Kingdom Living

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)

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Engage God’s Government

Dr. Mike 2024 , , , ,

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.   Romans 14:17

The gospel message of the Kingdom of God was a strong motivating influence for the early Church. When you read the Book of Acts, the good news being preached was about Jesus Christ and HIS Kingdom (Acts 8:12, 28:13, 28:31). Whether a Jew or a Gentile, the message resonated to the people who lived under an authoritative government. If you were a Roman citizen, you had special privileges. If you were the other two/thirds of the population, you struggled to put food on the table for your family. But if you expressed your allegiance to Caesar, submitted yourself to the government, you had a better chance to survive.

In this pagan culture of many gods, entered the message of Jesus and HIS Kingdom. The Jewish messiah who was raised from the dead. When walking on earth, taught a way of life contrary to the norm. HE perform miracles healing people from major diseases and even raising them from the dead. He claim to be a king. But HIS kingdom was not yet of this world, but to appear in the future. Until then though, one could live under its rule and benefit from its presence.

Enter today. HIS government is still available. I became more familiar with its operations and methods as a student of organizational leadership. While working on my graduate degree in management, I was challenged by our professor. He taught us over a thirteen week period all the latest theories and methods of leading people within organizations. But concluded the course with the statement that none of it actually works. The proof is in the real world. His final statement for us was to go out into the world and discover what does work.

When he made that statement, the Holy Spirit must have convicted me. Then and there I accepted the challenge to show how God’s Kingdom is the best way to lead people and manage systems. The rest is now history.

At the time there were few books on business and faith. So one had to do their research through the pages of the Bible. And so I did. That started a stewardship career leading organizations with a Kingdom of God perspective. Yes, I made some poor judgements in the process. But learned. We witness how living and working under the umbrella of God’s Kingdom allows one to witness God’s amazing grace in action.

In hindsight, most people want God’s gift of joy and peace in their world. But, don’t want HIM. They believe through their own efforts they can make themselves happy. They can make themselves tranquil.  They can experience godliness apart from the Maker. So they work hard. They manipulate circumstances their way. They use people as the means to their end. And yes, they may reap material prosperity along the way, but their inner-world is in turmoil. The stress and tension leaves them looking twenty years older than they are. Their outer world looks impressive. But their inner-world hurts.

When one lives under the tutelage of Jesus Christ, one obtains the benefits of HIS domain and HIS Spirit. As one builds a relationship with the King of the Heavens, one finds a teacher, Lord, and friend along the way. As a citizen of the Kingdom of God, one inherits a whole list of good things (read the first chapter of Ephesians). One is blessed beyond measure. One’s life becomes full of the fruit of HIS Spirit. Yes, one learns when one seeks HIS Kingdom first, HE can be trusted. HIS promises of all the other necessary needs also come packaged together.

You may want to read Brother Lawrence’s classic book, The Practice of the Presence of God. He lived a life as a friar serving in the kitchen of a monastery. To him, the kitchen was like a chapel. He experienced God’s presence while he prepared meals and worked to keep the kitchen in operation. He shows how we can do likewise in our everyday life.

So if you haven’t yet learned how to live under the presence of Lord Jesus and HIS Kingdom, give it a try. Ask HIM to show you how and then begin.

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 Way of Love

Dr. Mike 2024 , , , ,

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,   Ephesians 4:15

The good life is a simple life built upon the foundation of love. Many people will acknowledge this, but only a few live it out. Many books have been written on the subject. Many poets have expressed love’s benefits. Songs have captured many hearts. Movies have impacted many visions of love in action. Yet most people say it is impractical in their world.

We live in a culture where dog eats dog. Everyone around us wants to take from us and not give anything of value in return. If one lives long enough, one could easily become a skeptic. Yes, love is the exception rather than the rule. Sad, but this is how many feel today.

But what would happen if love became the rule?

What if, you and I formed a new committee? Included would be you, Jesus, and anyone else who wants to join us. Our purpose would be to live out the Love Way of Jesus.

Love, not as the world practices it. But as Jesus demonstrated love to his disciples (Jn. 13:34). Not a romantic, emotional, what-is-in-it-for-me attitude. But how can I add real value into the other person’s world? What can I say or do which will bring out the potential of the other person? How can I better uplift the other person? How can I serve them? Enrich them? Bring joy into their life?

Love is sharing a little of yourself for another. Giving a small portion of who you are without expecting anything in return. Giving like God gives. At first, it may be hard. But over time, practice makes love a way of life.

The more you live out the Love Way, the more you see and experience God’s grace. The more you mimic God’s character, the more you experience real, abundant living.

Yes, the Love Way enriches those around you. Draws you closer to the Creator of Love. And helps you grow up to become more and more like Jesus himself. The way of love really makes the world go around.

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:

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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved