My wife is a teacher…A very dedicated, good teacher. I see her work hard many hours OUTSIDE her classroom. I see her genuine concern for her students. I see the thanks and positive feedback she receives from those whose lives she’s changed for the better.

But, she is also a dedicated wife and mother. She shouldn’t have to compromise her family for her job.

I notice when she gets emails from parents while she’s at home, late at night, on the weekends, during holidays.

Some of these emails are asking what I feel is too much of her.

“What was the assignment for tonight?”

“Please let email me when my child is misbehaving.”

“Why did you ask this or that on the test?”

What if she had to do this for every child?

I ask any parent today, did your parents have this level of access to your teachers? No!

Please respect the good teachers in your child’s life. Hold your child accountable so he or she can grow and mature.

Trust your teacher’s good judgment and be understanding when he or she makes mistakes, as we all do.

This will help them be a better teacher for your child, and help them enjoy their lives…beyond the classroom.

Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)

⁶ Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

BE BLESSTIFIED!!!

While jogging a few days ago I noticed an empty bag in the street. As it settled to
the curb I went and took a closer look, and it brought to mind three amazing thoughts…

1. It previously contained something of value. 

2. It was now empty and being tossed around by traffic.

3. It seemed durable enough to hold something of value again.

Sometimes we can find ourselves just like this OLD BAG, especially if we are saved, in the Body of Christ, but know that we don’t have the passion that we should or once had. 

When we accepted Christ, we became new again….

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new

Our old sinful nature had a new, holy nature added to it, making us a new creation in Christ. The old nature doesn’t completely go away. When we truly receive God’s Holy Spirit, we can never regard sin the same attitude we did before. His Holy Spirit convicts the true child of God, and he or she cannot sin without feeling the weight of missing the mark and disappointing God.

However, Jesus knows and understands that as much as we want to do good, sometimes our flesh gets in the way of our holy intentions….

Matthew 26:40-43 (NKJV)

40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Sometimes, even though we are ‘in church’, we can become lax in our…

Prayer life

Study of God’s word

Going to worship

Discipline

Morality

Purpose(s)

Relationships (personal)

Relationship (with God)

These seasons of ‘backsliding’ can sometimes leave us feeling empty, and we are because event though we know God, we may not be WALKING IN THE SPIRIT…

Galatians 5:16

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

…And when we aren’t walking in the Spirit, we (yes Christians) can find ourselves in seasons of gratifying our flesh and thinking, saying and doing things that we know are displeasing to God. Remember, when Paul listed the works of the flesh that we should avoid in Galatians 5:19-21, he wasn’t talking to people who are ‘in the world’, but this letter was addressed to THE CHURCH as clearly stated in 

Galatians 1:1-4

Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. 6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel…

It is very possible for Christians to become distracted, unfocused and unproductive. I’m not going to say unfruitful, because distracted, unfocused and unproductive Christians produce bad fruit.

We can also find ourselves being VIOLENTLY TOSSED AROUND just like that EMPTY OLD BAG in the traffic of life. 

We can become someone WHO USED TO HOLD SOMETHING OF VALUE, BUT IS NOW EMPTY. 

If this is you, I have good news for you. REPENTANCE ISN’T JUST FOR THE UNSAVED, BUT FOR THE SAVED TOO. 

1 John 1:9 (NKJV)

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

When we confess our sins to God, and turn from our ways that fall short of His standard…

When we restore our prayer, worship and study life…

When we are renewed in our discipline, morality and purpose(s)…

When we repair our personal relationships and relationship with God…

When we begin to WALK IN THE SPIRIT as in…

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

…Then we will discover how not only durable we were while God kept us, but also that we can be FILLED UP AND HOLDING SOMETHING OF GREAT VALUE…again!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

TH – Tell God THANK YOU all day long, not just when you bless your meal…and please don’t make that prayer of Thanksgiving a trivial moment by rushing or allowing your mind to wander.

A – ACKNOWLEDGE Him in all you do today. Be careful that this doesn’t turn into a celebration that acknowledges the devil rather than God.

N – Be ready to say NO when you know you’re full so you aren’t guilty of gluttony.

K – Let KINDNESS be rule your day. Don’t let discussions and celebrations be overtaken by anger and arguements.

S – SHOW God’s love by praying for those who are less fortunate, and finding an opportunity to be a tangible blessing, and most of all by being forgiving as God has forgiven us.

G – GIVE to an organization that is actively giving up time with their families to bless those who are less fortunate today.

I – INCLUDE someone else to your family feast who may not have family….someone elderly…someone lonely…someone less fortunate.

V – VOICE your love and appreciation to one another. Don’t let anyone have to assume you’re thankful for them.

I – IGNORE the enemy as he tries to hijack your heart or the holy intent of this day.

N – Avoid foods that NEGATIVELY affect your health. Especially if yoy have a chronic condition.

G – GO beyond today with you spirit of thankgiving…because thanksgiving shouldn’t just be a holiday, but every day!

Psalm 107:1

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever!

We love displays of strength in our society, which is most often portrayed through aggression, profanity, fighting, overpowering others and getting even.

Many of our favorite movies are of ‘heroes’ saving the day through a fight. We love to see the guy who was ‘picked on’ finally overpower the bully.

Many times people don’t feel satisfied unless they have ‘given a piece of their mind’ to someone who has crossed them or tried to take advantage of them.

Our society doesn’t feel you have won unless you have ‘kicked their a**’).

We must be careful that we aren’t crossing over into the some of the works of the flesh listed in Galatians 5 when we are defining strength, such as hatred, contentions dissensions or outbursts of wrath.

God is more impressed by inner strength. It takes more strength to RESTRAIN than to RELEASE and lash out.

Our society calls those who are walking in the Spirit and displaying the Fruit of the Spirit weak…love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are all evidence that God Spirit abides in us, BUT OUR SOCIETY CALLS THOSE BEHAVIORS WEAK.

Jesus wasn’t weak when He allowed Himself to be insulted, beaten and crucified. Jesus is more interested in our spiritual strength than our physical strength.

When Romans 15:1 says, “We who are strong ought to bear the (scruples, failings, infirmities) of the weak, and not please ourselves”, it’s speaking of inner spiritual strength.

When Romans 12:14 says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and don’t curse”, its’ speaking of inner strength.

When James 1:19 says, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”, it takes inner strength.

Friends I’m talking about MEEKNESS. Meekness is an attitude of humble, submissive and expectant trust in God, and a loving, patient and gentle attitude towards others.

Jesus Himself said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:29-20). Are you stronger than Jesus?”

MEEKNESS is quiet strength.

It’s that strength that was displayed by our Savior when He was persecuted but never said a mumbling word (Isaiah 53:7).

Our society would have ‘cussed’ out the Pharisees, and religious leaders.

Our society would have come off the cross and ‘kicked everyone’s ‘a**’, in fact our society wouldn’t have gone to the cross!

MEEKNESS is what saved us, not aggression. Pray for meekness, make every effort to walk in meekness, because remember, Jesus promised THE MEEK SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH (Matthew 5:5)

Remember, MEEKNESS is a Fruit of the Spirit and MERCY is a fruit of MEEKNESS

BE BLESSTIFIED!

The enemy wants you to keep your head down. The enemy wants you silent about the Lord. The enemy wants you to sit down on your calling, anointing and purpose. He does this is by manipulating you to FOCUS ON YOUR FAILURES AND FLAWS. He wants you to feel unworthy to speak up or ‘live out loud’ for Christ. You may have made huge mistakes, FINANCIALLY, IN RELATIONSHIPS, even MORALLY…you know what haunts you.

Please notice that God continued to use David as a psalmist and leader, even after he had a man killed to take his wife, God didn’t tell him that he couldn’t continue to serve as King (2 Samuel 12:1-13).

In fact, some of David’s most powerful psalms came AFTER his greatest sin.

God already knew the sin that David would commit even when He initially anointed him. Because of his repentant heart, his sin didn’t disqualify his anointing.

Psalm 51 (NKJV)

Have mercy upon me, O God,

According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
² Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.

³ For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
⁴ Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight—
That You may be found just when You speak,^[a]
And blameless when You judge.

Our greatest challenge sometimes is walking with spiritual confidence, walking with our heads up, speaking in God’s authority when people KNOW HOW WE HAVE MESSED UP. God is raising us up to walk boldly for Him even in the midst of our humanity.

Paul spoke boldly even though he persecuted the church and consented to the death of Christians, such as Stephen (Acts 7:1-60, 8:-1).

Peter stood strong for Christ even though he openly denied Him during the darkest hour (John 18:13-27).

So, if people tell you, “You can’t tell me anything based on what you’ve done!” You tell them, “God has given me grace and mercy, and allowed me to still be here to tell you DON’T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES THAT I’VE MADE”.

So even if you’re working through the consequences of your mistakes, God expects you to KEEP YOUR HEAD UP and SPEAK BOLDLY IN LOVE FOR HIM. Sometimes it takes years to work through the process of restoration and recovery, but that doesn’t mean you are to be silent in the meantime, BE ENCOURAGED!…KEEP YOUR HEAD UP, STAND UP AND SPEAK UP FOR THE LORD!

Your failures don’t have to disqualify your calling!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

It seems that so many people on every side of every possible position want to blame the media.

Yes, the media bears SOME responsibility, but the media is not responsible for…

Our biases

Our prejudices

Our behavior

Our choices

Our violence

Our greed

Our perceptions

Our reactions

Yes, the media can help provoke and influence behavior, but NOTHING cannot COME OUT of any of us that is not ALREADY INSIDE US.

Someone told me that they blamed the media for the spreading division in our nation because of reporting isolated incidents of racism. Why not blame those who are responsible for the negative behavior, rather than the media for reporting it? Common sense tells you that if that there are many unreported incidents for every isolated incident. The media didn’t commit the reported act…YES the the media can and does sometimes report stories from a particular racial bias…but a reasonable person who is led by God doesn’t have to accept that bias.

Someone told me that they blame the media for the negative images of some races. Why not blame the people of those particular races for the negative behavior? Common sense tells you that there are good and bad people in every race…even a quick anecdotal observation of one’s own race and one’s own family confirms that fact. Yes, the media can and does sometimes report stories from a biased point of view…but a reasonable person who is led by God doesn’t have to accept that bias.

Don’t get it twisted. I’m not saying that the media isn’t biased or that it bears no responsibility. But even when one’s own media source of choice (Liberal, Conservative etc.)  reports something outside of the ‘bias boundary’, it is rejected by those who choose to lean in towards a particular viewpoint. For example is someone who prefers conservative media hears a story from a conservative media source reported from a more liberal point of view, then that person with the conservative preference will reject that particular story and vice versa. The media isn’t responsible for how they perceive or react to it…they are.

WE are ultimately responsible for how we receive, perceive and react to everything we accept through our senses.

As Christians, everything we receive should be filtered through the perspective of God’s love.

The media CANNOT make us LOVE or HATE. They can only help stir up what is already inside of us.

The news is driven by demand…they report what their respective audiences WANT to hear, show what the WANT to see and give the perspective they WILL embrace…but they don’t THINK for anyone.

What’s REALLY interesting? Ask yourself did you read this post through your own bias?

Proverbs 9:12New King James Version (NKJV)

¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”

Proverbs 9:12 Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹² 
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself [for your own benefit];
If you scoff [thoughtlessly ridicule and disdain], you alone will pay the penalty

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Due to the political, social and economic climate…People of all races, faiths, philosophies, ideologies etc. are on edge…Expressing their frustrations…Expressing their hidden prejudices…Expressing their anger.

 Expressing almost everything but…THEIR LOVE. 

No matter how you say it, what Jesus prophesied in Matthew 24:12 is true today…

 Matthew 24:12 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹² And because lawlessness will be increased, the LOVE of many will grow cold.

