truth

Very Little…Very Much

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”   Luke 16:10

It’s those little things in life that either makes you or breaks you.

One of my early mentors strongly believed in speaking the truth. He had difficulty remembering anything that occurred more than 24 hours earlier. To offset his weakness, he built on his strength. He always told the truth. If you asked him a question on something that happened yesteryear, he would reply with a question. He would ask what would be the right thing to do? Being a man of integrity, he knew that is what he would have done.

The same principle applies with our faith. People with integrity will display the same behavior no matter the situation.

Ask yourself, what would it take for you to change your mind on a personal high value position?

You say you would never do (add your behavior). Pick your poison. Eat liver (my poison). Sex with a stranger. Kill your neighbor. Doesn’t matter the act. The question is how much money would you accept to change your mind? If you were guaranteed one million dollars, would you do it? Not enough you say? How about One hundred million dollars? If that is not enough, then what is your price?

We either stand on principle or not. We either are true to our beliefs, or not. Most of us are not aware what we would do until we are actually confronted with the situation. But if we are honest with ourselves, we can identify those areas where we would die for our beliefs. If we are not willing to die for something, than we having yet discovered something worth living for.

Jesus statement hits the heart of the matter. Your character confirms your beliefs. Your actions when true display your beliefs. But if your character doesn’t uphold your beliefs, do you actually believe it?

If you are faithful in the little things, your character muscle is being exercised into a habit. When the larger challenges appear, your character is already programmed to respond. The same when you are dishonest in the little things. Your character muscle is being exercised into a habit. So lying is being built into your character. When faced with a larger obstacle, your natural inclination is now programmed to lie.

Life is in the details. Build your life on solid values. In this case, let faithfulness and honesty support you in the larger challenges. Those little things in life will make you or break you. Yes, your character is the backbone of your life. This is one reason why Jesus is your best mentor.

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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Thriving Under Grace

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

“… because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,” Colossians 1:5-6

Sin condemns. Grace regenerates.

We live in a society quick to condemn others for their behavior. We see the ugliness of evil and seek someone to blame. We feel guilty for our privileged surroundings. So we virtue signal to relieve the condemnation. Our culture standards of self-righteousness separate the moral elitists from the castaways.

But enter Jesus Christ.

No worldly status. No governmental power. No monetary influence. But someone speaking the truth in love. His message of divine grace empowered the individual. Yet many of us fail to practice grace according to God’s manner.

Grace is God’s unmerited favor. Humanity tries to duplicate God’s grace, but falls short. They emphasize half the formula while ignoring the other side. They speak of grace, but ignore the truth. For grace without truth leads to chaos. But truth with grace leads to regeneration.

Truth produces consequences. Grace without consequences leads to abuse. Consequences teaches accountability and responsibility. Both are the foundation for character development. To thrive in life requires healthy character. The ability to exercise will power for the sake of preserving the self and others. That is why:

When an evil act goes unpunished, corruption increases.

When an evil act is condemned, truth is preserved.

When an evil act is rectified, justice prevails.

When an evil act is forgiven, grace abounds.

When grace abounds, the soul regenerates. But grace without truth destroys. Truth aligns with reality. Reality demonstrates consequences for one’s actions. When one lives within the boundaries of Godly morality, love and respect for each other is shown. Truth understands the importance of wholesome character. Truth sees past the color of one’s skin and focuses on the content of one’s character. Since humanity is made in the image of God, God’s character is the standard to imitate.

Grace is the means to motivate one to continue picking up one’s life after each failure. Grace is the license to repeatedly fail until the lesson is learned. The lesson is to build the virtuous character patterned after our heavenly Father. To thrive under grace is to know God loves you and is rooting for you.

Your failures are only the building blocks toward becoming the person you are wired to be. As you mature, you understand grace is God’s love poured out for you to walk in the truth. To share HIS life with others. To prepare you for eternity. To enrich you in HIS way of life.

I am always encouraged to read the last sentence in the Bible.   

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” (Rev. 22:21)

It reminds me of our privilege to live under God’s grace. To not only live, but thrive. To thrive and allow HIS grace to regenerate our soul.

In summary: to thrive and endure to the end under HIS grace is the best place to be under the sun.

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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False Prophets. False Teachers.

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

Matthew 7:15

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

2 Peter 2:1-3

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

1 John 4:1

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Truth is a reflection of God’s character. Whenever we deviate from reality, we lean away from HIS solid foundation. This is why HE warns us of the dangers of following voices who do not represent HIM. The Bible identifies them as false prophets and teachers.

They look and sound good from the outside. They speak with a rhetoric tongue. Their narrative is package with emotional drama. They may even be sincere. But they don’t represent God Almighty. They are building a personal following for their gain.

When one deviates away from Jesus Christ, the outcome usually leads to destruction. The Bible has many historical situations where influencers misled the people. It generally starts with moral missteps. Followed by “new truth”. Then is attractively packaged and presented in a persuasive way. Then the momentum leads to carte blanche carnal behavior. The end result usually culminates in the destruction of a nation.

You look around today and witness similar destructive lies being fueled by greed. Like most tales, lies are blended with truth. When one doesn’t have a strong knowledge and relationship with the Triune God, one is swayed from such stories.

For example, climate change is happening. Yet the fear mongering and hysteria by greedy people are blinding sensible solutions to the issue. Is this God’s spirit in action or man’s profound attempt to personally gain at the expense of the masses?

Critical race theory, gender identity, and social justice are other teachings which deviate from the Bible’s instruction of productive living. They likewise have inklings of truth smothered by lies. Can you explain the difference between divine values and humanistic fantasy? You better know or find out the difference if you want to live a full, enjoyable life.

Yes false prophets are an issue today as in historical Biblical days. But as Jesus indicated, you will know them by their fruit. If they make a future proclamation that doesn’t happen, you know they are not of God. Does their work produce love, joy, and peace? Or is the outcome more hate, anger, and violence? If there walk doesn’t agree with their talk, than you know you are dealing with a liar. And yes, Jesus said there will be many who will follow their lead.

So, be careful. Study your Bible and history to learn from those who have gone before us. There is nothing new under the sun except technology and fashion. And even then, human nature continues to misbehave decade after decade. Only Jesus Christ and HIS Spirit can help keep you attuned to the truth. Observe the outcome of those who you listen too. Give them time to prove their words. When God is involve, HE will sustain them and bring about their vision. When God is not involved, hold unto HIM tightly as only human tragedy and carnage will come about from their actions. But HE will always be with you and direct your steps if you so allow.

Remember, truth is the reflection of God’s character. Always lean on HIM.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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