hope

Suffering. Endurance. Character. Hope.

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , 
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:2-5

Why is suffering a problem for many people who blame God for its existence? The question arose again this week at our weekly small group meeting. The man has a friend who is a “good person.” But now he is going through medical challenges. This is causing hardship and pain within the family. Why does God allow it he asks.

Some of us have the illusion that suffering is the exception. When in reality, it is the norm. Being free from suffering is the exception.

Suffering is the event that God uses to bring about his spiritual masterpiece in you and I. No one wants to suffer. But a broken world with broken people produces a broken society. In due time, we all will suffer pain.

It may be physical, emotional, relational, or financial. It may cause us to lose our freedom, our dreams, and our well-being. Yes, even good people will suffer. Ask Jesus.

A perfect, sinless man who confronted the masses and political machines of his day. His contribution to society led him to a most torturous death. Yes, even HE could not escape the human clothe of suffering.

Suffering is part of the human condition. One can either wallow in it or accept it. One either moves on or allow its teeth to mull you into oblivion. Yet as the apostle Paul writes, Christ-followers rejoice in their suffering. For believers know God’s Spirit lives in them. HE is doing a work through the pain that will produce a spiritual masterpiece. For suffering produces endurance to lean more and more on Christ. As we lean on HIM, HIS Spirit is remaking our inner heart after HIS image. As we look at the fruit, our hope grows more and more on our relationship with HIM. We see HIS involvement in our life.

Yes, we may not like the process. It hurts. It produces hardships. Yet we have learned to trust HIM. Our focus in on eternity. Our desire is to yield ourselves into HIS arms. To allow HIS Spirit to produce the character needed to serve HIM and others in HIS Kingdom forever.

Yes, suffering produces endurance, character, and hope with the Spirit that lives in us. The sad truth though, without the Spirit, suffering is a waste of energy and resources. A painful trip without meaning and purpose. Thus, lean on Jesus and allow HIS Spirit free reign in shaping you for HIS purpose and plans. 

It is not the story I planned in my youth, but it is the narrative I have chosen to follow. This is HIS story and HE has allowed us to participate with HIM through it. It includes suffering from poor decisions on my part. It involves suffering from the acts and decisions of others. It is the narrative that confronts us on a daily basis. How we respond and follow through is the story-line we write. Through the painful process our heart and character will be shaped. Hopefully, as we trust our Maker, yield to the Spirit’s influence, the final image we reflect will honor 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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God of Hope

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.   Romans 15:13

Without hope plans fail.

Without hope, your current situation is bleak.

Without hope, you are denying yourself a future.

Hope is the springboard for tomorrow.

Hope brings peace and joy on the ride.

Hope is God’s specialty.

Without God, hope is Shangri-la in the sky. With God, hope is real.

Life is designed for you and I to be effectively trained to serve in God’s Kingdom for eternity. The pain. The suffering. The challenges. The hiccups and slaps are all there to teach us how to lean on HIM. To come to know HIM. To partner with HIM on our journey through life. To learn to trust HIM as HE weaves and works to build HIS character in you and me. If we so choose.

Otherwise, you are on your own. Lost and confused. Jumping upon the next fad. Allowing culture to dictate your next move. A pawn in the hands of those who are manipulating you for their personal gain.

But God wants what is best for you. He doesn’t force himself upon you. HE allows you to freely choose your destiny.

You can try to do it all yourself. Like others before you. How did their life workout?

Or you can reach out to the God-Man who has already proven himself before the Almighty and others. And HE has many witnesses who have demonstrated a similar life worth pursuing.

What does hope have to do with all this?

When you come to know the Triune God, you develop a trust in HIM. You learn to walk with HIM through the good and uglies of life. You witness how HE carries you through the tough times. You are amazed at how HE directs your steps toward the answers you seek. Even before you recognize your need. You develop a relationship with HIM. You learn to communicate with HIM. You learn to trust HIM.

Your trust in HIM gives you hope. As HIS Spirit lives in you, you experience the joy and peace from HIM. As you move into a new day, the world around you may act in craziness, but you are hopeful. You know God is working out all things for your good. May not be what you expect. But it will be good. Good for you. Good for those around you. Good for HIS Kingdom. May not be what you initially identify as good. But in the long-term, you will learn the goodness of God. Even through the pain, suffering, and anxiety you are currently experiencing. You will trust and hope in HIM. For you know HE loves you. He wants what is best for you. And He reminds you each day HE is with you and cares for you.

So lean on HIM. Hope in HIM. Let HIM have HIS ways with you. HE will deliver you from the mess around you. Through it all, you will become stronger, surer, and more hopeful for the next adventure.

Remember: hope is God’s specialty. And HE is very good at it.    

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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What’s Your Biggest Problem?

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

Romans 7:15-20

“For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.”

What is the biggest problem you have to face each day?

I know mine.

Yes, I am about fifteen pounds overweight. My cholesterol is on the high side. My mental capacity not as sharp as in my mid-thirties. Arthritis is making its appearance in my big toe. The hearing from my one side is only about 50% normal. I have the tenancy to behave obnoxiously when tired. My house projects take three times longer and cost twice more than someone gifted with their hands. I’ve had more investment failures than the creative mind could list. More times than not, I say the wrong words at the most inappropriate moment. I could also continue about relationship issues, work tragedies, and financial failures. Also there are those mental gaps, recreational trauma, and social blunders. The list seems endless.

So what is the central core of all these problems? Would you believe “ME.”

Many of these problems are caused by my desires. Other issues are caused by outside forces which I did not properly respond too. But even these problems are the end result of misbeliefs, illusions, and self lies. All because of my adherence to be satisfied.

Whether the facts are true or not, whether someone gets hurt or not, whether there is a better way, doesn’t matter. At that moment, me, myself, and I need to please the inner desires of my flesh.

Yes, I am my biggest problem.

Yet my biggest problem always leads to the biggest solution. I am thankful for Jesus Christ, HIS work of salvation, and HIS mission of restoration.

It is not my responsibility to save the world. That is HIS job.

My responsibility is to serve him and allow the Holy Spirit to morph my heart, mind, and soul after HIS image.

Yes, there is a battle raging between my carnal desires and the divine nature. I now know the taste of each of their fruits.

Apostle Paul wrote Romans some twenty years after his conversion. He was still struggling with the deception of sin. The longer we live, the more we become aware of the ugliness of sin that resides in each of us. But at the same time, we are thankful for a Comforter and Healer of the Holy Spirit.

Yes, we battle every day between the forces of sinful desires and divine wants. As we mature, we realize the problem is not those around us, but ourselves. As we age, we learn to exercise more patience with others. We learn to love others as Christ loves us. We learn others will occasionally harm us as we have inadvertently harm them. Yet, as Christ sacrificed his life for us, HE also sacrificed himself for them.

Jesus is the answer to my biggest problem. I am so grateful for his intervention. Soon, more and more people will come to realize HE is also the solution to their biggest problem. Possibly even you if you have not already accepted HIM as your Lord and Savior.           

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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