grace

Godly Incompetency

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.   Acts 18:24-28

Whenever I become aware of my false propensity that I got it all together, a smirk crosses my face. That is when I look into the mirror of Christ. Yep, compared to HIM, I am one incompetent student of HIS.

The illusion of competency for the moment quickly dissipates.  Though we have matured and are becoming more like HIM in character and worldview, we still have a long way to go.

Ask any knowledgeable professional in their field. The more they read. The more they study. The more they realize how little they know compared to the potential out there. The same is true for us apprentices of Jesus.

Yet HE doesn’t belittle us. HE doesn’t make us feel incompetent when we are with HIM. Instead, HE is rooting for you and me. HE wants us to succeed in life.

When times get hard, HE is there with us. When we experience a moment of success, HE is there with us. When times look bleak, HE is there with us.

HE is waiting for us to invite HIM into the conversation. HE doesn’t force HIMSELF into our lives. HE wants a mutual relationship where both sides enjoy the experience.

The older we become, the more we realize how unrighteous we naturally are. We may want to do good, but how often we fail to act on it. We may want to say the proper words at that moment to encourage a fellow saint, but our tongue is tied. Worst yet, the words that come out cause more damage than before.

In studying the life of Jesus, we marvel at HIS ability to ask the right question, share an appropriate story, and leave his audience with their heads spinning in joyful contentment. Many times we do just the opposite.

Though chronologically we are consider old, our spiritual maturity is that of a two-year old. My emotions still get the best of me. My stogy habits of yesterday still haunt me. I know change is possible. But is the effort worth the cost?

These thoughts crossed my mind this morning. As a professional manager I would fire incompetent people. The organization could not afford their repeatable errors. Yet in God’s Kingdom, His grace abounds. HE simply moves us into other areas of life where we can make a more positive difference into the lives of HIS children.

It sort of like volunteering in church. They don’t fire you for incompetent work. Instead, they keep moving you around until you find your giftedness. Then they watch you bloom. The same it is in God’s Kingdom. The more we lean on HIM, the more of HIS character and traits rub off on us. HE knows where and what is best for you and me. HE wired us. HE knows. HE is allowing us to discover the answers as we walk with HIM.

Apollos didn’t have it all together either. Yet he spoke what he knew. Was open for correction. Learned from others. And kept on letting the world know about Jesus. A lesson for you and me to do the same.  

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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Grace Changes Everything

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16

“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

Grace changes everything. Grace changes you. Grace changes others.  

Do you recall your first encounter with God’s unmerited favor? Did the moment make you stop, look, and grasp the meaning of being human?

You probably heard this many times before. That you are made in HIS image. You are like a god. You can imagine, create, and influence the world around you. You can analyze your situation and list options to choose. You are free to select your path. You can accept your position or make plans to change it.

Yet, there is something missing. Though you are made in HIS image, you are chemically produced. You are created from matter. You need to eat and sleep.  Chronologically your time is limited. Your body will stop functioning one day. Life as you know will come to an end. Something is missing.

If you are like me, than you know the choices you make are not always the best. Many times poor decisions come back to haunt us. We experience the pain and consequences of failure. Then there are those decisions from others which impact us. As they seek their aim in life, they ignore you. You are only a pawn or an insufficient obstacle in their way.

Yes, you are the captain of your ship. But these forces continue to bombard you with unwanted obstacles. Most of them you haven’t taken into consideration in your plans. They rob you of your dreams. They rape you of your innocence. They unfairly take away your hope for a better tomorrow.

There is much outside of our control. No matter how much we manipulate, bully, or abuse others, we start to ponder there may be a better way.

Enter Almighty God. HIS natural inclination is to share HIS way of life with HIS creation. How does HE introduce HIMSELF to us? There are many ways, but the most often way is by first experiencing HIS grace. Most often in the beginning you are totally unaware of what is happening.

Yes, those times when HE intervenes on your behalf. When HE brings people into your world that changes everything. When HE directs your steps into situations that help you become victorious. Grace begins to change you.

When HE inspires you with an idea or solution which has been hampering you for a long time. When HE opens doors for you to express your natural, God-given abilities with others. When HE gives you the internal fortitude to hang in there and keep trucking toward your destiny. When HE hugs you with HIS love that brings tears of joy into your life. HIS grace changes you.

God is generously good. HIS grace is the outer expression of HIS inner character. HE loves HIS creation. HE loves you. HE wants you to succeed in life. But like a responsible parent, HE also wants to prepare you for the future. HE wants to mature you. His desire is for you to share in HIS family business. To make wise judgements. To exercise HIS ways of fruitful living with others. HE thus may discipline you. To correct bad behavior and attitudes. But that is HIS grace changing you for the better.

Grace changes everything. You. Others. Purpose. Meaning. Fulfillment. When you are old and look back with hindsight you will align the dots and see the hand of God more clearly in your life. You will see how HIS Grace altered your life. You will see how HIS grace open the doors for you to have a relationship with HIM. Through it all, you will eventually acknowledge HIM and thank HIM for HIS Grace upon your life and the life of others.

Yes, grace changes everything.

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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Thriving Under Grace

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

“… because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,” Colossians 1:5-6

Sin condemns. Grace regenerates.

We live in a society quick to condemn others for their behavior. We see the ugliness of evil and seek someone to blame. We feel guilty for our privileged surroundings. So we virtue signal to relieve the condemnation. Our culture standards of self-righteousness separate the moral elitists from the castaways.

But enter Jesus Christ.

No worldly status. No governmental power. No monetary influence. But someone speaking the truth in love. His message of divine grace empowered the individual. Yet many of us fail to practice grace according to God’s manner.

Grace is God’s unmerited favor. Humanity tries to duplicate God’s grace, but falls short. They emphasize half the formula while ignoring the other side. They speak of grace, but ignore the truth. For grace without truth leads to chaos. But truth with grace leads to regeneration.

Truth produces consequences. Grace without consequences leads to abuse. Consequences teaches accountability and responsibility. Both are the foundation for character development. To thrive in life requires healthy character. The ability to exercise will power for the sake of preserving the self and others. That is why:

When an evil act goes unpunished, corruption increases.

When an evil act is condemned, truth is preserved.

When an evil act is rectified, justice prevails.

When an evil act is forgiven, grace abounds.

When grace abounds, the soul regenerates. But grace without truth destroys. Truth aligns with reality. Reality demonstrates consequences for one’s actions. When one lives within the boundaries of Godly morality, love and respect for each other is shown. Truth understands the importance of wholesome character. Truth sees past the color of one’s skin and focuses on the content of one’s character. Since humanity is made in the image of God, God’s character is the standard to imitate.

Grace is the means to motivate one to continue picking up one’s life after each failure. Grace is the license to repeatedly fail until the lesson is learned. The lesson is to build the virtuous character patterned after our heavenly Father. To thrive under grace is to know God loves you and is rooting for you.

Your failures are only the building blocks toward becoming the person you are wired to be. As you mature, you understand grace is God’s love poured out for you to walk in the truth. To share HIS life with others. To prepare you for eternity. To enrich you in HIS way of life.

I am always encouraged to read the last sentence in the Bible.   

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” (Rev. 22:21)

It reminds me of our privilege to live under God’s grace. To not only live, but thrive. To thrive and allow HIS grace to regenerate our soul.

In summary: to thrive and endure to the end under HIS grace is the best place to be under the sun.

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)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved