Category: Devotional, Inspiration

BRINGING UP THE PAST (IN LOVE

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SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO REWIND

Many times after we have hurt someone, and they have ‘forgiven’ us, it angers us and hurts us when they bring it back up. We quickly remind them that ‘you are supposed to forgive and forget’. We remind them of Isaiah 43:25, “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” This is true, but must be understood in proper context. God forgives us and doesn’t hold our sins against us WHEN WE REPENT. But, what is repentance? Repentance is godly sorrow over what we’ve done (2 Corinthians 7:10). Repentance is a change of heart, and doing our best to never do that again. Repentance is making every effort to not put ourselves in the path of temptation for those sins. Repentance is an all out, sincere effort to turn around. But, Israel sometimes continued to rebel against God. Israel sometimes continued in the same sins…that’s not repentance. Israel sometimes put themselves in the path of temptation making it easier to fall.

You will notice that when Israel returned to their previous sins, that God STERNLY AND LOVINGLY BROUGHT UP THE PAST.

God was always first hurt, and then angry when Israel backslid. It’s not that they surprised Him. He already knew what they would do, when He forgave and restored them. How many times have you forgiven someone, but you fully suspected they weren’t yet strong enough to resist going back or hurting you the same way. When they did it again, you thought to yourself, “I knew it”, and it made your flesh even more angry because you expected it. You expected it because you could see them slipping back into old habits. When ISRAEL slipped back, GOD BROUGHT UP THE PAST, HE CALLED THEM OUT, HE REMINDED THEM in a stern and loving manner. In your free time read these scriptures, and these are not the only ones, where God BROUGHT UP THE PAST. I suggest you read the entire chapters for context…

·       Judges 2:1-4

·       Judges 6:7-10

·       Judges 10:10-15

·       1 Samuel 10:17-19

·       Ezekiel 16

·       Ezekiel 20

·       Psalm 81

Following God’s example, when someone repeatedly hurts you with the same sin expecting you to ‘get over it’, expecting you to not allow it to bother you, expecting not to have to have anything to say…remember that, in love, God called out ISRAEL when they fell back into rebellion against Him. He reminded them of everything that He had done for them. How He delivered them from the hand of the Egyptians, gave them a land inhabited by others, made their enemies subject to them. He reminded them of all He had done for them and pointed out what they did.

When someone blatantly hurts you, just like God, you have a right to remind them of your love for them, and bring up the past responsibly….in the spirit of love, STILL WILLING TO FORGIVE. This works both ways. You are willing to forgive no matter how many times they do it (Matthew 18:21,22), as Jesus commanded. And if they care about you, reminding them pricks their hearts, hopefully leading them to repent and have a sincere desire to not do it again. God said if we delight in Him He will give us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4). If it’s our desire to not do these hurtful things again…then we won’t. It works both ways towards forgiveness and repentance.

Read the scriptures I’ve listed above. Study this topic. See how God sounds like a hurt lover when His people chose evil over Him (Judges 2:2). Notice how He sternly, but lovingly reminds them His love, their sin and their promises. Then look at how He is willing to forgive again, and how they are led to repent. BRINGING UP THE PAST IN LOVE….it all works for both parties involved.

So, if you find yourself to hurt someone in the same way you did before, and they forgave you, have enough humility and respect to allow them to remind you of their love and your promise. And, if someone blatantly hurts you again after you’ve forgiven them, ONLY BRING IT BACK UP IN THE SPIRIT OF LOVE, fully ready to forgive again…and again…and again.

I would love to know your thoughts on this.

BE BLESSTIFIED!!!

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PLEASE, HOLD THIS HAND IN PRAYER…

wp-1473970629125.jpgThis hand belongs go Gino. He sleeps under a tree outside the office in which I work. I, and other co-workers help him from time-to-time. We help him with some of his needs, and give him fellowship. He has never asked or begged for anything. Gino matters to God, so he should matter to us. He should matter to you. God told us, should matter to you. God told us in Mark 14:7, “For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me.” When we encounter those who need our help, God expects us to share His love. In fact, they are giving us an opportunity to be obedient and show His power in their lives. Sometimes they just want to be acknowledged as a person. I have talked to Gino, and he told me his story. Life happened and he is homeless. I feel comfortable helping him. But, even for those who have squandered opportunities, don’t be so arrogant to think that this could NEVER be you…or us.

I’m asking you to hold Gino’s hand in prayer. Pray that God continue to fill Him with His Holy Spirit, and continue to keep his faith and hope strong. Pray that God protects him, sustains his life and give him the ability to provide for his own needs. Pray that God performs a miracle in his life, and that his testimony is an inspiration to others. And, thank God for the abundance of life that you enjoy.

This is not a selfish attempt to get a response on social media. Gino is a believer in Jesus Christ and I want to help show him God’s power…to confirm His faith.

I’m asking you to call out Gino’s name when you pray…To respond to this post by typing his name if you choose, and to share it to solicit other prayers. I didn’t show his face on purpose. God knows what He looks like. God loves Him, now please help me show Him how much. I will show him the response.

Please…pray for Gino!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

 

 

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GOD’S CREDIT REPAIR

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One of the most frustrating things for some people is trying to repair bad credit. Good credit gives you access to a world of material things and services. Good credit makes navigating the material world much easier, but on the flip side, bad credit makes the material world more difficult, more expensive and in some ways…impossible. Bad credit closes some doors. Buying homes, cars and other things can be a fun experience with many choices when one has good credit, but bad credit makes it a stressful, limited, and dreaded experience for many. Even if one changes their behavior, it can take years to establish good credit after it’s been bad, with bad items still coming up on your credit report years after…AREN’T YOU GLAD GOD ISN’T LIKE THE CREDIT BUREAUS?

From the earliest days of God’s interaction with His people, not only can GOOD CREDIT be instant, but easy, and best of all, it’s not based on your past behavior.

Abraham believed God and it was CREDITED to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:22).

When we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, then we shall be saved (Romans 10:9).

Once we accept Christ, the old things are passed away and all things become new ( 2 Corinthians 5:17).

God promises that when we repent, He will be merciful to the righteous, and He will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more (Hebrews 8:12).

I could go on and on with scriptures to support that with God, you can have EXCELLENT CREDIT instantly, in spite of your prior foolish behavior, mistakes or misfortune. Isn’t that GREAT NEWS?! When Christ died on the cross, he made salvation available to everyone!

So, even if you have bad credit in the material world. Even if you are constantly being told DENIED in the material world. Even though you may not be able to purchase a home in the material world. When you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and repent of your sins as you walk through life…when it’s time to move into your heavenly home that Jesus has already prepared for you (John 14:2,3)… GOD’S CREDIT REPAIR will give you a good report….your spiritual credit score can instantly go from BAD to EXCELLENT…from 300 to 900! When the world says DENIED…God say’s you’re APPROVED!!!!

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BE BLESSTIFIED!!!

 

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‘WAIT’ TRAINING (THE LORD’S STRENGTH TRAINING)

 

We only grow stronger through overcoming resistance, both physically and spiritually. Muscles only get bigger and stronger through lifting and overcoming weight that challenges their current level of strength. Exercise, either through fitness training or hard work will make muscles grow. Intense weight training can cause after the workout. The pain experienced is because muscle fibers are actually tearing and repairing. Once repaired, the healed fibers are bigger and stronger. Spiritual strength works the same as physical strength. Romans 12:4 tells us that we are all given a measure of faith by God. Our faith is our spiritual strength. It is up to us strengthen our faith…to increase our faith. God promises in Isaiah 40:31 “but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Through God’s WAIT TRAINING, overcoming resistance and waiting on God, we can increase our spiritual strength, our faith. 

However, trying lift weight beyond the capability of the muscle can cause strain or greater damage. If we handle the ‘resistance’ of life’s difficult situations responsibly, we are forced to believe in what we can’t see causing us to lean completely on God…our faith will grow, and we become spiritually stronger. But, just like physical strength, taking on more resistance that we are spiritually strong enough to handle can damage our faith leaving us weaker, which can lead to:

• Discouragement
• Backsliding
• Questioning God
• Broken Commitments
• Damage to the faith of those who draw strength from you
• Failure to complete what God has called you to do

In Matthew 17, after seeing Jesus feed over 5000 people in Matthew 14, after seeing Him feed 4000 in Matthew 15, …right after seeing Jesus transfigured, the disciples lacked the faith to cast a demon out of a boy when the father brought his son to them, not Jesus. They were unable because of their lack of faith…even after witnessing all the miracles. Read Matthew 17:17-21 as Jesus tells them why they couldn’t cast out the demon and how to increase their faith. 

There were seven sons of a Jewish priest in Acts Chapter 19 who attempted to cast out a demon, but the demon responded, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” Then the possessed man leaped on them and beat them all leaving them naked and wounded (Acts 19:11-16). They weren’t strong enough in faith to do it. 

Be responsible with your faith. Nurture it through God’s word, prayer and fasting, but also be careful that you don’t take on more than you are spiritually capable of handling. We are warned in Galatians 6:1, that even when we are trying to restore a brother or sister who has slipped up, that we should watch ourselves so that we aren’t tempted. This happens sometimes when we try to go back and rescue others from a lifestyle in which we were once caught up…we must be careful to not be tempted to slip back in.  

Galatians 6:1

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Be honest with yourself of your level of faith. Know your personal spiritual limitations, so you won’t strain or damage your faith. Yes, as stated in 1 Corinthians 10:13 God won’t allow us to be tempted with more than we are able to bear, but just as much as we need to have confidence that we are equipped to be victorious in whatever comes our way, we also need to be aware of our limits. Many times we can find ourselves taking on more than is meant for us, especially if you are a person who has a passion to help and bear the burdens of others. Many times we get caught up in helping others with their issues and problems and find ourselves feeling empty and unable to deal with our own issues, or many times we can step out into a ministry to which we weren’t even called. 

Spiritually strength train responsibly…so you can be strong enough to handle what God has assigned to you.

 

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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GOD’S GRAVITY

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It’s amazing to me the parallels that God has created into what we call ‘nature’ to help us understand Him and His essence. (Romans 1:20).

One great example is GRAVITY.

Everyone knows that gravity is a natural force that pulls objects towards the center of a celestial body, more specific to us, gravity causes objects to fall towards the earth. It is a natural occurring absolute that science defines as a Law.

There’s not much man can do to QUESTION the fact that gravity there, all we can do is strive to UNDERSTAND it.

WE CAN’T SEE GRAVITY, but there is undeniable evidence that:

1. Gravity is real

2. Gravity is powerful.

I think you can see where I’m going with this;-)… We can’t see our Heavenly Father, He’s invisible. We can however see He’s real through everything He created as stated in Romans 1:20, so that no person has an excuse for unbelief…

20 “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse…”. God created gravity, it’s His. It’s interesting to me how atheists can believe in so many unseen things, but not in our God who created them. Gravity is undeniable. People have gained just enough understanding to temporarily DEFY GRAVITY. God has allowed us the ability to jump, birds can fly, aircraft and spacecraft can fly…BUT gravity always eventually wins.

