Worldview

War of Ideas

Dr. Mike 2024 , , , ,

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.   Ephesians 6:12

Spiritual warfare is real. This is not a fantasy played out within virtual reality. Instead the battle is happening every day in every way around you and me.

The ability to discern and walk humbly with our God will keep us relatively safe. Though there will be days we may walk away with heavier scars and cuts than preferred. This is the cost of following a King who is considered a threat to the enemy.

The enemy is not necessary people. But they are the pawns of evil forces. It is the ideas, thoughts, and values bombarded at you by ignorant and rebellious children of God. They are the dark side of the family. The ones who for some reason are hurt from some past offense. They are now taking out their anger at God Almighty through their attitude and behavior.

They are following the passion of their heart which is void of God’s love and joy.

Their weapons of destruction include anti-God characteristics. Whatever God Almighty stands for, they oppose. What they practice is the antithesis of God’s Word.

The basis of their warfare begins in the mind. The battle is a mental push to confuse the mind. It is a war of ideas. The more confused they can make you to doubt and question God’s character, the closer they are to defeat you. Their purpose is to separate you from the Father. To remove HIS place and purpose from your life.

Satan, God’s adversary, is the perpetual spirit behind this push. He knows his time is short. His goal on earth is to raise an army of activist to fight against everything good. To cut God’s name, purpose, and instructions from the minds of HIS future family members. Satan and his demonic spirits seek to abort as many of God’s children currently residing in the womb of the Church.

The battle starts in the mind. But ends in the soul. The one who battles through the junk, fighting with our Lord and HIS Spirit in HIS armor (Eph. 6:10-18), will be rewarded with a seat in HIS House (Rev. 3:21). They will be guaranteed a place in the first resurrection. This is the better of the two resurrections.

The battle is between God’s Kingdom and every other form of government. This is one reason why world governments seek to dismantle the family. The nuclear family centered in Christ is the foundation of God’s government on earth today. His Church is built from communities centered around families. Thus governments who allow Christianity to flourish, allows God’s way to flourish. This is the reason why those who practice Marxism or communism are so destructive of God’s way and purpose.

This is why it is also important to be grounded in the foundation of God’s Word. To know the eternal values Almighty God and Lord Jesus exemplify every day. To know HIS purpose and your part in HIS macro plan for humanity. When your person-hood is built on solid rock instead of sifting sand, you will survive the storms of life. In fact, you will become strengthen through them and learn to thrive God’s way. You will reflect HIS character. You will be a witness of what the good life really means.

Yes, the enemy will hate you. But God’s love more than replaces anything or anyone who tries to destroy you with their stupidity. Be smart. The battle is yours to win through Jesus Christ who already has defeated the enemy. They just don’t have the wisdom of knowing when to quit. May God grant them repentance.

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)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Let’s Unpack Heaven

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11:15

Heaven wins. And I like to win. And I’m sure you do too. But what do you know about heaven? When I was recently asked the question, my reply was “very little.” Most of my understanding in those early years was from movies, books, and hearsay. People speculating on their view of heaven. Since then I have taken a more factual approach. The only person I know from humanity’s history to travel from and to heaven is Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:13). Therefore, I have made HIM my reference point to learn everything I need to know about heaven.    

Most of us hold a cultural view of heaven. I say that because based on a recent Pew research study, less than 12% of Americans are Biblically literate. Thus the other 88% gather their information from other sources. And since Jesus upheld Scripture (Mt. 22:29, Mk. 12:24), we are going to briefly unpack heaven solely from the Biblical viewpoint.

Based on Scripture heaven is:

  • God’s supernatural realm (Deut. 10:14, Dan, 2:28, Matt. 7:11) . Earth is the natural domain (Isa.66:1, 24:21) Both were created by, through, and for Jesus Christ (Co; 1:16). 
  • Where God’s throne room and divine council resides (Ps. 11:4, Mt. 5:34, Rev. 4,5; Psalm 82:1).  
  • Where God’s main home is based (Eph 3:15, Mt: 5:45, Mt.7:21).
  • Where God’s government operates (Phil. 3:20, Jn. 3:27, Mt. 28:18, Dan. 4:26).  
  • Where God’s characteristics shine (Lk. 15:7).
  • Where Jesus now intervenes for His saints (1 Pt. 3:22, Heb. 8:1, Heb. 9:24).
  • Where God’s spiritual agents reside (Mk. 12:25, Dan. 4:13).
  • Where Jesus is preparing a place for his saints (Heb 11:16).
  • Where Satan rebelled and initiated a failed coup against God (Rev.12:7-9, 13,17, Ezek. 28:11-17).  The result is now terrorist warfare by evil forces against God’s creation. (Eph 6:12).
  • Where secrets of life are kept and slowly revealed at their appropriate time (Mt. 13:11, Dan. 2:28, 1 Cor. 4:1, Rm. 16:25, Col. 1:27, 2:2)
  • Will be replaced by a new heaven (Rev 21:1, Lk. 21:33, Mt. 24:35).
  • Where the saints inheritance awaits them (1 Pt. 1:4, Eph 1:3, 2:6, 2 Cor. 5:1-2, 1 Cor. 15:49, Lk. 10:20).
  • Where our reward awaits us (Lk. 6:23, Lk.18:22, Mt. 6:19-20).
  • Earth’s future merger partner (Eph. 1:10).
  • Now being colonized on Earth (Mt. 6:10, Mt. 3:2).

This is the heaven I know. Everything else is speculation. And I’m OK with that. My goal is to have an intimate relationship with Jesus; today, tomorrow and beyond eternity. For wherever HE is, HE assures me I will be with HIM. Today HE gives me a taste of heaven. In the future, we look forward to breaking bread at HIS table in HIS kingdom when heaven and earth are one.

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)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

What Are You For?

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

Acts 28:22

But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”

The Jewish leaders had the apostle Paul arrested and on trial in Jerusalem. The Roman government found him innocent. But the Jewish leaders objected. So Paul, a Roman citizen, then petitioned to have his case presented before Caesar.

We pick up the story now with Paul arriving in Rome under house arrest. There he asks to meet with the Jewish leaders of Rome. They are intrigued to hear more about Paul’s sect. For everywhere in the then world Christianity is spoken against by the status quo.

On the scheduled day, they arrived along with their support staff. The entire day was given to listening and reviewing Scripture with Paul. Paul’s emphasis during the entire meeting was to testify about Jesus as the Messiah and the Kingdom of God. He spent the entire day emphasizing what he believed and stood for.

A few of his listeners were convinced. The majority disbelieved. But Paul fulfilled his mission. Wherever he went, he first started by explaining the gospel message to the Jewish community. Afterward, he followed by proclaiming God’s salvation to the Gentiles.

Yet whenever he spoke, he emphasized what he was for and not what he was against. You and I may want to consider the same when sharing the gospel message with others. In today’s culture, we hear a lot about what everyone is against. But wouldn’t it be more effective if we started with what both sides agree on?

Sounds good you say, but most difficult. And you are right. It is more challenging for you to first understand the other side thoroughly before sharing your beliefs. When you do, you will find it easier to get common ground to build from rather than fight over it.

When Paul spoke with the Jewish leaders they had the Scriptures as common ground. When Paul dealt with the Gentiles, he had a strong understanding of the Greek culture being educated in that world. His starting point was always from their perspective.

But it didn’t change his message. Instead, he continued to emphasize Jesus’ and His Kingdom and what HE stands for. His approach and words and examples may differ. But his message remained the same. Jesus Christ is Lord. God’s Kingdom rules. God has a purpose for humanity and you are included.

As we mature as Believers, we slowly die to self. Our position on any matter becomes less important. Our heart and mind begins to align more with God’s position. Instead of emphasizing what I am for, we illuminate what God is for. We become the messenger, rather than the influencer. Our allegiance is for God’s Kingdom and Lord Jesus. As HE trains us and morphs us into HIS image, we slowly reflect more and more of HIS thoughts and values. HE is what we are for. We become one with HIS Spirit. And what HE is for, so are we.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

Learn & Grow with these eBooks:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved