“Have you not made a hedge around him, around his house, and all that he has on every side?” Job 1:10a
The devil is real, and an adversary that we can’t ignore. However, God has given us the power to resist him though our Lord and Savior, Yeshua, Jesus Christ.
We learn much about the devil when we read about his encounter with Job. I’m not going to tell the story of Job, but I want to call out some insights that can help us deal with and claim the power that God has given us over the enemy…
2 Corinthians 2:11 (NKJV)
11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices
Revelation 20:10(NKJV)
10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where[a] the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
THE DEVIL IS NOT OMNIPOTENT
The devil DOES NOT have all power, and the power that he does have, is only what God ALLOWS him for a season. When God pointed out one of his most devoted children, Job, the devil complained that he COULD NOT touch him because he enjoyed God’s protection and favor…
Job 1:10 (NKJV)
10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
…The enemy COULD NOT touch Job or his family unless God allowed him access to them.
God allowed temporary access to Job for a purpose, but did not allow the enemy to take his life….
Job 1:12 (NKJV)
12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
The same holds true in our lives, the enemy has no power over our lives that hasn’t been allowed by God. He will allow temporary access for a purpose, but when we remain faithful, we are guaranteed power over the enemy…
The devil doesn’t even have power or authority over Hell, but he will share everlasting punishment and separation from God with all those who follow him. God will eventually strip the enemy of all power at the appointed time…
Revelation 20:10(NKJV)
10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where[a] the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
THE DEVIL IS NOT OMNIPRESENT
The devil CANNOT be everywhere at the same time. Only God is omnipresent…
1 Kings 8:27 (NKJV)
27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!
The enemy is a spiritual being with limitations. Even he responded when asked by God from where was he coming (for our benefit because God already knew)…
Job 1:7 (NKJV)
7 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
You can’t physically go somewhere that you already are. God doesn’t have to go anywhere, because He is already there.
The devil has agents, those fallen angels that were cast out of heaven with him (demons) to assist him in interacting with our lives.
Only the Spirit of God is everywhere at the same time.
THE DEVIL IS NOT OMNISCIENT
The devil does not know everything. The devil does not have all knowledge, but only that that God allows.
He doesn’t not know EVERYTHING about your life. He knows your family’s history…he knows your history…he observes your strengths and weaknesses and tries to manipulate both you and them. And most importantly…
He doesn’t know your future. The enemy did not know if Job could resist that terrible trial. One of the reasons that God allowed it is because He already knew and want to prove to Satan and leave an example for us of Job’s faithfulness.
He doesn’t even know when his end will be, that’s why he relentlessly goes to and fro seeking who he may devour…trying to steal, kill and destroy.
Go back and read the account of Job. Look closely at the fact that through it all, the enemy was still subject not only to God, but to Job’s faithfulness.
Be encouraged, we have power over the enemy if we remain aware of his limitations, how he works and most of all, remain faithful to God.
James 4:7 (NKJV)
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Have you ever noticed that some people are naturally funny? They have a wit so quick, you wonder, how could they think of that so fast.
Why?
Think about these verses in the context of laughter…
James 1:17 (NKJV)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Romans 12:8 (NIV)
8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously;if it is to lead,[a] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Proverbs 17:22 (NKJV)
22 A merry heart does good, like medicine,[a] But a broken spirit dries the bones.
I’m convinced that comedy is a God-given spiritual gift of exhortation.
I mean, what is more encouraging than a good laugh? A well-placed laugh in a good sermon only helps keep the audience engaged and possibly drive a point home.
The bible tells us that one of the promises from God is that we will all see trouble during our days on this earth…
Job 14:1(NKJV)
14 “Man who is born of woman
Is of few days and full of trouble.
It’s God’s gift of laughter that gets us through many of those tough days.
I’m convinced that God has appointed some of us Ministers of Laughter…
So, do you know anyone with a special anointing to make the best situations better and inject some encouraging humor into the worst. Those who can make us smile when we feel like crying. Is it you?
Unfortunately, many comedians and comediennes use their gift to glorify the enemy through vulgarity and profanity, but that doesn’t mean the gift isn’t from God. It’s just misdirected.
Are you a Minister of Laughter? If so, walk in your anointing. You’re important to the Kingdom of God!
It’s impossible to ignore the presence of slavery in the bible. Many people wonder if slavery is evil, then why is it in the bible, both Old and Testaments. To fully explain this concept would take a series of lessons, which I do intend to publish soon, as I get time to responsibly put them together. I will however give you a brief answer for general understanding.
First and foremost, we in the 21st Century have the tendency to view things only from a 21st Century perspective, but God exists outside of time and relates to us holistically throughout time, beyond time and the cultures we have created. God deals with us from and through the lens of HIS prospective. We must look at the many aspects of servitude throughout history.
IT’S CLEAR AMERICAN SLAVERY WAS EVIL
Slavery and servitude have existed in numerous cultures, in many forms throughout history. Yes, slavery as it was in America was evil. In fact, God strictly forbade kidnapping people and selling them into slavery…(Exodus 21:16)… 16 “He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death). It’s clear God forbade this and it was punishable by death. So, how do you explain Exodus 21 that outlines regulations for Hebrews who choose to buy a slave? Or how do you explain Ephesians 6:5-9? (5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him)
As for Exodus 21, these were not SLAVES; the word is more properly translated servants. These people were not enslaved for life. They were indentured servants, who served a period of seven years and were then to be set free, unless he or she chose to stay with his or her ‘master’. Now, as crazy as this may seem to us in the 21st Century, in ancient times there was no government support as we have in the recent past. Social structure and societal roles were strictly set in many cultures. If a family was poor or destitute, then it would most likely stay that way for generations. To some, servitude was a means of supporting families and sometimes preventing homelessness and starvation. If you read Exodus 21, there was no separation of families as took place in the southern United States. You will also notice in Deuteronomy 15:12-18 that God commanded that servants were not to be sent away empty-handed. This was a means for families to be lifted up from poverty and being destitute, unless they CHOSE to stay. This was not the equivalent to American slavery. (Deuteronomy 15:12-18) 12 “If your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you, he shall serve you six years, and in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you.13 And when you let him go free from you, you shall not let him go empty-handed.14 You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your winepress. As the Lord your God has blessed you, you shall give to him. 15 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today. 16 But if he says to you, ‘I will not go out from you,’ because he loves you and your household, since he is well off with you, 17 then you shall take an awl, and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever. And to your female slave you shall do the same. 18 It shall not seem hard to you when you let him go free from you, for at half the cost of a hired worker he has served you six years. So the Lord your God will bless you in all that you do.
There is however another aspect of slavery, the evil aspect. Sometimes during war, people would be captured and subjugated. And, yes sometimes people were and are kidnapped and sold into slavery. Remember, God allowed His own chosen people to be slaves in Egypt for 400 years. Remember in Exodus God said He hardened Pharaoh’s heart so He wouldn’t listen to Moses? (Exodus 9:12 But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had spoken to Moses.) This was for the purpose that God could show His power to the Egyptians and for our example. In Isaiah 10:5-6 God tells how He used Assyria, a heathen nation, to punish His own people. (5 Ah, Assyria, the rod of my anger; the staff in their hands is my fury!) 6 Against a godless nation I send him, and against the people of my wrath I command him, to take spoil and seize plunder,). Remember that God allowed His people to be taken captive by the Babylonians, that at the time of Jesus Israel was under Roman rule and in A.D. 70 they destroyed Jerusalem. Remember also that God used the Romans, a pagan, non-believing nation, to crucify His only Son. Throughout the Old Testament, even though war is evil, God used to discipline His people, and as judgment on unbelievers…for our example.