Everything that goes up, must eventually come down. A landing plane is just a controlled fall. Objects on earth fall; objects in space drift away, forever lost.

As I said earlier…PARALLELS TO GOD. Gravity is also defined as: serious or of extreme importance or consequence. The decision to defy God comes with great gravity. People have gained just enough knowledge to DEFY GOD, but just like GRAVITY, when one defies God, ONLY two things will eventually happen…he or she will either FALL, or DRIFT AWAY forever lost.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

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IS IT GRACE OR LUCK?

I often hear some Christians say, “I don’t believe in luck because I have grace”. Well that’s partially true. Yes, those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior enjoy the benefits of God’s grace, which as you know is God’s unmerited, undeserved favor reserved for His people. Grace can’t be earned. As stated in Ephesians 2:8-9 and Ephesians 4:7, grace comes only through our faith in God through Christ, and it’s a free gift for each of us. 

Grace is God’s favor that all things will work for our good no matter what the circumstances, so what the world calls COINCIDENCES, Christians call CONFIRMATIONS. Since God is working on our behalf in all things Christians aren’t lucky. 

So if grace is God’s favor reserved for His people, then what is it when those who aren’t in the Body of Christ have unexpected, serendipitous, good things happen? They don’t have grace…right? Everyone receives God’s mercy. God is withholding His judgement from everyone until the appointed time…that’s mercy. God hasn’t dealt with anyone as they deserve Psalm 103:10 says, “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities”…that’s mercy. As stated in Matthew 5:45, God allows His sun to rise on both the evil and the good, and His rain to fall on both the just and unjust….everyone receives God’s mercy. 

BUT, those who don’t acknowledge Christ as Lord and  don’t have grace. In their lives, whatever happens just happens. God isn’t working things out for their good. They don’t have His favor, but good things still happen to them if they work hard. They do sometimes have unexpected good fortune…but it’s not grace. For them, it’s luck it’s all chance. Calling it luck doesn’t minimize God’s power in the lives of believers or reduce the fact that He has power over their lives…they are just going about life on their own. 

Praise God today for giving us His GRACE and MERCY, and for the fact that we don’t have to hope for a lucky day!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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ARE YOU IN YOUR SPIRITUAL RED ZONE?

Remember, in sports the defense always(or resistance) intensifies when the team is about to SCORE…

So, the offense can’t get weaker, but STRONGER! If the devil seems to be attacking you harder, you might be in your SPIRITUAL RED ZONE.

Stand firm! 

Don’t back down! 

STEP UP YOUR GAME!!!!

 SCORE!!!!
1 Peter 5:8-9
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.BE BLESSTIFIED!

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WON’T MAKE IT IN…

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Whether we want to admit it or not, all of our beloved family members didn’t die in Christ. We all have family, friends and loved ones that, unless they had a last-minute conversion…died lost, and won’t make it into God’s Kingdom. It may have been a grandparent, parent, sibling, adult child, cousin or dear friend. I know that everyone has the same opportunity as the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43), but that doesn’t always happen. Everyone doesn’t get the opportunity to accept Christ on their death-bed. It’s hard to think of someone who we truly love dying lost…Imagine a future of nothing but torment.

Even for those who don’t believe in Hell, who would want to go back to the nothingness you experienced (or didn’t experience) the ages before you were born?

As much as it hurts to think about it, just as sure as you’re reading this right now, that’s the reality of those who die in their sin…who don’t accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior(Acts 4:12, John 14:6, John 3:36). But, just as sure as you’re reading this right now, you have time to make sure it’s not yours.

Just like the rich man in Luke 16: 27-31, if those lost loved ones were able, they would tell you that you don’t want to be where they are. Are you living a life so that you can join your loved ones who will make it in? Did you do as much as it was within your power to help those who died lost while they were living? Now’s the time to make sure that you make it in…now’s the time to help make sure your living loved ones make it in. Don’t get so distracted trying to GET AHEAD in this life that you get LEFT BEHIND in the next. Make sure you MAKE IT IN!

Luke:27-31

27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’

2 Corinthians 6: (NKJV)

2 For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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CHEATING ON GOD (WHY GOD EXPECTS US TO FORGIVE ADULTERY)…

wp-image-5514092jpg.jpg INFIDELITY…It’s the universal act of betrayal that many, if not most, find it difficult to come back from.

No matter what country, religion or culture, infidelity marks the end of many relationships. It’s viewed as the ultimate proof that love is lost.

However, the ability to come back from infidelity may be the ultimate proof of real love.

How can I say that?

Because marriage is the analogy that God uses throughout the bible, not only to describe His relationship with Israel in Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Joel, Isaiah and Hosea, but also Christ’s (who represents the invisible God bodily) relationship with His church in Colossians,  Ephesians and Revelations. All of the aforementioned, Old Testament books are stories of Israel continually betraying God, only to have Him continually forgive them and take them back.

Israel loved God… but they continued to choose other God’s over Him.

Israel loved God… but they continued to reject His commandments.

Israel loved God…but they continued to live below His expectations and standards.

BUT, when they repented God always took them back. Notice that I kept saying Israel loved God. The fact that they betrayed Him doesn’t mean they didn’t love Him. It just means their love wasn’t perfect. When we hurt God and one another, it doesn’t always mean there’s no love…it just means our love isn’t perfect. But God’s love is perfect. That’s how He can continue to forgive our infidelity to Him. When we choose to sin, when we put others before Him, when we live below His expectations and standards…we’re CHEATING ON GOD. We’re no different than Israel…no different than Judas betraying Him…no different than Peter denying Him. But, when we truly repent, He’s always willing to forgive us. Remember repentance means Godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10)… to turn from our wickedness( 2 Chronicles 7:14), not just ask forgiveness. God is always willing to take us back. See…God proves that real love even can forgive infidelity. When we’re willing to endure the pain, embarrassment, betrayal and despise the shame as Christ did on the cross for His bride (Hebrews 12:2), we’re acting just like our Heavenly Father. Now THAT’S conforming to His image. Is it easy? No! But, God proves it’s possible.

