I love the contributions of James Cleveland to Gospel music and worship. He was an anointed singer and psalmist. But, I have to admit that as much as, “I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired” is a part of my heritage growing up in church…I have trouble singing it.
Why?
Because I get tired sometimes. When I stop and think about it, I get tired quite often.
And, yes I know that God assures us that He will renew our strength…
Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)
31 But those who wait on 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.
However, you have to get tired in order for your strength to be renewed.
So, I just want to encourage someone whose tired RIGHT NOW.
If you aren’t tired, I want to plant a seed of encouragement for when you get tired. Don’t let ‘superspiritual’ Christians make you feel like you’re letting God down when you get tired.
Remember, just because you’re tired doesn’t mean that…
You don’t trust God…because you do.
You aren’t thankful…because you are.
You aren’t hopeful…because you are.
You aren’t encouraged…because you are.
You aren’t content…because you are.
You don’t have joy…because you do.
It doesn’t mean that you don’t know God is working everything out together for your good (Romans 8:28)…because you do.
It doesn’t mean you don’t love God.
It just means you get tired sometimes…just like Jesus did.
John 4:6 (NKJV)
6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
Sometimes you even get helping others, enduring others, even those closest to you…
Mark 9:19 (NKJV)
19 He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.”
Sometimes you get tired doing good…
Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Let me make this clear…
Just because you get TIRED doing good, doesn’t mean you get TIRED OF doing good.
If you’ve been in church or been around church people any amount of time, you’ve heard them…
You hear them in church, in songs and in everyday language.
‘Churchy’ clichés.
Those familiar sayings, sometimes one liners, that may not be the same in every church culture, but every church culture has them.
Of course there are many ‘churchy’ sayings that are biblical and encourage us, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But, some aren’t really biblical, and are even sometimes mistaken for scripture.
It’s those that we have to either avoid, or be VERY careful of how we say it, or of our attitude towards it.
Here are 7 ‘CHURCHY’ clichés that we need to be careful of how we say.
GOD HAS NEVER FAILED ME YET (Avoid)…
This one is so NOT biblical, and it’s one word that messes it up…”YET”. It’s true that God has and will never fail us…but where did yet come from? “Yet” implies that God could possibly fail us in the future. It’s catchy, it helps make a song rhyme, but It’s not biblical.
Psalm 136:1 (NKJV)
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
The fact that God’s mercy endures forever means it can NEVER fail.
PRAYER WORKS (BE CAREFUL)…
This one is true, but we’ve got to be careful of how we say it, or our attitude about it. God always answers prayer, and through prayer people are healed, restored, delivered, led to Christ…lives are changed. So what’s the problem? If we are careful, saying ‘prayer works’ in the wrong context or with the wrong frame of mind can reduce prayer to a gimmick…just something else you can try to make things right. This can lessen the true intimacy of conversation with God to be to mindless, superstitious, empty words that we hope changes things. It leads to an, “I’ve tried everything else, so now I’ll try this attitude”.
1 John 5:14(NKJV)
14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
When we pray to God, not only are we talking to Him, but He actually hears and responds. When you start a car, turn on a television, install software or successfully repair something…it WORKS…God RESPONDS. Be careful how you say it.
THIS IS MY SEASON (BE CAREFUL)…
This one is also true, but be careful when you say it. Most of the time we are implying it is our season for Good things. But, the bible teaches us there’s a time and season for EVERYTHING. We have seasons of rest and peace, but we also have stormy seasons and trials. We have seasons of progress and celebration, as well as seasons of consequences and struggle. As one the lyrics to one popular Gospel song says, “This is my season for grace and favor”. This is my season to reap what I have sown.” We must remember that sometimes our ‘grace and favor is NOT reaping what we’ve sown. We must be very careful when proclaim, or sometimes brag, “This is my season!”
WHAT GOD HAS FOR ME IS FOR ME (AVOID)…
This is a very popular cliché, and is even in songs. We’ve got to be VERY careful about approaching God actually and selfishly. Too much “ME”, “MY”, and “I’s” can mean we are leaning too close to covetousness, which is idolatry.
Colossians 3:5(NKJV)
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Yes, what God has ordained for you is for you, but too many time this is said from a selfish, I want what’s mine point of view. Plus, everything that, “God has for you” isn’t necessarily pleasant. Some trials, tests, challenges and struggles God has ‘for you and no one else’, but you don’t hear many people singing about that. God had Joseph of Genesis struggle, ‘Just for him. God had Job’s struggle, ‘Just for him’. This isn’t necessarily based on any scripture, and I think it’s best to leave it alone.
I’M BLESSED AND HIGHLY FAVORED (BE CAREFUL)…
This one is true and based on scripture, but we must be careful of our attitude about the phrase and we say it around. Again, we must not say it with a covetous or arrogant attitude. God promised that all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). But, the contingency is, those who are called according to His purpose, but some boldly say this inferring their own purpose. The bible also tells us His favor is for life in the same context of His anger and weeping. And, don’t forget, God showed Joseph on Genesis favor while he was in prison for something he didn’t do…
Genesis 39:21(NKJV)
21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
God’s favor is sometimes working things out for our good in very difficult, undesirable circumstances.
Plus, saying ‘blessed and highly favored’ around the spiritually immature can not only make them think God has respect of persons, but make us sound spiritually arrogant, I’ve seen it happen. We need to be careful with this one.
I HAVEN’T ALWAYS BEEN SAVED (BE CAREFUL)…
If this is said with a humble attitude in an effort to encourage someone who is unsaved or weaker to let them know the dramatic change God made in your life…then cool. But, most of the time I’ve heard this said in pride or arrogance, with a threatening tone after they’ve been made angry. I’ve most often heard it said implying they will revert back to the ‘old them’, if prompted. I have more often heard it said with an attitude of they are proud of what they used to be, rather than ashamed, and we all know what God said about that…
James 4:6(NKJV)
6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
IF I’VE EVER DONE ANYTHING TO OFFEND YOU, PLEASE FORGIVE ME (BE CAREFUL)…
This is often used as an easy ‘way out’ to ask for forgiveness. Too many times people say this either to a group or an individual…the problem is that if it’s a group they fully know EXACTLY WHO IN THE GROUP they hurt, and if it’s an individual, they know EXACTLY WHAT THEY DID. Simply saying, “If” is not good enough…
Matthew 5:23-24(NKJV)
23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
God expects us to go to the person and make things right…and remember, a public embarrassment deserves a public apology.
‘CHURCHY’ clichés sound good, and help define church culture, but we must be very careful how we use them…and know which ones to leave alone.
Most of us get angry at those we love the most…it’s just a part of relationships. All children, both small and adult children, get angry at their parents at some point and time…it’s just a part of the relationship.
Most of us who believe in God also claim to love Him and be in relationship with Him…We are His children.
Soooo, it’s doesn’t seem outside of reason to assume that those of us who are in relationship with God, have gotten angry with him at sometimes or another…if we are willing to admit it.
God’s children get angry at their Heavenly Father.
Have you gotten angry at God because…
You thought He ignored your prayer…
You thought He said no…
You thought He was being unfair to you…
You thought He should have intervened…
You thought He was being too harsh…
You thought He favored someone who didn’t deserve it…
You thought those who are evil continue to win…
You thought…
Well, I could go over possible reasons all day, but you know why you were angry with Him…if you’re willing to admit it.
King David, a man after God’s own heart became angry with God. As he was having the Ark of the Covenant (which represented God’s presence) brought back, the oxen pulling the cart stumbled and as Uzza reached out to hold the ark steady, God became angry at him for touching it, (because no one was to touch the ark), and struck him dead. This made David angry and afraid of God…
1 Chronicles 13:10 (NKJV)
10 Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzza, and He struck him because he put his hand to the ark; and he died there before God.
Throughout the book of Psalms, there are hints of frustration with God…
Psalm 13:1 (NKJV)
“How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?”
Psalm 77:3 (NKJV)
“I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed.”
Psalm 94:3 (NKJV)
“How long will the wicked, Lord, how long will the wicked continue to triumph.”
Habukkuk cries out…
Habakkuk 1:2 (NKJV)
O Lord, how long shall I cry,
And You will not hear? Even cry out to You, “Violence!” And You will not save. 3 Why do You show me iniquity, And cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; There is strife, and contention arises. 4 Therefore the law is powerless, And justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.
Jeremiah laments…
Jeremiah 12:1-4 (NKJV)
Righteous are You, O Lord, when I plead with You;
Yet let me talk with You about Your judgments.
Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously? 2 You have planted them, yes, they have taken root;
They grow, yes, they bear fruit.
You are near in their mouth
But far from their mind.
3 But You, O Lord, know me;
You have seen me,
And You have tested my heart toward You.
Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter,
And prepare them for the day of slaughter. 4 How long will the land mourn,
And the herbs of every field wither?
The beasts and birds are consumed,
For the wickedness of those who dwell there,
Because they said, “He will not see our final end.”
Jeremiah even cursed the day he was born…
Jeremiah 20: 14 (KNJV)
Cursed be the day in which I was born! Let the day not be blessed in which my mother bore me.
Remember this…Men and women of God are merely, MEN and WOMEN of God. Only human.
God remembers that we are only human…
Psalm 103:14 (NKJV)
14 For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.
Psalm 78:39 (NKJV)
39 For He remembered that they were but flesh,
A breath that passes away and does not come again.
Matthew 26:41 (NKJV)
41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Even Jesus, Yeshua, Himself cried out…
Matthew 27:46 (NKJV)
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
God allows us to have human moments, but He expects us to ‘come to ourselves’, trust Him and honor Him. He allows us the opportunity to express our humanity in reverence and respect.
When you read the bible, after these men and women of God were angry…after they lamented…after their frustration….THEY TRUSTED GOD!
In the midst of their ‘complaint’ was PRAISE. Each of the Psalms mentioned above ended in PRAISE for God.
Jeremiah 20: 11-13 (NKJV)
But the Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One.
Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper. Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten. 12 But, O Lord of hosts, You who test the righteous, And see the mind and heart, Let me see Your vengeance on them; For I have pleaded my cause before You.
13 Sing to the Lord! Praise the Lord! For He has delivered the life of the poor From the hand of evildoers.
They praised God in their pain to activate their faith….They continued to press in to the purpose that God had for their lives.
Anger is one of the ways we were created in God’s image. God becomes angry sometimes, but His anger doesn’t last.
It’s human and natural to become angry at God and doubt, but He told us…
1 John 4:4 (NKJV)
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.
…So it’s superhuman and spiritual to overcome our anger and trust Him.
God knows we will have PITY PARTIES, but He expects us to turn them into PRAISE PARTIES.
It comes so easily off our lips, but as spiritually noble as that sounds, there are some instances when you should not say, “I’ll pray for you”…
When?
When you won’t do it…
How many times have you told someone you prayed for them, and whether you meant to or not, you didn’t do it. I find the best practice is to go ahead and pray right then and there.
When you don’t mean it…
How many times have you said I’ll pray for you because it was (SP) spiritually correct, but you never meant to do it. You weren’t being malicious, you just used it as a kind spiritual platitude…a nice cliché…it was right for the moment.
When you say it to belittle or insult someone…
Yep it happens, I have to admit that I have done it. Have you? When someone does something you don’t like, and it’s your way of saying, “I think you’re pitiful’.
When it offends them…
An unbeliever or someone weaker in the faith could be offended when you say, “I’m praying for you”. It may only push them off and harden their heart. Use discernment.
Remember this…
God holds us accountable for every idle word we say…
Matthew 12:36 (NKJV)
36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
Especially if we are speaking or acting on His behalf or as intercessors…
Matthew 7:22-23 (NKJV)
22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Never turn, “I’ll pray for you” into a lie an insult or empty words.
Update: Here’s a similar post from another blogger…
The Pharisees, scribes, and religious leaders were constantly trying to trap and accuse Jesus. Many times that was their sole reason for going to the synagogue when they knew He was there (Mark 3:1-6).
In Luke 14 Jesus was at the home of one of the rulers of the Pharisees. You didn’t get into the home of a ruler without an invitation. This was an invitation only ‘event’ which is confirmed in verse 7 of this chapter ( So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them…). There was also a man with extreme swelling of his arms and legs (dropsy) there, but why was he invited too? Why was this man who was looked down upon invited to the ruler’s home? My thought is they were using him just so see if Jesus would heal him on the Sabbath, just so they could accuse Him.
Luke 14 (NKJV)
14 Now it happened, as He went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath, that they watched Him closely. 2 And behold, there was a certain man before Him who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”4 But they kept silent. And He took him and healed him, and let him go. 5 Then He answered them, saying, “Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” 6 And they could not answer Him regarding these things.
Wow!
Luke 5:17 records another occasion where Jesus was in a house, and the rulers had come from every town of Galilee for the sole purpose of accusing Him. But it goes on to let us know that the power of the LORD was present to heal them. But rather than get healing and deliverance, they chose to accuse. Their attitudes prevented them from the blessing of being in the Lord’s presence. Here a paralyzed man was brought to Jesus by His friends and healed. The same healing was available to them.
Luke 5:17 (NKJV)
17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.[a]
But, the blessing here is that even though the man with dropsy (Luke 14) was being used. He was in the right place to get healed by Jesus. Being used positioned him for his blessing. (Just as in Mark 3:1-6). They meant it for evil, but God meant it for good (Genesis 50:20).
So, when it’s clear people are using you, don’t just ‘bail’. Don’t just leave. Don’t just let your pride get the best of you and say, “I’m not having this!” Don’t ‘cuss’ them out or ‘go off’.
Romans 8:28 reminds us that God is working all things TOGETHER for our good…even when we are being used.
If you know what they are up to, use it to your advantage. Stay strong in your faith in God. Don’t let the enemy poison your attitude. God promises that He will get glory out of your story.
Remember, people don’t use what has no value.
Is someone using you? Stay cool, and let God use them using you.
Early in His ministry, Jesus was confronted by the enemy as recorded in Matthew 4:1-11, He was confronted/attacked while His FLESH was weakest. He had been fasting for 40 days. The enemy tried to catch Jesus in His flesh’s most vulnerable state. But, even though Jesus’ flesh was weak, His will was strong. Jesus knows us, and He knows our flesh gets weak too, that’s why He encourages us…
Matthew 6:24
“Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the SPIRIT indeed is WILLING, but the FLESH is WEAK”.
Even though Jesus’ flesh was weak, His Spirit and resolve was still willing and strong. Why? Because He fought off the enemy’s attack with the WORD OF GOD. The word of God is our most powerful weapon against the enemy.
2 Corinthians 10:4 says,
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.”
Hebrews 4:12 reminds us,
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
As much as so many Americans are preoccupied with and put faith in their GUNS…our greatest attacks aren’t against the FLESH, but SPIRIT. Even those who attack you physically have succumbed to a spiritual attack that led them to result to violence…it started in the Spirit.
No matter how many guns you have, if your bible is ‘dusty’, you’re underarmed!
That’s why YOU CAN’T BRING A GUN TO A SWORD FIGHT!
Temptation is an attack of the enemy, and Jesus made the devil back down with the word of God in Matthew 4:1-11.
He was tempted with HUNGER (vs 3)…which many have used as an excuse for violence and theft. Jesus’ response…“IT IS WRITTEN, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”. (vs 4)
He was tempted with PRIDE (vs 5,6)…which has led many to violence. Jesus’ response…“AGAIN IT IS WRITTEN, you shall not put the Lord your God to the test”. (vs 7)
He was tempted with POWER (vs 8,9)…which has led many to kill countless people. Jesus’ response…“Be gone Satan! FOR IT IS WRITTEN, you shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.” (vs 10).
Verse 11 tells us that the devil fled…Jesus overcame the temptation/attack with the word of God.
EVERYTHING that leads man to violence and gun fire BEGINS with a temptation to the Spirit, but Jesus taught us how to fight before the guns are drawn.
Read Matthew 4 :1-11 again for context. Read 2: Corinthians 10:1-6. Read James 4:7. And read Psalm 33:16 and remember…. YOU CAN’T BRING A GUN TO A SWORD FIGHT!
We have all had people speak badly about us behind our backs. Sometimes it was true, and sometime is wasn’t true.
If we are honest with ourselves, we have all done it ourselves at sometime or another.
Many times we will hear something said about someone we care about, someone we love or someone we respect and rush to let them know as soon as possible. But, is that always the right thing to do?
Is it always good for the wife to tell her husband what her dad said about him?
Is it always good to let one co-worker know what another co-worker said about them?
Is it always good to let one friend know what another mutual friend said about him or her?
Yes, I said ‘mutual’ friend. Some would contend to say that if they were a real friend they wouldn’t say anything negative, but that’s not true. Our love for one another isn’t perfect. Our friendships, marriages, families and relationships are not perfect. We all say and do things to hurt those close to us. When this happens it doesn’t mean that there is no love, it just means that our love isn’t perfect.
Loyalty is not always telling EVERYTHING that was said about someone. When is it appropriate? That’s where wisdom, discernment, discretion and restraint come into play.
We must also examine ourselves and our motives for telling them. Do we want them to know? Do we enjoy the excitement of telling them? Do we want them to dislike the person who said it? Why are we repeating it?
This is why God gave us this powerful, but often overlooked wisdom through these two Proverbs…
Proverbs 17:9 (NKJV)
9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends
Proverbs 16:28 (NKJV)
28 A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.
In His darkest moment, those closest to Him abandoned Him…
Matthew 26:31 (NKJV)
Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
But, I think that Jesus was cool with that. I know He wasn’t surprised. It was prophesied and He knew they would all scatter.
He knew Peter would follow, but far away. He knew he would deny Him three times to the point of cursing…
Matthew 26:74
Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!”
Many times, in the comfort and conveniences of our 21st Century lifestyles, we will read about or hear in a sermon about the disciples scattering and deserting Jesus just before He went to the cross. We may even think to ourselves, “What a shame”.
We may wonder what we would have done had we been in that situation. I can quickly and confidently answer that…we would have done the same thing.
How do I know that?
Because it was God’s will that they scatter.
What could they have done to prevent Jesus’ crucifixion? Nothing…because it was God’s will.
What good would it have done if they had died with Him, because that’s exactly what would have happened had they stood with Him.
Had they stood with Jesus at that time and were crucified with Him, how would we have gotten the Gospels? Who would have told us of what they experienced while they were with Him?
He was preparing them to spread the Gospel, not to die with Him.
He was preparing them to GO….not DIE….at least not yet.
Matthew 28:19 (NKJV)
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Think about it like this…
Jesus could have stayed here longer. He could have put off the cross until His disciples were stronger…but He didn’t.
Jesus left them while they were WEAK enough to scatter and desert Him, but STRONG enough to get it back together and continue.
I believe that Christ was glad they scattered.
So, stop worrying about those who have…
Left you…
Abandoned you…
Deserted you…
Ignored you…or
Betrayed you.
Stop and look for God in it.
The next time that someone leaves you…look for God in it.
And, remember, that sometimes we must share in His sufferings…
Romans 8:17 (NKJV)
And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Yes, they deserted Him and scattered, but that’s not how the story ended…And, that’s why I believe that Jesus was glad they left Him alone.
All of us are far from perfect. We all have habits and behaviors that are harmful. Some of these habits clearly affect others, while others only affect us…or do they?
Let me explain with a quick fictional example loosely based on reality…
There is a man named Bob whose doctor diagnosed him with high blood pressure when he was in his twenties and was advised to watch his diet. Bob was not over weight and did not have any apparent symptoms, so he continued to eat and drink what he wanted. Bob had one sibling, a brother named Steve, who was married with a family. Both of their parents had already passed away, his father had a heart attack and mother had a stroke.
Through the years, Steve constantly pleaded with his brother to watch his diet and exercise, reminding him what happened to their parents, but Bob would respond, “I’m fine! Chill out bro!” Steve would offer to work out with his brother, but Bob would say, “Man, you can have that!” I do curls when I lift my fork and beer bottle!”
Well, Bob eventually had a severe stroke that required him to live in a nursing home at the age of 46 years old. He could not take care of himself. He had to be fed, bathed…completely taken care of. It was very difficult to understand what Bob was saying because the stroke affected his ability to speak. He had no wife or children, but Steve would come and visit him regularly. These visits were difficult because Steve would have to constantly wipe drool from his brothers’ mouth, and would have to call the nurse to clean him when he could smell that Bob had ‘used the bathroom’ in his diaper. Sometimes Steve would have to leave to room to hide his tears. He would regularly take time away from his family to visit his brother, including on holidays. Before the stroke, Bob would always come and visit with his brother, but now that was impossible.
I think it’s easy to see that Bob’s bad eating habits with his medical condition did not only affect him as he thought. Steve’s love for his brother compelled him to be there for him and see him if a condition that was hurtful to him.
This is true for all bad habits that we claim only affect us when we have those who really care about us.
Smoking…
Drug abuse…
Squandering money…
Neglecting, misusing or abusing our bodies…
Just to name a few.
Many of our bad habits forces those of us who love us to take care of us, support us, sustain us, visit us, or see us as we live out the consequences of our bad behavior.
Remember, this verse works both ways…
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.
We also take care of our families by taking care of ourselves!
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.
Let me say first that I’m not excusing adultery, fornication or any other sexual sin. These sins also result from an innate, natural desire that we don’t ask for, and people make a choice to commit these sins based on that desire.
However, there are many people who are now trying to defend homosexuality by saying that Jesus never addressed it, or forbade it. They say only the Apostle Paul addressed it, and some even try to contend that he wasn’t really talking about homosexuality.
I’m going to keep this short and sweet.
We all know there are several sins that Jesus never directly addressed…
Rape…
Incest…
Domestic Abuse…
Bestiality…
Gossip…
Jealousy…
To name a few.
Jesus didn’t even say directly that getting drunk is a sin. It was indirect.
He did address marriage, fornication adultery and divorce.
And, no one disputes that the LORD only permits sex within marriage.
In Matthew Chapter 19, Jesus repeated what He Himself said as The Living Word in Genesis 5:2 , yes He was there in the beginning (Elohim, the name for God in Genesis is a plural noun)… Matthew 19:4-5(NKJV)
4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made[a] them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’[b]5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?[c]
The context of the conversation here is marriage and divorce. Jesus specifically calls out MALE and FEMALE in the context of marriage. This is not a cherry picked scripture. It is Jesus in perfect harmony with what God established in the beginning.
Jesus clearly says let HIM (male) be joined to his WIFE (female), because some try to contend, ‘who says that a wife has to be a woman’.
This undeniably defines marriage as between a man and woman.
These verses (Genesis and Matthew) define marriage as between a man and woman. And, since God only permits sex within marriage, sex with any partner, heterosexual or homosexual is sin.
So yes, without saying the word ‘homosexuality’, Yeshua, Christ Jesus addressed it. Any other conclusion is conjecture…reaching…trying to fit a square peg into a triangular slot.
For those who want to bring up slavery in the bible to justify their argument to defend homosexuality, click this…LET’S TALK ABOUT SLAVERY IN THE BIBLE…
And remember, no matter what sin someone is struggling with, God expects us to love everyone without excusing or condoning the sin.
The enemy wants you to keep your head down. The enemy wants you silent about the Lord. The enemy wants you to sit down on your calling, anointing and purpose. He does this is by manipulating you to FOCUS ON YOUR FAILURES AND FLAWS. He wants you to feel unworthy to speak up or ‘live out loud’ for Christ. You may have made huge mistakes, FINANCIALLY, IN RELATIONSHIPS, even MORALLY…you know what haunts you.
Please notice that God continued to use David as a psalmist and leader, even after he had a man killed to take his wife, God didn’t tell him that he couldn’t continue to serve as King (2 Samuel 12:1-13).
In fact, some of David’s most powerful psalms came AFTER his greatest sin.
God already knew the sin that David would commit even when He initially anointed him. Because of his repentant heart, his sin didn’t disqualify his anointing.
Psalm 51 (NKJV)
Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak,[a] And blameless when You judge.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. 6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise. 16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.
18 Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.
God still kept His promises to David. Yes there were consequences for his sin, but he was still a man after God’s own heart, because HE REPENTED. On the contrary, King Saul didn’t repent and lost is anointing and kingdom.
Our greatest challenge sometimes is walking with spiritual confidence, walking with our heads up, speaking in God’s authority when people KNOW HOW WE HAVE MESSED UP. God is raising us up to walk boldly for Him even in the midst of our humanity.
Paul spoke boldly even though he persecuted the church and consented to the death of Christians, such as Stephen (Acts 7:1-60, 8:-1).
Peter stood strong for Christ even though he openly denied Him during the darkest hour (John 18:13-27).
So, if people tell you, “You can’t tell me anything based on what you’ve done!” You tell them, “God has given me grace and mercy, and allowed me to still be here to tell you DON’T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES THAT I’VE MADE”.
So even if you’re working through the consequences of your mistakes, God expects you to KEEP YOUR HEAD UP and SPEAK BOLDLY IN LOVE FOR HIM. Sometimes it takes years to work through the process of restoration and recovery, but that doesn’t mean you are to be silent in the meantime, BE ENCOURAGED!…KEEP YOUR HEAD UP, STAND UP AND SPEAK UP FOR THE LORD!
Your failures don’t have to disqualify your calling!
We have all done this. The one and only interaction that you had with someone was a bad one. You left a bad impression. Someone caught you on your worst behavior. Someone caught you on your worst day. Someone caught you in the heat of your anger and frustration. You were rude. You were mean. You were short. You were arrogant. You were proud. You were jealous. You were horny. You were apathetic. You were unholy. You were in your flesh.
It was the one and only time he, she or they interacted with you on a personal level, and you were at your worst behavior.
You were out of your character, but they didn’t know that. It was a lapse in your character, but they were left thinking…that’s just how you are.
Even though we are commanded to love one another, you gave them a good reason to not like you.
That person or those people were left thinking you weren’t a very good person.
Has this happened to you?
How can you fix it? What can you do?
Well who in the bible left a horrible first impression ? Let’s look at one well know example…the Apostle Paul.
We all know that Paul was passionate in his persecution of the church. His first impression was negative to countless Christians whom he persecuted, and his reputation preceded him.
Acts 8:3 (NKJV)
3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
Galatians 1:13-14 (NKJV)
13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
But, once Paul was converted, he began to build a new reputation, which took time. He was even more passionate and more zealous for sharing the word of God than he was when he persecuted the church.
1 Corinthians 15:9-10 (NKJV)
9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Through his labor and his sincere effort to share God’s word and God’s love, Paul built a new reputation, and many of those who knew him to be a persecutor of the church recognized him as a devout preacher whom they didn’t fear, but respected.
Galatians 1:23 (NKJV)
23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.”
So, what can you do about the bad impressions that you have left behind? What can you do about the bad seeds that you have planted? It’s nothing deep, and really quite simple…
You may never get an opportunity to see those people again, but if you do, make sure they see the real you, no matter how they act.
You have to work hard just as Paul did to leave behind enough new good impressions to outweigh the bad. You have to continue to prove that those bad impressions were not your true character.
You have to establish your reputation so that if any of those people who you hurt, snapped at, provoked to sin, left a bad impression can’t help but think… “That wasn’t him or her”.
Of course, there will be some people who will always be convinced you are the bad person that you introduced to them, but overall, just like Paul, you will be known for who your are.
God has promised that your good character and integrity will protect and preserve you…
Psalm 25:21 (NKJV)
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You.
Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Pilate, Caeser and Hitler all had one very important thing in common. They were not able to do anything by themselves. Their powerful influence began with words. Whether people were forced to do what they wanted or willingly complied, no leader was able to accomplish anything on their own. They had to work through those who followed them.
That’s why we must be very careful of our attitude towards those who lead us. Whether it be governmental, spiritual, career, social or family.
Be very careful that you don’t agree with EVERYTHING a leader says or does. Be very careful that you aren’t excusing or justifying when they are clearly or even vaguely wrong, especially in regard to the word of God.
Any person who agrees with EVERYTHING that any leader says or does, is more dangerous than that leader.
Most of the time…leaders don’t pull triggers, they don’t actually arrest, they don’t actually execute, imprison or persecute. They do it through their followers. Notice how quickly people turn on family and friends to support their ‘leader’. Notice how people insult or even hurt others to support their leaders statements and agenda. Notice the heated, insult filled discussions on social media because people are supporting their chosen leader.
I think the two of the most powerful forces in this world are INFLUENCE and AGREEMENT.
People follow the one who influences them the most, whether it be God or the enemy. And, agreement/unity/oneness is so powerful, that it’s the last thing that Jesus prayed about before He was betrayed… THE POWER OF UNITY WORKS FOR BOTH GOOD AND EVIL…
John 17:20-23 (NKJV)
20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will[a] 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.
Remember, you are not obligated to agree with, condone or excuse everything that a leader whom you support says or does. They are human, just like you and will make mistakes.
Remember also that when you support a leaders’ wrong, God will hold you accountable along with that leader.
1 Kings 14:16 (NKJV)
16 And He will give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who sinned and who made Israel sin.”
Agreeing with anyone 100% of the time is too close to worship for me. There only One who we should reserve that place for…God.
So, watch out for people who support or defend a leader no matter what he or she does, especially if it is a controversial leader. Be careful of what their passion will allow them to do. Many times, the followers are more dangerous than the leader.
4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them MALE and FEMALE,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?
From civil rights to confederate statues. From protecting the environment to climate change. From the most extreme liberal to the most staunch conservative. From sexual misconduct in the workplace to being falsely accused… I’ve noticed, especially on social media how quick people are to accuse others of whining and being too sensitive when others that what displeases them. The same people who criticize others for being too sensitive has their own sensitivities…what makes one think his or hers is more valid than another’s?
It’s funny when it’s whining until it’s something that’s important to you…
It’s a shame when people can’t disagree without insults and sometimes aggression. How much more productive would our debates, dialogues and monologues be if we could respect, not only how one another feels, but the reasons why those who oppose us disagree.
We could get so much more accomplished if we found common ground.
I love the way the Apostle Paul debated with the philosophers at Athens and how he addressed those who were ‘religious’, but didn’t necessarily believe in the LORD God of Israel through our Lord and Savior, Yeshua Christ Jesus. He didn’t insult or belittle them. He acknowledged the fact that not only they were religious, but were sincere in what they believed. He then shared his faith without disrespecting theirs (Read Acts 17:33). It goes on to say that yes, some mocked Paul, but some believed, and others wanted to hear more.
My point is that Paul had respect for those who disagreed with Him, and with whom he disagreed with.
Yes, people will complain and express their displeasure over issues that either we could care less about or we think they are 100% wrong.
And, sometimes they actually are whining, but it’s easy to call it whining when it doesn’t concern you. When you are expressing what concerns you, how many people say you are whining?
Can you think of an issue, that when you hear it, you think or say, “Oh no, here they go whining about that again?
Let us learn to listen or even ignore with respect. Oh, yeah and when you can help it…don’t whine.
You’re more talented than you or those around youmay think…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, don’t like or don’t like them.
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)
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.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.
Did you sleep well last night?
Are you tired? You went to bed. You had time away from work, but you’re still tired? Is your mind always racing? Are you either trying to get ahead? Stay ahead? Or, catch up? Maybe you’re just trying to hold it together.
So many of us our so busy. So many of us are either worried, stressed or obsessed.
Then what do we say when someone transitions from this life…”Rest in Peace!”
I want to encourage you today to learn to rest in peace BEFORE you die!
One of the enemy’s greatest manipulations is to keep us spiritually weak because we don’t rest. He wants us too tired to read and study God’s word. He wants us too tired to take the time to pray before we eat our food, before we go to bed at night. He wants us too tired to go to worship.
How many times have you said, “I’m not going to church today…I’m too tired!”
Rest is so important to God that He commanded we rest one day every week (Exodus 20:10). He told us to do no work! But, I’ve noticed that in some church cultures people will go to morning worship, then they will leave and go to another church and worship having what’s called ‘afternoon services’ or ‘special days’….Men’s Day, Women’s Day etc. Then some will even have another service in the evening.
Just as much as it is God’s will that we don’t forsake the assembling of ourselves together and that we worship regularly, it’s not His will for us to spend all day in church to the point that we don’t rest at all. That is establishing our own righteousness (Romans 10:3).
I have to admit when it comes to not getting enough rest. I’m guilty. I’m guilty of sometimes letting life’s problems weigh too heavy on my mind. I’m guilty of not stopping to just do nothing and rest my mind, body and spirit
I encourage you to learn to rest in peace before you die. Learn to rest your body. Learn to rest your mind. Learn to rest you spirit. Learn to refresh yourself in God’s word and prayer. Learn to say NO. Learn to say I can’t do that. Learn to say I need some time to myself. Think of how Jesus would withdraw to Himself (Luke 5:16).
The Lord has promised to help us with our ‘rest problem…’
Matthew 11:28New King James Version (NKJV)
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Learn to get yourself some rest because if you don’t…you’re being disobedient.
It happens to all of us. A situation arises where we feel we deserve an apology…but don’t get it.
Think for a moment about Jesus on the cross. As He was being brutalized and mocked, He still had enough love to say, forgive them… Luke 23:34 (NKJV)
34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”[a]
And they divided His garments and cast lots.
Think about the fact that Jesus offered this forgiveness and love, without an apology. It’s one thing that the Romans crucified Him, but His own people…those closest to Him consented to and called for His death.
One of the most difficult things to do is move forward with people that we feel owe us an apology…especially if they’re someone close to us.
Yes we still have to work with and relate to people who aren’t close to you, but how do you avoid the lack of apology turning into resentment and becoming a wall in your close relationships.
You may find yourself thinking…
“How can they be so content acting like nothing happened…acting as if they didn’t hurt me?
You may have said to yourself…
“If they loved me, they would apologize.”
Yes, it’s not easy, but here are 9 tips to help you move forward in your relationships without an apology…
BE READY TO FORGIVE IF AND WHEN THEY APOLOGIZE. Sometimes if we’re honest with ourselves, we don’t want an apology…because it takes away our excuse to be angry. If they apologize and you don’t accept it, the burden has shifted from God to you.
DON’T JUDGE THEIR APOLOGY IF AND WHEN THEY GIVE IT. When they come to you and apologize, don’t judge their apology by saying that they didn’t mean it or it wasn’t sincere. Especially if you didn’t like the tone. Don’t find yourself saying their apology wasn’t good enough. Even if they weren’t sincere…many times when we do what God has told us to do, we ‘don’t feel like it’, but God still honors our faith, effort and obedience. Sometimes when we apologize, we don’t feel like it, but in our heart we want to do what’s right.
DON’T LET THE ENEMY ‘FLIP-THE-SCRIPT’. Realize that when you remain upset because you haven’t gotten an apology, the enemy has tricked you into not forgiving them for not apologizing to you.
REALIZE THAT THEY MAY NOT BE AS SPIRITUALLY MATURE AS YOU. Apologizing isn’t easy. It takes spiritual maturity to do so. If you feel they ought to be strong enough to apologize, realize that they might not be as spiritually as you. In fact, the bible tells us the strong must bear the failings of the weak (Romans 15:1 NIV).
REALIZE WHEN YOU ‘VE GOTTEN SOMETHING BETTER THAN AN APOLOGY. Even if they haven’t apologized, if they have stopped the behavior that hurt you…if they aren’t doing the same thing anymore…if they have clearly moved on as if nothing happened…if they’ve completely turned around, but not apologized, you’ve gotten something better than an apology – you’ve gotten REPENTANCE. Think of all the people who actually apologize to God, but don’t really change.
FIND A ‘REPLACEMENT THOUGHT’ WHEN YOU THINK OF HOW THEY HURT YOU. Of course you’re going to think of what they did sometimes, which can make you angry all over again, So, when you think of what they did…When they don’t seem to appreciate your kindness…find a replacement thought. Think of the good times…the best times… Think of the sacrifices they’ve made for you…Think of kindness they’ve shown you in the past…Think of the times they made you smile…or, Think of how you’ve hurt someone and regret it.
REALIZE THAT YOU HAVEN’T APOLOGIZED FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU’VE DONE TO HURT OTHERS. Have you apologized for everything that you’ve done to hurt others? No! Because there are some people you offended and didn’t know you offended them. You can’t apologize for what you don’t know. Sometimes our words hurt, and we didn’t even know it…Sometimes our tone was not taken as we intended…Sometimes we did something hurtful and we didn’t even realize it. Those people are going on without an apology from you.
PRAY ABOUT IT! Ask the Lord to give you the desire and strength to ‘love through’ the lack of an apology. Ask God to give you a heart that doesn’t NEED an apology to move on. This is another situation where Philippians 4:13 is most powerful…”I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Moving on without an apology isn’t easy, but it is possible. This is another situation where Philippians 4:13 is most powerful…
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Remember that nothing in your life happens by accident. God is in complete control, and when you are in relationship with Him through our Lord and Savior, Yeshua, Christ Jesus and are sensitive to His purpose for your life…ALL things are working TOGETHER for YOUR good…
Romans 8:29 (NKJV)
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
This is a God-inspired promise from Yah, our Heavenly Father through the apostle Paul.
