Anyone who believes in God has been asked these questions.

Most if not all believers, if they are willing to admit it to themselves, have asked some of these questions.

Not only are there some difficult things to understand in the Bible, but there are things God does today that are difficult to explain.

Why does God allow babies and children to suffer with terminal illnesses?

Why does the bible not explicitly forbid slavery?

Why does God allow abusive parents to have children, while others who would be loving, nurturing parents to go childless?

Why does God allow some people to be healed but other people, some we would even call ‘good’ people, to not be healed?

Luke 4:27 (NKJV)

²⁷ And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”

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There are countless questions that atheists and some believers ask concerning God, either arrogantly or anxiously waiting for answers.

God gave us the example through the Psalms that He will allow us to question Him in humility, as long as we continue to trust Him…

Psalm 13:1-2 (NKJV)

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
² How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart daily?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

³ Consider and hear me, O Lord my God;
Enlighten my eyes,
Lest I sleep the sleep of death;
⁴ Lest my enemy say,
“I have prevailed against him”;
Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

⁵ But I have trusted in Your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
⁶ I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

---

If you’re like me, sometimes you feel pressured to give a quick and definite answer to ‘defend’ God. Sometimes you want a definite answer to satisfy yourself. 

But the truth is that some things we simply don’t know.

That means sometimes the best answer is…

I DON’T KNOW!

---

Even those who depend on science to shape their beliefs have to admit that with all of our advances in science and medicine, there is still more that’s unknown than is known.

Scientists still have to sometimes say…

I DON’T KNOW!

Doctors have to sometimes admit…

I DON’T KNOW!

There are times that after a deadly diagnoses that the illness sometimes disappears and the physician has to admit…

I DON’T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED!

---

So, no one should really scoff when a believer says they simply don’t know.

The fact is, there is great peace in admitting that even though you don’t know…you still trust God. He has told us that there are things that will be beyond are human minds, and even science helps prove that. There is much in science well beyond the reach of scientific knowledge.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV)

⁸ “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
⁹ “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Don’t deny yourself the blessing and peace of simply saying…”I DON’T KNOW!”

Psalm 131:1 (NKJV)

Lord, my heart is not ^[a]haughty,
Nor my eyes ^[b]lofty.
Neither do I ^[c]concern myself with great matters,
Nor with things too ^[d]profound for me.

Admitting that you don’t know doesn’t confirm God isn’t God, it just confirms that we are human.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

• 

We are born with innate strengths and weaknesses that can help us ‘succeed’ in life according to the world’s definition of success.

Some people are naturally more focused…more calm…more assertive.

Some people are naturally more driven, and others are naturally more, well how can I put this…LAZY.

The fact is that some people must force themselves to do what is necessary. Some people are natural procrastinators.

I don’t think think a strong work ethic is necessarily learned. And here’s my anecdotal reason why…

Three children can be born into the same family and raised in the same house with a father and mother who modeled a strong work ethic. Both parents could have demanded a strong work ethic by forcing all three children to do numerous chores. They may punish them harshly for not doing their assigned tasks or reward them greatly for doing the well. No matter how much those parents enforce and drill a strong work ethic into their children…one or more of those children may still struggle to keep a job or do the things necessary to maintain their lives once they grow up.

Have you ever seen children raised in the same family with strong work values but have one or more grow up to be lazy or underachievers living beneath their potential?

Think about it.

Some things can’t be taught.

That’s why we have to constantly ask God the specific prayer to help us and bless us beyond our individual innate weaknesses… in other words, the weaknesses He gave us.

Remember, His strength is made perfect in weakness. GOD IS GREATER THAN THE WEAKNESSES THAT HE GAVE YOU…

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NKJV)

⁸ Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. ⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

ROCK BOTTOM…SOME PRODIGALS DON’T COME BACK

BE BLESSTIFIED!

• 

Equality in accountability!!!

Many people who claim they want to protect the unborn prove they don’t have enough value for many of the lives that were blessed to be born.

Many people who claim that Black Lives Matter don’t show enough love to the Black Lives who are in their own lives.

Do you believe someone deserved to die because of their behavior while calling someone else a patriot for the same behavior?

Do you feel that giving direct help to the poor is not a priority while justifying reasons to ‘bail out’ those who aren’t…believing that it will trickle down?

Jesus Himself fed over 5000 able bodied people and then demanded that the fragments be collected so that none be wasted. He was both a fiscal liberal and conservative in the same miracle.

