Life can take people down many roads. As those roads are travelled sometimes people can find themselves in sinful or unhealthy relationships. It could be a spouse in an adulterous or a sinfully emotionally connected relationship. It could be a ‘boyfriend/girlfriend relationship. It could be a relationship with the ‘wrong crowd’ or with a person on your job. The bible tells us how we are to choose our relationships…
2 Corinthians 6:14 (NKJV)
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what [a]fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what [b]communion has light with darkness?
Now, that doesn’t mean we don’t interact with people who aren’t believers, but it does means we need to be very careful who we are in close relationship with. When two oxen are ‘yoked’ they are connected and one can’t move forward or turn without the other.
So many times people have tried to end an unholy relationship with a conversation, an explanation, a meeting, an encounter one last communication or connection for ‘closure’. But, what that actually does is draws them back in and keeps them connected.
Trying to end a wrong relationship or even help someone else when you aren’t strong enough can make you stumble…
Galatians 6:1 (NKJV)
6 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
Sinful relationships do not need closure. They ALWAYS need an abrupt end, no communication, no explanation…just STOP, immediately.
The bible teaches us that we are to always be conforming into the image of Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:29 (NKJV)
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.
We conform to His image by emulating His character…His love…His attributes. That’s how we ‘look like Him’.
Unfortunately, the ‘face’ of Christianity has devolved into what is characterized by angry, mean-spirited, insulting, arrogant, and judgmental ‘believers’ who are labeled as ‘evangelicals’. Many, but not all, of these people are impressed by so-called ‘strong words’…threats…profanity…insults…everything that is the exact opposite of the Fruit of His Spirit, and the behavior He demands of all His disciples…
Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 [a]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
They consider what God calls strength, such as gentleness, as weakness and even celebrate and applaud insults and profanity from the mouths of leaders. They consider themselves to be the definitions of patriotism, courage, and Christian character. The character God demands is clear…
James 3:17-18 (NASB)
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, [c]reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, [d]impartial, free of hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace [e]by those who make peace.
The disciples of the early church never called themselves Christians, they were called Christians by outsiders first in Antioch…
Acts 11:26 (NKJV)
26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
THIS IS WHY I’D RATHER BE CALLED A DISCIPLE RATHER THAN AN EVANGELICALS. HERE ARE 2 SIMPLE REASONS…
1. JESUS HIMSELF DESCRIBED HOW WE WOULD BE KNOWN AS HIS ‘DISCIPLES…
John 13:34-35 (NKJV)
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Notice that Jesus said, “As I have loved you”. Go back and look at how He loved us. He had compassion. He healed. He fed. He forgave. He always spoke kind and compassionate words to ‘sinners’ while He always sharply rebuked the ‘religious’ people for their hypocrisy and His disciples when they displayed ‘small faith’. Contrary to how mustard seed faith is depicted as ‘little faith’, it takes great faith for something as small as a mustard seed to grow into something big. From when Jesus calmed the storm in Mark Chapter 4: 35-41 to when He rebuked His disciples in Matthew 17:17, the Savior was always frustrated by ‘little faith’ while He was impressed by ‘great faith’ (Matthew 8:10).
Loving AS He loves us is how we are recognized as He stated…His disciples.
2. MANY OF THOSE WHO ARE KNOWN AS EVANGELICALS HAVE CHANGED THE ‘FACE’ OF ‘CHRISTIANITY’ FROM A SMILE TO A ‘FROWN’…
Those who claim to be evangelicals claim to speak for God, but through their chosen narrative of the scriptures. They are angry, self-righteous, justify pride and arrogance, place more faith in guns and weapons than the power of Yehovha Saboath (The Lord of Hosts), and don’t share the Gospel in love. Jesus told us to be very careful how we carry ourselves among unbelievers…
Colossians 4:5-6 (NKJV)
5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Anyone who can’t share their faith in love needs to keep it to themselves. We draw no one to Christ through the behavior of many of those who call themselves evangelicals.
It (1) takes (2) just (3) as (4) much (5) strength (6) to (7) ask (8) for (9) forgiveness (10) as (11) it (12) does (13) to (14) forgive (15).
It (1) takes (2) just (3) as (4) much (5) strength (6) to (7) ask (8) for (9) forgiveness (10) as (11) it (12) does (13) to (14) forgive (15).
Anyone who has ever hurt someone knows how difficult it is to sometimes admit that you were mean, unreasonable, impossible…that you were wrong.
Many times we assume that it takes more strength to forgive rather than to ask for forgiveness. But, both are selfless acts of denying ourselves and a total rejection of pride.
When we already know that someone has something against us, and we have given them a good reason to feel that way, then God places the responsibility on us to go to them and ask for forgiveness.
