Purpose

Aim Up

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.   Isaiah 51:6

Whenever there is a tough decision to make, what are some guidelines you use?

Like most of us, do you look at cost, time-restraints, and sacrificial requirements? Or are you willing to accept those only as part of the package and focus on the eternal outcome?

Over the years, you will be confronted with difficult decisions. Some of these moments you may not take the godlier route. Sometimes the cost will be more than you can endure. Other times the convenience of having it now will win out. Most times, you will not want to give up anything in exchange. Looking back, you will realize the faith living in you was expressing itself through your choices.

Yet over the years, God’s grace is constantly pored upon us. We learn that aiming up rather than down may hurt in the short term, but the long-term benefits far out weight them. It took a while for me to understand this. But focusing on the eternal aspects under God’s Kingdom has proven to be the better outcome.

Now when in doubt, I trust more. When I am being taken advantage of, I learn to bless more. When someone asks a little from me, I give them more. When someone needs a shoulder to cry on, I give them that and more. When God’s peace is being stolen from me, I give more away.

My aim is to please Jesus more than myself and others. When I get distracted, iniquity seems to show up. Thus, I want to know what Jesus is doing wherever I go. Sometimes HE lets me know. Most of the time, I don’t see or hear HIM. But other times, I see the impact the Spirit is having with someone and ask for discernment to join them. Other times, HE doesn’t let me know, but HE may get others involve. Life is not solely about me. But what the Triune God is doing in preparing eternity for his children. HE knows what is best. My aim is to trust HIM, follow HIM, and support HIM wherever I go.

So, aim up. Keep your focus on Jesus. Make your decisions knowing HE is always with you. Let HIM lead you around the dance floor of life.

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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Your Personal Mission

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.   Ephesians 2:10

You were created with a purpose. The challenge for many of us believers is discovering that purpose. Most of us ask God and then still go and do our thing outside HIS will. So we ask HIM to bless our work because this is what we want. However, we keep tripping over our feet and then blame God for our incompetency.

Others ask God and then fumble their way trying different things. They never end up finding fulfillment in what they do.

Or we have a dream and passion for something, but become frustrated. We soon realize our abilities don’t carry us through the activities to live out our desire.

The purpose-driven life begins with Jesus. It is when one realizes they are being prepared for eternity to serve their King. Then their approach becomes more focused. They realize they are called to be part of an executive training program to serve in the Kingdom of God. Their life activities are to prepare them to lead and serve others. The only question then becomes how.

Each of us are uniquely wired with specific DNA. Approximately 50% of us are already condition to be a certain type of person. The basis of our personality and abilities are already programmed in us. But we have input into the remaining 50%. We get to choose how the remaining 50% is built upon the giftedness given to us by our Creator.

First, we need to gain valuable skills built upon our natural abilities. Then we need to seek how we can best support Jesus and serve others around us for HIS sake. When we do, we will find that sweet spot which becomes our mission.

In some cases, it will be obvious. But in most cases, it will be a search and discovery process. During this process, one learns to abide in Christ. One learns to trust HIS Spirit to lead and direct their steps to the outcome HE desires. This is how one’s faith grows.

In the process, one sharpens their skills. Then one become more proficient in their service for others. One’s platform grows. One’s relationship with their God becomes more real and attuned. One finds themselves in the service of their King.

In many cases, our service will be our vocation. Our mission will be to serve others in the career field one chooses. We will be introducing Jesus and HIS Kingdom to others. All this while providing a product or service that will benefit others. We will through HIS Spirit become a light for others to see the power and magnificence of HIS Way of life.

For others, our giftedness may be to raise a family. To invest our time and resources into the lives of others who will grow and make a contribution into society and HIS Kingdom. There is no one mission as long as Jesus is your partner. HE will direct you if you allow HIM too. In fact, you may have multiple missions. The common denominator is Jesus being the core of them all.   

And yes, some will find it threatening. But your service will reward you both spiritually and financially. You will learn to walk with your King and serve HIS people while growing your faith in HIS Ways. In hindsight, you will find this was your personal mission through life.

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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Born to Reign

Dr. Mike 2024 , , , , ,

 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”    Gn. 1:28

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For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.   Romans 5:17

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 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.   Revelations 20:6

Dallas Willard often spoke about Christ-followers being trained to reign. He would refer to the top two Scriptures. I added the third. All three take into account that humans are responsible to manage earth’s resources. This includes the environment as well as the inhabitants. The biggest challenge is us humans. Dallas loved to remind us that each of us has a kingdom. The question is whether our kingdom will surrender to Jesus’ Kingdom.

God’s vision to share HIS universe with each of us having a leadership role is breathtaking. HE is preparing a people to rule in HIS government HIS way. We start by surrendering our will in allegiance to HIS. We submit our willpower under HIS. We accept HIS authority in our life. As HIS subject, we become ambassadors of HIS Kingdom. We learn to serve others HIS way. We learn to integrate our faith with our personality into work which glorifies HIM. And HIS ways also benefits those around us.

We welcome HIS Spirit into ours. We become more like HIM in character and attitude. Yet we add our uniqueness into HIS story. Jesus always remains the main character. We support HIM and HIS government in the process. HE gives us greater meaning and purpose for our daily routines. As more and more people capture the vision and partake in HIS story, the more HIS Spirit emanates around us.

Our daily activities are training us to reign. As Christ-followers, we first learn to follow our Rabbi. As HIS apprentice, we learn to govern ourselves. We build boundaries and habits of Christlike leadership. As spouses, we learn to submit with one another like the Trinity does. As parents, we learn to govern our family. We practice the dictates of HIS Kingdom to prepare our children for adulthood. In the marketplace, we accept responsibility and accountability for the work we do. Our mutual mission is to work with others toward satisfying customer desires. We do so from a Christlike perspective. We serve them. We add value in their life. Those with organizational leadership skills may take on greater responsibilities. They may learn to govern the entire organization. Again, we learn to govern like Jesus. We are being prepared to reign with HIM for eternity.

Our desire today is to become more and more like HIM. Wherever we are placed, we teach the Jesus Way. We get to evangelize without speaking a word. Our actions align with God’s Kingdom.

This is the practical side of Christianity. Learning to lead like Jesus. Learning to govern one self and others like Jesus. As we do our regular every day work, HE is preparing you and I for greater service in HIS Kingdom. To govern today and forever.

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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