grace

Aim Up

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.   Isaiah 51:6

Whenever there is a tough decision to make, what are some guidelines you use?

Like most of us, do you look at cost, time-restraints, and sacrificial requirements? Or are you willing to accept those only as part of the package and focus on the eternal outcome?

Over the years, you will be confronted with difficult decisions. Some of these moments you may not take the godlier route. Sometimes the cost will be more than you can endure. Other times the convenience of having it now will win out. Most times, you will not want to give up anything in exchange. Looking back, you will realize the faith living in you was expressing itself through your choices.

Yet over the years, God’s grace is constantly pored upon us. We learn that aiming up rather than down may hurt in the short term, but the long-term benefits far out weight them. It took a while for me to understand this. But focusing on the eternal aspects under God’s Kingdom has proven to be the better outcome.

Now when in doubt, I trust more. When I am being taken advantage of, I learn to bless more. When someone asks a little from me, I give them more. When someone needs a shoulder to cry on, I give them that and more. When God’s peace is being stolen from me, I give more away.

My aim is to please Jesus more than myself and others. When I get distracted, iniquity seems to show up. Thus, I want to know what Jesus is doing wherever I go. Sometimes HE lets me know. Most of the time, I don’t see or hear HIM. But other times, I see the impact the Spirit is having with someone and ask for discernment to join them. Other times, HE doesn’t let me know, but HE may get others involve. Life is not solely about me. But what the Triune God is doing in preparing eternity for his children. HE knows what is best. My aim is to trust HIM, follow HIM, and support HIM wherever I go.

So, aim up. Keep your focus on Jesus. Make your decisions knowing HE is always with you. Let HIM lead you around the dance floor of 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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Upside-Down World

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , , , , ,

And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, Acts 17:6

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You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay,
that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”;
or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?   Isaiah 29:16

We live in an upside-down world and consider this normal. We accept the status quo. This is the way it is. Yet deep down inside each person is longing for something better. There is more than the media, education, and government influencers broadcast before us. But the culture has us trapped within its power. We play along. At the end of the day, we are tired, bored, and unfulfilled. But we arise the next day and parade through the same game. We are trapped within society’s minefield. We want out, but where does one go? Who does one believe? Which road produces a life worth living?

God created a world of beauty and order. Everything has a place and purpose. As science uncovers the intrinsic workings of the universe, a Master Designer emerges. Yet humanity is not happy with how things operate. Instead of aligning themselves with the Master Creator, they search for something else. In such a vacuum, today’s ungodly influencers take the place of our Creator. They establish culture’s norms.

For example, they say you are racist. Their solution: be more racist.

They say you are not to judge. Their solution: allow criminal actions go unpunished.

They say everything is stacked against you. Their solution: let the government take care of you.

They say the world is coming to an end due in a global crisis. You can fill in the latest fear mongering, one-sided projected forecast. In my lifetime it has included nuclear fallout, over-population, and climate change. Their solution: give them more money and attention. Then surrender your lives over to them to help solve the problem/cause.

They say women rights are more important than life. Their solution: abort the unborn human so their rights are protected.

They say there are more than two genders. Their solution: pass laws to force their beliefs upon you.

They say marriage and family is old school. Their solution: do whatever feels personally pleasurable without concern for the children.

The list is endless.

When God is removed from the equation, the world evolves toward the darkness of life. What is evil becomes good. What is harmful becomes acceptable. What is beautiful risks destruction.

Standards of righteousness is then established by those with money or power. Justice becomes blind. Culture accepts only those who adhere to their corrupted values.

When Jason (Acts 17:6) was accused by the city gang for turning the world upside down is an example of man’s view of the situation. But Jesus reminds us throughout Scripture that HIS kingdom ways are the norm. When we practice his ways and prioritize his values the Kingdom flourishes. But, when we disregard HIS ways, we experience life outside of HIS favor. Our world ends up surrounded by the darkness of sin.

When you capture the vision of Christ’s Kingdom, you can only pray for HIM to return sooner than later. But until then, HE allows us to live under HIS Kingdom today. We can experience a small taste of heavenly bliss in this life now. As we live out the good news of HIS Kingdom, others may notice and want to also share life with HIM. HIS world, HIS way, HIS teachings are the norm. The sooner we allow HIM to live HIS life through us, the easier we will see how upside-down today’s culture really is.

The good news is you don’t have to play their game. You can order your life around Jesus and HIS Kingdom. When you do, you will internally experience the richness of life the way God does. You may not have all the surrounding material trappings of this upside-down world. But you will have the eternal treasures of living under HIS domain with HIS grace and favor.

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)

Aspirations and Writings Neatly Bound in Book Formats: * indicates audio version now available
at Apple Books

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Grace-Paced Living

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.   Hebrews 4:16

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And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.   2 Corinthians 9:8

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The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.   Philemon 1:25

Immature Christ-followers are often challenged by the concept of grace. They associate grace only with sin. They fail to realize the full potential God has given them under the authority of their Lord Jesus. Their worldview constrains them.

Yes, God’s grace mercifully covers the eternal penalties caused by sin. But grace is so much more than a sin solution. Grace is the unmerited favor God bestows upon us each moment of our life.

As apprentices of Lord Jesus’ Kingdom, HE bestows HIS grace upon us as needed. Whenever we put forth the effort to walk in agreement with HIM, HE bestows HIS favor upon us. Whatever we may lack, HE supplies. Whatever we may need, HE provides. HE in many ways is like the parent raising teenagers. HE gives HIS child room to make choices. But is always available to help navigate them through life’s consequences. Like a parent preparing their child for adulthood, so does our Rabbi do for us in preparing us for eternity.

If we fail, HE is near to help clean up and restore our confidence. Like the responsible parent, HIS goal is to make us ready to live life independent of HIM but always in agreement with HIM. In many ways, the adult child will respond in ways as taught by their parents. As Christ-followers don’t we do the same? Don’t we want to act like Jesus in the situation we currently face?

When we begin to understand grace is God’s favor upon us, doesn’t that open the doors for a more proactive life? If God be for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)?

Our challenge is to repent from our orientation for the expectation of specific results. Instead our heart and mind needs to be always trustful of God’s best for us and others.

Why do most of us suffer from anxiety, worry, and destructive stress? Could it be we hold unto our expectations instead of trusting God for the best outcome?

Grace-paced living is about trusting God for the outcome. It is casting your bread in many different directions. Then trusting God for the outcome. It is practicing the ASK method of prayer. First we ask HIM. Then we seek the answer from the opportunities around us. When something appears to be the answer, we knock on the door to see if the opportunity is for us. It is being open to all possibilities. We don’t limit our life anymore based on personal ambitions. Instead, we focus on building our relationship with the Triune God.

We go to our heavenly Father and ask Papa for a favor. Perhaps HE may grant you your request. Or HE may provide something else which is more of what you need in preparing you for your eternal home. Remember, it is not just about you. HIS answer will take into consideration other people who have a stake in the manner. HIS concern is for you and all the other family members under HIS tutelage.

Yes, at first living under a grace-paced approach is scary when one has been a control freak most of their life. But as God continues to intervene, HE will show you HIS love, HIS grace, and HIS blessings in your life. Then you will learn that HIS grace is enough for you. You will find under HIS grace, to be more free. To experience real flourishment without its trappings. You will find real fulfillment without costly penalties.

Yes you may be disappointed at times. You will suffer at times. You may even be deeply hurt at times. But over the long haul, you will discover the love, peace, and joy life gives you through God’s Spirit. All this while walking with your heavenly Father under the tutelage of your Lord. When you discover the full impact of HIS grace, you will pace your life accordingly. It is the best approach for day-to-day living on planet earth today. Ask any mature Christ-follower and they will tell you so with a large, glowing smile on their face. Grace-paced living is where it’s at.

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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