Matthew 6:1-12 (NIV)

Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), ² and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. ³ Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. ⁴ The Jewish Passover Festival was near. ⁵ When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” ⁶ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. ⁷ Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages^[a] to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” ⁸ Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, ⁹ “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” ¹⁰ Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). ¹¹ Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. ¹² When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”

One of the reasons that Israel was exiled was because of their denial of justice and lack of concern for the poor…

Isaiah 10:1-4 (NIV)

Woe to those who make unjust laws,
    to those who issue oppressive decrees,
² to deprive the poor of their rights
    and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people,
making widows their prey
    and robbing the fatherless.
³ What will you do on the day of reckoning,
    when disaster comes from afar?
To whom will you run for help?
    Where will you leave your riches?
⁴ Nothing will remain but to cringe among the captives
    or fall among the slain. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away,
    his hand is still upraised.

Many people claim they care about Black Lives, but how do they treat the Black people in their own lives?

How many Black homeless people have they noticed and then looked away?

How many Black people in need have they ignored?

How are they treating the Black people in their own lives?

1 Timothy 5:8 (NKJV)

⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

It’s easy to get caught up in a politics or a movement, but we prove what’s really in our hearts by what we do day to day.

As many people point fingers at one another and accuse, they prove the one thing we can all be equal in is being hypocrites.

1 John 3:18 (NKJV)

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Sometimes you just have to be SILENT and LISTEN while the people around you reveal who they really are.

Don’t interrupt. Don’t ask any questions. Just let them talk.

Just watch and they will prove what and who is important to them. Really, we have all done this…

---

Sometimes, when someone says…

“I didn’t meant what I said!”

...that they really meant…

” I didn’t mean to say that out loud!”

---

Proverbs 29:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ A fool vents all his ^(A)feelings,^[a]
But a wise man holds them back.

---

Let them speak out of the abundance of their heart and don’t respond with your mouth.

Respond by making more wise decisions in how you relate to them.

Matthew 12:34-35 (NKJV)

³⁴ Brood^[a] of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. ³⁵ A good man out of the good treasure ^[b]of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

How many times have you prayed and God answered your prayers?

He’s done it more times than I can count, sometimes prayers that were for me and sometimes prayers I have made for others.

What unbelievers, skeptics, and critics call COINCIDENCE…believers call CONFIRMATION.

But, one of the things I really love about God is when He sometimes hits the bullseye by answering a prayer so specifically that there is absolutely no way it can be a coincidence.

Every now and then God does something completely amazing to be a reminder in your moments of doubt so that they don’t become seasons of doubt.

How about stopping what you’re doing right now and give Him some love by praising Him. Tell Him thank you! Tell Him you love Him! And, tell Him you trust Him I’m the name of Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ).

Psalm 28:6-7 (NKJV)

⁶ Blessed be the Lord,
Because He has heard the voice of my supplications!
⁷ The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him.

ARE YOU SURPRISED WHEN GOD ANSWERS YOUR PRAYERS?

BE BLESSTIFIED!

How did you fill in the blanks in the title?

What was worse, the stereotype that Paul referenced below, or the fact that many of the Cretans proved it to be true.

Titus 1:12-13 (ESV)

¹² One of the Cretans,^[a] a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”^[b]13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

Be careful when you stereotypically judge someone, and be careful when you prove it to be true.

All races and cultures are guilty of doing both.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Sex in marriage between a man and a woman is a beautiful blessing from the LORD, but it can also be the source of frustration.

One of greatest frustrations is when couples aren’t ‘on the same page’…when they aren’t in the mood at the same time. If this goes on and isn’t handled in the right way it can cause a huge strain on the relationship.

Now, I know there are many reasons why couples clash sexually, but God has revealed something amazing to me through 30 plus years of marriage.

There is a hidden blessing in when they aren’t on the same page that can actually enhance a marriage and sex life.

One of the things that makes dating so fun is the mystery. Some people even step outside their marriage to relive that excitement and mystery…

Do they like me?

Are they attracted to me?

Do they feel the same way I do?

Do they want me?

It leads to real dating. It leads to romancing one another. It leads to seduction.

---

But, here we go again with God’s hidden, often overlooked wisdom. I believe that He has created us to NOT be in the mood at the same time ALL the time.

---

DISCOVER THE HIDDEN BLESSING OF WHEN YOU AREN’T IN THE MOOD AT THE SAME TIME!

After years of marriage, being in the mood at the same time all of the time can become subtly boring. Always getting what you want when you want it sexually can actually become mundane and routine.

When managed correctly, not being on the same page can turn…

Frustration into Fantasy!

Crankiness into Creativity!

Anger into Anticipation!

Rudeness into Romance!

There are unmarried people who, even though it’s wrong, when pursuing sex from someone to whom they are attracted, have waited patiently for months planning…romancing…dating…seducing…trying to impress…doing what it takes PATIENTLY until they finally…

Get it…

Hit it…

Until they finally get their fantasies and passions reciprocated. Sometimes these same people don’t exercise the same level of patience once they are married.

Read the Song of Solomon and notice the level of excitement and anticipation in Godly marriage. Notice how the excitement builds as the bride seeks her love…

Song of Solomon 3:1-5  (NKJV)

3 By night on my bed I sought the one I love;
I sought him, but I did not find him.
² “I will rise now,” I said,
“And go about the city;
In the streets and in the squares
I will seek the one I love.”
I sought him, but I did not find him.
³ The watchmen who go about the city found me;
I said,
“Have you seen the one I love?”

⁴ Scarcely had I passed by them,
When I found the one I love.
I held him and would not let him go,
Until I had brought him to the house of my mother,
And into the chamber of her who conceived me.

⁵ I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
By the gazelles or by the does of the field,
Do not stir up nor awaken love
Until it pleases.

Notice the excitement as Solomon praises his bride…

Song of Solomon 4:1-12  (NKJV)

4 Behold, you are fair, my love!
Behold, you are fair!
You have dove’s eyes behind your veil.
Your hair is like a flock of goats,
Going down from Mount Gilead.
² Your teeth are like a flock of shorn sheep
Which have come up from the washing,
Every one of which bears twins,
And none is barren among them.
³ Your lips are like a strand of scarlet,
And your mouth is lovely.
Your temples behind your veil
Are like a piece of pomegranate.
⁴ Your neck is like the tower of David,
Built for an armory,
On which hang a thousand bucklers,
All shields of mighty men.
⁵ Your two breasts are like two fawns,
Twins of a gazelle,
Which feed among the lilies.

⁶ Until the day breaks
And the shadows flee away,
I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh
And to the hill of frankincense.

⁷ You are all fair, my love,
And there is no spot in you.
⁸ Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse,
With me from Lebanon.
Look from the top of Amana,
From the top of Senir and Hermon,
From the lions’ dens,
From the mountains of the leopards.

⁹ You have ravished my heart,
My sister, my spouse;
You have ravished my heart
With one look of your eyes,
With one link of your necklace.
¹⁰ How fair is your love,
My sister, my spouse!
How much better than wine is your love,
And the scent of your perfumes
Than all spices!
¹¹ Your lips, O my spouse,
Drip as the honeycomb;
Honey and milk are under your tongue;
And the fragrance of your garments
Is like the fragrance of Lebanon.

¹² A garden enclosed
Is my sister, my spouse,
A spring shut up,
A fountain sealed.

Discuss this with your spouse.

Admit that you won’t always be on the same page all the time.

Agree to be patient with one another when this occurs.

Pray that God doesn’t allow the devil to have a foothold in your marriage when it happens.

Make the most of those moments by allowing them to create…

Renewed fantasies of one another…

To restore excitement and anticipation…

To bring back the mystery and thrill of the discovery that ‘he or she feels like I do’…’wants me like I want him or her’…’that we are on the same page.’

Because whether it be because of an argument or not being on the same page, we all know how goooooooood it can be after it’s been a while. Can I get an amen:-)

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

 

 

 

 

• 

Are you one of those people who tries to be strong for everyone? Are you the type of person who doesn’t even give yourself the opportunity to ‘absorb the blow’ of the daily shocks, challenges, and tragedies of life because you are trying to be strong for everyone around you?

I just want to give you a little reminder that it’s okay to temporarily…

Fall apart…

Loose it…

Break down…

Be ‘in your feelings’.

Are you stronger that Yeshua (Jesus Christ?)…

Matthew 26:37-39 (NKJV)

³⁷ And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. ³⁸ Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”

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.”

The Lord was about to fulfill His purpose and endure shame, humiliation, and excruciating pain until death…

Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

² looking unto Jesus, the ^[a]author and ^[b]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.

Notice that Jesus didn’t try to hide His aguish from the disciples who were closest to Him, but He told them, ““My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”

Sometimes you can’t continue to face your challenges until you give yourself an opportunity to break down, cry and even even ask God why…

Psalm 13 (NKJV)

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
² How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart daily?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

³ Consider and hear me, O Lord my God;
Enlighten my eyes,
Lest I sleep the sleep of death;
⁴ Lest my enemy say,
“I have prevailed against him”;
Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

⁵ But I have trusted in Your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
⁶ I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

When you read the Psalms of Lament, such as Psalm 13, God allows us to have our human moments and even ask Him, “Why?” and “How long?”, but we must always pull ourselves together and reaffirm our trust in Him.

So, go ahead cry. It doesn’t mean you’re weak, it means you’re wise.

WHEN NO ONE SEES YOU CRY…

BE BLESSTIFIED!

One of my greatest disappointments in growing up was realizing how much we really don’t. As a kid, I thought adults had it all together.

I’ve found that one of the areas in which some of us refuse to grow up is insulting one another.

There will always be at LEAST two sides to every issue, but most of the time there are many more. And, most of the time people are passionate about their opinion or position.

Politics

Wages

Business

Sports

Race

Relationships

Religion

The list goes on and on.

Of course, these opinions and positions will lead to disagreements. What’s important is that we learn to disagree without insults.

From social media, to demonstrations, to conference rooms, to private conversations…people allow their disagreement to be expressed with insults.

It’s natural to want to hurt someone back who’s hurt or insulted us, or someone we love, care about or respect.

“You’re a __________!”

“Well, you’re a __________!”

“President Trump is a __________!”

“President Obama is a __________!”

“Christians are__________!”

“Muslims are __________!”

“Baptists are__________!”

“People who want a $15 minimum wage are __________!”

“Racists are__________!”

“Your momma is a __________!”

You get the idea.

However…

God expects those of us in the Body of Christ to set the standard of behavior.

1 Peter 3:9(NIV)

9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

God expects us to follow the example of our Lord and Savior Yeshua, Jesus Christ…

1 Peter 2:21-23 (NIV)

21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example,that you should follow in his steps.

22 “He committed no sin,

    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[a]

23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

We should never respond to someone’s expression of their opinion with an insult, even when they have insulted us.
Those of us who are mature in the faith must remember…

That some Christians may not be as mature,

That even the mature have weak moments,

And anyone who is being led by the enemy is behaving as expected.

Let’s set the standard. Be very sensitive to your opportunities to respond without insults.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

• 

I once worked with a lady who cleaned up our office building. Let’s say her name is Elsie.

She was middle aged, older than some and younger than others, and she was Black.

Out of respect most people in the office called her Ms. Elsie. Except me, I called her Elsie. She was my elder, but I sensed she didn’t like the title Ms. before her name.

I asked several people, Black, White and other races why they called her that, and they confirmed it was out of respect.

So, I asked Elsie how she felt about it. She also confirmed she didn’t like it, and it was exactly for the reason I thought.

She was our coworker. Even though she wasn’t a Manager, Analyst, Salesperson, Director, VP, or CEO, she was a coworker. There were other coworkers older than her, of all races, that were referred to by their first name only.

Calling her MS. unintentionally designated her as a servant. It made her feel like a MAMMY.

I told everyone to please just call her by her first name like everyone else.

So many times we can mean well, but unintentionally insult, disrespect, and belittle others because we are culturally insensitive.

Be very careful when you think people are being too sensitive. Remember, we serve a sensitive God.
WHAT TO TELL PEOPLE WHO ACCUSE YOU OF BEING TOO SENSITIVE…

Exodus 34:14 (NKJV)

¹⁴ (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God),

BE BLESSTIFIED!

• 

Sometimes it’s difficult to explain how our invisible God can be everywhere at the same time, or omnipresent.

Maybe this example will help.

Where is the internet?

On your smartphone?

On your laptop?

On your tablet?

Is the internet in the air?

Is it in Indiana, Idaho, India or the International Space Station?

Do we have to take turns to access the internet or can we all connect at the same time?

Just because you can’t see it, taste it, touch it or hear it…does that mean the NETWORK isn’t there. Yes, you see the evidence there is a network through the information, videos or audio files…but you can’t see the actual network.

If you can understand how the invisible internet can be OMNIPRESENT in a sense, then you can understand how our invisible God, our Elohim, the Father of our Lord and Savior Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ, can be everywhere at the same time.

EASY-TO-UNDERSTAND EXPLANATION OF ‘THE TRINITY’…

WHY GOD DOES NOT NEED AN ORIGIN STORY…

IF YOU BELIEVE IN SCIENCE, YOU CAN BELIEVE IN GOD (HERE’S A PERFECT EXAMPLE)…

FAITH VS. SCIENCE…

WHEN SCRIPTURE & SCIENCE AGREE…

BE BLESSTIFIED!

I think we all want to be valued as a person. In our families…In our relationships…In our professional life…In our spiritual life…We all want to be valued.

We make room for what and who brings value to our lives. No one, and I mean no one avoids anyone who brings value to their lives. And, the greatest value is in the intangible things that money can’t buy. I like to call them intangible tangibles. You can’t see them, but they are so real.

But, I’m not going to talk about the typical intagibles that commonly first come to mind…you know love, joy etc. etc.

I’m talking about 3 intangibles that when you possess these abilities, people will always value you. And they all spring from a spiritual gift…exhortation!

Romans 12:6-8 (NKJV)

⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷ or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸ he who EXHORTS, in EXHORTATION; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

A good strong exhortation encourages and strengthens.

People with these attributes can even tend to be ‘used’, but no one uses anyone that they don’t value.

You will always be valued if you can ENCOURAGE, INSPIRE AND ENTERTAIN…

ENCOURAGE…

Everyone needs encouragement. The fact is, that not only do we need encouragement when we are down, but we also need encouragement when we are up. Think of the people in your life who are encouraging to you. Most of the time it’s the same person or people with whom you seek out to share both your good and bad news. It’s the one with whom you want to share your good days, and the one you know you can depend on to help you want to go on during your bad days. Now think of the people who you can depend on to discourage you. Who do you value more in your life?

INSPIRE…

Who inspires you? What inspires you? Who makes you want to be a better person? Who makes you want to pursue your purpose? Who makes you want to accomplish the impossible? Is it a family member? Is it a former teacher?  Is it a great leader? Is it someone that you have seen endure incredible odds? Is it someone who came from what we call ‘nothing’ to achieve greatness? That’s why we love heroes because they inspire us. Inspiration is so powerful that even evil people are inspired by other evil people. When you inspire people, they will want to be around you on their best day and worst day.

ENTERTAIN…

Even though we aren’t all entertained in the same way, everyone loves to be entertained. In this harsh world, we all need temporary breaks from reality to refresh ourselves.  Everyone loves being around someone who entertains them. It may be someone who always has an interesting story. It may be a gifted musician, singer, poet, artist or author. It may be someone who is very engaging to talk to…it may be someone who always makes us laugh and smile. I believe that comedy is an aspect of the gift of exhortation…what’s more encouraging than a good laugh? (Read this…ARE YOU A MINISTER OF LAUGHTER?

Proverbs 17:22 (NKJV)

²² A merry heart does good, like medicine,^[a]
But a broken spirit dries the bones.

Think about how David found favor with Saul because he was a skilled musician…

1 Samuel 16:23 (NKJV)

²³ And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.

Everyone love being around someone who makes them laugh. Someone who makes them feel better. Nothing lifts one out of despair like a well-timed laugh. If you have the ability to entertain…sing, dance, speak, act, are you athletic…whatever makes the heart feel lighter…whatever helps us escape from reality, you will be valued.

These gifts are to be used to be a blessing to one another and bring glory to the God of our salvation.

So, how has God blessed you to encourage, inspire or entertain? Know your gifts because that’s where others will find your value.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

• 

If your parents, siblings, friends or even co-workers don’t like your spouse…

Ask yourself is it because of what you’ve said to them in your anger or frustration?

Part of honoring your spouse is bearing with one another through keeping some things between the two of you only. When you share something they have done to hurt or anger you with someone else, especially family, when the two of you have moved on…others may still hold a grudge.

Remember, your marriage is your business!

Ephesians 4:1-3 (NKJV)

I, therefore, the prisoner ^[a]of the Lord, ^[b]beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, ² with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, ³ endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Don’t let the reason that someone dislikes your spouse be because of what you’ve said about them.

4 SIMPLE THINGS THAT CAN MAKE YOUR MARRIAGE BETTER IMMEDIATELY…

2 THINGS TO MAKE YOUR MARRIAGE ‘SWEETER’…

HAVE WE MADE OUR QUEENS…KING?

#GODLYMARRIAGE GODLY MARRIAGE: HOW SEX IS SUBMISSION AND HONOR PERFECTED (Graphic but Holy)…

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR INTERRACIAL MARRIAGES: GOD DOESN’T FORBID ‘RACE MIXING’, BUT DOES FORBID ‘FAITH MIXING’…

HOW THE FIRST MARRIAGE IN THE BIBLE WAS INFLUENCED BY AN OUTSIDER…

THE REAL, BOTTOM-LINE REASON MARRIAGES FAIL…

DON’T LET THE LITTLE THINGS BECOME BIG PROBLEMS IN YOUR MARRIAGE…

THE HOLINESS OF WELL-TIMED ROMANCE IN MARRIAGE…

ONLY ‘GODLY SEX’ IS GOOD SEX…

THE BIBLE SAYS THAT BOOBS AREN’T JUST FOR THE BABIES…

GODLY MARRIAGE: WHAT IF THE ‘BIG O’ WAS TOO BIG (Adult but Holy)…

Godly Marriage: THE BLESSING IN WHEN YOU’RE NOT ‘IN THE MOOD’ AT THE SAME TIME…

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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BE BLESSTIFIED!

Psalm 144:1
“Blessed be the Lord my Rock,
Who trains my hands for war,
And my fingers to do battle”

Men and women of God, TODAY IS TRAINING DAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE! God is training you for spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12).

Today is another opportunity to get familiar with and get better at using your weapons (Ephesians 6:10-18).

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You will be confronted with situations and challenges that will determine not only your future, but the future of those you love and the future of your fruit, you know, those who God assigns to you along the way.

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Just like in the movie starring Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke, the new detective (Ethan Hawke) was assigned to a veteran detective (Denzel Washington) for training. The new detective had a good heart, but he was confronted with and partnered with the devil (Denzel) on his first day.

The entire day was a string of situations that required Ethan Hawke’s character to make the right decision, and the decision wasn’t always easy. At the end of the day, the decisions made by both determined their futures, and the devil tried to sabotage the new detective’s future.

Ethan Hawke’s character’s decisions saved his life, while Denzel Washington’s character’s decisions cost him his.

Who will you be at the end of the day today? Ethan Hawke or Denzel Washington?

The devil is trying to sabotage your day. Just as He did Jesus in the wilderness in Matthew 4:1-11. He is trying to get you to make decisions in one day to high-jack your future. He goes about as roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). He is trying to steal, kill and destroy your testimony, your fruit and your future. Jesus, Yeshua, the Living Word, has come that you can live an abundant life (John 10:10). But, that abundant life shouldn’t be just thought of carnally. God had called us to be abundant in fruit for the Kingdom, in making disciples and Kingdom building. He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

So be encouraged! You are guaranteed the victory if you walk in the Spirit and are led to make the right decisions throughout the day (Galatians 5:16-18).

Remember, that one bad decision at the end of the day can negate all the good decisions made earlier that day.

God is your training officer. He is preparing you for battle (Psalm 144:1). TODAY is your TRAINING DAY. Be strong in the Lord, fight the enemy with the word of God, just as Jesus did in Matthew 4:1-11, and the enemy will flee…but just as he left Jesus until another opportune time, he will be back….

Tomorrow will be TRAINING DAY too.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Yehovah Yireh provides perfectly through our Lord and Savior Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

We must always be careful that we never dishonor Him because we have our wants confused with our needs.

It didn’t take long for Israel to get tired of the ‘bread from heaven provided by God…

Numbers 11:1-20 (NKJV)

11 Now ^(A)when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; ^(B)for the Lord heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the ^(C)fire of the Lordburned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp. ² Then the people ^(D)cried out to Moses, and when Moses ^(E)prayed to the Lord, the fire was ^[a]quenched. ³ So he called the name of the place ^[b]Taberah, because the fire of the Lord had burned among them.

⁴ Now the ^(F)mixed multitude who were among them ^[c]yielded to ^(G)intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: ^(H)“Who will give us meat to eat? ^{5 (I)}We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; ⁶ but now ^(J)our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!”

⁷ Now ^(K)the manna was like coriander seed, and its color like the color of bdellium. ⁸ The people went about and gathered it, ground it on millstones or beat it in the mortar, cooked it in pans, and made cakes of it; and ^(L)its taste was like the taste of pastry prepared with oil. ⁹ And ^(M)when the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna fell on it.

¹⁰ Then Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, everyone at the door of his tent; and ^(N)the anger of the Lord was greatly aroused; Moses also was displeased. ^{11 (O)}So Moses said to the Lord, “Why have You afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the ^[d]burden of all these people on me? ¹² Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them, that You should say to me, ^(P)‘Carry them in your bosom, as a ^(Q)guardian carries a nursing child,’ to the land which You ^(R)swore^[e] to their fathers? ^{13 (S)}Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep all over me, saying, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’ ^{14 (T)}I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. ¹⁵ If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now—if I have found favor in Your sight—and ^(U)do not let me see my wretchedness!”

¹⁶ So the Lord said to Moses: “Gather to Me ^(V)seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and ^(W)officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you. ¹⁷ Then I will come down and talk with you there. ^(X)I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone. ¹⁸ Then you shall say to the people, ^[f]‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wept ^(Y)in the hearing of the Lord, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt.” Therefore the Lord will give you meat, and you shall eat. ¹⁹ You shall eat, not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days, ^{20 (Z)}but for a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have ^(AA)despised the Lord who is among you, and have wept before Him, saying, ^(AB)“Why did we ever come up out of Egypt?” ’ ”

How many times have you looked in the refrigerator, pantry or cabinet and said, “There’s nothing to eat” because it wasn’t what you wanted?

How many times have you complained about the job you prayed for and God is using to sustain your life this season?

How many times have you complained about the spouse, children or family that God gave you because they don’t always see eye-to-eye with you? Remember the children of Israel complained in the wilderness against Moses’ leadership over and over again.

Complaining is one of the sins that pisses Him off the most…

1 Corinthians 10:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰ nor complain, as ^(A)some of them also complained, and ^(B)were destroyed by ^(C)the destroyer.

Remember, complaining is the opposite of thanksgiving.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Have you ever felt overlooked or ignored by someone whose attention you REALLY wanted?

Is there someone in your life who when you see they’re calling you on the phone you pause and say, “Oh No!” because you don’t want to be bothered by them.

Do you know someone who gets on your nerves because they’re always ‘bothering you’ at the wrong time.

Have you ever wanted the attention of someone who you felt had influence, authority, prestige while getting the attention of those who don’t?

Never take for granted those who see value in you because you don’t see enough value in them.

Matthew 25:40 (NKJV)

⁴⁰ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, ^(A)inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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Let me first say that I absolutely believe that God gives us the right to arm ourselves as individuals. Notice what Yeshua, Jesus, told His disciples…

Luke 22:35-36 (NKJV)

³⁵ And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?”

So they said, “Nothing.”

³⁶ Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.

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The Lord told His own disciples that if they don’t have a weapon they should get one…to defend themselves. Jesus made this clear when Peter used His sword when Jesus was arrested.

Matthew 26:51-52 (NKJV)

⁵¹ And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

⁵² But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will ^[a]perish by the sword.

John 18:10-15 (NKJV)

¹⁰ Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

¹¹ So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”

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However, even if God permits us to arm ourselves, just as He doesn’t want us to put our faith in riches, He also doesn’t want us to put our faith in our guns…as if they are what insures our salvation when attacked.

Psalm 33:16-18 (NKJV)

¹⁶ No king is saved by the multitude of an army;
A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.
¹⁷ A horse is a ^[a]vain hope for safety;
Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.

¹⁸ Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy,

Psalm 44:6-8 (NKJV)

⁶ For I will not trust in my bow,
Nor shall my sword save me.
⁷ But You have saved us from our enemies,
And have put to shame those who hated us.
⁸ In God we boast all day long,
And praise Your name forever. Selah

Remember God delivered Israel from Egypt without one weapon. He fought for them.

Remember also, though out numbered, God fought for Judah because Jehoshaphat put his faith in God…

2 Chronicles 20:15-23 (NKJV)

¹⁵ And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. ¹⁶ Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the ^[a]brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. ¹⁷ You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”

¹⁸ And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. ¹⁹ Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with voices loud and high.

²⁰ So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” ²¹ And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:

“Praise the Lord,
For His mercy endures forever.”

²² Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. ²³ For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. And when they ^[b]had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

In Joshua’s farewell address, He reminded the Israel of the real source of their help…

Joshua 23:8-10 (NKJV)

⁸ but you shall hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day. ⁹ For the Lord has ^[a]driven out from before you great and strong nations; but as for you, no one has been able to stand against you to this day. ¹⁰ One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the Lord your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you.

Too many people in our society have prioritized their weapons over what’s more important to the Lord…just as when Yeshua rebuked the Pharisees of neglecting compassion while prioritizing their tithes…

Matthew 23:23 (NKJV)

²³ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

There are some people who quickly react when they feel their guns are threatened, but are silent when it comes to JUSTICE, MERCY and FAITH.

Just as God allowed Israel and Judah to be taken into captivity, God can allow GUNS TO BE TAKEN and loss of freedom because of PRIDE, ARROGANCE, COMPROMISE, COMPLACENCY, ASSIMILATION, and SPIRITUAL ADULTERY! That’s why God said…

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.

The most powerful weapon we have is the word of God. That’s what Jesus used to resist the devil while He was in the wilderness. The word of God is more powerful than any weapon ever made…

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)

¹² For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Remember God’s promise through the Prophet Isaiah…

Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)

¹⁷ No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord.

Don’t place your faith in the wrong weapon…YOU CAN’T BRING A GUN TO A SWORD FIGHT!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Many people get pissed off when someone who’s not Black (African American if you prefer) brings up Black-on-Black crime.

Some people say there’s no such thing as Black-on-Black crime.

Semantics aside… Racism aside… Underlying causes aside…

Yes, institutional racism is a reality.

Yes, America has a history of fighting for freedom abroad, while minority communities were second-class citizens at home.

Yes, there’s still merchandise like this stocked by a major retailer that’s going out of business (my sister-in- law took this picture)👇🏾

Yes, terrorism began in America over 100 years before extremists set their sights on America…

However the fact remains that…

There’s too many Black people killing Black people!

