Yesterday I was watching my son hold his daughter as she fell asleep on him, and it filled my heart with love and joy.

I walked over and kissed her, then kissed him on top of His head.

It’s a shame that our Western culture has reduced strength and masculinity to fighting, aggression, retaliation, insults and a hard heart.

This is not just because of deadbeat dads, or absent fathers, but by ‘good’ fathers raising their sons with the expectation that men should be hard, and anything other than that is weakness.

But, that’s not how God loves us.

HERE’S 3 REASONS FATHERS SHOULD KISS THEIR SONS TOO

1. IT’S A PICTURE OF HOW GOD LOVES US

When the prodigal or wasteful son finally returned home, his father could care less about how his son had put him to open shame. He ran to meet his son and kissed him on the neck. This represents God’s unconditional and unfailing love for us. It gives us a picture of how our strong and ALL-POWERFUL God, can be gentle and kind enough to ‘kiss’ his children. It gives us an example that there is nothing weak, feminine, or ‘weird’ about a father kissing his adult son.

LUKE 15:20 (NKJV)

²⁰ “And he arose and came to his father. But^(A)when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

2. IT DEMONSTRATES THAT REAL LOVE IS NOT JUST EROTIC

Too many young men grow up thinking that you prove your manhood by being promiscuous. They learn to brag about their intimate encounters that are meant by God to only be between husband and wife (male and female). They learn a perverted view of real love and affection. When a father kisses his son, it teaches him that a kiss isn’t just a tool to get to a woman’s ‘goodies’, but a real, gentle expression of Godly love. It teaches them a kiss can be Holy.

1 Corinthians 16:20 (NKJV)

²⁰ All the brethren greet you.

3. IT TEACHES ALL STRENGTH ISN’T AGGRESSION

Our society today is impressed with what they have been taught is strength. But, God teaches us that evidence, or Fruit, of His Spirit is behavior that many people in the world today consider to be weakness.

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.

Notice that kindness and gentleness are proof that God lives inside of us through our Lord and Savior Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ. God gives us an example of this with the Prodigal Son’s father. A gentle kiss from his father let him and everyone watching know how much he still loved his adult son.

It is our responsibility as fathers to let our sons know we love them as God loves us, and showing that love does not diminish their strength or masculinity.

Daddies shouldn’t only just kiss their daughters, but their sons too.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

How can someone say this PEACEFUL protest…

Is disrespecting this flag…

And, this VIOLENT protest…

That fought AGAINST the same flag…

Is NOT disrespectful?

Am I missing something, or is this blatant hypocrisy?

Matthew 23:13-36 (NKJV)

¹³ “But ^(A)woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.^{14 [a]}Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!^(B)For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.

¹⁵ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of ^[b]hell as yourselves.

¹⁶ “Woe to you, ^(C)blind guides, who say,^(D)‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ ¹⁷ Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold ^(E)or the temple that ^[c]sanctifies the gold? ¹⁸ And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’ ¹⁹ Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift ^(F)or the altar that sanctifies the gift? ²⁰ Therefore he who ^[d]swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it.²¹ He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by ^(G)Him who ^[e]dwells in it. ²² And he who swears by heaven, swears by ^(H)the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.

²³ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!^(I)For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and ^(J)have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.²⁴ Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

²⁵ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!^(K)For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and ^[f]self-indulgence. ²⁶ Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.

²⁷ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!^(L)For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.²⁸ Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

^{29 (M)}“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and ^[g]adorn the monuments of the righteous, ³⁰ and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’

³¹ “Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that ^(N)you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. ^{32 (O)}Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. ³³ Serpents, ^(P)brood^[h] of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?^{34 (Q)}Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: ^(R)some of them you will kill and crucify, and ^(S)some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city,^{35 (T)}that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, ^(U)from the blood of righteous Abel to ^(V)the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. ³⁶ Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

For those of you who don’t know, Juneteenth, marks the day when U.S. troops arrived in Galveston TX  in 1865 to ensure that all enslaved people be freed by taking control of the state. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday.

However, most people have never heard of it.

Why?

Because it hasn’t been a part of the national narrative.

Why?

Because it wasn’t important enough to be a part of our nation’s story. Our history. So, that means no recognition in the history books, no days off work, no fireworks.

Why?

Because if the freedom of those who were slaves was important as the freedom of the colonists from their ‘oppressors’ it would have been a part of our history, celebrated by all races and not just those of African descent.

On July 4th, 1776, Black people in America had no independence. It wasn’t for them. Those inalienable rights were written into the Constitution by hands that also signed bills of sale for slaves. Can you imagine slaves overhearing their oppressors celebrating their ‘freedom’ from their oppressors?

So, when the end of slavery was officially enforced on June 19, 1865, it should have been celebrated by everyone who considered themselves to be a child of God, because as the Constitution states, those inalienable rights were granted by the Creator, The Lord God of Israel from Eternity Past to Eternity Future, through His Son, the Lamb of God Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ).

Happy Juneteenth America! Let the fireworks begin!

Galatians 3:28  (NKJV)

²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

FOR THOSE WHO SAYS THE BIBLE ‘JUSTIFIES’ SLAVERY…

IF THE CONFEDERACY WAS GOD’S WILL, THEY WOULD HAVE WON…

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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.”

John 8:31-32 (NKJV)

³¹ Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. ³² And you shall know thetruth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Acts 11:26 (NKJV)

²⁶ And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

I’ve noticed a few insults that have become popular on social media, especially in regard to political and social issues. Here are two of them.

“SNOWFLAKES”

“BUTT HURT PEOPLE”

I’ve also anecdotally noticed many of these insults are hurled by many people who claim to be a part of the Body of Christ. Our Lord and Savior was clear about insults…

Matthew 5:22 (NKJV)

²² But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother ^[a]without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’^[b] shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ^[c]‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of ^[d]hell fire.

Ephesians 4:29  (NKJV)

²⁹ Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary ^[a]edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Here’s what I find interesting. Most of the time I’ve noticed these insults, they’re wrapped around people COMPLAINING about people COMPLAINING.

“These BUTT HURT people are trying to change history! They need to get over themselves!”

“These SNOWFLAKES are too sensitive! They need to ‘grow a pair’ and stop complaining!”

Did you catch that? Go back and read the statements again.

They are WHINING about other people WHINING.

This is a classic example of the narcissistic, self-absorbed and childish behavior that is one of the many fruit of the sin of PRIDE.

It’s amazing how it’s considered whining until it’s something that’s important to you!

So many people feel their cause, passion, heritage or culture is so much more noble.

So many people arrogantly feel they decide which protest and complaint is worthy of attention.

So many people arrogantly feel that the correct narrative about history, social issues, civil rights issues, and even issues of faith are determined through the lens of their perspective.

These people are proving themselves to be the very SNOWFLAKES and BUTT HURT people they are accusing others to be.

We can all benefit by praying that God help us to guard our tongues and to help us to know when to speak and when to be silent.

Proverbs 21:23  (NKJV)

²³ Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.

James 3:1-12  (NKJV)

3 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. ² For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a ^[a]perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. ^3 [b]Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. ⁴ Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. ⁵ Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of ^[c]iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of ^[d]nature; and it is set on fire by ^[e]hell. ⁷ For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. ⁸ But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the ^[f]similitude of God. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. ¹¹ Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? ¹² Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? ^[g]Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

Matthew 12:36-37  (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. ³⁷ For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

BE BLESSTIFIED!

God demands that we walk in the Fruit of His Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Unfortunately, our Western culture considers these qualities to be weakness, and too many Christians conform to that foolish thinking.

When we exemplify the characteristics stated above in our behavior…we are conforming into the image of the Son of the Living God. .

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.

The Fruit of His Spirit, just as fruit identifies the type of tree, identifies whose spirit lives in us. There are only two, God’s Holy Spirit or the enemy…and they are mutually exclusive, both can abide in you at the same time.

1 Corinthians 6:19 (ESV)

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,

However, in our society today everybody seems to wants to be..

BAD,

TOUGH,

“DON’T TAKE NO SH**!”

Too many Christians are too quick to tell you…

“You better be glad you didn’t know me before I was saved!”

“Don’t make me go back to my old self!”

” I’ll pray for forgiveness!”

“I would do it all over again!”

“You don’t want this smoke!”

Taking glory in the flesh, instead of the Fruit of the Spirit.

In movies and television shows we celebrate the “Alpha” male or female who beats up the enemy. We celebrate when the so-called ‘nerd’ finally gets fed up and beats up the bully. But, when a character backs down from a fight we are disappointed.

Even in politics, too many people in the Body of Christ are impressed by strong words, profanity, threats and aggressive language from our leaders instead of holding the leader accountable for that behavior…because the devil has convinced them it’s strength.

To make a long story short…if it’s not The Fruit of the Spirit, it’s from the devil, and Yeshua called it out, not in the sinners, but in the religious leaders.

John 8:44  (NKJV)

⁴⁴ You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

Remember this, time after time God punished His people for facilitating a culture that spread violence throughout the land. This wasn’t because of ‘sinners’, heathens, or pagan, but His peoples’ spiritual compromise…

Ezekiel 8:17 (NKJV)

¹⁷ And He said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it a trivial thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence; then they have returned to provoke Me to anger. Indeed they put the branch to their nose.

Clenched fists can’t receive blessings like open hands.

Threats and curses should not come out of the same mouth that was created to bless.

James 3:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰ Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

Don’t let the devil convince you to conform to his image instead of that of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

5 CATASTROPHIC IMPLICATIONS OF WHEN CHRISTIANS ‘CUSS’…

BE BLESSTIFIED!

“I wouldn’t piss on you if you were of fire!”

Have you ever heard anyone say anything similar to that? Many times when someone has hurt us, we want to see them hurt. We can find ourselves daydreaming comforting ourselves with the thought of getting even with or even hurting them, just as Easu did his brother Jacob for deceiving their father Isaac out of his blessing…

Genesis 27:42  (NLT)

⁴² But Rebekah heard about Esau’s plans. So she sent for Jacob and told him, “Listen, Esau is consoling himself by plotting to kill you.

Sometimes when we see misfortune come upon someone who had mistreated us, we may take pleasure in that misfortune. And, if given an opportunity we may even gloat to their face…

“That’s what you get!”

“See, you got what you deserved!”

Or even…

“God doesn’t like ugly!”

God warns us agains gloating in our enemies calamity, even if it came from Him, and even if we feel they deserve it. This is what God warned Edom when pronouncing their punishment for their violence against Israel.

Obadiah 12-13  (NLT)

¹² “You should not have gloated
    when they exiled your relatives to distant lands.
You should not have rejoiced
    when the people of Judah suffered such misfortune.
You should not have spoken arrogantly
    in that terrible time of trouble.
¹³ You should not have plundered the land of Israel
    when they were suffering such calamity.
You should not have gloated over their destruction
    when they were suffering such calamity.
You should not have seized their wealth
    when they were suffering such calamity.

Why? Because when we arrogantly celebrate someone’s misfortune, we are in direct contradiction to the word of God…

Matthew 5:44-45 (NLT)

⁴⁴ But I say, love your enemies!^[a] Pray for those who persecute you! ⁴⁵ In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

Second, it’s judgement and condemnation, judging in your heart that they deserved what they got…

Matthew 7:1-2 (NLT)

7 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. ² For you will be treated as you treat others.^[a] The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.^[b]

We have all hurt others and sometimes we did it without knowing. Can you think of someone who you have given a good reason to hate you? Have you ever hurt someone without intending to do so? The pain is still real. When you judge someone deserves what happened to them, according to Matthew Chapter 7 verses 1 and 2, you are pronouncing that same judgment on yourself.

Also, be careful when you lie by telling someone you’re sorry to hear about their trial or misfortune when you’re really glad in your heart. Be careful when your consolation is really a celebration.

The next time you see someone getting what you feel they deserve, stop and thank God for His grace and mercy for not giving you what you deserve. And pray that their calamity brings them closer to God.

BEFORE YOU CELEBRATE THEM ‘GETTING WHAT THEY DESERVE’…

WHEN YOU COMFORT YOURSELF DAYDREAMING OF SEEING SOMEONE HURT…

BE BLESSTIFIED!

God has given us all free will, which means that we will all have our own opinion. We must be careful not to paint ourselves into a corner with our own personal theology that’s based on our opinion.

Through thousands of years of interpretation, translation and opinion we have people who experience God many different ways. However, there remains only one truth….

2 Peter 1:20-21 (NKJV)

²⁰ knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private ^[a]interpretation, ²¹ for prophecy never came by the will of man, but ^[b]holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

As we worship God through the perspective of our particular church culture, denomination or ‘non-denomination’, chosen doctrine, traditions, etc., we must be careful that we don’t ‘paint ourselves into a spiritual corner’ of thinking that everyone else is wrong, or separating ourselves from God’s real truth.

How can two people who are basing their beliefs on the same bible verse believe two different things? Because one person will always be putting how he or she wants to see it above how God’s intended meaning.

For example, many people say it’s a sin to drink any type of alcoholic beverage, when the bible clearly does not say that…

1 Timothy 5:23  (NKJV)

²³ No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent ^[a]infirmities.

So, in order to support their own theology they have to reason that the wine in the bible was not fermented, which is just plain silly. They have painted themselves into a corner to support their theology.

But, God isn’t going to force His truth onto any of us. God gives us the right to have our wrong opinion.

When we’re honest with ourselves, we all think we are right when we want to believe something. Even the bible confirms that…

Proverbs 21:2  (NKJV)

² Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
But the Lord weighs the hearts.

Remember God is bigger than your church culture or your own personal theology.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

One of the benefits of a real relationship with God, our Elohim, is that we have angels who not only watch over us, but fight for us in both the physical and spiritual realms…

Hebrews 1:14  (NKJV)

¹⁴ Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

If you’re not careful, it’s easy to miss how the the archangel Michael contended with an evil-high ranking fallen angel over the land Persia.

Daniel 10:13 (NKJV)

¹³ But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.

Daniel 10:13-14 (MSG)

^12-14 “‘Relax, Daniel,’ he continued, ‘don’t be afraid. From the moment you decided to humble yourself to receive understanding, your prayer was heard, and I set out to come to you. But I was waylaid by the angel-prince of the kingdom of Persia and was delayed for a good three weeks. But then Michael, one of the chief angel-princes, intervened to help me. I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia. And now I’m here to help you understand what will eventually happen to your people. The vision has to do with what’s ahead.’

This is in perfect harmony of when the Apostle Paul told us that our battles aren’t just physical…

Ephesians 6:12  (NKJV)

¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of ^[a]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

So remember you have angels assigned just to you! They are always there even when you think you’re alone. There are also demons (fallen angels) trying to get to you…influence you…come between you and God.

Please don’t make your angels fight for you alone. Be careful of the positions in which you place yourself. Be careful that you do your best to avoid the works of the flesh, and to walk in His Spirit…

Galatians 5:19-23  (NKJV)

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: ^[a]adultery, ^[b]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, ^[c]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.

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

WHAT HAS YOUR ANGEL HAD TO WATCH YOU DO?

WE’RE NEVER ALONE…

CAN ANIMALS BE POSSESSED BY EVIL SPIRITS…

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Remember this.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean that you will never think about what they did to you anymore.

It doesn’t mean that you won’t hurt when it crosses your mind.

Forgiveness means that you won’t condemn them anymore for what they did. It means that you no longer want to get even, or see them ‘get what they deserve’ for what they did.

Forgiveness means you want them free from the guilt of what they did. But, that doesn’t mean that it still doesn’t hurt or make you angry when you think about it. Especially if it’s someone who you truly love.

Yes, the bible says that when God forgives us that He forgets our iniquities and remembers them no more…

Hebrews 10:16-17  (NKJV)

¹⁶ “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” ¹⁷ then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

Micah 7:18-19 (NKJV)

¹⁸ Who is a God like You,
Pardoning iniquity
And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?

He does not retain His anger forever,
Because He delights in mercy.^[a]
19 He will again have compassion on us,
And will subdue our iniquities.

You will cast all ^[b]our sins
Into the depths of the sea.

But, do you think that means that God no longer knows what we did? Of course not. If our All-Powerful God can no longer remember something that we can remember, that gives us more power than Him in that area.

When God forgives ‘and forgets’ it means that He no longer condemns us for that sin as long as we have truly repented. Notice that God would often remind Israel of the sins He had forgiven when they backslid because their repentance wasn’t real.

YES, EVEN GOD SOMETIMES BROUGHT UP THE PAST AFTER HE FORGAVE…

Do you think that when the Apostle Paul said, “forgetting those things which are behind…” that he meant he could no longer remember how he persecuted the church? No. It means he no longer let those thoughts rule him or influence his future.

Philippians 3:13  (NKJV)

¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have ^[a]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

So don’t beat yourself up because you still feel pain or occasional anger over something that you have forgiven. Just don’t linger on those thoughts. Remember, forgiveness is a continual process. You will continue to forgive ‘them’ in your mind over and over again.

The key is that they never know it.

WHY WE SHOULD STOP SAYING, “FORGIVENESS ISN’T FOR THEM, IT’S FOR YOU…”

LET’S TALK ABOUT WHEN FORGIVENESS IS REDUCED TO A SELFISH ACT…

ARE YOU EASY TO APOLOGIZE TO…?

WHY A PUBLIC EMBARRASSMENT DESERVES A PUBLIC APOLOGY…

BE BLESSTIFIED!

If none of us could see the color of our skin,

would it be easier to sense, what lies deep within?

Would all of our cultural differences that we base on race,

if none of us had sight, be gradually erased?

Would it suddenly take away one of the devils’ tools,

to use us against one another, just like fools?

So if we learn to close our eyes, and see with our hearts,

that’s one less thing to keep us apart.

Mark 4:11-12 (NKJV)

¹¹ And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the ^[a]mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, ¹² so that

‘Seeing they may see and not perceive,
And hearing they may hear and not understand;
Lest they should turn,
And their sins be forgiven them.’ ”

BE BLESSTIFIED!

It’s 2pm. You think about what’s in your refrigerator. You think about what’s in your pantry. So, you call your spouse or your mom, or whoever you share your meals with and ask…

“What are we going to eat tonight?” The burden of choices.

It’s 2pm. A man has been standing at an exit ramp with a cardboard sign that says, WILL WORK FOR FOOD since 6am. He’s tired and goes to the car that’s been home for his family since he lost his job. He collected judgmental looks, stares, disgust, pity, and $17. He looks at his wife and two kids and asks…

“What are we going to eat tonight?” The burden of no choices.

Same question, but two very different situations.

Never take for granted the blessing of having enough for today. Yeshua told us don’t worry about what we will eat tomorrow…

Matthew 6:31-34 (NKJV)

³¹ “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But ^(A)seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Never forget the parable of The Rich Man and Lazarus…

Luke 16:19-31 (NKJV)

¹⁹ “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and ^[a]fared sumptuously every day. ²⁰ But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate,²¹ desiring to be fed with ^[b]the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. ²² So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.²³ And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

²⁴ “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ ²⁵ But Abraham said, ‘Son,remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. ²⁶ And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

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

Notice there was no discussion about what Lazarus did to get in this desperate situation. God expected the rich man to help him.

Be careful that you aren’t turning away Lazarus when confronted with a ‘beggar’. If they are trying to scam you, that’s between them and God. But, if they are truly in need, one meal can make you their hero.
7 REASONS IT’S A BLESSING TO BE APPROACHED BY A BEGGAR…

HAVE YOU TURNED AWAY LAZARUS?

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Them: When’s your birthday?

Me: September 26th.

Them: So you’re a Libra!

Me: Nope.

Have you ever heard anyone make this statement, or have made it yourself?

“You won’t go to Hell for doing it.”

Too many Christians feel as though as long as they are paying their tithes and going to church regularly that, ‘they’re good’.

Sometimes times there will be an issue or behavior that is questionable or vague, or maybe not even addressed directly in the bible. Many times there will be an issue or behavior that we really enjoy, but there is reason to believe it might be displeasing to God. Then there are issues that are addressed, but many people either don’t make the connection, or don’t care about how those issues relate to us today.

There are many Christians who don’t only define themselves as children of God, they also define themselves by ‘their’ zodiac sign.

How does God feel about someone asking, “What’s your sign?”

Zephaniah 1:5-6 (NKJV)

5.“Those who worship the host of heaven on the housetops; Those who worship and swear oaths by the LORD, But also swear by Milcom (or Molech) 6.Those who have turned back from following the LORD, And have not sought the LORD, nor inquired of Him.

“I’m a Gemini so you better watch our for me….”

“I’m a Pisces so you can trust me…”

You get the picture?

Most of us know that it became very popular in the latter part of the 20^th Century to refer to zodiac signs to determine if two people were compatible in relationships.

Some people will even check out their daily horoscope for guidance for the day. How many Christians have you seen post the daily horoscope on their timeline?

Have you ever taken the time to research the origin of zodiac signs. Think about this…zodiac signs are treated as proper nouns.

Check this out…

Deuteronomy 4:19 (NKJV)

And take heed, lest you lift up your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the LORD your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage.

Remember, worship is beyond ‘going to church’. Think about Romans 12:1…

Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Our worship extends into how we live our lives on a daily basis. God expects us to get our guidance from Him and Him alone. He has given us His Holy Spirit to lead us, guide us, convict us, to help us make the right decisions.

Isaiah 47:13 (NKJV)

13 You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels;
Let now the astrologers, the stargazers,
And the monthly prognosticators
Stand up and save you
From what shall come upon you.

One of the beautiful things about the Old Testament is that it gave us extreme examples of what behavior God loves and what behavior He hates. Even though Jesus fulfilled the law, we can gain great insight looking at the behavior of ancient Israel and how God reacted to it.

Think about this. When Moses was given the task of going into Egypt to free the children of Israel, God told Moses to tell them, “I AM has sent me to you” (Exodus 3:14). I AM is God’s name. It’s who He is. It’s His essence. It’s what He does. And so are you. Be very careful what you say behind your, “I am”. Check this out…BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY BEHIND YOUR, “I AM…”

“I am a Virgo.” “I am a Libra.” Do you feel comfortable defining yourself as something God has forbidden?

Do you feel comfortable getting guidance from something God has forbidden?

Do you feel comfortable choosing a mate based on something God has forbidden?

Do you feel comfortable basing your personality on something God has forbidden?

Or, do you enjoy it so much that right now you are reasoning within yourself how I’m wrong and looking for verses or justification to keep doing it. That may be a ‘sign’ that you are too connected to it.

Well if God forbids it, why do the personality traits seem so on point sometimes? We all know that the enemy disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).

But, here’s the number one reason I think that people of God should ignore the horoscope…

BECAUSE IT HURTS GOD!

Even if He won’t send you to Hell for it. Even if you think it’s harmless. If God said don’t do it, that means it hurts Him. When you love someone, there’s some things you don’t do not because you think they will leave you, but because you know it hurts them.

Have you ever noticed that before God got angry, He was always hurt first? Have you noticed how God sometimes pleaded with and appealed to Israel like a hurt lover?

Micah 6 1:3 (NKJV)

“Oh My people, what have I done to you? And how have I wearied you? Testify against Me.”

The #1 reason we should ignore the horoscope is because it hurts the God of our Salvation.

Please think about this before you ask someone, “What is your sign?”

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Be very careful to notice where God uses the word ‘AS’ in His word. It can be easily overlooked, but the comparisons are always very powerful and contain profound revelation into how God relates to us.

It is literally used to say ‘LIKE”.

For example, God isn’t saying it only takes a little faith in Matthew 17 verse 20. On the contrary, there are numerous occasions when Jesus rebuked His disciples for having ‘little’ faith and complimented others for having great faith. Link

He is saying that it takes great faith for something AS small as a grain of mustard seed to create something great…

Matthew 17:20 (NKJV)

²⁰ So Jesus said to them, “Because of your ^[a]unbelief; 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.

Click this link to read, “Why We Should Stop Saying It Only Takes A Little Faith” https://beblesstified.com/2018/10/15/why-we-should-stop-saying-it-only-takes-a-little-faith/

God forgives us AS we forgive others…

Matthew 6:12 (NLT)

¹² and forgive us our sins,
   AS we have forgiven those who sin against us.

God relates to us AS we relate to our children…

Psalm 103:13 (NKJV)

¹³ AS a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.

So when you read God’s word, get your ‘AS’ right!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

God is a forgiving God and He is willing to forgive us of all our sins as long as we truly repent and have a forgiving heart towards others.

But, sometimes we can wonder if we will ever recover from the consequences of our bad decisions.

Let me give you a quick reminder that God loves us and He is bigger than or bad decisions.

Any parent who has punished or disciplined their child will look on them in pity and remove the punishment or give them relief from the consequences if It’s in their power to do so.

God does the same thing…

Psalm 30:5 (NKJV)

⁵ For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But ^[a]joy comes in the morning.

Psalm 103:9-11 (NKJV)

⁹ He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
¹⁰ He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

So if you’re living out the consequences or results of a bad decision and you have truly repented, pray that God deliver you from the consequences.

Pray that God gives you relief and peace. But, make sure you pray that He does so to his glory and for His names sake…

Psalm 25:10-11 (NKJV)

¹⁰ All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth,
To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
¹¹ For Your name’s sake, O Lord,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

Psalm 143:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ Revive me, O Lord, for Your name’s sake!
For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.

Isaiah 48:8-10 (NKJV)

⁸ Surely you did not hear,
Surely you did not know;
Surely from long ago your ear was not opened.
For I knew that you would deal very treacherously,
And were called a transgressor from the womb.

⁹ “For My name’s sake I will ^[a]defer My anger,
And for My praise I will restrain it from you,
So that I do not cut you off.
¹⁰ Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

Once I was driving at night and didn’t see a small ditch. I drove right into it! I had to drive IN the ditch for a while until I could find a place to drive OUY of it. Sometimes you have to remain in a ditch until you can find a place to be pulled out our pull yourself out.

Even though you may remain in a ‘ditch’ because of you’re a bad decision, God can pull you out.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

I can’t count the times I’ve read or heard this statement, “Why aren’t they protesting Black-on-Black crime?”….As a stab at people peacefully protesting social injustice, police brutality and systematic racism.

Allow me to arm everyone with a rebuttal to this annoying question from people who apparently can’t ‘chew gum and walk at the same time’.

The problem of Black-on-Black crime is no different than the problem of White-on-White crime, or any other race…it’s a problem. So, to imply all other efforts should stop until that problem is solved is quite foolish, because that problem will not go away. To assume it’s not being addressed because it hasn’t gone away is simplistic and arrogant.

Think about this…

During World War ll Black men were drafted and volunteered to fight tyranny elsewhere in the world while they were treated not only as second-class citizens at home, but also in the military. Did anyone say, “What about oppression in America” the same way they say “What about Black-on-Black crime today? Did anyone say “We can’t fight oppression elsewhere while our government own citizens are being oppressed? No! I had two great-uncles who served in Europe in the spring of 1945 just months before the war ended. Why wasn’t the same amount of people, resources and passion being poured into the problem at home?

During the Vietnam War young Black men were drafted and many died fighting communism. This was in the hottest part of the Civil Rights movement in America. Did any one say “What about the denial of civil rights in America? Why isn’t the country putting the same amount of money, man-power and effort into equality at home?

Do you address problems in your family one at a time? Have you conquered every challenge in your family?

The fact is, many people respond “What about Black-on-Black crime” because the protests have annoyed them. Just as during the Civil Rights movement the ‘privileged’ were pissed off and annoyed at protesters disturbing their preface. They wanted them to sit down and shut up. It’s easy to see where people would have stood then, by where they stand today.

We must be careful when we have become annoyed at good.

Just as the phrases “Black Lives Matter” and “White Lives Matter” are not mutually exclusive, neither is protesting for social injustice and addressing Black-on-Black crime in other ways.

You don’t fight an internal problem the same way you address an external problem, even if some of the root causes of Black-on-Black crime are external.

The truth is that the Black community is always addressing Black-on-Black crime within families, churches, organizations with conversations and efforts that are either secret and high profile. Cultural issues are being addressed within the culture. So if someone asks, why is it still a problem? Well, the fact that America’s trade deficit is still a problem doesn’t mean it isn’t being addressed. The fact that America’s National dent is still a problem doesn’t mean it’s not being addressed.

The statement, “What about Black-on-Black crime” is arrogant and condescending. If you ever hear or read that statement, please share this post with them.

James 4:17 (NKJV)

¹⁷ Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Why Saying ‘BLACK LIVES MATTER’ & ‘ALL LIVES MATTER’ are not MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE…

BE BLESSTIFIED!

We all go through seasons of personal storms, trials, prisons…seasons of pain.

Yes, sometimes the reason could be punishment for sins we have committed, but many times it’s not.

Think about Joseph in Genesis Chapters 37-50. He was sold by his brothers into slavery and while loyally serving in the house of a powerful, wealthy man named Potiphar, he was falsely accused of sexually assaulting Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison. Joseph’s ‘reward’ for resisting Potiphar’s wife’s aggressive advances was prison.

Was God punishing Joseph?

No, He was positioning him.

The prison was Joseph’s gate to the palace. The prison is where his faith was established even more and his gift of interpreting dreams was recognized. The prison is where he was forgotten by those he helped, but was later remembered and given an opportunity to allow his gift to lift him to a position of honor and influence. The prison was from where Joseph was lifted to save his family, the same brothers who hated him, from starvation.

So, when you find yourself in a ‘personal prison’ don’t give in to depression, despair, hopelessness and helplessness.

Trust God through Yeshua (Jesus Christ) and His process. Be faithful and look for opportunities to share what He’s placed inside you.

If you’re in a personal prison right now, read Genesis 37-50 again with a fresh perspective. And remember this…

God may not be punishing you, but positioning you to fulfill His purpose for your life.

Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Okay, I know this has never happened to you, but let’s just pretent that it did.

You just finished taking a shower. You brushed your teeth, put on your antiperspirant, cologne or perfume and got dressed in your best. At that present moment, you very well could be the cleanest person in the world. And then it suddenly hits you…

Unfortunately, you have been constipated for several days. And, now just as you get ready to leave your home you can tell that problem is over!

It’s #2 TIME! RIGHT AFTER YOUR GREAT SHOWER.

As you are relieving yourself of the excess weight that you’ve been carrying it is by no means pleasant. It SMELLS LIKE you haven’t been to the bathroom in three days! You’re spouse shouts, ‘Are you alright in there’ hoping that you’re still conscience or haven’t lost your short term memory?

Think about this…

No matter how clean you were after your shower…

No matter how well you were dressed

No matter how good you smelled…

Everywhere you went while you were constipated, the source of that horrible smell was hidden inside you!

It’s the same with our spiritual condition. No matter what we look like on the outside, when we have sin in our lives, we are filthy on the inside…

Isaiah 64:6  (NKJV)

⁶ But we are all like an unclean thing,
And all our righteousnesses are like ^[a]filthy rags;
We all fade as a leaf,
And our iniquities, like the wind,
Have taken us away.

But when Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He provided a one-time sacrifice for those who put their faith in God, our Elohim, through Him.

1 John 2:1-2  (NKJV)

2 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. ² And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

To keep it simple, PROPITIATION means covering or atoning sacrifice. Yeshua the Messiah literally ‘hides’ our sins and places us back in good standing with God.

So just the same as we can’t see the feces, urine, blood, bile, mucus or any other fluid that’s always hidden under our skin. Our Savior covers the lies, lust, greed, selfishness, hatred, malice, jealousy, rage, wrath, hatred, envy, doubt, discontent, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, etc. that hides inside the hearts of those who are fighting against their flesh every day…

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, 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.

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.

So, while you’re thanking God for the good things in your life, food, shelter, clothing, health, your family, your job, your home, peace, safety, freedom, please don’t forget to thank Him for sending His Son and our Savior Yeshua, the Messiah to provide atonement for our sins when we repent.

Thank God no one can see what’s inside you!

AREN’T YOU GLAD GOD ALLOWED SOME THINGS IN YOUR LIFE TO REMAIN SECRET…

WHEN YOU CAN’T SMELL YOURSELF STINK ANYMORE…

WHAT IF YOU SMELLED LIKE YOUR THOUGHTS?

WHAT IF YOU COULD SEE YOUR SOUL? (From my archives)

BE BLESSTIFIED!

If none of us could see the color of our skin,

would it be easier to sense what lies deep within?

Would all of our cultural differences that we base on race,

if none of us had sight be gradually erased?

Would it suddenly take away one of the devils tools,

to use us against one another just like fools?

So if we learn to close our eyes and see with our hearts,

that’s one less thing to keep us apart.

Mark 4:11-12 (NKJV)

¹¹ And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the ^[a]mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, ¹² so that

‘Seeing they may see and not perceive,
And hearing they may hear and not understand;
Lest they should turn,
And their sins be forgiven them.’ ”

BE BLESSTIFIED!

We all know that God expects us to love everyone, even our enemies. And, we also know that’s not always easy to do. Sometimes peoples’ actions can take us beyond not just liking them.

There are people who clearly don’t like us, people who don’t have the same beliefs, values and opinions. People who we feel don’t respect our traditions, heritages and cultures. Those who unapologetically work against us and try to hurt. People who hate us.

Well, the fact that God forbids us to hate people hasn’t changed, but He does allow us to hate THINGS about people. So, the next time you look at someone in such intense anger that hate begins to fill your heart, here are a few things that it’s okay to hate ABOUT people…

Their behavior…

Their attitude…

Their habits…

Their clothes…

Their taste…

Their traditions…

Their temper…

Even the organizations and institutions they create.

Everything mentioned above can be hated without hating the person. How do I know that? Because God, who loves all of us, also hates some things about us too…

Proverbs 6:16-19  (NKJV)

¹⁶ These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to ^[a]Him:
¹⁷ A^[b] proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
¹⁸ A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
¹⁹ A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.

But, He never lets what He hates about us provoke Him to hate us, even when we’re His enemies…

James 4:4  (NKJV)

^4 [a]Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Romans 5:10  (NKJV)

¹⁰ For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

We were created in God’s image. He hates stuff too. He just doesn’t hate us…ever. So, the next time you feel your natural God-given emotion to hate fill your heart, do these five things…

1. Stop and focus on what it is you hate ABOUT them.
2. Focus on that or those things.
3. Ask God to help you love the person.
4. Then sincerely pray that God strengthens them in the areas you hate, and to open your eyes if you’re wrong.
5. Ask God to help you love them through the things you hate about them, just like He loves you through those things He hates about you.

You see. Learning to love people through the things we hate about them gives us the opportunity to be more like God.

These posts about may also bless you too…

HOW YOU DON’T HAVE TO HATE SOMEONE TO NOT LOVE THEM…

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE THINGS YOU HATE ABOUT THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE…

NO MATTER WHAT THEY DID, GOD DOESN’T ALLOW YOU TO HATE THEM…

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Back when Laurynn Johnson was only a few months old, she became the youngest baby ever to cover Minnie Riperton’s legendary high note in her song, “Lovin You”.

But the extreme cuteness didn’t stop there. She’s continued to BLESSTIFY her BIG DADDY every chance she gets!

Listen, I know you’re busy, but slow down and enjoy your children and their children. I’ve gone from thinking fondly of my childhood memories, to thinking fondly of when my children were children…to making new memories with the most adorable granddaughter in the word.

Don’t be so busy making a living that you miss out on a life with who you’re doing it for.

Psalm 128 (NKJV)

128 Blessed is every one who fears the Lord,
Who walks in His ways.

² When you eat the ^[a]labor of your hands,
You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
³ Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
In the very heart of your house,
Your children like olive plants
All around your table.
⁴ Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the Lord.

⁵ The Lord bless you out of Zion,
And may you see the good of Jerusalem
All the days of your life.
⁶ Yes, may you see your children’s children.

Peace be upon Israel!

So, I know you think your grandchildren, or children are cute, but come on now! They can’t be as cute as Laurynn!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

We were created in the image of our Elohim, our God. That doesn’t mean that we have the same color eyes and the same shaped nose that He has (He’s invisible). It means we were created to have His character…His attributes… His emotions. It means we can love like Him, experience joy like Him, hurt like Him, and sometimes get angry like Him.

It’s no secret that God likes attention, honor and glory. That’s why He created us…

Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

1 Chronicles 29:11 ERV

Greatness, power, glory, victory, and honor belong to you, because everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you! The kingdom belongs to you, LORD! You are the head, the Ruler over everything.

So, since we were created in His image, it’s both natural and spiritual that we sometimes want some attention, glory and honor for ourselves.

He knows this; that’s why He commanded that we be lights…

Matthew 5:14-16

^{14 (A)}“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they^(B)light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, ^(C)that they may see your good works and ^(D)glorify your Father in heaven.

We have no light of our own. Just like the sun, the (Son) is the source of light, and the moon (man) reflects the sun’s (Son’s) light.

‘Light’ couldn’t be seen if it didn’t ‘like’ attention!

