How many times have you said this, “I’m bored!”? How many times have you heard your kids say, “There’s nothing to do!”?
We live in a society with so many opportunities for entertainment and engagement that we can find ourselves in ‘paralysis by analysis’.
We expect our jobs to be entertaining. Our education to be entertaining, and even our worship to be entertaining.
Now, don’t get me a wrong. I’m by no means condemning being entertained. But, we do need to manage our expectations.
People also love ‘being busy’. We value hard work to the point that some people consider you a slacker if you ONLY want to work ‘9 to 5’…no over time. Since when did doing a hard days work and going home at a decent time become lazy?
Well, I’m saying all that to say this…
The older I get, the more I appreciate moments of having ‘nothing to do’.
What some people call boredom, I call peace.
I’m encouraging you to enjoy those times and places where there’s nothing going on.
While some people search for active tourist destinations there are others looking for that small, quiet country town with absolutely nothing to do.
The next time you find yourself thinking or saying, I’m bored…stop, sit back and thank God for a moment free from chaos and a break in responsibility.
It’s actually an ideal time to spend some quality time with God in His word.
The next time you hear your kid’s complain about being bored, take their smart phone and pull up a bible app for them.
The next time you’re bored, thank God for a moment of peace.
Remember that trouble, confusion and chaos are never boring!
In a world that’s always demanding our attention for something, learn to enjoy the mental and physical vacation of a moment of boredom.
Learn to appreciate and enjoy the blessing of being bored.
If you’re a parent, there will be days that you may feel that your children don’t appreciate you.
Sometimes you may even feel that they resent you.
And, it’s even more painful when you know in your heart that as much as you love your children…that you haven’t always made the best decisions as a parent.
All parents have given their children some legitimate reasons to ‘feel some type of way’.
Remember that from Isaac, Rebecca’s and Jacob’s favoritism to Lot offering his daughter to be raped…parents in the bible were far from perfect.
But, think about this...there is no better parent than God our Father. Yet, many of the very ‘children’ that He created in His own image don’t acknowledge Him, blaspheme Him, and mock Him while breathing His air and enjoying His sun light.
Matthew 5:45 (NKJV)
45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
And, even those ‘children’ who do acknowledge Him, frequently complain, doubt Him, embarrass, rebel against, disobey, and in some situations deny and betray Him when we make a conscious decision to sin when we know it’s wrong.
But, our God is always willing to forgive.
The next time you feel your children don’t appreciate you, think about their behavior and then stop and think about when you have displayed the SAME behavior to God.
Then offer your children the same grace, mercy and willingness to forgive that God offers us through Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Arguments in relationships, families, on the job, even in church are unavoidable.
Do you know anyone who actually enjoys arguing?
On the other hand, there are others who do everything they can to avoid an argument.
Even on social media there are some people who won’t respond to you unless they disagree. In fact, social media has given people the ‘distance’ to be insulting, disrespectful, and condescending.
But no matter where the arguement takes place, there is one thing that remains true…
Many times our pride won’t allow us to stop arguing until we get in the last word, especially when we know in our hearts we are right, and sometimes when we know we are wrong.
But remember this, when Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) died on the cross, those who crucified Him went home that day thinking that they had won.
Isaiah 53:7 (NKJV)
7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
Matthew 27:13-14 (NKJV)
13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” 14 But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.
Notice how Joshua and Israel’s army allowed the army of Ai to thing they were winning as a strategy to defeat them…
Joshua 8:16 (NKJV)
16 So all the people who were in Ai were called together to pursue them. And they pursued Joshua and were drawn away from the city.
The one way to stop an argument is to humble enough to let someone else have the last word.
Proverbs 26:4 NKJV
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.
That’s right, plant the most important seed, make the most important point respectfully and then shut up!
Remember, letting someone else have the last word, isn’t LOSING the argument, it’s STOPPING it!
Sometimes, just as Yeshua The Messiah (Jesus Christ) did, it’s best to let them think they have won.
How many times have you heard someone say a particular evil behavior would “die out” when a generation of people are replaced with a new generation?
However, when the generations transitions, the behavior proves to have the resilience of weeds by persisting perennially.
You can study history and see the same behaviors that occurred decades and centuries ago still persist… chillingly in almost the exact same manner.
Why?
Because demons don’t die. The people of the previous generations allow those demons to continue to thrive as new generations accept their…
Attitudes…
Traditions…
Heritages…
Pride…
Arrogance…
Idolatry…
Cultures.
The reason that the Apostle John relayed the prophecy in The Revelation that the future fallen Babylon is referred to as a “dwelling place for demons
Revelation 18:2 (NIV)
With a mighty voice he shouted:
“‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’[a] She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.
This is because the ‘Babylon’ culture provided a comfortable home for them to not just live but ‘thrive’… much like our bodies are intended to be a comfortable temple for God’s holy spirit to dwell…
1 Corinthians 6:19 (NKJV)
19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who isin you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
So don’t expect racism, oppression, violence and the others extreme evils to die out with a generation of people…because those are tools the devil has used since the beginning of time, and he’s not lying them down
But remember this…
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.
So many times we are told what we should do, but not told how to do it. It’s easy to teach and preach what the bible says, but it doesn’t do much good if you don’t give people the tools to do it.
One great example is when we’re told to love our enemies. We all know and acknowledge what Jesus teaches us…
Matthew 5:43-48 (NKJV)
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’44 [a]But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your [b]brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the [c]tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
But, we all know that can be easier said than done. Especially what he, she or they wish for and work to your harm. It’s difficult when they try to influence other people against you. God never said it was easy, just possible.
God has really dealt with me concerning this. One of the people who greatly encouraged me to create this blog eventually became a person who not only worked against me, but influenced other people against me.
We also know what God teaches us through the apostle Paul…
Romans 12:14 (NKJV)
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:17-21 (NKJV)
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have[a] regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
I see other people on the news who hate me because of my race, my faith, my beliefs, and these are people I’ve never met.
In fact, one of the people who greatly encouraged me to create this blog eventually became a person who not only worked against me, but influenced other people against me.
So, how do you pray for people who hate you? It’s much easier said than done, especially when someone wishes for and works towards your harm, tries to influence others to hate or hurt your, or when someone hurts someone very dear to you.
HERE ARE 7 SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO PRAY FOR YOUR ENEMIES…
1. ASK GOD TO SHOW YOU IF & WHERE YOU’RE WRONG
Before you approach God about anyone you consider an enemy, make sure you first ask God to reveal to you if you are wrong in the issue, matter or paradigm. Even if you are 100 percent right, ask God to forgive you if you have allowed the enemy to harden your heart beyond God’s required love for your enemy. We must first consider ourselves before we begin to ‘judge’ anyone else…
Matthew 7:1-5 (NKJV)
7 “Judge[a]not, that you be not judged.2 For with what[b]judgment you judge, you will be judged;and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
2. PRAY FOR THEIR FAITH IN GOD TO BE ESTABLISHED & INCREASE
We must always remember that God doesn’t love our enemies any less than He loves us. They were created in His image too. God has called us all to be ministers of reconciliation. So, whether your enemy is an unbeliever or if they are a believer, if they are acting outside His will and character, it’s His desire that they be brought back into right relationship with Him. That’s where our prayers come in. God expects us to be ministers of reconciliation to Him…
2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (NKJV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not [a]imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
3. PRAY FOR THEIR REPENTANCE
If we aren’t careful, someone can hurt us or someone we love to the point that we can find ourselves not wanting them to repent. That will take away our excuse to be angry at them. But, it’s Gods will that everyone repent and turn to Him…
2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)
9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward [a]us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
4. PRAY FOR THEIR SALVATION
There are people that we can find so mean, evil and malicious that we don’t want them to be saved. Knowing that someone is in sin or evil is not judging them, but when we decide they are not worthy of salvation, that’s judgement and condemnation. What if God thought you not worthy of salvation when you were at your worst? And, as Matthew 7:1-2 reminds us, what ever judgement we are placing on someone else we are placing that same judgment on ourselves. Plus, if your enemy is a Christian and they are just in a hardhearted, backslidden, or weak moment, you may be placing condemnation on yourself as well…
Isaiah 54:17(NKJV)
17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.
So, always ask God to forgive you for any judgment or condemnation you have placed on someone.
5. PRAY THAT THEY PRODUCE GOOD FRUIT
It’s also God’s will that we all lead fruitful and productive lives…
John 15:8 (NKJV)
8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit;so you will be My disciples.
John 15:16 (NKJV)
16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you andappointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Fatherin My name He may give you.
Once your enemy is sincerely leading a fruitful life, they can no longer truly be your enemy. You are then on the same team working for the same kingdom goals. Even if you aren’t necessarily friends, you will no longer be enemies.
6. PRAY SINCERELY, NOT TRYING TO MANIPULATE GOD TO GIVE YOU REVENGE
It’s a dangerous thing asking God to give someone what they deserve: SO YOU THINK THEY GOT WHAT THEY DESERVED…REALLY??? Again, that’s judgment, especially when God hasn’t given any of us what we deserve. Too many times people take Romans 12:20 out of context. They merely want to pray for their enemy or even help them to ‘heap coals of fire on their head’. That is the wrong motivation. Sometimes people can even say, “I’m praying for you as an insult, rather than in sincerity: NEVER LET YOUR “GOD BLESS YOU” REALLY MEAN “F*** YOU”…
7. PRAY THAT GOD FORGIVES YOU FOR BEING SOMEONE’S ENEMY
We all have situations in our lives that we have been or are someone’s enemy. Not because they just don’t like us, but because we have done them wrong. We have worked against them. We have spoken evil against them. This could even be someone who we don’t know or doesn’t know us…It could be a public figure. Even though it’s wrong for them to do so, we have given some people good reason to hate us. Always ask God to forgive you for when you’re someone else’s enemy.
Romans 3:23 (NKJV)
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Praying for our enemies in sincerity isn’t easy, but it is possible.
The enemy wants you to keep your head down. The enemy wants you silent about the Lord. The enemy wants you to sit down on your calling, anointing and purpose. He does this is by manipulating you to FOCUS ON YOUR FAILURES AND FLAWS. He wants you to feel unworthy to speak up or ‘live out loud’ for Christ. You may have made huge mistakes, FINANCIALLY, IN RELATIONSHIPS, even MORALLY…you know what haunts you.
Please notice that God continued to use David as a psalmist and leader, even after he had a man killed to take his wife, God didn’t tell him that he couldn’t continue to serve as King (2 Samuel 12:1-13).
In fact, some of David’s most powerful psalms came AFTER his greatest sin.
God already knew the sin that David would commit even when He initially anointed him. Because of his repentant heart, his sin didn’t disqualify his anointing.
Psalm 51 (NKJV)
Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak,[a] And blameless when You judge.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. 6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise. 16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.
18 Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.
God still kept His promises to David. Yes there were consequences for his sin, but he was still a man after God’s own heart, because HE REPENTED. On the contrary, King Saul didn’t repent and lost is anointing and kingdom.
Our greatest challenge sometimes is walking with spiritual confidence, walking with our heads up, speaking in God’s authority when people KNOW HOW WE HAVE MESSED UP. God is raising us up to walk boldly for Him even in the midst of our humanity.
Paul spoke boldly even though he persecuted the church and consented to the death of Christians, such as Stephen (Acts 7:1-60, 8:-1).
Peter stood strong for Christ even though he openly denied Him during the darkest hour (John 18:13-27).
So, if people tell you, “You can’t tell me anything based on what you’ve done!” You tell them, “God has given me grace and mercy, and allowed me to still be here to tell you DON’T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES THAT I’VE MADE”.
So even if you’re working through the consequences of your mistakes, God expects you to KEEP YOUR HEAD UP and SPEAK BOLDLY IN LOVE FOR HIM. Sometimes it takes years to work through the process of restoration and recovery, but that doesn’t mean you are to be silent in the meantime, BE ENCOURAGED!…KEEP YOUR HEAD UP, STAND UP AND SPEAK UP FOR THE LORD!
Your failures don’t have to disqualify your calling!
So many jobs are based on meeting deadlines. From projects in business, standardizes tests in education to playoffs in sports…When you’re working towards a deadline, you sometimes don’t notice the days between that deadline When the project is completed, You can find yourself saying, “Wow, this week went by fast!”
Even on a personal level, setting goals and giving oneself deadlines is important to being what many call ‘successful’.
Whether it be deadlines, goals, hopes or dreams. Don’t forget to live and enjoy each day as you work towards them.
For example, you may be in your early 30’s and have a certain goal you want to achieve by the age of 40. Don’t be so focused on your goal that when you reach 40 you look back and say, “What happened to my 30s” – whether you reach that goal or not.
Life is short enough without making it seem shorter trying to get to the future. Many people spend their 8am trying to get to 5pm (guilty). They spend Monday trying to get to Friday. They spend January trying to get to December. They spend their 20’s trying to get to their 30’s.
Many spend their work days trying to get to holidays and vacation. They spend their days trying to get to the day their car or mortgage is paid off. Many are trying to get to the carefree days of retirement.
DON’T MISS THE PRESENT TRYING TO GET TO THE FUTURE
Get there, but enjoy the days in between.
It’s always good to remember that tomorrow is not promised…
Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
That being said, don’t let working for your tomorrows, allow you to miss out on your todays. Let this be your declaration every day…
Psalm 118:24 (NKJV)
24 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
We have all been there. Those moments when you aren’t angry at God. You aren’t angry at God. You aren’t angry at the world…you’re angry at yourself and the sins, bad decisions and mistakes you have made.
Most of the time we feel this way because we’re living out the consequences of those mistakes, or it’s because we are silently noticing how our decisions have had a negative affect on those we love.
Yes, there are things beyond our control. Yes, there are times the world hasn’t been fair to us. And, yes there are times that God could have moved on our behalf and He didn’t.
But when we’re honest with ourselves, much of the difficulty we face in life is a result of our own sins or bad decisions.
When we admit this to ourselves, it can lead to moments or seasons of depression. So, what do you do?
1. REMEMBER THOSE USED BY GOD IN THE BIBLE WERE FAR FROM PERFECT
Remember that everyone in the bible who was used by God was far from perfect. From Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to the patriarchs. From Noah to Moses to David to Peter to Paul. From Sarah to Rebecca to Miriam to Job’s wife…the men and women in the bible made horrible mistakes. However, they were still used by God.
2. YOU DIDN’T CATCH GOD BY SURPRISE WHEN YOU MESSED UP
God was not surprised when he sinned with Bathsheba. God knew that was going to happen when He anointed David king years before. Also know that YOU didn’t catch God by surprise when you messed up. Especially if it’s due to one of the weaknesses that He gave you. Many of our weaknesses are innate. Some people are naturally horrible with managing money. Others have an unquenchable appetite for sex that can only be controlled with the help of God’s Holy Spirit. While other people have a natural tendency to quickly get angry and act before thinking. These are all weakness that we need God’s help to overcome. This is His way of nurturing a relationship to keep us close to Him…but too many times we allow our weaknesses to overpower our strengths. Never forget that His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses…
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NKJV)
8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
3. GOD MADE YOU AND KNOWS THE CHALLENGES OF LIVING IN ‘FLESH’
God knows that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41)
He has compassion on us when we are repentant about our ‘human’ moments…
Psalm 103:10-14 (NKJV)
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. 14 For He [a]knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.
4. GOD CAN DELIVER US FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR SINS, BAD DECISIONS AND WEAKNESSES
God is a keeper ( Yehovah Raah, The Lord is our Shepherd) and is able to sustain us in spite of our mistakes. There are those who have made the same mistakes you have and have lost much more… have suffered much more… and some didn’t even survive. But, He kept you…sustained you… nurtured you… and had mercy on you through your weakest, darkest moments. David remained king after he repented and remained a man after God’s heart. God restored to Job twice as much as he had after he prayed for his friends who made his ordeal much worse (Job 42:10-17). After denying Christ, Peter went on to be one of the most influential Apostles. No matter what you’ve done, if you repent and it’s God’s will, He can deliver you from the consequences of your sins, bad decisions and weaknesses. Especially if it’s an innate weakness He gave you. Make this prayer a part of your regular prayer life:
“Heavenly father, I truly repent of how I have let you down. Please forgive me and if it’s your will deliver me from the consequences of my sins, bad decisions and weakness.”
5. REMEMBER THAT GOD ALLOWS US MOMENTS TO LAMENT AS LONG AS WE STILL PROCLAIM OUR TRUST IN HIM
One of the most beautiful things about the Psalms is that they teach us how to express our regret and even question Him in respect as long as we end those moments reaffirming our trust in Him.
Psalm 13 (NIV)
1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, 4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. 6 I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.
So, don’t be too hard on yourself wen you’re feeling down and depressed. God made you and He knows you. Just as parents don’t enjoy seeing their children cry when they are truly sorry of their mistakes, God is compassionate. Do just what David did as he lamented the kidnapping of their women and children and bore the blame of those closest to him. Encourage and strengthen yourself in the LORD and keep it moving! Remember, God gave him the victory then too.
1 Samuel 30 (NKJV)
Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, 2 and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way. 3 So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. 4 Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 5 And David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. 6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was [a]grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
Have you ever been caught up in thoughts, behavior, habits, relationships, etc, that you wanted to STOP, but found STOPPING to be an enormous struggle?
Are struggling toSTOP doing something right now? Are you fighting that battle between the flesh and the spirit?
The Apostle Paul even admitted to and described this struggle…
Romans 7:18-20 (NKJV)
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to willis present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
Galatians 5:16-17 (NKJV)
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
Many times, in the heat of this struggle, one might ask God, “Lord, please MAKE me STOP!
Remember this, YOU MAY NOT LIKE THE WAY THAT GOD MAKES YOU STOP!
When you read God’s word, He doesn’t want us to ask Him to make us stop. When we choose sin, we are choosing sin over him. It’s a relationship decision, much like a spouse choosing a rival over his or her spouse. No one wants to make a husband or wife stop choosing someone else over them. A spouse would want their loved one to CHOOSE TO STOP seeing someone else.
God gives us the power, strength and responsibility to STOP ourselves.
Notice where God places the responsibility in these verses…
Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV)
12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, LET US LAY ASIDE every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Ephesians 4:31 (NKJV)
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking BE PUT AWAY from you, with all malice.
Colossians 3:8 (NKJV)
8 But now YOU YOURSELVES ARE TO PUT OFF ALL OF THESE: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
2 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV)
7 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, LET US CLEANSE OURSELVES from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
It is clear that God does not want us asking Him to make us STOP doing anything that is displeasing to Him.
You are the object of someone’s fantasy. Someone’s watching you, and they want what you have. Yes, they want your body…
Your cancer-free body…
Your disease-free body…
Your two working legs and arms…
They want your ability to walk and run.
They want your ability to go to work every day.
They want your strength. Not you super strength, but your strength to take care of yourself.
They want ‘What you’ve got!’ Not the opportunity to fulfill their lust, but the opportunity to fulfill their life.
They want your freedom.
They want a family like yours.
They want to be just like you.
They want a roof over their heads…Food to eat…Clothes to wear.
They fantasize about going to the grocery store and filling a shopping cart rather than carrying everything they own in one.
They fantasize about buying a pair of shoes…About going where they want, when they want, in a car.
They fantasize about going to the doctor for check-ups and not treatments.
Someone would trade their good credit for your health…their riches for your peace. They’re watching you.
Please don’t allow our prosperous society to spoil you to the point of covetousness and being ungrateful.
Don’t allow the ‘blessings of abundance’ to become ‘burdens’ to make you feel God is mistreating you if you don’t have everything you want. If you don’ have perfect health. If you don’t have ideal circumstances.
The bible teaches us to be content with food and clothes…
1 Timothy 6:8 (NKJV)
8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
God teaches us to not worry about our needs…
Matthew 6:31-34 (NKJV)
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
And, He teaches us to be thankful in all things.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV)
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Don’t get your wants confused with your needs. And remember, there is always someone ‘less fortunate’ than you…fantasizing to have what you may be taking for granted.
Should there be consequence for when reasonable expectations aren’t met on the job? Yes, of course!
But, in our current culture it’s become all to common for a boss to ‘chew out’ and employee who isn’t meeting those expectations…who makes a mistake…who needs correction.
No matter where someone sits on the hierarchy of organizational structure, the fact is that workers are all just people doing a job to take care of their families or themselves…to make a living.
It’s true some jobs are much more impactful on society if someone messes up, for example if someone is setting up an operating room for emergency surgery, but the fact still remains that all workers are equal citizens doing a job.
But think about this. Outside the workplace, your boss is just another person. He or she is someone else’s wife, husband, son, daughter, father, mother…just a person. They have absolutely NO authority over your life outside of your commitment to the company or organization.
Because we are all just equal citizens trying to make a living, no one has the right to overly assertively reprimand another adult at work. Offices, factories, schools and churches are not the military.
No one has the right to belittle you… insult you… embarrass you… or even threaten you because they think that’s leadership. This usually happens when the correction is affected by emotions.
Every organization has consequences in place for when expectations aren’t met.
Verbally warn me with respect!
Write me up!
Demote me!
Fire me!
But no one has the right to belittle, insult, embarrass, threaten or treat another adult like a child, even if they have organizational authority over them.
Real leadership isn’t achieved through fear, intimidation, or adult bullying.
When a person is hired, make sure that the progression of consequences are clear, and proceed through them with respect.
No one wants to be disrespected, not even when they mess up.
Matthew 7:12 (NKJV)
12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
1 John 2:2 (NKJV) 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Okay, I know this has never happened to you, but let’s just pretent that it did.
You just finished taking a shower. You brushed your teeth, put on your antiperspirant, cologne or perfume and got dressed in your best. At that present moment, you very well could be the cleanest person in the world. And then it suddenly hits you…
Unfortunately, you have been constipated for several days. And, now just as you get ready to leave your home you can tell that problem is over!
It’s #2 TIME! RIGHT AFTER YOUR GREAT SHOWER.
As you are relieving yourself of the excess weight that you’ve been carrying it is by no means pleasant. It SMELLS LIKE you haven’t been to the bathroom in three days! You’re spouse shouts, ‘Are you alright in there’ hoping that you’re still conscience or haven’t lost your short term memory?
Think about this…
No matter how clean you were after your shower…
No matter how well you were dressed
No matter how good you smelled…
Everywhere you went while you were constipated, the source of that horrible smell was hidden inside you!
It’s the same with our spiritual condition. No matter what we look like on the outside, when we have sin in our lives, we are filthy on the inside…
Isaiah 64:6 (NKJV)
6 But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like [a]filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.
But when Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He provided a one-time sacrifice for those who put their faith in God, our Elohim, through Him.
1 John 2:1-2 (NKJV)
2 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
To keep it simple, PROPITIATION means covering or atoning sacrifice. Yeshua the Messiah literally ‘hides’ our sins and places us back in good standing with God.
So just the same as we can’t see the feces, urine, blood, bile, mucus or any other fluid that’s always hidden under our skin. Our Savior covers the lies, lust, greed, selfishness, hatred, malice, jealousy, rage, wrath, hatred, envy, doubt, discontent, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, etc. that hides inside the hearts of those who are fighting against their flesh every day…
Galatians 5:16-25 (NKJV)
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
So, while you’re thanking God for the good things in your life, food, shelter, clothing, health, your family, your job, your home, peace, safety, freedom, please don’t forget to thank Him for sending His Son and our Savior Yeshua, the Messiah to provide atonement for our sins when we repent.
How many times have you heard this (or done this)?
There’s a disagreement…an arguement…a debate…a discussion…a contention… a situation where someone rubbed you wrong.
It could have been politics, religion, relationship, sports, work, or whatever…
But, they pushed the right button (or wrong button) and whether you admit it or not, they ticked you off (or pissed you off).
However, you are a Christian and you love God, so you ‘dismiss’ them with a “God bless you!”, or “I will pray you!”
Hmmm, when you’re honest with yourself though, you didn’t mean that in your heart.
You would never say, “F*** You!”. And, the devil knows it too.
That’s why he cleverly slipped in and manipulated you to use a blessing to be nice-nasty. Your ‘blessing contained venom! Your mouth said, God bless you, but your heart really said “F-You”.
The person to whom you it, and those who heard it could tell what you really meant…and so could God.
We all have human moments, but we must be very careful not to allow the enemy to make us guilty of what the Psalmist said… Psalm 62:4c (NKJV)
“…They bless with their mouths, but they curse inwardly.”
Remember, we must give an account for every word that comes from our mouths…
Matthew 12:36
(NKJV)
36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
From education to business to the nonprofit sector, so many decisions are based on data.
In today’s educational, political, social, religious and anti-religious climate, between good discussions, debates, dialogue, commentary, arguing and talking AT one another… people love to preface and punctuate his or her points with “I HAVE THE FACTS TO BACK ME UP!”
If I learned one thing in my years as a Marketing Manager and professional Copywriter it’s that facts can be both interpreted and applied subjectively.
Every television station, radio station, business etc., can be #1 at the same time to a different demographic.
Medical research can be manipulated and delivered to satisfy the marketing efforts of pharmaceutical companies.
Decisions are made in education based on data, but that objective data is alwaysfiltered through subjective evaluations and opinions…always.
Historicalfacts are presented through particular perspectives that support preferred narratives.
People have twisted God’s absolute truth to satisfy their own agendas and narratives.
People will quickly assume that the facts and research that fits their particular point-of- view as superior.
This is why in a court case, both the prosecution and defense present their OWN experts that support their OWN story…both armed with FACTS.
After those who sought to ‘kill’ Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) presented their ‘facts’, Pilate replied…
John 18:38 (NIV)
38 “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.(A)
John 14:6 (NKJV)
6 Jesus said to him, “I am (A)the way, (B)the truth, and (C)the life. (D)No one comes to the Father(E)except through Me.
We must be honest with ourselves when handling ‘facts’ and the ‘truth’. Because ultimately it’s not about us proving we are ‘RIGHT’, but about us being in harmony with God’s truth.
The list of sins that Christians cherry pick as those most necessary to avoid goes on and on. Many Christians arrogantly stick out their chests and point self-righteous fingers at people who sin differently than they do. Yeshua our Messiah gave us a classic example of this type of self righteousness…
Luke 18:9-14(NKJV)
9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be [a]humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
What sins could you replace with those stated by the publican to make that you in the parable?
The fact is that sin is what makes our bodies ‘comfortable’ places for devils to live and thrive. People under the influence of demons isn’t always manifested as in the movie, “The Exorcist”.
Matthew 12:43-45 (NKJV)
43 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44 Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”
But notice it wasn’t the sins often vilified by Christians that made Babylon a DWELLING PLACE, HABITATION OR COMFORTABLE PLACE FOR DEMONS TO THRIVE…
Revelation 18:2-3 (NKJV)
2 And he cried [a]mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the [b]abundance of her luxury.
It was the spiritual fornication of the greed that had been accepted as part of the culture…capitalism on steroids. Capitalism isn’t a sin, but even eating in excess is though. Paul even said that greed equates to idolatry…
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.
It wasn’t just the sins of lust that the Apostle Paul stated would be so prevalent in the last days…
2 Timothy 3:2-9 (ESV)
2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
Notice the first three mentioned were IDOLATRY, GREED, PRIDE and ARROGANCE!
However, the idolatry of worshiping ourselves, greed, pride and arrogance have become celebrated in our current culture and even accepted and justified by many people who claim to be Christians.
Think of the atrocities that happened and were justified in this great country in the name of progress and to maintain a ‘way of life’…
The Trail of Tears…
Vigilante violence, lynching and terrorism during The Reconstruction and Civil Rights Movement…
Gangs terrorizing their neighborhoods…
Think of how pride has become accepted…
Black Pride…
White Pride…
National Pride…
God has not permitted us to have pride, but rather be thankful, and it’s this level of pride and arrogance that has led to a culture that’s easily recognized as described in 2 Timothy 3:2-9.
A culture as described only exists through demonic influence.
The sins listed in Galatians chapter 5 are PRACTICED because
Galatians 5:19-21(ESV)
19 Now (A)the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, (B)divisions, 21 envy,[a] drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that (C)those who do[b] such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The key to making our bodies uncomfortable for demons and comfortable for God’s Holy Spirit is what is considered by too many Christians and weakness…
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.
It’s our responsibility to get rid of everything that we allow to defile our bodies and spirits…
2 Corinthians 7:1-2 (NLT)
Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.
How much pride, arrogance and greed have you accepted into your life?
One of the things about the Old Testament is that it gives us extreme examples of what God loves and what He hates. His extreme judgements explicitly gave us insight into how He feels, reacted as well as spiritual concepts and laws that are still relevant today…
1 Corinthians 10:11 (NKJV)
11 Now [a]all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our [b]admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
Romans 15:4 (NKJV)
4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the [a]patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
One of those concepts is generational curses. That’s when God places a curse on an individual that continues to transfer to his or her posterity. Seems pretty unfair huh? But, it’s been that way since the Garden of Eden after Adam and his wife sinned.
When you read Deuteronomy 28 God lists the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience. These blessings and curses are generational…
Deuteronomy 28:45-46 (NKJV)
45 “Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you [a]did not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. 46 And they shall be upon you for a sign and a wonder, and on your DESCENDANTS FOREVER.
Forever is a long time. Seems unfair doesn’t it?
But, there is a reason for this.
Whenever God cursed or punished His people, what was it that always removed the curse, that would have otherwise remained FOREVER?
WHEN THEY REPENTED!
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.
1 John 1:9 (NKJV)
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Think about your family and the attitudes, habits, thoughts and behaviors that have gone on for generations. How many of them can STOP with your generation?
If you feel your family is under the generational power of dysfunction, promiscuity, homosexuality, addiction, arrogance, pride, shame, racism, poverty, anger, witchcraft, violence, sickness etc,….
SOME OF THESE CURSES COULD STOP WITH YOUR GENERATION IF YOU CHANGE GENERATIONAL BEHAVIOR IN OTHER AREAS.
As much as parents and grandparents love their children, no one ever does everything RIGHT. God consistently reminded Israel of the ‘sins of their fathers.’
Stop and think about the things that your parents and grandparents did that were not pleasing to God, but may have continued through tradition, bad teaching or simply because ‘that’s the way we do things’.
Be bold enough to change it the way that Hezekiah did not continue in the sins of the kings before him. He TORE DOWN the alters and evil practices of those who came before him…
2 Kings 18:1-5 (NKJV)
18 Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea the son of Elah, king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign. 2 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abi[a] the daughter of Zechariah. 3 And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done.
4 He removed the [b]high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the [c]wooden image and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it [d]Nehushtan. 5 He trusted in the Lord God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him.
What ‘alters’ do you need to tear down in your family?
CONFESS. REPENT. and BREAK THE CURSE.
Now, read Nehemiah Chapter 9 and notice that after they were allowed by God to return from exile, they confessed not only their sins, but the sins of their ancestors. Notice in BOLD print each time the people confessed their sin…
NEHEMIAH 9 (NKJV)
9 Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, and with [a]dust on their heads. 2 Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. 3 And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for one-fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the Lord their God.
4 Then Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani stood on the [b]stairs of the Levites and cried out with a loud voice to the Lord their God. 5 And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said:
“Stand up and bless the Lord your God Forever and ever!
“Blessed be Your glorious name, Which is exalted above all blessing and praise!
Which is exalted above all blessing and praise! 6 You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them, And You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You.
7 “You are the Lord God, Who chose Abram, And brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans, And gave him the name Abraham; 8 You found his heart faithful before You, And made a covenant with him To give the land of the Canaanites, The Hittites, the Amorites, The Perizzites, the Jebusites, And the Girgashites— To give it to his descendants. You have performed Your words, For You are righteous.
“You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, And heard their cry by the Red Sea. 10 You showed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, Against all his servants, And against all the people of his land. For You knew that they acted [c]proudly against them. So You made a name for Yourself, as it is this day. 11 And You divided the sea before them, So that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; And their persecutors You threw into the deep, As a stone into the mighty waters. 12 Moreover You led them by day with a cloudy pillar, And by night with a pillar of fire, To give them light on the road Which they should travel.
13 “You came down also on Mount Sinai, And spoke with them from heaven, And gave them just ordinances and true laws, Good statutes and commandments. 14 You made known to them Your holy Sabbath, And commanded them precepts, statutes and laws, By the hand of Moses Your servant. 15 You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger, And brought them water out of the rock for their thirst, And told them to go in to possess the land Which You had [d]sworn to give them.
“But they and our fathers acted [e]proudly, Hardened[f] their necks, And did not heed Your commandments. 17 They refused to obey, And they were not mindful of Your wonders That You did among them. But they hardened their necks, And [g]in their rebellion They appointed a leader To return to their bondage. But You are God, Ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, Abundant in kindness, And did not forsake them.
18 “Even when they made a molded calf for themselves, And said, ‘This is your god That brought you up out of Egypt,’ And worked great provocations, 19 Yet in Your manifold mercies You did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of the cloud did not depart from them by day, To lead them on the road; Nor the pillar of fire by night, To show them light, And the way they should go.
You also gave Your good Spirit to instruct them, And did not withhold Your manna from their mouth, And gave them water for their thirst. 21 Forty years You sustained them in the wilderness; They lacked nothing; Their clothes did not wear out And their feet did not swell.
22 “Moreover You gave them kingdoms and nations, And divided them into [h]districts. So they took possession of the land of Sihon, [i]The land of the king of Heshbon, And the land of Og king of Bashan. 23 You also multiplied their children as the stars of heaven, And brought them into the land Which You had told their fathers To go in and possess. 24 So the [j]people went in And possessed the land; You subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, The Canaanites, And gave them into their hands, With their kings And the people of the land, That they might do with them as they wished.
And they took strong cities and a rich land, And possessed houses full of all goods, Cisterns already dug, vineyards, olive groves, And [k]fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and grew fat, And delighted themselves in Your great goodness.
26 “Nevertheless they were disobedient And rebelled against You, Cast Your law behind their backs And killed Your prophets, who [l]testified against them To turn them to Yourself; And they worked great provocations. 27 Therefore You delivered them into the hand of their enemies, Who oppressed them; And in the time of their trouble, When they cried to You, You heard from heaven; And according to Your abundant mercies You gave them deliverers who saved them From the hand of their enemies.
“But after they had rest, They again did evil before You. Therefore You left them in the hand of their enemies, So that they had dominion over them; Yet when they returned and cried out to You, You heard from heaven; And many times You delivered them according to Your mercies, 29 And [m]testified against them, That You might bring them back to Your law. Yet they acted [n]proudly, And did not heed Your commandments, But sinned against Your judgments, ‘Which if a man does, he shall live by them.’ And they shrugged their shoulders, [o]Stiffened their necks, And would not hear. 30 Yet for many years You had patience with them, And [p]testified against them by Your Spirit in Your prophets. Yet they would not listen; Therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands. 31 Nevertheless in Your great mercy You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them; For You are God, gracious and merciful.
“Now therefore, our God, The great, the mighty, and awesome God, Who keeps covenant and mercy: Do not let all the [q]trouble seem small before You That has come upon us, Our kings and our princes, Our priests and our prophets, Our fathers and on all Your people, From the days of the kings of Assyria until this day. 33 However You are just in all that has befallen us; For You have dealt faithfully, But we have done wickedly. 34 Neither our kings nor our princes, Our priests nor our fathers, Have kept Your law, Nor heeded Your commandments and Your testimonies, With which You testified against them. 35 For they have not served You in their kingdom, Or in the many good things that You gave them, Or in the large and rich land which You set before them; Nor did they turn from their wicked works.
“Here we are, servants today! And the land that You gave to our fathers, To eat its fruit and its bounty, Here we are, servants in it! 37 And it yields much increase to the kings You have set over us, Because of our sins; Also they have dominion over our bodies and our cattle At their pleasure; And we are in great distress.
38 “And because of all this, We make a sure covenant and write it; Our leaders, our Levites, and our priests seal it.”
Now notice what God says to Israel in Leviticus Chapter 40 after giving them consequences of being disobedient…
Leviticus 26:40-45 (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.
43 The land also shall be left empty by them, and will enjoy its sabbaths while it lies desolate without them;
they will accept their guilt, because they despised My judgments andbecause their soul abhorred My statutes.
44 Yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, nor shall I abhor them, to utterly destroy them and break My covenant with them;
for I am the Lord their God.
45 But for their sake I will remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God:
I am the Lord.’ ”
What ‘sins of your fathers and mothers’ are you allowing to continue in another generation? What sins have you not rejected?
Even though there are many races and cultures in America, it’s undeniable that many of America’s issues are in ‘Black & White’. That’s unfortunate because when God called Abram, and renamed Him Abraham…He created a faith, not a race. Faith in God through Yeshua the Messiah is based on faith and not race.
However, part of the ‘race’ problem in America is that all races have their ‘cultural demons’ that are immediately deflected, especially if presented by someone of the ‘other race’.
You know what ‘DEFLECT’ means…
TRANSITIVE VERB
If you deflect something such as criticism or attention, you act in a way that prevents it from being directed t toward you or affecting you.
The key to conflict resolution is common ground. So, I’m pointing out a ‘cultural demon’ from both races that are constantly deflected by many instead of addressed to change the culture.
WHITE PRIVILEGE
As I stated in a previous post:
Many say, I NEVER OWNED SLAVES!
Others say, I WAS BORN POOR AND WORKED HARD FOR EVERYTHING I HAVE!
And some say, I HAVE NEVER BENEFITED FROM ‘WHITE PRIVILEGE’.
Others assert, I’M NOT RACIST, I HAVE BLACK FRIENDS, SO WHY SHOULD I FEEL GUILTY?
I’m asking everyone who respects the Bible as the Word of God to consider this…
It is undeniable that in our nation’s history there wasn’t a hint of equality or equity for non-white Americans until the late 60’s.
Even if you had nothing to do with any of the evils towards Black people through the generations,, legacies and benefits of their behavior and systems transcends generations…culturally, economically, socially psychologically, and spiritually. Narratives and paradigms are set.
The Romans in the New Testament (the people not the book) are the perfect biblical example. They thought they were superior (even though many White people today don’t). They subjugated the Jews. The ‘system’ of their empire was set up to benefit them. Even if you had nothing to do with any of the evils towards Black people through the generations,, legacies and benefits of the system that has established thought and behavior and systems transcends generations…culturally, economically, socially psychologically, and spiritually. Narratives and paradigms are set.
However, rather than admit this, the response is too often…”There’s no such thing as White Privilege!” That’s deflecting.
BLACK ON BLACK CRIME
Black on Black crime is an unfortunate reality in America.
Again, this is from a previous post that I made:
There’s too many Black people killing Black people!
There’s too many Black people terrorizing Black people!
There’s too many Black people doing racists a favor by doing their job for them!
RACISTS DON’T HAVE TO FIRE A SHOT OR TIE A NOOSE WHEN BLACK PEOPLE ARE KILLING ONE ANOTHER!
And marches…speeches…block parties…the police or politicians can’t solve it.
But, rather than admit and address it, too many times when Black-on-Black crime is mentioned, the response is…’There’s no such thing as Black-on-Black crime.” That’s defecting.
This scripture applies to both individual and ‘corporate’ sins…
1 John 1:9 (NKJV)
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
To prevent hurting someone’s feelings when they weren’t really funny.
How many times do you fake laugh? How often do you type LOL when you didn’t really laugh-out-loud?
How many times do you say, “THAT’S HILARIOUS”… but you aren’t really laughing?
So, if it’s not really funny, and you pretend to laugh…is that considered lying?
Now, we all know that David pretended to be crazy to save his life, but I can’t find an example of someone pretending to laugh.
1 Samuel 21:12-14 (NKJV)
12 Now David (A)took these words [a]to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. 13 So (B)he changed his behavior before them, pretended [b]madness in their hands, [c]scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard. 14 Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see the man is insane. Why have you brought him to me?
A meeting with several opinions, suggestions, but no viable solutions?
A meeting where tempers flared, and enemies and alliances were made?
A meeting where big egos were begging to be fed?
A meeting where everyone wanted their way?
A meeting where people behaved immaturely?
A meeting where no one would admit the wrong decision was made or the organization is on the wrong path?
All of these meetings, whether virtual or in-person, are held by people…imperfect people. People with faults. People with egos. People who make mistakes…sometimes big mistakes.
Usually every major decision that affects our lives comes out of a meeting.
Please pray that God leads our leaders.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV)
2 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
Don’t have blind faith that their experience, credentials and qualifications will make things all right.
The only differences in the meetings that you’ve attended and the high-level meetings that determine the direction of…
Our economy…
Our national security…
Our children’s education…
Our future…
…are ‘higher-level’ job titles, personalities and influence. They’re all still just people…very imperfect people just like you and I.
Pray for our leaders and that God blesses their meetings. Pray for peace, cooperation, collaboration and most of all agreement with and submission to the will of God.
Just as the bible says, don’t put your trust in them…put it in God.
Psalm 118:8-9 (NKJV)
8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
Have you ever noticed that some people are naturally funny? They have a wit so quick, you wonder, how could they think of that so fast.
Why?
Think about these verses in the context of laughter…
James 1:17 (NKJV)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Romans 12:8 (NIV)
8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously;if it is to lead,[a] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Proverbs 17:22 (NKJV)
22 A merry heart does good, like medicine,[a] But a broken spirit dries the bones.
I’m convinced that comedy is a God-given spiritual gift of exhortation.
I mean, what is more encouraging than a good laugh? A well-placed laugh in a good sermon only helps keep the audience engaged and possibly drive a point home.
The bible tells us that one of the promises from God is that we will all see trouble during our days on this earth…
Job 14:1(NKJV)
14 “Man who is born of woman
Is of few days and full of trouble.
It’s God’s gift of laughter that gets us through many of those tough days.
I’m convinced that God has appointed some of us Ministers of Laughter…
So, do you know anyone with a special anointing to make the best situations better and inject some encouraging humor into the worst. Those who can make us smile when we feel like crying. Is it you?
Unfortunately, many comedians and comediennes use their gift to glorify the enemy through vulgarity and profanity, but that doesn’t mean the gift isn’t from God. It’s just misdirected.
Are you a Minister of Laughter? If so, walk in your anointing. You’re important to the Kingdom of God!
‘The Purge’ is a movie series where the United States government has made all crime legal, including murder, for one night a year.
This absurdity was validated because crime and unemployment were at historical lows ‘because of the annual purge.
As far-fetched as this sounds, if 10 years ago someone predicted that there would be a worldwide pandemic forcing everyone to wear masks, and a reality show star would be President of The United States… that would sound far fetched too.
People have done some large-scale horrible things to one another throughout history, even in the past 200 years…
The Trail of Tears…
The Ku Klux Klan…
The Holocaust…
Crips/Bloods/Mafia gang violence…
Vigilante justice…
Cults.
Don’t be surprised at what people who call themselves Christian can be influenced to do by charismatic leaders for the ‘greater good’.
As absurd as a real PURGE may sound, where the hearts of many people are now…I wouldn’t be surprised.
That’s why the word of God warns us.
Galatians 5:15 (NKJV)
15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
I recently noticed a picture (meme) circulating on social media that shows the late Stephen Hawking, theoretical physicist and well-known atheist, featuring one of his quotes, “There was nothing before the Big Bang.” Most people know that many scientists assert that the universe BEGAN with a BIG BANG.
For Mr. Hawking to say there was nothing before the Big Bang still leaves to question what was that NOTHING, and how could NOTHING CAUSE AN EXPLOSION?
This is why I define science as our attempt to give a physical, biological or chemical explanation to a spiritual world. It’s how God allows to spiritual to manifest itself so it can be perceived within the ‘physical’ world and the realm of ‘time’.
This is why I believe that to some, the intelligence that God gave man to dominate the earth has become a curse…WHEN INTELLIGENCE HAS BECOME A CURSE…
So, I respond to the statement that “Before the Big Bang there was nothing”, with, “Eternity and God need no beginning”.
“In the beginning…” was written as a point of reference for the benefit of those of us who exist within the continuum of time.
Genesis 1 (NKJV)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness [a]was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
2 Before the mountains were born, before you had formed the earth and the world, from eternity past to eternity future you are God.
Notice how God described Himself to Moses as ‘I AM’…
Exodus 3:14-15 (NKJV)
14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” 15 Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’
I AM! ‘I’ is a personal pronoun and ‘AM’ is a being verb. God is THE eternal BEING and defined Himself as a BEING verb. Wow! That is no coincidence.
I’ve stated in other articles that our ‘spirits’ temporarily’ exist outside of ‘time’ when we’re in a deep sleep or under anesthesia. We can doze off or be put to sleep and not notice the time that elapsed while we were ‘out’. Also notice the fact that even though we were all alive and aware, our minds can’t remember the day we were born or when we reacted to stimuli when we were in the womb.
God has promised us eternal life and most of the time we think of an eternal future. However, God IS! He stands outside of time experiencing the past and the future as if it were happening right now.
Isaiah 40:22 (NKJV)
22 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.
God is invisible, and it’s possible that the force and expanse that science wants to call ‘the universe’ is God. Even their ‘physical laws’ correspond with God’s spiritual essence…Energy can’t be created or destroyed, that’s God’s essence. If you believe energy can’t be created, then you can believe God didn’t have to be created. If you can see how the same internet can be ‘everywhere at the same time’, accessed in your bedroom, Texas, Aruba, or in space at the same time…then you can see how God can be everywhere at the same time.
May the Lord God of Israel from Eternity Past to Eternity Future bless you and keep you in the name and authority of Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ).
So, going back to the BIG BANG. When God created the universe and ‘said’ “Let there be…” I’m sure there was a physical manifestation of sound and an incredible release of energy in an explosion. To me, the BIG BAND only confirms God lives.
Videos of people who don’t know they are being watched that have been posted to amuse the masses.
Many times these videos go viral with thousands of views, shares and mean-spirited comments. People love to add their comments hoping get multiple 😂 responses.
‘Caption this!’
‘Wait for it!’
The problem is that many times, there is a real person who is being humiliated in many of these videos. This could be a person who is already fighting for their self-esteem.
How would you like for your most embarrassing, humiliating moments to go viral.
Remember, social media shaming is ‘cyber-bullying’ too.
Please don’t help give life to something that may be killing someone’s spirit.
Matthew 7:12 (NKJV)
12 Therefore, (A)whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for (B)this is the Law and the Prophets.
How many times have you been driving down the road and you mind began to wander.
You may have been in a serious daydream…
You may have been worried about something…
You may have been listening to your favorite song…
You may have had your face buried into your cellphone or GPS…
When you come to your senses, you notice that you were miles down a road that was full of curves…
How did you safely get there?
Most people who believe in God believe in demonic possession because it’s explicitly described in the bible…
Matthew 12:43-45 (NKJV)
43 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44 Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”
Luke 22:3 (NKJV)
3Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.
But, could it be that those times in our lives when we were being careless and reckless that our angels intervened by taking temporary control of our bodies?
That’s essentially the definition of ‘possession’ when a spiritual being takes temporary control of a human body…right?
God clearly tells us that angels are spiritual beings whose main job is to minister to those who claim God through our Lord and Savior Yeshua the Messiah, (Jesus Christ)…
Hebrews 1:13-14 (NKJV)
13 But to which of the angels has He ever said:
“Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
The bible says that we should always be cognizant to always show kindness to strangers because many times we have entertained angels without knowing it. How many times has that been through God commissioning and angel to act through someone we don’t know. They (or we) feel compelled to show kindness and don’t even know why…
Hebrews 13:2 (NKJV)
2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.
We’ve all heard the cliche that isn’t in the bible, “God works in mysterious ways.”
Every right that we enjoy as Americans came through the courage of countless people who risked or gave up their lives to achieve our freedoms.
From the American Revolution…to Reconstruction… to the Civil Rights Movement to now, people have lifted up their voices against ‘the establishment’ at the loss of their jobs, friends, freedom, families and lives.
We were and are introduced to these heroic figures through teachers who are…
Overworked…
Under-appreciated…
Overwhelmed…
Underpaid…
And, held to unrealistic expectations.
However…
Most teachers and administrators are afraid to stand up to their school districts and state governments for fear of losing their jobs or careers.
In their contacts, they agree to partially surrender their freedom of speech, so they don’t disparage their school systems and states.
They are constantly given cliches and platitudes to excuse an ever-increasing list of tasks, duties and unrealistic expectations, while all blame, responsibility, accountability and legal liability is deflected on them.
However, when if they make legitimate complaints about their culture, they’re characterized as undedicated, unprofessional and petty…
All this while teaching children that’s how America was built.
This isn’t the only profession that surrenders it’s freedom of speech to keep their job, but this is the profession that prepares people for every other profession.
We’ve got to do better.
The scriptural admonition that encourages us to hold ministers in high esteem should be applied to teachers too…
1 Thessalonians 5:12 (NLT
12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.
If your parents, siblings, friends or even co-workers don’t like your spouse…
Ask yourself is it because of what you’ve said to them in your anger or frustration?
Part of honoring your spouse is bearing with one another through keeping some things between the two of you only. When you share something they have done to hurt or anger you with someone else, especially family, when the two of you have moved on…others may still hold a grudge.
Remember, your marriage is your business!
Ephesians 4:1-3 (NKJV)
I, therefore, the prisoner [a]of the Lord, [b]beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Don’t let the reason that someone dislikes your spouse be because of what you’ve said about them.
Having you ever noticed a child throwing a temper tantrum when he or she doesn’t get something that they want? This is a natural reaction that must be overcome as the child matures. The reaction is natural…innate…the child was born with it.
As you know, the debate continues as to whether people are born gay, or is it a choice. The purpose of this article isn’t to debate that question, but to address this fact…
The truth is that we are all born with innate desires, feelings and proclivities that we did not ask for.
Many Christians reason to excuse some behaviors by saying, “I or they was or were born this way”.
This doesn’t mean that God made a mistake because the scripture clearly reminds us that we were all born in sin…
Psalm 51:5 (NKJV)
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
We were all born with desires we didn’t ask for…that doesn’t make them ALL okay. Just because it comes naturally doesn’t make right. Some natural desires we must resist with the help of the Holy Spirit…
Fornication…
Adultery…
Homosexuality…
Gluttony…
Greed…
Jealousy…
Envy…
Wrath …
…ALL come from natural desires and they are ALL EQUALLY wrong.
Even David, a man after God’s own heart was born with an insatiable desire for women…but that did not make it right or acceptable to God. Those who read the bible know what that led to.
Some people are naturally more greedy, more lustful, more promiscuous, more selfish, more aggressive, more violent that others…does that make it okay? For those who wish to argue these are learned behaviors, some people have these behaviors modeled and ‘learn’ them, while others witnessed these behaviors and didn’t succumb to them.
Pedophiles don’t feel they ‘choose’ to be attracted to children…does that make it okay? No!
The desires of our flesh war against our spirit…and these vary from person to person.
Galatians 5:17 (NKJV)
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
It is only by walking in the Fruit of the Spirit can we overcome our fleshly desires that displease God.
Galatians 5:16 (NKJV)
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:22,23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
By the way, calling out something as sin is NOT judging. And, it’s not saying it’s any more wrong than another sin!
That’s why fasting is so powerful. It is a tool we can use to bring our flesh into subjection, overcome our weaknesses and prove to ourselves that our desires won’t rule us. It’s our tool to move those mountains in our lives.
Matthew 17: 20-21
20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting
Use this as post ammunition when someone presents to you the argument, “I was born this way, so it can’t be wrong”.
Just because it’s natural, doesn’t mean it’s okay.
BE BLESSTIFIED! 