Don’t worry about tomorrow, if you don’t trust God with today.
There may be some reason that you aren’t looking forward to or may even be dreading tomorrow…. next week… or next month. It could be because of challenges in your relationship(s), on your job, your health.
It could be that your paycheck will not be enough to take care of your obligations.
It may be a promise you made that you already know you can’t fulfill.
You may have robbed Peter and still don’t have enough to pay Paul. You may be separated from loved ones and support.
It may be the expected or the unexpected.
I’m not here to promise a miracle if you share this post.
I’m not even promising tomorrow will be better or even arrive.
God hasn’t promised us tomorrow…but He has given us today.
That’s why He said…
Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
If you have the strength or means to read this post or have it read to you, then God has abundantly blessed you.
In fact, no matter how much or how little money, food, clothing, strength or hope you have, He’s given you more than enough for today.
Those days in your past that you have dreaded, even if they were as ‘bad’ as you expected…you’re still here.
The truth is that God is sovereign to do what He pleases with each day and each person He made.
He loves us, and no matter how bad it may seem, He’s working all things together for our good…
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
The fact is either we trust Him or we don’t. Don’t worry about tomorrow if you don’t trust God with today.
If you’re worried about tomorrow… next week… or even next year…
SNAP OUT OF IT! And, make a conscious effort to do everything you can to enjoy every minute… every second… every hour of today.
Reach down inside and praise God and tell Him you love Him and trust Him with today.
If you don’t know what to say, I suggest…
Psalm 118:24 (NKJV)
This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
All it takes is looking at the news or social media.
I’m gonna let the scripture speak for itself…
Galatians 5:15-16 NKJV
But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
We sometimes makes things too easy for the devil by how we treat each other.
Sometimes, it takes so little to bring out the worst in us, but so much to bring out the best.
When Jesus was in the home of Mary and Martha, He reminded Martha that she had become distracted by what was ‘going on in the house’ rather than focusing on ‘who’ was in the house…
Luke 10:41-42 (NASB)
41 But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary; for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Think about those who call themselves Christians.
Think about those who claim they make their decisions based on the bible.
Think about those who claim that they speak for God.
Has the enemy distracted believers from the core mission and message that Yeshua the Messiah gave us…
Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV)
19 Go [a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [b]Amen.
Is making disciples a priority?
Is sharing God’s love a priority?
Is ‘being the peace’ in chaos a priority?
Is sharing God’s forgiveness a priority?
Is sharing God’s gift of salvation a priority?
Are we as believers repenting of our own sins? Or blaming EVERYTHING that’s wrong on ‘sinners’?
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Have we forgotten that we are all sinners saved by grace?
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 8:31-32(NKJV)
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If youabide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.32 And you shall know thetruth, andthe truth shall make you free.”
Acts 11:26(NKJV)
26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
When God delivered Lot from Sodom, Lot really didn’t want to go. God had to literally snatch him out, and gave them a stern warning that they DO NOT LOOK BACK!
Genesis 19:15-17 (NKJV)
15 When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” 16 And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. 17 So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that [a]he said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be [b]destroyed.”
Looking back implies that you don’t want to go...
Looking back implies that you regret leaving…
Looking back implies that your heart is still there...
We all know what happened to Lot’s wife when she looked back. She turned into a pillar of salt as an extreme example for us of the dangers in LOOKING BACK…
Genesis 19:26 (NKJV)
26 But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
Remember what God taught us through the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians Chapter 10…
1 Corinthians 10:11 (NKJV)
11Now [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.
God doesn’t change. God gets just as angry when we look back as He got when Lot’s wife did. He get’s just as frustrated when want to hang on to what we should let go of.
So, let me warn us of some situations when we should never look back.
IF IT MAKES YOU ANGRY
Unmanaged anger leads to rage and rage leads to hatred and wrath. Wrath is the result of uncontrolled anger. Why continue to look back on things that can lead to greater sin? Why look back on things that can prevent you from forgiving?
IF IT MADE YOU HORNY
We all know that lust leads to a variety of sins, but lust must be fed. It is fed through our senses. What we see…What we hear…What we smell…What we touch…What we taste… So, some pictures or videos you don’t need to see or watch ever again. Some colognes or perfumes you may never need to use again if it reminds you of a relationship that you should not have been in. Some text messages and phone calls you do not need to return..
Don’t look back!
IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL DEPRESSED
Depression is real, but just like lust it can be fed with the thought on which we choose to linger. So, don’t look back on those triggers that make you feel bad. It could be as simple as you may be depressed that you can’t afford a vacation. Well, then you don’t need to spend time on social media scrolling through people’s vacation pictures and videos if you know it will depress you…Don’t look back!
IF YOU’RE TRYING TO STOP
Remember God had to snatch Lot from Sodom, but He would have much rather that Lot left on his own. The same goes for us. If you are trying to stop a behavior, habit or relationship that you know is displeasing to God, then stop putting yourself in the position to continue. There are some routes home that you may never need to take anymore. If you are trying to stop getting drunk, then stop walking down the aisle in the store with alcoholic beverages, until you’re strong enough. Again, don’t answer that phone call or respond to that text message if you know it’s someone that you need to leave alone. AS A MATTER OF FACT DELETE THEIR NUMBERS AND EMAIL. SINFUL RELATIONSHIPS DON’T NEED CLOSURE. THE NEED FOR CLOSURE IS LOOKING BACK. JUST STOP 🛑…Don’t look back!
IF IT MAKES YOU COVET
We live in a society where covetousness can sneak up on the best of us. There is nothing wrong with wanting more, but an excessive desire for wealth, possessions or something that someone else has leads to what you desire becoming your god…
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.
This list is by no means exhaustive, but I think you get the idea. You know you better than anyone. What are some things that can come between you and God that you know you shouldn’t look back at? Looking back can make your weaknesses stronger than your strengths.
The purpose of this article is not to defend nudity, but to remind us as to how it’s been presented, even academically, has continued a narrative that encourages racism.
Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s I will always remember the excitement of seeing a teacher roll an ‘old school’, reel-to-reel film projector into the room. It was a welcome diversion from normal classroom activities. However, I recall my spirit dropping and a feeling of dread when I saw that the ‘educational film’ was set in Africa, or the America’s where the nudity was described as ‘indigenous’, ‘native’ or tribal.
I would look around the room at some of my Black female classmates, and they would look embarrassed…I was. I could hear some of my classmates who were not Black laughing and giggling, but not the same way if they would giggle if the pictures were in an ‘adult’ magazine or movie. This nudity ‘indigenous’ was not presented as sensual, sexy, or erotic, but it equated to watching animals at the zoo who didn’t wear clothes. The males and females in these films were portrayed as uncivilized, unappealing and helped continue the narrative that people who lived in or originated in these countries were….less and inferior.
Was it stated explicitly? No. Was it inferred? Absolutely.
Respected publications such as National Geographic would be accessible to everyone on the shelf, while magazines with topless women would be hidden. They both contained nudity.
All of this helped established a paradigm that ‘indigenous’, ‘native’ or ‘tribal’ nudity was not equal to the European or American nudity that is accepted as art. While colonizers were savagely conquering ‘indigenous’ people around the globe, they portrayed these people as ‘savage’ and inferior.
So, why isn’t nudity displayed by people who are born in the United States or Europe considered ‘indigenous’ or ‘native’ when that’s the case by definition?
Why are some articles of clothing that are close to the color of ‘lighter skinned’ races considered ‘nude’ or ‘flesh’ color?
As the discussion about ‘cancel culture’ continues, quite frankly, some things should be canceled. Bringing an end to spiritually and culturally destructive traditions is one of the reasons the Pharisees and leaders sought to kill Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ…
Mark 7:7-9 (NKJV)
7 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—[a]the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.”
9 He said to them, “All too well you [b]reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
Even if we didn’t participate in establishing the cultures that cause division today, when we don’t work to change them, we are still guilty of participating by allowing them to continue.
Jesus eluded to this as well…
Matthew 23:29-32 (NKJV)
29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and [a]adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30 and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’
31 “Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt.
Here’s a couple of yes or no questions to ask yourself.
Are you satisfied with the level of respect that you give to God?
Do you think that God is satisfied with the level of love and respect that you give to Him?
Husbands want their wives to respect them…
Wives want their husbands to respect them…
Parents want their children to respect them…
Children want their parents to respect them…
Employers want their employees to respect them…
Employees want their employers to respect them…
Leaders want their constituents to respect them…
Constituents want their leaders to respect them…
We want people to respect our race…
We want people to respect our heritage…
We want people to respect our rights.
But, how often do we stop and ask ourselves how much respect do we give to the God of our salvation?
You know what I believe? I honestly believe He sometimes allows…
Husbands to disrespect wives…
Wives to disrespect husbands…
Parents to disrespect children…
Employers to disrespect employees…
Employees to disrespect employers…
Leaders to disrespect their constituents…
Constituents to disrespect leaders…
He allows us to disrespect one another so we can see how HE feels when we…
Disrespect…
Disobey…
Dishonor…
Betray…
Ignore…
Him…
Or when we put Him to open shame.
Remember, if we aren’t careful we can be guilty of unintentionally trying to convince God to worship us and our will rather than us worshipping His will.
If we aren’t careful we can be guilty of the idolatry of worshipping ourselves. And, you know who got kicked out of Heaven for that…
Isaiah 14:12-14 (NKJV)
12 “How you are fallen from heaven, O [a]Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’
Listening to the news I was again amazed at a gentleman who says he’s a Christian who was proclaiming how passionate he is about keeping his OATH to defend the constitution.
I have absolutely no problem with defending the constitution…it’s our duty.
I do however have a problem with TAKING AN OATH rather than ‘affirming’ to do so.
Why?
Because Yeshua, The Messiah, (Jesus Christ) implicitly, unmistakably and irrevocably FORBADE it…
Matthew 5:33-37 (NKJV)
33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of [a]old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s 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 [b]your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
James 5:12 (NKJV)
12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into [a]judgment.
It doesn’t get more plain that those two verses.
It’s amazing how some sins such as homosexuality and abortion are politicized, while swearing and taking oaths are not only ignored, but done blatantly in the face of God demanding that He accept it.
Article 2, Section 1, of the U.S. Constitution prescribes the oath of office.
From Senate.gov website:(https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Oath_Office.htm)…”The Constitution contains an oath of office only for the president. For other officials, including members of Congress, that document specifies only that they “shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation to support this constitution.” In 1789, the First Congress reworked this requirement into a simple fourteen-word oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States.””
Many people’s minds immediately go to looking for excuses and reasons to justify a tradition that clearly goes directly against what Jesus commanded, just like the Pharisees…
Mark 7:7-13 (NKJV)
7 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—[a]the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.”
9 He said to them, “All too well you [b]reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 11 But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), 12 then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”
Quite frankly, this tradition is directly from Satan (“37 But let [b]your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.“) however, it continues for generations because, just like the ‘system’ during Jesus’s earthly ministry, the system excuses, justifies and expects it.
Is homosexuality a sin?
Yes.
Is abortion a sin?
Yes.
Is adultery a sin?
Yes.
Is idolatry a sin?
Yes.
Is taking an oath of office, or in court, or into public service as in?
Yes, just as much as those mentioned above.
So, why are Americans content with that? Where is the passion for removing the stain of this sin from our country?
Before you blame the the wrong in America on the two or three big sins you hate…God could be pissed off at the sins you accept, such as oaths and pride.
John Chapter 17 records the real ‘Lord’s Prayer’, as Matthew 6 gives us the model prayer. In John, He prays for Himself, His disciples and finally those who believe in Him through the disciples words…us.
It’s interesting of all things He could pray about, in verses 20 through 24 He prayed for…
Unity… Agreement… ONENESS!
Why?
Because three of the most powerful forces on this earth are…
LOVE…
HATE…
and…
UNITY!
It would be impossible for the Gospel to spread, the church to grow and families to survive without unity.
Notice what the bible says about agreement…
Genesis 11:6 (NKJV)
6 And the Lord said, “Indeed the people ARE ONE and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.
Amos 3:3 (NKJV)
3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
1 Corinthians 1:10 (NKJV)
10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all [a]speak the same thing, and that there be no [b]divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
It was through ‘agreement’ and ‘unity’ that the devil was able to provoke rebellion in heaven leading to him and those who united with him being kicked out…
Revelation 12:7-9 (NKJV)
7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they [a]did not prevail, nor was a place found for [b]them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
However, the ultimate agreement is in heaven…
1 John 5:7 (NKJV)
7For there are three that bear witness [a]in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
So, if our Savior was intentional enough to pray for agreement, I encourage you to be intentional to specifically pray for agreement EVER DAY in…
Your marriage…
Your family…
In your local church…
In the Body of Christ…
In your government…
On your job.
And especially pray for unity with God… That you are ONE with Him and He is ONE with you, just as He is ONE with our Lord and Savior Yeshua the Messiah. Pray for this every day, and if possible every time you pray.
Notice how many times the Lord says or infers ONE in His prayer for us…
John 17:20-26 (NKJV)
20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who [a]will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be ONE as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be ONE in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be ONE just as We are ONE: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in ONE, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
Remember, this isn’t just a prayer, it’s the Lord’s passion. And, it should be ours too.
One of the keys to having inner PEACE is understanding and accepting the fact that God never promised that life on this earth would be fair. The fact that God told us that we shouldn’t fret because evildoers will prosper let’s us know that life isn’t fair ( Psalm 37:1).
The fact that God told us that it has been given to us to not only believe, but to suffer for the sake of Christ ( Philippians 1:29) implies that life isn’t fair.
It’s not fair that some are born rich and others in deep poverty.
It’s not fair that children get sick, suffer and die.
It’s not fair that some horrible parents have several children while some potential great parents are unable to have any.
It’s not fair that some people were born into generations of slavery while others squander their freedom.
Let’s take for example sick children. Notice in the bible how David’s first child by Bathsheeba died because of his sin in 2 Samuel 12.
Notice in Mark 9 and Matthew 17 how a man’s son was possessed by a demon since he was a child.
Notice in John Chapter 9 how a man was born blind and spent most of his life blind until healed by Jesus. Notice in Matthew 9 Jairus’ daughter died, but was resurrected by Jesus.
Now those that Jesus healed had been sick, possessed or died for the sole purpose that God could be glorified through their healing, deliverance and resurrection.
The truth is I CAN’T EXPLAIN why David’s son died. There is much about why God does what He does that we can’t explain.
In fact, who are we to ask for an explanation?
When they continually asked Jesus for a sign, He said none would be given but the sign of the prophet Jonah (Matthew 16:4). The fact is, Jesus showed them numerous miracles and signs which they ignored, but they wanted a sign that would satisfy them. Jesus Himself pointed out in…
Luke 4:25-27
But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; 26 but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath,in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”
God tells us in Romans 9:21 that the clay doesn’t question the potter.
Most of all it wasn’t fair that God had to send His only Son to suffer and die a shameful death for our sins. The truth is that life isn’t fair, there is much we won’t understand, and much we can’t understand with our limited human intelligence, as God told in…
Isaiah 55:8-9…8
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
No one has all of the answers as to why God does what He does and allows what He allows, and don’t trust any ‘superspiritual’ person who claims to have all the answers.
The fact is, that after all things are considered, we must TRUST GOD.
He promised in…
Romans 8:28
All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
We must understand and accept that even though God may not be FAIR by our standards that He is JUST by His.
Have you ever noticed in Matthew Chapter 23 that the religious leaders told Yeshua, Jesus, that if they had lived in the past they would not have mistreated and killed the prophets as their ancestors did?
Many people do the same thing today. They point a self-righteous finger at the Scribes, Pharisees, Chief Priests, those who shouted CRUCIFY HIM, those who worshipped the golden calf, those who bowed to Nebuchadnezzar’s idol God, and so on. People prove on which side of history they would have stood in the past by their attitudes, actions, and behavior today.
Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ, sharply rebuked the religious leaders (the system) because they claimed if they had lived in the past, they would not have participated in killing the prophets as their ancestors did. He told them that they SHARED IN THE GUILT OF THEIR ANCESTORS because of their attitudes and actions TODAY…
Matthew 23:29-32 (NKJV)
29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and[a]adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30 and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’
31 “Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt.
Matthew 23:29-32 (NIV)
29 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30 And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!
People today claim they would have gone into the fiery furnace with the Hebrew slave boys, or lions’ den with Daniel, but prove they wouldn’t because they won’t take a stand for God at work, or conform to a sinful culture because they don’t want to lose their job.
People today claim they would have fled Sodom and Gomorrah with Lot, but prove they wouldn’t have because they support gay marriage and the gay lifestyle, when Yeshua clearly affirms that marriage is between a man and woman in Matthew Chapter 19 verses 3-9.
People today claim they wouldn’t have participated in worshipping a graven image or calling out the name of an idol, but they prove they would have by blasphemously calling a day to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior by the name of a pagan goddess (Easter, Eostre, Ishtar, Ashtoreth).
Exodus 23:13 (NKJV)
13 “And in all that I have said to you, be circumspect and make no mention of the name of other gods, nor let it be heard from your mouth.
People today prove where they would have stood during the American Civil Rights Movement…
People today prove if they would have considered Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to be a great man or a trouble maker…
People today prove if they would consider the peaceful protests to be a means to change or a nuisance…
People today prove whether they would have supported a system of slavery or against it by how they hold on to the symbols and paradigms of a sinful heritage of oppression, rape and separation of families because they feel it honors their ancestors.
People today prove whether they would have placed ‘traditions of man’ over the word of God (flags, statues, monunents, hazing, etc…
Matthew 15:1-8 (NKJV)
15 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”
3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying,‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother,“Whatever profit you might have received from me isa gift to God”— 6 then he need not honor his father[a]or mother.’ Thus you have made the[b]commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. 7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
8 ‘These people [c]draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.
How you respond to the teachings of Yeshua the Messiah today proves how you would have stood back then…
People today prove whether they would have shouted HOSANNA or CRUCIFY Him!
Yahuah (God) makes it clear in His word what He loves and what He hates. We have a tendency to ‘cherry-pick’ what sins we want to say are more critical (fornication, adultery, homosexuality, abortion, gambling) even to the point of politicizing them. Yahuah however, when He gives us a list of seven sins that He considers to be abominations (even though all sin displeases Him, abominations displease Him to a repugnant level), it’s obvious which one tops the list.
Proverbs 6:16-19 (NKJV)
16 These six things the Lord (Yahuah) hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to [a]Him: 17 A PROUD LOOK, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren
If you notice verse 17, pride is just as much an abomination as abortion (one way innocent blood is shed)
1 John 2:16 (NKJV)
16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the PRIDE OF LIFE—is not of the Father but is of the world.
Here are 5 reasons that pride may be the deadliest of all sins:
1. PRIDE GOT THE ADVERSARY KICKED OUT OF HEAVEN…
It was pride that caused the enemy to be rejected by our Elohim because he desired to exalt himself above El Elyon the Most High.
Isaiah 14:12-13 (NKJV)
12 “How you are fallen from heaven, O [a]Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God(El Elyon); I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north;
We must be very careful of when we are guilty of this type of pride today. When we impose and prioritize our will above Yahuah’s will.. When we decide for God which sins are BIG sins and which sins are small sins… When we prioritize our traditions, laws and ordinances above God’s.
2. PRIDE IS LIKE A SPIRITUAL CANCER THAT LEADS TO OTHER SPIRITUAL ILLNESSES.
Pride is like a spiritual cancer, that spreads to other spiritual illnesses.The problem is the PARENT sin that so many other sins. Many other sins are BIRTHED from our pride, think about it…
Look at the ‘works of the flesh’…
Galatians 5:19-21 (NKJV)
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [d]adultery, [e]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [f]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 Yahuah.
Notice this list of sins that God considers equal to homosexuality…
Romans 1:26-32 (NKJV)
26 For this reason Yahuah gave them up to vile passions. For even their [i]women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the [j]men, leaving the natural use of the [k]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 Yahuah in their knowledge, Yahuah gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, [l]sexual immorality, wickedness, [m]covetousness, [n]maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of Yahuah, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 [o]undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, [p]unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of Yahuah, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
Many of these sins are a result of pride in our hearts…envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil minds, covetousness, maliciousness, sexual immorality, gossip, boasting, unforgiving, etc.
3. PRIDE BLINDS PEOPLE THAT THEY CAN’T SEE THEY ARE GUILTY OF IT
Many times we can’t see when we are filled with pride. Even if someone tries to tell us we won’t accept it. This is deadly! It’s no different than ignoring a deadly diagnosis. Refusing to accept our pride leads to complacency with not only pride but other sins.
4. PEOPLE HAVE CONVINCED THEMSELVES PRIDE NOT A SIN
We live in a society that considers pride to be an attribute and even a virtue. How many times have you heard people say, “I’VE GOT MY PRIDE”?
Society has accepts and excuses…
National pride…
Racial pride…
Pride in traditions…
Pride in our children…
Pride in our accomplishments…
El Rlyon has not given us permission to be PROUD of any of these things. Thankful? Yes! Proud? No!
5. PRIDE CREATES IDOLS THAT ARE NOT GRAVEN IMAGES
Pride is actually worshipping ourselves, accomplishments, traditions and our flesh.As mentioned in number 3 above, we create idols of what we are proud of. We honor it. We fight for it. We condemn others when they don’t give the level of respect that we feel they should. Look at how Yeshua rebuked the ‘system’ for prioritizing their traditions over the word of Yahuah…
Matthew 15: 6b
6 then he need not honor his father [a]or mother.’ Thus you have made the [b]commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.
Notice how this gentleman blatantly imposes his will over Yahuah’s will when confronted with the fact that the word ‘swear’ should be removed from the constitution…
So here’s the conversation:
ME:
Matthew 5:34-37 (NKJV)Jesus Forbids Oaths34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s 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 [b]your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.https://beblesstified.com/2020/06/25/why-the-word-swear-needs-to-be-removed-from-the-constitution-asap/
HIM: (Justifying what he wants to believe in spite of what Yeshua said)
“The only reason God forbids you from swearing to an oath is that he wants us to realize that when you swear to something, he is going to hold you to it. I swore to this oath and with God’s help I will hold to it and I stand by it. If he didn’t want us to swear to something then why did he swear in Isaiah that ever knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
As far as taking swear out of the constitution only weakens the meaning of it and would make it null and void and that is what the powers that be want.“
He was referring to Isaiah,,,
Isaiah 45:23 (NKJV)
23 I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath.
(This is God swearing by Himself. We are not God)
ME:
“Yeshua forbade us from swearing because He wants the truth in our words to stand on its on, like His. That’s why He said ‘Let your yes be yes, and your no be know’. You are trying to justify doing something that God clearly said DO NOT DO.Taking the word swear out does not weaken anything if God said don’t do it. As far as Isaiah, That was God swearing by Himself…we are not God. You already know that oaths were permitted in the Old Testament, just like ‘an eye for an eye’. James 5:12 But above all, my brethren, (A)do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into [a]judgment. God bless you my brother”
HIM:
“I still stand by my word and I’m sure all others will as well.”
ME:
That’s fine and quite frankly that’s the problem. This is the type arrogance and pride that is bringing this country down. (pride comes before a fall). You are standing on YOUR word. I am standing on GOD’S word. I gave you scriptures from Matthew and James and explained the context of Isaiah. What you are doing is expecting God’s word to submit to YOUR will instead of submitting to HIS. Do you realize how dangerous that is? Do you realize that’s exactly what the Pharisees, Chief Priests, and Scribes did? I have done my duty in planting a seed of truth. God bless you. https://beblesstified.com/2020/07/05/worried-about-losing-your-freedom-look-at-your-own-pride-first/
6. PRIDE CAUSES YAHUAH TO RESIST US
James 4:6-7 (NKJV)
6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
Pride causes Yahuah to actually resist us. It causes God to ‘turn His face from us’ until we repent. However, humility is what causes Him to release His underserved favor upon us.
7. PRIDE MAKES US ‘HARDHEADED’ AND ‘HARDHEARTED’
Pride makes us refuse to listen to Godly reason and gain Godly wisdom. It causes us to reject the word of our Elohim. It makes us reject instruction that can help us grow closer to Yahuah and mature spiritually. Pride makes us refuse to grow, and allows us to protect our own ignorance.
Proverbs 15:25-33 (NKJV)
25 Yahuah will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Yahuah. But the words of the pure are pleasant.
27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
29 Yahuah is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones [a]healthy.
31 The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise. 32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding. 33 The fear of the Yahuah is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.
Proverbs 16:18-20 (NKJV)
18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before [a]a fall. 19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the [b]spoil with the proud.
20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
Remember to always replace the word PROUD with the word THANKFUL!
11 For the grace(A) of God has appeared(B) that offers salvation to all people.(C)12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions,(D)and to live self-controlled,(E) upright and godly lives(F) in this present age,
“I’m only human!”
“I’m just a man!”
“I have needs!”
“God made me this way!”
These are some phrases we can find ourselves using to comfort ourselves or to explain to someone else when we have given in to sins of the flesh…especially sexual sin…
Fornication…
Adultery…
Homosexuality…
Pornography…
The bible reminds us that the ‘flesh’ wars against the ‘spirit’ and ‘spirit against the ‘flesh’. It’s a battle, therefore God knows that it’s not easy…
Galatians 5:16-18 (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.
Matthew 26:41 (NKJV)
41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
God designed our bodies (flesh) to have sexual desire to be enjoyed within the boundaries of Godly marriage between a man and woman.
These desires are produced and regulated by our glands and our brain.
Testicles…
Ovaries…
When we allow how we react to the hormones these glands release into our bodies to control us, we are allowing our glands to become our god.
“I just can’t help myself!”
“I just can’t say no!”
“I just can’t stay away!”
There are some people who spend most of their time and energy thinking about sex. Even within a marriage, being obsessed with sex can be unhealthy and destructive.
The fact is that much of our society is obsessed with sex. It’s in television, social media, movies, music, art, literature…SEX SALES!
So, whether married or unmarried, we must control our sexual desires and not let them rule us. Because when something rules you, it becomes a priority, and it’s easy for what we prioritize to become our idols….our gods.
That’s why the apostle Paul asserts that he brought his flesh under subjection…
1 Corinthians 9:27 (NKJV)
27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
Remember, lack of discipline over his flesh is what allowed Esau to give up his birthright and blessing. He surrendered it to his brother for a single meal (Genesis 25:29-34).
That’s why the exercise of fasting is so important. It’s bringing our bodies under subjection so that what our bodies ‘want’ and our cravings won’t rule us…we rule them.
Sometimes telling God YES is telling our bodies NO!
When it comes to the battle of HOLY vs. HORNY, the struggle is real.
Galatians 5:16-17 (NKJV)
16 I say then: (A)Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For (B)the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, (C)so that you do not do the things that you wish.
Don’t let your glands become your God!
Titus 3:3-8 (MSG)
3-8 It wasn’t so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God’s gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there’s more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this.
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 Lord’s house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for [a]Tammuz.
15 Then He said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? Turn again, you will see greater abominations than these.” 16 So He brought me into the inner court of the Lord’s 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, “Have 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.”
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 Encyclopædia 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:
“Do 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.”
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 God’s 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.
Are your children ever disobedient or disrespectful? Come on, now even ‘good’ kids have their moments.
Are your adult children ever unappreciative, disconnected or disrespectful?
Mark 7:8-13 (NKJV)
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men[a]—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” 9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’;[b]and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’[c]11 But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God),12 then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother,13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”
Most if not all Christian parents love to remind their children of what the bible says about being obedient to parents…
Ephesians 6:1 (NKJV)
6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Colossians 3:20 (NKJV)
20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
And, most parents get frustrated and angry when their children…
Disobey them…
Disrespect them…
Deny them…
Embarrass them…
Don’t appreciate them…
Don’t ask for their advice…
Don’t take their advice…
Don’t talk to them…
Respect others more than them…
Or, even rebel against them.
Have you ever had, or are you going through any of these situations as a parent? Did you put your parents through any of these situations?
All parents want their children to listen to them…to honor and respect them. And, they don’t want it to be a ‘burden’ to do so. They want them to do it freely out of love for them.
So, parents, the next time you are frustrated because your children aren’t listening, or aren’t giving you the respect you deserve, remember this verse…
1 John 5:3 (NKJV)
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
Then, I ask you to join me in asking yourself, “Is this how God feels when I…
Disobey Him…
Disrespect Him…
Deny Him…
Embarrass Him…
Don’t appreciate Him…
Don’t ask for His advice…
Don’t take His advice…
Don’t talk to Him…
Respect others more than Him…
Rebel against Him…
Don’t listen to Him?
Why should we expect any more out of our children than we give to God?
Maybe, just maybe, God is sometimes trying to teach us a lesson through our children.
If you believe in God and angelic influence in our lives, then you have to believe in the devil and demonic (fallen angel) influence in our lives as well.
The bible not only gives examples of the devil influencing our behavior…
Luke 22:3-4 (NKJV)
3 Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. 4 So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them.
But, it also makes it clear that even some doctrines taught in the church have demonic origins…
1 Timothy 4:1 (NKJV)
Now the Spirit [a]expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
It’s unfortunate that from race, to religion, to fraternal organizations, to business, to ‘heritage’, to family…too many cultures and traditions have either intentionally or unintentionally been established and endured due to demonic influence.
If it contradicts the word of God, then it’s not of God.
God has given us clear insight in how to tell if there’s been demonic influence in culture or tradition, but too many times we ignore, justify or excuse it because we’re too committed to our traditions etc.,
Mark 7:7-9 (NRSV)
7 in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’
8 You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”
9 Then he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition!
The knowledge is available, but too many times we choose willful ignorance…
Hosea 4:6 (NKJV)
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
Here’s some explicit, biblical examples of how to tell if a culture or tradition has been established or influenced by demons…
1. IT CONTRADICTS THE WORD OF GOD…
This one was stated above, but let me give you a perfect example that someone is sure to deflect, justify or explain because the feel compelled to continue the tradition. Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ), and the Book of James clearly tells us to never swear an oath and goes on to say that when we do IT IS FROM THE DEVIL…, but from court, to public office, to public servants to the military, the tradition has been established to make the first act of office or service A SIN by swearing an oath. It’s even written in the United States constitution to ‘swear or affirm’. But, the Lord said…
Matthew 5:34-37 (NKJV)
34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s 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 ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
James 5:12 (NKJV)
12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into [a]judgment.
One way the devil gets demonic traditions to survive for thousands of years is to convince people they are depriving their children of something. For example, God made it clear that we should not only avoid to worship pagan Gods, but to refrain from allowing their names to come from out lips…
Joshua 23: 7(NKJV)
7 and lest you go 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,
The devil has convinced well-meaning Christians to blaspheme every time they mention a day meant to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ by calling it by the name of a pagan goddess. This tradition is so established that not only do many Christians not know why it’s called Easter, but they feel compelled to defend it once the find out that it and it’s traditions are pagan. Celebrate without calling it Easter and ‘hunting eggs’ NAMES MATTER (WHY WE SHOULD STOP CALLING EASTER…EASTER)
2. IT’S BASED ON PRIDE
God hates pride and explicitly forbids it. However, from family, to nation, to race, to organizations, people proclaim that pride is a part of the culture and tradition.
Proverbs 16:18 (NKJV)
18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before [a]a fall.
James 4:6 (NKJV)
6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
Anytime we feel compelled to use the word pride, thankful is always more appropriate
3. WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO TO BECOME A PART OF IT OR PARTICIPATE
There are so many cultures and organizations that either force people to sin to become a part of them, or to sin to participate in them. One thing that I couldn’t ignore when I was living on campus when going to college is the sinful behavior in which pledges (of all races) had to participate to become a part of a fraternity or sorority. And, once a member some frats very reputation was of sinful promiscuity and overindulgence in alcohol (watch some people push back on this one)…
It’s amazing that despite how easy God makes it to become a part of His organization (The Body of Christ or the church) that we can make it so difficult to become a part of some of ours.
Many toxic corporate and organizational cultures flourish because people are forced to make unethical and ungodly decisions. Many of these cultures pervert what God calls strength… FOR THOSE WHO PERVERT WHAT GOD CALLS TRUE STRENGTH…
4. IT EXPLICITLY HONORS THE DEVIL
God takes names very seriously. He changed Jacob’s name to Israel. He changed Abram’s name to Abraham. He changed Sarai’s name to Sarah. He continuously reiterated the fact that He takes His own names very seriously…
Exodus 20:7 (NKJV)
7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
No matter how holy you are, we all know that it takes money…currency…mediums of exchange to operate in this world.
Even the church, The Body of Christ, must utilize money to interact with the world for goods, services, citizenship, to do kingdom work in the world, serve and sustain until the LORD returns. Look at how Jesus humbled Himself to submit to the world’s system of money and taxes…
Matthew 17:24-27 (NKJV)
24 When they had come to Capernaum,[a] those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?” 25 He said, “Yes.”
And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” 26 Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 27 Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money;[b] take that and give it to them for Me and you.”
Jesus admitted that THIS world is not His kingdom…
John 18:36 (NKJV)
36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
His kingdom has a different medium of exchange…
LOVE
Love, like money, does no one any good if it’s not exchanged….
It can be a gift, given even if it’s not reciprocated…
Or, it can be exchanged to the mutual benefit or enjoyment of those involved in the transaction.
Consider that through God’s love…
We were BOUGHT
1 Corinthians 6:20 (NKJV)
20 For you were BOUGHT at a price; therefore glorify God in your body[a] and in your spirit, which are God’s.
We were REDEEMED
1 Peter 1:18-20 (NKJV)
18 knowing that you were not REDEEMED with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you
We were GIVEN a GIFT
John 3:16 (NKJV)
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Look a what else God says about love…
LOVE is our only spiritual DEBT
Romans 13:8-10 (NKJV)
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,”[a] “You shall not covet,”[b] and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”[c] 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
WE ARE COVERED ANE EMPOWERED TO COVER
1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV)
8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”[a]
Look at what the God told the church at Laodicea…
Revelations 3:14-17 (NKJV)
14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans[f] write,
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,[g] I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I AM RICH, HAVE BECOME WEALTHY AND HAVE NEED OF NOTHING’—AND DO NOT KNOW THAT YOU ARE WRETCHED, MISERABLE, POOR, BLIND, AND NAKED—
LOOK AT LOVE’S BEHAVIOR…
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NKJV)
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love is the power behind…the support…and the medium transfer for those ‘TANGIBLE INTANGIBLES’ that God calls The Fruit of the Spirit. ( for more read…GOD’S TANGIBLE INTANGIBLES…)
In fact, they all operate in perfection ONLY through true love…
Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
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.
That’s why love is superior to any Fruit of the Spirit or spiritual attribute we can have. Back to 1 Corinthians 13…
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NKJV)
13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Did you catch that at the end of verse 3? “PROFITS me nothing”.
LOVE IS THE CURRENCY THAT FUNDS SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Think about this…
Even those who don’t believe in God have this attribute of Him in them when they exercise love because we are all created in His image.
There will be no need for money when we reign with God forever, just as was His intention for us in the beginning.
Don’t let the devil make you bankrupt by hardening your heart. That’s what he really wants to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).
I’ve heard and seen this so many times, verbally, on social media and in the comments of blog posts… Someone responds to a comment with , “DO. YOUR RESEARCH!”
The level of arrogance inferred and implied in that statement is amazing to the point it’s almost comical.
To tell someone “DO YOUR RESEARCH” implies three things…
You assume that they haven’t already done their research.
2. You assume that your research is superior to theirs.
3. You assume that your sources are more credible.
People love to research, discover and present the FACTS that support their desired narrative. One of the things I learned after years as a Marketing Manager for a Fortune 500 company and years in the radio industry is that research, information and ‘facts’ can be manipulated to support a desired narrative.
This is why in a court case, you will find an ‘expert’ witness for both the prosecution and defense telling two different stories.
Of course, there are some sources that are more credible than others. However, filtering through our biases and perspectives is the real challenge.
Besides, my desired source is to study the word of God, and the history and culture necessary to put in all in proper context and perspective.
Remember, we represent God in how we reason with one another. If God has offered to ‘reason’ with us, then we should be willing to reason with one another with respect.
Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV)
18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.
I strongly feel that one of God’s spiritual purposes for allowing COVID-19 to interrupt in-person worship is so we can pause and take a good look at how we approach worship and our traditions.
One of the reasons the religious establishment sought to kill Jesus was because He challenged their traditions.
Matthew 15:3 (ESV)
3 He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?
He also made it clear that God demands that we worship Him in spirit and truth, not just what we choose to believe…
John 4:24 (NKJV)
24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
One of those traditions that I think that God wants us to reconsider is what we call ‘Good Friday’ or the day when Yeshua was crucified and buried. I can’t count the times I’ve heard or read arguments trying to make Friday through Sunday 3 days and 3 nights. And quite frankly, it always sounds like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.
Many Christians feel they have to justify making two days into three because they don’t want to contradict what we have been taught… a tradition.
It’s like trying to fit a square peg into a circle.
Consider this.
Take another look at the account of the day Yeshua was on the cross taking into consideration that the Jewish day began at what we call 6pm or sunset to sunrise.
The Gospels say that Yeshua cried out and breathed His last breath around the 9th hour, or 3pm…
Mark 15:33-37 (NKJV)
33 Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
35 Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, “Look, He is calling for Elijah!” 36 Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.”
37 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.
As we move forward to verse 42, it is now EVENING and Yeshua is still on the cross as Joseph of Arimathea asks Pilate for the body.
Mark 15:42-43 (NKJV)
42 Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
Upon the arrival of evening, it’s no longer the same day as it was when Yeshua was crucified.
Genesis 1:5 (NKJV)
5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. [a]So the evening and the morning were the first day.
God gave us His word from a Jewish perspective. Problems arise when we try and view it through the lens of our western perspective.
Notice everything that had to take place after before Jesus could be placed into the tomb after 3pm…
John 19:31-42 (NKJV)
31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might betaken away. 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.
Remember, harmonizing with Mark 15:42, it was EVENING when Joseph of Arimathea asked for the body of Yeshua. This was AFTER the soldiers came to break His legs (this was evening too) and realized He was already dead. This was after he was given sour wine to drink before He died. All this was after 3pm and took time. It took time for Joseph to go to Pilate, ask for the body, get His linen cloth, properly wrap His body in the cloth, get the body of our Savior off the cross, and take it to the tomb.
This all happened after evening had arrived…the next biblical day according to the Jewish perspective of a day beginning in the evening rather than at 12 midnight.
So, with the ARRIVAL of evening came the Day of Preparation, or what we call Friday, which means everything that happened BEFORE evening was on the previous day, what we call Thursday.
If the crucifixion occurred on what we call Thursday, then one can easily justify three days and three nights… no trying to fit a square peg into a circle.
Of course, some are so devoted to a tradition that doesn’t make sense, they will ask, “What does it matter?”
It matters because God demands to be worshipped in spirit and truth.
It matters because we don’t want to be guilty of teaching, preaching and believing a lie.
I’m sure some ‘seasoned’ theologians will read this and try and make me seem as though I don’t know what I’m talking about…and that’s exactly what happened to Jesus.
It’s been said that we only use a small fraction of the human brain’s capacity. I believe that’s true – thus, we limit our abilities. If we were able to utilize our entire brain, we could possibly achieve what is believed to be superhuman.
In much the same way, I believe that many of us only know a fraction of who God is because we have limited ourselves through the lens of the perspective of the church culture in which we were ‘introduced’ to God.
It may be the church culture in which we were raised…
It may be the church culture we chose as an adult…
If you are a member of the Body of Christ, take a moment and think about your church culture.
Think about how you approach worship.
Think about how you approach ministry outside of the church.
Think about the music ministry.
Think about the prayers… what topics are addressed during the public prayers.
Think about the sermons… What topics are addressed? Through which perspective are they addressed? What topics are avoided?
Our worship can sometimes be influenced by our past…our socio-economic status…how we experience family…how we experience America, or what ever country in which you live.
Many times our prayers and expectations can be centered around…
Our health…
Our economic status…
Our social views…
Our political views…
Sometimes we can reduce God to a genie in a bottle.
Sometimes we can expect God to worship our hopes, dreams, desires, expectations, pains, worries, our viewpoints when our worship is centered around these things.
Get the picuture?
Some people equate worship music to exuberant shouting, while others equate it being reserved and quiet…why can’t it be both sometimes?
The bulk of some church culture’s worship is centered around crying, lamenting and asking God for help, while others mainly consists of thanking God and acknowledging the beauty of His creation.
Historical example…
Christians during the Civil Rights Movement were introduced to God through how their ancestors experienced America…this varied based on race, geography, etc.
This directly affected how they worshipped, prayed.
It affected what songs they chose for worship.
It affected how they approached social issues.
It affected how they approached politics.
And, this is how they introduced and introduce God to the present generation.
How will this generation introduce God to future generations?
God is a healer.
God is a deliverer.
God is a keeper.
God is a God of love and kindness.
God is a God of anger and wrath.
God IS!
Psalm 71:18 (NKJV)
18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.
Have you ‘experienced’ God from the perspective and context of…
Oppression?
Abuse?
Success?
Addiction?
Struggle?
How you perceive freedom?
This is why we have ‘images’ of Yeshua as White, Black, Mediterranean, Asian etc.
Don’t limit your relationship to God and definitely don’t limit Him when you share your faith.
The crisis and calamities going on globally today are of a biblical proportion. As many people struggle to understand why, I ask you to consider this…
When and where did it become acceptable for those who believe in God through Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) to have pride?
God has made it very clear that pride is one of the deadliest sins… That He hates it…and that He resists it!
Proverbs 6:16-19 (NKJV)
16 These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to [a]Him: 17 A[b] proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
James 4:6 (NKJV)
6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
God resists THE PROUD and He resists THAT OF WHICH WE ARE PROUD OF!
God has not given us permission to be proud of ANYTHING!
Race,
Nation,
Accomplishments,
History,
Heritage,
Children,
Family,
Education,
Any monument,
Any statue,
Any flag,
ANYTHING!
From pride comes arrogance, hatred, racism, exclusion, supremacy, and the idolatry self-worship or worshipping the institutions we have established.
God does not allow us to be proud to be Black, White, Latino, American, European, or African. He doesn’t give us permission to be proud of any institution that we have established.
Pride is the source of many of the problems in our society today. You do know it’s the devil that’s convinced us this is okay…right?
The problems we are TOO PROUD and NOT THANKFUL enough. Think about it, God has commanded that we be thankful and not proud…
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV)
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Anytime we use the word ‘PRIDE’ or ‘PROUD’, the word ‘THANKFU’L is always more appropriate! Try it!
“I’m proud of my race”…. “I’m thankful for my race.”
“I’m proud of my country”…”I’m thankful for my country.”
“I’m proud of my accomplishments… “I’m thankful for my accomplishments.”
“I’m proud of my heritage… “I’m thankful for my heritage.”
“I’m proud of my children,,,”I’m thankful for my children.”
Once we claim we are proud, we’ve opened the door for the devil to pervert that pride into idolatry. Remember, you don’t have to bow to a graven image to commit idolatry…that’s why God said that covetousness (greed) is 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.
Israel was exiled from their land and lost their freedom, not because of the sinners in the land, but because of their own PRIDE, ARROGANCE, COMPROMISE, COMPLA ASSIMILATION, and SPIRITUAL ADULTERY! That’s why God said…
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Many Americans are afraid of losing their freedom and pointing their fingers at many causes. Before you blame the potential loss of your freedom on anything…look at your own pride.
If you don’t agree, just look at what God said Himself…
Proverbs 16:18 (NKJV)
18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before [a]a fall.
Maybe, just maybe God is tearing down the idols of our hearts (Economy, Sports, Politics, Heritage). The real enemy ‘within’ is the enemy within us.
It’s okay to want things done the way you think to be correct. It’s okay to be particular…to be a perfectionist…it’s okay to be detailed.
It’s okay to provide constructive criticism, but it’s not okay to be petty or hypocritical.
It’s not okay to hold people to a higher standard that you hold yourself.
It’s okay to try to maintain control in your life, but not everyone else’s.
Remember how Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23. Read the entire chapter for context, but check out this verse…
Matthew 23:4 (NKJV)
For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Jesus rebuked them for being ‘nitpicky’ and overly critical hypocrites. They were obsessive about criticizing others and expressing their expectations while not holding themselves to the same standard.
People are much more willing to hear what we have to say if we aren’t nitpicky over every little detail in regard to them. We can get to the point to where people won’t even listen to us when we are right.
People not only will avoid your good advice. They will avoid you.
People will view you as obnoxious, nasty, and overly opinionated…even those closest to you.
The term for this obsession, derived from Freudian psychoanalysis, is referred to as anal-retentiveness, or simply ‘anal’.
Don’t be so ‘anal’ that you become an a**
Remember what the Apostle Paul said…
Romans 12:18 (NKJV)
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
BE BLESSTIFIED! 