Most of us clean up really well. We put on our public faces. We play the role. Some people go about their daily tasks with such a level of confidence, professionalism and excellence that you would think they are close to faultless.

They are always perfectly groomed…

Their credit score is 800,000,000…

They always know the right thing to say…

Their focus is surgical…

Their anointing is nearly biblical.

They are never shaken by anything.

Do you know someone like that?

Watching these people can make you feel…

Unqualified…

Inadequate…

Ugly…

Weak…

Unproductive…

Unfocused…

Insecure…

Naked.

But God sees ALL of us as we really are.

We all stand NAKED before God.

Even the most fit person has some physical imperfections that they don’t want anyone to see when they’re naked.

God sees us all spiritually NAKED.

Jeremiah 17:10 (NKJV)

10 I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings

He sees our heart and our motives of WHY we do what we do.

He sees our secret anxieties and insecurities.

He knows when we’re second-guessing ourselves.

He knows those thoughts that make us most ashamed.

He knows our secrets that we hope are never revealed.

He sees us as we REALLY are when we aren’t ‘cleaned up.

He sees us NAKED.

That’s why we should NEVER take the fact that God sent the Living Word as His Son to serve as PROPITIATION for our sins for granted.

1 John 2:2 (NKJV)

2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

Propitiation means that Jesus covered our guilt and our sin. It means that Jesus served as a substitute, appeasing the wrath of God for all of our sins.

God knows on our best day we mess up and stand NAKED before Him.

Stop right now and thank the Lord Jesus Christ for covering your spiritual nakedness.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Even though we may not all be Pastors, every disciple of Christ is a minister. We are all called to serve and represent the glory of God in everything that we do…

Proverbs 3:6  (NKJV)

⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct^[a] your paths.

Colossians 3:17  (NKJV)

¹⁷ And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

There are some things that God expects of every believer. We must remember that even though we aren’t always in church, we are always in worship…

Romans 12:1 (NKJV)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

 Acknowledging God and honoring Him in everything that we do is a ministry in which we serve Him and worship Him daily. Here are 4 ministries that we all share as believers…

1. MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION

Anyone who loves his or her parent wants to see their siblings be in good relationship with their mother and father. If they have an estranged brother and sister, they will do all they can to convince them to be reconciled to their parent(s). That’s the responsibility that God gives us as disciples of Christ…to convince our brothers and sisters to be reconciled to our Heavenly Father through our Lord and Savior, Yeshua, Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (NKJV)

¹⁸ Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹ that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 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.

2. MINISTRY OF FAMILY

Our roles in our families could also be defined as our responsibilities in our families. God has defined our family responsibilities in His word…

Colossians 3:18-21 (NKJV)

¹⁸ Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

²⁰ Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

 1 Timothy 5:8  (NKJV)

⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

God expects us to not only be led by Him in how we relate to and manage our family relationships, He wants us to define to those who don’t believe how families deal with both the good and bad situations and challenges of life.

3. MINISTRY OF WORK

The word lets us know from the Old Testament to the New, that God expects us to work to sustain our lives and families…

Genesis 3:19  (NKJV)

¹⁹ In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread
Till you return to the ground,
For out of it you were taken;
For dust you are,
And to dust you shall return.”

2 Thessalonians 3:10  (NKJV)

¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

He goes on to let us know that we our to honor Him as we do our jobs. That we represent His very presence while we are there, and that we are to do our jobs as if we our serving Him…

Colossians 3:22-23 (NKJV)

²² Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. ²³ And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

Remember that the bible uses the term ‘servants’ interchangeably for both slaves and ‘hired servants’.

God expects us to define to unbelievers His integrity on the job. He expects us to define how to deal with the difficulties of the workday, office politics, unfairness in His Spirit and character without complaining of grumbling. It’s not always easy, but it’s possible…

Matthew 20:1-16  (NKJV)

 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. ² Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. ³ And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, ⁴ and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. ⁵ Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.⁶ And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle,^[a] and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ ⁷ They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’^[b]

⁸ “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ ⁹ And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. ¹⁰ But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. ¹¹ And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, ¹² saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ ¹³ But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? ¹⁴ Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. ¹⁵ Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’¹⁶ So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”

God expects us to recognize when our job or career is coming between us and Him, and to be able to choose which is most important. He expects us to not allow our jobs and responsibilities to our employers to provoke us to sin. DOES YOUR JOB PROVOKE YOU TO SIN?

  4. MINISTRY OF FUN

All lives need balance. God expects us to laugh and have fun. It is our responsibility to set the example of how to have fun.

Ecclesiastes 3:4  (NKJV)

⁴ A time to weep,
    And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
    And a time to dance;

But we have to be very careful of how we entertain ourselves and realize that we are setting the standard…

Ephesians 5:4  (NKJV)

⁴ neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

There’s nothing wrong with music that is not necessarily Gospel, but celebrates life and fun, as long as it’s doesn’t contain ungodly lyrics. There’s nothing wrong with romance as long as it is within God’s will… GODLY MARRIAGE: YOU CAN’T GET ROMANTIC WITH A HYMNAL… Again, we are setting the example to let the world know that you don’t have to give up laughter and fun to be a disciple of Christ.

Remember that when you leave the four walls of your church building, that worship doesn’t end, but the ministry of LIFE begins.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Daniel 12:4 (NKJV)

4 “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

The bible says that in the last days there will be a great increase in knowledge.

That same knowledge that gives us the amazing technology we enjoy…

That same knowledge that gives us the wondrous advances in medicine…

That same knowledge that sends humans into space…

Is the same knowledge that is now trying to say there is no God…

Is the same knowledge that says the bible isn’t God’s word…

Is the same knowledge that says Yeshua, Jesus Christ, is not the Son of God…

Is the same knowledge that’s using the bible against itself, saying, “That’s not what it really means when it says…”

God wants intelligent Christians to “contend for the faith” as mentioned in Jude verse 3.

God wants knowledgeable Christians to reason with unbelievers and skeptics to plant good seeds.

God wants smart Christians to reason with people of other religions, so they can come to know the one true and living God.

God wants intelligent Christians to reason with other believers to bring about more unity in the Body of Christ.

We need to be able to talk to people, not just preach to them.

We need to be willing to hear what they have to say.

We need to know some of what they believe to have an intelligent conversation with them.

We need to know God’s word…history…culture…so we can intelligently share what we believe, and why we believe it.

Notice how the Apostle Paul reasoned with the Epicureans and Stoics, Jews and Gentiles with respect. (Acts 17:16-34)

Notice how the Apostle Paul reasoned with unbelievers without putting them down or disparaging what they believed. (Act 17:22-23)

Notice how not everyone, but some returned to hear more of the Gospel. (Acts 17:32)

Yes, God wants us to be anointed.

Yes, God wants us to have faith.

Yes, God wants us to be virtuous…

But He wants us to be knowledgeable too…

2 Peter 1:5-7 (NKJV)

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,

When the bible says “Study to show yourself approved…”(2 Timothy 2:15) that means study the bible and beyond so we can be INTELLIGENT BELIEVERS.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

If you believe in God, then you have to believe in the devil. We have seen many movies such as The Exorcist that dramatizes demonic possession. I believe that demonic possession is real, and is the explanation for many heinous acts throughout history.

Matthew 12:43-45 (NKJV)

⁴³ “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. ⁴⁴ Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. ⁴⁵ Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So, shall it also be with this wicked generation.”

In the movies, the help of a Catholic priest is usually enlisted to confront and get rid of the evil spirit.

With the reality of demonic possession, I also know there is a difference between mere demonic influence and being possessed by an unclean spirit. I do however believe that God has not reserved the Holy power to rebuke unclean spirits out of individuals for those of one denomination, and quite frankly to those of an office that no longer exists because God only reserved the priesthood for the sons of Aaron, the brother of Moses.

Exodus 28:1-3 (NKJV)

28 “Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to Me as priest, Aaron and Aaron’s sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. ² And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. ³ So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest.

Hebrews 7:11-12 (NKJV)

¹¹ Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? ¹² For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.

1 Peter 2:9  (NKJV)

2 Chronicles 11:14-16 (NKJV)

¹⁴ For the Levites left their common-lands and their possessions and came to Judah and Jerusalem, for Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them from serving as priests to the Lord. ¹⁵ Then he appointed for himself priests for the high places, for the demons, and the calf idols which he had made. ¹⁶ And after the Levites left,^[a] those from all the tribes of Israel, such as set their heart to seek the Lord God of Israel, came to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the Lord God of their fathers.

God has given all of us power over the enemy through the authority of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus and the power of His blood.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (NKJV)

³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, ⁶ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

James 4:7 K(KJV)

⁷ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The only power that the enemy has is that allowed Him for a season and for a purpose by The LORD God Almighty…

Job 1:9-12  (NKJV)

⁹ So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? ¹⁰ Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. ¹¹ But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” ¹² And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Now let me be clear. We are only to confront the devil ONLY through the authority of the powerful name of Jesus, and NEVER on our own. And not just mentioning His name, but while walking in the Spirit and anointing of God…

Acts 19:13-16 (NKJV)

¹³ Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We^[a] exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” ¹⁴ Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. ¹⁵ And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” ¹⁶ Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered^[b] them, and prevailed against them,^[c] so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Jude 9 (NKJV)

⁹ Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

God has given us the tools to avoid and rebuke demonic influence and possession.

We must be very careful that we don’t make our bodies ‘habitations’ or comfortable places for the enemy to thrive…

Revelation 18:2 (NKJV)

² And he cried mightily^[a] with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!

We must avoid behavior and mindsets that leave our bodies and spirits vulnerable to the devil’s influence…

Galatians 5:16-25 (NKJV)

 ¹⁶ I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,^[a] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, murders,^[b] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 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. ²⁴ And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 7:1-2 (NKJV)

7 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Ephesians 4:26-27 (NKJV)

²⁶ “Be angry, and do not sin”:^[a] do not let the sun go down on your wrath, ²⁷ nor give place to the devil.

And, we must remember the power that’s available to us through our Lord and Savior…

Matthew 17:17-21  (NKJV)

¹⁷ Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” ¹⁸ And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. ¹⁹ Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” ²⁰ So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief;^[a] for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. ²¹ However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”^[b]

Matthew 18:18  (NKJV)

¹⁸ “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

1 John 4:4  (NKJV)

⁴ You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Power over the enemy is not just reserved for those with a specific office, but with a specific anointing, and level of sanctification. It’s available to all of us through our risen Savior.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

1. Your expression

2. Your mind/thoughts

3. Your perspective

4. Your emotions

5. Your mood

6. Your attitude

7. Your intentions

8. Your desires

9. Your words

10. Your reaction

11. Your response

12. Your direction

Psalm 145:18 (NIV)

18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on him in truth.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

How do you know when you’re doing what God created you to do? Well here you go in about :30 seconds…

1. It comes naturally to you.

2. You feel alive when doing it.

3. It’s therapeutic to you.

4. It’s rewarding to you, even if it’s in difficult circumstances.

5. It blesses someone else besides you.

6. It brings glory to God.

7. You would do it for free.

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NKJV)

¹⁰ As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, let him speakas the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Have you ever had someone get angry or aggravated at you for absolutely no reason? I mean, you haven’t done anything to them.

Or, have anyone ever gotten extremely angry at you for trying to do the right thing. For doing something good? For be a blessing to someone? For speaking the truth?

Why?

Think about the times that those who were being led by the enemy got angry when Jesus came around (Mark3:1-6, Luke 13:1). When He healed people. When He did good. Think of the opposition He encountered. They even sought to kill Jesus and Lazarus because Jesus raised him from the dead and they didn’t want people to believe in Jesus because of that miracle…

John 12:9-10 (ESV)

 ⁹ When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus^[a] was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. ¹⁰ So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well,

Think of the reactions of the demons inside those they were possessing when Jesus came around. They were afraid, they were worried, they were restless, they were uneasy.

Matthew 8:29(NKJV)

²⁹ And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”

 Mark 9:20  (NKJV)

²⁰ Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.

Why were they angry, uneasy or afraid.

Because of the presence of Jesus! Demons tremble in the presence of Jesus…at the very mention of His name. The enemy gets upset in the presence of Jesus and those in whom He lives.

So, I encourage you…

Do something to piss the devil off today!

Here are 7 things you can do to please God while upsetting the devil.

1. WALK IN THE SPIRIT

Galatians 5:16-17 (NKJV)

¹⁶ I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

2. GLORIFY GOD  WITH PRAISE

Psalm 22:3 (KJV)

³ But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

3. FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD IN PRAYER

John 14:13-15 (NKJV)

¹³ And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask^[a] anything in My name, I will do it.

4. READ AND STUDY THE WORD OF GOD

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)

¹² For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

5. SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Matthew 28:19-20  (NKJV)

¹⁹ Go therefore^[a] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.^[b]

6. SHARE THE LOVE OF GOD

 John 13:34-35 (NKJV)

³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

7. RESIST AND IGNORE THE DEVIL

James 4:7(NKJV)

⁷ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Think of how aggravating it is when you know someone is intentionally ignoring you when you are trying to get their attention. Ignore the devil when he tries to get yours.

Don’t be surprised, upset, disappointed or discouraged when your good is met with opposition. Let it be confirmation that you are pursuing your purpose and pleasing God.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

.

As I ran an errand today, the person behind the counter was very rude to me. I tried to lighten the mood, but they weren’t having it. I told them I was just trying to make them smile, and they said, “I smile all the time!” ….Uhhhhh, but they weren’t smiling. I don’t know, maybe this person was going through something.

We all have those days…you know, days that we don’t even want to be bothered with ‘encouraging’ words! Right?

Some days you don’t want to hear, “It’s going to get better!”

Some days you don’t want to hear, “It won’t always be like this!”

Some days you don’t want to hear, “This too will pass…”

Some days you don’t want to hear, “It’s gonna be alright!”

Some days, you just don’t want to hear it…even when you believe it…you just aren’t in the mood!

We all get frustrated and aggrevated sometimes…

People will get on our nerves and try our patience…

People will be rude and disrespectful to us…

Sometimes we will have every right to be upset…

Our challenge as Christians is to respond in the SPIRIT OF LOVE. We can’t allow the worst in people, or situations to bring the worst out in us…to leave behind a bad testimony.

As Galatians 6:1 says we are to restore others in the spirit of meekness.

We are to be humble, long-suffering and patient. Yes, there will be times that we are to be assertive, but we are to remain in God’s character and love in that assertiveness.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 says it best…

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs”.

Even if you don’t want to hear this today, put it in your pocket for later…

We must remember that even in our frustration, we always represent God, and it’s our responsibility to always operate in His love.

BE BLESSTIFIED!!!

Jesus was often criticized for His close association with sinners, and yes, sometimes that can be spiritually dangerous for us…

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NKJV)

³³ Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

But, notice why the tax collectors and sinners were drawn to Jesus in Luke Chapter 15…

Luke 15  (NKJV)

Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. ² And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” ³ So He spoke this parable to them, saying:

There were many occasions when Jesus attracted crowds of people for what He could do for them…

John 6:26  (NKJV)

²⁶ Jesus answered them and said, “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.

But, in Luke Chapter 15 they were drawn to Jesus to hear Him. The sinners were seeking the word of God. Not food. Not healing. Not things…but the word. Either way, it was God doing the drawing…

John 6:44  (NKJV)

⁴⁴ No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

This prompted me to ask myself a question. Why are the people who are drawn to me…drawn to me? What is it about me that attracts people? Here’s the real question. Is it what is holy about me, or what is unholy about me?

So I challenge you to examine and ask yourself…

WHAT IS IT ABOUT ME THAT ATTRACTS THOSE WHO ARE DRAWN TO ME? IS IT WHAT IS HOLY, OR UNHOLY?

You can also flip this question and ask ourselves, “Why am I drawn to those to whom I’m drawn?” What is it about them that attracts me? Is it what’s holy or unholy.

Remember this…peoples’ perception of you is their reality. The reasons that people are drawn to you speaks to how and why they value you. It speaks to what value you can add to their lives.

And the value that you are to others, can be the value that you are to God…

John 15:16  (NKJV)

¹⁶ You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)

¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

 Matthew 7:18-20  (NKJV)

¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

 Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

It is critical that we continue to refine our walk with God and our usefulness to Him in His Kingdom, especially before we take the Lord’s Supper.

1 Corinthians 11:28 New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁸ But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

We always want to make sure that it’s the God in us that draws people and not the enemy.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

One morning back in 1999 while getting ready to go to church I received a phone call from a young friend of mine from jail…

He said, “Brother Al, I need to talk to you brother! I can’t do this! This is my third time being locked up, and I know that I will be away from my family for a very long time. I really need to talk to you!”

I responded, “Okay, I will stop by to talk to you as soon as I get out of church”.

I had ministered to this brother by phone and letters while he was in prison before. My phone would ring and I’d hear… “You have a call from ____________ at the ____________ Center for Corrections.” I would quickly respond, “Yes”.

He was very sincere, and He told me that he had been brought back to Christ while in prison. Not only that, He felt God had called Him to be a minister.

After being released he, came to church and was given the opportunity to preach his first sermon, “Are You Lame” from Acts Chapter 3. His sermon was very good. He then told me he was anxious to go and witness to the people he used to ‘run with’. Those who were his ‘partners in crime’…both figuratively and literally.

I told him, “I admire your passion to reach back and grab them, but PLEASE don’t do it until you’re strong enough, so you aren’t drawn back in. I then reminded him of the warning in the bible…

Galatians 6:1

 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 

 And also,

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NKJV)

 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

He did in fact try to reach back, and unfortunately, he got drawn back in. That’s why he was calling me from jail.

Well, as I said…He asked me to come and talk to him that morning, and I told him that I would as soon as I got out of church.

While I was in church, he hung himself and died.

My church should have been at the jail that morning.

I let him down…

I let God down…

For religion…

For duty…

For tradition…

For ‘a form of Godliness’…

I missed the entire purpose of what church equips us to do. (Ephesians 4:12)

I missed an opportunity to save a life.

This is one of the reasons Jesus said…

Matthew 9:13 (NKJV)

 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’^[a] For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”^[

This is one of the reasons the bible says…

James 2:15-17 (NKJV)

 ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? ¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

This is one of the reasons the bible says…

1 John 3:17 (NKJV)

 ¹⁷ But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

 And most definitely why Jesus said…

Matthew 25: 31-40 (NKJV)

 ³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy^[c] angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. ³² All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. ³³ And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. ³⁴ Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:³⁵ for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; ³⁶ I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? ³⁸ When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? ³⁹ Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ ⁴⁰ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

God told me to move that morning and I ignored Him, because I felt I was doing the right thing. But, had I looked closer at the word of God…I would have quickly gone to the jail.

If you feel God is placing it on your heart to move, to do something, to bless someone, to pray for someone…test it by His word…pray for wisdom, guidance and protection…and do it.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

History didn’t take place in black and white…

It wasn’t experienced in 8mm…

A lifetime wasn’t lived out in a chapter that records it.

The past can’t be contained in a book or scroll…

The past was it’s past’s future.

Those before us days and nights were just as long as ours.

They had hopes and dreams just as we do.

History was influenced by names we will never know, and countless others whose lived and died in anonymity, but were still important to those in their lives.

Today, you’re younger than you will ever be again….enjoy it.

Psalm 118:24 (NKJV)

This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.

BEBLESSTIFIED!

If you like flowers…

Or plants…

Or fruit…

Or breathing…

Then you should thank God for BEES.

God uses them to pollinate plants so the plants can reproduce. As you probably already know, God uses plants to produce the oxygen that we need to breathe.

So, God uses BEES to multiply.

To make more plants…to make more fruit…to make more oxygen, so we can live.

God uses bees to fill the earth.

In the beginning one of the first things God told man to do is multiply…

Genesis 1:28(NKJV)

28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

God also told us to bear fruit…

John 15:8 (NKJV)

8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

When we bring others to Christ…

When we make disciples…

We’re bearing fruit for God’s Kingdom.

Fruit isn’t WHAT you obtain, but WHO you obtain.

When we plant the seed of God’s word, we’re pollinating God’s Kingdom.

When we’re doing what God told us to do, we’re BEEING what He created us to BEE.

BEE BLESSTIFIED!

You may not be able to see viruses or bacteria with the naked eye, but when you catch a cold or get sick you acknowledge their existence.

You may not be tech savvy, you may not have a computer or smart phone, and you may renounce the internet, but YOUR information is not only on the internet, but it affects your life daily.

There are many who claim that there is no God. They don’t believe in Him, and they make every effort to provide empirical ‘proof’ He’s not there, but…

Even the atheist acknowledges God’s is real when…

He or she takes shelter from storms, heat or cold.
Jonah 1:4-5 (NKJV)
⁴ But the Lord sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up.
⁵ Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load.^[a] But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep.

He or she enjoys His creation…
Matthew 5:45 (NKJV)

Romans 1:20 (NKJV)

Our science, our medicine and our knowledge can’t heal us or save our lives…
Luke 8:43 (NKJV)
⁴³ Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any,

But the greatest evidence of God’s existence and His love is His mercy, and giving those who don’t believe in Him time to do so.
2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)
⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us,^[a] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Just as some plants are only beautiful for a season, and some others flourish year round…

The glory of this life is temporary, but our eternal glory will never fade away.

Romans 8:18 (NKJV)

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Isaiah 40:8  (NKJV)

⁸ The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.”

BE BLESSTIFIED!

When you have the power to inspire, you have the power to change the world.

Where does inspiration take you? Inspiration takes you from…

Silence to Speaking…

Sitting to Standing…

Ignorance to Information…

Passive to Passion…

Apathy to Action…

Inspiration is so powerful, that it works the same for both good and evil, that’s why it’s so important that God, and His word, be the source of all inspiration.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV)

¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

Hebrews 10:24 (NKJV)

²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Inspiration is everywhere because God is everywhere…

God is omnipresent, He’s everywhere at the same time. You never have to look for Him. That’s why you never have to LOOK for inspiration – it’s everywhere.

You can find inspiration in…

Good and evil…

The profane and profound…

The young and the old…

The rich and the poor…

In light and in darkness…

Yes, you can even find inspiration in darkness. The darkest situation. The darkest heart. You can find inspiration in the darkest people and moments in human history even if it’s inspiration to never be like them and to never let those moments happen again. You have to find inspiration in darkness – because it takes inspiration to get out of the deepest, darkest most hopeless and evil situations.

What does inspiration do to you?

Inspiration ignites something within you. It moves you to passion, so even if you think everything I have written here is a bunch of bull, the fact that it moved you to that conclusion is inspiration.

Real inspiration moves you. Real inspiration will not leave you where you are…how you are…or who you are.

It took inspiration to move 12 men to turn what appeared to be as shameful death on the cross, and spread the timeless message of eternal life. The inspiration that Jesus placed inside them changed the world…

Matthew 28:19 (NKJV)

¹⁹ Go therefore^[a] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

So, who are you inspiring? Yes, you! No matter who you are, you qualify to inspire someone.

Remember that you’re never too…

‘Broke’ or wealthy

Smart or dumb…

Overweight or underweight…

Attractive or unattractive…

Influential or Insignificance…

Broken or unhealthy…

To inspire someone.

So pray to God that you can be an inspiration to someone to His glory! You were made in His image. That doesn’t mean that you have His nose. His eyes. But it does mean you have His ‘walk’. His Spirit. His character – it means that you too can be an inspiration.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Think of all the people in the bible who had to be hidden in the midst of difficult situations, circumstances trials and storms. Yes, sometimes God gave His people power over the enemy, but many times before that victory He had to hide them first.

Rahab hid the spies …

Joshua 2:4 (NKJV)

⁴ Then the woman took the two men and hid them. So she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.

Moses had to be hidden…

Hebrews 11:23 (NKJV)

²³ By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.

David hid from Saul…

1 Samuel 20:24 (NKJV)

²⁴ Then David hid in the field. And when the New Moon had come, the king sat down to eat the feast.

Even Jesus had to be hidden in Egypt until it was safe.

Matthew 2:13 (NKJV)

¹³ Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”

He was in the obscurity of Nazareth until His appointed time.
Luke 2:51-52 (NKJV)
⁵¹ Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

He even had to sneak away from the crowd at times because His time had not yet come.

John 8:59 (NKJV)

⁵⁹ Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple,^[a] going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Is God hiding you right now? Is He hiding you in…

A Trial or Storm…

A ‘Dead-end Job’ that you Hate…

In Someone Else’s Shadow…

Obscurity?

Sometimes hiding places are small, smelly, dark, cramped…uncomfortable.

Before you try to force your way out. Before you try to make sure everyone knows your name…knows your opinion…knows what you are capable of, make sure that God isn’t hiding you until your appointed time.

