals.

Then there are those who still live in yesterday’s past. They want to keep the fences in place but cannot give you a viable reason for their position. To remove the fence would change their surroundings. They cannot tell you the importance of the fence. All they mutter is tradition is important and we need to continue keeping it.

Jesus faced the same issues in his time on planet earth. The religious people made up traditions that they placed more importance over God’s way of life. The cares of everyday living and the pursuit of power, money, and sex is nothing new. The same carnal desires humans pursue today were alive and well in Jesus’ time.

All these distractions and made-up rituals are the same battles we face today. They challenge us in our walk with Jesus. We may notice the spiritual fruit of a godly life is missing. Then wonder why? Could it be time to stop; get off the worldly bus, and start down the road the slower way – walking with Jesus.

He has a way of teaching you where to find real freedom, flourishment, and fulfillment. HIS Word, Spirit, and Kingdom ways open the door for you to fully live as a human being. HE leads you to discover real love, joy, and peace without the trappings of social customs. HE welcomes you into a family of the Triune God circle. You meet Papa God. You are introduced to the Holy Spirit. You capture HIS vision for humanity. You find purpose in your life. You find a way of life that is grace-paced. It all starts when you disregard the noise around you and focus your eyes and heart unto 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)

Being With Jesus

20262026 Dr. Mike 2026 Christ-centered, discipleship, Learning, Relationship

“No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15

Being a disciple of Jesus is a lifelong adventure. Like any learning role, it begins as a student/teacher relationship. The rabbi has selected his students and now the lessons begin. Unlike today’s schooling, the Jewish rabbi of the first century operated differently. He would meet outside the classroom and teach through life’s everyday routines. Jesus was no different in that format.

Most rabbis had a high academic bar for selecting their students. They would not allow you to sit with them unless you met their standard. In the first century, this meant you had to repeat per verbatim from memory the entire first five books of the Bible. It is estimated that only one out of every ten thousand would qualify. Jesus’ selection process was somewhat different. He didn’t select his students based on their mental acumen or elite status. He invited all to follow HIM if they wanted to learn. But it was from this disciple group HE selected twelve for more intense training. They became the apostles. And HE specifically chose them only after conversing with HIS Father.

Unlike today’s academic setting, the student’s training was both academic and hands-on. They listened at the feet of their teacher, and didn’t have to take academic tests. Instead, they went on missionary field trips. There they put into practice the Lord’s teachings and saw the fruit of their efforts. It was all hands-on. In a sense it was a small group master-level training class.

They became known as apostles because the twelve learned directly from Jesus. They then replicated the process. They also selected students who they would pass on their learning. Thus, we have our early church fathers who learned from the apostle’s feet. They then continue to replicate the process.

What made this process so effective was the emphasis on relationship over task – being over doing. Jesus himself would emphasize his relationship with HIS father. He then showed the strength of that relationship through the good works HE performed. Though HE would share the knowledge of God’s Kingdom with them, HIS focus was always on the heart of the issue. HIS last prayer emphasized the intimate relationship between HIM, HIS Father, and disciples. In today’s Scripture, HE again emphasized the relationship with them. Not as teacher/student, master/servant, boss/employee, but as friend/friend.

The three-plus-years-experience of the disciples with Jesus is a great lesson of discipleship. They realize being with Jesus was more rewarding than the work one does for Jesus. That wherever one goes, Jesus is already there, because HE is always with you. As one practices the way of discipleship, one learns to live with Jesus rather than just do work for Jesus. The joy of living is greater when one shares the time and space, and process with Jesus. And allow HIM to share HIMSELF with you.

The apostles were happiest being with Jesus wherever they went. They marveled at HIS work, HIS words, HIS actions. They couldn’t get enough of HIM. They wanted HIM as their friend; but hesitated because of the Rabbi/Learner role they shared. But this night, Jesus broke down the wall, and called them friends.

As disciples we will go through a similar process. HE will always be the Rabbi. We will always be the student. But one day, HE and you will both become friends. Welcome to being with Jesus.

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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Who Are You Lord?

20262026 Dr. Mike 2026 discipleship, Jesus, Lord, Meeting Jesus

And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Acts 9:5

Paul was a zealous Pharisee persecuting a Jewish sect. A sect who practiced a different way then he and his associates. On a trip from Jerusalem to Damascus, he experienced a life-changing event. He met Jesus.

As he tells the story, a flash of bright light caused his horse to throw him off the saddle to the ground. A bright figure appeared before him. When he asked who HE was, he met Jesus for the first time. The first words out of his mouth were “Who are You Lord?”

These same words are repeated by many of us throughout history in our engagement with Jesus.

When Jesus was in Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16).

When Jesus met the disciples the second time in the upper room after HIS resurrection. This time Thomas was present. He knelt down and expressed the heartfelt words, “My Lord and my God” (Jn. 20:28).

Today in the Muslim world, men and women are having dreams of a man in white appearing to them. The man introduces himself as Jesus. The dreams are so vivid, that even in the face of death, people are converting to follow HIM at the risk of their own lives.

Whoever you are, when you are introduced to HIM, you have a decision to make. Either HE is who HE claimed to BE, or HE is not. There is no middle ground. When you accept the reality of HIS Life and purpose, you begin a journey of discovery. You want to know all you can about HIM. HE becomes your main focus for living. Everything you do involves HIM. You and HIM become non-separable. You begin a relationship that becomes the center of your life. From that relationship, all other relationships become joined together. As you come to discover more and more about HIM, you find HE is more than a Savior. HE is Lord. He is your Hero. HE is your Friend. He is your elderly step-brother.

Papa God wants a family and you are included. HIS family business is the Kingdom of God. You are now in an executive training program being prepared for eternity with Jesus. It’s called discipleship. You are in training to reign. Today you are learning to govern yourself. Tomorrow you will also learn to govern (serve and minister) others. You will find purpose and meaning in everything you do when HE is the center of your life. It all begins when you start to answer the question, “Who Are You Lord?”

Yes, you will spend your lifetime seeking, discovering, and experiencing the answer. It never ends.

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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