Family

God’s Macro Plan

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

…He chose us in him before the foundation of the world…HE predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will…as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Eph. 1:4,5,10

God wants a family.

His entire plan in this age from beginning to end is to birth and prepare a people for eternity (Romans 8:15, 23). Jesus’ entire mission on earth was a victorious battle to defeat HIS adversary and lay the foundation for the Church. The Church’s responsibility is now to teach, nourish, and prepare a people for the end game. The end game being the final merger of heaven and earth (Rev. 21:1-4). This is after Jesus returns to claim HIS throne for all to see (Rev.5:11,13).

As HIS children, we will govern and serve within HIS eternal kingdom (Rev.5:10).

Yes, God wants to share HIS life with you and me for all eternity. HE wants His children to be involved in the family business: the Kingdom of God. We have the opportunity to now practice His ways within our everyday world.

As we allow HIS Spirit to lead us, we are colonizing our home, business, and neighborhoods after His governmental principles.  We are being tested (Rev.2:10) and disciplined as His children (Heb.12:7-11). We are learning HIS ways. As a church body, we reach out to others. We teach Christ’s ways for others to learn and grow in relationship with Him (Matt. 18:18-20).

From Adam and Eve, to you and me, humanity’s story is God working out HIS macro plan. The Bible is a prophetical and historical account of the people and events HE orchestrated to fulfill HIS desire for a family. After a couple of disappointments with the human response, HE started with Abraham. From their the family tree began to grow into a tribe. The tribe eventually became a Jewish nation. Then Jesus fulfilled the prophecy given to Adam & Eve. HE restored man’s direct relationship with God and removed the religious rituals which foretold His purpose. The result was the merger of Gentiles and Jews into membership of one body, the church (Eph. 3:6).

The church today is the hands and feet of Jesus. As we follow Jesus, you and I are now responsible to serve one another participating with HIM in HIS work preparing a people for eternity.

Yes, God’s plan from the beginning of time is to prepare for a family. Today we are in the womb of the church. One day, there will be a universal birth as HIS children are given a new body and a new home with a new eternal start (1 Corinthians 15:42-49).

This is why when you live out your life under God’s macro plan, your micro plans take on new meaning and purpose. You realize Father-Son-Spirit have bigger plans for you and I than we can ever 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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Substructures of Love

Dr. Mike 2022 , , , ,

Matthew 19:4-6

He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So, they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Everything God created HE made from HIS inner character which includes the manifestation of love. HE created the universe because Love wanted a family to encircle the Triune God. He selected the planet earth and inhabited the third rock from the sun with various forms of life. He created a precise and interrelated world which would sustain human life.

When HE came to create man and woman, the planet was ready for them. So, HE created the first human in HIS image. Therefore, mankind reflects his Creator. God’s attributes are revealed through the thoughts, imagination, and actions of each person. Though each person only has a limited portion of HIS attributes, collectively they reveal who God IS.

Along the way though, us humans also discovered the power of choice. When we choose wisely after the character of our Creator, life works out for the better. However, when we choose contrary to the Master Designer, the outcome is opposite HIS character. The Bible defines the outcome as sin.

God reveals HIS important values by HIS actions as HE relates with others. When the first humans disobeyed HIS one and only command, their continence changed as they tasted a side of God without the character to manage the experience. Instead of trusting God to determine what is good and evil, they will now discover for themselves through trial and error. The result is a broken world constantly shifting between good and evil by the choice humans make.

From the beginning of time, two of the substructures put in place which demonstrates God’s love is found in marriage and family. God’s ordain form of marriage is between a man and woman. As Jesus stated, when married the two become one flesh. The apostle Paul latter wrote this same picture also highlights the mysterious relationship between Jesus and the Church.

When a man and woman enter marriage, they begin a monogamous relationship where they learn the importance and value of persevering commitment and sacrificial love. The Biblical examples are displayed between God and Israel. No matter how often the people of Israel disobeyed and rebelled, God continued HIS covenant with them. Israel may have often failed in the relationship, but God always performed HIS part of the relationship.

The family is also God’s way for building up a social network which is good for both the individual and community. Social studies have likewise demonstrated the value of having a two-parent family to raise children and being the overall structure best produces successful, healthy, and contributing individuals into society.

God didn’t expect everyone to marry and have children. There are those who are happy and productive being single and maintain healthy relationships with others. They learn the importance of commitment and love through their everyday relationships. However, marriage and family allow a greater blessing for children and the more demanding process of maturity growth between couples.

As this world tries to figure out a better way of living than what God has already ordained and proven over time, those of us who practice Judeo-Christian values already have seen, practiced, and witness the joy and fulfillment of living God’s “old-fashion” ways. Earth’s first parents stepped outside of God’s instructions and paid a heavy price. Some of us keep thinking we can outsmart God. I myself, admit having tried many times to outwit God, but I have always repented and turned back to HIM.

Over time, I have also learned HIS ways are better than any man or woman has developed since the beginning of time. So therefore, I am blessed beyond measure; not because of my brain trust, but because of my willingness to follow the God-Man who made all this possible for me. I hope you see the same. For then it would be a better world for everyone to live in.  

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books 

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Family Trap

Dr. Mike 2021, Traps , ,

Luke 14:26

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

Family is the basic building block of a healthy society. Within the healthy family, one learns values, builds character, shares the joy of victories and sorrow of defeats. The healthy family teaches us the importance of relationships and provides a safe haven for each member. The strong family lays the nucleus for a strong society.

On the other hand, a dysfunctional family leaves its mark on each individual member which carries with them throughout their life. When a child is raised by a single parent, or an abusive parent, those memories and scars are imprinted and carried in a person’s entire life. A destructive family weakens the social fabric of any nation.

Yet Jesus, raised by a Jewish family structure whose culture emphasizes the importance of family stated that HE is more important than family.     

Yes, family is important; probably the most important social fabric in your life. Yet as a disciple of Jesus Christ, family takes a secondary priority of roles. The trap is believing family is all you need.

Typically, God, family, and country are three values many Americans adhere too. And they are good, wholesome values worth keeping. The tripping point though is making family or country the central-core of one’s life rather than God. We see this happen often when children leave home and start their lives apart of their parents. Mothers who typically have made their children the central focus of their life have a greater difficulty handling the transition then those mothers who have lived a life with the Triune God their central-core of living.

When God is the central-core of life, our identity is found only in HIM. We do not confuse our roles with our identity. The role of father and mother do not identify us. They are temporary assignments. Our identity is found in Jesus Christ which is permanent and the foundation of our life. When we place him above family and ourselves, we reap the benefit of having a meaningful relationship and guide for the rest of our life. And that includes a guide with helping us navigate the difficult challenges of parenthood.

When we compare Jesus with our family or ourselves, the attitude of hate which Jesus used, is a strong language that demonstrates the priority of placing HIM first in relationship with ourselves and with family. When Jesus is the central-core of our lives, everything else falls into its proper place. Life takes on more meaning and purpose.

In fact, the road of discipleship with Jesus is one adventurous journey worth pursuing that includes your family, friends, and country. Yet, to be effective, Jesus needs to be the central-core of your life. Enough said.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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