Plus even in regard to marriage, notice what God said in Matthew 5…

Matthew 5:32 (KJV)

32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Notice that the KJV uses the word ‘fornication’, but all other versions lessen it to ‘sexual immorality’…why? How can you commit fornication while married? Why did it not say, ‘saving for adultery’? Hmmmm. Because even though it’s not very common today, God intends for us to be virgins when we marry, so if you get ready to consummate your marriage and discover that your new spouse is not a virgin, you have a right to divorce then because they committed ‘fornication’. This is a fulfillment of Deuteronomy 24:1, but stands true for the man or woman…

Deuteronomy 24:1 (KJV)

24 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.

And, don’t forget what Jesus told the woman at the well…

John 4:18 (NKJV)

18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”

If adultery were an excuse to get out of marriage then both all both have to do spouses is cheat to get out…that reduces marriage to nothing.

If the spouse repents, God expects us to forgive, just as He forgives us for commiting spiritual adultery on Him. And, we do it over and over again.

I encourage anyone who’s been betrayed, that if the offender is truly sorry, and the relationship is important enough to you (usually the more you love them, the more it hurts) then you should follow God’s example and forgive. He can give you strength you never had to restore and rebuild any relationship, not just a marriage. Remember this. After Israel sinned, they went through some rough days. But, God always promised renewed joy contingent on their faithfulness.When you forgive cheating. When you forgive ANY betrayal in any relationship…things may not ever be THE SAME, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be BETTER.

Yes…just because things aren’t the same, doesn’t mean they can’t be better….it’s all up to you.

This is where the real power in…
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me ( Philippians 4:13) is realized.

This is where the real power in…
My strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) is realized.

This is where the real power in…
And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32) is realized.

Forgive as God forgives us, over and over again (Matthew 18:22) …Enjoy your relationships…, even though your relationship with _________ may never be the same, doesn’t mean it can’t be better. (Yes…I was redundant on purpose)

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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DON’T GIVE UP IN THE ‘TURN AROUND’!

DON’T TURN AROUND  IN YOUR TURNAROUND!

God told us we will have trials and tribulations in life. He also gave us a promise. 

“Many are the affictions of the righteous, but God delivers him out of them all” Psalm 34:19.

The devil knows of this promise and does everything he can to convince you to give up not only during the trial, but when things are TURNING AROUND. He may even attack harder. I’m in a turn around season myself, and the devil is trying to discourage me even as I type this word to inspire US.

I declare in the name of Jesus Christ that the devil is a liar! My wife and I can tell God is turning things around. If you are sensitive to God, and in constant prayer, you can tell that a change for the better is coming. You can tell that things are TURNING AROUND. That’s why you need to continue in prayer, thanksgiving and praise for your deliverance from the storm through out the trial, and in THE TURNAROUND.

You’re on the right path! Don’t lose your faith in God! Don’t turn back around! Don’t give in to frustration! Keep pressing on! Don’t get flustered by the devil’s distractions! Keep pushing your way through, around and over obstacles! Keep praying your way through disappointments! Keep praising your way to victory!

Keep working your way through THE TURNAROUND because even though the turnaround seems gradual, your victory comes suddenly. Think of a slow and gradual turn on the road. The turn may be slow, but if you keep going FORWARD, you suddenly find yourself going straight. Sometimes the turn, the change in direction is so gradual that you can barely sense it, but you CAN SENSE IT. You can tell God is working it out, and the devil wants you to give up. DON’T GIVE UP!

No matter how long, dark and gradual the night seems, the sun always breaks forth SUDDENLY! DON’T GIVE UP IN THE TURNAROUND!
Psalm 30:5 (NKJV)

“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.”

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

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STOP ON YOUR OWN

Don’t ask or make God make you stop doing wrong. Stop asking Him to take away the temptation. The bible teaches us to set aside, lay down and rid ourselves of our sins (Hebrews 12:1, 1 Peter 2:1, Colossians 3:8)

1. God doesn’t want to MAKE you stop. He wants you to love Him enough to choose Him over the enemy…over evil…ever your flesh. What spouse wants to have to MAKE their loved one stop being interested or involved with someone else? You would want them to choose you over the other person. If you have to make them stop, or the temptation is removed, what love or what choice is there in that? God wants us to see the temptation, but love Him enough to choose Him.

2. You don’t want God to MAKE you stop because you don’t know how He will do it. Sickness in you could MAKE you stop. A significant trial could make that temptation the last thing on your mind, or if it’s something really shameful, what if God let it be revealed. Wow! That would make you stop. That’s why we should be careful before we jump on the bandwagon when someone’s shameful sins are revealed to the public. Instead of disparaging the person, thank God that He allowed the shameful things you’ve done to remain secret. Don’t ASK or WAIT for God to make you stop. We must love Him enough to stop ourselves.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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CAN WE DAP ON THE POWER OF AGREEMENT?

Isn’t it interesting what Jesus prayed for in The Lord’s Prayer? I’m not talking about The Model Prayer in Matthew 6, but the prayer Jesus prayed just before He was betrayed in John 17. First He prayed for Himself in verses 1- 5…Then He prayed for His disciples in verses 6-19, and finally in verses 20-26 He prayed for “those who will believe in Him through their words”…that’s all believers – us!

