life in christ

Spiritual Adaptation

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.   Romans 13:14

There are more people today who have improved their health going from a high-carb diet to a fat adaptation model. There are also medical studies that show the benefits of such a health regimen. Whether one follows the Keto plan or a carnivore diet, it is agreed that both are a change to the body.

As one who has experienced the weight loss under each plan, they do work. The challenge though is to whether accept either plan as a long-term lifestyle. Do the benefits outperform the sacrifice?

Since each person is unique, the answer depends on your biological makeup. Now though, I want to only look from a spiritual viewpoint. And we will start by asking this question. What is the comparison of our spiritual walk with Jesus and following a keto lifestyle?

First, let’s look at the keto lifestyle. The plan involves reducing carbohydrates one eats while increasing the fat one consumes. This strategy is based on realizing that the body’s energy comes from either burning glucose or fat. The body can produce glucose without ever eating any carbohydrates. Whereas over eating carbohydrates can produce harmful health conditions. For example, insulin resistance which leads to diabetes and other metabolic issues.

Fat, unlike carbs, more quickly satiates the hunger. When one eats carbs, one can easily overeat unnecessary calories. Then again repeat a couple of hours later for more unneeded calories. Whereas fat fills one up quicker for a longer period of time.

What does all this have to do with spiritual adaptation?

Well, the challenges are similar. For the keto diet to effectively work, one has to become fat adapted. For the Christ-follower to be effective, one needs to become spiritual adapted. The keto lifestyle requires the severe reduction of carbohydrates from the diet. The Christ-follower needs to limit sin’s influence in one’s life. Both plans need not only the elimination of something but also the addition of a new way of life.

Some people have attempted a part of the keto plan. They may reduce their intake of carbs with some benefit of weight loss. But they may still be in a pre-diabetic state because they haven’t become fat adapted. They want to hold on to the past while stretching toward the future. They are not ready to deny themselves from the pleasure of carbs.

So is the case with Christ-followers. They want to experience the new creation with Jesus. But they have great difficulty letting go of their past.

If the person wants the full keto benefit, they must become fat adapted. If a Christ-follower wants the full gospel benefit, they must become Spirit adapted.

There is no way around it. If one holds unto the past while grasping for the future, neither approach will succeed. Both will fail.

Jesus gave the same warning to the church in Laodicea. “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth (Revelations 3:15-16).”

So, like the writer of Romans stated. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Allow the Holy Spirit to influence your attitude, decisions, and worldview. Learn to see the world through the eyes of Father-Son-Spirit. Let go of the past. Let go of the self. Let go and let Jesus lead you around earth’s dance floor.

Be fully committed. Read the Book. Focus on eternity. Let HIS kingdom come alive in your world. Instead of seeking how to please your personal desires, seek how you can best serve those around you. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes. To discern how you can best support Father-Son-Spirit in your corner of the world.

It all starts when you allow Jesus to clothe you with HIMSELF. When you abide with HIM, HE will abide with you. When you focus on HIS plans for you, HE will direct your steps and bring people into your world. HE will fill you with the spiritual riches via the Holy Spirit. The fruit of HIS Spirit will abound with you. As you follow HIM, you will become more and more spiritually adapted.

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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Faith Plunges Ahead

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

2 Corinthians 13:5

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

We all have faith. The question before us though, where and how is your faith exercised?

For example, if you are like me, you have faith in yourself. Faith in your spouse. Faith the sun will rise tomorrow. Faith the driver next to you will properly maneuver their vehicle. Faith to jump through all the hurdles of earning a college degree. Faith you will complete your work assignment on time. Your list is probably longer than mine.

What this shows is your faith being exercised and expressed each day. But what about your faith in Christ?

Do you recall the first time you met Jesus? Did HE confront you? Did He make you feel uncomfortable? Did you simply ignored Him? Or did He challenge you? Made you question your values? Your morals? Your purpose?

Whether you ran away from Him or accepted His challenge, you eventually realize He requires a decision. You either have too accept He is who He claims to be or not.

If your choice was to deny Him, than how has your life been? But, if like me, you accepted his challenge, are you experiencing the romantic and adventurous journey of life in Christ?   

When my faith first met Jesus I was not sure what I have gotten myself into. But I plunged ahead.

When I first met the woman who became my wife, I likewise recognized she was the answer to my prayers. So I plunged ahead.

When I chose a career in commercial real estate, I was unsure. I did not really recognized how my natural abilities aligned with the opportunities ahead. But I plunged ahead.

Every time when confronted with a life changing situation, I plunged ahead.

When unsure of the social consequences, I plunged ahead.

When challenged by uncomfortable circumstances, I plunged ahead.

But the best plunge was when my little faith met Jesus.

When your faith meets Jesus, and you follow through on His invitation, your life becomes like a Hollywood blockbuster movie. You become one of the supporting characters. You are included in the romantic scenes. You also share in the high adventures which make your skin stand on edges. Yet you come through it all standing next to the main character – Jesus Christ.

He gladly shares the victories and good times with you. He also is with you through the pain and low periods of your life.

The longer you walk with Him, the more you realize how much He cares for you and others. He is your Lord and Savior. Over time, He also becomes your hero and friend.

Those who have placed their trust in Him understand where I am coming from. But others who have not taken up His invite are still trying to do it the sole hard way. Whatever encouragement we can give you to take the plunge is our prayer. For when one meets Jesus and takes the plunge, life becomes an adventurous journey of transformation. Your world will never be the same.

When you allow Him to live in you, you experience life the way He originally created you to be.

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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Grief is Unbridled Love

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

Psalm 31:9, 24

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also… Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!

Grief is love with no place to go are words recently spoken to me via a sermon. At first, I was unsure of the concept, than it sank in.

We are emotional beings wired to express love outward toward others. When the aim of our love disappears and is no longer available, our heart cries. The emotional and psychological loss of being unable to release the heartfelt love we desire to share with another is overly painful. Our sense of security and helplessness in a dangerous world is shattered. We find ourselves struggling with upsetting thoughts and anxiety that won’t go away.

In this Psalm, King David is lamenting over the iniquity of his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her then husband Uriah. This has now evolved where his son Absalom’s is leading a national rebellion against him and the nation. Though God has forgiven him for this past sin, the consequences of these actions have caused some irreversible problems in his life. He is now facing the chastening period grieving and pleading for God’s mercy and intervention.

At this time, many of his friends have abandoned and left him alone. He was on his own without the support necessary to deal with the matter. So he fled and vacated Jerusalem.

As he prayed, bearing his soul, the psychological pain of someone he loves becoming his enemy unleashes within him. The inner battle between protecting the nation and caring for his embattled son has caused great fear  and anxiety to overcome him. Yet he moves down the same path as always been his habit. He cries out for help from his Lord.

The end result, David fled, and Absalom entered the city to become King of Israel. Absalom’s reign was short though as he was eventually killed. Then David returned as king of the nation. Yet through the entire ordeal, David grieved over the loss of his son and the chastening brought about by his miscues.

Grief hurts. When you are unable to directly express the love you have for another, it hurts. When you accept the responsibility of a poor choice which harmfully impacts the lives of others who you truly love, it hurts.

Yet we have a merciful high priest in Jesus, who personally understands the human condition. HE relates and intervenes for our good and the good of others who are caught up within our world of choices. Like David closing remarks in Psalm 31, our role is to exercise courage in trusting our Lord.

Jesus has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. As we lean on HIM, HE will fill our cup, sit us at the table, and soothe us through the painful, grieving process which is necessary to heal the body and soul. HE is the reason when we lose someone we love and cherish, our hearts turn to HIM. HE is always there to accept our love and perfectly respond to the situation.

Love unbridled. When grief overtakes us, we are fortunate to hug Jesus and allow His strength, compassion, and care hold us through the process.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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