One of life’s most eye-opening experiences is when someone meets their favorite celebrity, athlete, politician or even minister only to find them to be rude, obnoxious, nasty, offensive, arrogant or mean. Many times their ‘security’ or staff may turn away the adoring fans.

The presidential election of 2016 was a perfect example of people getting into arguments to the point ending relationships with friends and family trying to defend or support people they don’t know.

The fact is, that if you were to meet some of these famous people, you may not like them or they may not like you.

As Jesus’ fame spread, throngs of people were drawn to Him. Much like some well-known people today, there was an occasion when little children were brought to Jesus. His ‘people’, the disciples, abruptly rebuked them and turned them away. Jesus quickly told them to allow the children to come to Him so He could lay hands on them and bless them.

Matthew 19:13-14

13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15. And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.

Isn’t a shame that some of our ‘big shots’ today think they are more important than Jesus.

Jesus didn’t turn those who approached him away then…and He still doesn’t today. Jesus is always approachable.

John 6:37 (NKJV)

37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Do you dread going to work? Do you hate your job? Are you praying to God to deliver you from your current work place to another?

You may want a job that you enjoy more, that pays more, that’s less stressful, where you have a better boss and coworkers, where you have more respect or that’s more fulfilling.

As you pray for a new job, let me remind you that even though you are hoping and even working towards something new…remember that God has you where you are now, especially if you prayed for your current job. Think about how excited and thankful you were when you got it.

If you took the job without consulting God then you must be patient and work through it. Sometimes if you fall in a ditch, you have to walk IN the ditch for a while until you can find a place to CLIMB out or be PULLED out.

Also, be careful that you don’t have a complaining spirit that can spread beyond you and damage your witness. God HATES complaining…

1 Corinthians 10:6-11 (NKJV)

6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”[a] 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 NOR COMPLAIN, AS SOME OF THEM ALSO COMPLAINED, AND WERE DESTROYED BY THE DESTROYER. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

 Also, it is easy to begin slacking on your job when you hate it or when you have a new job lined up. It’s easy to ‘check out’ mentally or physically and not do your best. When you accepted your job you made a commitment to be a good steward to the tasks appointed to you. You are God’s representative on you job. While you are employed, God expects you to do a good job as if doing it for. If He expected this of servants, who weren’t getting paid, what do you think He expects of us who are getting paid?

Colossians 3:23-24 (NKJV)

23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for[a] you serve the Lord Christ.

Lastly, when you are feeling dread about your job or even encountering difficulty on your job…stop and PRAISE GOD and THANK GOD for your job. It’s a blessing to have a job to sustain your life. Even if you hate your job, God is still God and He still deserves the glory. He will encourage, strengthen and sustain you through your sincere praise and thanksgiving.

Instead of frowning and complaining be a LIGHT in darkness. Let people see God in you. That’s why He still has you there.

1 Peter 2:12New King James Version (NKJV)

TGIM!!!!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

As performed by Mechelle Johnson 
https://youtu.be/_PIf4NPfs0Y

Noah’s family you saved

It rained forty days

The Hebrews were slaves

then Moses you raised

to lead them to that land

you promised Abraham.

You called him Your friend.

You showed Your love to him

Your Word tells me that Your love is so true.

I wanna say thank You Lord for loving me too.

So many people You healed

Five thousand bellies You filled

A woman in adultery one day

You sent her accusers away

She stood alone with You Lord

You said go and sin no more

You forgave her sins

You do the same for all men.

Your word tells me that Your love is so true

And I want to say thank You Lord for loving me too.

Thanks for loving me,

Thanks for loving me too. (Repeat 4x)

Thanks for loving me too

When I acted like a fool You saw me through

When at times, I get caught up in the world

You let me know…I’m still your girl.

Thanks for loving me,

Thanks for loving me too. (Repeat4x)

Thanks for loving me too

Your Word tells me, Your love is true.

You’ve shown your love, since the world begun

In the fullness of time…You gave me your Son.

Thank you Lord, for loving me. 

Written by Aldtric T. Johnson, 2014

https://youtu.be/_PIf4NPfs0Y

BE BLESSTIFIED!

No matter how bad you have to use the bathroom…

How strong the urge to relieve yourself…

If you’re in a crowd of people outside, in a meeting, at a ball game, or in church YOU WON’T stop and use it right then and there.

Why?

Because you have RESTRAINT.

No matter HOW strong the urge, how painful, you would rather hold it in rather than disgrace and embarrass yourself.

Too many times we in the Body of Christ use the excuse, “I couldn’t help myself!”

Too many Christians are perfectly content using profanity…retaliating…and giving in to their flesh, and quickly use the excuse, “I just couldn’t hold it in”!

Peter is well known for his lack of restraint. On the Mount of Transfiguration he quickly blurted out, “Let us build three tabernacles, one for Jesus, Moses and Elijah!” (Matthew 17:4).

After Jesus was arrested, when accused of knowing Him, Peter cursed (Matthew 26:74, Mark 14:71). But, Jesus knew of Peter’s spontaneity, and had already prayed for him and told him that when he is converted to strengthen his brothers (Luke 22:32). One of the things Peter was going to have to do was learn RESTRAINT.

One of the fruit of the Spirit is TEMPERANCE or SELF-CONTROL (Galations  5:22).

It’s true we can’t do anything without the help of God, but he has given us the power to restrain our flesh as well.

You don’t have to use profanity (cuss).

You don’t have to get even.

You don’t have to let everybody know EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL.

Just the same as you can HOLD BACK when you have to use the bathroom (flesh), you can hold back when that person of the opposite sex is trying to tempt you.

Let’s be just like our heavenly Father. Because when you think about it, that’s what MERCY is…God holding back the wrath and judgment we deserve.

Let’s all make a commitment to God today to do a better job of restraining ourselves.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Yes we have faith in God, but what are we believing God for?

Many approach, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13) carnally. We fully believe that if we have the faith AS a grain of mustard seed we can move mountains (Matthew 17:20), but we can get caught up trying to move the wrong mountains.

There is so much power available to change our lives and the lives of others, but sometimes we SQUANDER OUR FAITH on material things, trying to ‘come up’, and bring glory to ourselves…on the wrong things.

Many of us struggle all of our lives the personal issues that hold us back…

Lack of confidence,

Low self-esteem,

Impatience,

Narcissism,

Timidity,

Lack of motivation, etc….

You can look at some people and still see them as a child. You can tell who was the cry baby, who was the bully,…who took their toys or ball and went home when they didn’t get their way.

You can tell who was mistreated as a so-called ‘nerd’, and now they are over-the-top in proving I’m somebody or getting even.

We need God’s power to shape our character and attitudes so we can be used by Him. We need His power to be conformed into His image (Romans 8:29). There are so many people in the world who genuinely need help…

Poverty,

Homelessness,

Addiction,

Oppression,

Hunger,

Christians being persecuted because of their faith,

Unbelievers in the one true and living God through faith in Christ.

But, unfortunately too many Christians focus ALL of their faith on THEIR own prosperity and glory. There’s nothing wrong with wanting good things in life, but our abundant culture and God’s grace and mercy has created a class of selfish, entitled Christians.

We can even approach giving selfishly. It’s taught selfishly. Christians are taught to GIVE SO YOU CAN BE BLESSED rather than GIVE SO YOU CAN BE A BLESSING. Too many Christians’ motivation to give is to get…it’s their BLESSING BILL. Some aren’t the least bit concerned with Kingdom work, they just don’t want God to ‘cut off their blessings’ just like an electric bill.

I’m not questioning your faith. Yes we have faith, we believe in God. We know what He can do, but what are we believing God for? God has given us the power to move mountains. He’s given us the power to change our world and the world around us. He’s given us the power to overcome who we were. Let us not squander our faith or use it selfishly, but use it to move the mountains in the lives of others rather than just ourselves.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

So many Americans seems to value in put their faith in force, aggression, bravado, machismo, profanity laden speech, shrewdness and uncertain riches.

Jesus taught and continues to teach…

LOVE…


FORGIVENESS…


RESTRAINT…


LONGSUFFERING…


SELF-CONTROL…


PEACE…


COMPASSION…


KINDNESS…

And even that nations don’t put their FAITH in the strength of their army, but their trust in Him…

Psalm 20:7 (NKJV)

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

Psalm 146:3  (NKJV) 

Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.

1 Timothy 6:17New King James Version (NKJV)

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

Many Christians point a self-righteous finger at the Jews for choosing Barabbas over Jesus (Matthew 27:15-26), when they were given a choice. However, they were given an opportunity to VOTE for Jesus based on His 3-year campaign filled of LOVE, MIRACLES and FORGIVENESS.

Yet, they chose a criminal.

This post is not biased towards one candidate in particular because the enemy cleverly used both leading candidates to convince Christians to disregard the values of Christ for their flesh.

One candidate clearly did not display one Fruit of the Spirit. That candidate was proudly unrepentant and unforgiving.

The other candidate promised to continue the assault against the first institution God ordained after creation, the family and marriage through the union of a man and woman.

Christians ignored God’s values with both candidates because they were more concerned with their FINANCES, SAFETY and PERSONAL BIASES. When God promised to work all things out for our good if we put our faith and trust in Him.

Think about it. Jesus would be considered weak according to American culture and American standards.

If Jesus were a candidate in this election…would you have voted for Him?

Remember this. Jesus is ALWAYS on the ballot.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Soooo many people are saying they’re ‘HOLDING’ their vote because they don’t like our choice of candidates. Too many people have given too much for anyone to HOLD their vote.

Those brave individuals who disregarded their own safety for the right to vote DIDN’T ALWAYS HAVE THE BEST CHOICE OF CANDIDATES.

Most of them…we don’t even know their names. They suffered threats. They were thrown in jail. They were slaughtered for the right to vote…for the right to be recognized and respected as men and women.

They HELD up signs; They HELD demonstrations; They HELD up their heads…all while being attacked. That’s why you can’t ‘HOLD’ your vote. They followed the example of our Lord Jesus Christ…

1 Peter 2:23 (NKJV)

who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

DON’T HOLD YOUR VOTE…GO!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Sometimes you just don’t know…

Hey! Hey! HEY!!!!

Has anyone ever called your name over and over and you didn’t hear them? You didn’t hear them because you were thinking. You were trying to make a decision. You lay awake at night…You stare into space…You drive miles without noticing where you’re going because you’re….thinking.

You cry some secret tears, hoping someone walks up and notices to show concern, while not wanting anyone to see you crying.

Should I go left or right?

Should I do right or wrong?

Should I go or stay?

Do I tell them how I feel or keep it to myself?

Should I speak or remain silent?

Is this God’s will? Is God giving me options? What if I make the wrong decision?

My flesh says YES…while my spirit says NO!

Is God saying OKAY or is He saying NO….I just can’t tell!!!!

Life’s greatest battles aren’t fought on the battlefield, but in your mind.

Yes, you believe in God, Yes, you trust God. Yes you pray for an answer. You search God’s word for an answer…but you’re still unsure of what to think, what to say….what to do.

Even those who seem the most confident, those who are most anointed…sometimes just aren’t sure. They second guess themselves.

Unfortunately I don’t have the answer here…and be careful of those who claim to have ALL the answers.

I can only tell you when you don’t know which way to go after consulting God…praying…fasting…reading that you move forward in faith. That’s why it’s called FAITH. You don’t know which way to go. Trust God….

When you sincerely seek Him, take comfort in the fact that He knows your heart…

Psalm 139:23-24 (NKJV)

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;

Take comfort in the fact that even if you make the wrong decision, He will work it out for YOUR good…

Romans 8:28(NKJV)

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

God will take care of you and uphold you for His Name’s sake…

Psalm 143:1 (NKJV)

Revive me, O Lord, for Your name’s sake!
For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.

Sometimes you just won’t know so you learn to trust God and yourself as you trust Him.

Tell God that you trust Him…then trust Him

BE BLESSTIFIED!

They say there’s a thin line between love and hate. It may not be that the line is so thin, but that people should be totally honest with themselves, because God knows the heart. The fact is…YOU DON’T HAVE TO HATE SOMEONE TO NOT LOVE THEM.

The enemy knows that God commanded us to love everyone….

EVERYONE means EVERYONE.

That’s why he (the enemy) manipulates situations and circumstances to provoke us to NOT LOVE someone who mistreats us, or someone we close to us. He convinces people to engage in behavior to where what we feel for them may not be HATE, but it’s definitely not LOVE.