There’s too many Black people terrorizing Black people!

There’s too many Black people doing racists a favor by doing their job for them!

RACISTS DON’T HAVE TO FIRE A SHOT OR TIE A NOOSE WHEN BLACK PEOPLE ARE KILLING ONE ANOTHER!

And marches…speeches…block parties…the police or politicians can’t solve it.

No matter how the world views or treats us, we have to accept the challenge of establishing a culture of Emotional Intelligence and Spiritual accountability to the One, true and living God through Yeshua the Messiah. We have to do the work to fix it just as so many people recognized as White must and deal the pride, arrogance entitlement and need for Emotional Intelligence t in their community.

Even in slavery and exile, He demanded excellence and personal, family and corporate accountability from the Children of Israel..,

Jeremiah 29:4-14 (NKJV)

⁴ Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon:

⁵ Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. ⁶ Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. ⁷ And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, ^(A)and pray to the Lordfor it; for in its peace you will have peace. ⁸ For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst ^(B)deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. ⁹ For they prophesy ^(C)falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the Lord.

¹⁰ For thus says the Lord: After ^(D)seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to ^(E)return to this place. ¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. ¹² Then you will ^(F)call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will ^(G)listen to you. ¹³ And ^(H)you will seek Me and find Me,when you search for Me ^(I)with all your heart. ^{14 (J)}I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; ^(K)I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.

This article is going to make some people who look like me angry, and make some racists feel justified…and that’s part of the problem.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

TRANSPARENT TESTIMONY THAT I LIKE TO SHARE ON EACH ANNIVERSARY OF MY BLOG.

A few years ago I was sent an invite to receive a monthly Christian newsletter from a group of ministers at a church I used to attend in Memphis.

I have to admit it hurt and offended me that I wasn’t asked to contribute, especially since I was writing professionally for a living. Hey, we all have human moments. Then I asked myself, if they asked me, would I be able to have good content once a month.

Fast forward to 2016 when God leads me to begin my website, BEBLESSTIFIED.COM. I made a commitment to make an original post every day. Since then God has given me inspiration every day. Some days, I can’t believe what God places inside me. I love blogging!

Oh yeah, being ignored at that church led me to the church that God meant for me to be. Had the Pastor not ignored me, I might still be ‘planted in the wrong field’.

I’m saying all this to say, that if God is allowing you to be excluded or ignored…maybe He is leading you down YOUR path, and not someone else’s.

Oh, and by the way, that newsletter is no longer being published.

Thanks for stopping by and…

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.

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You have influence too!

You are anointed too!

You have purpose too!

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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…

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

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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!

 

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How do feel when you give someone a gift from your heart with the intention for it to be a huge blessing to them…and they throw it away?

It hurts us that they thought so little of our gift and can make us angry when they disregard the love with which we gave it.

That’s how God feels when we forsake His Day of Rest. It makes Him so angry that He left behind the example of commanding a man be killed for picking up sticks on His Day of Rest…

Numbers 15:32-36 (NKJV)

³² Now while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. ³³ And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation. ³⁴ They put him under guard, because it had not been explained what should be done to him.

³⁵ Then the Lord said to Moses, “The man must surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” ³⁶ So, as the Lord commanded Moses, all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him with stones, and he died.

Even though God doesn’t require we be stoned to death anymore in the fact that we aren’t under that law, He still expects us to honor His Day of Rest.

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He expects us to continue to make The Lord’s Day holy. That means sanctify and separate it for God. It must be different…

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Exodus 20:8 (NLT)

⁸ “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

Yes, Yeshua said we are free to do good and to do what’s necessary on the Sabbath day…

Luke 14:4-6 (ESV)

⁴ But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. ⁵ And he said to them, “Which of you, having a son^[a] or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?” ⁶ And they could not reply to these things.

However, that doesn’t mean that God permits us to leave an ox in the ditch that fell in there earlier in the week to remove it on God’s Day of Rest.

He doesn’t intend for us to push the ox in the ditch just to remove it.

How many times have you SAVED WORK that could be done another day to do on The Lord’s Day?

How many times have you taken a job or promotion that required you to work on The Lord’s Day when you previous didn’t have to work.

As Disciples of Christ embrace the scripture that asserts we don’t FORSAKE THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES together, let us be just as devout in making sure we DON’T FORSAKE HIS DAY OF REST.

It’s a gift. It’s a weekly holiday. Enjoy it…don’t forsake it.

NOTICE HOW MUCH IT PISSES GOD OFF WHEN WE REFUSE TO REST…

LEARN TO REST IN PEACE BEFORE YOU DIE…

BE BLESSTIFIED!