Learn. Live. Invest.

Proverbs 1:5

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,

Romans 8:5

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

What three activities could you make happen today and everyday that will propel you toward a life worth living? How about learning something new today? What about living with the Spirit today? And why not make a greater investment into God’s Kingdom today?

Since life is a learning process preparing you and I for eternity, what new idea or thought or word could we focus on today that will take us slightly outside our comfort zone, make us feel vulnerable, but afterward expand our awareness and confidence from the experience?

This morning for example, prior to my writing, I searched the concordance for multiple scriptures on learning, living, and investing, along with sub-categories which led me to a few other scriptures which I wrote down to investigate further after completing this page. I selected the above Scriptures as my focus, but there were many others I could have used with a slightly different perspective. Those are for another time and place.

Learning is a process built upon experience, knowledge, and insight. It is never ending unless one chooses to stop. Isn’t it interesting why those who are quite successful still make ample time to read?

Learning something new adds variety in one’s life, expands one’s knowledge and perspective of life and God, plus enriches one’s tank to better serve others when a situation arises. You have a good solution to the problem. Learning prepares you for better service.

If you are reading this, then I can assume you are still living. I jest, but how many people do you know are still breathing but the Spirit of love and joy are found nowhere in the room? In fact, they wouldn’t recognize the Holy Spirit’s characteristics unless they stop focusing on themselves for a moment.

When you read about the saints through the pages of the Bible, you begin to identify them as being persecuted yet with such joy and purpose for living that your head tilts in understanding how that can be. Then when you dig further and begin to understand the work of the Holy Spirit to sanctify us, you slowly come to learn by walking with HIM you begin to experience life the way God invented life to be lived.

After a small taste of Kingdom living, you can’t have enough and want more. But how? You learn to submit to Christ’s authority in your life and HE bestows the power of the Spirit which invades your inner being to replace the hardness of your heart with the gracefulness of HIS divine attributes. You are slowly being formed into HIS image of Godly Character.

As you become more involved with developing a relationship with your eternal partner, your heart and mind becomes more occupied with HIS domain and HIS macro purpose. You begin to align your micro purpose with HIS macro design and establish more order and boundaries into your life. You find yourself investing more of your time, money, and resources to expand HIS domain in your little corner of the world.

The daily work may seem routine and ordinary from an outside observer, but for you the real meaning of life becomes your foundation for investment. From here, you invest in HIS kingdom, HIS work, and HIS ways. Your family, career, and community involvement are the means and opportunity for you to invest yourself as a representative of Jesus Christ’s government. You now become a witness of God’s transforming power to enable others find fulfillment, freedom, and flourishment the way God intended people to experience.

You realize the investment God has in you and your aim is to return HIS investment to HIM manifold more times than humanly possible. You are grateful for the opportunity and appreciative of the challenge. Your only hope and prayer is God provides you the necessary resources to make it so and you don’t fail him in the process.

So, if you want a simple life with great returns, why not focus one’s time, money, and resources to learn, live, and invest with the ONE who makes everything possible – our Incarnate Triune God.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Obstacle Course

Acts 20:24

But I (Paul) do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (ESV)

At times, life feels like an obstacle course.

Luke the writer of Acts wrote about Paul speaking with the elders of the local church where he identified his purpose with them and mentioned the many trials and obstacles he had overcame and the many that still awaits him in the future. You and I are no different than Paul in regard to facing the challenges of life.

As a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, our intentional purpose is to serve HIM and HIS Kingdom. Whatever life throws our way either temporarily prevents one from moving forward or propels one to fulfill their purpose.

Without purpose, life is a happen chance and we simply go with the flow of the moment. With purpose and aim, this same unplanned event may prevent us from moving toward our intentional mission. The same situation and circumstance have different perspectives depending on one’s course laid out for them.   Which is why, more days than not, I say life resembles an obstacle course to overcome.

Life is an obstacle course because everyday events and circumstances are pivot points either bringing you closer to God and strengthening your character and faith in HIM or to awaken you from your spiritual stupor.

Life is an obstacle course because when pain and suffering occur, one either leans more on HIM and your relationship with HIM becomes more intimate and deeper, or further distances you from being aware of HIS presence.

Life is an obstacle course because constant distractions take your mind away from your purpose as your human nature seeks the easy and quick solution without concern for the long-term consequences.

Life is an obstacle course because the culture bombards you with emotional appeals to satisfy your every desire without considering the cost.

Life is an obstacle course because constant short-term pain for long-term gain becomes tiring without needed rest and refreshment from the Spirit.

Life is an obstacle course because lies, doubts, and personal inadequacies keeps one constantly seeking the truth of a matter.

Life is an obstacle course because managing the personal relationships between one’s body-soul-spirit with others is a constant exercise of wisdom to balance individual freedoms with community peace.

You could list more that impacts your life and the course you have chosen.

Yet, I am grateful and thankful through all the challenges and opportunities which come our way. Why? Because we have a faithful and committed God who has an eternal purpose in mind for you and me. Every obstacle and every situation are times for HIM to reconstruct and build a new you. The you HE plans to bring with HIM in HIS eternal Kingdom as HE prepares you and I for good work now and in the new age to come.

So, this is why I believe each obstacle that comes our way is simply another opportunity for us to learn more about HIM and HIM preparing you and me to better serve others.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!


Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Life Quips

Ecclesiastes 12:12

My son beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

Over the years, I find myself repeating various quips when life throws challenges and obstacles my way. I don’t take credit for most of them. They just come out when the appropriate circumstance occurs.

Someone once suggested that I should jot them down and share them with family members. They are personal quips, not Scripture. But they help me focus on the important things in Life. Maybe one of them may benefit you with the circumstances you are currently working through.

Here are a few:        

  • Life is a learning process preparing one for eternity.
  • Life is an obstacle course drawing one either towards God or away from Him; the choice is always yours.
  • Life is a bowl of cherries; you are either waddling in the pits or enjoying the taste.
  • Life is a journey down a road with views of goodness and evilness on either side of you – you choose which side you view, support, and emphasize.
  • Life teaches us there are people who serve you expecting nothing in return and others who stand at your door with their hand out expecting something from you while dishonestly stating, “I’m here to help you.”
  • Life is a treasure hunt to discover the love of your life – God Almighty.
  • Life is an exercise of discovering God, self, truth, and purpose.
  • Life is learning about personal responsibility for oneself while serving others to likewise grow in responsibility for themselves until everyone is fully sharing their gifts and talents with each other becoming a community of responsible people.
  • Life is searching, gathering, and discarding different values until one has a priceless treasure chest of eternal truths to live a full, abundant life.
  • Life without God is an empty soul longing for a home with real love, joy, and peace.
  • Life with God gives meaning, purpose, and significance in everything one does.
  • Life is coming to know God, walking with Him, and becoming like Him in character and purpose.
  • Life throws lemons at us each day; our job is to convert them into lemonade.
  • Life has no real meaning apart from God.
  • Life is God’s greatest gift to us.
  • Life is God’s reflection of Himself in you.
  • Life is God’s priceless investment in you.
  • Life reveals God’s magnificence.
  • Life begets life.
  • Life is for the living, not the dead.
  • Life is as complicated or simple as one chooses.
  • Life is best lived with the endgame in mind.

There are more. These are only the ones that came to mind this morning. Hope you find one applicable in your walk with our Lord and Savior. Until next time.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!