He then he manipulates you to lie to yourself and say “I love everybody” because it’s the right thing to say, but your feelings and behavior don’t reflect love.

God didn’t tell us to LIKE everyone…but to LOVE everyone.

Just as Jesus says in Matthew 5:46, even evil people love those who love them.

So, we must be very careful to be honest with ourselves and WATCH THE LOVE LINE! Make sure that what you feel doesn’t CROSS the line from LOVE to NOT LOVE to HATE. The bible says it is impossible to truly love God who we can’t see and hate one another who we can see…

1 John 4:20

“If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?”

Examine yourself, and be honest about your feelings. Give yourself the TEST FOR LOVE. It’s easy to find in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7..
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
If what you feel and your behavior towards everyone doesn’t measure up to the criteria in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7…then it’s not love. And, if it’s not love, in God’s eyes, it’s not enough. And, remember, if you have trouble loving those who may seem they don’t deserve our love, ask yourself, what have you done to deserve God’s love?

BE BLESSTIFIED!!!

The greater the resistance to your vision, may be greater confirmation that it came from God.

The devil confronted and tempted Jesus in the wilderness EARLY in His earthly ministry (Matthew 4:1-11) and the resistance never ceased.

It came from both without and within His inner circle. Even today many sincere, devout Jewish people still don’t understand or accept God’s vision through Jesus Christ.

When your vision is from God, everyone won’t understand it, but they weren’t meant to…that’s why Yahweh gave it to you!

Remember, when Jesus knocked down Saul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), He struck in blind. Saul was headed to persecute the church.

God struck him blind, because He was changing his VISION.

Stick to your vision and SEE YOUR VISION through…only you can. That’s why God gave it to YOU!

BE BLESSTIFIED!!!

The strongest men and women strive for PEACE. Now more than ever, it is critical that we have LEADERS of every race who are led by God.

Leaders who are led by and lead by LOVE and GODLY WISDOM.

How can you tell who to trust?

It’s easy.

Only trust leaders that seek PEACE, COMMON GROUND and most of all LOVE. Those who are led by SPIRIT and not FLESH. Trust those who aren’t  easily provoked and don’t provoke others to wrath. Those who can manage their emotions, and don’t manipulate the emotions and fears of others. Those who strive to build on what we have in common, rather than use our differences to tear us apart.

We need leaders who look for solutions rather than finding fault. Leaders who call for accountability and responsibility, rather than recklessly placing blame.

In Jeremiah 3:15, God promises…15 “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

God Himself in said in Isaiah 1:18, “Come let us reason together”…let’s settle the matter.

GODLY leaders promote UNDERSTANDING and not MISUNDERSTANDING. Godly leaders realize the key to conflict resolution is finding common ground. Be careful who you listen to, be careful who you follow…make sure they are following God and LEADING IN LOVE. 

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Many times we encourage one another by saying, “You can do anything you set your mind to do, as long as you have faith.” Yes, it’s true that through God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26), because God can do anything He chooses through anyone He chooses. But some the things that you want to do, even for God, it may not be His will for YOU to do them.

 You may have a desire to have a virgin birth, and yes with God it’s possible, but that doesn’t mean it’s His will for you to do it. 

David had a desire to build a house for God, but God told Him it was His will for his son Solomon to build it…
1 Chronicles 22:7-8

7 And David said to Solomon: “My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build a house to the name of the Lord my God; 8 but the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight. 

It is our responsibility to find out what God’s will is for us and the things He would have us do…but how do you know?  

Ephesians 5:12 tells us to “find out what’s acceptable to the Lord.” 

Proverbs 3:4-5 tells us Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 

Be sensitive to His Spirit and where He is leading you. In Acts 16 the Holy Spirit forbade the apostles from going some places that desired to go preach.

“6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spiritdid not permit them.” 

 God has a will and purpose for each of His children, and we must pray for wisdom, understanding, discernment and revelation for God to show us those things He would have us to do. 

I pray in the name of Christ that God reveals to you your purpose and your path.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Revelation 19:10 (NKJV)

10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Revelations 21:8-9

8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.

9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

I love how the angel of the Lord replied to the John in Revelation 19:10 and 22:8-9...Twice as the Apostle John received awesome Revelations from God, he tried to bow down and worship the angel of God, but the angel immediately stopped John and told him, 1. “I am of your brethren…2. Worship God! 

I love that! 

So many times when God uses great men and women to share His word and love people will try to worship them. 

Yes, the bible says we should honor and respect those who bring the word, but there’s a difference in respecting and worshiping. 

Some people have even come to expect people to worship them, especially after God has shown HIS POWER THROUGH THEM. 

If an angel of God can humble himself, then so should we. We should NEVER give any man or woman MORE respect than we give God. 

Sometimes, I’ve found people to try and hide their liquor when I would come around, or I’ve found them to curse with every other word until they found out I was a preacher, then they would change while I was around. I quickly tell them, “I appreciate the respect, but before I arrived God was here  and, He will still be here when I leave. Don’t respect me more than you respect God!” People who stop drinking, doing drugs, cursing or whatever when the “preacher” comes around must remember that God is always there, and that every time they do it, they do it in His presence.

 Let us always respect one another, but never more than we respect God.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Yesterday I was thirsty and craving for a soda (a good strong fountain Coke) all day long. I had water readily available and it would not only quench my thirst, but it is exactly what my body needed. But, I didn’t drink what I NEEDED because my body is CRAVING a soda…what I didn’t need. The soda is filled with sugar and acid, and it has absolutely no nutritional value to my body. In fact, I most of the time I’m still thirsty after I finish a soda. It only satisfies WHILE I’m drinking it and I usually finish a soda craving another…but the water will satisfy quench my thirst and satisfy my body’s NEED.

How many times do we do the same thing spiritually. In John 6, after Jesus had fed over 5000 people many followed Jesus, but they weren’t seeking Him for HIM, they were seeking Him because he fed them…he satisfied a their flesh.

In John 6:26-27 Jesus tells them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not favor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you , because God the Father has set His seal on Him”. 

What they NEEDED was right before them, but they looked beyond what they NEEDED for what they WANTED. Not only do we sometimes choose what we WANT over what we NEED, but we sometimes even chose what’s BAD for us rather than what’s GOOD for us. We chose spiritual SODA over WATER. Read all of John 6 again for context.

Jesus promises to give us what SATISFIES our spirit rather than our flesh. Jesus promises ETERNAL refreshment rather than temporal. Watch what your CRAVINGS…make sure your craving spiritual WATER instead of SODA. Remember…#EternalLifeMatters

BE BLESSTIFIED!

It’s interesting when people judge you through the lens of their perspective….when they judge what YOU do based on what motivates THEM. Be careful when you say, “They just did that because…”. Be careful when you judge what’s in someone else’s heart.
Calling out sin is not judging. Saying it’s wrong to steal, for example, isn’t judging. Condemning someone for it IS judging. Saying someone did it because _______ is judging. Telling someone lying is sin isn’t judging. Saying someone is lying when you don’t know the whole story is judging. Have you ever been accused of lying when you weren’t?

Have you accused someone of lying later to find out they weren’t?

Remember Matthew 7:1…”Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you”
In regard to judging, also consider this… Yes homosexuality is wrong and and an abomination, that’s why I stand firmly against gay marriage. Romans 1:24-27 makes it clear..but later in the chapter (29-32), God also makes it clear that there are other sins that are equally displeasing to Him. Romans 2:1-4 further clarifies that when you judge someone of one, you are worthy of judgement of the sin(s) that you commit. I encourage you to study the sins listed in Romans 29-32 and see which ones you may be guilty of.

Romans 1:21-32. Romans 2:1-4
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Romans 2:1-4
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

BE BLESSTIFIED!

TOUGH LOVE. We want to make sure we aren’t ENABLING their dysfunction. We can’t let the dysfunction and evil of some bring us down with them…can’t let their issues infect our home. Many times we’ll say, you have to let some people hit ROCK BOTTOM as the PRODIGAL SON (Luke 15:11-32) did and COME TO THEMSELVES. But we must pray for wisdom and discernment and realize that the ROCK BOTTOM scenario may be a case-by-case basis.

Some people are STRONGER IN THEIR WEAKNESSES than others. For every PRODIGAL who CAME TO THEMSELVES, there are also those who never did.

ROCK BOTTOM didn’t shock them to their senses.

ROCK BOTTOM wasn’t a wake up call.

ROCK BOTTOM didn’t turn them around.

Everyone may not be equipped to handle ROCK BOTTOM.

Do you know anyone who died out there in their HOG PEN?

We must pray for wisdom and discernment when dealing with our challenged loved ones. Sometimes we have loved ones who are good people with a good heart, but they just can’t get it together. Sometimes we have loved ones that have been so HURT by the world, that it may have critically damaged their abilities to cope. We must ask for God’s guidance in which ones we must LET GO, and which we must BEAR THE INFIRMITIES and FAILINGS of the WEAK.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

A son became estranged to his single father. The father worked many hours to take care of his son and daughter and was either unable or too tired to spend the time with them that he would have liked to. The son resented his father and felt the he was never there, but the daughter understood. Both children went on to accomplish great things because of their father’s sacrifice.

 The son would often give credit to everyone along the way who helped him but never his father. The daughter not only honored their father, but would often plead with her brother to be reconciled him. The grandchildren also went on to accomplish great things. The grandfather would watch on television as his son and grandchildren were often recognized for all they did. The son nor his children ever visited the father, but he still had joy in his heart as he looked on all they had done.

One day the daughter told the dad she regretted how her brother treats him, and she wouldn’t give up until they were reconciled. She also asked him how he had such peace. He told her that he appreciates her, and that he gets enough joy from her love for the both of them. He then said just because his son doesn’t acknowledge my sacrifice or love doesn’t take away the fact that everything he’s accomplished was because of him. It doesn’t take away the fact that his son or his son’s children  all came from him. The father said,  “Would I love relationship and acknowledgment ? Of course! But I have peace that I did right by the responsibility God gave me, if my son chooses not to give me love, honor or acknowledgment, is between him and God…I’m at peace.”

Jesus shows His love to those who don’t appreciate His sacrifice, acknowledge Him, love Him or honor Him. He allows the sun to shine on the just and unjust. That’s why the bible says, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!”(Psalm 107:2)

It’s our responsibility and should be our joy to tell the world how much we appreciate the Lord Jesus, and let the everyone know what He’s done for us and them. Just as the daughter made it her mission to make sure her brother was reconciled with their father, that’s what God expects us to do with His children who don’t acknowledge Him…

2 Corinthians 5:20
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”

BE BLESSTIFIED!

John 1:35-37

35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. 36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”
37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

John 1:35 states that two of John the Baptist’s disciples left him to follow Jesus. John the Baptist wasn’t bitter towards Jesus or the disciples who left him because he knew his role and Jesus’ role. Unfortunately some preachers, pastors, ministers, evangelist, teachers and Christians etc. see themselves as rivals, in an unspoken and sometimes spoken competition for followers or people. They even sometimes have circles of friends that are at odds with other circles.

This is not a competition.

We are all on SUPPOSED to be on the same team.

Even within a church family ministers, deacons, choir members and members can find themselves at odds…in silly political battle for position. This is all a distraction from the enemy.The devil doesn’t mind us going to church if he can keep us distracted with foolishness.

There’s no reason for anyone to be threatened or jealous of anyone else’s anointing, position, calling or mission – God needs the people on His team to work together.

BE BLESSTIFIED!!!

God made promises to us throughout His word. Sometimes when life gets heavy, or seems unfair, it’s the promises of God that keep us going…if we truly value them.

Do we care about the promise of salvation and eternal life?

Do we care that He promised to return?

Do we care that He promised to provide our NEEDS?

I know there are many who say that religion is a creation of man to control the masses, and in some cases that is true. But, I’m not talking about religion. I’m talking about a true relationship with God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Yeshua). When you really love Him for who He is, you trust Him no matter what’s going on in your life.

I’ve listed a few promises that God made to us below. I know this isn’t every promise that He has given us. Feel free to respond with a promise of God that encourages you. I’m not talking about the promise that He has ‘spoken into your spirit’. I’m talking about a promise that God made in His word that encourages you. Please share it…it may encourage someone else.

 Romans 10:9

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Matthew 6:31-32

³¹ “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

 Acts 1:11

¹¹ who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

 Hebrews 13:5

5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

 Revelations 21:4

 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

 BE BLESSTIFIED!