A few years ago my Senior Pastor, W. Michael Martin, did a series of lessons about faith. He shared a powerful revelation and revealed how many sincere Christians have erroneously taught that God is pleased with just ‘a little faith’. That is not true. They misquote and misapply Matthew 17:20…
Matthew 17:20 (NKJV)

So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief;^[a] for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith AS a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Many have taught if you have faith OF, but the bible says AS. It would take great faith for a seed as small as a mustard seed to grow into a great tree. So, Jesus is saying if you have GREAT faith you can move mountains…not little faith.

This is supported by the fact that Jesus constantly rebuked His disciples for having ‘little’ faith. (Matthew 6:30, Matthew 8:26, Matthew 17:20).

No where is the bible does God say He is pleased with little faith.

In teaching Psalm 27, Pastor Martin, recently shared that confidence, (like praise, prayer and worship) is a powerful weapon of spiritual warfare…

Psalm 27:3 (NKJV)

Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.

This is powerful revelation! Confidence… a weapon of warfare! It’s true.

Through these two great lessons, God revealed something else very powerful to me…

If faith is the evidence of what we can’t see, confidence is the evidence  of great faith!

Great faith is visible and tangible. It’s confidence in God. Not arrogance. Arrogance is confidence in one’s self, but great faith is confidence in God. Lack of confidence in God, fear, insecurity, uncertainty, unfruitfulness and ineffectiveness are all signs doubt and ‘little faith’, just as in each situation where Jesus rebuked the disciples.

Remember how the apostle Paul asserts…

Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)

⁶ being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

So, be confident in the God of our salvation through our LORD and Savior, Yeshua, Christ Jesus…and move those mountains. Let your faith be seen.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

God wants a REAL relationship with us. It’s almost become cliché to say that He wants relationship and not religion, but it’s very easy, if we aren’t careful to slip into…

Religion…

Ritual…

Even let our faith be reduced to Superstition…yes just like a rabbit’s foot… a good luck charm.

It’s easy just to go with the flow of what you’ve been taught growing up.

It’s easy to ‘come to God’ simply because you are looking for something (not necessarily someone) to make your life better, or to get it on track.

It’s easy to worship and go to church because you think it’s the right thing to do.

But, God wants to be just as real to us as the people in our lives, and to be treated as such.

You spend quality time with the people you love. You communicate with the people you love (communication is talking and listening). You sacrifice for the people you love. You give to the people you love without expecting nothing but love in return. You give your life for the people you love…You would die for the people you love!

So, family of God! Take a moment and look at your relationship with God to make sure that it’s just that…relationship. Here’s a quick relationship counseling session for your marriage with God.

Isaiah 54:5 (NKJV)

⁵ For your Maker is your husband,
The Lord of hosts is His name;
And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel;
He is called the God of the whole earth.

ALLOW YOUR FAITH TO BE PROVEN THROUGH BEING CHALLENGED

No relationship is proven until it’s challenged. No marriage. No friendship…None. When a real rival or threat challenges a relationship, love is proven. Sometimes that love may be denied or even betrayed, but if it survives the challenge, then it’s proven. So it goes with our faith. Our faith will be challenged. Sometimes you may doubt God’s Word. Sometimes you may wonder if He’s really there. Sometimes you may entertain other religions, but if your faith in God is strong enough, if you really believe His word is truth. If you really WANT to love Him, your faith will sustain and grow. Remember, when we present Christ to someone of another faith, we challenging their faith.

2 Corinthians 13:5 (NKJV)

⁵ Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

MAKE SURE THAT READING GOD’S WORD ISN’T REDUCED TO A RITUALISTIC VERSE OF THE DAY

There’s nothing wrong with reading a verse of the day if you will truly meditate on it and incorporate it into your thinking…into your life. But, if you read a verse of the day simply because you think it impresses God, that you think it’s going to make your day magically go well, or you’re afraid something will go wrong if you don’t – it’s been reduced to ritual and superstition. Read a verse of the day, but never neglect not just reading, but studying God’s Word, so you can grow.

1 Peter 2:2 (NKJV)

² as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,^[a]

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

¹⁵ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

DON’T JUST GIVE SO YOU CAN BE BLESSED

Don’t allow the promise of giving to become a stumbling block to you…

Malachi 3:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰ Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.

It’s easy to allow your giving to be driven by wanting a blessing to be poured out that you don’t have room to receive. But, the true purpose of giving is so that needs can be met, ministry can go forward, and prayers can be confirmed. We should give out of genuine love for God, His people, His Kingdom and people in general How many times have you heard this scripture preached or taught…

Luke 6:35 (NKJV)

³⁵ But love your enemies, do good, and lend, HOPING FOR NOTHING IN RETURN; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

It’s easy to allow giving to be reduced to a good luck charm or no different from any of your other ‘bills’. People don’t pay their car payment or mortgage because they love the finance company or bank. People don’t pay their utility bill because they love the utility company. They do it because they want to keep their car, their house…to keep their lights on. Don’t just give because you don’t want God to ‘cut off’ your blessings. Examine your true motives and intentions as to why you give.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (NKJV)

⁶ But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷ So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. ⁹ As it is written:

“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”^[a]

¹⁰ Now may^[b] He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, ¹¹ while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. ¹² For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, ¹³ while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, ¹⁴ and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

WITNESS TO SOMEONE WHO IS NOT A BELIEVER

Many of us witness and testify of God’s goodness to our friends, family, church family and other Christians…and that’s good. But, intentionally witnessing to someone who doesn’t believe is a good exercise in making sure your relationship with God is real. Witnessing to unbelievers makes us vulnerable. It puts us at risk of rejection, insults, ridicule and sometimes harm. But, you don’t make yourself vulnerable to that level for someone who isn’t real, someone you don’t love, or someone with whom your relationship isn’t important. Remember we are ambassadors for Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NKJV)

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

ALLOW SOME THINGS TO BE BETWEEN JUST YOU AND GOD

Have you ever had an issue, problem or situation and just needed to talk to someone? It’s good to be able to talk to people, but sometimes we have to let some situations be between us and God. We sometimes say we ‘take our burdens to God and leave them there’, but may not feel real peace until we have talked to a ‘real person’. Make up in your mind that you will trust some situations ONLY to God. Pray about it, know He heard you and then feel confident that He is going to work it out to your good.

Let God be real to you! Make sure your relationship with Him is as real as any others in your life. Don’t let worshiping Him become ‘going through the motions’.

Don’t let God be your GOD luck charm.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

As my wife was resting her head on my shoulder I asked her, “Are you comfortable?”

She responded in a noticeably relaxed tone, “I am”.

As we lay there just before time to get up, I thought about her response… “I am”.

Her response affirmed how she felt at that time. With three letters she told how she was. What she was, and who she was at the time.

Remember what God told Moses asked God after God had given him the assignment to set go and set His people free…

 Exodus 3:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ But Moses said to God, “Who AM I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”

He asked, “Who AM I?” God gave him a mission, but He hadn’t yet accepted his ability to do it. He didn’t yet see himself as God saw him, so he didn’t REALLY know who HE WAS…yet.

Now, remember what God told Moses to tell them…

Exodus 3:14 (NKJV)

¹⁴ And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

God is His title, but “I AM” is who He is. “I AM” is His character. “I AM” asserts with just three letters that God is absolute. The First and the Last. The Beginning and the End. The End all and Be ALL.

“AM” is a powerful being verb. “AM” is absolute. “AM” doesn’t imply maybe. “AM” IS.

God, the most powerful being, defines Himself with a being verb.

But, we are made in His image, so am states how we are, who we are and what we are.

That’s why I laugh when people try to intimidate others with so-called strong words. It’s silly.

God defined His power and authority with just three letters… “I AM”.

So do we!

That’s why the apostle Paul asserted… “I am what I am”, just as God did.

1 Corinthians 15:10 (NKJV)

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.

Just as my wife calmly asserted her level of comfort, how she was and who she was as she lay her head on my shoulder…so do you declare how, what and who your are with your, “I AM”.

Are you asking yourself, “Who am I?” as Moses did?

You already know, your values…your character…your state of mind…your reputation…your peace.

That’s who you are.

You’re always “I am”, just make sure your I AM lines up with God’s I am.

And, always be careful BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY BEHIND YOUR, “I AM…”

BE BLESSTIFIED!

It’s amazing to me that God is humble enough to allow those He created in His image to attain enough knowledge and wisdom of this world to decide that He is not real.

Some of us can allow the aspects of being created in His image to become a stumbling block..

The INTELLIGENCE of humans, our ability to REASON and think LOGICALLY can be huge stumbling blocks when they aren’t mixed with faith in the Only Living God through our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.

People decide for themselves that the bible doesn’t make sense. That the things extreme and incredible events in the bible don’t didn’t really happen, because they don’t seem realistic. They decide that the word was not given by inspiration from God.

They decide that what’s in the bible can’t be historically or scientifically proven.

But, even much of science is still theory. Who can travel to the sun to absolutely prove that the earth is 93 million miles away? Other than using mathematics, one of God’s absolutes and tools, who can prove that the speed of light is 186 thousand miles per second?

