focus

God is Always at Work

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , , ,

But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working…”  So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. John 5:17, 19-20
 

Jesus just healed an invalid man on the Sabbath. The man was incapacitated for thirty-eight years. Instead of celebrating the healing of the man, the Jews focused their anger on Jesus. They were angry because Jesus spoke about his familial relationship with HIS Father God. To them this was blaspheme. Their understanding of Scripture did not equate how Jesus could be related to Father God.

Along with their uneasiness, Jesus also took the time to explain HIS heart behind HIS actions. HE shared the process of how HE chose what to focus on.

HIS mind, heart, and soul were focused on the work HIS Father was doing around HIM. HE was so attuned to HIS Father’s Will; HE acted and did as HIS Father did.

The relationship between Jesus and HIS Father was very close. They mutually agreed and acted in similar fashion. Jesus knew HIS Father loved him so much that HE would reveal all HIS doing to HIM.

IS this not the type of relationship we want with Jesus and Father God? To have a ring-side seat to participate in the work of God?

Imagine walking into a room of strangers and participating with the Spirit’s work in front of you? Is this not the Christian journey in Christ? To participate with Jesus in HIS work? To share our life in Christ with others?

Instead of walking into a room with a planned agenda of what you are going to do for Jesus, how about a new approach? What if you asked Jesus how you can join HIM and work with HIM? No expectations. No planned purpose? Only our heart, mind, and soul focused on the work our Triune God is doing in the present.

God is always at work. Ask HIM how you can join HIM. HE loves to share HIS plans with others. Especially HIS children as HE prepares them for eternity with 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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Your Expectation of Jesus

Dr. Mike 2025 , ,

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come… the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.  To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Revelations 1:4-6

You experience life from what you focus on each day. Yes, everyday there is the possibility of the unexpected to confront you. But most often, you experience what you plan for the day. You go about your routine to fulfill your responsibilities. Your world may include taking care of other family members. You may have customers to serve at work. You may also intermingle with those in the community as you run errands for the day.

Yet, what is your expectation of walking with Jesus in HIS kingdom this day? How do you include HIM in your daily affairs? What do you expect from HIM this day?

Learning to walk each day with Jesus is an experience rarely seen in movies or even in most homes. In fact, I recently watched some preachers and teachers of HIS word on YouTube this past week. Very few even discussed the subject. Most focused on the acquisition of theological knowledge. Some even spent more time pushing the sale of their merchandise. But walking with Jesus as HIS disciple in the marketplace wasn’t their concern this week.

Jesus promised to be with us till the end of the age. But where is HE in your walk with HIM today?

If you aren’t sure HIS Spirit resides in you, you may want to spend some time in prayer with HIM. You may want to ask HIM to reveal himself to you today. HE may not reveal himself the way you expect, but HE will in a way you will grasp.

There is a certain confidence you gain knowing that you know that HE knows and HE knows you know. HE is with you. HE is for you. HE is rooting you to become the person HE needs you to be for HIS kingdom.

Learning to live in HIS presence each day assures you of HIS involvement in your life. When faced with a difficult decision, you can turn to HIM for advice. When confronted by a difficult person, you can rely on HIM for insight and wisdom. When interacting with the store clerk you can allow the spirit of Jesus reach out and share HIS love with them. In fact, if the opportunity presents itself, you may even share the gospel with them.

The best time to position Jesus in your focus for the day is upon arising. When planning out the day’s activities, include HIM. When crossing out the items from your to-do list, thank HIM. When messing up for the umpteen time, let HIS grace shower you. And when your children mess up for the thousandth time, let HIS grace also shower them.

Jesus is more than a Savior. HE is also our King and Lord. The Bible also reveals HE is our elder brother and friend. So why not let HIM be so as you venture out and experience life the way HE is preparing you for eternity.

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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Keep On Keeping On…and On and On and On…

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. …who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body”   Philippians 3:14,21

The apostle Paul wrote these words at a time when his circumstances looked bleak. He was in prison. He wasn’t sure of the outcome. He reviewed his life’s achievements and counted them as dung. He considered the prize before him worth the cost paid. His focus was on Jesus. He looked forward to the return of Jesus and the resurrection from the dead.

History doesn’t give us an exact date when or how Paul died. But it is believed he was released from prison shortly after these writings. He was later beheaded around 64-65 AD per Eusebius’ historical records.

Paul’s mindset though was always focused forward. He didn’t dwell on the pain and suffering of the past. He wasn’t bitter. His head and heart was on Jesus. He was willing to forgo all the trappings of worldly success for life in Christ. What kept him going was the promises of God.

He personally had a strong relationship with Jesus. He has seen the life of Jesus in his daily walk. His pain and sufferings reminded him of Jesus. Whatever Jesus went through he wanted to experience the same.

He found his meaning and purpose in Jesus.

Every hurdle, every obstacle, every nuance, was a stepping stone toward his goal. He knew his mission, and lived it.

No matter where he found himself. No matter the situation. No matter the outcome. He kept preaching the good news to everyone around him. When isolated from people, he wrote the good news. When held under house arrest, he invited people to visit him. When held in chains, he spoke the good news with his captures. Whether before governors or daughters of slaves, he kept on living out his purpose.

Yes, Paul is an example for all. He was zealous for God before meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus. Then after being knock down from his high horse, he continued to be zealous. This time equipped with the good news of Jesus.

My bet is even on his last day when he was most likely beheaded, he was preaching the good news to those around him. In fact, some two-thousand years later, we are still reading what he preached. Yes, he is one of our faithful examples of a life that keeps on keeping on for the glory of God.

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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