Nothing in your life is happening by chance…the good, the bad, the ugly and the unbelievable. He’s concerned about you and just as the internet can be all over the world at once, yet everyone have their own connection, God has a personal connection with each and every one of us, and is perfectly capable of giving your life personal attention, so…
Please, don’t ignore the little signs and what would almost seem to be coincidences in your life. Your know what I’m talking about, those seemingly random events, of God confirming your prayers, thoughts, words out of nowhere.
Remember, that what is COINCIDENCE to the world is CONFIRMATION for believers!
One of the things that reminds me that our bodies and our flesh are temporary is when we stink. As good as you may smell right now, think of the effort we as humans have to put into avoiding smelling bad.
We have to bathe regularly…
Brush and floss our teeth…
Shampoo our hair…
Apply deodorants…
Perfumes…
Colognes…
We as humans have to work at smelling good. Whether we admit it or not, we all smell bad sometimes.
Sometimes if we have been working hard…been sick…or whatever, we can begin to smell unpleasant…YOU STINK.
Have you ever been in need of ‘freshening up’ and were actually able to smell yourself?
You may have raised up your arm, caught a whiff of your own breath…or whatever and said to yourself , “Wow! I stink!”
What’s interesting is that if you don’t get an opportunity to bathe soon, you won’t notice the odor anymore…you’ve gotten used to your own stench.
BUT, even though you CAN’T smell it, everyone else still CAN.
Our sin STINKS to God.
Isaiah 65:5 (NLT)
5 Yet they say to each other, ‘Don’t come too close or you will defile me! I am holier than you!’ These people are a stench in my nostrils, an acrid smell that never goes away.
Just as we all have to work to avoid smelling bad, we have to all work to avoid sinning.
Just as our bodies can smell bad, our spirits ‘smell bad’ when they are consumed with the works of the flesh, or sin…
Galatians 5:19-21 (NKJV)
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
If we aren’t careful, we can become complacent in sin…bad habits…bad attitudes…inappropriate lifestyles…behavior that’s displeasing to God.
We can become complacent and comfortable to the point that we begin excusing, justifying or ignoring where we are wrong…
WE CAN’T SMELL OURSELVES STINK ANYMORE…
But others can still smell us…
AND, God can still smell us!
Have you ever gotten caught up in sin to the point that you began to…
Accept it?
Become comfortable in it?
Tell yourself, “It doesn’t matter anymore”?
Feel you couldn’t come back from it?
Say to yourself, “Why try to do better?
YOU COULDN’T SMELL YOURSELF STINK ANYMORE!
The bible tells us to cleanse ourselves of what defiles our body and spirit…
2 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV)
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
1 John 1:9 (NKJV)
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2 Corinthians 7:10 (NKJV)
10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
We have to recognize what IS sin…by reading God’s word from His perspective.
We have to acknowledge our sin…admit to ourselves that we are hurting God.
We have to regret our sin…if we are still proud of what we’ve done there is no forgiveness.
We have to repent of our sin…we have to ‘turn around’ and not put ourselves in situations to be tempted by our weaknesses.
Even though sin stinks to God, He has made it clear to us what makes us ‘smell good’ Him…
ACCEPTING HIS SON, THE LIVING WORD, AS OUR RISEN SAVIOR…
2 Corinthians 2:15 (NKJV)
For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
WASHING OURSELVES IN HIS WORD…
Ephesians 5:25-26
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
WALK IN LOVE…
(Read 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 to learn how love behaves)
Ephesians 5:2 (NKJV)
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
WALKING DAILY IN THE FRUIT OF HIS SPIRIT
Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Remember…we have to work to avoid smelling bad…EVERY DAY!
Put effort into making sure your spirit smells good to God…EVERY DAY!
Don’t get to the point that you can’t smell yourself stink anymore.
I thank God for trusting me with His word and for this platform to share it. But, this platform would be nothing without readers. I thank each and every person who has taken the time to read what God has inspired me to write. And, I thank each and every one of my fellow bloggers for allowing God to use you.
Here are the links to the ten most viewed posts on BEBLESSTIFIED.COM during 2017. I’m looking forward to another awesome year. As anyone who writes knows, if you take your commitment seriously, it forces you to (1) Submit to His Holy Spirit (2) Read and study His Word daily (3) Be sensitive to inspiration its various forms (4) Be ready to drop everything and write. (5) Write something, even if you don’t post it, every day
If you’re like me, you feel most alive when you’re doing what God placed you here to do. For me, that’s taking care of my wife and family, and sharing what He places inside me through writing, preaching or songs.
Here are the links to my most viewed posts of 2017…
How many times has this happened to you? Someone did something to hurt you, but felt genuinely sorry. It may have been immediately or it may have been much later, but they did feel bad about what they did, said, didn’t do, or didn’t say. They came to you to offer a sincere apology but…
You weren’t ready to hear it, and you weren’t ready to accept it.
When they said, “I’m sorry.” Have you ever said…
“I don’t want to hear it!”
“I KNOW you’re SORRY!”
“Leave me alone!”
“I’ll never forgive you!”
Did you curse them out?
Did you get loud and try to publicly embarrass them?
Did you you just ignore them. Did you snap back, going through every detail of what happened? Did you throw everything they ever did to hurt you up in their face?
You were still hurt. You were still angry. You were…
Not only that, but you were hurt by someone who loves you. Someone who is close to you. Someone who instead of having your back, instead of scratching your back…stabbed you in it…talked about you behind it…didn’t watch it.
But, you know what the word of God says…
Matthew 18:21-22 (NKJV)
21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Plus, the relationship you have with them is important to you. It’s bigger than the betrayal. It’s bigger than the denial. It’s bigger than the pain they caused you, so you make up your mind to forgive them. And, the fact is that you know that as much as people say that you can forgive and not be in relationship anymore, the truth is that no matter how bad we hurt God, He is always willing to forgive us and remain in relationship with us.
Yep, you’re not just saying you forgive them to be SC (Spiritually Correct instead of Politically Correct). You’re aren’t just saying it because it’s the right thing to say. You aren’t even saying it to manipulate God into forgiving you for your sins because you know His forgiving you is based on you forgiving others.
You really forgive them….so why do you still feel ‘some type of way’ about them?
And, the truth is that the pain is not as bad as it once was, but it’s till there. You have to admit to yourself that…
YOU’RE STILL BITTER, BUT BETTER THAN YOU WERE…
Is it because looking at them, places, people, songs, smells…things periodically, when you’re mind is not even on what they did brings it all back? Or, is it because you find yourself trying to think about it sometimes?
You really forgive them. You want to. You are consciously trying to. Forgiveness is in your heart. You want to move on as if it never happened…why does it still bother you sometimes?
The fact is that the decision to forgive and proclaiming forgiveness is the easiest, first step. The act of true forgiveness is a process that takes time. Just as much as God is working in you to get over it, the enemy is trying to find ways to make you hold on.
One of the most powerful revelations to obtaining forgiveness and remaining in relationship is when you realize, accept and rejoice in the fact that…
One of the reasons people remain bitter is when they keep comparing their present relationship to what it was before. Make up your mind that “All things have become new! (sound familiar?)” When you set your mind on building a better relationship on what you have…learned lessons and all, it can actually be better.
When you think about it, this is what God does with us when we accept Yeshua, Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior. He knows that the relationship He had with us before will never be the same, but all things are new and it will be better because His Spirit now works in us to convict us of our sins…
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
It takes just as much love to truly repent, humble oneself and ask for forgiveness as it does to forgive.
Come on now, you know how hard it is to say “I’m sorry” sometimes!
So, if you are in the process of getting over something. If you are hurt, but not as hurt. If you are thinking about it less and less… Keep praying, fasting if necessary, and keep nurturing the relationship just as God does you when you ask Him for forgiveness.
And, if you are seeking forgiveness, but it seems they aren’t quite over it. If it’s not quite as bad as it used to be, but they still have their moments… be thankful that it’s getting better. Pray for God to continue to heal their heart, and respect the pain you caused them. Don’t become bitter over their bitterness.
Bitter but better is still progress. Celebrate the progress, you can go from BITTER TO BETTER, TO BETTER THAN EVER.
Or, do you really mean it when you say…
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
13 I can do ALL things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.
It’s interesting to me to see how many people in our society seem to value being LOUD! They equate being LOUD to being strong…to being assertive.
And, yes there are times when one should raise his or her voice, but some of my greatest regrets are times when I opened my big mouth and raised my voice when I shouldn’t have done so.
Quiet, even silence can be just as strong and assertive, if not more so, than shouting. Never underestimate the power of a will-timed, God breathed gentle whisper. So, the next time you get ready to yell, shout, cuss or threaten, remember this…
A SHOUT gets their attention, but a WHISPER forces them listen…
1 Kings 19:11-13 (NKJV)
11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. 13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
The night our Lord was betrayed, He didn’t have His ‘game face’ on. He didn’t initially have an, “I got this!” attitude. He wasn’t enthusiastically running to the cross. Remember how it went down?
Matthew 26:36-46 (NKJV)
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
This was the Son of Man being man. We all know that in the subsequent verses that Jesus prayed that He did not have to endure what was to come if it was the will of the Father, and that He submitted to the will of the Father.
We all have moments when we feel like we can’t go on. We all have moments that we feel we can’t make it. We all sometimes feel like giving up. Sometimes we all feel like we are wasting our time doing good…All of us.
Isaiah 49:3-4 (NKJV)
3 “And He said to me, ‘You are My servant, O Israel, In whom I will be glorified.’ 4 Then I said, ‘I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain; Yet surely my just reward is with the Lord, And my work with my God.’
I don’t care how confident someone may seem on the outside. They all have moments of weakness.
Those moments of weakness are one of the very reasons that we witness their highest levels of confidence.
Even Jesus had to sleep while during His earthly ministry. The bible teaches that weakness and weariness is a part of being strong…
I believe our strength has to sleep sometimes too.
Isaiah 40:30-31 (NKJV)
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on 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.
I don’t care how strong a man or woman may be physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually…everyone has to sleep. I’m not using sleep as a metaphor, yes everyone has to renew their strength with sleep.
When handled correctly, our momentary moments of weakness are healthy. No one’s strength always remains at 100% all of the time.
Our strength has to sleep. It has to rest. It has to be renewed.
Even the most moral person has impure thoughts. It’s a part of being clothed in sinful flesh. That’s why God’s grace is so priceless. Even the greatest leaders doubt their decisions.
When you feel like you can’t go on. When you feel like you are slipping morally. When your anger seems to be getting the best of you…remember what Jesus did in the garden. He prayed.
Here’s powerful encouragement! The LORD knows we are flesh…
Matthew 26:41 (NKJV)
41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Psalm 103:14 (NKJV)
14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.
He knows that our moments of weakness are unavoidable. That’s why He reassured us that when our strength ‘is resting’, His strength rests upon us and holds us up…
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
This is by no means to indulge in sin during your weak moments, but to lean on the power of God to help you avoid sin.
If you struggling with hopelessness, despair, anxiety or fear don’t be too hard on yourself. Even Jesus had human moments. But, He also left us a great example of what to do when that happens…
Watch. Pray. (Matthew 26:41) Meditate and fellowship with Him in His word, and just as the LORD said, He promises to renew your strength.
Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Don’t give out…Give it to God.
10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Revelations 21:8-9
8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
I love how the angel of the Lord replied to the John in Revelation 19:10 and 22:8-9...Twice as the Apostle John received awesome Revelations from God, he…
It’s okay to want things done the way you feel is right. It’s okay to be particular…to be a perfectionist…it’s okay to be detailed.
It’s okay to provide constructive criticism, but it’s not okay to be petty or hypocritical.
It’s not okay to hold people to a higher standard that you hold yourself.
It’s okay to try to maintain control in your life, but not everyone elses.
Remember how Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23. Read the entire chapter for context, but check out this verse…
Matthew 23:4 (NKJV)
For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Jesus rebuked them for being ‘nit picky’ and overly critical hypocrites. They were obsessive about criticizing others and expressing their expectations while not holding themselves to the same standard.
People are much more willing to hear what we have to say if we aren’t nit picky over every little detail in regard to them. We can get to the point to where people won’t even listen to us when we are right.
People not only will avoid your good advice. They will avoid you.
People will view you as obnoxious, nasty, and overly opinionated…even those closest to you.
The term for this obsession, derived from Freudian psychoanalysis, is referred to as anal-retentiveness, or simply ‘anal’.
Don’t be so ‘anal’ that you become an a**
Remember what the Apostle Paul said…
Romans 12:18 (NKJV)
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
One of the things that reminds me that our bodies and our flesh are temporary is when we stink. As good as you may smell right now, think of the effort we as humans have to put into avoiding smelling bad.
BE BLESSTIFIED! 