Matthew 5:23-24 (NKJV)
23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Sometimes the best way to say I LOVE YOU is saying I’M SORRY. Once you’ve done that in sincerity, the spiritual responsibility shifts from you. ARE YOU EASY TO APOLOGIZE TO…?
The bible teaches us that it’s God that gives us the power, ability, knowledge and strength to get ‘wealth’, and that is very true…
Deuteronomy 8:18 (NKJV)
18 “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may [a]establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
But, how many times have you heard someone say, or said yourself, “I deserved everything that I have because I worked hard for it!”
You planned…
You’ve worked hard…
You’ve sacrificed…
You’ve made good decisions.
You even had great faith.
Let me give you a quick reminder in humility and God’s grace and mercy…
Yes, you definitely ‘earned’ it, but be very careful before you say you deserve it.
Before you say that you deserve your success and influence because of your hard work and effort, think about all of the people who also planned, worked hard, sacrificed, made good decisions, and had great faith…and for whatever reason, things just didn’t work out.
Think about all of the businesses that fail every day.
Think about all of the relationships that fall apart every day.
There are plenty of people who have planned and worked…
Just as hard or harder…
Just as smart or smarter…
Sacrificed just as much and more…
Made decisions that were just as good or better…
And, things just didn’t work out in their favor.
From the macro-economic environment, to social conditions, unforeseen sicknesses and circumstances, there are innumerable reasons why sometimes hard work is not rewarded with success.
And let us not forget about those people who want to work but can’t because of a disability they can’t help.
All in all, it’s only by God’s grace and mercy and His plan for our lives that things, work out as we hope and plan.
Remember…
Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)
9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
Psalm 128:1-4 (NKJV)
Blessed is every one who fears the Lord,
Who walks in His ways.
2 When you eat the [a]labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. 3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table. 4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the Lord.
It’s God’s will for you to enjoy the fruit of your labor, but never forget that any ‘success’ is only through His grace and mercy.
Don’t let the enemy to allow arrogance into your testimony.
If you have ever worked hard, planned well, sacrificed, made great decisions and had great faith, only to have things not work out in your favor, please respond to this post as a testimony. Be humble in your success, and never steal God’s glory, grace and mercy for yourself.
Whether you agree or disagree with President Trump’s leadership style, many of the people who oppose him lead just like he does — as a bully.
I recently had a conversation with a mid-level manager who said she was ‘chewed out’ by upper management to whom she reported.
It just so happens that someone who was lower in the hierarchy overheard the harsh rebuke and expressed that they felt it was totally disrespectful.
I don’t know when it became established in our work culture that harsh, disrespectful correction is ‘managing’.
Too many people allow their emotions to turn them into a compensated bully.
I’ve noticed that whether you agree or disagree with President Trump’s leadership style, many of the people who oppose him lead just like he does — as a bully.
The United States Declaration of Independence asserts that ‘All ‘men’ are created equal’ and endowed by our Creator to the unalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’.
However, many people’s pursuit of happiness is daily undermined by the dread of going to work each day because of managers who are allowed to bully their subordinates. This takes place at every level in organizations from the ‘lowest to the highest’.
Here’s the truth, that no matter what your job title may be, we are all just people who are working to support ourselves or our families, period. We are all equal citizens, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, pursuing our happiness by working.
Every organization has a progression of consequences when expectations are not being met from verbal warnings to termination. These can be administered without emotional, degrading rebukes or public embarrassment. No one enjoys being disrespected or embarrassed. If you’re a manager and you consider yourself to be a disciple of Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ, this is where He reminds us to…
Luke 6:31 (NKJV)
31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
If you are a Christian and you have people who report to you (civilian or military), don’t let your emotions turn you into a compensated bully.
Managers…
Directors…
Principals…
Superintendents…
CEO’s…
Vice Presidents…
Presidents…
Foremen…
Mayors…
Governors…
Sargents…
Lieutenants…
Generals…
Doctors…
Nurses…
And, yes…Pastors.
A person’s level of respect should never be determined by their job title or job description.
Here is God’s expectation…
Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 [a]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Luke 3:14 (NKJV)
14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?”
So he said to them, “Do not [a]intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”
Galatians 6:1 (NKJV)
Brethren, if a man is [a]overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
HERE’S WHEN THE BIBLE DOES ALLOW SHARP, OPEN REBUKE…
Notice, that the word of God allows sharp rebuke when LEADERS ARE BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
1 Timothy 5:19-20 (NKJV)
19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. 20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.
You don’t hear this preached much do you? The bible says that leaders, not followers should be rebuked openly.
However, when leaders administer discipline, it must be done within the context of “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.“
Sometimes we have to forgive the same sin against us over and over not because they did it again…
But, because when we think about what they did we still feel angry over and over again.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. God made us and knows we are made of weak flesh…
Psalm 103:14 (ESV)
14 For he knows our frame;[a] he (A)remembers that we are dust.
But, He still expects us to continue to forgive again when the thought of what they did feels our hearts with pain, anger, shame and a desire for revenge…
Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV)
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
It’s one thing to forgive someone ‘seven times seventy times’ when they do it again and again. But, it’s another to continue to forgive them in your heart when they have truly repented but the pain and anger comes and goes.
