So many times the bible is explicit, clear and ‘preaches & teaches itself’. We sometimes mess up by twisting and perverting it to fit our desired agendas, beliefs, denominations and personal theologies.
When it comes to sin, many Christians ‘cherry-pick’ through the bible selecting the sins that bother them the most while making excuses for, justifying or totally ignoring those which they have decided aren’t as bad.
There are several sins that anger God just as much as homosexuality that are quite frankly ‘practiced’ by many people who call themselves believers in God through Jesus Christ (Yeshua the Messiah).
The Apostle Paul does an excellent job of after calling out the sin of homosexuality, providing a list of sins that are equal abominations that qualify us all for the wrath of God. That’s why His grace and mercy are so valuable.
Read the verses below from Romans Chapters 1 & 2, and notice the sins that are listed after Paul addresses homosexuality. Think about which of those sins you are personally guilty of.
Notice it’s our attitude about these sins…
Whether or not we commit them…
Condone them…
And, judge those who struggle with sins different than those that we do…
Notice how those attitudes and behaviors are what qualify us as worthy of God’s wrath.
Romans 1:24-2:5 (NKJV)
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their [a]women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the [b]men, leaving the natural use of the [c]woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, [d]sexual immorality, wickedness, [e]covetousness, [f]maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 [g]undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, [h]unforgiving, unmerciful;32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
Godโs Righteous Judgment
2 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your [i]impenitent heart you are [j]treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
Did you notice sins such as strife, deceit, backbiting, pride, boasting, disobedient to parents, unloving, unforgiving and unmerciful. Many of those sins are characteristic of many people who claim to be believers.
Pride and boasting have become accepted sins in today’s society, even in the church.
Now is a good time to repent of our ‘sins of choice’ and thank God for His goodness, forbearance, longsuffering, abundant grace, and mercy.
While many Christians are conscious of ‘politicized’ sins and feeding conspiracy theories, there’s 3 sins and conspiracies that have slipped through their radar and been accepted.
Yes, abortion is sin. Yes, homosexuality is sin. Many people who identify as Christians are passionate about rebuking and rejecting these sins, as they should be. However, these aren’t the only abominations in the bible. The fact is that many evangelicals reject some sins while excusing those that either don’t bother them, or that they want to continue committing.
So, if you want liberals to accept that abortion and homosexuality are sins, are you willing to accept…
1. Allowing your children to participate in Halloween is symbolically sacrificing them to idols?
God became very angry at Israel for adopting the customs of the heathen and sacrificing their children to Molech and allowing them to ‘pass through the fire’. Halloween’s roots are undeniably pagan. Either a Google search or scholarly research can easily prove that. The devil knows he can’t get Christians today to ‘sacrifice’ their children literally, so he does it symbolically to spite God. The easiest way for the enemy to allow sin to continue through generations is to make people feel as though their children are missing out on something, and that’s what he does. God made it clear that we are not to ‘learn the way of the heathen’…
Jeremiah 10:2-5 (KJV)
2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them?
If you want liberals to accept that abortion is wrong, are you willing to accept that Halloween is a pagan practice that should immediately be removed as a National holiday (holy day)?
2. Calling our celebration of our Lord and Savior’s resurrection ‘EASTER’ is blatant blasphemy?
It’s undeniable that the name EASTER has absolutely nothing to do with Jesus Christ, (Yeshua the Messiah). It is derived from the name of a pagan goddess named Eostre, who is the same goddess as Ishtar, and Ashtoreth who God continually rebuked and punished Israel for worshipping. The devil has allowed this worship to continue by defiling the celebration of Yeshua’s death, burial and resurrection. Notice what God told His people before they entered the promised land…
Joshua 23:6-7(New King James Version)
6 Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left, 7 and lest you go[a] among these nations, these who remain among you. YOU SHALL NOT MAKE MENTION OF THE NAME of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them,
God is very clear here. DO NOT MAKE MENTION. But, the devil has convinced Christians to do exactly that EVERY TIME they refer to a day set aside to celebrate the Lord’s resurrection. Putting any name where God’s name belongs is BLASPHEMY. Look at how angry God was at His people acknowledging idol Gods when they were rebuked for worshipping Tammuz who is directly associated with Ishtar…
Ezekiel 8:14-18 (NKJV)
14 So He brought me to the door of the north gate of the Lordโs house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for [a]Tammuz.
15 Then He said to me, โHave you seen this, O son of man? Turn again, you will see greater abominations than these.โ 16 So He brought me into the inner court of the Lordโs house; and there, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east.
17 And He said to me, โHave you seen this, O son of man? Is it a trivial thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence; then they have returned to provoke Me to anger. Indeed they put the branch to their nose. 18 Therefore I also will act in fury. My eye will not spare nor will I have pity; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them.โ
These are the abominations that got His people exiled into Assyria and Babylon. It’s amazing how Americans who are so concerned with losing their freedom ignore the sins that actually made Israel lose their freedom — the Spiritual adultery, not the actual heathens in the land themselves.
If you want ‘sinners’ to accept that abortion and homosexuality is sin, are you willing to accept that calling our Savior’s resurrection celebration ‘Easter’ and continuing the customs of hunting eggs, especially in church is blasphemy and an abomination?
3. Celebrating our Savior’s birth by erecting a tree in your home is setting up a shrine to an idol in your home?
It is also clear that the origin of Christmas trees is pagan as well. I myself had vacillated about this for years. But, notice what Encyclopedia Britannica says concerning Christmas trees…
“according to the Encyclopรฆdia Britannica, “The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands to symbolize eternal life was a custom of the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. Tree worship was common among the pagan Europeans and survived their conversion to Christianity in the Scandinavian customs of decorating the house and barn with evergreens at the New Year to scare away the devil and of setting up a tree for the birds during Christmas time.”
It is clear what God told His people in Jeremiah when referencing how they harvested trees to carve idols…
Jeremiah 10:2-5 (NKJV)
2 Thus says the Lord:
โDo not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the peoples are[a]futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. 4 They decorate it with silver and gold; They fasten it with nails and hammers So that it will not topple. 5 They are upright, like a palm tree, And they cannot speak; They must be carried, Because they cannot go by themselves. Do not be afraid of them, For they cannot do evil, Nor can they do any good.โ
Too many Christians are perfectly comfortable telling their children that Santa Claus is watching them all year. They are comfortable letting their children think that Santa Clause “knows when they are sleeping, and knows when they are awake…knows if they’ve been bad or good.” Only God can do these things! This again is blasphemy. The devil has convinced Christians that it’s harmless, but notice that God states in Ezekiel 8:17 that God doesn’t see anything as trivial…”Is it a trivial thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here?” Again, one of the enemy’s strategies to allow sins to go on for thousands of years is to convince people that their children are missing out on something.
The fact is that if God forbade all of the three practices above, they are symbolically very much like the ‘accursed things’ that Achan coveted from the heathen people of Ai. He took it and hid it bringing the wrath of God on himself and his family. Please go back and read Joshua Chapter 7.
If you find yourself searching for excuses to prove the above statements wrong, if you’re ‘pushing back’, then you’re no different than the ‘sinner’ who supports abortion or homosexuality — they are all equal abominations to God.
Too many people, as the Apostle Paul said, have a zeal or passion for God, but not according to knowledge. And, just like the people of that day, we have gone about to ESTABLISH OUR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Romans 10:2-4 (NKJV)
2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of Godโs righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Too many people politicize the sins that bother them, while excusing those that don’t. They excuse the sins they wish to continue. Many of these sins are the very sins that provoked God to enough anger to send them into exile.
I have heard so many people give the reason for their political choices based on ‘sins’ as ‘the lesser of two evils’. In God’s eyes sin is sin, so there is no lesser of two evils.
I like to define science as humans’ attempt to give a physical explanation for spritual things.
Every thing that exists was spoken into existence by God, so everthing is a physical expression and extention of our invisible and spiritual God…
Romans 1: 20 (NKJV)
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse…”
I’m not against science, we have benefited greatly through scientific and medical discoveries and research. But, rather than disprove God…I feel it proves Him.
Notice the chronology in Genesis 1 is the same as what science claimes…
1st water…
Then the creatures in water…
Then plants and vegetation…
Then the creatures on land…
Then humans.
Physics…
Chemistry…
Biology…
Astronomy…
All Medical Science…
Can explain many things…
BUT,
Science can NEVER explain the invisible attributes of God that define how we are made in His image…
Those NON-PHYSICAL attributes He shares with us…
Those NON-PHYSICAL ELEMENTS that make us ‘look’ like Him.
Think about it…
Love…
Joy…
Peace…
Faith…
Kindness…
Hope…
Consciousness…
Science can NEVER isolate our spirits entering our bodies at the beginning of life…
Or, leaving our bodies at the end of life.
I call them GOD’S TANGIBLE INTANGIBLES…
Those things that your senses can’t exerience…
You can’t see, touch, taste, hear or smell love…
Only your spirit can experience it.
There’s no telescope or microscope that can see it…
No microphone thar can hear it…
No device that can measure it…
No computer that can create it…
Because LOVE IS OF GOD.
Love is even of God in the ungodly.
This proves God’s existence and sovereignty to me more than anything else.
God will never allow science to PROVE everything.
First of all because then man would claim he is God…
But most of all…then there would be no need of faith.
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Presented with a dilemma with eternal implications unknown to him, and with Jesus before Him, Pilate asked a poignant question…
John 18:38 (NKJV)
38 Pilate said to Him, โWhat is truth?โ And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, โI find no fault in Him at all.
The TRUTH is absolute independent of how we view it… just like God.
We defile it…
We pervert it…
We skew it towards our own point of view or agenda.
We make the truthsubjective.
This is why the key to finding truth when two people are using THE SAME SCRIPTURE to justify their perspective is totally removing how we WANT to view the scripture and seeking to see it as God intended. WEโRE BOTH USING SCRIPTURE SOโฆHOW TO TELL WHOโS โRIGHTโ?
For example, Yeshua the Messiah clearly says we should “turn the other cheek” if someone strikes us, and He gave us that example just before He was crucified…
Matthew 5:39 (NKJV)
39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
Luke 22:63-65 (NLT)
63 The guards in charge of Jesus began mocking and beating him. 64 They blindfolded him and said, โProphesy to us! Who hit you that time?โ 65 And they hurled all sorts of terrible insults at him.
However, Christians read the truth in the above scripture, and then reason for themselves how it’s okay to strike someone back when it’s not in self defense. They see turning the other cheek as a sign of weakness. If your life isn’t truly in danger, striking someone back is pride.
In our heated social, historical and political climate, people ‘research’… ‘fact check’… read history and filter the absolute facts we find through our subjective perspectives.
In both the Old and New Testaments the bible makes it clear that homosexuality is a sin just the same as fornication and adultery. However, people who want to justify what they want to do, but also claim to be Christian will say, “That’s not what the scripture means.” WHY ITโS STILL A SIN EVEN IF YOU WERE, โBORN THAT WAYโโฆ
Another example…Benedict Arnold led the British army in battle to the very men that he had previously commanded.
That’s a fact.
But, how history views him is subjective. America views him as a traitor, while people from Britain might not think so. Calling him either a traitor or a hero creates a narrative, so he truth is filtered through perspective.
One last example…a zebra is black and white, however subjectivity creates a narrative when say the zebra is ‘black with white stripes’ or ‘white with black stripes’. Science has determined that their skin is black and their stripes are white per the website LIVESCIENCE.COM…https://bit.ly/3xjAqeA.
We make the truth subjective through our perspective.
When people say they’re LIVING THEIR TRUTH, give them this gentle reminder… “The truth doesn’t belong to you.”
John 14:6 (NKJV)
6 Jesus said to him, โI am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
perยทvertverb/pษrหvษrt/
alter (something) from its original course, meaning, or state to a distortion or corruption of what was first intended.
Standing in the hot sun or cold winter air with a sign in your hand isn’t easy. The fact is that it can be humiliating begging others for help — it’s hard work! If I learned one thing from my experience doing homeless ministry is that many of the people on the street never thought they wold be there.
Many of those people had careers and families…then life happened. Others are mentally ill. And the fact always remains that it could happen to any of us.
Remember this…
Luke 16:19-21
19 โThere was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich manโs table.
The beggar Lazarus – He probably got on people’s nerves just as beggars do today. People probably questioned how he lived and his choices. People probably wondered why his family didnโt help him. They most likely made excuses and justified ignoring him when Jesus clearly said, Give to them who ask and donโt turn them awayโฆ
Matthew 5:42 (NKJV)
42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
Jesus also told us to give looking for nothing in returnโฆ
Luke 6:35New King James Version (NKJV)
35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, 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.
We all run into Lazarus todayโฆat the gas stationโฆon the streetโฆasking you for spare changeโฆthe crumbs that fall from your table. What is your reaction? Do you react as the rich man did and turn them ALL away?
Jesus knows there are scammers and liars. He knows there are those who will use what you give them on things they donโt need. He knows there are those who will try to take advantage of your kindness. Many people refuse to give money to people who beg because theyโre afraid they will use it on alcohol, drugs, cigarettes or will waste it on something wicked. I feel thatโs one application of the scriptureโฆโAnd because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow coldโ(Matthew 24:12), because so many people canโt be trusted, the love that many people would ordinarily show has grown cold and withheld. We must therefore not withhold Godโs love, but share it with wisdom.
If someone who’s begging is lying, thatโs between them and God. God expects us to be obedient, compassionate, wise and plant seeds of His love. Purchase a meal for them. Buy them medicine. Pay for them to have shelter for a night or two, while letting them know that you are sharing the love of God. All it takes is the โcrumbs that fall from your tableโ. Sacrifice the cost of a lunch, coffee for a week, sodasโฆwhatever it is that you donโt necessarily need to help someone who begs from you. I guarantee you won’t give away enough to break your, but you can hold on to enough to do so. Some times God places these people in our paths for a reasonโฆso they can have an encounter with Him through us. So you can ask them if they have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. So we can be the answer to their prayer to God for help. You can be someoneโs confirmation that God hasnโt forgotten them. You could plant a seed in someone who witnesses your act of kindnessโฆ.God always has a purpose for every encounter.
Remember that God warned us about turning away those who ask of usโฆ.be careful when you do because many times, just as in the parable of the rich man and LazarusโฆChristians and the church are the RICH MAN.
Years ago, I remember hearing, and reading Richard Pryor say after a trip to Africa, โ I ain’t never gonna call another Black man ni**aโ. Now Iโm in no way bringing this up to disparage Richard Pryor, but to make a point. He passionately made this statement and changed his behavior. He stopped using the N-WORD, which offends many people, but continued to use profane and vulgar words such as G-D, that offend God.
Colossians 3:8 (NKJV)
8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV)
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers
Ephesians 5: 3-4 (NKJV)
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks
There are many words that offend us. Some more than others. Which words offend you, in many cases has much to do with who you are. People CHOOSE to use the words for various reasons.
Itโs interesting to me how many Christians are MORE offended byโฆ
The N-Word
The Fa-Word
The Hon-Word
The Ho-Word
The B-Word
The K-Word
The Sp-Word
The Ch-Word
โฆthan they are offended by other profane, offensive, vulgar or even blasphemous words that offend God. Some even seem completely comfortable using the GD-WORD.
Jesus made it very clear in Matthew 12..
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.
The words that we use and that offend us give great insight into what is in our hearts. Yes, some words are offensive racially, but God expects us to put Him even above our race.
Galatians 3:28 (NKJV)
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
What’s more important to you? What offends you? Or what offends God?
Let us be careful not to put what offends us above what offends God.
My wife and I have enjoyed watching Tyler Perry share his creative genius with the world since his plays were distributed ‘underground’ in barbershops and beauty salons.
Since then, he has become a powerhouse in the entertainment industry releasing plays, movies, television series and building the careers and fortunes of others.
I don’t know Mr. Perry, but I have a few sincere, non-confrontational and non-judgmental questions for him. We are all learning and growing in our walk with our Lord and Savior Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Mr. Perry, you began your career with very inspiring stage plays that were injected with life lessons, Godly wisdom and biblical references. In fact, they were known for those attributes that and many times those were the main reasons people watched them.
THEREโS BEEN A โDRAMATICโ SHIFT!
But now, your movies and television series are laden with profanity (much more than just ‘damn and hell’), both heterosexual and homosexual sex scenes, and nudity.
Here are my questions:
As a man of God ( and I believe you are sincere), how do you justify this huge shift in your work? I know that even the bible is filled with ‘adult’ themes, but our challenge as disciples is how to relay those messages and themes without compromising the integrity of our Godly character. For example, preachers shouldn’t use profanity to get across a message or use nudity in a visual aid. Has your work transitioned from inspiration to titillation?
If a writer or director instructs actors to use profanity, act in a love scene or be nude, aren’t they provoking them to sin to do their job?
When you instruct an actor or actress to curse, drop ‘F’-Bombs, and use ‘unclean language’ our you becoming a stumbling block?
Matthew 18:6 (NKJV)
6 โBut whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea…”
If you are directing two unmarried actors to kiss, grope and simulate sex with one another are you asking them to commit fornication?
If you are responsible for asking a married actor or actress to do an intense love scene, are you asking them to commit adultery?
If you are responsible for asking two actors to act out a homosexual scene, are you asking them to commit sin?
When you begin producing the same kind of movies and television shows as ‘the world’ does, are you conforming whether than providing a Godly example?
When what we watch and what the actors do is a product or fruit of your creativity, doesn’t all accountability to God fall back on you?
Mr. Perry, you have been given a platform and influence to shape and establish culture. You are in a position to strengthen or weaken believers. You have been given the power to confirm to many what is acceptable because they know and respect you as a believer… ‘Well if Tyler Perry does it, then it must be okay’.
Again, Mr. Perry these questions aren’t meant to be mean-spirited or judgmental, but some of your work has definitely evolved into, when measured against the word of God, what could be considered ungodly.
If you ever see this please respond in the comments or in the blog ‘CONTACT tab. You may show me a perspective that I have haven’t considered.
We are here to hold one another accountable, because it’s not about whether we ourselves are ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, but whether we are in harmony with the word, truth, love and perfect will of our God.
One of the best ways for a teacher to establish his or her classroom culture and expectations is by modeling that behavior.
The tone of our culture troubles me.
Our society has legitimized a culture of insults, profanity, retaliation, and foolishness.
This behavior is being modeled by too many of our leaders , while being justified, excused, ignored and mimicked by their supporters.
People are so impressed by โkeeping it realโ, telling it like it is, adolescent humor, indecency and avoiding being Politically Correct that many have lost the value of exercising Emotional Intelligence, tact, kindness and restraint.
Too many people see being loud, proud, obnoxious and visceral as strength, while seeing meekness, humility and patience as weakness.
Our children are having this negative behavior modeled every day.
Even in our movies, we feel the โbullied nerdโ is weak until he or she stands up to the bully violently.
Remember, Yeshua Himself said donโt repay evil with evil, but turn the other cheek. He said donโt resist an evil person (unless of course your life is threatened). But of course, striking back if someone slaps you isnโt about self-defense, but pride. Returning an insult with an insult is about pride.
Matthew 5:39 (NKJV)
39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
The picture below was posted in a community Facebook group. The poster was complaining about this behavior, but many adults were celebrating trespassing, nudity and indecency. When the Lord said ‘turn the other cheek’, this isn’t what He was talking about…๐๐ผ
It’s possible some of the same people who celebrated this, also frown on this foolishness ๐๐พ๐๐ผ
Do you think God approves of either?
Adults who call themselves disciples of Christ are going to have to do a better job of setting the example of walking in the Fruit of the Spirit, which the world sees as 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.
Our children are learning to fight instead of keep the peace…
They’re learning to argue instead of reason…
They are learning to place blame and accuse instead of looking for solutions…
Theyโre learning to hate instead of love…
They are learning to make excuses to satisfy their will instead of Godโs will.
Could many of our childish adults be the children who were spoiled when they were growing up? Itโs time to stop the erosion of decorum in leadership.
Most people who grew up in or around church, or were raised with a belief in God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, or those who have come from unbelief to belief will all quickly proclaim, โI love God!โ
But, do you love Him? Or do just feel itโs the right to say? You may even be afraid not to say it. Which is a healthy fear and reverence of God, but still isnโt love.
When you love someone, you want to be in their presence as much as possible, in fact you look forward to it. When you love someone you want to know whatโs important to them. When you love someone you donโt want to hurt them, intentionally or unintentionally.
When you love someone you want to grow closer to them. When you love someone, you enjoy talking about them. Many people when they are honest with themselves love their favorite team, their car, their guns, their _____________ more than they love God because thatโs what they love talking about.
When you love someone you arenโt afraid to show affection for them in public. Iโm not talking about kissingโฆIโm talking about holding their hand, hugging themโฆyou arenโt ashamed to let the world know you love them. Some of the same people who get hoarse at a ball game are ashamed to praise God publicly even in worship. Too many Christians are too ashamed to even bless their food in public. Are you ashamed to lift up your hands in public and say ,โHallelujah, I love you LORD!โ Or, are you afraid people with think youโre crazy. Do you reason that, โIt doesnโt take all of that to love Godโ. But, when you love someone, you arenโt concerned with what is minimal or necessary. Youโre more than happy to do what is โextraโ for them
When you love someone you arenโt just in relationship with them for what you can get out of them. You arenโt just in the relationship for the benefits. When you love someone you can talk to them for hours. How often do you talk to God and fellowship with Him prayer, just because itโs peacefulโฆnot asking for anything, just spending quality time with Him?
When you love someone, you love listening to โmoodโ music with them. You love listening to music that makes you feel closer to one another. You love sharing โyour songโ. Iโm not saying you have to listen to Christian music all of the time, but I wonder how many Christians are perfectly comfortable never listening to some form of Gospel musicโฆexcept when they are in church.
When you really love someone, what they think about you matters to you more than anyone else in the world. You want their loveโฆtheir respectโฆtheir devotionโฆtheir affection.
How can one really love God and either never, seldom or randomly read His word? God knows we have the opportunity to fellowship with Him in His word whenever they please. Many claim they donโt have time, but thatโs simply not true. Many people, when their honest with themselves, love social media, their favorite fiction or non fiction book, or whatever else they love to do in their spare time more than they love the word of God. Whatโs the first thing you check each morning? Your social media? The news? The weather? Your horoscope? Or, Godโs โstatusโ and what He has โpostedโ in His word.
Itโs in His word we fellowship with Him. Itโs in His word we find out what pleases Him. Itโs in His word that we find out what He loves and what He hates. His word gives us both comfort and correction.
When you love someone, living to please them is not a burden, but a blessingโฆ
1 John 5:3 (NKJV)
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
I challenge you today to ask yourself, โDo I really love God, or is it just the right thing to sayโ. Yes, you believe in Him. Yes, you fear Him. Yes, you respect Him. Yes, you reverence Him. Yes, you pray. Yes, You, go to churchโฆ
But do you love Him?
And finally, think about thisโฆ
Most people quickly claim that want to go to heaven or live eternally in His presence, but I contend that if you donโt genuinely enjoy reading His word, fellowshipping with Him, worshiping Him, being in His presence, even going to church now, what makes you think you will want to do it forever?
Remember, real love isnโt just state, itโs demonstratedโฆ
Romans 5:8 (NKJV)
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
When things got tough, uncomfortable or uneasy you acted like you didn’t know Him. Have you comforted yourself in the company of His enemy? Have you ever followed Him from a distance?
Have you denied Him?
Mark 14:54 (NKJV)
54 But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.
John 18:25 (NKJV)
25 Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, โYou are not also one of His disciples, are you?โ He denied it and said, โI am not!โ
Are you more like Judas?
Have you ever turned your back on Jesus for money? For influence? To satisfy your flesh? Have you gotten discouraged because things didn’t turn out as you thought they would. Have you ever put your motives above Godโs motives? Have you ever put Him to open shame?
Have you betrayed Him?
John 12:4-6 (NKJV)
4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simonโs son, who would betray Him, said, 5 โWhy was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii[a] and given to the poor?โ 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
Matthew 26:14-17 (NKJV)
14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, โWhat are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?โ And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. 16 So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him. 17 Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, โWhere do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?โ
Before we point a self-righteous finger at Peter or Judas, let us thank God for His grace and mercy because we have all been both of them.
Every time we yielded to our pride…our lust…temptationโฆ
Every time we put others or ourselves before Him…
Every time we willingly lived contrary to His word…
Every time we influenced someone else to sin…
We have both denied and betrayed Him.
When we read about Peter denying Christ or Judas betraying Him, we are looking into a spiritual mirror.
Both were sorry for what they had done, but they both handled it differently.
Who are you more like?
Judas tried to return the money and was so grieved in His Spirit that he hung himself. He could have gotten on His knees and prayed for forgiveness. He could have rejoined the other eleven, admitted his mistake, and tell them he tried to return the money and been there when Jesus arose and ministered to them. They couldnโt have condemned him too much because they all scattered. Donโt you know that Jesus not only would have forgiven him, but commanded that his brother forgive him also? But, no. He hung himself in shame. If you have betrayed Him and not repented โ youโre like Judas.
Matthew 27:3-10 (NKJV)
3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, โI have sinned by betraying innocent blood.โ
And they said, โWhat is that to us? You see to it!โ
5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.
6 But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, โIt is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.โ 7 And they consulted together and bought with them the potterโs field, to bury strangers in. 8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, โAnd they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, 10 and gave them for the potterโs field, as the Lord directed me.โ[a]
After Peter denied Jesus, he rejoined the other eleven. He ran to the grave to find that Jesus wasnโt there. He saw Thomas put his fingers in the wounds. He ate a seaside breakfast with the risen savior. And, Jesus restored Him to become one of His most powerful apostles. Judas could have done the same thing. If you have messed up, repented and been restored โ youโre like Peter.
John 21:15-17 (NKJV)
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, โSimon, son of Jonah,[a] do you love Me more than these?โ
He said to Him, โYes, Lord; You know that I love You.โ
He said to him, โFeed My lambs.โ
16 He said to him again a second time, โSimon, son of Jonah,[b] do you love Me?โ
He said to Him, โYes, Lord; You know that I love You.โ
He said to him, โTend My sheep.โ
17 He said to him the third time, โSimon, son of Jonah,[c] do you love Me?โ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, โDo you love Me?โ
And he said to Him, โLord, You know all things; You know that I love You.โ
Jesus said to him, โFeed My sheep.
Judas’ story ended in disgrace โ Peters ended in grace.
So, even though we have all been like both, our stories donโt have to end like that of Judas.
Some things never change. Yeshua the Messiah made the ‘religious people’ so angry that they wanted to kill Him, and with the help of the Romans they did…at least thought they did.
Many Christians of every race claim to be His disciples, but we prove how we would have responded if we lived then by how we respond today. We prove on which side of history we would have stood by where we stand now.
The fact is that many of the people who claim to be Christians would have rejected Jesus, and here are 8 reasons why…
1. WOMEN SUPPORTED HIM WITH THEIR MONEY
Few people ever talk about the women who followed Jesus and supported Him financially, Not, just the women, but the ‘type’ of women…
Luke 8:1-3 (NKJV)
Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and [a]bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and [b]infirmitiesโMary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herodโs steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for [c]Him from their [d]substance.
So you had a woman who many believed was a prostitute, wives of ‘important’ men and many other women who were following the LORD and supporting Him financially — we all know that would be beyond scandalous today. How many men would co-sign on their wives following and giving money to a broke, uneducated, controversial traveling preacher?
2. HE THREATENED THEIR TRADITIONS
One of the most common complaints today is ‘cancel culture’. Too many people today are devoted to traditions, memorials, statues, etc. to the point of idolatry. Several of our modern traditions are clearly in direct contradiction to the word of God, such as swearing in officials…
Matthew 5:34-37 (NKJV)
34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is Godโs throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let [a]your โYesโ be โYes,โ and your โNo,โ โNo.โ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. (Can’t get more clear than that)
…but, some people would rather die than change. To many, patriotism, nationalism, racial pride, the economy and institutional traditions have become psuedo-religions. But, Yeshua made it clear that they were prioritizing their traditions over the Word of God…
Mark 7:7-9 (NKJV)
7 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.โ8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of menโ[a]the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.โ9 He said to them, โAll too well you [b]reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
3. HE HELD THE ‘LEADERS’ ACCOUNTABLE
Jesus openly rebuked the Pharisees, Scribes and teachers of the law concerning their hypocrisy, arrogance and pride. These were equal to respected political, religious and professional leaders today. But the LORD called them out and pissed them off. No matter what political or religious affiliation, how to react when those whom they respect are held accountable?
Matthew 15:10-13 (NKJV)
10 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, โHear and understand: 11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.โ12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, โDo You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?โ13 But He answered and said, โEvery plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.
Matthew 23:13-36 (NKJV)
13 โBut woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. 14 [a]Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widowsโ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.15 โWoe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of [b]hell as yourselves.16 โWoe to you, blind guides, who say, โWhoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.โ 17 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that [c]sanctifies the gold? 18 And, โWhoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.โ 19 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? 20 Therefore he who [d]swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. 21 He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who [e]dwells in it. 22 And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it. 23 โWoe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 24 Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! 25 โWoe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and [f]self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 โWoe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead menโs bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. 29 โWoe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and [g]adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30 and say, โIf we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.โ 31 โTherefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathersโ guilt.33 Serpents, brood[h] of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? 34 Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, 35 that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
4. HE WASN’T EDUCATED OR ‘CULTURED’
How many people only hire Pastors who hold multiple degrees? How many people don’t feel leaders are credible unless they have achieved an expected level of education or status? Many people were amazed at how well Jesus spoke because they knew He wasn’t educated.
John 7:15 (NKJV)
15 And the Jews marveled, saying, โHow does this Man know letters, having never studied?โ
Even the Apostle Paul said we shouldn’t be overly impressed with words of man’s wisdom, but in the power of God…
1 Corinthians 2:4-6 (KJV)
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
5. HE HUNG OUT WITH THOSE WHO RELIGIOUS PEOPLE LOOKED DOWN UPON
It’s amazing how we can allow our education, achievements, connections, affiliations, social status and even our faith to arrogantly allow us to think we are ‘better’ than others. We can look down on others because of the decisions thy have made…such as drug addicts, prostitutes, or homeless people…but, those are the people with whom Yeshua the Messiah came to make the most intimate connections. Many people today would complain about the company that Jesus kept, just as the ‘religious’ people did then.
Mark 2:13-3:6 (NKJV)
13 Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them. 14 As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, โFollow Me.โ So he arose and followed Him.15 Now it happened, as He was dining in Leviโs house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. 16 And when the scribes [a]and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, โHow is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?โ17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, โThose who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, [b]to repentance.โ
6. HIS ETHNICITY
The fact is that if Jesus came today of the same ethnicity, that many who so passionately claim to love Him would not accept Him as a leader. As much as it may be unintentional… cultural and racial biases are real. If Yeshua would have come during this era…born in the ‘Middle East’ (the fact that it’s even called Middle East relative to Europe) with the same skin tone, language, etc.,…how many people who call themselves Christians would actually follow Him? WHEN PEOPLE WHO CLAIM TO LOVE ACCURATE HISTORY ARE COOL WITH A โEUROPEAN-LOOKINGโ JESUSโฆ
John 1:46 (NKJV)
46 And Nathanael said to him, โCan anything good come out of Nazareth?โ
Philip said to him, โCome and see.โ
7. HE DRANK ALCOHOL
How many people today would have rejected Jesus because of the fact that He drank wine? Some try to ‘sanitize it’ by saying that it wasn’t fermented, but that simply isn’t true. Jesus said Himself that unlike John the Baptist, he came both eating and drinking wine…
Matthew 11:18-20 (NKJV)
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, โHe has a demon.โ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, โLook, a glutton and a [a]winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!โ But wisdom is justified by her [b]children.โ
He was called a ‘winebibber’ because He drank wine. Did He get drunk? NO! But, how many self-righteous ‘Christians’ would rebuke Christ for drinking wine?
8. TODAY, JESUS WOULD BE A MILLENNIAL
How many ‘established’ leaders and Christians today wouldn’t take Jesus seriously because of His age? He began His earthy ministry at 30 years old.
John 8:57 (NKJV)
57 Then the Jews said to Him, โYou are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?โ
So, be honest with yourself…how would you have received Jesus if you lived back then? How would you receive Him if He had come in our generation?
Even those who don’t believe in God have heard of it. The mark of the beast. The ‘mark’ that many will submit to showing that they have rejected Christ and accepted the antichrist.
Revelation 13:16 (KJV)
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark IN their right hand, or IN their foreheads:
The purpose of this quick post isn’t to discuss whether or not the church will still be on earth when it takes place. But, what will it actually be. This could be a long post, but I’m going to keep it short so you can digest it…and pray about it.
There are those who talk about a chip being implanted, a bar code that will be required for buying, selling and living everyday life. There are others who speak of a literal mark or tattoo on the hand and forehead. How many warnings have you heard in sermons or seen posted on social media or in sermon?
I say neither. That’s too simple. That’s too literal. Check out this verse…
Jeremiah 31:33 (NKJV)
33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Notice that God says, “I will put My law IN their minds, and write it ON their hearts.”
If you take an x-ray, will you find actual words written on your brain or heart? Of course not.
When God places something in your mind, it affects your thinking. When He places something in your heart, it affects what’s most important to you.
It’s the same with Revelation 13:16…
“In their right hand…” In the way you do things.
“In their foreheads…” The way you think.
John told us that the spirit of the antichrist was already here way back then…
1 John 4:3 (NKJV)
3 and every spirit that does not confess that[a] Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
The spirit of the antichrist has been at work for years affecting how Christians ‘do things’ and ‘think’. Convincing us to compromise when it comes to our Lord and Savior Yeshua, Jesus Christ.
Here’s a quick example…think about Easter. What does the name ‘Easter’ have to do with Jesus? Nothing. What do bunnies and eggs have to do with celebrating His resurrection? Nothing. But, you can’t convince well-meaning Christians to celebrate without calling it Easter because it has been to deeply ingrained in the way they ‘do things’ and the way they ‘think’. Why not celebrate His resurrection without calling it by a pagan goddess’ name?
Think of all the ways that the enemy is convincing the people of God to compromise.
Think of how the thinking of this world is changing to accept what God has forbidden.
It’s not what what you accept in or on your skin…it’s what you accept within.
Would it reveal a dirty mind? Or, a mind meditating on what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report and praiseworthy?
Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthyโmeditate on these things.
Would it reveal the works of the flesh or the Fruit of the Spirit?
Would it reveal malice or good intent?
How would you smell at work? At school? While sitting in your home? While looking at your smartphone?
How would you smell while sitting in church?
How often would you smell good? How often would you stink?
Spiritual maturity is realizing that there are some things that caused you so much pain — you’ll never get OVER them. It doesn’t mean you don’t forgive. It just means the thought will always hurt you.
Every time it comes to mind — the thought will hurt you.
Whenever something or someone reminds you of it — you will feel pain.
People spend years of energy trying to make a horrible memory— not hurt.
That’s wasted energy.
You will never get OVER it.
But, you CAN get past it.
You can control how the pain controls you, and how you react to it.
You can prevent IT from preventing YOU from moving on.
Even God Himself felt pain when He thought of how His chosen people consistently turned their backs on Him…
Notice how God sounds like a ‘hurt lover’ as He expresses His pain against how they have treated Him…
Micah 6:3-5 (NKJV)
3 โO My people, what have I done to you? And how have I wearied you? Testify against Me. 4 For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, I redeemed you from the house of bondage; And I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. 5 O My people, remember now What Balak king of Moab counseled, And what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, From [a]Acacia Grove to Gilgal, That you may know the righteousness of the Lord.โ
Remember, just because God said He will forget our sins doesn’t mean that He CAN’T remember them.
Don’t let a mistake get you down.Making things right with God is easy.Just acknowledge your mistake (sin) to Him and make a sincere commitment to never do it again.If you hurt someone else, ask them to forgive you if possible.Ask God for His help so that you don’t do it again.Don’t put yourself in the position to do it again.Even if people don’t forgive you, go forward on confidence and enjoy the fact the God has forgiven you through His Son and our Savior, Yeshua, Christ Jesus. 1 John 1:9(NKJV)If weconfess our sins, He isfaithful and just to forgive usoursins and tocleanse us from all unrighteousness.BE BLESSTIFIED!
Sometimes it seems that texting while driving has stolen the spotlight from drunk driving.
However, it’s still the same problem it was back in 1976 when my grandfather was killed by a drunk driver on his way TO work.
But, many drunk or buzzed drivers aren’t just the stereotypical, stumbling alcoholics.
How many well-respected, hard working professionals, both ‘blue and white collar’ share ‘a couple of drinks’ after work before going home FROM work?
Not only is it a part of day-to-day life in some work places, but in many work cultures it’s an expectation to network and ‘climb the ladder’.
It’s only by the grace of God that more of these happy hours don’t end in tragedy.
I’m not saying don’t go to happy hour, but be responsible. Many people leave one drink, and one blink from suddenly changing (or ending) their life…or someone else’s.
Ephesians 5:17-19 (NKJV)
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
Profanity! Insults! Rumors! Gossip! Retaliation! So, many times we say, “I just had to say it!”
So many times we assert, “I couldn’t hold it in!”
Yes, we can!
You don’t have to say it!
You don’t have to curse them out!
You don’t have to let them know how you feel!
You don’t have to tell them what was said about them!
You don’t have to spread that rumor without any facts!
You don’t have to say everything on your mind!
You can hold it in!
Just as no one embarrasses themselves by blurting out a loud, smelly fart in public…just as we one restrain the hot air that comes out of his or her behind
We can also restrain what comes from our mouths.
No matter how bad one’s stomach may be ‘upset’, not matter how severe the case of diarrhea may be — no one will every embarrass themselves by just ‘letting it go’.
You do everything you can to ‘hold it in’.
We need to learn to do the same thing with our mouths. If we can restrain the hot air that comes from our butt’s, we can restrain the hot air that comes from our mouths. RESTRAINT!
Proverbs 17:27 (NKJV)
27 (A)He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.
People get upset when you insult their father, mother or favorite politician. I get upset when you insult my God!
“Hallowed be your Name” means “May your Name be KEPT holy”. Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ, taught us in the Model prayer that referencing God should always be kept HOLY and never taken lightly.
For those of us who believe in God through His only Son and take the Word of God seriously, blasphemy is a big deal.
To make it simple, blasphemy is…
Elevating humans to God’s level…
Reducing God to human level…
Making God equal to man…
Making idol gods equal to the Lord God of Israel from Everlasting to Everlasting…
Attributing the works of God to the devil…
And, just plain making jokes about or belittling the sovereign God of our creation.
This is why the religious leaders continued to accuse Jesus, the Son of God, of blasphemy…
Luke 5:21 (NIV)
21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, โWho is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?โ(A)
This is why Jesus warned them when they accused Him of having an unclean spirit…
Mark 3:28-30 (NKJV)
28 โAssuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter;29 but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnationโโ 30 because they said, โHe has an unclean spirit.โ
So when people like the popular radio/television/social media personality Lenard McKelvey calls himself by the name Charlemagne Tha God (it bothers me to even type that)…it is just as offensive as insulting one’s father or mother.
It’s an insult to God’s holiness, reverence and Oneness.
It’s foolishness.
Especially because he chose that moniker it because he was quoted as saying “IT SOUNDED COOL”. I’ve read was raised in a Christian home and now claims to be a Muslim. However, they consider it blasphemy too.
He even has a talk show called THE GOD’S HONEST TRUTH, referring to himself.
So, if he wants to foolishly blaspheme, that’s his business. But, he is provoking others to blaspheme just to address or refer to him.
Call no man or woman god…
Not seriously…
Not for fun…
It may be marketable, but it’s not cool.
No matter how much ego, notoriety, money, influence, intelligence, wisdom or perceived power one may have…
Pray is such as special gift from the God of our creation.
We may not have instant and direct access to the President, the governor, the mayor, the CEO, the Athletic Director, your pastor or even one another sometimes…
But, we always have direct access to God through our Lord and Savior Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ).
the Bible teaches us through prayers and supplications to make our requests made known to God…
Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
There have been times that after I have finished praying, I have wondered…did I miss something?
I thanked God.
I asked for forgiveness of my sins.
I prayed for provision, protection and other things.
I prayed for others…
Did I forget something?
But, then I remembered that we are created in the image of God. That means that we can have His character…His essence.
We can love like Him. We can nurture like Him. We can take care of our children the way He takes care of His children.
So, our children don’t have to make a point to specifically ask every day for us to:
Feed them…
Protect them…
Provide the things they need.
The fact is that many times if they simply come to us, unsolicited…
If they approach us ‘out of the blue’ and with obvious sincerity expressing, I LOVE YOU…and we know that it’s real.
That sincere and unselfish expression of love provokes us to WANT to do something to show them how much we love them. Sometimes it makes us want to do something special for them.
I think we have that reaction because we are created in God’s image. Maybe He sometimes reacts the same way towards us when we bow heads prayer or lift our hands in praise and unselfishly, sincerely express I LOVE YOU! I TRUST YOU! I BLESS YOU! And, I JUST WANT YOU TO BE PLEASED WITH ME!
Remember, prayer isn’t only giving God a laundry list of our needs, but an opportunity to express our love for Him.
Every now and then, just thank God and tell Him that you love Him.
Psalm 103:1-2 (NKJV)
Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
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)
8ย Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.ย 9ย And He said to me,ย โMy grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.โย Therefore most gladlyย I will rather boast in my infirmities,ย that the power of Christ may rest upon me.ย 10ย Thereforeย I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christโs sake.ย 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)
10ย He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
11ย For as the heavens are high above the earth, Soย great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12ย As far as the east is from the west, Soย far has Heย removed our transgressions from us. 13ย As a father pitiesย hisย children, Soย theย Lordย pities those who fear Him. 14ย For Heย [a]knows our frame; He remembers that weย areย 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)
1ย How long,ย Lord? Will you forget meย forever? ย ย ย ย How long will you hide your faceย from me? 2ย How long must I wrestle with my thoughts ย ย ย ย and day after day have sorrow in my heart? ย ย ย ย How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3ย Look on meย and answer,ย Lordย my God. ย ย ย ย Give light to my eyes,ย or I will sleep in death, 4ย and my enemy will say, โI have overcome him,โ ย ย ย ย and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5ย But I trust in your unfailing love; ย ย ย ย my heart rejoices in your salvation. 6ย I will singย theย Lordโs praise, ย ย ย ย 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 toย Ziklag, on the third day, that theย Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire,ย 2ย and had taken captive theย women and those whoย wereย there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carriedย themย away and went their way.ย 3ย 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.ย 4ย Then David and the people whoย wereย with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep.ย 5ย And Davidโs twoย wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive.ย 6ย Now David was greatly distressed, forย the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people wasย [a]grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters.ย But David strengthened himself in theย Lordย his God.
There’s a very popular Comedian/Actor/Show Host who has an exceptionally successful career. One of the many hats he wears is that of a radio show host…the show is fast paced, fun and entertaining.
However, he begins his radio show each morning with a very emotional and impactful spiritual monologue. His statements are encouraging and inspirational, and he always gives God glory, BUT during the remainder of his show, he often uses strong language, frequently using profanity that the bible clearly tells us that we shouldnโt do…
Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV)
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Ephesians 5:3-4 (NKJV)
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
In reference to ‘cussing’, he will often assert, โGod is not through with me yet.โ Which is true, but we ALL need to be very careful about our attitude when it comes to this statement.
First of all, IโM NOT JUDGING THIS MAN because we have all (and still do) sin and fall short of the glory of God. We all have room to grow. I have respect both for him and his accomplishments, but I have to be responsible as a minister of God.
Calling out sin, correcting, encouraging, admonishing, instructing and warning one another is not judging…it’s our responsibility.
Romans 3:23 (NKJV)
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
When you have a level of prominence that allows you to reach and influence millions, you bear a great level of responsibility when you are speaking on behalf of God in the name of Yeshua, Jesus Christ.
Here are two problems with sometimes FLIPPANTLY saying what we want…doing what we want…then stating… “God ain’t through with me yet!”
First of all, we must not be guilty of validating our sinful behavior and bad habits to those who may be weaker in the faith or unbelievers by โjustifyingโ our behavior at the time with, โGod is not through with me yetโ…
Second, we must not use โGod is not through with me yetโ to hold on to habits, behavior and attitudes that we simply arenโt trying hard enough to stop. Especially when we know better and can do better.
The word of God has commanded us throughout the New Testament toโฆ
โLet allโฆbe put away from youโ Ephesians 4:31 (NKJV)
โLay asideโ Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV)
God has given us the power and responsibility to stop ourselves.
Many people pray that God will, โTake the sin out of meโโฆhowever, thereโs no personal level of accountability, effort, commitment or love and dedication in being so weak that God has to make us stop.
We as believers must be very careful not to take for granted or take advantage of Godโs abundant grace and mercy.
Remember what God told us through the Apostle Paulโฆ
Romans 6:1-2 (NKJV)
6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
So many times we can find ourselves sayingโฆ
โGod knows my heart.โ
Or
โIโm taking baby stepsโ
We want to always make sure that we arenโt taking baby steps, when God is ready for us to walk.
You donโt want God to become โthrough with youโ before you put forth enough effort to change.
The rich young ruler in the books of Matthew 19 and Mark 10 told Jesus that he kept all of the commandments from his youth up, but the Lord quickly reminded him that he was lacking something.
Thatโs true for all of us. No matter how much we may try to live upright, we will always remain lacking in some area.
You may not be a fornicator, an adulterer, a drunk, a murdererโฆyou may go to church every time the doors open. You may be very generous in your giving โฆ
BUT DO YOU COMPLAIN?
God HATES complaining. He doesn’t hate complainers, but He does hate it when we complain. One of Israelโs greatest, most consistent sins while in the wilderness was that of complaining and murmuring. In fact, it was their complaining that made an 11-day trip last 40 years.
God hates complaining so much he allowed His own children to suffer death to serve as an example of the level of judgment that complaining deservesโฆ
1 Corinthians 10:10 (NKJV)
10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.
But, donโt we have a right to complain sometimes? Especially when some things are beyond our control? Why does God hate complaining so much?
HERE ARE 7 REASONS WHY GOD HATES COMPLAINING SO MUCH…
1.COMPLAINING IS THE OPPOSITE OF THANKSGIVING
It doesnโt get more clear than thisโฆ
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV)
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Plain and simpleโฆGod expects us to be thankful and content in all things (Philippians 4:11-13). There is not one situation when one is complaining that they could not instead find a reason to give thanks or praise. In all of the Psalms where the psalmist was questioning God about troubles did the Psalm not end with praise and thanks giving. (Psalm 6, Psalm 13, Psalm 35, Psalm 94 are just a few). There is a difference in a humble lamentation and an arrogant complaint.
2. COMPLAINING POISONS YOUR ATTITUDE
If weโre honest with ourselves, complaining never makes us feel better. To the contrary if weโre angry it makes us more angry. If weโre frustrated it makes us more frustrated, if weโre discontent it makes us more discontent. Whatever our negative attitude, complaining just makes it more negative. Most of the time we even wear it on our expressions. We look angry and unsatisfied. It takes us from beyond a bad mood to a bad attitude. When we have a bad attitude long enough, it becomes our characterโฆmore on that in a moment.
3. COMPLAINING INFECTS THE ATTITUDES OF OTHERS
How many times have you felt perfectly fine and content about something or someone until someone complained? Complaining is contagious. When we share our negative discontent it can have the same negative affect on someone else’s attitude as well, especially if they are spiritually or emotionally weak.
When we spread discontent, animosity or just a negative attitude we become a stumbling block, and we must always remember that is something that the Lord hates tooโฆ
Matthew 18:6 (NKJV)
6 โWhoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
4. COMPLAINING IMPLIES WE DONโT TRUST GOD
This is huge! God had led Israel and promised them โa land flowing with mild and honeyโ. However, when things got tough, they continually complained and lamented that they wished they had never left Egypt.
Exodus 14:12 (NKJV)
12 Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, โLet us alone that we may serve the Egyptiansโ? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.โ
Exodus 16:3 (NKJV)
3 And the children of Israel said to them, โOh, that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.โ
Complaining in difficult circumstances said to God then and still does today, that we donโt trust Him. Remember that through everything that Job went through did he never BLAME God of charge Him foolishly (Job 1:22).
Even if our circumstances are beyond our control, we must remember that God is sovereign to do what He pleases with His creation for however it suits His divine purpose, and we must trust Him in that.
5. GOD TAKES IT PERSONAL WHEN WE COMPLAIN AGAINST HIS ANOINTED
Itโs Godโs prerogative to choose whom He pleases to lead His people. Even though these leaders are mere men and women, He still expects us to submit to them. Notice Godโs level of anger when the people murmured against Moses and Aaronโฆ
Numbers 14:41-47(NKJV)
41 On the next day all the congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, saying, โYou have killed the people of the Lord.โ 42 Now it happened,when the congregation had gathered against Moses and Aaron, that they turned toward the tabernacle of meeting; and suddenly the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared. 43 Then Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of meeting. 44 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 45 โGet away from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.โ And they fell on their faces. 46 So Moses said to Aaron, โTake a censer and put fire in it from the altar, put incense on it, and take it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them; for wrath has gone out from the Lord. The plague has begun.โ 47 Then Aaron took it as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the assembly; and already the plague had begun among the people. So he put in the incense and made atonement for the people.
We must be very careful of what we say about a man or woman of God, even when they make a mistake or have a human moment. Notice that God did not tell David that he could no longer be king even after he slept with Uriahโs wife and then had him killed (2 Samuel 12). David suffered the consequences, but that did not disqualify his anointing.
6. COMPLAINING SHIFTS RESPONSIBILITY FROM OURSELVES
When Iโm honest with myself. Much of what I complain about is the consequences of my own mistakes and actions. Yes, there are things that happen beyond our control. Misfortunes, storms, sicknesses etc. But, many times we will find ourselves complaining about relationships, jobs, purchases, situations and circumstances that either we prayed for or God gave us to benefit us.
As early as in the garden of Eden, rather than accept his responsibility for choosing to eat the fruit himself, Adam blamed his wifeโฆ
Genesis 3:12 (NKJV)
12 Then the man said, โThe woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.
7. COMPLAINING LEAVES A BAD TESTIMONY
As I mentioned earlier, when we express our dissatisfaction through complaining, and a negative mood and attitude, it can become our character. This is very importantโฆ
God expects us to set the standard of how to handle difficult circumstances.
When we react with negativity we have allowed that to become our testimony in that situation. When we allow our complaints to become go beyond moods to attitudes, we can allow that to become or come across as our character, especially in the limited context of other peopleโs exposure to us, or what they hear about us. Our character or perceived character can become our testimony.
Once we have mishandled a negative situation, our reputation may never recover. We don’t want that to become our testimony.
So, what to you do when you have a legitimate โcomplaintโ?
Remember this. Itโs not necessarily the fact that you disagree that makes it a complaint. Itโs the fact that you disagree negatively. That you express your discontent or lament in a spirit of HUMILITY AND POSITIVITY.
Thereโs a difference in negative discontent and positive discontent.
Pray to God for the wisdom to handle your negative circumstances with grace and in a positive manner, and donโt get caught up in the sometimes overlooked sin of complaining.
Relationships make our lives richerโฆ.better. God created us because He wanted relationship with us.
As our relationships evolve, whether it be marriage, parent/child, siblings or friends…we are also all evolving as individuals.
For example, If you’ve been married any number of years, then neither of you are the same people you were when you first married.
The truth is some things get better, and some things don’t.
There will always be some things, attitudes, behaviors, moods, etc., that you hate about those who you love most….it doesn’t mean you hate them.
In fact, daily living and loving beyond those things is what makes it love.
Think about God…do you think He is always pleased with you?
Are there ways He is still expecting you to change?
Even at our best, we donโt measure up go Godโs level of righteousnessโฆ
Isaiah 64:6 (NKJV)
But we are all like an unclean thing,And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.
Itโs only through Godโs abundant grace and mercy that we are able to be in His Holy presence.
Thatโs why His gift of justification is so valuable, and should never be taken for granted. Even though we are unrighteousโฆthrough the blood of our Lord Jesus, we are โcounted as righteousโ.
Romans 3:23-25 (NKJV)
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
Just as we donโt measure up to Godโs standardโฆWe disappoint each other because at times donโt measure up to one another’s expectationsโฆwhether reasonable or unreasonable.
Just as we continue to disappoint God in our individual relationships with Him, we will continue to disappoint one another in our relationships with each other.
As years go by, even though we grow to know one another better, there will still be things about each other that โdrive us up the wallโ…things that ‘drive us crazy’.
Think about some things that you hate about those people who are closest to you.
Does it mean that your relationship is flawed?
Well, yes it doesโฆbut so is your relationship with God.
But, just as God loves us through our flaws, He expects us to love one another through ours as well.
So, the next time your notice your husbandโฆwifeโฆparentโฆsisterโฆbrotherโฆfriend doing something you donโt like…or even hate, after all these years rememberโฆ
Theirs something they canโt stand about you, and…
It makes your relationship normalโฆnot over.
Love each other through it, just as God loves you.
Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV)
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
There are many celebrities, politicians, athletes and ministers who have huge audiences. They have great NAME RECOGNITION, people know them nearly everywhere they go, listen to what they have to say and even imitate their behavior. They have huge influence with their fans or followers. It’s disappointing to see what some people do with their voice and influence. Some are blessed with a social stage or public platform only to squander their voice and influence on foolishness or themselves.
We may not all be celebrities, but God has given all of us an audience and a voice. In your home, job, school, church, the park, the shopping center, in traffic, the restaurant people are watching you and listening to you. What are you doing with your audience? Many times we claim we want God to ‘enlarge our territoryโ just as Jabez prayed in 1 Chronicles 4:10. We ask Him togive us more resources and influence, but are we being responsible with that we already have? Are we being responsible with those in our circle of influence, no matter how small?
How do you handle disappointment on the job?…in front of your children?
How do you act when you get bad service in the restaurant?โฆor in a store?
How do you behave when frustrated in traffic?โฆ(That one hit me!)
Do you speak up for the right things when it’s not popular to do so or remain silent?
How do you represent yourself on social media?
How do you dress?
God tells us in 1 Peter 2:12 โฆ
โHaving your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.โ
Colossians 4:5 says… “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.โ
And of course In Matthew Jesus saysโฆ
Matthew 5:14-16… โYou are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. God expects us to be His Light in the world.
Too many people want God to move them to bigger and better when they aren’t even thriving where they’re planted.
Are you thriving where you’re planted?
What are you doing with your voice and influence?
How are you perceived in your circles?
Whether you have an audience of one or one million, God expects you to honor Him and be light. Men, Women and Children of God…let’s be responsible with our audience.
BE BLESSTIFIED! 