discipleship

Spiritual Adaptation

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.   Romans 13:14

There are more people today who have improved their health going from a high-carb diet to a fat adaptation model. There are also medical studies that show the benefits of such a health regimen. Whether one follows the Keto plan or a carnivore diet, it is agreed that both are a change to the body.

As one who has experienced the weight loss under each plan, they do work. The challenge though is to whether accept either plan as a long-term lifestyle. Do the benefits outperform the sacrifice?

Since each person is unique, the answer depends on your biological makeup. Now though, I want to only look from a spiritual viewpoint. And we will start by asking this question. What is the comparison of our spiritual walk with Jesus and following a keto lifestyle?

First, let’s look at the keto lifestyle. The plan involves reducing carbohydrates one eats while increasing the fat one consumes. This strategy is based on realizing that the body’s energy comes from either burning glucose or fat. The body can produce glucose without ever eating any carbohydrates. Whereas over eating carbohydrates can produce harmful health conditions. For example, insulin resistance which leads to diabetes and other metabolic issues.

Fat, unlike carbs, more quickly satiates the hunger. When one eats carbs, one can easily overeat unnecessary calories. Then again repeat a couple of hours later for more unneeded calories. Whereas fat fills one up quicker for a longer period of time.

What does all this have to do with spiritual adaptation?

Well, the challenges are similar. For the keto diet to effectively work, one has to become fat adapted. For the Christ-follower to be effective, one needs to become spiritual adapted. The keto lifestyle requires the severe reduction of carbohydrates from the diet. The Christ-follower needs to limit sin’s influence in one’s life. Both plans need not only the elimination of something but also the addition of a new way of life.

Some people have attempted a part of the keto plan. They may reduce their intake of carbs with some benefit of weight loss. But they may still be in a pre-diabetic state because they haven’t become fat adapted. They want to hold on to the past while stretching toward the future. They are not ready to deny themselves from the pleasure of carbs.

So is the case with Christ-followers. They want to experience the new creation with Jesus. But they have great difficulty letting go of their past.

If the person wants the full keto benefit, they must become fat adapted. If a Christ-follower wants the full gospel benefit, they must become Spirit adapted.

There is no way around it. If one holds unto the past while grasping for the future, neither approach will succeed. Both will fail.

Jesus gave the same warning to the church in Laodicea. “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth (Revelations 3:15-16).”

So, like the writer of Romans stated. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Allow the Holy Spirit to influence your attitude, decisions, and worldview. Learn to see the world through the eyes of Father-Son-Spirit. Let go of the past. Let go of the self. Let go and let Jesus lead you around earth’s dance floor.

Be fully committed. Read the Book. Focus on eternity. Let HIS kingdom come alive in your world. Instead of seeking how to please your personal desires, seek how you can best serve those around you. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes. To discern how you can best support Father-Son-Spirit in your corner of the world.

It all starts when you allow Jesus to clothe you with HIMSELF. When you abide with HIM, HE will abide with you. When you focus on HIS plans for you, HE will direct your steps and bring people into your world. HE will fill you with the spiritual riches via the Holy Spirit. The fruit of HIS Spirit will abound with you. As you follow HIM, you will become more and more spiritually adapted.

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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His Custom

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

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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Bedtime Virtues

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.   1 Peter 1:5-8

How did your day go?

What standard of measurement do you use to determine how your day went?

Or do you just live serendipity and it doesn’t matter?

In my youth, I was introduced to Benjamin Franklin and his end of day evaluation habit. Though not a Christian, he had the habit at the end of each day to review certain virtues. His chosen virtues were areas he considered important in his daily life.

History doesn’t reveal to us the depth of his spiritual relationship with God. But his focus on spiritual formation is one habit that is known. That caught my attention.

Peter writes this letter to us in a similar way. His focus is for faith-keeping Christ-followers to exercise our effort toward certain virtues. The goal of practicing these virtues is to keep us always aware of Jesus being the center of our lives.

Peter starts with the importance of acquiring knowledge. To fill our mind with everything we can about God. From Scripture to creation, everything you can learn about HIM.

Then practicing self-control in all areas of one’s life. Learning to discipline oneself in regards to food, work, relationships, desires, and attitudes. The ability to say NO to the self and follow through.

Being steadfast or unwavering. Stay focus and finish what you start. To follow through on a matter no matter how hard or cost.

Choose to be clothed in godliness. Allow God’s Spirit to influence your heart, mind, and soul. Align yourself with the Creator’s character.

When relating with others, treat them with brotherly affection. Care for them as a family member.

And above all, let love bloom. Be willing to sacrifice for another. Show them the love and grace that God bestows on you.

So, if you want a bedtime checklist to determine how your day went, why not use these verses? There are others you can also include. But when you measure your day as a Christ-follower, you are evaluating the walk with the talk.

The day may have been a physical wreck. You may be dealing with financial challenges. And of course, these you are conversing with your Lord for help. But meanwhile, you need to remind yourself that you are following the steps of your Rabbi. You want to become more and more like HIM. Thus, the day’s priority is to review how you are managing your entire kingdom. The good with the bad.

Bring it all and place it before your Savior and Lord. HE will help you carry it through. HE wants you to become the person you were created to be. It takes two; our effort, and HIS grace. Together you and HIM will make the journey more than worthwhile.

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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