In verses 20-23, Jesus says, 20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” Notice how many time Jesus said, “one”! Jesus prayer was for AGREEMENT ! Jesus is about to be betrayed and endure the pain and shame of the cross – and He prayed for AGREEMENT.

Why? 

Because just as there are physical laws like gravity, there are spiritual laws like SOWING & REAPING and AGREEMENT. The fact is there is power in AGREEMENT whether people are agreeing on good or evil. Think about what the book of John says in 1 John 5:7 “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one”. But also take notice what God did in the book of Genesis when they attempted to build the Tower of Babel through AGREEMENT. Think of the atrocities that Adolf Hitler was able to get millions to consent to through AGREEMENT. Even demons, once they find a ‘comfortable’ host will go and get others, some more evil than themselves (Matthew 12:43-45). That’s why Jesus established THE FAMILY and THE CHURCH. Jesus knew that the church could not grow unless his disciples agreed. There are several reminders in the epistles to ‘be of one mind’ ‘to speak the same thing’ and ‘to let there be no divisions among you’. 

One of the enemies most common and successful tactics is to convince people to disagree. In marriages, families, churches, organizations, nations…while at the same time convincing those pursuing his evil agenda to agree. Notice how the gay movement has gained incredible momentum and accomplished such gains because those in that movement have agreed. There is no black, white, rich, poor, high or low class…while Christians are divided about doctrine, how to worship, when to worship and so on and so on. It’s God’s will that we agree in Him and in one another. We are encouraged to make supplications to God (specific prayers). 

Let one of your DAILY specific prayers be for AGREEMENT. Use the language Jesus uses in John 17 20-29. Pray that God give you His spirit of agreement with Him, in your marriage, in your family, in your home, in your church…then make every effort to walk in agreement. My wife of 29 years and I began praying for AGREEMENT a few years ago and are witnesses to it’s power. I encourage you to do the same. I guarantee that you will witness the power of AGREEMENT too…because it’s a spiritual law, it’s God’s will, God’s promise and He can’t lie! #powerofagreement

John 17:20—23 (NIV)

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity.

Amos 3:3 (NKJV) “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?”

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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DOORS


Doors. They provide access. They allow us to enter one environment while at the same time exit another. When closed, they keep things in and keep things out. We all want God to open doors for us to better things. We may even pray for God to open doors for us. Doors lead to the things we desire…

One day a man had to hurry in the bank before he picked up his daughter from school. He didn’t go to the bank his normal bank location because he decided to stop at the one closest to his daughter’s school. At 2:45 as he pulled up and read the sign on the door that said, “Open 8:30 – 5:00”. He pulled to open the door, and it was locked. He pulled again, and again. As he looked through the glass and through the lobby he could see the tellers behind the counter and became angry. “What are they doing?” “Bankers make me sick!” “They know it’s just 2:45!”  “They see me out here!” Furious, he now shook the door violently. “Let me in you lazy…!” Suddenly, he saw someone come to the door and he began lecturing the employee as he rushed into the building when he noticed the employee locking the door back and felt someone aggressively grab his arm. The bank was being robbed!!! His daughter stood waiting for an hour before her horrified mother picked her up as they waited and hoped for hostages to be released.

 We need to remember that some doors God has closed for a reason. 

Some things you have your heart to do, some places you have your heart set to go, some people you have your heart set on, some jobs you have your heart set on, some loans you hope to get, even some things you sincerely want to do for God…are not meant for you. 

Some things we want aren’t His will for us. 1 Chronicles 22:7, David states that it is in his heart to build a house for God, but that wasn’t God’s will for David. Acts 16:6, the Holy Spirit prevents Paul and his companions from going to Asia. 

Sometimes people denying you access, ignoring your resume, ignoring your text messages is God keeping you from something that’s not for you. Sometimes people ignoring your gifts or choosing someone not as gifted is God’s way of getting you to move on to where you are meant to be. 

We need to be very careful when we find ourselves trying to unlock and force our way into doors that God may have shut for a reason.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

2

YOUR HIDDEN TALENT

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You’re more talented than you may think, and those around you may notice…it’s hidden, but still SOOOOO OBVIOUS! So many people have jobs they don’t particularly like, or have burned out in a job they used to love. They have to work with people with whom they don’t click, or just don’t like. They have to manage their lives with not enough money or resources…but yet they still MAKE IT HAPPEN EVERY DAY.
I think it’s a greater accomplishment to be great at what you hate than to flourish at what you love.

If that’s you, stop right now and give God a praise…HALLELUJAH!!!! God gives us everything we need that pertains to life and Godliness…

2 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)

3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

God gives you the ability to make it every day without losing your mind. Yes, you might lose your cool sometimes. Yes, you get discouraged sometimes, but you haven’t lost your mind…Those who ARE fortunate enough to do what they love and get paid for it… Those who are blessed to click with everyone they have to deal with on a day-to-day basis…Those who are fortunate enough to pursue their passion daily…Stop right here and give God a praise…HALLELUJAH!!!!! Then stop and say a sincere prayer for those who don’t.

 

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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ARE YOU BRICKS OR MORTAR?

Sometimes we get discouraged because we aren’t noticed for what we do, even though it is as important as those who get noticed. Every beautiful building needs a strong foundation, but who notices the foundation? 

When we see a beautiful brick home, everyone notices the bricks, but no one notices the mortar holding it together. Who says, “wow look at that beautiful mortar”! No they say, “look at those beautiful bricks”! The cornerstone may have the glory of the names, but no one would see it if it weren’t for the bricks and mortar supporting and holding.

Some of us are bricks and some of us are mortar. Some of us are an architectural roof, and some of us are the foundation. We have been placed in some relationships to hold them up, and hold them together.

Rather than complain, we should recognize that it’s an anointing and an honor.

Christ is our foundation.

David couldn’t have been the mighty warrior that he was without his armor bearer.

There were many disciples and people martyred for the Gospel, and we don’t even know their names.

If you feel you bear the emotional, financial, physical, or spiritual WEIGHT in some of your relationships, then maybe that’s your PURPOSE in those relationships. Maybe that marriage, family, church or organization wouldn’t remain together if it wasn’t for your strength. Romans 15:1 says, We who are strong must bear the infirmities/failings of the weak and not please ourselves.

Let’s stop complaining if we aren’t noticed. Let’s stop complaining if we are bearing the weight in some our relationships, and always remember to thank God for those who are holding us up. If you get upset and fall apart…everything your holding together  and supporting may collapse.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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YOUR SECRET(S)

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SHHHHHH

We know that Peter denied Christ, but that wasn’t the only sin he committed. Peter committed many other sins, but we don’t know what they were. God allowed them to remain secret.

Every personality God used in the bible committed some sins that God allowed to remain secret. Yes, we are supposed to confess our faults to one another (James 5:16), but that doesn’t mean you have to tell ALL of your business in every detail. Some people will compel you to do so, not out of concern for you, but to satisfy their curiosity. Yes, some people are just nosey. There are some things that you have done, and truly repented, that no one knows about. You may have squandered money or relationships in your past, but now you aren’t that person anymore. You may have struggled with depression to the point you considered suicide, but you’re far beyond that now. You may have made some poor choices with your body, but that’s not you anymore. You may have had a problem with porn, but that’s now the last thing on your mind. Aren’t you glad God allowed those things to remain secret? The next time a public figure is exposed for something shameful, before you jump on the bandwagon of pointing a self-righteous finger, think of how thankful you are that God allowed your shameful moment(s) to be secret.

And, if you’re presently involved in some shameful behavior, STOP IT NOW! Stop it before God makes you stop it. One sure way to make some shameful behavior stop is to expose it. Stop and give God some specific praise today if He has allowed some of your SECRETS to remain SECRET. Because not only is He a PROMISE KEEPER….HE’S a SECRET KEEPER TOO.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

BE BLESSTIFIED!

1

CAN WE BE TOO RIGHTEOUS?

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Most cake recipes call for a little salt. Many of us like to satisfy our sweet tooth with a good slice of cake. In fact, when it’s really good, one bite just makes you want another. The right amount of salt makes cakes taste just right…making you want more with each bite. However, too much salt will make us quickly spit it out of our mouth.

Colossians 4:6 tells us to let our speech be full of grace and seasoned with salt. Ecclesiastes 7:16 says, “Do not be overly righteous,” Nor be overly wise:..”

It’s good to have passion for the Kingdom of God, but when we are over-zealous, arrogant, mean-spirited  self-righteous, we can turn people away rather than attract them to Christ. All things in moderation. If we are trying to talk about the Lord in EVERY conversation, claim we never do anything wrong, or down people who are unbelievers, we can make people avoid us, dread seeing us coming and destroy any influence we may have. But, if we cleverly chose the right moments to ‘sprinkle the salt of the word’ when it’s applicable, people are more likely to listen, receive it, and even soften hardened hearts.

We need to ‘love out loud’ and ‘live out loud’ to let people see God in our character rather than beating them with the bible, making every conversation about God, or punctuating every sentence with a spiritual cliché. Wisely ‘sprinkling the salt’ of God’s word in conversations can make people hungry for more, and establish you as the go-to person on your job, your team, your school, your family when people want to know more about God. Being over zealous makes us seem crazy, and people can conclude, “I don’t want what they have.” God expects us to use wisdom and do everyone His Spirit of excellence. Notice how Paul reasoned with the Epicureans, Stoics, and people of Athens with respect and wisdom in Acts 17. He didn’t ‘beat them over the head’ or talk down to them. He wetted their appetite so that some wanted to hear more.

Psalm 19:10 proclaims God’s word is sweeter than honey in the comb. Yes it is! I love it. But if we don’t handle it wisely, people will spit it out, and we can do more harm than good.

 

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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WHY GOD DOESN’T ALLOW US TO ‘KILL THEM WITH KINDNESS’…

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Be careful of what’s in your heart when you decide to “KILL THEM WITH KINDNESS”.

That IS NOT what God told us to do. He told us to love our enemies.

Love’s intention is to give life, not kill.

Love’s intention is to build up, not tear down.

God says don’t seek revenge, that belongs to Him. God says don’t repay evil for evil, but instead to help your enemy.

The problem is, that many of us choose to ‘kill them with kindness’, ONLY to “heap coals of fire on their heads“. Many of us are only being kind because we see heaping coals of fire on their head as just another way to get even.

If we’re honest with ourselves, we may just be showing kindness to show them up, to annoy them, to make them feel bad…if that’s the intention then we’ve totally missed God’s meaning.

Helping your enemy is an exercise in developing God’s character. It is planting seeds of  love for the enemy and those who witness. It’s allowing everyone to see the power of God. The goal is overcoming evil with good. Well, what about the coals of fire on their head? That’s just the end result of how acts of kindness affect an enemy…it’s a result, not an intent.

The goal is REPENTANCE AND RECONCILIATION. Remember, ‘kill them with kindness’ is catchy, but not of God.
Romans 12:19-21
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”[a] says the Lord. 20 Therefore, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

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WHAT GOD MEANS WHEN HE TELLS US TO BE ‘PERFECT’…

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Colossians 1:28
“Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

“Nobody’s perfect! Even though we are Christians, we can never be without fault. We were born in sin and shaped iniquity (Psalm 51:5). No matter how hard we try we will make mistakes, we will fall short of God’s expectations. We will have weak moments. We will commit sins both unknowingly and willingly (sins of commission), and of course there will always be some things that we should be doing, that we aren’t (sins of omission). James 4:17 even explains that it’s a sin when we know to do good but don’t. Yet, God tells in His word that He expects us to be perfect. Matthew 5:48, “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Colossians 1:28, “Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

If we are born in sin, if our spirit is willing, but our flesh is weak, then how can we ever be perfect before Jesus returns? Why even try?

Let me tell you that YES, you can be perfect, but we have to understand what God means when He tells us to be perfect. The Greek word used here is teleios, which according to Strong’s Concordance implies mature, complete, consummated by going through the necessary stages to reach a goal. If a child is completes the 4th grade, and has mastered the expectations for the 4th grade, then that child is considered perfect for his or her particular level of learning, but not yet perfect by 5th grade standards.

Perfect in the bible simply means mature.

If you are a new convert in Christ, God doesn’t expect you to be as mature as a more seasoned Christian. God expects us to always be growing faith, wisdom, knowledge, virtue and grace. If you have been walking with Christ for years, you shouldn’t have the same struggles that you did in the beginning. That’s why people who have been married for years drift apart. If a couple married in their early twenties…neither of them are the same people when they reach their thirties, forties, fifties and so on. People grow and mature at different levels. That’s why God told us to avoid being unevenly yoked, to promote growing and maturing together, because growing apart isn’t an excuse for divorce.

God encourages us to grow and mature…

1 Peter 2:2, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”

We as Christians need to strive for spiritual maturity (perfection). The book of Hebrews Chapter 5:12-14 teaches that some should be teachers, but instead need to be taught the first principles of God. That some should have matured to solid food, but instead, still require milk. Hebrews 6:1-3 goes on to say that God expects us to move beyond the elementary teachings in Christ to maturity.  Please read these powerful scriptures in context for yourself. When we are growing…WE ARE NEVER WHO WE WERE, AND SHOULD NEVER BE WHO WE WILL BE. Are you satisfied with your level of spiritual maturity? Are you still struggling with the same issues from years ago? Are you making disciples or still a babe in Christ? We all have some growing up to do. Remember, it’s a life long process for all of us. Just make sure your are always in your correct spiritual ‘grade’.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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LEMONADE WITHOUT SUGAR…

wp-1472302013866.jpgPeople love clichés.

A well-placed cliché makes conversations, speeches and even sermons more interesting. One very popular cliché used when people have misfortune is or difficulty is, “When life gives you lemons make lemonade”.

BUT WHAT IF YOU DON’T HAVE ANY SUGAR?

What if you have a health condition that doesn’t allow you to have sugar?

Sometimes in life we have to faith our way through some difficult days…

Sometimes we have to take some medicine that just doesn’t taste good…

Sometimes you have to swallow a really big pill that’s hard to get down…

Some people can’t have sugar in their diet…

Sometimes your healing comes from something bitter.

AREN’T YOU GLAD THAT JESUS DIDN’T MAKE LEMONADE ON THE CROSS?

2 Timothy 2:3 tells us to endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 12:2 teaches us to look to Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him.

People love quoting Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me” when they are trying to make their dreams come true, but this verse is most powerful when we are enduring life’s most difficult situations.

God wants us to always be able to make something good out of difficult situations, and to always see His will in them. As good soldiers of Jesus Christ, sometimes there’s nothing to make some situations feel ‘or taste’ better.

We just have to faith our way through and learn to sometimes drink lemonade without sugar.

 Psalm 3:19 (ESV)
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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LET’S TALK ABOUT SLAVERY IN THE BIBLE…

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THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM (OR CHURCH)

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.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

 

17

BOOMER-ANGER

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You’ve seen it happen before. Anger always comes back…usually harder.
Words and actions released in anger always come back, but rarely return in peace. Only love can cool anger’s searing heat.

Put your anger in check before it turns into wrath, because even though love conquers wrath, sometimes the damage remains.

Wrath kills…both figuratively and literally.

Anger is a seed, if it is used wisely, it can ignite passion that allows love to diffuse the anger and plant seeds that lead to good fruit…

Such as being angry enough at wrong to do something about it…

Such as not returning an insult, can end an argument and lead to a lifelong friendship.

If anger is NOT put in check, it ignites emotions that allow wrath to plant weeds instead of good seeds…

Such as returning an insult can lead to a fight, and animosity that lasts for years and spreads to others…anger is a seed.

The next time you’re angry, stop, think…let your anger cease before you speak or act, if you don’t, not only will come back, but it can come back harder…JUST LIKE A BOOMERANG.

Psalms 37:8
“Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.”
Proverbs 15:1
“A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
1 Peter 4:8.”
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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God Bless the Penny Pincher…

Many people respect those who manage millions, but I salute those who are holding things together with ‘a little’. May God establish the works of your hands…

Psalm 90:17(NKJV)

17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands.

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EXPLAINING GOD…

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John 6:30
So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?”

The Pharisees, Scribes, and skeptics continually asked Jesus for a sign, when totally ignoring all of the miracles that He performed.

The fact is that they had signs all around them and refused to see them, in fact they couldn’t see them because their hearts were hard.

The story is the same today.

People say that they don’t believe in God because they can’t see Him. People want an EXPLANATION FOR GOD. They want physical evidence of God.

Jesus told Nicodemus…

John 3:8

 “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

People feel they don’t need an explanation for the wind because even though they can’t see it, we see evidence of the world reacting to its presence (trees swaying etc.) and we can feel it.

No one has to EXPLAIN THE WIND.

Wow…then why can’t they accept the same for God? Unbelievers want an EXPLANATION.

Well, Romans 1:20…

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse…”.

God proves Himself not only through everything He created, but the remarkable order of His creation. Nature…life…the universe in all its splendor is evidence of God, but man wants to attribute it to some random act.

In fact, it takes the same amount of faith in the wisdom of man to believe that the sun is 93 million miles away, with no way to actually measure or prove it, as it does to believe that God is real based on the bible.

Just as the Pharisees, some people can’t believe because their hearts are hard, as implied by…

1 Corinthians 2:13

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

The internet is everywhere, and transmits enormous amounts of information and knowledge. You can be on your laptop, smart phone, tablet, television… and it’s the same internet. You can be at home, work, Tennessee, Europe or orbit…and it’s the same internet. The internet is everywhere at the same time and accessible – when you’re connected. Sounds like God doesn’t it? If people can believe in an ‘omnipresent’ internet, created by man, they should be able to believe in an omnipresent, omniscient (all-knowing) God who created man.

Can you see the internet? No.

Can you feel the internet? No.

Can you touch the internet? No.

Can you smell the internet? No.

Can you hear the internet? No.

Be bold in your belief in God the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, because atheists and agnostics are bold in their stance. When someone asks you to EXPLAIN HOW GOD IS REAL, respond…WITH ALL THE EVIDENCE AROUND US, EXPLAIN TO ME THAT HE’S NOT.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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FORGETTING THE PAST (HOW TO LOOK BACK)

wp-1483190396732.jpgPhilippians 3:13 (NIV)
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”

Forgetting the past…We are encouraged that in order to move forward that we must forget the past…but how? It’s impossible to not think of things that hurt us? shameful things we did? painful days? Some of those things, when we’re honest with ourselves, we will always remember. So, why does Paul say, “forgetting the past?” How can you say you will never look back again? The key isn’t in not remembering, but how you remember. It’s not in not looking back, but why you look back.

It’s your frame of mind. Remember Lot’s wife? God allowed Lots family to escape the destruction of Sodom, but was warned to not look back. (Genesis 19:17). They were leaving behind an evil city. They were leaving behind friends, they were leaving behind belongings. The bible doesn’t say why she looked back, but why do we look back on something that we liked or enjoyed and are forced to suddenly leave it? We sometimes look back with fondness and regret of leaving it behind. Paul used to persecute the church. It’s certain that he never ‘forgot’ those shameful days, so how could he say ‘forgetting the past’? The key is forgetting how you view the past. It’s forgetting your frame of mind. Paul didn’t look back fondly on his shameful days. In fact, his mind couldn’t see how he could have let himself behave that way. HE FORGOT HOW TO THINK THAT WAY. Have you ever dated someone, or been in a relationship that at one time you felt you couldn’t live without that person? You were sooooo deep in love. But, after that relationship ended, suddenly one day you just didn’t feel that way anymore. You couldn’t even see, or remember how you felt so deeply in love with them. You may even say, “I can’t even see what I saw in them”. Think about it and fill in the blank in this statement…”I can’t even see what I used to enjoy about________.”

See how you can remember your past and forget it at the same time? When your frame of mind changes, the way you think about something, your attitude towards something changes…you have forgotten that aspect if your past. You CAN’T think of it that way any more, even if you try. It’s like a food or drink that you used to love, and now not only can you not stand the taste, but can’t remember how you once enjoyed it.That’s the essence of repentance. Repentance isn’t asking for forgiveness to avoid punishment, but it’s godly sorrow over what you’ve done, and committing to turn from that behavior (2 Corinthians 7:10), but that’s another lesson…coming soon:-) For now, see I told you that you can FORGET THE PAST.
Luke 17:32
Remember Lot’s wife

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DOES GOD KNOW YOU?

wp-1486217605345.jpgHow horrible would it be to live a life with someone only to find out you never REALLY knew them?! Either they lived a lie or you did. Now, I’m not talking about little lapses in their character, but when they were truly portraying themselves to be someone they weren’t…for what ever reason.

Jesus said there will be many that say ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And His response will be, ‘depart from me, I NEVER KNEW YOU, you workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7:22-23). This implies that though they outwardly did good, their motives or lack of true faith made Jesus view them as evil. Even though these people CLAIMED to profess His name, their hearts were not with Him. This is the essence of hypocrisy, which He scolded the Pharisees for in Matthew 23. I don’t want Jesus to tell me He never knew me. The bible says that we are to examine ourselves, to see whether or not we are REALLY in the faith (1 Corinthians 13:5).

Make it a point to regularly be honest with yourself about your intentions and true faith. With Jesus it just as much about WHY you do as it is WHAT you do for Him…or is it really for you? Are you giving selfishly, only so you can be blessed? Are you forgiving selfishly only to remove your own guilt? Are you serving selfishly for your own glory and reputation? Are you using your anointing for yourself? Do you serve God simply because you want His joy to be full in you? Do you try to avoid certain behaviors because you don’t want to go to Hell, or because you love Him and don’t want to hurt Him? Examine yourself! Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart..(1 Samuel 16:7). God doesn’t KNOW you by how you look on the outside, but by who you are on the inside. In some bible translations when a husband intimate with his wife, it says he KNEW his wife. God wants to be intimate with us spiritually. Does God know you?

You may go to church every week…but does God know you?

You may preaching…but does God know you?

You may be in the choir…but does God know you?

You may be the biggest contributor to the church financially…but does God know you?

You may go on mission trips…but does God know you?

DOES GOD REALLY KNOW YOU?

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