Matthew 24:12 New International Version (NIV)

¹² Because of the increase of wickedness, the LOVE of most will grow cold,

Matthew 24:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² And because iniquity shall abound, the LOVE of many shall wax cold.

Matthew 24:12 Living Bible (TLB)

¹² Sin will be rampant everywhere and will cool the LOVE of many.

Your heart is the only muscle in your body that doesn’t stronger as it hardens…

Ezekiel 36:26 New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁶ I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Those of us in the Body of Christ are responsible to let everything we say, do and think to be expressed in the spirit of God’s LOVE…

Not only that, we are also responsible to allow everything we perceive to be filtered through the perception and perspective of God’s LOVE.

Our LOVE is our expression of God in us.

Don’t let the evil in the world harden your heart… Don’t let your heart and LOVE grow COLD!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Have you ever noticed that some people in Christianity position themselves to be more profound, wise and DEEPER than Jesus Himself? Just as the Pharisees did, some people today would CORRECT Jesus if He were here in the flesh.

As much as we can complicate Christianity through the study of theology and doctrine. By calling interpretation HERMENEUTICS…by calling defending or proving our faith APOLOGETICS…by calling the study of end times or final events ESCHATOLOGY.

As much as we can learn about God in context of HISTORY and CULTURE…

As much as we can make aspects of our faith so DEEP…

As much as so many love impressive titles such as Dry, Bishop, Apostle etc.…

Isn’t it wonderful how simple it is to have a true, meaningful and real relationship with God the Father through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

Romans 10:8-10 (NKJV)

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”[a](that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

1 Corinthians 1:20-28

20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 

2 Corinthians 2:1-4

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Psalm 119:130New King James Version (NKJV)

The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.

Yes, we must study to show ourselves approved (2 Timothy 2:15) well beyond the bible to sift through thousands of years of history, culture, translations, conjuncture etc. to understand God’s message as He intended.

But, we can’t make faith seem SO COMPLEX and ‘DEEP’ that it’s not attainable or accessible to all.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

One of life’s most eye-opening experiences is when someone meets their favorite celebrity, athlete, politician or even minister only to find them to be rude, obnoxious, nasty, offensive, arrogant or mean. Many times their ‘security’ or staff may turn away the adoring fans.

The presidential election of 2016 was a perfect example of people getting into arguments to the point ending relationships with friends and family trying to defend or support people they don’t know.

The fact is, that if you were to meet some of these famous people, you may not like them or they may not like you.

As Jesus’ fame spread, throngs of people were drawn to Him. Much like some well-known people today, there was an occasion when little children were brought to Jesus. His ‘people’, the disciples, abruptly rebuked them and turned them away. Jesus quickly told them to allow the children to come to Him so He could lay hands on them and bless them.

Matthew 19:13-14

13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15. And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.

Isn’t a shame that some of our ‘big shots’ today think they are more important than Jesus.

Jesus didn’t turn those who approached him away then…and He still doesn’t today. Jesus is always approachable.

John 6:37 (NKJV)

37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Do you dread going to work? Do you hate your job? Are you praying to God to deliver you from your current work place to another?

You may want a job that you enjoy more, that pays more, that’s less stressful, where you have a better boss and coworkers, where you have more respect or that’s more fulfilling.

As you pray for a new job, let me remind you that even though you are hoping and even working towards something new…remember that God has you where you are now, especially if you prayed for your current job. Think about how excited and thankful you were when you got it.

If you took the job without consulting God then you must be patient and work through it. Sometimes if you fall in a ditch, you have to walk IN the ditch for a while until you can find a place to CLIMB out or be PULLED out.

Also, be careful that you don’t have a complaining spirit that can spread beyond you and damage your witness. God HATES complaining…

1 Corinthians 10:6-11 (NKJV)

6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”[a] 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 NOR COMPLAIN, AS SOME OF THEM ALSO COMPLAINED, AND WERE DESTROYED BY THE DESTROYER. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

 Also, it is easy to begin slacking on your job when you hate it or when you have a new job lined up. It’s easy to ‘check out’ mentally or physically and not do your best. When you accepted your job you made a commitment to be a good steward to the tasks appointed to you. You are God’s representative on you job. While you are employed, God expects you to do a good job as if doing it for. If He expected this of servants, who weren’t getting paid, what do you think He expects of us who are getting paid?

Colossians 3:23-24 (NKJV)

23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for[a] you serve the Lord Christ.

Lastly, when you are feeling dread about your job or even encountering difficulty on your job…stop and PRAISE GOD and THANK GOD for your job. It’s a blessing to have a job to sustain your life. Even if you hate your job, God is still God and He still deserves the glory. He will encourage, strengthen and sustain you through your sincere praise and thanksgiving.

Instead of frowning and complaining be a LIGHT in darkness. Let people see God in you. That’s why He still has you there.

1 Peter 2:12New King James Version (NKJV)

TGIM!!!!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

As performed by Mechelle Johnson 
https://youtu.be/_PIf4NPfs0Y

Noah’s family you saved

It rained forty days

The Hebrews were slaves

then Moses you raised

to lead them to that land

you promised Abraham.

You called him Your friend.

You showed Your love to him

Your Word tells me that Your love is so true.

I wanna say thank You Lord for loving me too.

So many people You healed

Five thousand bellies You filled

A woman in adultery one day

You sent her accusers away

She stood alone with You Lord

You said go and sin no more

You forgave her sins

You do the same for all men.

Your word tells me that Your love is so true

And I want to say thank You Lord for loving me too.

Thanks for loving me,

Thanks for loving me too. (Repeat 4x)

Thanks for loving me too

When I acted like a fool You saw me through

When at times, I get caught up in the world

You let me know…I’m still your girl.

Thanks for loving me,

Thanks for loving me too. (Repeat4x)

Thanks for loving me too

Your Word tells me, Your love is true.

You’ve shown your love, since the world begun

In the fullness of time…You gave me your Son.

Thank you Lord, for loving me. 

Written by Aldtric T. Johnson, 2014

https://youtu.be/_PIf4NPfs0Y

BE BLESSTIFIED!

No matter how bad you have to use the bathroom…

How strong the urge to relieve yourself…

If you’re in a crowd of people outside, in a meeting, at a ball game, or in church YOU WON’T stop and use it right then and there.

Why?

Because you have RESTRAINT.

No matter HOW strong the urge, how painful, you would rather hold it in rather than disgrace and embarrass yourself.

Too many times we in the Body of Christ use the excuse, “I couldn’t help myself!”

Too many Christians are perfectly content using profanity…retaliating…and giving in to their flesh, and quickly use the excuse, “I just couldn’t hold it in”!

Peter is well known for his lack of restraint. On the Mount of Transfiguration he quickly blurted out, “Let us build three tabernacles, one for Jesus, Moses and Elijah!” (Matthew 17:4).

After Jesus was arrested, when accused of knowing Him, Peter cursed (Matthew 26:74, Mark 14:71). But, Jesus knew of Peter’s spontaneity, and had already prayed for him and told him that when he is converted to strengthen his brothers (Luke 22:32). One of the things Peter was going to have to do was learn RESTRAINT.

One of the fruit of the Spirit is TEMPERANCE or SELF-CONTROL (Galations  5:22).

It’s true we can’t do anything without the help of God, but he has given us the power to restrain our flesh as well.

You don’t have to use profanity (cuss).

You don’t have to get even.

You don’t have to let everybody know EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL.

Just the same as you can HOLD BACK when you have to use the bathroom (flesh), you can hold back when that person of the opposite sex is trying to tempt you.

Let’s be just like our heavenly Father. Because when you think about it, that’s what MERCY is…God holding back the wrath and judgment we deserve.

Let’s all make a commitment to God today to do a better job of restraining ourselves.

BE BLESSTIFIED!