If you’ve been a Christian or been in church any amount of time you’ve heard it or read it…

1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV)

⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

But, many times when we’re honest with ourselves it’s not always that simple.

Some of our benefits of being in relationship with God can become churchy clichés and sometimes lose their power due to our OVERUSE and UNDER APPLICATION.

Why?

Because we don’t know how! How do you really “Give it to God”? How do you really “Let go and let God”? Have you ever tried to do that and it was still there? How do you do that? Have you ever asked yourself, “Is there something wrong with my faith?” “What am I doing wrong?”

After 48 years on this earth and 21 years as an ordained minister, I’m FINALLY learning how to ‘Cast my cares’, ‘Give it to God’, ‘Let Go and let God’! Hallelujah!

Now, you may have already figured this out, and if so, I’m glad for you, but for those who haven’t, I hope this helps you.

How do you cast your cares on Him?

Let me start by giving you two questions to ask yourself…

“How REALLY REAL is God to me?

“Do I really believe in my heart that He is in control?”

There’s nothing wrong with asking yourself these questions because they are the key to casting your cares on Him.

It’s easy to say you love God and trust Him because it’s the right thing to say, but we sometimes prove with our actions how much we really don’t.

So how to you prove this to yourself? (Because God already knows)

Too many times we as Christians will pray to God about something, but won’t feel a real since of comfort or confirmation until we’ve talked to someone else…’a real person’.

Has this ever happened to you? Something happens, and yes you pray at first then…you complain, you seek advice, you seek a shoulder to lean on, you want someone to listen, you Google for answers, you may even throw a tantrum seeking pity. All the while saying religiously, I prayed about it and left it with God.

HERE IS YOUR SPIRITUAL EXERCISE:

Find an issue in your life that you make a commitment to not say one word to anyone else about. Not your spouse. Not your best friend. Not your parents. Not even your Pastor. Make it a point that you are going to let God be REAL enough in your life to tell Him about it, trust Him with it, and leave it alone.

I promise you. Once you become content in knowing that God heard you, is concerned about you and is working it out for your good in the midst of everything going on around you, your faith will grow, and you will begin to feel better about it…that’s growing in trusting Him. Even if the situation seems to get worse, keeping that commitment to leave it between you and God can give you a peace and a level of intimacy that you have never experienced before.

God wants this level of intimacy with us…

James 4:8a (NKJV)

^“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…”

Psalm 63:1 (NKJV)

“O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water”

Doesn’t that sound just like a level of intimacy and longing between two who are in love and totally trust one another?

Think about this. Sometimes the reason you CAN’T find anyone to talk to, or God will allow NO ONE else to understand because He wants you to trust your situation with Him alone.

Tell it to God only.

Leave it with God only.

Trust God with it only.

And, watch your love, faith and trust grow.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

It wasn’t fair! It wasn’t right, and they knew it. But, yet they still did it. They hurt you. They hurt someone you love…maliciously. They didn’t apologize. They are still glad they did it, and would do it again.

They were cruel. They made your life a living Hell. You didn’t want to get out of the bed, go to work, go to school…all because of them.

They have influenced others against you. They have taken from you that what you will never get back. They have gained at your expense.

They turned their back on you when you needed them most. They could have come to help you. They could have rescued you, but they thought about it and decided NOT to do so. You weren’t worth the trouble to them.

They hate you. They genuinely hate you. And, you’ve done nothing. Or, you have asked their forgiveness and they refuse to give it.

They put their hands on you. They murdered someone you love dearly. They wish you were dead.

They want to see you fail. They will enjoy it. They hate you. They genuinely hate you. And, you’ve done nothing. They don’t even know you but still have you.

You have asked their forgiveness and they refuse to give it.

It’s amazing the levels of hurt we can cause one another…

But, no matter what they have done, are doing or will do. No matter how they feel about you. God does not allow us to hate them.

I know it’s hard, but that’s how God loves us…and it’s how He expects us to love.

Matthew 5:43-48 (NKJV)

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor^[a] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,^[b] 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet your brethren^[c] only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors^[d] do so? ⁴⁸ Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

It’s not easy, but love has the power to cover any hatred or wrong…to diffuse it…to forgive it…TO ENDURE IT.

1 Corinthians 13:7 (NKJV)

…(Love)bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, ENDURES all things.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

It’s amazing to me the parallels that God has created into what we call ‘nature’ to help us understand Him and His essence. (Romans 1:20).

One great example is GRAVITY.

Everyone knows that gravity is a natural force that pulls objects towards the center of a celestial body, more specific to us, gravity causes objects to fall towards the earth. It is a natural occurring absolute that science defines as a Law.

There’s not much man can do to QUESTION the fact that gravity there, all we can do is strive to UNDERSTAND it.

WE CAN’T SEE GRAVITY, but there is undeniable evidence that:

1. Gravity is real

2. Gravity is powerful.

I think you can see where I’m going with this;-)… We can’t see our Heavenly Father, He’s invisible. We can however see He’s real through everything He created as stated in Romans 1:20, so that no person has an excuse for unbelief…

20 “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse…”. God created gravity, it’s His. It’s interesting to me how atheists can believe in so many unseen things, but not in our God who created them. Gravity is undeniable. People have gained just enough understanding to temporarily DEFY GRAVITY. God has allowed us the ability to jump, birds can fly, aircraft and spacecraft can fly…BUT gravity always eventually wins.

Everything that goes up, must eventually come down. A landing plane is just a controlled fall. Objects on earth fall; objects in space drift away, forever lost.

As I said earlier…PARALLELS TO GOD.

Gravity is also defined as: serious or of extreme importance or consequence. The decision to defy God comes with great gravity. People have gained just enough knowledge to DEFY GOD, but just like GRAVITY, when one defies God, ONLY two things will eventually happen…he or she will either FALL, or DRIFT AWAY forever lost.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

God wants a REAL relationship with us. It’s almost become cliché to say that He wants relationship and not religion, but it’s very easy, if we aren’t careful to slip into…

Religion…

Ritual…

Even let our faith be reduced to Superstition…yes just like a rabbit’s foot… a good luck charm.

It’s easy just to go with the flow of what you’ve been taught growing up.

It’s easy to ‘come to God’ simply because you are looking for something (not necessarily someone) to make your life better, or to get it on track.

It’s easy to worship and go to church because you think it’s the right thing to do.

But, God wants to be just as real to us as the people in our lives, and to be treated as such.

You spend quality time with the people you love. You communicate with the people you love (communication is talking and listening). You sacrifice for the people you love. You give to the people you love without expecting nothing but love in return. You give your life for the people you love…You would die for the people you love!

So, family of God! Take a moment and look at your relationship with God to make sure that it’s just that…relationship. Here’s a quick relationship counseling session for your marriage with God.

Isaiah 54:5 (NKJV)

⁵ For your Maker is your husband,
The Lord of hosts is His name;
And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel;
He is called the God of the whole earth.

ALLOW YOUR FAITH TO BE PROVEN THROUGH BEING CHALLENGED

No relationship is proven until it’s challenged. No marriage. No friendship…None. When a real rival or threat challenges a relationship, love is proven. Sometimes that love may be denied or even betrayed, but if it survives the challenge, then it’s proven. So it goes with our faith. Our faith will be challenged. Sometimes you may doubt God’s Word. Sometimes you may wonder if He’s really there. Sometimes you may entertain other religions, but if your faith in God is strong enough, if you really believe His word is truth. If you really WANT to love Him, your faith will sustain and grow. Remember, when we present Christ to someone of another faith, we challenging their faith.

2 Corinthians 13:5 (NKJV)

⁵ Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

MAKE SURE THAT READING GOD’S WORD ISN’T REDUCED TO A RITUALISTIC VERSE OF THE DAY

There’s nothing wrong with reading a verse of the day if you will truly meditate on it and incorporate it into your thinking…into your life. But, if you read a verse of the day simply because you think it impresses God, that you think it’s going to make your day magically go well, or you’re afraid something will go wrong if you don’t – it’s been reduced to ritual and superstition. Read a verse of the day, but never neglect not just reading, but studying God’s Word, so you can grow.

1 Peter 2:2 (NKJV)

² as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,^[a]

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

¹⁵ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

DON’T JUST GIVE SO YOU CAN BE BLESSED

Don’t allow the promise of giving to become a stumbling block to you…

Malachi 3:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰ Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.

It’s easy to allow your giving to be driven by wanting a blessing to be poured out that you don’t have room to receive. But, the true purpose of giving is so that needs can be met, ministry can go forward, and prayers can be confirmed. We should give out of genuine love for God, His people, His Kingdom and people in general How many times have you heard this scripture preached or taught…

Luke 6:35 (NKJV)

³⁵ But love your enemies, do good, and lend, HOPING FOR NOTHING IN RETURN; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

It’s easy to allow giving to be reduced to a good luck charm or no different from any of your other ‘bills’. People don’t pay their car payment or mortgage because they love the finance company or bank. People don’t pay their utility bill because they love the utility company. They do it because they want to keep their car, their house…to keep their lights on. Don’t just give because you don’t want God to ‘cut off’ your blessings. Examine your true motives and intentions as to why you give.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (NKJV)

⁶ But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷ So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. ⁹ As it is written:

“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”^[a]

¹⁰ Now may^[b] He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, ¹¹ while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. ¹² For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, ¹³ while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, ¹⁴ and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

WITNESS TO SOMEONE WHO IS NOT A BELIEVER

Many of us witness and testify of God’s goodness to our friends, family, church family and other Christians…and that’s good. But, intentionally witnessing to someone who doesn’t believe is a good exercise in making sure your relationship with God is real. Witnessing to unbelievers makes us vulnerable. It puts us at risk of rejection, insults, ridicule and sometimes harm. But, you don’t make yourself vulnerable to that level for someone who isn’t real, someone you don’t love, or someone with whom your relationship isn’t important. Remember we are ambassadors for Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NKJV)

²⁰ Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

ALLOW SOME THINGS TO BE BETWEEN JUST YOU AND GOD

Have you ever had an issue, problem or situation and just needed to talk to someone? It’s good to be able to talk to people, but sometimes we have to let some situations be between us and God. We sometimes say we ‘take our burdens to God and leave them there’, but may not feel real peace until we have talked to a ‘real person’. Make up in your mind that you will trust some situations ONLY to God. Pray about it, know He heard you and then feel confident that He is going to work it out to your good.

Let God be real to you! Make sure your relationship with Him is as real as any others in your life. Don’t let worshiping Him become ‘going through the motions’.

Don’t let God be your GOD luck charm.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Just because someone auditions you for their drama…it doesn’t mean you have to accept the role.

No drama today!

It’s okay to want things done the way you feel is right. It’s okay to be particular…to be a perfectionist…it’s okay to be detailed.

It’s okay to provide constructive criticism, but it’s not okay to be petty or hypocritical.

It’s not okay to hold people to a higher standard that you hold yourself.

It’s okay to try to maintain control in your life, but not everyone elses.

Remember how Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23. Read the entire chapter for context, but check out this verse…

Matthew 23:4 (NKJV)

For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Jesus rebuked them for being ‘nitpicky’ and overly critical hypocrites. They were obsessive about criticizing others and expressing their expectations while not holding themselves to the same standard.

People are much more willing to hear what we have to say if we aren’t nitpicky over every little detail in regard to them. We can get to the point to where people won’t even listen to us when we are right.

People not only will avoid your good advice. They will avoid you.

People will view you as obnoxious, nasty, and overly opinionated…even those closest to you.

The term for this obsession, derived from Freudian psychoanalysis, is referred to as anal-retentiveness, or simply ‘anal’.

Don’t be so ‘anal’ that you become an a**

Remember what the Apostle Paul said…

Romans 12:18 (NKJV)

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

No matter how holy you strive to be, there’s nothing wrong with romance in your marriage. In fact…it’s necessary. I would even go as far to say that well-timed romance in marriage is holy.

After all, when God appealed to Israel concerning their unfaithfulness, He often used the metaphor that they have gone after other lovers, yet He still loved them…

Hosea 3:1 (NKJV)

3 Then the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover^[a]and is committing adultery, just like the love of the Lord for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans.”

And, doesn’t this sound like intimacy and anticipation comparable to two lovers who can’t stand being apart…

Psalm 63:1 (NKJV)

63 O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.

Intimacy is from God. It’s not His fault that we sometimes pervert it through our flesh and disobedience. But, within the bond of Godly marriage, romance is the unexpected, electrifying attention, attraction and reaction that makes moments beautiful memories’.

A little unexpected music. A little unanticipated wine. And a little unrequested attention is just enough to take make…

Abundance…even more abundant.

Struggle…less stressful.

Being broke…an adventure of ingenuity.

Raising children…exciting moments of spontaneity.

Life…an experience with jolts of adrenaline.

Romance is the spice sprinkled in life to make you want to take another bite.

Never forget the songs, the places, the phrases, the aromas, the inside jokes, that brought you together. And, never top creating new ones. Never stop creating moments that make your heart still beat faster when you’re together, and memories that make you smile when you’re apart

Romance is what brings you together when dating, and what helps keep you together when married.

And check this out… romance in marriage is holy because it’s been separated, reserved and sanctified for no one else but the two of you.

Never forget how to surprise, amaze, treasure, spoil and enjoy one another.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Isn’t it interesting how some of the most liberating things we can say are the most difficult. Just a few words, sometimes just one or two words can restore relationships. How many of your relationships are estranged or have you lost because you refused to say a few words. How much have lost because you were too proud to say…

“I’m wrong…”

“I’m sorry…”

“I don’t know…”

“I forgot…”

“I lied…

“I didn’t think of it…”

“I wasn’t thinking….”

“I lost it…”

“I was irresponsible…”

“I know I let you down…”

“You were right…”

“Forgive me…”

“I need you…”

“I love you…”

“I repent of my sins…”

Can you think of any others?

Living this one powerful verse in reference to husbands and wives can not only save and restore marriage, but all of our relationships.

Ephesians 5:21  (NKJV)

²¹ submitting to one another in the fear of God.^[a]

And, even if the relationship isn’t saved or restored…a few words can immediately help you feel free.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Evening Epiphany

Remember this…

Not DISCOURAGING bad behavior is ENCOURAGING it.

James 4:17 (NKJV)
Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

No matter how many problems you have. No matter how many issues you’re struggling with. No matter how little money, influence or resources you may have. God has still given you the solution to someone else’s problem.

Even if your meal is free, God has equipped you to bring something of value to the table.

It may not have a dollar $ign…

Encouragement…

Inspiration

Entertainment

Education

Strength

Support

A shoulder…

An ear…

A voice…

To the friendship…

To the marriage.

To the team.

To the organization.

To your church.

To a stranger.

Even if you’re broke, you can be the key to someone’s breakthrough.

Not only no matter your situation, but BECAUSE of your situation, God is strategically positioning you with the people and places where you can be a blessing.

Remember this…

James 2:5(NKJV)

5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

Now…Get out there and bless somebody today!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

It’s amazing how people will ALLOW a coach to ‘cuss’ their children…how they expect a drill Sargeant to sternly say anything get the best out of a soldier…but get pissed off at the preacher for a raised, or using sharp words to reprove and rebuke…

2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV)

 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine

To REPROVE is to disapprove, to chide to the face as worthy of blame, to expose, to convict.

To REBUKE is to reprimand, strongly warn, restrain.

EXHORTATION is encouragement..

Those who believe the word of God and accept the authority and hierarchy in the church understand what God expects of a Pastor.

Jesus, Yeshua, Himself spoke strong words to the religious leaders, those who were closest to Him, and those who rejected Him…

Hypocrites…( Matthew 15, Matthew 23)

Perverted…(Matthew 17)

Brood of vipers…(Matthew 12, Matthew 23)

Foolish…(Luke 24)

White-washed tombs…(Matthew 23)

And most offensive of all, He called them BASTARDS…

John 8:37-45 (NKJV)

 37 “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. 38 I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with[l] your father.”

39 They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.”

Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. 41 You do the deeds of your father.”

Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.”

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.

 Read all of John 8 for context. They got so angry at Jesus that they took up stones to kill Him.

After calling the Pharisees hypocrites, the disciples told Jesus…

Matthew 15:12 (NKJV)

 12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”

 Remember, Jesus’ rebukes were not just for the hypocritical religious leaders, but also for those closest to Him as in Matthew 17:17.

We must be reminded that love isn’t always delicate, sugary sweet words, warm feelings and heavenly promises…sometimes it’s a reminder of Hell.

When a parent disciplines or gives a child strong correction, it doesn’t mean he or she doesn’t love them.

God will hold the preacher accountable when the people aren’t warned about sin, which sometimes applies to the preacher too.

Ezekial 33: 1-9 (NASB)

And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ² “Son of man, speak to the sons of your people and say to them, ‘If I bring a sword upon a land, and the people of the land take one man from among them and make him their watchman, ³ and he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows on the trumpet and warns the people, ⁴ then he who hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, and a sword comes and takes him away, his blood will be on his own head. ⁵ He heard the sound of the trumpet but did not take warning; his blood will be on himself. But had he taken warning, he would have delivered his life. ⁶ But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away ^[a]in his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman’s hand.’

⁷ “Now as for you, son of man, I have ^[b]appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a ^[c]message from My mouth and give them warning from Me. ⁸ When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand. ⁹ But if you on your part warn a wicked man to turn from his way and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your life.

And, warning people about sin isn’t judging, warning isn’t condemnation, it’s helping the hearers avoid condemnation.

Let us all listen with spiritual ears, when we hear words of correction, and always measure it against the word of God and not our feelings.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

You see the flyers, promotions and announcements all the time…Conferences, Conventions and Revivals.

Let me be clear that I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with them, but I have a question.

Have we had enough Revivals, Conferences and Conventions?

Are all of our evangelism efforts focused on preaching to people who are already saved?

When was the last time you witnessed to someone who was an unbeliver, or from another religion? Or, are we just encouraging one another?

If our CONFERENCES and CONVENTIONS aren’t leading to CONVERSIONS, are they just glorified parties or spiritual pep rallies?

Honestly, isn’t the word going forth with power every week be enough?

There’s not one Pastor that will tell you he is not being effective in His assignment.

If the word is going forth with power all year long…why do you need a revival?

If the word is going forth with power every week, aren’t we already, ‘equipped for the work of the ministry’?

Ephesians 4:11-12 (NKJV)

¹¹ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

There’s nothing wrong with Christians getting together for encouragement and even entertainment, but sometimes we must call it what it is.

The fact is that those of us who are diligent about attending church and studying our word…we are already equipped.

If you want to go to every spiritual PEP RALLY that’s fine…as long as you are actually GETTING IN THE GAME!

Come on Body of Christ…

It’s time to change the world!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

We love to throw the word FREE around in Christianity. Salvation is free! Forgiveness is free! Our prosperous society can’t stop revolving almost every thought around money. We can’t stop equating a monetary value to EVERYTHING. No salvation doesn’t cost any money. No forgiveness doesn’t cost any money, but neither are FREE. Neither are without cost…

Salvation is a gift, but it’s definitely not free!

Think about it. Most likely every gift that you freely received from someone, was definitely first purchased by someone else. In case you didn’t know, redeemed means purchased. It means He paid the cost, which means salvation isn’t free…

Galatians 3:13-15 (NKJV)

¹³ Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”^[a]), ¹⁴ that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Hebrews 9:22 (NKJV)

²² And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

Neither is forgiveness without cost. You have to give something to receive it.

You have to have Godly sorrow and repent of your sin…

2 Corinthians 7:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰ For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

You have to GIVE forgiveness those who have sinned against you…

Matthew 6:12 (NKJV)

¹² And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.

Our salvation cost…

God His son…

John 3:16 (NKJV)

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Jesus His dignity…

Isaiah 53:3 (NKJV)

³ He is despised and rejected by men,
A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

His career…

Mark 6:3 (NKJV)

³ Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.

His self-respect…

Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Think about what the Apostle Paul gave up for his calling…

Philippians 3:4-8 (NKJV)

⁴ though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: ⁵ circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

⁷ But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. ⁸ Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Think of everything that YOU’VE had to sacrifice, go through, endure to get to the place you are in your relationship with God. Think of the pride you’ve had to give up and surrender to maintain your relationships.

Even if it didn’t cost you a dime…would you call that FREE?

BE BLESSTIFIED!

I’ve found the most intimate refreshing place to pray at my home. I love sitting in my chair on my front porch and enjoying quality time with God in prayer. When I’m out there, it’s like it’s just Him and me. Yes I pray everywhere. But, that place is special.

And yes, I said sitting.

You see, it’s good to get on your knees in submission to God, but contrary to what many may have been taught it’s not mandatory. That is not the exclusively acceptable prayer posture.

Your proper prayer posture isn’t the position of your body, but of your heart and spirit…

To a humble spirit… it’s about humility.

Psalm 51:17 (NKJV)

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise

1- On Your Knees

Ephesians 3:14 (NKJV)

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,^[a]

 2 – In Your Bed

Psalm 4:4 (NKJV)

Be angry, and do not sin.
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.

3 – Out Loud

Psalm 34:6 (NKJV)

This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.

4 – Silently

1 Samuel 1:13 (NKJV)

¹³ Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.

5 – Hands Lifted

1 Timothy 2:8 (NKJV)

I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

6 – Eyes Open

John 17:1 (NKJV)

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,

7 – Head Bowed

Genesis 24:26 (NKJV)

²⁶ Then the man bowed down his head and worshiped the Lord.

8 – Prostrate

Matthew 26:39 (NKJV)

³⁹ He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

9 – Standing

Mark 11:25 (NKJV)

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

God just wants you to be humble. Many have even misunderstood “come boldly” in the book of Hebrews…

Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

It’s not about ‘telling God what to do’, but direct access to Him. We don’t have to go through a priest, or a preacher to talk to Him…just submit to Him humbly in prayer through our Lord and Savior Yeshua, Jesus Christ.

So, bow your head, lie in your bed, fall on your knees, lift up your hands, as long as you’re sincere…God will hear.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Don’t judge people by what they drive, but judge them by who drives them.

Don’t judge people by what they live in, but judge them by who lives in them.

Don’t judge people by what they have, but judge them by what they’re willing to give.

Don’t judge people according to the world’s standards, judge them by God’s standards.

John 7:24  (NKJV)

²⁴ Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

The other day as my wife and I were getting ready for work, she asked me to get her clothes out of the dryer for her. We were both getting ready, but I stopped what I was doing and did it. The simplest gestures can be  the most powerful, especially when both husband and wife are working.

Do something simple every day to make life easier for one another. Bring him a cool beverage. Watch something that she wants to watch…with her. Iron his clothes for him. Go shopping with her.

These four gestures can make your marriage better. Nothing deep or romantic here, but doing it will make romance come easier.

HELP EACH OTHER OFTEN…

DO WHAT COMES EASY…

HONESTLY WORK ON WHAT’S DIFFICULT FOR YOU…

BE PATIENT WITH WHAT’S DIFFICULT FOR ONE ANOTHER…

Following these simple tips will make each day better, and difficult days more bearable.

 1 Peter 3:1a (NKJV)

“Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands…”

 1 Peter 3:7

 “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife…”

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Sometimes we can reduce God’s anointing to charisma and personality. But, His anointing is His power to touch lives while bringing honor and glory to our Heavenly Father through our Lord and Savior, Yeshua, Christ Jesus.

There are also some subtle signs of the people God anointed to be in your lives..

Here are 3…

You feel more comfortable with them in CRISIS

You feel more confident with them in a STORM.

You feel more safe with them WITHOUT A WEAPON than you feel with yourself or someone else WITH A WEAPON.

Remember Paul on the ship in the storm before being shipwrecked..

 Acts 27:33-35 (NKJV)

³³ And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. ³⁴ Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” ³⁵ And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat.

Take a moment to thank God and pray for the anointed people He has placed in your life.

 BE BLESSTIFIED!

As I walked down the streets of downtown Memphis today, I saw an older man carrying a bible and sharing God’s word. He was obviously poor…possibly homeless…and also very dirty.

People weren’t paying very much attention to him., and they certainly weren’t taking him seriously.

First of all, let me say that this post isn’t advocating preachers being poor or condemning those being rich. We all know there are preachers who pervert the Gospel by teaching idolatry and greed through false ‘prosperity’ teaching. We also know there are preachers who think there is some glory in being a ‘poor preacher’ which also is not necessarily true. There are ministers who have done well beyond the pulpit, and are responsible with their wealth and I also see nothing wrong with that. I also know there are many people who expect preachers to be poor and don’t trust any who seem to show any signs of affluence.

What I want to address are those people who EXPECT ministers to be well-off, and feel that if they aren’t wealthy or well-to-do, if they don’t drive in a nice care and wear nice clothes that they aren’t representing the Gospel well. Many people don’t want to listen to a preacher who the feel is poor.

Just as there are many people who think that rich preachers aren’t credible. Our prosperous and blessed society has allowed some people to become so spiritually arrogant and proud that they don’t want to, and will not listen to a preacher that they perceive to be poor.

If you feel that a poor (broke) preacher can’t tell you anything – do you think you would have been one of those who rejected Jesus too?

Matthew 8:20  (NKJV)

²⁰ And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

Notice that Jesus’ needs were met by the women who followed Him. We all know how well that would go over these days…

Luke 8:1-3  (NKJV)

8 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, ² and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, ³ and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him^[a] from their substance.

Also notice also that widow whom Elisha helped in 2 Kings was the wife a prophet who feared the LORD and did his job well, but still died and left his family in poverty, so much so, that his creditors threatened to come and take His sons. Of course God delivered them through the prophet Elisha, but my point is that this good prophet was poor.

Be careful that you don’t reject the word of God or ignore the messenger because you feel they appear to be poor or ‘broke’. Remember this…

James 2:5  (NKJV)

⁵ Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

God uses both rich and poor to declare His name…share His truth…share His love and carry the message of salvation.

As much as you may be critical of those who rejected Jesus in the bible, your attitude today is a strong indication of what your attitude would have been if you lived back then.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Abram (Abraham) was comfortable and doing well in a familiar land among his people (Genesis 12:1). 

Paul was a Pharisee and well respected among the Jews (Philippians 3:5). 

Peter, James and John were fishermen which was a very necessary profession (Luke 5:1-11).

Matthew was a tax collector, they were despised because that sometimes opened opportunities for dishonest gain.

The disciples had wives and families (Matthew 8:14, 1 Corinthians 9:5). When these men accepted their calling it affected their families, livelihoods professions and reputations. IT WASN’T A SMOOTH, EASY, OR CONVENIENT TRANSITION.

Yes, even though many ministers today encounter some opposition, most enjoy preaching to captive audiences that reward us with “amens”, but many times the disciples were blessed to get out of town alive. There are still many  today that endure persecution and hardship in some parts of the world, may God bless them. 

My point is that many of us want callings and ministries of convenience. We may know we have a calling on our lives but aren’t willing to make the sacrifices that go along with it.

Our transitions into our calling may not be smooth. We may have to give up a lucrative career. We may have to move on from a familiar comfortable place (go from the land of your fathers to a place I will show you (Genesis 12:1). 

People may murmur about you and say you are crazy, naive, foolish… 

Not just people who don’t matter, but people who do matter may not understand. But, sometimes that’s what it takes to pursue your purpose in God. 

An inconvenient transition requires more faith. The great men and women of God had to step out on faith…and so will we. Pray for wisdom, discernment and guidance because sometimes, not always, but sometimes, we have to step from COMFORT into our CALLING.

THE BLESSTIFIED!

There was a time when God’s name was referenced more. We need to be careful how we refer to God casually and not in reverence…how we let what is meant to be praise be reduced to idle words. Look at what Jesus said about idle words…

Matthew 12:36-37(NKJV)

³⁶ But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. ³⁷ For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

We must make sure that we never play with His praise. Many movies, plays and songs, have turned what is meant to be sincere praise into a joke, or cliché…

Please don’t say HALLELUJAH unless you’re really praising Him.
And, don’t play with it.

And, please stop saying “HALLELUYER!”

Remember this…

JAH (YAH) is the part of the word that’s His name. You don’t have to say GD to take His name in vain. 

Exodus 20:7 (NKJV)

⁷ “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

For more on this please read…IS ‘OMG’ TAKING GOD’S NAME IN VAIN? 

BE BLESSTIFIED!

God only had Israel march around a city seven times to bring the walls down…ONCE. (Joshua 6)

There was only… ONE…man who had superhuman strength through his hair. (Judges 13-16)

We only know of Jesus putting clay on the eyes of a man to heal his sight…ONCE. (John Chapter 9)

Why?

God wants us to have faith in WHO did it, not HOW He did it.

Putting faith in HOW God did it builds…

SUPERSTITION instead of FAITH.

Put your faith in THE WAY, not THE WAY He does it.

Don’t allow superstition to sneak into your faith.

John 14:6 (NKJV)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

BE BLESSTIFIED

It may be a group of friends, professionals, artists, singers, musicians or preachers.

It’s a circle that you wanted to be a part of…

That you tried or even prayed to get in…

And, they rejected you.

It may not have even necessarily been a ‘bad’ group, that’s why you wanted in.

Even if it’s a good group doesn’t mean that it’s the group God has ordained for you.

You have influence too!

You are anointed too!

You have purpose too!

God has purpose for you that’s beyond and sometimes greater than that group or circle you wanted to be a part of.

And, even that group had to start with somebody. Every industry had to start with a single idea.

So, here it is…

​The reason some people won’t accept you into THEIR circle is because God is trying to build HIS circle AROUND you.

Look at Yeshua, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Psalm 118:22 (NKJV)

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.

He was rejected by His own…By those He came to save…By the religious leaders who were supposed to represent Him.

John 1:11-12 (NKJV)

11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

Don’t try to force your way into a circle when God is trying to create one around you.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

I once heard a man tell his son in the barbershop, “Son, you aren’t old enough to ‘cuss’. When are you old enough to cuss?

America is obsessed with profanity. The enemy has convinced people it makes…

Words more powerful…

Jokes more funny…

Arguments more convincing…

Authority more authoritative…

Good parents will allow coaches to ‘cuss’ their children to ‘get the best out of them’.

People who deal with those who use profanity claim you have to ‘speak their language’ to get through to them.

Our movies, television shows, comedians, songs and sometimes even those in authority reinforce a culture of profanity.

God said very clearly that we are to not allow corrupt, unwholesome, coarse language come from our mouths…

Ephesians 4:29  (NKJV)

²⁹ Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

He said that we aren’t to participate in or entertain ourselves with coarse joking…

Ephesians 5:3-4 (NKJV)

³ But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; ⁴ neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 

His word tells us that we are to only use words that build others up (Ephesians 4:29)…

But, far too many Christians justify, use and excuse ‘cussing’, profanity and vulgarity. And, it goes beyond ‘stumping your toe’. It’s far too many in the Body of Christ who use it in their daily language.

What’s the harm?

Well, here are 5 Catastrophic Implications of when Christians ‘Cuss’

1. IT’S OPEN REBELLION AGAINST GOD

If God forbids us to do something, then it’s rebellion. All sin is rebellion against God’s will for our lives. But, profanity is OPEN rebellion, letting the world know we’ve made a decision to disobey God verbally. Just as our children embarrass us, it puts God to open shame. Remember this…

1 Peter 2:12  (NLT)

¹² Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.^[a

2. IT’S FROM THE DEVIL

Profanity and cursing is straight from the devil. So many people say “Hell yeah! “Hell no!” Or, even jokingly “Hell to the naw!” to emphatically drive home their point when Jesus Himself tells us…

Matthew 5:37 (NKJV)

³⁷ But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

God told us that unclean language is from the devil himself. It is not of God. When we decide we have to resort to profanity to get our point across, or to reach someone else who uses it, we are implying that God can’t handle it, but the devil can.

3. IT JUSTIFIES ‘CUSSING TO THOSE WHO ARE WEAKER

When some who are weaker hear those who they respect ‘cuss’, it can justify that it’s okay to do it. “Wow, if I hear __________ use that type of language, knowing what a devoted Christian he or she is, then it must not be that wrong. When we make it easier for someone else to sin, then we become a stumbling block to them, and don’t forget what Jesus said about that…

Matthew 18:6 (NKJV)

⁶ “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

4. OUR WORDS HAVE POWER

God’s word gives us some powerful reminders in the power of our words…

Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV)

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.

 James 3: 5-10 (NKJV)

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. ⁷ For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. ⁸ But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 

 And, what Jesus said in Matthew Chapter 12 is very powerful, but often overlooked…

Matthew 12:36-37 (NKJV)

³⁶ But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. ³⁷ For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Those scriptures speak very well for themselves to drive home the point that words can both bless and curse, and that…

God leaves no room for ‘slips of the tongue’. That’s why we should never take grace for granted. 

5. ALL OF OUR WORDS ARE A TESTIMONY 

Our testimony is evidence of not only who we are now, but who we were when we are gone. Both our actions and words are our testimony, but our words are our verbal testimony. Our words are what release the power of God into the atmosphere, our lives and the lives of others, but they also can release the power of the enemy. Remember that it’s our testimony…our words that give us the power to overcome the enemy…

Revelation 12:11(NKJV)

¹¹ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Your words play a huge role in how people perceive you and whether or not they take you seriously when you speak as a Christian. Think for a minute..Do you know anyone who is KNOWN as a powerful encourager? Now, do you know anyone is KNOWN for their dirty mouth? See what I mean?

Be careful what you say. As Christians we must never reinforce a ‘culture of cussing’.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

​

A few years ago I was at a funeral in my home town and while there, I visited my grandmother’s grave with my family. It had been a while, so as I approached the grave I broke down. As I wept on my knees, I felt my son’s hand (he was 19 at the time), gently touch and rub my back. That gave me so much comfort and I will NEVER forget that simple gesture.

There are few things as powerful as a gentle touch. Sometimes you can communicate your heart and show your love with a touch in a way words can’t say.

When you touch someone, you touch their heart. A touch shows intimacy and connection. Maybe that’s why so many times when Jesus could have healed with a WORD, He still chose to TOUCH.

Matthew 8:3 (NKJV)

3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Two fathers. Two families. Two situations. One question…

One father in the comfort of their home looks happily into the eyes of his children and says, “What are we going to eat tonight” before taking them out to eat.

The other father huddles with his family under the highway overpass hopelessly looks into the eyes of his children and says, “What are we going to eat tonight” before going out to look for something to eat.

Never take for granted the blessing of…

Having something to eat.

Having a place to sleep.

Of having enough for EACH day as it comes. Anything more than that…is abundance.

Matthew 6:31-34 (NKJV)

³¹ “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NKJV)

⁶ Now godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain^[a] we can carry nothing out. ⁸ And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

Remember that when you see someone in need. You aren’t just blessing them by helping. They are blessing you with an opportunity to share God’s love, to be an answer to a prayer, to plant good seed in good soil.

Deuteronomy 15:7  (NKJV)

2 Corinthians 9:12-15 (NKJV)

¹² For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, ¹³ while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, ¹⁴ and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Whether you are a father, mother or caregiver…which conversation did you have with your family last night?

BE BLESSTIFIED!