Don’t backslide in your forgiveness to them!
I know it’s hard, but you can do it.
1 John 4:4 (NKJV)
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than (A)he who is in the world.
I’m a middle aged dude and comfortable in my role and season of life.
I frequently see ads targeting my demographic trying to sell the benefits of boosting testosterone. They claim enhanced energy, vitality, muscle growth and yes, libido.
They claim to restore testosterone to teenage levels.
There’s only one problem.
Teenage-level testosterone is not natural for a middle-aged man. Just like any medicine, there may be unwanted side-affects for a man to have an unnatural level of testosterone for his age.
People use the ‘God created it, so it must be good’ argument for many things, including marijuana. But, even if there are medicinal benefits to ‘weed’ that doesn’t mean it was meant for recreational use.
The natural sugar in fruit juice can still be harmful if it’s consumed in large amounts. Even an overactive immune system, meant to protect us, can be deadly.
The Bible teaches us to use moderation in what we place in our bodies, even wine…
1 Timothy 5:23 (NKJV)
23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent [a]infirmities.
Take care of yourself and your body which is the temple of the Living God. Be careful of everything you allow to enter your body.
As the year 2020 comes to a close, we are all hopeful for 2021.
However, we must remember the God doesn’t ‘go by’ our Gregorian calendar.
Think about how many preachers and pastors made optimistic, ’20/20 Vision’ predictions at the beginning of the year this time last year..
While we are all ‘absorbing the blow’ from 2020’s horrible ‘gut punch’, we must accept the fact that it may only be the beginning of challenging times.
There is no guarantee all of the difficulties of 2020 will suddenly stop on what we call New Year’s Day.
The bible clearly tells us there will be an escalation in evil and difficult days before the return of Christ.
From the book of Daniel, to Matthew Chapter 24, to 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2, to The Revelation…God warns us that things will get better before they get worse.
Unfortunately, even people who claim to be believers dig deeper into their pride, arrogance, traditions, compromise, idolatry of ‘patriotism and nationalism’, point fingers and blame (remember, God calls the devil ‘the accuser’), and are impressed by the very opposite of the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). And, those who don’t believe dig deeper into their unbelief and presumptuous sins…we are all sinners saved by grace, and all have things of which we need to repent.
So remember this, God has always protected those who call themselves His through obedience and repentance on a family level…
Exodus 12:7-14 (NKJV)
7 And they shall take some of the blood and put iton the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. 8 Then they shall eat the flesh on that (A)night; (B)roasted in fire, with (C)unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Do not eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but (D)roasted in fire—its head with its legs and its entrails. 10 (E)You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire. 11 And thus you shall eat it: [a]with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. (F)It is the Lord’s Passover.
12 ‘For I (G)will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and (H)against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: (I)I am the Lord. 13 Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
Leviticus 26:40-42 (NKJV)
40 ‘But if they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers, with their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me, and that they also have walked contrary to Me,
41 and that I also have walked contrary to them and have brought them into the land of their enemies;
if their uncircumcised hearts are humbled, and they accept their guilt—
42 then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and My covenant with Isaac and My covenant with Abraham I will remember;
I will remember the land.
Isaiah 26:19-21 (NKJV)
19 Your dead shall live; Together with[a]my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; For your dew is like the dew of herbs, And the earth shall cast out the dead.
20 Come, my people, enter your chambers, And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past. 21 For behold, the Lord comes out of His place To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; The earth will also disclose her [b]blood, And will no more cover her slain.
Joshua 24:15 (NKJV)
15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of [a]the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NKJV)
But know this, that (A)in the last days [a]perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, [b]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 (B)traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 (C)having a form of godliness but (D)denying its power. And (E)from such people turn away!
No matter how bad things get…
No matter what plagues and pestilences ravage the world…
No matter what political, social or economic upheaval may come…
No matter what catastrophic natural disasters threaten us…
No matter what wars arise…
No matter what perilous times challenge us…our homes and families CAN be covered through our faith in God through Yeshua the Messiah, obedience and repentance.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
14 if My people who are (A)called by My name will (B)humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, (C)then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
We are responsible for our own family’s protection in both the physical and spiritual world…no matter what happens around us…
Psalm 46:1-3 (NKJV)
46 God is our (B)refuge and strength, (C)A[a] very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the [b]midst of the sea; 3 (D)Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
Revelation 12:10-12 (NKJV)
10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 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. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”
Whether you believe in pre-, during, or post-tribulation return of Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ…the stage is clearly being set now.
BE BLESSTIFIED! 