If you weren’t being restricted by your uncomfortable situation right now, would you really be fulfilling God’s real purpose for your life. You may think you’re ready, but are you?

Maybe, just maybe the storm that you’re in right how wasn’t created to harm you, but to hide you.

Maybe God is hiding you, until your appointed time.

Psalm 32:7 (NKJV)

⁷ You are my hiding place;
You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me with songs of deliverance

Psalm 119:114 (NKJV)

¹¹⁴ You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in Your word.
Psalm 27:5-6 (NKJV)

BE BLESSTIFIED!

For those of you who don’t know, not only do I blog, but I write songs for my wife who is Gospel/Jazz artist, Mechelle Johnson. She also sings classic R&B covers of many of the songs that make up the soundtrack of our 30-plus year marriage with her group, Natural Elegance. It’s part of our marriage ministry (Google SONday Blessing videos) that encourages strong, healthy, joyous Godly marriages between a man and woman. Our motto is…

You minister to the soul with a Gospel song, but you minister to a marriage with a love song!

We are based in a suburb of Memphis TN, and I must say that except for our very supportive church family at Oak Spring Church and a few others, we have gotten very little support from the ‘church community’. However, we have gotten MUCH SUPPORT from the local non-church community, and on radio in different cities throughout the country. I like to call it Matthew’s House ministry, reaching people beyond the ‘four walls’ of the physical church building…

Matthew 9:10-12 (NKJV)

¹⁰ Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. ¹¹ And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” ¹² When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

Soooo, I said all that to say this…

I see so many Gospel artists and ministers, both locally and nationally either whining and complaining on social media about not getting support or begging for people to vote for them to receive awards.

Let me say this very lovingly…

STOP WHINING AND WORK YOUR MINISTRY

If you are faithful with your message, God will promote you in His timing.

He will make sure that the people He wants to receive your message…get it.

The apostles never whined about their message not being received. They never whined about not getting supported, and they definitely never begged for awards. On the contrary, they were blessed to get out of town alive sometimes. They often did not have a ‘captive’ audience. They even celebrated when they were beaten for the Gospel…

Acts 5:41 (NKJV)

⁴¹ So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His^[a] name.

We must be honest with ourselves as artists, musicians, singers, preachers, teachers, ministers, writers, and yes bloggers…

Do we want influence for the sake of God’s kingdom or recognition and celebrity?

Do we want awards or do we want to inspire people and save souls?

Do we want to bring glory to our name or God’s name?

Of course, it’s natural to want recognition and to even be paid well for your efforts, but if it’s truly a ministry for you, then you can’t be disappointed and ready to quit if you don’t receive it.

And, you definitely don’t want to be caught whining and complaining. It weakens the cause of Christ.

Yes, I would love to sustain my family well and be recognized with my writing, our music and sharing what God has placed on my heart, and the bible supports that…

1 Corinthians 9:14 (NKJV)

¹⁴ Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

Galatians 6:6 (NKJV)

⁶ Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
Proverbs 18:16 (NKJV)

But, if you don’t get the attention that you feel you deserve, God allows us to have our private human moments between ourselves and Him, just as the psalmists did in so many of the lamenting Psalms.

Please don’t publish your woes on social media and chastise the people who you feel are ignoring you.

Stop complaining and begging for support. When people value what God has placed inside you, you don’t have to beg them to listen to you, watch you, or read what you have to share.

I know it get’s frustrating sometimes. Of course, I’ve been guilty of whining and complaining sometimes myself.

Remember the sharp encouragement in Hebrews Chapter 12…

Hebrews 12:12  (NKJV)

¹² Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,

Have your private moment between you and God…

Thank God for trusting you with His word and your gift and…

Preach on!

Teach on!

Sing on!

Play on!

Write on!

Even if you think no one is listening.

If you bless just one person…that’s good fruit, and good seed in good soil.

STOP WHINING AND START WINNING SOULS!

Work your ministry.

If this article blessed you, then you might also enjoy these..

WHEN YOU FEEL YOUR MINISTRY ISN’T GETTING ENOUGH ATTENTION…

JESUS WAS NEVER NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD…

WHINING IS A CALM TANTRUM (From my archives)…

BE BLESSTIFIED!

