life in christ

Stay Connected

Dr. Mike 2026 , , ,

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.””   John 15:1-5

Stay Connected

Five verses. Vine and branches need to remain together for fruit. Much fruit. Not dry, sour grapes. But rich, tasteful, yummy fruit.

What happens when the branch is not connected? It shrivels. It loses moisture. Becomes dry. Eventually the wind forces the branch to break off from the main trunk. It dies.

But when the branch remains connected. It receives nourishment from the vine. It continues to grow. It produces quality fruit.

Stay connected. A simple analogy with powerful implications.

If very little or no spiritual fruit is being showcased through your being, what does that tell you?

Are you intentionally connected with Jesus? Is HE the center of your life? Do you communicate regularly with HIM? Do you invest your time and energy to develop and maintain a relationship with HIM?

Think of the closes friend or family member you know and have a healthy relationship with. How did you get there? How have you maintained that relationship over the years?

It takes times to nourish and build healthy, trustful connections with others.  Jesus states life is fruitless apart from HIM. His Father God prunes the lives of those who are not producing quality fruit. As long as we stay connected with HIM; fruit will be produced.

Godly fruit is a byproduct of receiving the proper nutrition. Through Jesus you do. Thus, focus on HIM. We pursue truth, so we can come to know HIM better. We intentionally learn HIS ways, so we can capture the lifestyle that leads to a more productive life. We stay connected with HIM and others who are connected with HIM so we may all flourish like HIM.

HE is the reason there is life. It’s not how much you know, but who you know. The Bible points you to Father-Son-Spirit. You may know Scripture, but do you know HIM who inspired the words. You may know right from wrong, good from evil, and light from darkness. But do you know HIM whose character is reflected throughout all creation? 

You may know something about someone because others told you or you read it somewhere. But you only come to know someone when you spend time sharing life together.

So, ask God you want a greater connection with HIM. You want to share your life with HIM as HE shares HIS life with you. Learn to walk in HIS presence daily in everything you do. Stay connected with HIM by whatever means it takes. Be intentional. Be purposeful. Stay connected.

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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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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