GOD USES GOOD AND EVIL FOR HIS PURPOSE
My point is this…both good and evil exists in this world, and God used both good and evil for His ultimate purpose. It’s obvious God won’t use good people to do evil, so He even uses evil people to discipline, and execute judgment on both His people and unbelievers. Afterward, the evil people will be judged. It’s not that they’re cursed, as Jesus said in John 3:18 says they are already condemned due to they’re own unbelief. Notice in Isaiah 10 that God says even though He used Assyria as a rod of correction against His people, he will still punish them for their evil that were predisposed to do anyway.
The fact is that God often used the existence and reality of something as evil as slavery to discipline His people or judge unbelievers. In regard to Ephesians 6:5-9, God made provision for His people’s behavior if they happened to be servants. His Godly character and holiness must be maintained in all situations…good and bad.
Notice this, any group enslaved never remained enslaved. God always heard their cry and set them free…hopefully to show His power to the oppressor and love to the oppressed.
Also notice in the book of Philemon, that God encouraged his friend Onesimus to return to his ‘master’, but He also encouraged Philemon to do the right thing and set him free upon his return.
SO WHY DID MOSES INCLUDE IT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT?
One more thing is worth your consideration. In Matthew 19, the Pharisees confronted Jesus, asking Him is it lawful for a man to divorce His wife. Notice Jesus’ response in the NKJV… “4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
7 “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”
8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” Isn’t interesting that even though the book of Deuteronomy 24:1-4 permits divorce, Jesus makes it clear that just because Moses put it in the law during that dispensation of history, that it was never God’s will. Malachi 2:16 confirms this in saying that God hates divorce. This slight departure from the topic is to prove that just like slavery, just because there was provision made in the law, doesn’t mean that God condones it in it’s most evil form. Remember the ‘servants’ in the New Testament were indentured, and Paul urged Philemon to release Onisemus was he returned. It’s possible that Onisemus decided to stay beyond his seven years…no one knows.
THERE’S MUCH MORE TO SAY…
This is definitely not an exhaustive summary of all the verses concerning slavery, and there’s still much more to be said, but I think it will give you an idea of the concept in the bible. I know there are many who will not agree with this analysis, which acknowledges the reality, of servitude, as well as harmonizes, Old and New Testaments. I welcome comments and thoughts. You may expand upon the content of this article, or express why you disagree. I only ask that all comments are positive and respectful.
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 (or anyone) 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?
Yahuah (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 Adversary 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. Yah made it clear that we are not to ‘learn the way of the heathen’…
Jeremiah 10:2-5 (KJV with Names Restored by author of post)
2 Thus saith the Yahuah, 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 Yahusha HaMashiach (Jesus) and Savior’s resurrection ‘EASTER’ is blatant blasphemy?
It’s undeniable that the name EASTER has absolutely nothing to do with Yahusha HaMashiach Jesus the Messiah). It is derived from the name of a pagan goddess named Eostre, who is the same goddess as Ishtar, and Ashtoreth who Yahuah continually rebuked and punished Israel for worshipping. The devil has allowed this worship to continue by defiling the celebration of Yahuah’s death, burial and resurrection. Notice what Yahuah told His people before they entered the promised land…
Joshua 23:6-7(New King James Version with Names restored by author of post)
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,
Our Elohim (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 Yahusha’s resurrection. Putting any name where Yahuah’s name belongs is BLASPHEMY. Look at how angry Yahuah was at His people acknowledging idols when they were rebuked for worshipping Tammuz who is directly associated with Ishtar…
Ezekiel 8:14-18 (NKJV with names restored)
14 So He brought me to the door of the north gate of the Yahuah’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 Yahuah’s house; and there, at the door of the temple of the Yahuah, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the Yahuah 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 Yahuah 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 El Eyon (The Most High) can do these things! This again is blasphemy. The devil has convinced Christians that it’s harmless, but notice that Yahuah states in Ezekiel 8:17 that Yahuah 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 Yahuah 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 Yahuah 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 Yahuah.
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.
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 Yahuah is because we have limited ourselves through the lens of the perspective of the church culture in which we were ‘introduced’ to Yahuah.
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 Messianic Commt, 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 Yahuah to a genie in a bottle.
Sometimes we can expect Yahuah 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 Yahuah for help, while others mainly consists of thanking Yahuah and acknowledging the beauty of His creation.
Historical example…
Disciples 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 Yahuah to the present generation.
How will this generation introduce God to future generations?
Yahuah is a healer.
Yahuah is a deliverer.
Yahuah is a keeper.
Yahuah is love and kindness.
Yahuah is anger and wrath.
God IS!
Psalm 71:18 (NKJV)
18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O Yahuah, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.
Have you ‘experienced’ El Elyon, The Most High from the perspective and context of…
Oppression?
Abuse?
Success?
Addiction?
Struggle?
How do you perceive freedom?
This is why we have ‘images’ of Yahusha as White, Black, Mediterranean, Asian etc.
Don’t limit your relationship to Yahuah and definitely don’t limit Him when you share your faith.
We have all sinned and come short of the glory of Yahuah (God), but that does not mean we are not to hold one another accountable. The fact is that the Word of Yahuah demands that we do so…
Ephesians 5:11 (NKJV)
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather [a]expose them.
Proverbs 27:17 (NASB)
17 Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.
Galatians 6:1-2
6 Brethren, even if [a]anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Yeshua the Messiah .
This responsibility doesn’t stop when it comes to holding leaders accountable as well, both spiritual…
1 Timothy 5:19-20 (NKJV)
19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. 20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.
And political…
2 Samuel 12:1-13 (NKJV)
12 Then the Yahuah sent Nathan to David. And he came to him, and said to him: “There were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had exceedingly many flocks and herds. 3 But the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb which he had bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and with his children. It ate of his own food and drank from his own cup and lay in his bosom; and it was like a daughter to him. 4 And a traveler came to the rich man, who refused to take from his own flock and from his own herd to prepare one for the wayfaring man who had come to him; but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.”
5 So David’s anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Yahuah lives, the man who has done this [a]shall surely die! 6 And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no pity.”
7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Elohim of Israel: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8 I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your keeping, and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more! 9 Why have you despised the commandment of the Yahuah, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon. 10 Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ 11 Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun.’ ”13 So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Yahuah.”And Nathan said to David, “Yahuah also has put away your sin; you shall not die.
David repented because the Prophet Nathan held him accountable.
Yeshua repeatedly rebuked the Pharisees for their sins and hypocrisy. Was that judging them?
However, these days, when sin is called out people get defensive and accuse the person or persons holding them accountable of judging.
Calling out sin is not judging. It’s our responsibility. Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ, told us that we are capable of righteous judgment…
John 7:23-24 (NKJV)
24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
He also asserted that we can tell what’s in a person’s heart by their fruit…their character…their consistent behavior…and the influence that their character yields…
Matthew 7:15-20 (NKJV)
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
I’m saying all that to say this…I have noticed a common reaction from both ‘conservatives’/’evangelicals’ and those in the LBGTQ movement when…
When someone calls out President Trump’s pride (an equal sin to shedding innocent blood per Provers 6:16-17), daily hurling of insults, speaking profanities at rallies while Christians cheer, boasting about his own accomplishments (Proverbs 27;2), and his admitted unrepentant, unforgiving attitude. He admitted publicly that he does not ask Yahuah for forgiveness, but tries to do better and doesn’t bring our Elohim into it — however when any of this is pointed out many conservatives who claim to be Christians are quick to respond…
YOU HATE THE PRESIDENT AND YOU ARE JUDGING HIM.
This is the exact same response that when the same conservatives who claim to be Christians call out the sin of those who practice homosexuality and support marriage between the same sex, when this sin is called out many in the LBGTQ are quick to respond…
YOU HATE LGBTQ PEOPLE AND YOU ARE JUDGING THEM.
Both groups have the same response, which comes from the same spirit of resistance to the truth — accusations of hate and judgment.
The apostle Paul wrote a very stern letter calling out the sins of the saints in the Corinthian church. He also called out a very public sin in 1 Corinthians Chapter 5, as well as those who condoned it. The church didn’t accuse Paul of ‘judging’ them, but repented and worked hard to rectify the matter…
2 Corinthians 7:8-13 (NIV)
8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as Yahuah intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged.
Calling out sin is not casting stones, hate, judgment or condemnation. It is trying to help one another avoid condemnation.
Yahuah demands that we hate the SIN but not the SINNER, because we are all sinners who are only saved by the grace of our Elohim.
We must pray that leaders, conservatives, liberals, evangelicals, and atheists submit to Yahuah’s word, will, love, truth and salvation.
Anyone who believes in God has been asked these questions.
Most if not all believers, if they are willing to admit it to themselves, have asked some of these questions.
Not only are there some difficult things to understand in the Bible, but there are things God does today that are difficult to explain.
Why does God allow babies and children to suffer with terminal illnesses?
Why does the bible not explicitly forbid slavery?
Why does God allow abusive parents to have children, while others who would be loving, nurturing parents to go childless?
Why does God allow some people to be healed but other people, some we would even call ‘good’ people, to not be healed?
Luke 4:27 (NKJV)
27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”
There are countless questions that atheists and some believers ask concerning God, either arrogantly or anxiously waiting for answers.
God gave us the example through the Psalms that He will allow us to question Him in humility, as long as we continue to trust Him…
Psalm 13:1-2 (NKJV)
How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God; Enlighten my eyes, Lest I sleep the sleep of death; 4 Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him”; Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
5 But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.
If you’re like me, sometimes you feel pressured to give a quick and definite answer to ‘defend’ God. Sometimes you want a definite answer to satisfy yourself.
But the truth is that some things we simply don’t know.
That means sometimes the best answer is…
I DON’T KNOW!
Even those who depend on science to shape their beliefs have to admit that with all of our advances in science and medicine, there is still more that’s unknown than is known.
Scientists still have to sometimes say…
I DON’T KNOW!
Doctors have to sometimes admit…
I DON’T KNOW!
There are times that after a deadly diagnoses that the illness sometimes disappears and the physician has to admit…
I DON’T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED!
So, no one should really scoff when a believer says they simply don’t know.
The fact is, there is great peace in admitting that even though you don’t know…you still trust God. He has told us that there are things that will be beyond are human minds, and even science helps prove that. There is much in science well beyond the reach of scientific knowledge.
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV)
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.
Don’t deny yourself the blessing and peace of simply saying…”I DON’T KNOW!”
Psalm 131:1 (NKJV)
Lord, my heart is not [a]haughty, Nor my eyes [b]lofty. Neither do I [c]concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too [d]profound for me.
Admitting that you don’t know doesn’t confirm God isn’t God, it just confirms that we are human.
I can’t count how many times that I’ve heard Christians imply that asking Yahuah in prayer over and over again implies there’s a lack of faith…
They make statements like, “If you trust Yahuah, you will pray and then forget about it.”
But, that implication is in direct contradiction to what Yeshua the Messiah taught us.
Remember the illustration Yeshua gave His disciples immediately after the Model Prayer Luke Chapter 11…
Luke 11:5-10 (CJB)
5 He also said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend; and you go to him in the middle of the night and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine who has been travelling has just arrived at my house, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ 7 Now the one inside may answer, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already shut, my children are with me in bed — I can’t get up to give you anything!’ 8 But I tell you, even if he won’t get up because the man is his friend, yet because of the man’s hutzpah he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
9 “Moreover, I myself say to you: keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who goes on asking receives; and he who goes on seeking finds; and to him who continues knocking, the door will be opened.
Verse number 8 confirms that Yahuah wants us to pray with ‘HOLY HUZTPAH’ (the Hebrew word for extreme self-confidence or audacity).
El Elyon insists that we show persistence mixed with humility.
So, if you’re trusting Yahuah for something, continue to ask Him believing you will receive it IF IT’S HIS WILL…
James 1:5-7 (NKJV)
5 (A)If any of you lacks wisdom, (B)let him ask of Yahuah (God), who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and (C)it will be given to him. 6 (D)But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
Have the same audacity that a child does when he or she keeps asking for something that they need or sometimes want from a parent.
This piece is not necessarily critical of fraternal organizations, but addresses a question in an age of removing vestiges of white supremacy and racism from American institutions.
The question it addresses is valid whether you agree or disagree with the removal of monuments, statues and aspects of a time in American when open exclusion, subjugation and racism was accepted.
Black fraternities and sororities are an integral part of Black culture.
Most began in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s following the models of White fraternities and sororities that excluded Black members.
Membership in these organizations has become a tradition and expectation in many families.
They are responsible for much great work in the community.
But here’s the question. In an age of the removal of statues and monuments erected in a time when America had a different mindset, why aren’t the Greek letters that distinguish these organizations considered to be a reminder of the system that excluded Blacks from membership? Why are they excluded from the conversation?
How many African languages are there that offer options of letters that could be used to not only distinguish these organizations, but also celebrate African heritage?
Or, why use letters at all?
Black members of these organizations say, “I’m Greek.” How many people of other cultures proclaim, “I’m an African”?
Greece is a part of the European continent. Members of these organizations refer to themselves by saying, “I’m a Greek.” Even though both religion and science agree that life began in Africa…how many people of other continents proclaim, “I’m an African”. How many people are more passionate about their affiliation than their faith in God.
God introduced Himself to Moses as ‘I AM’, so we must be careful what we say behind our “I AM”.
Exodus 3:14 (NKJV)
14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”
There is no condemnation for using Greek letters and culture…just wondering why members of Black fraternities and sororities who are passionate about removing aspects of racism are excluding Greek letters and culture ( language and letters are a part of culture) from the conversation and movement.
Am I an expert on secret societies and their history in America? No.
But, that doesn’t reduce the legitimacy of the question.
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.
We all know there are millions of children born into poverty putting them at an undeniable disadvantage in getting ‘ahead’ in the world. However, there are those who still overcame the ‘curse’ of poverty. I don’t know why some are born rich while others are born into deep poverty. I do know that Jesus affirmed that the poor will always be with us (Matthew 26:11).
Sometimes those born into generational poverty can feel they are, and very well may be living under a curse, but I want to talk about an often overlooked ‘curse’. Those who are…
CURSED WITH EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED
Just as there are those born into generations of poverty, there are also those born into generations of wealth. Wealth that they didn’t have to earn for themselves. This unmerited wealth can be just as much a ‘curse’ as deep poverty.
Some people call it SPOILED…
It’s when your so-called BLESSINGS have become a BURDEN and stumbling block…spiritually, morally and hindered the development of Godly character.
They are cursed with no real concept of need, lack, or sacrifice.
They are cursed with a mindset of entitlement…that they deserve everything they have and more with no sense of compassion for those with less.
They were denied the opportunities for the disappointments that are designed equip us to deal with the real world.
And here’s the thing, you don’t have to have extravagant wealth to have this CURSED mindset. There are plenty of middle and lower-income people who feel just as entitled because they really haven’t suffered lack in our prosperous society.
Simply because they weren’t told, “NO!”
After all, God tells us “NO!”. He has the wisdom to NOT give us everything just because we ask or it. WHEN GOD USES THE ‘N-WORD’…
We must be careful that we aren’t raising a cursed generation that feels they DESERVE not only everything that they want, but also INSTANT GRATIFICATION. Parents must be careful not to focus ONLY on making sure their children have…
Smart phones and tablets at younger and younger ages…
The latest brand name shoes and clothes…
The latest video games…
Every extracurricular sport and activity as if it were a job…
While neglecting to give them a spirit of contentment, thanksgiving as a strong sense of responsibility. We must be careful that we don’t neglect their spiritual development while nurturing their carnal development.
This may be what led to the attitude of the young ruler in…
Matthew 19:16-22 (NKJV)
16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” 17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Remember, children don’t have to be rich to be ‘cursed with everything they want’…they only need parents that refuse to say, “No!”
And, yes there are various reason that parents don’t say, “No!”
Sometimes they want their children to have what they never had…
Sometimes they’re living vicariously through their children…
Sometime they are using their children as a symbol of their own status…
Whatever the reason. We must be careful that we aren’t raising a ‘cursed’ generation. In fact, some of the children born poor are better equipped to deal with the real world than their spoiled contemporaries.
These spoiled children grow up to lead and cause chaos and dysfunction in…
Families…
Companies…
Churches…
Countries…
So when you see that poor child in need, don’t feel sorry for them…help them if you can.
When you see that person who was clearly ‘cursed with everything they wanted’, send up a sincere prayer for God to give them a humble heart and His Spirit.
And, if you’re blessed with children, make sure you aren’t cursing them with everything they want.
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.””
George Washington was the first President to take his oath of office by swearing on the bible. Since then, each President has done the same. It’s become a respected tradition. It has also become a tradition that all elected officials to swear (or affirm) before they take office, and for citizens to do the same before they testify in court.
There is only one problem with that…
God has VERY CLEARLY FORBIDDEN taking oaths! He FORBIDS swearing.
Matthew 5:34-37 (NKJV)
34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’sthrone; 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.
You can’t get more clear than that!
So, why do people who claim to believe in God feel it is okay to swear or take an oath when God said DO NOT DO IT?
Why do people feel it is okay to swear or take an oath with their hand on the same bible that forbids it?
The Constitution is an important document, and I have high respect for it, but it is by no means a perfect document. That’s why it’s a living document and needs to be changed as we learn and grow. Unfortunately, many Americans are more passionate about following the Constitution to the letter even more than they are about following the bible to the letter.
The ‘founding fathers’ were great men, but they were far from perfect. They were ordained by God (Romans 13), but they were not God. Many of them who signed the Constitution also signed bills of sale for slaves with the same hand.
I’m quite certain that someone will take the previous two paragraphs out of context because what I just said offended them. If it offends you, examine yourself and what spirit is provoking you to be offended. Yeshua the Messiah also offended the religious leaders when He came to warn them about how their traditions need to change…
Matthew 15:1-9 (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.”
3He 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 is a 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. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”
Notice what Yeshua said about oaths when He rebuked the Scribes and Pharisees in Matthew Chapter 23…
Matthew 23:16-17 (NKJV)
16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ 17 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that [a]sanctifies the gold?
He called them fools. It makes no sense to swear on the bible. Which is greater, the cover of the bible carry more weight than the words you are speaking? Which is greater, the Bible or the words in it that make it holy? Besides, someone who doesn’t believe in God or take His word serious enough has no problem with putting their hands on the bible and telling a lie.
If we really love God, then we want to do what He said without trying to justify otherwise because we want to place our will over his…
One of the problem with many Christians is they prove by their actions that they feel the only sins that God is concerned with are homosexuality, abortion and gambling.
However, Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) has made it clear that we are to NEVER SWEAR.
I do feel it is okay to make an ‘affirmation’. I feel it is okay to say, “I affirm to support the Constitution or I affirm to tell the truth” in court. But NEVER on a bible.
But, any elected official who proclaims an ‘oath of office’ or is ‘sworn in’ begins their term with a sin.
And, anyone who swears not to tell a lie in court promises not to commit one sin by committing another one.
As we work to make the Constitution an even better document by including amendments that secure the rights of everyone, don’t you think we should change it in a way to please the God of our salvation first? And do it ASAP.
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.
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!
The cross of Calvary was shameful, humiliating and excruciatingly painful for our Lord and Savior Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
It was ugly.
It was disgusting.
It was public.
It was as real!
Imagine the nails digging into His flesh as He tries to adjust Himself on the cross.
Imagine blood, sweat dripping into His eyes…Birds trying to peck His face and eyes and He couldn’t wipe or swat.
Imagine all His enemies thinking they had won.
All this takes place on a stake of execution.
Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)
2 looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
He shared in the punishment reserved for the worst criminals. He suffered ‘a curse’ on our behalf. He allowed those who antagonized Him to think they won as He shamefully hung from a Roman cross…
Galatians 3:13 (NKJV)
13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),
The ‘execution stake’ was the equivalent to the electric chair, lethal injection needle…hangman’s noose.
Matthew 27:38 (CJB)
38 Then two robbers were placed on execution-stakes with him, one on the right and one on the left.
So, what if?
What if Jesus views Christians, disciples, believers, members of the Messianic community wearing crosses around their necks, hanging from their ears, on their t-shirts and on top of their churches…
What if Jesus views that the same…
As you would view someone wearing a noose if your only son had been lynched in front of an evil, angry mob who claimed God supported their foolishness.
Besides, He never told us to take up our cross and follow Him, (the original texted said ‘execution stake, not cross) not celebrate the instrument of His temporary death.
When you love someone, you want to learn what pleases them…and what displeases them.
The same is true for our Savior and King, Yeshua the Messiah, or Jesus Christ.
Many of you already know that the Hebrew name for Jesus is Yehoshua, or Yeshua in its shortened form.
Many of you also know that Jesus is a transliteration of Yeshua in Hebrew to Iesous in Greek and later Jesus after the letter ‘J’ was added to the English language in the 1500’s.
We also know the importance God places on names in both Old and New Testaments.
So here’s my question for serious contemplation and conversation…
What if…Just what if…Jesus doesn’t like being called Jesus just as a man named Michael doesn’t like being called Michelle…and vice versa? Both Michael and Michelle have the same meaning, but they aren’t the same name.
Nor, do we call Joshua of the Old Testament Jesus, as both names have the same meaning, but they aren’t the same name.
If companies will sue over misuse of their name…is it possible that Yeshua wants to be called Yeshua. God introduced Himself to the world through the Hebrew people… not a race, but a faith He created as His own people.
Is it our place to tell our Savior what He wants to be called? When we refer to foreign leaders, do we translate or transliterate their name, or do we refer to them in their particular language?
How do people abroad refer to Barak Obama, Donald Trump, or Joe Biden?
If we REALLY love God through His Son as we claim, shouldn’t we at least consider it?
The truth is that it’s possible for millions of sincere people to believe the WRONG thing.
I’m not asking this question with my mind made up that using the name Jesus is wrong. I just feel if we really want to ‘get to know Him and please Him that we should continually refine our faith and relationships.
In how many different ways will He feel we haven’t tried to get to know Him…
Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV)
21 (A)“Not everyone who (B)says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will (C)enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who (D)does the will of my Father who is in heaven.22 (E)On that day (F)many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not (G)prophesy in your name, and cast out demons (H)in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 (I)And then will I declare to them, ‘I (J)never knew you; (K)depart from me, (L)you workers of lawlessness.’
It’s the same as wondering how does He feel about people using the Roman symbol of His execution to represent Him…but that’s another discussion.
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 ‘keeping it real’, 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 ‘bullied nerd’ is weak until he or she stands up to the bully violently.
Remember, Yeshua Himself said don’t repay evil with evil, but turn the other cheek. He said don’t resist an evil person (unless of course your life is threatened). But of course, striking back if someone slaps you isn’t 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…👇🏼
It’s possible some of the same people who celebrated this, also frown on this foolishness 👇🏾👇🏼
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…
They’re learning to hate instead of love…
They are learning to make excuses to satisfy their will instead of God’s will.
Could many of our childish adults be the children who were spoiled when they were growing up? It’s time to stop the erosion of decorum in leadership.
It’s easy to make our relationship with God ALL about us if we aren’t careful.
God called us to make disciples of Him through His Son and our Savior Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
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.
One of the best approaches at studying the bible is to look specifically how the Lord REACTED to certain situations, conditions and behavior.
Look at the Lord’s reaction when He silently looked upon a multitude of lost people…
Matthew 9:35-38 (NKJV)
35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease [a]among the people. 36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were [b]weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
Now look at how He reacted at those who had hard, hypocritical hearts…
Mark 3:1-5 (NKJV)
3 And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might [a]accuse Him. 3 And He said to the manwho had the withered hand, [b]“Step forward.” 4 Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. 5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored [c]as whole as the other.
Above in Matthew, Yeshua, felt compassion for those who were lost. He wasn’t judging why they were in their particular situations…He felt compassion. Then He commanded us to pray to THE LORD OF HIS HARVEST to send workers into HIS harvest. How many times have you prayed for that? How many times have you had an interaction with an atheist and instead of praying for them, felt contempt. How many times have you gotten intensely angry at a drug addict, gang banger, racist, politician, someone who you consider to be a ‘great sinner’…(we are all sinners saved by grace Romans 3:23). These are all opportunities to plant seeds of God’s…
I have had to stop and ask God to help me make that a priority in my life. I have had to ask myself, “Aldtric, do you really care enough about God’s harvest, are or you just concerned about your own?”
Now, let’s quickly look what made the Lord angry above in Mark Chapter 3. It wasn’t compassion, but anger at the religious leaders were looking for a reason to accuse Him, ignored the good He was doing, and was angry at their hardness of heart. Again, this is a sign of someone who is lost and doesn’t know that they are. God expects hypocrisy and hardened hearts to make us angry, but we must respond to that anger with lifting them up in prayer, praying that God softens their hearts to His love, will, word and salvation.
Have you ever asked yourself if you hare concerned enough about those who are ‘lost’? Have you stopped to consider how you react to those who claim to be His own, but aren’t exhibiting their best behavior?
How often do you pray for HIS HARVEST rather than your own?
Violence is always an unacceptable way to express our differences, and I do not support it in any way. However, we’ve got to be very careful who we proclaim as a martyr for Yeshua the Messiah.
Most people who claim to believe in Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ), assert that any person or preacher who attempt to bring people to a Christ that accepts gay marriage as a false prophet who does more harm than good because that’s NOT the Yeshua the Messiah of the bible. That is a direct contradiction to His teachings.
However, many celebrate Charlie Kirk as a martyr while he was a blatant antagonist to Black people, and unapologetically made numerous racist, hate filled statements. This also is a direct contradiction to the teachings of Yeshua the Messiah…
“If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar. For if a person does not love his brother, whom he has seen, then he cannot love God, whom he has not seen. Yes, this is the command we have from him: whoever loves God must love his brother too.” (1 John 4:20 CJB)
Not long before his death, Charlie defended his own narrative of Christian Nationalism by quoting Jeremiah as “Demand the welfare of the NATION you dwell because in its welfare you shall have peace…” to much applause. This is intentionally twisting scripture to promote his desired narrative. There’s NOT ONE translation that says, ‘NATION’. They all say “the CITY that I’ve allowed you to be exiled…” because the context was in the Babylonian exile. Intentionally twisting scripture is demonic because it’s exactly what The Adversary did to Yeshua in the wilderness. This was a common practice for Charlie Kirk to twist scriptures and talk fast. This IS NOT of God (Yahuah). It’s not equivalent to unintentional teaching the wrong thing, and he was bringing people to a ‘Christ’ not of the bible which is idolatry. It’s a false Gospel…
7 which is not good news at all! What is really happening is that certain people are pestering you and trying to pervert the genuine Good News of the Messiah. 8 But even if we — or, for that matter, an angel from heaven! — were to announce to you some so-called “Good News” contrary to the Good News we did announce to you, let him be under a curse forever! 9 We said it before, and I say it again: if anyone announces “Good News” contrary to what you received, let him be under a curse forever! (Galatians 1:7-9 CJB)
1 Yochanan (1 Jo) 4:20-21 CJB
“You will recognize them by their fruit. Can people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every healthy tree produces good fruit, but a poor tree produces bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, or a poor tree good fruit. Any tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire! So you will recognize them by their fruit. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, only those who do what my Father in heaven wants. On that Day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord! Didn’t we prophesy in your name? Didn’t we expel demons in your name? Didn’t we perform many miracles in your name?’ Then I will tell them to their faces, ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’”
Charlie may have said some good things, but his hate filled rhetoric poisoned people who claimed to be Christian and stained the ‘brand’ of Christianity. He was no martyr.
One group of people does not speak for and represent the narrative of our faith in Yeshua the Messiah.
Expecting people to martyr someone who was their unapologetic antagonist is ungodly and demonic.
Again, I by no means celebrate his death, but he’s absolutely no hero of faith in Yahuah through Yeshua the Messiah.
Have you ever heard anyone say that you can’t love someone if you don’t understand them? NOT TRUE!
God has commanded that we love one another…
John 13:34-35 (NKJV)
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
There are on caveats or conditions with this command…we just gotta love one another y’all!
God loves us no matter what we do. And, He doesn’t love your worst enemy any less than He loves you.
So remember this.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO UNDERSTAND SOMEONE TO LOVE THEM!
If you’re married, there are some things about your spouse that you’ll never understand.
There will be things about your children or your siblings that will always bother you, and bother you a lot.
There will always be people who’s behavior will never make sense to you.
There will always be people whose behavior you will never condone.
There will always be people who will hate you for absolutely no reason…
And we still have to love all of them! We must still always pray for God to meet them at their every point of need.
We must always pray that they submit to Gods. WORD…WILL..LOVE and SALVATION.
We must always pray that they learn what pleases God…
Ephesians 5:10 (NIV)
10 and find out what pleases the Lord.
We must always pray that they grow in the wisdom and knowledge of God, so they can truly know Him better…
We must always pray that they get to truly KNOW GOD BETTER…
Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
As a matter of fact, that’s what makes love REAL When we can truly want the best according to God’s will for someone in the most conditions that challenge love the most…because that’s how God continues to love us.
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 (Yeshua) 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.
It’s interesting the many ways the enemy can provoke us to sin. Paul even reminds us to keep our eyes wide open to the many tricks of the devil….
2 Corinthians 2:11(NKJV)
lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Have you ever noticed how many times the Old Testament references “the sins of Jeroboam”? In 1Kings Chapter 12 (please read the entire chapter for context), Jeroboam, King of the northern kingdom of Israel became fearful that the people’s loyalty would return to Rehoboam, King of the southern kingdom of Judah and son of Solomon. He thought the people would kill him, so in an effort to prevent this he…
Sought and took bad advice (provoked by his fears).
Built two golden calves (provoking and facilitating the people to worship idol Gods).
Set them up in cities other than Jerusalem, provoking the people to travel to those cities to worship (one in Bethel and one in Dan).
Made shrines on high places (provoking the people to idolatry).
Set up his own priests who were not the sons of Levi (provoking the people and false priests to sin).
Chose his own day to ordain a feast for the children of Israel (provoking the children of Israel to worship in a manner other than what God had commanded for them at this particular time in history).
In short, the decisions Jeroboam made for the nation of Israel provoked and facilitated a culture of sin that God just didn’t only hold Jeraboam accountable for, but the ENTIRE NATION.
Be careful who you choose to follow.
Be careful who you choose to lead.
And, watch very closely those leaders whom you did not choose.
When leaders make unrighteous decrees, God will hold the entire nation accountable for following them.
Isaiah 10:1-6 (NKJV)
10 “Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees,
Who write misfortune,
Which they have prescribed
2 To rob the needy of justice,
And to take what is right from the poor of My people,
That widows may be their prey,
And that they may rob the fatherless.
3 What will you do in the day of punishment,
And in the desolation which will come from afar?
To whom will you flee for help?
And where will you leave your glory?
4 Without Me they shall bow down among the prisoners,
And they shall fall among the slain.”
For all this His anger is not turned away,
But His hand is stretched out still.
Arrogant Assyria Also Judged
5 “Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger
And the staff in whose hand is My indignation.
6 I will send him against an ungodly nation,
And against the people of My wrath
I will give him charge,
To seize the spoil, to take the prey,
And to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
Even though all leaders are ordained by God, that doesn’t mean that they always make Godly decisions. Sometimes nations are given ‘bad’ leaders because of their disobedience and sin.
Take the 44th and 45th presidential administrations for example. Even though there are good aspects of both…The enemy cleverly found ways to provoke well-meaning Christians to compromise what God said in His word and their own personal Christian values to either support the man or satisfy their own flesh….
44th President of the United States championed rights for lifestyles (LBGT) that God clearly said are sinful. Yes, the decisions that people make are between themselves and God, but you can’t legitimize sin with legislation. Championing this cause promoted a culture that even used the bible against itself. Many people now say, ‘That’s not what God really meant”. It also led to people attacking Christians for standing on the word of God.
45th President of the United States provoked Christians to promote a man who clearly did not display ONE Fruit of the Spirit. Who was clearly unforgiving, unrepentant, unapologetic, proud, disrespectful, insulting with no filter. But, they excused this because they felt he would be good for the economy, or they felt he said everything their flesh wanted to say.
When confronted with an issue, study everything the word of God says on the issue in context and proper perspective without ‘cherry picking’ the verses that best suit what you want.
Make your decision about what you support in your heart. God will honor and protect you and your family when you don’t consent to what is clearly displeasing to God.
Joshua 24:15 (NKJV)
15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Today, thousands of years later, leaders all over the world are still ‘committing the sins of Jeroboam’…provoking the nation to sin.
Body of Christ, no matter what your party may be, we must be very careful not to allow our politics TRUMP our faith.
I often hear people lament that one of the reasons our public school systems have declined and are declining is because we have allowed prayer to be taken out of schools. I humbly submit to you today…
IF YOU’RE PRAYING AT HOME, PRAYER IS STILL IN SCHOOLS…
IF YOU PRAY OVER AND FOR YOUR CHILDREN, PRAYER IS STILL IN SCHOOLS…
IF YOU’VE TAUGHT YOUR CHILDREN TO PRAY, PRAYER IS STILL IN SCHOOLS…
I wonder how many of the people who complain about prayer being taken out of schools actually teach their children to pray, pray with their children or have family prayer at home?
Many schools already have a moment of silence after the National Anthem, giving students and staff the opportunity to pray. And, many of those same adults inside the school building pushing for ‘official, mandated school prayer…after pledging allegiance to a flag (which is idolatry) DO NOT take advantage of their opportunity to pray silently…proving to Yehovah their first allegiance is to country rather than Him.
Yehovah gave parents the responsibility to instill the appreciation for prayer in their children, promote a culture of prayer in the home, and let them know they can talk to God anywhere.
Deuteronomy 6:7 (ESV)
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
We must teach our children that The Most High God isn’t limited to where you pray! The church prayed for Peter in Acts 12 and God released him.
Acts 12:5-17 (NKJV)
5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant[a] prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and fromall the expectation of the Jewish people.” 12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. 15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.” 16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.
The church didn’t have to GO to the prison to pray for Peter. God is omnipresent, everywhere at the same time.
When you pray WITH your child and FOR your child, God is with him, her or them IN the school. Consider this…if you allow prayer in schools, you have to allow ALL prayer. What if your child’s teacher isn’t Christian, and your child is subjected to the prayers of another religion?
Dear friends, don’t just pray individually, but I encourage you to make sure you’re having family prayer at home.
Spouses begin your day together on prayer.
Pray as a family.
Continue to pray for schools in your churches.
Pray for schools even if you don’t have children in school because good schools affect all of us. There is much power in praying TOGETHER…
Matthew 18:19-20)
19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Many
MOST IMPORTANTLY…if your children know how to PRAY FOR THEMSELVES AT SCHOOL…prayer is still and will always be in schools.
Do you remember in the first chapter of 1 Samuel when Hannah, Eli’s wife, prayed silently and he thought she was drunk because he only saw her lips moving?
God heard that prayer and granted her a son.
The more I learn about how things work in the spirit world and how they effect the physical world…
The more I learn about the spiritual battles that take place over our lives by angels and fallen angels…
The more I realize that some prayers need to remain silent. Some things, some plans, some goals, and especially some fears need to remain between you and God.
Notice what happened when Daniel prayed about one of his visions, the angel that God dispatched to give him revelation was detained 3 weeks by a high ranking fallen angel…
Daniel 10:10-14 (NKJV)
10 Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
12 Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”
Notice how Yeshua reminds us that we all have angels who minister to us daily…
Matthew 18:10 (NKJV)
10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
You can’t believe in God without believing in angels and fallen angels (demons). These demons partner with the adversary (the devil) in being our aggressive antagonists.
Matthew 18:10 (NKJV)
10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
The devil is our spiritual adversary, but he does not have the ability to know our thoughts. But, just like any physical human adversary, he can react to what you say to antagonize and hinder you. He and his fallen angel cohorts can react to what you say.
Just as a physical enemy will react to your words, so will the devil and demons. So, be very mindful that some things DON’T need to be said out loud.
Some prayers need to be spoken in your heart as you pray silently, just as Hannah did.
God has knowledge of what you need even before you ask.
His Holy Spirit steps in when words can’t be expressed or don’t need to be expressed…
When you pray silently it’s just like whispering in God’s ear.
Romans 8:26 (NKJV)
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession [a]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Be careful how and with whom you share your plans…
Be careful how and with whom you share your hopes…
Be careful how and with whom you share your fears…
Pray for wisdom on what should be spoken out loud and when you should whisper in God’s ear.
The devil is a deceiver and the father of lies, and remember, that Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) proclaimed this not to the overt, perverse ‘sinners’ but to the ‘elite’, self-righteous, religious leaders of the time. This same ‘spirit’ lives on in many people who claim to be believers today…
John 8:44 (NKJV)
44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
The fact is that he has been doing his thing long before we got here, and quite frankly he is good at it.
But, God didn’t leave us defenseless against his schemes…
2 Corinthians 2:11 (NKJV)
11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Leaders whose purpose is to deceive the saints WILL NOT ADMIT TO BE EVIL!
It’s our responsibility to recognize who the devil is working through. Just as we are created in God’s image, which means we have His attributes and character, those who are being led by the enemy have his attributes.
So, no matter what a leader may CLAIM to stand for, if their character hasn’t and doesn’t align with God’s character…beware. The fact is that the man of lawlessness will come with lying wonders that are designed to deceive the very elect…
Matthew 24:24 (NKJV)
24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Remember, the Jews were expecting the Messiah (Christ) to be a political and military leader as well as spiritual.
But here’s the more grave admonition. If they share the attributes of the Adversary, don’t be fooled by their deception, so you won’t be a partaker of their sins. Here are a few from Holy scripture…
These signs pertain to ALL leaders, world, national, local, professional and spiritual!
1. BEWARE OF LEADERS WHO ARE CONSTANTLY ACCUSING & PLACING BLAME…
This is a direct attribute of the devil. One of his titles, given by God, is the Accuser of the ‘brethren’…
Revelation 12:10 (NKJV)
10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.
I recommend that you don’t just beware of leaders who openly stand for evil, but for those who have the subtle attributes of the enemy. Beware of those whose character is to always accuse and never accept accountability. Be honest with yourself. Do you know any leaders that fit this description?
2. BEWARE OF LEADERS WHO ARE FULL OF PRIDE…
This is another direct attribute of the enemy that can’t be ignored or discounted. The bible makes it clear that PRIDE which is the first mentioned among deadly sins, in fact, it’s mentioned just before ‘hands that shed innocent blood’ which in manifested one way through abortion. Pride is just as deadly and just as much an abomination as abortion. God does not permit us to be proud of ANYTHING! Our nation. Our race. Our children. Our accomplishments. Instead, He demands we be THANKFUL for these things. One of the enemy’s most acceptable strategies is convincing believers that pride is okay in some situations. Do you know of any leaders whose looks and mouths are full of pride? Beware!
3. BEWARE OF LEADERS WHO ARE CONSTANTLY BOASTING ABOUT THEMSELVES & ACCOMPLISHMENTS…
This attribute is a direct fruit of pride and God warns to watch for it in both the Old and New Testatments. God told us that the spirit of the antichrist was already at work even in the 1st Century…
John 4:3 (NASB)
3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.
We prove what we ‘confess’ by our lifestyle and words. That’s why Jesus said many who call Him ‘Lord, Lord’ will not enter into His Kingdom.
Don’t ignore the scriptures about leaders whose mouths are full of boasting…
Daniel 7:8 (NASB)
8 While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, [a]this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth uttering great boasts.
Proverbs 27:2 (NKJV)
2 Thessalonians 2:9-11(NASB)
9 that is, the one whose [a]coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and [b]signs and false wonders, 10 and with [c]all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God [d]will send upon them [e]a deluding influence so that they will believe [f]what is false,
Revelation 13:5 (NIV)
5 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months.
Do you know of a leader whose mouth is full of boasting about him or herself? This person doesn’t have to be the anti-christ to be operating in the spirit of the antichrist to prepare hearts and minds for his coming.
4. BEWARE OF LEADERS WHO REFUSE TO ASK FOR FORGIVENESS, GIVE FORGIVENESS OR REPENT…
When you carefully read about King Saul and King David, the thing that made David ‘a man after God’s own heart’ was that he had a heart of repentance, while Saul did not. Repentance isn’t saying I’m sorry, but actually turning from your sin with Godly sorrow. David allowed the Prophet Nathan to hold him accountable for his sin, and he repented…
Psalm 51 (NKJV)
Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just [a]when You speak, And blameless when You judge. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. 6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise. 16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.
2 Corinthians 7:10 (NKJV)
10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
5. BEWARE OF LEADERS WHOSE CHARACTER DOESN’T ALIGN WITH WHAT THEY CLAIM TO STAND FOR…
No matter what we claim to ‘stand for’ we prove our faith in God through Yeshua the Messiah with our behavior. Are we perfect? No. But, it’s clear when someones overall character doesn’t align with what God commands. For example, I have seen one particular leader use profanity during speeches while crowds of people who claimed to be believers cheered, laughed and encouraged this behavior that God clearly forbids.
James 3:9-11 (NKJV)
9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the [a]similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?
I’ve seen believers make excuses for a leader who not only has never been known for his faith or integrity, but unrepentantly bragged about his past sinful exploits…rather than hold him accountable. This is enabling him just as much as enabling a dope addict by feeding his or her habit…
Ephesians 5:11 (NKJV)
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather [a]expose them.
When we don’t hold one another accountable, we become partakers of the same sins…
Ephesians 5:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.
6. BEWARE OF LEADERS WHO CONSTANTLY HURL INSULTS…
We all insult one another sometimes, however, if we’re honest with ourselves, there are some people that have made hurling insults a part of their very character. This is of the devil, and Jesus Himself said it leads to hell fire…
Matthew 5:22 (NLT)
22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone,[a] you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot,[b] you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone,[c] you are in danger of the fires of hell.[d]
Remember, the enemy does not attempt to deceive believers by admitting to be evil, but disguising himself as an angel of light. Also remember that the wolf comes in sheep’s clothing…
Matthew 7:15 (KJV)
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
We are made in the image of our invisible God by displaying the Fruit of His Spirit, many of which our modern culture considers to be ‘weak’…
Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Israel didn’t become exiled because of the overt ‘sinners’ in the land, but because of the spiritual compromise, pride, and hypocrisy of believers. 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.
This article is intended to be an admonition for believers. Most of the time, these admonitions were rejected in the bible. Be careful of any spirit that would provoke you to immediately reject it.
Don’t forget that Herod was a great builder and political leader who even like John the Baptist, but was an enemy of our Lord and Savior…
Mark 6:20 (NLT)
20 for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him.
I intentionally didn’t call any names, so if the name of a particular leader comes to mind, maybe it’s because they fit they description.
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [a]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Remember, these signs pertain to ALL leaders, world, national, local, professional and spiritual!
And let us always pray that they submit to God’s will, word, love, truth and salvation!
Don’t worry, I’m not going rated ‘R’ on you but, I really think this is going to bless someone.
This is a much too common insult in our culture, and yes, the bad grammar is always intentional…
“You ain’t worth s**t! Of course, implying that someone doesn’t have the value of feces, crap, refuse, doo-doo, dung, ‘ish’.
It can be very hurtful if you allow it, especially if you are insecure or struggle with self-esteem. Or, if it’s told to a child by a parent, authority figure or peer. It’s damage can last well into adulthood.
So, let me give you a little ammunition with biblical support in case someone ever tells you, “You ain’t worth shiggity!”
God created everything with value. Everything! Even doo-doo! We all know that there’s an industry built around the use of animal dung to make mulch and fertilizer.
Why?
Because God put purpose and power, even in poop. Not only does it have value, but great value.
People pay good money for a sack of s**t at Home Depot and Lowe’s.
God, in His wisdom gave waste the power to make things grow…so even waste doesn’t have to be wasted.
But, let’s look at the bible. There, we find the ‘S’-word was used for two ‘F’-words…both FERTILIZER and FUEL. Not only did they use it to grow their food, but they used it as fuel/coal to heat their food too.
Luke 13:7-8 (NKJV)
7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ 8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.
Ezekiel 4:15 (NKJV)
15 Then He said to me, “See, I am giving you cow dung instead of human waste, and you shall prepare your bread over it.”
So, don’t get it twisted. God has value for dung. He has a purpose for poo, and He has a purpose for you.
Feces is used to diagnoseillnesses, research for cures for disease, and do scientificresearch. There’s value in doo doo!
So, if anybody ever tells you that “You aren’t worth s**t,” tell them thank you! Tell them of it’s value. And then, remind them that if they ‘ain’t’ working God’s purpose for their life, tell them “S**t is worth more than you!”
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,
Most of us are very busy, with many responsibilities pulling us many different ways, but God is good and has given us many means to sustain our lives. He has given us…
JOBS to sustain us financially…
FAMILIES to sustain us emotionally and with love and support…
Assemblies of The Most High to help sustain us spiritually…
But if we aren’t careful, we can allow the things that are MEANT TO SUSTAIN OUR LIVES DRAIN THE LIFE OUT OF US. WORK/CAREER…
God has blessed us with jobs and careers to earn the money to provide for ourselves and our families. It is God’s will that we all work, as the bible says that anyone who doesn’t work shouldn’t eat (2Thessalonians 3:10). We must be very careful however to not allow our jobs and careers drain the life out of us. Yes, jobs can be demanding physically, emotionally and spiritually. We have to deal with coworkers, bosses and customers that take our patience to the edge. I know sometimes we have to work extended hours…but some choose to do so because they either want more material things or have obligated themselves with more. Not all ‘deadbeat parents’ live away from their children. Many neglect quality time with their family when they don’t have to do so. Many compromise their respect, values and sometimes Christian character trying to get promoted and ‘climb the ladder”. Many come home from work depleted, grumpy wanting to be left alone with no energy left for anything else. FAMILY…
Families are a blessing (Psalm 68:6), meant to enrich our lives and to be the foundation of the Body of Christ, but sometimes the demands of family can drain us also. The stress of responsibilities, managing relationships, family rivalries, trying to be everything to everyone can drain us too. Home should be a place of peach and not drama. Sometimes we can bring stresses that originated outside the home, inside the home. It’s important to spend quality time with one another, but it’s also necessary to spend some quality, peaceful moments alone with just you and God, so that our family life doesn’t drain us. CHURCH…
Yes we must even be responsible in how we allocate our WORSHIP/REST to be obedient. It is very clear that God intends for His family to fellowship together, worship together and most of all, work together for His Kingdom. He told us clearly in Hebrews 10:25 that we aren’t to forsake assembling together. However, some people have ‘established their own righteousness’ by staying in church ALL DAY LONG. Some have established a church culture going to church school early in the morning, then they have worship service which is GOOD AND SUFFICIENT…but they then regularly have another service and/or rush or rush to visit another church for an afternoon service and sometimes have an evening service later. They then start their work weeks TIRED AND DRAINED because they worshiped and had fellowship but did not rest TOO as commanded. God COMMANDED THAT WE WORSHIP AND REST. If we don’t get rest we are being disobedient. We are to refresh ourselves so we can have energy to work and do Kingdom work during the week. Yes, there is the example of Paul preaching all night in Acts Chapter 20 but that wasn’t the norm, he did that because he planned to leave the next day. God intends for church to REFRESH AND ENRICH us, not drain us.
God intends for our lives to have BALANCE…don’t allow what’s meant to SUSTAIN YOUR LIFE…DRAIN YOUR LIFE.
Serving God, especially through serving one another, can sometimes be thankless, unappreciated and quite frankly seem unrewarding.
Most of the good that we do may go unnoticed. This can be hard when your sacrifice your time, your money…even your reputation for the sake of God’s kingdom.
If we aren’t careful, we can find ourselves in our human moments regretting the good that we do or done, especially when we see those who could care less about God prospering and even mocking believers. Or, we see those who are looking at God as a genie in a bottle brag about their prosperity is due to their faithfulness, so what’s wrong with you.
God allows us the space to have brief human moments, and even ask Him as we would our parents…
“Why?”
“How Long?”
“Why me?”
“Why us?”
“Why do THEY deserve such good ‘fortune’?”
Notice what Psalm 73:12-14 says…
Behold, these are the ungodly,
Who are always at ease;
They increase in riches. 13 Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,
And washed my hands in innocence. 14 For all day long I have been plagued,
And chastened every morning.
The Psalmist laments saying in so many words, “Have I repented for nothing?” “I’m still troubled all the time!”
God knows we are flesh…dust…human and will feel weak sometimes (Psalm 103:14, Matthew 26:1)
But, pay close attention to how strong Psalm 73 finishes. We are reminded that God will eventually deal with the ungodly. The Psalmist then repents and then…
TURNS HIS PITY PARTY INTO A PRAISE PARTY…
Psalm 73:18-28 (NKJV)
Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction. 19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
They are utterly consumed with terrors. 20 As a dream when one awakes, So, Lord, when You awake,
You shall despise their image.
21 Thus my heart was grieved,
And I was vexed in my mind. 22 I was so foolish and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You. 23 Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand. 24 You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. 26 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;
You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
That I may declare all Your works.
When you feel discouraged about the good you do, let me encourage you with the word of God…
Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
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.
serving one another, can sometimes be thankless, unappreciated and quite frankly seem unrewarding.
BE BLESSTIFIED! 