life in christ

How Does God View Humanity?

Dr. Mike 2026 , , , , , , ,

“what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?  Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.”  Psalm 8:4-8

made in the image of God  

adopted within the Triune God circle

bond-servants of heaven and earth’s King

ambassadors of God’s Kingdom

engaged to marry Jesus

disciples of HIS

What is God’s view of humanity? And what is humanity’s view of God?

When God created the human species, He stated it was very good. He gave both the man and woman the responsibility to govern the land and make their world flourish. He also stated that HE created man and woman after His image.

Per Dr. Michael Heiser, this wasn’t solely about copying God’s attributes. But more along the way of their status in relationship to the entire creation. Humans are God’s prized creation. They were created to represent God Almighty on earth.

They are to reflect HIS character and ways in their relationships and judgements. So when we read from the Bible that we are to worship no other gods but the one true God, there must be a good reason. My non-believing friends would say God is a self-indulging Being who wants to be glorified for HIS ego. But the truth of the matter is just the opposite. Us humans need to worship God to refresh how we were created. For us humans reflect what we worship.

Worship money, you will reflect money. Worship the dark side of life, you will reflect it in your actions and demeanor. Worship love and truth, you will also reflect those attributes in your daily life. We humans were created to reflect the Creator God. But to properly do so requires our heart and soul to stay focused and centered on HIM.

When Jesus arrived, HE reflected HIS Father God throughout HIS actions. His short ministry included the announcement of God’s Kingdom is now open. He taught what life under HIS government looked life. HIS actions reflected the with-God life. He bore the fruit of freedom, flourishment, and fulfillment wherever HE went. HE demonstrated how much God loved all humanity. So much so, HE (the Son of God, the Son of Man, the Messiah) gave HIS life as a ransom to give freedom for all people through HIM and in HIM.

Salvation from the clutches of Satan, death and evil desires is now available through HIM. All because of HIS atoning sacrifice. He is not our gatekeeper, but now a step-brother who is also King of Heaven and Earth. Through HIM, we have been adopted into the inner circle of the Triune God. The question now hanging in the balance is whether we are going to accept our new identity? Are we going to learn and emulate HIM as little children growing up onto maturity? Are we going to accept HIS family culture?

In other places in the Bible, humanity is identified as being engaged to marry Jesus. But likewise, are we going to accept HIS hand in a marriage covenant? Are we going to be reconciled with HIM? HE wants to share HIS life with us. The question now is do we want to share our life with HIM?

In Jesus’ earthly ministry, he looked for disciples or learners to come and follow HIM. HE continues to make the same offer to his human brethren. Being HIS student, means hanging around HIM. The Bible calls it abiding. We learn how HE deals with the everyday circumstances of life by allowing HIS Spirit to live in us and through us.

The apostle Paul reminds us in many of his letters that we are now bond-servants of Christ. Jesus paid the price to ransom us and we are now indebted to HIM with our lives. As a bond-servant to the King of Heaven and Earth, we have a close relationship with the Power of the universe. Paul also stated that we are ambassadors of God’s Kingdom on earth today. We represent God’s Kingdom to the people around us.

God wants a family. Faithful and loyal siblings that will serve and reign in the family business – The Kingdom of God. The purpose of the entire universe is to prepare humanity for eternity. HE has gone out of HIS way to pursue each of us until we catch HIM. The entire Bible is a history of HIS involvement with humanity. From beginning to the end HE is working with people leading to the culmination of a new heaven and new earth. HE wants his children to be ready to take the mantle of serving and governing with HIM for all eternity. HE wants people to reflect HIM. HIS Spirit is now training and preparing them for a new future beyond the grave. Life is precious. HE wants to share HIS life with us forever. Life with HIM is the essence of a wholesome, blessed life.

Salvation is for all. But it requires being reconciled in relationship with the King. If one doesn’t want that relationship, your desire will be honored. But for those who want a deep, abiding relationship with Jesus, let HIM know you are committed. Ask HIM how HE wants you to share your life with HIM and HIM with you. As you find ways to support HIM, HE will support you. As you lean on HIM, HE will walk with you and assure you of your relationship with HIM.

We are being prepared for eternity by being trained through the Holy Spirit how God operates. We are learning to view life through HIS eyes. We are learning how to serve others in love and truth. We are sharing the good news of Jesus with others. Our view of God has changed. HE is no longer a stern dictator. HE is the benevolent Papa God who wants to share HIS life with you and others.

When you realize who the enemy is that prevents you from seeing the God who loves you, your life changes. Your surrender to God’s Kingdom is the most peaceful and rewarding act one can do for self and others. To be reconciled with Father-Son-Spirit is where the blessed life begins. When you begin to see eye-to-eye with your Maker, you are aligned and at peace with yourself and others. Heaven is with you. His name is Jesus.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

Click Here for more Writings Neatly Bound in Book and Audio Formats Available at Your Favorite Bookstore.

“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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Distractions and Traditions

Dr. Mike 2026 , , ,

“…but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” Mark 4:19

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And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’  Mark 7:5-7

One day, if you haven’t done already, you will come to a place in life you stop, look around, and shake your head at all the distracting noise surrounding you. Each way you look, you see nothing but others pushing their agenda upon you. Influencers vying for your attention. Marketers packaging their merchandise in your face. Politicians communicating their message of fear and more dollars to feed their mission. Every which way you look you are being bombarded with distractions from your goals.

Then there are those who still live in yesterday’s past. They want to keep the fences in place but cannot give you a viable reason for their position. To remove the fence would change their surroundings. They cannot tell you the importance of the fence. All they mutter is tradition is important and we need to continue keeping it.

Jesus faced the same issues in his time on planet earth. The religious people made up traditions that they placed more importance over God’s way of life. The cares of everyday living and the pursuit of power, money, and sex is nothing new. The same carnal desires humans pursue today were alive and well in Jesus’ time.

All these distractions and made-up rituals are the same battles we face today. They challenge us in our walk with Jesus. We may notice the spiritual fruit of a godly life is missing. Then wonder why? Could it be time to stop; get off the worldly bus, and start down the road the slower way – walking with Jesus.

He has a way of teaching you where to find real freedom, flourishment, and fulfillment. HIS Word, Spirit, and Kingdom ways open the door for you to fully live as a human being. HE leads you to discover real love, joy, and peace without the trappings of social customs. HE welcomes you into a family of the Triune God circle. You meet Papa God. You are introduced to the Holy Spirit. You capture HIS vision for humanity. You find purpose in your life. You find a way of life that is grace-paced. It all starts when you disregard the noise around you and focus your eyes and heart unto Jesus.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

Click Here for more Writings Neatly Bound in Book Format Available at Your Favorite Bookstore.

“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)

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message! Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

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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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved