Jesus

Where Did You See Jesus This Week?

Dr. Mike 2026 , , , ,

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receives their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”  Matthew 11:2-6

In our morning life group, the question we start each week is the above. Where did you see Jesus this week? It is always enjoyable to see the replies from each of the men. Some men focus on the physical blessings that occurred. Others on the spiritual essence at the time. Yet a few are still looking for HIM.

At times, we may rephrase the question. Instead of using Jesus’ name, we list his characteristics.  For example, the fruit of the Holy Spirit includes love and joy. And since Jesus was fully empowered by the Spirit, the fruit would always be displayed. So we also ask, “where did you see love? Joy? Peace? Patience? Kindness? Goodness? Gentleness? Self-control?” We often receive more replies from others.

Then there are times we ask, “when you looked into the mirror this morning, did you see Jesus.” This one makes each man realize that Jesus is alive and lives in each man. But are you allowing HIM to express HIMSELF through you?

The real reason behind these questions is to provoke one to focus more on Jesus. We all get busy and distracted. So it’s comforting to know that through it all that one question over time becomes a repeated mantra in our minds. So when times get tough, or an event occurs in front of you, stop and look. You may be witnessing Jesus in action.   

In today’s Scripture, John the baptizer was in prison. He needed confirmation that Jesus was the Messiah. So he sent his disciples to Jesus with the question. Jesus replied to tell John what they saw and heard about HIM in action. In other words, what did you see Jesus do this week? HIS reply focused on the healing miracles and the good words they heard spoken by HIM.

When we start looking for Jesus in our small corner of the world, HE will reveal HIMSELF. We will see HIM through the Spirit’s work. We will see spiritual fruit blooming in the lives of others. We will see improbable events occur. We will hear voices from heaven. Encouraging words in time of need. We will see a helping hand in a time of trouble. Sunshine in a place of darkness. The world may be in turmoil, yet peace rests upon you. At the fork road of a major decision, wisdom appears. While waiting for a solution, answers come. Not too many to choose from, only one. The one which propels you to your promise land.

Even when times are hard, you realize you may be broken, busted and beaten, but still hopeful. You know your redeemer lives. HE is holding you together. HE is transforming you into the mold you were wired to become. You accept the short-term pain knowing the long-term gain is truly worth it. Even though you see yourself as a total wreck, a voice within you reassures you that HE is with you. Hang in there. This part of the transition is almost over. You will come out stronger. More trustful. More assured. More on fire for the God you serve.

Yes, it starts when you focus your day on what Jesus is doing in your world now. Afterwards, you know Jesus better than ever before.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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“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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Who Are You Lord?

Dr. Mike 2026 , , ,

And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Acts 9:5

Paul was a zealous Pharisee persecuting a Jewish sect. A sect who practiced a different way then he and his associates. On a trip from Jerusalem to Damascus, he experienced a life-changing event. He met Jesus.

As he tells the story, a flash of bright light caused his horse to throw him off the saddle to the ground. A bright figure appeared before him. When he asked who HE was, he met Jesus for the first time. The first words out of his mouth were “Who are You Lord?”

These same words are repeated by many of us throughout history in our engagement with Jesus.

When Jesus was in Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16).

When Jesus met the disciples the second time in the upper room after HIS resurrection. This time Thomas was present. He knelt down and expressed the heartfelt words, “My Lord and my God” (Jn. 20:28).

Today in the Muslim world, men and women are having dreams of a man in white appearing to them. The man introduces himself as Jesus. The dreams are so vivid, that even in the face of death, people are converting to follow HIM at the risk of their own lives.

Whoever you are, when you are introduced to HIM, you have a decision to make. Either HE is who HE claimed to BE, or HE is not. There is no middle ground. When you accept the reality of HIS Life and purpose, you begin a journey of discovery. You want to know all you can about HIM. HE becomes your main focus for living. Everything you do involves HIM. You and HIM become non-separable. You begin a relationship that becomes the center of your life. From that relationship, all other relationships become joined together. As you come to discover more and more about HIM, you find HE is more than a Savior. HE is Lord. He is your Hero. HE is your Friend. He is your elderly step-brother.

Papa God wants a family and you are included. HIS family business is the Kingdom of God. You are now in an executive training program being prepared for eternity with Jesus. It’s called discipleship. You are in training to reign. Today you are learning to govern yourself. Tomorrow you will also learn to govern (serve and minister) others. You will find purpose and meaning in everything you do when HE is the center of your life. It all begins when you start to answer the question, “Who Are You Lord?”

Yes, you will spend your lifetime seeking, discovering, and experiencing the answer. It never ends.

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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No Jesus or Know Jesus?

Dr. Mike 2026 , , , ,

“But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain…And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” 1 Corinthians 15:13-14, 17

There are people who do not believe in the historical evidence of the life of Jesus. Some believe he is a mythical person like Zeus or Thor. Others believe he lived, but was not a God-Man. He was not who HE claimed to be. They say he was a good moral teacher with helpful stories to share with the masses. Others deny he was crucified. They claim his disciples made a switch beforehand. That the Roman government made a mistake in killing the wrong person. Then many don’t believe HE was resurrected from the dead. That this is a made-up story which became a legend. They disregard any evidence.

What if Jesus was a historical lie? What if HE never arrived on planet earth and fulfilled the role of the Biblical messiah? How would that have changed history?

As we view history from the rear-view mirror, imagine the difference today. If there was no Jesus, then the disciples would never have gotten together. There would be no twelve apostles. Peter and his buddies would have operated a no name business in Galilee until their deaths. Judas may have lived to become a rich zealot. Maybe becoming a governor of a province. The apostle Paul would have grown old. He might have become the head guy for the Pharisee religious establishment.

There would be no written new testament. In fact, there would be no Christian religion. The Roman catholic church would never have existed. The Jewish faith though would have continued as a small, closed group. All the books written by the early church fathers would not exist. All the cathedrals, schools, and hospitals started by missionaries would never been established.

Thought leaders over the ages would have been influence by more humanistic ideals. In fact, many of these thinkers may have created another worldly religion. Hopefully someone would replace some of the holes Christianity filled.

Western civilization would not be in existence today. What we would have in its place in anyone’s guess. It would be a different world today than it is.

In fact, if you are of the Jewish orthodox faith, then we would be waiting for the Messiah. We would be wondering why God hasn’t recently spoken to us. It has only been some two-thousand, four-hundred years since Malachi was written (last book in the Old Testament).

Yes, life would be different.

But historical evidence does exist. No historical figure has been more scrutinized than the life of Jesus. The written manuscripts from the early church along with secular confirmations abound. The archeology discoveries continue to confirm historical facts. Even today, as people are introduced to Jesus, their lives are being transformed. This is a testimony of a living God confirming HIS story.

When one researches the evidence and is sincere to seek the truth, one can only acknowledge HE lived. HE died. HE was resurrected. HE ascended to heaven. HE claimed to be eternal while bodily on earth and HE continues to impact people’s lives today. As one learns to live in HIS presence, and seeks a relationship with HIM, one discovers life. An eternal Spirit living and flowing through them.

HE becomes the center of your life. Without HIM, there is no real meaning and purpose for life. HE is the reason for life. HE is like the sun rising each morning, HE makes everything fit into its proper place. This is why for believers all praise and honor are HIS.

Jesus gives purpose and meaning to life. Where there is no Jesus, there is only an empty life. When one comes to know Jesus, one then comes to know and experience real 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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