BE BLESSTIFIED!

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I remember two different conversations with two different ‘professionals’ that said the same thing, and both made me stop and think.

Years ago there was a gentleman who was promoted to be one of the many Vice Presidents of a company at which I worked. He had previously been a director and he lived in the same subdivision as me. He was excited about his new position. A few months later, as we was settling into his role I asked him how were things going. He said, “They are going well. I’m looking for a new house that ‘fits the role'”. Hmmmmm. House that fits the role. The has he was living in was already very nice.

Fast forward to after I entered the profession of education. I was talking to a young man who had recently been promoted to the position of Assistant Principal. In a conversation about what he did over the weekend, he mentioned shopping for another car that ‘looked the part’ and ‘fit the role’.

WHAT DOES ‘LOOK THE PART’ and ‘FIT THE ROLE’ MEAN?

It’s amazing how much emphasis that people in our western culture places on appearances.

Where should an upper level executive live?

What should an administrator in education drive?

How should a preacher dress?

There are people who make a good living crafting the ‘images’ of public figures. However the people who really know them look on and think, ‘who is that’?

Should you be able to tell a person’s role on their job by their vehicles in the parking lot?

Are we that shallow?

Yes.

That’s why people will allow themselves into the slavery of enormous debt because they want to portray a certain image. An image. An image.

Hmmmmm. Portray an image.

If we find ourselves driven to pursue AN IMAGE, we are dangerously close to a subtle form of idolatry. Even if that image is ourselves. Remember, idols don’t all have to be GRAVEN images…

Colossians 3:5 NKJV

⁵ Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

The bible says that borrowers are slaves to those whom they owe…

Proverbs 22:7 (NKJV)

⁷ The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower is servant to the lender.

Both gentlemen mentioned above, even though they were both in nice cars and vehicles, were diving deeper in debt, not because it was something they needed or even wanted…but because of how it looked.

Have you ever made a decision because of how you felt you looked to others? In a sense, it’s chasing emptiness. If you drive past someone in a very expensive car, and they think, WOW! What value did that thought add to your life? If someone visits your huge, elaborately decorated home and tells you, WOW! You’ve done quite well for yourself. It is beautiful! What value did that add to your life?

If you get a promotion based on appearances, does that lead to more and more pressure to keep up this ‘image’ you’ve created for yourself?

When you think about it…it chasing emptiness. It’s chasing wind.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 (NKJV)

¹⁴ I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Be very careful of what image you are working to conform to…

Romans 8:29 (KNJV)

²⁹ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

https://youtu.be/Pvtlt-p7vB4

If anything is an exercise in faith…entrepreneurship is a prime example.

My wife and I opened a beauty supply store in the mid 90’s called Perms Plus. We were in our 20’s. We learned a lot and the business lasted about 3 years.

But, that wasn’t our last entrepreneurial endeavor. In 2015 we decide to invest in our anointing, talent and creativity. We researched how to turn songs I had written into radio-quality recordings and went to work.

We hired an entertainment attorney, producer, publicist, radio promoter, photographer, makeup artist, stylist, and started a publishing company called Al-Go-Rhythm Music to be the machine behind Mechelle Johnson Music. In short, an independent artist is a small business.

While working our music, I purchased my WordPress domain and launched this blog. Since then I’ve invested countless hours and dollars promoting my site hoping to establish BEBLESSTIFIED.COM as a trusted resource for inspiration, edification, exhortation, admonition, entertainment, and hopefully salvation from a fresh, ‘I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT LIKE THAT BEFORE’ perspective.

Both of these efforts are just as much entrepreneurial endeavors as our beauty supply store years ago.

So, when people share their financial resources in response to any independent artist’s or blogger’s work, they aren’t giving to charity, but have received and benefited from a product and service of great value. You are producing God’s intangible tangibles that touch the mind, heart, soul and body.

And, when the music and writing is Christ centered it qualities for the biblical command to support ministry…

1 Corinthians 9:14 (NKJV)

¹⁴ Even so ^(A)the Lord has commanded ^(B)that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

Galatians 6:6 (NKJV)

^{6 (A)}Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

So, any bloggers or indie Gospel artists reading this piece, don’t forget that you are releasing perpetual seeds into the earth that can influence, entertain, encourage and bless people for generations to come. You are working hard and sacrificing your time and money just as any other entrepreneur does.