We must always remember not to steal God’s glory for ourselves, but when we testify that any good thing that we do is because of God, and that all glory belongs to Him, we can share in His glory. When we boast, boast in Him through our Lord and Savior Yeshua, Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:31 (NKJV)

³¹ that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

Matthew 28:18  (NKJV)

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

So don’t feel bad when you sometimes want a little attention for yourself. Just always make sure that your motives are pure…

Philippians 2:3 (NKJV)

³ Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

IT’S NOT SELFISH TO LOVE YOURSELF…

BE BLESSTIFIED!

This article is primarily for those who call themselves to be disciples of Christ. God is sovereign. And His sovereignty is on His terms, not based on our terms and the narrative that we desire.

There are many who have judged within their hearts and others have vocalized or published that they don’t think George Floyd should be the face, or name for a movement. They feel he doesn’t deserve to be a martyr.

They feel this way because of his past, because of the mistakes he made and because of the life he lived.

I humbly submit to anyone who feels that way to consider this…

GOD STILL CHOSE JACOB (LIAR, DECEIVER & THEIF)

God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. But, most of you know what Jacob did. He lied to and deceived his father (with the help of his mother) to steal his brother’s blessing. (Genesis 27-29). God STILL CHOSE HIM to establish the blessing and heritage that He promised to Jacob’s grandfather Abraham. Does Jacob deserved to be honored? If that happened today, how do you think self righteous people would react?

GOD STILL CHOSE THE 12 PATRIARCHS (SCHEMERS, LIARS, MURDERERS, FORNICATORS)

God chose the 12 sons of Jacob (Israel) to be the foundation and patriarchs of His chosen people, despite their character…

They hated their younger brother so much that they conspired to kill him, but later decided to sell him as a slave and allow their father to go for years thinking he was dead. (Genesis 37)

Jacob’s fourth born son, Judah, thought he was sleeping with a prostitute but was actually sleeping with his daughter-in-law, who was tricking him so that she could have children by him. When he found out that she was pregnant, he wanted her killed until she presented his signet ring to prove he was the father. So, he solicited a prostitute and bore children with his daughter-in-law. However one of Israel’s most prominent tribes bears his name (Judah means PRAISE). God STILL CHOSE HIM despite his character flaws. Does he deserve that? (Genesis 38)

GOD STILL CHOSE LEVI AND SIMEON (DECEIVERS AND MURDERERS)

A man named Shechem, a prince of a neighboring land, sexually violated their sister Dinah, however he fell in love with her and asked if he could marry her. Of course her brothers were pissed off. But, they agreed to allow their sister to marry him if he and all the men of the land would be circumcised. He happily agreed. Three days after they were circumcised, Levi and Simeon went and killed all the men while they were in great pain from the ‘surgery’. Even in their anger, this was deception and murder. God STILL CHOSE THEM to be among the patriarch of His chosen people. Their crime did not disqualify them.

GOD STILL CHOSE MOSES

One day when Moses saw an Egyptian beating one of the children of Israel, he intervened, murdered him and then fled. God STILL CHOSE MOSES even though he committed this crime. Did he deserve to be chosen to deliver Israel from Egypt, lead them to the promised land, and present God’s law to them? Was God wrong? (Exodus 2)

GOD STILL CHOSE DAVID (ABUSED HIS AUTHORITY, ADULTERER, MURDERER)

Everyone knows the account of David and Bathsheba. How David saw her bathing and lusted after her, but it didn’t stop there. He abused his authority as king by summoning her, he slept with her and got her pregnant. To hide the pregnancy, he had Bathsheba’s husband Uriah, who was one of David’s mighty men of valor (very loyal to David), sent to the front lines of battle so that he would be killed. David then married Uriah’s wife. The prophet Nathan confronted David with his sin, and he sorrowfully repented. Their son Solomon, grew to inherit the throne and was the most wise man to ever live. God STILL CHOSE David in spite of this horrible sin. He is still considered to be a man after God’s own heart because of his repentance. Does he deserve that? (2 Samuel 11)

GOD STILL CHOSE SAUL, ALSO KNOWN AS PAUL (PERSECUTED THE CHURCH, IMPRISONED CHRISTIANS, CONSENTED TO THE DEATH OF STEPHEN)

Saul was passionate about persecuting the church. He was greatly feared by the early Christians, but God still chose him to be an apostle to the Gentiles. He called himself the least of the apostles because of his past. But, God STILL CHOSE HIM while he was on his way to Damascus breathing THREATS AND MURDER against disciples of Christ. Did Saul/Paul deserve this honor and responsibility.

God has always used imperfect people to carry out His perfect will. God has proven that He has the sovereign right to chose who He wants.

We are not allowed to critique who and why God chooses. We don’t determine the narrative based on what we feel the ‘qualifications’ should be.

Now back to George Floyd. Millions of people around the world of all races have been united to fight for social justice for Black people. That thrills me. Especially when I wonder how many Pastors week after week, and year after year and never preach a sermon about social justice and civil rights to their congregations. Quite frankly, many of the same people who frown on George Floyd’s past find every reason in the world to excuse Donald Trump’s who not only has never been known for his character, integrity or faith, but was unrepentant when confronted with statements he made about grabbing women by the vagina, and bragging about pursuing married women.

Plus, most of the people chosen in the bible didn’t ‘apply for the job’. And, George Floyd never volunteered to be a martyr.

John 8:7  (NKJV)

⁷ So when they continued asking Him, He ^[a]raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”

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BE BLESSTIFIED!