The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create areas of division in the United States and around the world.

One of the most recent hot topics is that many parents say it’s their right as to whether or not their child should wear a mask in school.

It’s interesting that some parents don’t stop and think that ‘parent choice’ works both ways.

What if another parent chooses that they don’t want their child in a classroom, or sitting next to an unmasked child?

What makes one ‘group’ of parents think their rights are more valid? What makes some feel choice skews to their perspective.

The key to conflict resolution is COMMON GROUND.

The problem is that too many people on both sides of the issue don’t want it.

Amos 3:3 (NKJV)

³ Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?

If God is willing to reason with us…

If God is willing to find common ground with us…

We should work harder at finding it with each other.

Isaiah 1:18-20 (NKJV)

¹⁸ “Come now, and let us ^(A)reason together,”
Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
^(B)They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
¹⁹ If you are willing and obedient,
You shall eat the good of the land;
²⁰ But if you refuse and rebel,
You shall be devoured by the sword”;
^(C)For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

• 

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

You can love someone and disagree with their lifestyle, behavior and decisions.

It happens all the time in families. It happens among people who love one another deeply.

We all have different sins with which we struggle, even those who call themselves disciples Christ.

Yet, we also have the responsibility of holding one another accountable and warning those who aren’t a part of the Body of Christ.

Calling out a lifestyle of fornication, adultery, gluttony, greed, pride or homosexuality isn’t a PHOBIA or fear or judging …it’s our responsibility.

If someone disagrees with someone else living a vegan lifestyle… that’s not VEGANPHOBIA.

If someone disagrees with someone else living a promiscuous lifestyle… that’s not PROMISCUPHOBIA.

If someone disagrees with someone else regularly smoking marijuana… that’s not WEEDPHOBIA.

Don’t misdiagnose someone because they disagree with you.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NKJV)

⁹ Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. ^(A)Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor ^[a]homosexuals, nor ^[b]sodomites, ¹⁰ nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

Remember, Yeshua the Messiah was accused of being a drunk, glutton and blasphemer.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

There’s a day that I don’t remember,

that keeps coming to my mind.

It’s not a daydream.

It’s not a memory…

But, it’s there from time to time.

A smell I don’t remember…

A song heard years ago…

The most beautiful childhood afternoon…

I desperately again want to know.

But, just before I can grasp the images

of that wonderful day.

The day I don’t remember, quickly fades away.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Nothing deep, profound or complex here. This is just a reminder or revelation that…

There’s always someone who has forgiven not only what you consider to be unforgivable, but also something much worse than what you refuse to forgive. And, God holds us all to the same level of accountability.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NKJV)

³¹ Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, ^[a]clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. ³² And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Situations such as this is when this verse is most applicable and powerful…

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

¹³ I can do all things ^(A)through ^[a]Christ who strengthens me.

One more thing. When God forgives us when we sin against Him, and truly repent…He remains in relationship with us.

This is not minimizing the pain of what someone did to hurt you, just reminding that God expects you to forgive it, especially if you want your sins forgiven.

Matthew 6:14-16 (NKJV)

¹⁴ “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

When you’re pursuing your God-given purpose,

When you’re loving and forgiving,

When you’re sharing God’s love, it frustrates the devil.

But, he has absolutely no power over your life except that what God allows…

 Job 1:12 (NKJV)

 ¹² And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your ^[a]power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”

So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

God gets glory out of our lives when we overcome the devil, just as He did when He allowed the enemy to have temporary access to Job.

He bragged on Job, and sometimes God is bragging on you…

Job 1:8  (NKJV)

⁸ Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you ^[a]considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and ^[b]shuns evil?”

That’s why sometimes frustrations come from nowhere…

Frustrations to your health…

Frustrations to your finances…

Frustrations in your relationships…

Frustrations on your jobs…

Those aches and pains. That boil on your behind. That person who has been frustrating you in traffic for the past 20 miles. That co-worker who continues to conspire against you. Those people who are insensitive, inconsiderate and unapologetic.

The devil see’s when you’re not letting those frustrations get to you. So, he sends another frustration…and another…and another, until God tells Him, “That’s enough!”

The enemy knows He has no real power over your life, so those frustrations are just him ‘giving you the finger’…

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He’s flipping you off because you’ve pissed him off.

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So, don’t let him get the best of you! Keep your cool. Praise God. And, let God get glory out of your story.

More BE BLESSTIFIED articles about the devil:

7 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PISS THE DEVIL OFF TODAY…

WHEN THE DEVIL GET’S ‘THE BEST OF YOU’…

WHY THE DEVIL IS NOT A PYROMANIAC…

DON’T ASK GOD TO LEAVE TO INVITE IN A DEMON (Short & to the Point)…

TRADITIONS FROM HELL…

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

 

One of the devil’s favorite tactics is to pervert that which is holy. He convinces us to defile what is supposed to be dedicated to God by perverting its holy intent.

Godly sex is perverted by fornication, adultery and homosexuality. YES/NO: HOMOSEXUALITY & OTHER SINS IN THE CHURCH…

Forgiveness is perverted by turning it into a selfish act when we claim, “It’s not for them, it’s to free you.” LET’S TALK ABOUT WHEN FORGIVENESS IS REDUCED TO A SELFISH ACT…

And, fasting is perverted by our motivations.

Fasting is a tool God has given us to draw closer to Him. It’s a tool He has given us to overcome the desires of our flesh. It’s a tool God has given us to intercede for others.

However, many times we reduce it to a selfish act when we want to use it as a means to manipulate God to doing what we want.

Notice what God says about fasting in Zechariah and Isaiah…

Zechariah 7:4-5 (NKJV)

⁴ Then the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying, ⁵ “Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me—for Me?

Isaiah 55:3-5 (NKJV)

³ ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen?
Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’

“In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure,
And ^[a]exploit all your laborers.
⁴ Indeed you fast for strife and debate,
And to strike with the fist of wickedness.
You will not fast as you do this day,
To make your voice heard on high.
⁵ Is it a fast that I have chosen,
A day for a man to afflict his soul?
Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush,
And to spread out sackcloth and ashes?
Would you call this a fast,
And an acceptable day to the Lord?

⁶ “Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the ^[b]heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?
⁷ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are ^[c]cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
⁸ Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
⁹ Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’

“If you take away the yoke from your midst,
The ^[d]pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,

Yeshua warned about fasting to ‘APPEAR’ holy…

Matthew 6:16-18 (NKJV)

¹⁶ “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the ^[a]hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ¹⁷ But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you ^[b]openly.

Fasting is a powerful tool to enhance our relationships with God and be a blessing to others. Don’t let the devil influence you to reducing it to a selfish act.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

When Jesus’ eyelids grew heavy

From carrying the weight of the world…

Did He dream…

…of returning to His heavenly home?

…that everyone would accept His precious gift?

Did He fantasize about the joys of a wife and family?

Did He dream of salvation without the cross?

Or, were His nightmares that He would be left down here in this mess?

If we felt it…He felt it.

As we were tempted…He was tempted.

If we endured it…The Lord endured it.

When He submitted Himself to the weakness of our flesh…

He had to hunger.

He had to thirst.

He had to hurt.

He had to hope.

He had to dream…

What do you think the Son of God dreamed about?

You? Me? Eternity?

 Hebrews 4:15 (NKJV)

15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

We must love God  for who He is, not what He can do.

Can He heal? Yes!

Can He deliver? Yes!

Can He restore your marriage? Yes!

Can He make a way out of no way? Of course!

But, those aren’t the only reasons we should come to Jesus, or tell people to come to Him. Who wants to be in relationship with someone only because of what you can do for them? We need to make sure that our prayers aren’t only about us, but that we consistently intercede for others.

We even need to be careful of how we teach giving, and why we give. I hear so many people say, “give so you can be blessed”. If that’s your only reason for giving, then that’s giving selfishly. We need to give so we can be a blessing, to fund Kingdom work, and out of obedience, not just so we can be blessed. We must also make sure we aren’t serving God only for personal glory because when we do we already have our reward (Matthew 6:2).

In John 6, the multitude followed Jesus after He fed over 5000, He told them that they followed Him not because of the signs they saw, but because they were filled with food. Jesus told them don’t labor for what is temporary, for what’s eternal. Read this entire powerful chapter (John 6) for context.

When people come to church, pray, serve God or give for what’s temporary, or carnal reasons, one of three things can happen…

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God moves on their behalf and they leave…

God doesn’t move fast enough, and they leave…

…or we church people just run them away.

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We must come to God and encourage people to come to God for SALVATION and for a real RELATIONSHIP with Him. And, must we must examine ourselves daily to make sure we are in relationship with God because we love Him…that we aren’t just USING Him for what we can get out of Him.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

We were all created in God’s image, which means we are able to have His character… His attributes… His emotions.

One of those emotions is hatred.

God hates evil. He hates evil behavior. He hates sin. He hates the works of the devil.

God hates sin, but He loves the sinner.

He hates the behavior and not the person.

What if we directed our hatred to what God hates instead of towards each other?

Think of how much enemy we waste hating each other.

Think of how many people we hate but won’t admit to ourselves that we do.

How much stress can we relieve hating what God allows us to hate?

The enemy…

Sin…

Poverty…

Homelessness…

Oppression…

Pride…

Arrogance…

Complaining…

Do a study of the things that God hates.

Ask Him to help you direct your hatred where it belongs.

THINGS IT’S OKAY WITH GOD FOR US TO HATE ABOUT PEOPLE…

WHY GOD HATES ‘BIGG BUTTS’…

7 REASONS GOD HATES COMPLAINING…

WHO HAS THE DEVIL CONVINCED YOU TO HATE (BUT YOU WON’T ADMIT IT TO YOURSELF)…

Proverbs 6:16-19 (NKJV

¹⁶ These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to ^[a]Him:
¹⁷ A^[b] proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
¹⁸ A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
¹⁹ A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.

Psalm 97:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰ You who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the souls of His saints;
He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

BEBLESSTIFIED!

In my life I’ve received the best and worst of every race equally.

It just proves that you can’t trust anyone simply based on race, but only as they submit to the love, word and will of God through Jesus Christ.

That’s what Jesus did…

John 2:24-25 (NLT)

²⁴ But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people. ²⁵ No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Remember when Yeshua fed over 5000 people with just two fish and five loaves of bread that they had more left over than what they had in the beginning…
Matthew 14:13-21 (NKJV)

¹³ When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. ¹⁴ And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. ¹⁵ When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.”

¹⁶ But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

¹⁷ And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”

¹⁸ He said, “Bring them here to Me.” ¹⁹ Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. ²⁰ So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.

The LORD performed this miracle so they would have over flow from what seemed to be not enough.

So many times in our lives we may feel that we don’t have ‘enough’.

But, we need to…

1. Be thankful for what God has provided.
2. Pray for the wisdom to effectively manage what He had provided.
3. Have the discipline to manage what God has provided according to His wisdom.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

I have 3 children adult children, who of course, don’t always get along perfectly. Siblings disagree and the bible confirms that. Joseph of Genesis brothers disliked him. Jacob and Esau were rivals over the family blessing and birthright. Even David, a man after God’s own heart, had children who were not only rivals, but extremely dysfunctional.

My children and I’m quite certain your children or you and your siblings, if you have them, are no different.

There have been times that my children have claimed that my wife and I were not being fair toward one of them relative to one of them, or the other two. They have each compared what we do or don’t do for each of them to one another.

My response…

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God isn’t ‘fair’ with His children. God does what He pleases or doesn’t do as He pleases for His own reasons.

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I can’t explain why one person has a terminal illness, and another rarely ever has a sick day. I can’t complain why everything one person touches turns to gold, while there are other devout Christians live in a country with no clean water or infrastructure for things to get better anytime soon. However, many times this type of poverty is an opportunity for those who are blessed more materially to be obedient and do good to ‘the least of them’ (Matthew 25).

But, look at what Jesus said in a sense about ‘fairness’ in the bible…

 Luke 4:24-27(NKJV)

²⁴ Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. ²⁵ But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; ²⁶ but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath,^[a] in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. ²⁷ And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”

God used the prophet Elijah to help the widow in Zarephath, however there were many others who didn’t receive help. There were many with leprosy in those days, but Jesus declares only Naaman was healed. Were either of these situations ‘fair’?

Have you ever looked at t he lives of others and felt that God wasn’t being fair to you? It may seem others are being blessed, some who you feel may not ‘deserve’ blessing as much as you. It may seem that others are being healed. It may seem that others who are a lot less sincere are doing a lot better than you.

You may not say it out loud, you may feel God is being unfair.

You may not say it out loud, you may even be jealous of your Christian brother and sisters…

Family…

Marriage…

‘Success’…

Children…

Health…

Influence…

Ministry…

You may even to begin to consider them your rival, placing yourself in some unspoken competition with them. This can cause great dysfunction in the Body of Christ.

Remember, that just as a parent loves all their children, God loves all of His. But, also remember that just as each of your children are not the same, neither are all of God’s.

Sometimes God lets us see how He feels through our relationships. We can compare our frustration with our children with His frustration with us. After all, we were all made in His image.

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Rather than hear a random complaint from your child about how unfair you are, wouldn’t you rather hear a random, “THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR ME”?

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So, the next time you think that God is being unfair to you. The next time you find yourself complaining about how He is treating one of your ‘siblings’… stop and thank Him for how good He is to you. Thank Him for what He IS doing in your life. Thank Him for what He is protecting you from. Thanks

BE BLESSTIFIED!

We all notice the unmistakable silence of Yeshua, Christ Jesus from 12 years of age until 30.

Luke 2:41-52 (NKJV)

⁴¹ His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. ⁴² And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. ⁴³ When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother^[a] did not know it;⁴⁴ but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. ⁴⁵ So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. ⁴⁶ Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. ⁴⁸ So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” ⁴⁹ And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” ⁵⁰ But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. ⁵¹ Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

I have heard and read much speculation and conjecture as to what happened during that time. There are even apocryphal accounts (Book of Thomas) of events that took place when Jesus was young. However, I think there is enough information given to us in Matthew 13 and John 2 to let us know that nothing miraculous happened. That, after amazing the teachers when He was twelve years old, Jesus went back to being an ‘apparently’ very good boy and young man. No Jesus didn’t sin. His ‘goodness’ ( much like Joseph in Genesis) could have led to His brothers’ initial unbelief and antagonism…

John 7:5-7 (NKJV)

⁵ For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

⁶ Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. ⁷ The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.

Think about what is reported in Matthew 13 when Jesus was rejected in His hometown of Nazareth…

Matthew 13:53-58 (NKJV)

⁵³ Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there. ⁵⁴ When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? ⁵⁵ Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses,^[a] Simon, and Judas? ⁵⁶ And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?” ⁵⁷ So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” ⁵⁸ Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

…If Jesus had spent His youth sharing His wisdom and His supernatural powers, the people of His town would not have wondered ‘where did this man get this wisdom?’. They would have known He was unique among His half-brothers and sisters. They would have recognized Him beyond being ‘Joseph’s son’ and a carpenter. They were around Jesus every day as He grew and would not have been surprised at His wisdom if He had revealed that He was special after 12 years of age.

In fact, this implies to me that Jesus spent His teenage years and twenties doing the work of a carpenter while He and Mary held His divinity in their hearts.

As Jesus said at the wedding in Cana after His first miracle, His time had not yet come. And, yes John Chapter 2 confirms that turning the water to wine was Jesus’ first miracle. So no miracles could have happened before that.

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The fact that Mary was anxious for Jesus to do something about the wine dilemma at the wedding could imply that she was ready for Him to ‘get the show started’.

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She hadn’t even told her other children about their Holy brother. We all know how hard it can be to hold some things in our hearts. How hard it can be to keep a huge secret…especially one this big.

John 2:1-12  (NKJV)

2 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. ² Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. ³ And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” ⁴ Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” ⁵ His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” ⁶ Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. ⁷ Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. ⁸ And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. ⁹ When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. ¹⁰ And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” ¹¹ This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

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PROTECTED BY ANONYMITY?

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We all know how the enemy used Herod to kill baby boys Jesus’ age killed trying to prevent the prophecy from being fulfilled. God very well could have been protecting Jesus in anonymity to protect Him and His identity until His time had come.

Matthew 2:16-18 (NKJV)

¹⁶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. ¹⁷ Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:

¹⁸ “A voice was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children,
Refusing to be comforted,
Because they are no more.”^[a]

God’s wisdom goes beyond our desire to know what happened before Jesus began His earthly ministry. As I said earlier, we can speculate and guess, but that is all it is…guessing and speculation.

Besides, what’s most important is what happened after Jesus began His earthly ministry. His occupation was carpenter but His calling and purpose was SAVIOR.

Jesus’ silent years are one of the greatest lessons in the wisdom of God doing all things in HIS OWN TIMING. And, that we should relate this lesson to our own lives. Even the Son of God didn’t begin His purpose before it was time.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

 

 

 

 

When an atheist loves or does good, is it from God?

Is a spiritual truth from another faith still wisdom from God, even though it may not be attributed to the one true God?

The fact of the matter is there are some atheists and people of other faiths more loving, friendly and generous than many of us Christians.

We were all made in God’s image. God IS love, and any love that is in us is from Him. Just because some people don’t attribute that love to Him doesn’t mean it doesn’t come from Him. Love definitely cannot come from the devil.

Genesis 1:27 (NKJV)

²⁷ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

But, being made in God’s image doesn’t mean that we look like Him physically because He is a spirit.

John 4:24 (NKJV)

²⁴ God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

In fact, Jesus represents our invisible Father in bodily form…

Colossians 1:15 (NKJV)

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Colossians 2:8-9(NKJV)

⁸ Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹ For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

But, being made in His image means we look like Him spiritually. It means we can have His character…His heart…His attributes…His mind.

1 Corinthians 2:16 (NKJV)

¹⁶ For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?”^[a] But we have the mind of Christ.

It means we can love like Him. We can hurt like Him. We can be angry like Him. We can feel like Him.

He gives EVERYONE of us a measure of faith…

Romans 12:3

³ For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

He also gave us free will, and because of that free will, some choose place that faith in idol Gods…other religions…themselves…or no one at all.

It’s just like a son who looks just like His father but resents and rejects him saying, “You’re not my father!” “I look nothing like you!”

Consider this verse…

Romans 2: 14-16

14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

Anyone’s ability to love and do good comes from God, even if they don’t believe in Him, it still originates from Him.

Also, since God is all-knowing, and the source of all knowledge…then even the wisdom of other religions is still from God. They just don’t attribute it to Him….

Romans 1:20-23 (NKJV)

²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Just because that same son we mentioned earlier doesn’t want to admit that he inherited his intelligence or talents from his father or mother, doesn’t mean that he didn’t.

It’s evident in everything the son does, he proves he came from his parents, he proves they exist or existed…whether he admits it or not.

So, when unbelievers love. When someone of another faith speaks wisdom. When either of them are generous…it still comes from God. They are still created in His image. They just don’t give Him credit as the source.

For example, the wisdom behind ‘karma’ is still the same Godly knowledge of ‘reaping what you sow’…

Galatians 6:7-9(NKJV)

⁷ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

When you hear truth coming from an atheist or someone of another faith…the fact that they don’t believe in the one true and living God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ doesn’t prevent it from being truth…in fact, they are proving God is real.

It is our responsibility to convince them to give their measure of faith to God.

BE BLESSTIFIED!!!

“Sheep!

“Sheeple”

It’s amazing to see how many Christians hurl these words at one another as an insult.

They say this implying someone is blindly following some ‘pied piper’ without any intelligence (especially politically), while they can’t see themselves doing the very same thing they are accusing others of…following some person, group, party or ideology.

These terms SHEEP and SHEEPLE are also used by atheists when attempting to insult Christians.

However, they don’t realize they are telling the truth. I’m glad to be one of Yeshua the Messiah’s ‘SHEEP’.

John 10:11-15 NKJV

^{11 (A)}“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. ¹² But a ^[a]hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and ^(B)leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. ¹³ The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. ¹⁴ I am the good shepherd; and ^(C)I know My sheep,and ^(D)am known by My own. ^{15 (E)}As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; ^(F)and I lay down My life for the sheep.

Matthew 25:31-46 NKJV

^{31 (A)}“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the ^[a]holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. ^{32 (B)}All the nations will be gathered before Him, and ^(C)He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. ³³ And He will set the ^(D)sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. ³⁴ Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, ^(E)inherit the kingdom^(F)prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ^{35 (G)}for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; ^(H)I was a stranger and you took Me in; ³⁶ I was ^(I)naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; ^(J)I was in prison and you came to Me.’

⁴¹ “Then He will also say to those on the left hand,^(L)‘Depart from Me, you cursed, ^(M)into the everlasting fire prepared for ^(N)the devil and his angels: ⁴² for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

⁴⁴ “Then they also will answer ^[b]Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ ⁴⁵ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, ^(O)inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ ⁴⁶ And ^(P)these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

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And apparently, King David was honored to be one of God’s sheep.

Psalm 23 NKJV

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is ^(A)my shepherd;
^(B)I shall not ^[a]want.
^{2 (C)}He makes me to lie down in ^[b]green pastures;
^(D)He leads me beside the ^[c]still waters.
³ He restores my soul;
^(E)He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of ^(F)the shadow of death,
^(G)I will fear no evil;
^(H)For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

⁵ You ^(I)prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You ^(J)anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will ^[d]dwell in the house of the Lord
^[e]Forever.

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So, if someone calls you a SHEEP, they are most likely ignoring the fact they are following some ‘shepherd’ themselves.

And, if someone calls me a sheep I will quickly say, “THAT’S RIGHT, AND THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD!”

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!

• 

• 

• 

Sex is a gift from God. Even though it’s the means He intended for us to be fruitful and multiply, it is also meant to be enjoyed within the bonds of holy matrimony between a man and a woman.

Our bodies with their various curves, shapes, textures, contrast of colors, smells etc., are meant to provoke sexual arousal. It’s up to us to control these urges so that they are only fulfilled within marriage.

One of those divine combinations of curves, shapes, textures, and contrast of colors is the female breast.

Yes, these were created for mothers to make sure their children are nourished, but that’s not all.

They were also created for the mutual pleasure of the husband and the wife. Breasts were created:

As a means of seducing her husband…

For her pleasure during times of intimacy…

To be aesthetically pleasing to entice her husband…

For his enjoyment during times of intimacy…

The fact is that even though God created female breasts to nurse their children, that boobs aren’t just for the babies. Check out these bible verses about female breasts and intimacy within marriage.

Proverbs 5:18-19  (NKJV)

¹⁸ Let your fountain be blessed,
And rejoice with the wife of your youth.
¹⁹ As a loving deer and a graceful doe,
Let her breasts satisfy you at all times;
And always be ^[a]enraptured with her love.

Song of Solomon 1:12-13  (NKJV)

¹² While the king is at his table,
My ^[a]spikenard sends forth its fragrance.
¹³ A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me,
That lies all night between my breasts.

Song of Solomon 4:4-5  (NKJV)

⁴ Your neck is like the tower of David,
Built for an armory,
On which hang a thousand ^[a]bucklers,
All shields of mighty men.
⁵ Your two breasts are like two fawns,
Twins of a gazelle,
Which feed among the lilies

Song of Solomon 7:2-3, 8(NKJV)

² Your navel is a rounded goblet;
It lacks no ^[a]blended beverage.
Your waist is a heap of wheat
Set about with lilies.
³ Your two breasts are like two fawns,
Twins of a gazelle.

Song of Solomon 7:8  (NKJV)

⁸ I said, “I will go up to the palm tree,
I will take hold of its branches.”
Let now your breasts be like clusters of the vine,
The fragrance of your ^[a]breath like apples,

Song of Solomon 8:10  (NKJV)

¹⁰ I am a wall,
And my breasts like towers;
Then I became in his eyes
As one who found peace.

Hebrews 13:4 (NKJV)

⁴ Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

1 Corinthians 7:2-5 (NLT)

² But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband.

³ The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. ⁴ The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife.

⁵ Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

So, couples enjoy one another, and may your marriages…

BE BLESSTIFIED!

You may also enjoy these BE BLESSTIFIED articles on Godly marriage…

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

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

4 SIMPLE THINGS THAT CAN MAKE YOUR MARRIAGE BETTER IMMEDIATELY…

GODLY MARRIAGE: YOU CAN’T GET ROMANTIC WITH A HYMNAL…

MARRIAGE ADVICE: IT’S YOUR DIFFERENCES THAT MAKE YOU A PERFECT FIT…

BE BLESSTIFIED!

• 

What do people say when confronted with doing what God expects of them or has called them to do?

Why don’t you go to church?

Let’s go feed the homeless.

Let’s go visit and minister people in prison and hospitals…

Why don’t you give the firstfruits of all your increase to God?

Usually before we make an excuse, we usually give a big BUT…

“I would, BUT the people in church aren’t right themselves…”

“I would, BUT those homeless people will just spend it on drugs, cigarettes and alcohol…”

“I would, BUT I can’t afford to…”

“I would, BUT I don’t have time to visit…”

“I would, BUT my kids have sports…”

Yeshua, Christ Jesus, gave us a parable to illustrate how much He hates our excuses. He let us know how much He hates our BIG BUTS…

Luke 14:18-24 (NKJV)

¹⁸ BUT they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ ¹⁹ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ ²⁰ Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ ²¹ So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the ^[a]maimed and the lame and the blind.’ ²² And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ ²³ Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. ²⁴ For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’ ”

Notice that each of these excuses addressed the same excuses we give today.

BUSINESS. WORK. CAREER

“I bought a piece of ground…”

“I bought a yoke of oxen…”

SPOUSE. CHILDREN. FAMILY

“I have married a wife…

These excuses made the master of the house (Jesus) angry. So, He invited the very people who those who were initially invited were called to serve instead.

He then said those who makes excuses and rejected His invitation will not ‘taste His supper’ (will not enter His Kingdom).

Jesus hates our excuses! However, the enemy loves our BIG BUTS! He loves our excuses.
 

Don’t let your BIG BUT keep you out of the Kingdom of God!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

When Jesus began His earthly ministry. He challenged the theology of the establishment. He didn’t challenge their belief in God…He challenged their system and WHY they believed what they believed. Many Christians don’t know why they believe much of what they do.  He came to fulfill the letter of the law with love. In fact, when accused of eating and keeping company with sinners, Jesus told them they need to reevaluate how they interpreted the scriptures…

Matthew 9:13 (NKJV)

¹³ But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’^[a] For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”^[b]

In Matthew Chapter 23 Jesus sharply rebukes the religious leaders for their blatant legalism, and forcing people to observe statutes not necessarily given by God.

Even today, there are some things that the church really frowns upon…drinking alcohol, smoking, getting high, and yes…gambling.

Most Christians will be quick to tell you that gambling is a sin, and I’m not necessarily saying that it’s not. In fact, let me make this disclaimer…

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THIS POST DOES NOT CONDONE OR JUSTIFY GAMBLING!

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We do, however, need to be able to have an intelligent, godly discussion about some of the more difficult subjects that aren’t specifically addressed in the bible and ask ourselves how much conjecture has gone into the conclusions we draw about those subjects…one of which is gambling.

Gambling is one of those subjects that when someone sincerely asks a question seeking the truth…sometimes one or all of the following occurs:

• We find it is not specifically addressed in the bible.
• We can try to reeeeaaaaaachhhh to make scriptures apply to the subject that may or may not do so to support our theology.
• We will say that certain scriptures apply a particular subject or behavior that we want to label as SIN, while saying the same scriptures don’t apply to a similar or identical subject or behavior that we want to justify.

Have you ever been asked a bible question, and when you couldn’t find that perfect scripture that you really wanted to use to address it…you picked one or more and ‘made them fit’?

This often discredits us when we’re attempting to either lead people to Christ or help them grow in their faith.

Remember, Jesus and later the apostles constantly challenged the religious establishment on what and why the believed.

So, that being said, I want to briefly and honestly address…

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Why is GAMBLING is considered to be a sin?

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I’m a minister, and I’m quite familiar with most of the scriptures that we use to support gambling as a sin, Here are just a few…

Luke 12:15 (NKJV)

¹⁵ And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness (greed),^[a] for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

This implies that all gambling is greed. (I’ve used this one)

1 Timothy 6:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

This implies that all gambling is rooted in the love of money and greed. (I’ve used this one too)

Psalm 1:1 (NKJV)

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

This is often used (yep, I’ve used this one too) to imply that all places where gambling takes place, such as casinos, are evil.

There are plenty of scholarly resources available if you want to investigate this further yourself (and I encourage you to do so), or you can do a simple google search.

So, what is gambling?

There are no good examples of gambling in the bible, however there are examples of people casting lots (dice) to make decisions. This is how the apostles chose a replacement for Judas (Acts 1:26). However, this was before the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is who we’re supposed to rely on for guidance.

So what is gambling?

Dictionary.com defines gambling as (1) the activity or practice of playing a game of chance for money or other stakes. (2) the act or practice of risking the loss of something important by taking a chance or acting recklessly.

But, the apostle Paul asserts in 1 Corinthians 6:12 that we are free to do many things, as long as we aren’t brought under the power of them. However, the context of this verse is in a discussion of sins that the bible DOES address directly…(fornication, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, sodomy, thievery, covetousness, getting drunk etc..)

However, even though getting drunk is a sin…drinking a glass of wine isn’t as pointed out in 1 Timothy 5:23 and in my article… ( PLEASE DON’T ‘TRIP’ OVER A GLASS OF WINE – ALL THINGS IN MODERATION…). Some things aren’t a sin unless we do them in excess, or if we let them have dominion over us. This is addressed well in Romans Chapter 14. We should avoid anything that we can’t control.

So, if someone gambles in moderation merely for enjoyment, and if there is some positive benefit (such as a lottery helping to fund roads or education) does that make it okay? Hmmmm?

Before you write me off, also consider this…According to the definition of gambling…

Is investing in a risky stock gambling? (Think of how many people lost everything when the economy crashed.

Is purchasing insurance that you may never use gambling? (Think of how many people don’t get their claims honored due to loopholes…or they never have a loss so never collect).

How about this…Is playing a game at a carnival or amusement park gambling? (What’s the difference in taking a chance to win a teddy bear and taking a chance to win money?)

I think you get my point.

Most people will give you excuses to explain how some risks aren’t gambling when they’re no different from betting on a horse with a history of winning. (Which I’ve never done).

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So, here’s my question for the saints, theologians, fellow ministers, and deep thinkers…

If a Christian is obedient and responsible in giving to God…

If they are generous in giving to the poor and those in need…

If they are responsible in paying their debts…

If the don’t neglect their family…

If they aren’t addicted…

If they aren’t obsessed…

Is it a sin for them to purchase a lottery ticket every now that then…or go to the casino and play a determined amount of money and then quit?

For those who say a casino is evil, most of our favorite restaurants have a bar…most grocers sell liquor, but Christians still go).

Again…I’m just trying to have an intelligent discussion about a topic that is often addressed, but sometimes mishandled.

And, I must be responsible enough to say that if anyone has a weakness for gambling, then it is most definitely a sin for them.

But the truth of the matter is…

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LIFE IS RISK MANAGEMENT…

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And, this is a conversation we must have if we want those who are lost to take us seriously, and not weaken our case for Christ by reaching trying to pick our sins.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

• 

There are so many times in today’s society that those who claim to believe in God through Yeshua the Messiah try to justify their behavior or the behavior of someone they support even when it’s contrary to what the Lord said.

When we do this, we are expecting God to submit to our will rather than us submit to His.

Example, I remember a few years ago Sara Huckabee Sanders, when questioned about the President’s so-called ‘strong words’ said, we elected him because he is strong and “when he is struck he strikes back”. This in direct conflict with Yeshua’s command to ‘turn the other cheek’. He didn’t say ‘unless you’re the President’.

So many times we feel justified in retaliating against an enemy. But, the Lord made it clear we are to bless them and look for opportunities to do good to them.

Yeshua gave some very clear commands in Luke Chapter 6 and they apply to everyone. Notice that the word UNLESS doesn’t follow any of these statements…

Luke 6:27-36 (NKJV)

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. ²⁹ To him who strikes you on the onecheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold yourtunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. ³¹ And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.

³² “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. ³³ And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. ³⁵ But love your enemies, do good, and lend, ^[a]hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. ³⁶ Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

How many times do you try to put an ‘unless’ behind what God said?

BE BLESSTIFIED!

God is faithful! God is trustworthy! God is dependable…every day!

Lamentations 3:22-23  (NKJV)

²² Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
²³ They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.

We can always trust and depend on Him! He will always remain true to His Word, His will, His promises and He will never leave or nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

 He is faithful to those of us who believe in Him, even when we aren’t…

2 Timothy 2:13  (NKJV)

¹³ If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.

He is even faithful to those who don’t believe in Him…

Romans 3:3-4  (NKJV)

³ For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? ⁴ Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written:

“That You may be justified in Your words,
And may overcome when You are judged.”^[a]

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Faithfulness is meant to be reciprocated, but we all know that doesn’t always happen. You can only be faithful, TRULY faithful to someone or something you TRULY love.

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Our faithfulness to God or one another isn’t perfect because our love for Him and one another isn’t perfect.

But, God’s is.

He was and is always faithful to Israel (Read Psalm 78).

Think for a moment of how faithful God is to you, even when you (like myself) have at times put foolishness before Him. When you have put other people before Him. When you have put things before Him. When you put the enemy before Him.

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But, what does God get out of His faithfulness to us? What’s in it for Him?

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Sometimes love…

Sometimes repentance…

Sometimes faithfulness in return…

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But, only sometimes.

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God’s faithfulness is a fulfillment of His love and commitment to us.

So, to answer the question, “What does our Omniscient, Omnipotent God get out of being faithful to us?” What’s in it for Him?” When we’re honest with ourselves…

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ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

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It’s just a perfect expression of His unfailing love…our example…our standard.

If you’re grateful for God’s faithfulness, why don’t you stop right now and tell Him thank you. If you can’t find the words, Psalm 115:1 will work just fine…

Psalm 115:1  (NKJV)

Our spiritual wars started ‘a long long time ago’…

Ephesians 6:12(NKJV)

¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

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MAY HIS FORCE BE IN YOU!

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GOD is the SOURCE! Psalm 121:2

JESUS CHRIST is theVOICE!  John 1:14

HOLY SPIRIT is the FORCE!  Acts 1:8, Romans 8:11

THREE AUTHORITIES – ONE GOD!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

Have you ever noticed how Paul interacted with the people of Athens? He encountered people who did not believe in the God of our salvation. He took advantage of the opportunity to teach them about Yeshua, Christ Jesus.

He didn’t do as many Christians do today, allow his passion to confront them in anger and spiritual arrogance. He didn’t tell them how stupid, silly and foolish they were to believe as they did. He didn’t try to bully them into believing.

Paul reached out to them in respect and love, acknowledging that they sincerely believed in something, and he wanted to present to them the only Living God…

Acts 17:22-30 (NKJV)

Addressing the Areopagus

²² Then Paul stood in the midst of the ]Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; ²³ for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:

TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.

Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: ²⁴ God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. ²⁵ Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. ²⁶ And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, ²⁷ so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; ²⁸ for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ ²⁹ Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. ³⁰ Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,

Of course there were some who mocked him, but others believed and wanted to hear more.

If Paul had approached them as many do today his message of salvation would not have been received by those who had a heart and mind to do so.

Do you know any spiritual bullies?

Have you ever encountered one?

Are you one?

We can’t force our faith on anyone.

We can’t allow our passion for Christ as an excuse to be self-righteous, spiritual bullies.

We must always reach out to others in love. Rather than convert sinners and those who believe in other ‘gods’ we will turn them off and confirm every negative impression they have of disciples of Christ.

Ask God each day for the anointing to share your faith and the wisdom to reach out in His Spirit of love.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

• 

How much are you worth? Can you really quantify your value to…

Your family?

Your relationships?

Your church?

Your job?

God has created and gifted us all wonderfully and uniquely. No one else can be as good at being you than you!

Psalm 139:13-14 (NKJV)

¹³ For You formed my inward parts;
You ^[a]covered me in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I will praise You, for ^[b]I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

It is our responsibility to recognize, nurture and perfect what God has placed inside of us. And to use it not only to sustain our lives, but to build God’s kingdom and make the world a better place.

Luke 12:48  (NKJV)

⁴⁸ But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

God has created us all with great value!

So much so, that no one should ever be able to pay us what we’re worth.

How much money do you make? What’s your salary? What’s your hourly wage?

Do you feel that’s ALL you’re worth? Do you feel that’s ALL you bring to the table?

We should all be irreplaceable. Not only in your job description but also in the intangibles. There should be a void any time we leave a workplace, relationship, church etc.

Your energy, positivity, love…your very presence should be missed. You should bring those things that can’t be trained or taught. Those things that go beyond experience, such as being the person everyone looks to in a crisis.

Even if they can replace YOU, they should never be able to replace WHAT YOU DO! Anytime you feel you aren’t bringing enough to the table…YOU AREN’T.

We are placed here to be God’s representatives in every environment and relationship we occupy. God blesses us to bring glory to Him through the anointing on our lives, the gifts He’s giving us and the seeds we sow.

And that is priceless.

Now, are you being underpaid?

BE BLESSTIFIED!