God is faithful! God is trustworthy! God is dependable…every day!

Lamentations 3:22-23  (NKJV)

²² Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
²³ They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.

We can always trust and depend on Him! He will always remain true to His Word, His will, His promises and He will never leave or nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

 He is faithful to those of us who believe in Him, even when we aren’t…

2 Timothy 2:13  (NKJV)

¹³ If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.

He is even faithful to those who don’t believe in Him…

Romans 3:3-4  (NKJV)

³ For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? ⁴ Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written:

“That You may be justified in Your words,
And may overcome when You are judged.”^[a]

Faithfulness is meant to be reciprocated, but we all know that doesn’t always happen. You can only be faithful, TRULY faithful to someone or something you TRULY love.

Our faithfulness to God or one another isn’t perfect because our love for Him and one another isn’t perfect.

But, God’s is.

He was and is always faithful to Israel (Read Psalm 78).

Think for a moment of how faithful God is to you, even when you (like myself) have at times put foolishness before Him. When you have put other people before Him. When you have put things before Him. When you put the enemy before Him.

But, what does God get out of His faithfulness to us? What’s in it for Him?

Sometimes love…

Sometimes repentance…

Sometimes faithfulness in return…

But, only sometimes.

God’s faithfulness is a fulfillment of His love and commitment to us.

So, to answer the question, “What does our Omniscient, Omnipotent God get out of being faithful to us?” What’s in it for Him?” When we’re honest with ourselves…

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

It’s just a perfect expression of His unfailing love…our example…our standard.

If you’re grateful for God’s faithfulness, why don’t you stop right now and tell Him thank you. If you can’t find the words, Psalm 115:1 will work just fine…

Psalm 115:1  (NKJV)

Have you ever heard anyone say, ‘Don’t let me let the hood come out,” “I went straight to the ‘hood’ on ________,” or “Don’t let me get ghetto on you”?

It usually refers to ‘going off. ‘Cussing out, or even kicking someone’s a**.

How many times have you heard the term “Hood Rad”? How many times have you heard someone say, “I’ve got to get out of ‘The Hood”?

Why?

Why do so many of us associate THE HOOD or THE GHETTO with the worst in us?

There are good people in the hood.

There are people with self-control in the hood.

There are people with integrity in the hood.

Some of our richest cultural and spiritual influences have come from the hood.

There are plenty of good mothers, fathers, grandparents and guardian doing their best to raise their children right in the hood.

There are plenty of kids doing their best to stay on the right track in the hood.

There are plenty of good churches doing real kingdom work in the hood.

Jesus was from ‘the hood’ in a sense. When the disciples heard about Him remember what Nathanael said…

John 1:46 (NKJV)

And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

Philip said to him, “Come and see.

It’s time we change the negative narrative about the hood. Its time we stop feeding it.

I’m not from the hood. I’m from the ‘country’ which has its own negative stereotypes. But, I proclaim to be unapologetically country.

If you’re from the hood proclaim, “I’m unapologetically from the hood!”

So, whether you used to live in the hood, live there now or never been…

Please don’t let the negative speak louder than the positive.

Don’t let the negatives define everyone from any area, of any race, of any culture.

When you say “I’m about to let THE HOOD come out “, or “Don’t make me get ghetto…embrace all that’s good about a unique and influential culture. Let it be the about…

Determination…

Hard Work…

Loyalty…

Devotion to Family…

Perseverance…

Faith…

Or, one of the many other positive aspects of ‘HOOD LIFE’.

Let the world know there are plenty of GOOD TIMES in the hood.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

I often hear or read many mockers and scoffers of God ask, “Why does God ask you to pray for something if He already knows what you need?

Well, it’s really quite simple…

Matthew 7:7-8  (NKJV)

⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Just as any parent, God wants a relationship with His children.

Asking, seeking, knocking encourages interaction. There’s no relationship without interaction.

But, why does God encourage daily interaction?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  (NKJV)

Many say they believe in God, but they give Him ZERO if any interaction.

So here’s my question. At what point does does workplace discipline, chewing out, or a sharp rebuke, become disrespectful?

So, here is my perspective. Here’s the Aldtric Johnson’s philosophy on discipline in the workplace…