values

Upside-Down World

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , , , , ,

And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, Acts 17:6

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You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay,
that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”;
or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?   Isaiah 29:16

We live in an upside-down world and consider this normal. We accept the status quo. This is the way it is. Yet deep down inside each person is longing for something better. There is more than the media, education, and government influencers broadcast before us. But the culture has us trapped within its power. We play along. At the end of the day, we are tired, bored, and unfulfilled. But we arise the next day and parade through the same game. We are trapped within society’s minefield. We want out, but where does one go? Who does one believe? Which road produces a life worth living?

God created a world of beauty and order. Everything has a place and purpose. As science uncovers the intrinsic workings of the universe, a Master Designer emerges. Yet humanity is not happy with how things operate. Instead of aligning themselves with the Master Creator, they search for something else. In such a vacuum, today’s ungodly influencers take the place of our Creator. They establish culture’s norms.

For example, they say you are racist. Their solution: be more racist.

They say you are not to judge. Their solution: allow criminal actions go unpunished.

They say everything is stacked against you. Their solution: let the government take care of you.

They say the world is coming to an end due in a global crisis. You can fill in the latest fear mongering, one-sided projected forecast. In my lifetime it has included nuclear fallout, over-population, and climate change. Their solution: give them more money and attention. Then surrender your lives over to them to help solve the problem/cause.

They say women rights are more important than life. Their solution: abort the unborn human so their rights are protected.

They say there are more than two genders. Their solution: pass laws to force their beliefs upon you.

They say marriage and family is old school. Their solution: do whatever feels personally pleasurable without concern for the children.

The list is endless.

When God is removed from the equation, the world evolves toward the darkness of life. What is evil becomes good. What is harmful becomes acceptable. What is beautiful risks destruction.

Standards of righteousness is then established by those with money or power. Justice becomes blind. Culture accepts only those who adhere to their corrupted values.

When Jason (Acts 17:6) was accused by the city gang for turning the world upside down is an example of man’s view of the situation. But Jesus reminds us throughout Scripture that HIS kingdom ways are the norm. When we practice his ways and prioritize his values the Kingdom flourishes. But, when we disregard HIS ways, we experience life outside of HIS favor. Our world ends up surrounded by the darkness of sin.

When you capture the vision of Christ’s Kingdom, you can only pray for HIM to return sooner than later. But until then, HE allows us to live under HIS Kingdom today. We can experience a small taste of heavenly bliss in this life now. As we live out the good news of HIS Kingdom, others may notice and want to also share life with HIM. HIS world, HIS way, HIS teachings are the norm. The sooner we allow HIM to live HIS life through us, the easier we will see how upside-down today’s culture really is.

The good news is you don’t have to play their game. You can order your life around Jesus and HIS Kingdom. When you do, you will internally experience the richness of life the way God does. You may not have all the surrounding material trappings of this upside-down world. But you will have the eternal treasures of living under HIS domain with HIS grace and favor.

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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Cause and Effect

Dr. Mike 2024 , , , ,

“For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife.” Proverbs 30.33

Every action produces a reaction. There are consequences for your actions. Every decision, every choice, and every response causes an outcome. Either you move toward a more favorable outcome or another dilemma to overcome. Doesn’t that make life more exciting or more scarier dependent on your worldview?

As the Proverb writer explained, if you want butter, you churn milk. If you strike the noise, blood is going to result. And if you want to find yourself in the middle of a quarrel, rile up the emotions. Yes, there is a cause for the effect you desire. When you know the outcome, you can put in place the process to produce the result.

But your worldview will determine the hierarchy of values to select from.

If your worldview is centered around you, than your choice will be solely to please you. If your view is to first please others, than your decision will be all about them. If your view is centered in Jesus Christ, than your choice will support HIS Will.

If you are a miserable and angry person, trouble will probably follow you wherever you go. You will have the natural inclination to press people with your temperament. Don’t be surprised if the outcome is strife, quarrels, and fights.

Yet if you are a person full of joy and peace, most people will find you pleasant to be with. You will bring happiness and calmness to every situation.

If you are insecure and indecisive of who you are, than others may bully you into submission to serve them. You will find yourself being used by others for their benefit. They will care less about your considerations.

Yes, your worldview and values will lead you down a selected path. You will either find freedom & flourishment or enslavement & poverty along the way. So the action steps you take today will determine the long-term outcome you desire. They begin with knowing HIM who is the central core of all life.

HE provides the road map to follow. HE set the example and standard. HE grants us access into HIS domain. HE shares HIS vision of a better world and invites us to take part with HIM. HE lays out the goal, process, and means. HE gives you the support you need. HE is the purpose and meaning for life.

Yes, Jesus Christ is the cause and effect of a better world for you. Get to know HIM and HIS ways will lead you to experience the richness of Kingdom living today. Whatever garbage is thrown your way, HE will provide you the support and strength. HE will hold you in HIS grip while you sort through the mess. HE will inspire you with solutions. HE will help you build the character you need to overcome the hurdles placed before you. HE wants what is best for you. Learn to trust HIM. HE may push your buttons harder than you want. But HE knows what you are capable of doing.

HE is the cause of the goodness in your life. His effect will come through you. You will also become HIS light to an upside-down world. One God-Man. One Worldview. One Choice.

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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What Is Truly Important?

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , , ,

Matthew 6:33

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

How does one best maximize leverage of time and resources to live a full and enriching life?

When one understands the wisdom of building your life on the foundation of eternal values, you have an advantage over most people. Many of us awake one day to realize our efforts over the last umpteen years hasn’t given us the results we anticipated. We have climb the worldly ladder of success only to find the view disappointingly unappealing on the wrong wall.  So, we move the ladder to another wall and climb again. Only to find over the years the same unfulfilled result.

Shocking to most, the issue is not which wall we climb, but the ladder we use for the climb. When you consider each step of the ladder as values, the ladder with eternal values will lead to a more abundant life than a ladder with humanistic ideals.

Most of us start climbing with ladders built by sincere people with great intentions but without a clue of the types of ladders available for our use. If a stool is all you need to reach the top of the shelf, than use a stool. But if you have to climb multiple floors, than a stronger, well-built proven ladder is required. The same is true when leveraging life’s goals.

Jesus provides us with critical values which when employed allows one to climb the walls placed before us with the certainty of the end result. The ladder HE provides is one built for eternal purposes because for HIM this life is only a learning process preparing one for leadership and service in HIS Kingdom.

When one places her foot on each step of HIS ladder, each movement has the assurance and confidence of when reaching the top, the view will be better than anticipated. No matter how strong the wind blows, or when the ground shakes, we simply look at the foot of the ladder and see Jesus holding the ladder in place rooting us upward toward HIS view and purpose of life.

If you need a review what Jesus values, reread the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew’s gospel chapter six. The prayer identifies the hierarchy of values from God and HIS kingdom to personal needs and human relations. Each value is the foundational step you and I need to live a full and enriching life today while being prepared for eternity tomorrow.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager, Faith-Integrator, Scribbler

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