growth

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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The Good Seed

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

Matthew 13:37-43

He (Jesus) answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

When you follow Jesus, you are the children of His Kingdom. You are the good seed being planted in this world in preparation for an eternal harvest. You carry the salt and light of Jesus in you for others to observe. All those around you witness the good seed being produced in you and through you.

You are the workmanship of a divine plan started at the foundation of the world (Eph.1:4). When you choose to make the effort to lay “good soil” within the foundation of your character, your understanding of His Word grows in you. You begin to experience the fruit of His Spirit (Mt. 13:23).

The righteousness of Christ is your insignia (Phil 1:11). The fruit of the Spirit is your unlimited treasure chest (Gal.5:22). And the leadership of Father God is your assurance and inspiration.

You are the good seed being generated by a sovereign God for a greater purpose than anything you can think of on planet earth. Your life is not an accident but a plan event. You are unique yet similar with others. Your macro purpose is the same. But your micro giftedness and placement is unique. You have been planted in a specific family, neighborhood, and community to be sprouted for the sake of others.

Do not let the enemy blind you into ignorant stupor. Allow the Sower of good seed replicate His character and attributes in you. You will be pleasantly surprised by the quality of His workmanship.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager, Faith-Integrator, Scribbler

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Be Fruitful

Dr. Mike Business & Faith, Kingdom Paradigms , , , ,

Genesis 1:28 – And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it… ESV.

Colossians 1:9-10 – we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God… ESV.

 

fruitful

God’s first instructions to mankind taken from Genesis 1:28 was to “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it…” Nothing has changed since then except humanity’s natural inclination to first try it their way.

At the very beginning of man’s timeline, our heavenly Father gave us the personal responsibility to exercise wisdom, imagination and creativity to manage His earthly domain for Him.  The Bible calls it stewardship.

Like the manager of a company given the responsibility to grow the business for the owner, we likewise have been given the assignment to improve the world around us. When we take the focus away from ourselves and on others, we find needs to be satisfied. As a steward, we analyze the resources at our disposal and best deploy them toward satisfying the needs of others. In business, we receive the reward of developing a relationship with a person who becomes our customer. Through this process, we are financially compensated that allows us to purchase the resources we need to do it again and again. As we keep repeating the process, our client base grows, our resources under management grows, and the more people we can serve.

The challenge for most of us is locating that sweet spot where our natural gifts and talents intersect the needs of others and is fueled by our passion. Some of us may not recognize what our strengths are; others have placed mental or emotional limits on themselves; and then others are so wrapped up in themselves that they are blind to the need of others.

The apostle Paul in his letter to the Colossians mentioned his prayer for them was that God may supply the strength and internal fortitude to walk with our Lord and be fruitful in their work. Maybe some of us (if not all) need to invest more time praying for the same resources. Maybe we are not as fruitful as we can be because we are trying to accomplish our dreams apart from God. Maybe instead of striving for more, working longer hours, and chasing after dollars, we ask Him to show us how to rest in Him and learn from Him how to be more fruitful. Most of us will become pleasantly surprised how He has a way to open doors, bring people into your world, and generate opportunities beyond our wildest imagination.

God wants you to be fruitful in your work. But more than this, He also wants you to be fruitful in His relationship with you. Make Him the center of your life and then watch how He showers you with His fruitful Grace and Presence in your corner of the galaxy. For wherever He goes, the world around Him grows more fruitful.

This is the reason Jesus stated in John 15:5 that you will bear much fruit as long as you remain in Him.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
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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