If someone blesses you financially…you’ve earned it. Just stay focused on the integrity of Gods word in everything you do, and keep working!

Proverbs 3:6 (NKJV)

^{6 (A)}In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall ^[a]direct your paths.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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As I was watching a TV preacher finish his sermon snippet (promo) it’s interesting how he told viewers they could receive the entire sermon series by sending a ‘love gift’. Hmmmm. Love gift? But, if you don’t send the amount requested you can’t get the sermon series. Sounds like a price to me.

I’m just gonna let the Word preach itself.

👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾

1 Timothy 6:5 (NKJV)

^{5 [a]}useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. ^[b]From ^(A)such withdraw yourself.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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Many Christians are quick to proclaim they will die for Christ, but when confronted with day-to-day situations they are silent for fear of losing their job, comfort, convenience or even reputation in ‘the church’.

And, many times, it’s people who call themselves believers who are responsible for firing someone for standing for the cause of Christ.

Think about this. Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael, otherwise known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were exiles in Babylon, slaves, land who were in a sense chosen to serve the King…Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel Chapter 3). When confronted with a choice to go against God commandments or die, they chose what could have been certain death. They didn’t make excuses.

However, people today say…

“Well, God understands.”

“You have to have your your job.”

“God gives you common sense.”

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If God expected Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael and Daniel to refuse to compromise at the risk of death, how do you think He feels about us in regard to remaining silent because we don’t want to lose our jobs?

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Revelation 2:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰ Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

How many times do people compromise their values for an ungodly work culutre?

How many times have people been told don’t speak up or stand publicly for certain issues because or you will be terminated?

I once made a statement in defense of Godly marriage between a man and a woman. More than one person close to me said I should stop doing so because it might prevent my wife’s music, which I wrote, from being played on the radio because of those who live that lifestyle in the industry. When I had a job in corporate America, I was advised to remain silent on certain issues because it could prevent me from being promoted or cause me to be terminated.

If God expected our examples in the bible to be faithful unto death, then I’m quite sure He expects us to be faithful unto termination…and trust Him with what happens.

I’ve even been advised to be very careful about what I write in my blog because it could affect my position as a teacher.

People are quick to say I WILL DIE FOR CHRIST, but prove otherwise when they aren’t even willing to give up comfort and convenience for Him.

Remember what our Lord warned before He went to the cross…

John 16:2 (NKJV)

² They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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I have bought a lottery ticket from time to time. I don’t even think it’s always wrong if you are responsible and faithful in your giving to God (for more on that, please read OKAY, I’LL ‘TAKE A CHANCE’ ON DISCUSSING…IS ALL GAMBLING SIN? ), but that’s not what this post is about.

Like most people, I would enjoy unlimited financial resources. And, it’s not unGodly to be financially established as long as it wasn’t gained in an unGodly manner. Even more so, I want anything that I do well, especially well enough to bless my bless my family financially, to bring honor and glory to His name…and not shame.

God even shows us through the Psalmist that He encourages us to ask Him to bless us with prosperity…

Psalm 118:25 (NKJV)

25 Save now, I pray, O Lord;
O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity.

But, notice that the Psalmist asks that the LORD send that prosperity. Can the LORD bless someone through the chance of the lottery. Well, God can do anything He chooses. However, there many in the Body of Christ, as well as those who aren’t, who are convinced that He wouldn’t.

God told us through the Apostle Paul that even though some things aren’t necessarily wrong, there are some situations when they’re wrong for us…

1 Corinthians 10:23  (NKJV)

23 All things are lawful for me,[a] but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me,[b] but not all things edify.

He also let’s us know that we should be careful of our freedoms that can ‘offend’ someone weaker in the faith.

1 Corinthians 8:9-13  (NKJV)

9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

All that being said, that’s why the more I think about it, the more I don’t want to win BIG in the lottery.

I don’t want anything to steal God’s glory for what happens in my life.

If I’m blessed financially, I want it to be through the gifts He has placed inside me, and through what He releases from me…and I want Him to receive the glory.

God said let those who share the Gospel live of the Gospel. This isn’t a guarantee of riches, but it’s not a curse of poverty either…

If I were to win millions in the lottery, it’s possible that too many would focus on where my money came from rather than my ministry.

