faith

Underestimating Jesus

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.  I John 4:4


 

What are some ways we may limit Jesus in our lives?

The other day I spent some time with an associate struggling with a whole set of issues. He is a 21st century Biblical Job. Just like Job lost everything important to him, so has he.

His health is battered. He is battling addiction from pharmaceutical drugs. He is financially broke and unemployed. He struggles against strong demonic influences. His family is ready to commit him into a mental ward.

He questions his belief in God. He holds HIM responsible for his poor condition. Yet his prayers are deeply sincere asking God for help and direction.

He has been a faithful Christian his entire life. But now wonders why God has abandon HIM. He has lost all hope and meaning for his life. Every hiccup, muscle sprain, and one less hour of sleep each night brings him into the mindset his days are short.

He is crying out for help but at the same time wallowing in a victim mindset. As I listen to him, my heart hurts. I pray along with him asking for wisdom in the situation. My focus is trying to see what the Holy Spirit is doing. How can I best participate with our Lord in this situation. For now, I only sit and listen. I ask questions trying to help him see things more clearly. God is the cure-giver, not I. For we both will learn patience waiting on HIM.

It is times like this we discover how strong our faith in Jesus actually is. Is HE bigger than any problem we are dealing with? Do I really have a strong relationship with HIM or is HE just someone I know? Have I been true and supportive of HIM my entire life? Or have I just played church with HIM? Does HE really have last say on this matter? Can HE be trusted?

Is HE really the solution for my problems or the cause? Isn’t HE supposed to protect me from harm? From my stupid choices? Does HE practice safe-zone behavior or will HE allow the situation to enter the high-risk area?

Why am I truly following him anyway? These are only a few of the questions that may arise when we struggle with life’s darkest moments.

When Jesus is your central-core of living, bad things are still going to happen. The difference being HE is always with you. HE will lead you through the mess. In the process, you will learn to better govern yourself and others. His purpose is not to make you happy and successful in this life. HE wants to prepare you for eternity to rule with HIM serving others. Everything we go through in this life trains us to know HIM better. To enjoy life with HIM in greater degrees, and prepare us for greater service of others.

We can choose to limit Jesus or allow HIM access to lead us with HIM as HE navigates us through the jungles of life. We can let HIM live in us and through us or just reside. As we allow HIM to live HIS life through us, HE accomplishes HIS macro-plans. We also achieve our micro-ones. Everything else are the small details that we deal with along the way.

Walking with HIM doesn’t eliminate the problems. But helps us focus on the solutions. We limit Jesus when we don’t allow HIM to live in us and through us. One step at a time. One day at a time. One person at a time. For HE is always with us. You especially notice when family, friends, and community surround you with HIS love and care in your darkest moments. Yes, HE is always 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)

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The First Time

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times! Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse—some days it was you, other days your friends. If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn’t touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion. It won’t be long now, he’s on the way; he’ll show up most any minute. But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust; if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy. But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.  Hebrews 10:32-39 (MSG)

What first time experience do you most often recall? Is it: The first time you had a crush on a person? Your first romantic kiss? Your first time away from home?

The first time you bought a car? Your wedding? Your divorce? The birth of your child?

The first time you saw death? The death of a family member? A friend? The ugliness of surviving a war zone?

There are many first in all our lives. Some bring a smile to our face. Others make our heart heavy. Yet all are experiences that have molded and shaped us into the person we are today. For most of us, the first time is a learning experience. It usually ends in failure. No musician plays their instrument perfectly the first time. It takes repeated practice to perfect one’s play. Most professionals recall the struggle and failures of those early years. In hindsight, they can laugh at their ignorance of the first time. The pain, the setbacks, and the emotional roller-coaster rides is the price of admission. It made them into the person they are today. Some would rather forget those days. Others keep those thoughts in their memory. It keeps them humble and grateful for today.   

Some people seek out a new first experience every day. They consider it an adventure. Others like to sit back and repeat the same experience over and over again. That is the makeup of our character and personality. We all choose the ways and methods which produce those dopamine hits.

Our walk with God in many ways is included in those first-time experiences.

The first time we became aware of a possibility of a God. The first time we experienced an invisible hand intervening in our life. The first time we met others who were seeking to know more about HIM. The first time we broke in totally surrender to HIM. The first time we experienced a miraculous answer to prayer. The first time we recognized HIS presence in our inner being. The first time we became aware of HIS involvement in leading us through life’s jungles. The first time our mental capacity tilted over the edge due to HIS creation. The first time we experienced peace and joy through severe trials of life. The first time our pain and suffering found comfort in HIM.

Yes, there are many first-time experiences we can recall. But there is one first time experience I still await. I long to hug Jesus and thank HIM for all HE has done and is doing for you and me. 

What is the next first-time experience you long for?

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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Top Ten for 2024

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

“…that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.  And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” 1 John 1:3-4

As always, MUCH THANKS for visiting this site. Your continual support encourages me to share the love and joy of Jesus Christ via this blog. The weekly scribbling of how we integrate faith within everyday life is definitely therapy for the soul. Hopefully through these pages, you likewise find encouragement and insight to equip you in your walk with our Lord Jesus Christ.

This past year, the top ten pages with the most views were:

  1. Where is God’s Domain 
  2. Managing Body-Soul-Spirit  
  3. Don’t Lose Your Crown
  4. What is Your View of God? 
  5. Uncommon Grace
  6. What New Creation
  7. Jesus is Our Reference Point
  8. A Man’s Man – Jesus
  9. How is it with Your Soul
  10. Through Faith or By Faith

This past year, I have also taken time again to update several eBooks. We cleaned up the grammar and rolled them out via print versions. The latest, Power Up With Jesus, is a five-book collection series of earlier blogs bundled together for an easier read. So if you are looking for a devotional paperback rather than the digital eBook, you now have a choice.

As always, my primary prayer for you and your love ones is for you to truly live-out and experience the radical, blessed and grace-paced life found in the relational love of the Incarnate Triune God, and come to know HIM as HE truly IS!!!

Always remember, God Loves YOU and wants YOU to share in HIS family life. Engage HIM and experience the life HE created YOU to live and enjoy.

Always 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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