If I were to win millions in the lottery, it could weaken the effectiveness of BEBLESSTIFIED.COM, every lesson, every sermon, every song I’ve written…it could weaken my ministry.

And, that’s simply not worth it.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

I was ordained into the ministry back in 1996, and I take my assignment very seriously.

Even though I was ordained in a Baptist church I prefer to be simply referred to as a Disciple of Christ (Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus).

There are many titles by which people address ministers, one of which is Reverend. Personally, I prefer NOT to be called by that title. Here are 5 reasons why.

1. HOLY AND REVEREND IS ‘HIS’ NAME

Psalm 111:9 (KJV)

⁹ He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name

Psalm number 119 in the King James Version states that God’s name is holy and ‘reverend’. The word reverend in the passage comes from the Hebrew word ‘Yare’, which means to fear, revere, be afraid, to stand in awe of, be awed. Neither I nor my name are not to be feared, revered, afraid or in awe of…that is reserved for God. I also know that one definition of blasphemy is putting oneself equal to God, of which is what the Pharisees often falsely accused the Lord. I prefer not for my name nor myself to be made in anyway imply equality to God…especially as a religious title.

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2. GOD WARNED US ABOUT RELIGIOUS TITLES

Yeshua hurled a long list of rebukes and woes at the religious leaders in Matthew 23, one of which directly addressed religious titles…

Matthew 23:6-11 (NKJV)

⁶ They love the ^[a]best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, ⁷ greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ ⁸ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your ^[b]Teacher, ^[c]the Christ, and you are all brethren. ⁹ Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. ¹⁰ And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. ¹¹ But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.

The Lord clearly rebukes the religious leaders concerning being called RABBI, FATHER, or even TEACHER (which could be equated to Dr. today) however we know that even though REVEREND wasn’t a religious title of that day, but originated in the Catholic church that it is still within the context of that rebuke. I have heard some people contend, we call our male parents father, but that’s not a religious title. No matter how we may try to excuse or justify it, it’s still easier to just leave it alone.

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3. THE APOSTLES ONLY REFERRED TO ONE ANOTHER BY NAME

When you read the letters of the Apostles, you will notice how they referred to themselves, one another and other elders and church leaders only by name. They didn’t refer to each other as Apostle, Rabbi, Father, Pope or any other title, but simply by name…

2 Peter 3:15 (NKJV)

¹⁵ and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,

James 1:1 (NKJV)

James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:

Greetings.

Timothy 1 (NKJV)

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,

² To Timothy, a true son in the faith:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Titus 1:4 (NKJV)

⁴ To Titus, a true son in our common faith:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and ^[a]the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

Revelation 1:9 (NKJV)

⁹ I, John, ^[a]both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

I could go on and on, but I invite you to please go back and read through the epistles and notice how the apostles referred to one another and other church leaders…by name only, or brother.

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4. THE APOSTLES REFUSED TO BE ‘WORSHIPED’

Acts 14:11-15 (NKJV)

¹¹ Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” ¹² And Barnabas they called ^[a]Zeus, and Paul, ^[b]Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. ¹³ Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.

¹⁴ But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out ¹⁵ and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,

Acts 10:25-26 (NKJV)

²⁵ As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. ²⁶ But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.”

Even though the bible says that honor should be given to those who are ministers of the Gospel, there is still a thin line between honor and worship. It’s very easy to allow people to ‘feed our egos’ if we aren’t careful. It’s easy for honor and respect to morph into worship.

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5. THE ANGELS DIDN’T ALLOW MEN TO WORSHIP THEM

When John received The Revelation of Yeshua he was in such great awe of the angle that he attempted to bow down to him, but the angel quickly told him NO…

Revelation 19:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰ And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Revelation 22:9 (NKJV)

⁹ Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. ^[a]For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

Yes, the bible says that elders are worthy of double honor, but that doesn’t mean that we should accept that what is reserved for God.

1 Timothy 5:17 (NKJV)

¹⁷ Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

As I said earlier, as much as some leaders can justify being called REVEREND or being put on a pedestal…I would rather just leave it alone.

When you put preachers, pastors, or any leader on a pedestal, you can be discouraged when we prove prove how human we are…when we prove we don’t have it all together. EVEN THE MOST EFFECTIVE LEADERS DON’T ‘HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER’…

What do you think?

BE BLESSTIFIED!