If it’s hard to believe now that people lived to be over 900 years old in bible days, it would have been just as difficult for them to believe that one could have instant light, warm/cool air in a room, or travel thousands of miles in one day.

It could even be possible that someone be so ‘smart’ that they want to believe in God, but their intelligence almost won’t allow them to.

Don’t allow any knowledge of this world, all of which was attained by another imperfect person just like you, prevent you from having faith in God.

Don’t allow your intelligence to allow you to die and go to a Hell that you don’t believe exists. Don’t allow your ability to think critically eternally separate you from a God that you think doesn’t exists.

Don’t allow your understanding of biology to make you reject the virgin birth of Yeshua, Christ Jesus.

After all, science is an attempt to explain the spiritual in physical terms.

Don’t be too smart for your own good, and never cease to pray for those who are.

Remember this…

1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (NKJV)

 ¹⁸ For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”^[a] 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? ²¹ For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. ²² For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks^[b] foolishness, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

 BE BLESSTIFIED!

Have you ever noticed that sometimes God will allow you to be overwhelmed? Sometimes He will allow you to be in a situation that is 100% totally beyond your control. He will allow you to be confronted with an enemy, an adversary, a rival…with resistance so powerful that you feel totally POWERLESS.

It may be your job. It may be your health. It may be a challenge to your finances. It may even be abuse or persecution that you did not even provoke.

In 2 Chronicles Chapter 20 King Jehoshaphat and Judah were confronted by a powerful alliance of enemies – and he was afraid…

2 Chronicles 20: 1-4 (NKJV)

It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites,^[a] came to battle against Jehoshaphat. ² Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria;^[b] and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). ³ And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. ⁴ So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.

He knew that the enemy was too powerful for him, so he immediately reached out to God, and petitioned that the people reach out to God as one…

Vs. 5-13

⁵ Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, ⁶ and said: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? ⁷ Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? ⁸ And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying, ⁹ ‘If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.’ ¹⁰ And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them— ¹¹ here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. ¹² O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

¹³ Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord.

God heard the people and told them that they didn’t even have to fight in this battle. He told them the battle wasn’t theirs but His and,

He told them He would fight for them!!!!

Vs. 14-17

¹⁴ Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. ¹⁵ And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle isnot yours, but God’s. ¹⁶ Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. ¹⁷ You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”

God fought for them that day. The only weapon they used was praise!

Vs. 21-23

²¹ And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:

“Praise the Lord,
For His mercy endures forever.”^[c]

²² Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. ²³ For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

This is a beautiful example of how God will allow His people to be feel powerless, so we can lean on Him, and Him only and allow Him to fight for us!

Is there a situation in your life that has left you feeling powerless?

God hasn’t ‘left’ you at all. He wants to prove He’s right there. Give it to Him! Lift up your hands and praise Him with what I like to call, “The Battle Cry of Praise”…

“Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever!!!!”

You aren’t powerless. Praise God, and let Him fight for you.

Remember this…

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NKJV)

⁸ Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. ⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Have you ever been arguing your point with someone and slowly began to notice, and silently acknowledge to yourself that you were wrong. That doesn’t feel good does it? When there were clearly defined lines and ‘sides’ to an issue or situation that when you were honest with yourself you realized that you were on the wrong side?

Jesus told His disciples that the day will come people will kill you and think they are doing God a service. (John 16:2)

Those chasing the children of Israel did so based on their culture, their heritage, their faith and  what they believed to be the right thing…how do you think they felt when they saw the waters crashing down on them? (Exodus 14)

Peter told Jesus let it not be so that He should die…how do you think he felt when Jesus said “Get behind me Satan!” (Matthew 16:23)

The scribes and Pharisees thought they were doing the right thing when they rebuked and crucified Jesus. They thought they had won.

The Revelation tells us that when Jesus returns even those who pierced Him will see Him in His glory.(Revelation 1:7) How will they feel?

So be careful when you are at odds with…whomever. Examine yourself, and watch them and read your bible. You don’t want to suddenly find out find out that you are really in Pharaoh’s army.

And, don’t forget this…

Even when your enemy is wrong, if you have wrath in your heart towards them…If your aren’t blessing them… If you aren’t praying for their salvation…you’re on the wrong side. BE careful how you put your mouth on them.

Matthew 5:43-48 (NKJV)

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor^[a] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,^[b] 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet your brethren^[c] only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors^[d] do so? ⁴⁸ Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Always make sure you’re on the right side…God’s side. Because God is on your side, when you’re on His.

Psalm 118:6 (NKJV)

The Lord is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Beware of statements that may seem right, but totally contradict the word of God…especially from our leaders.

Press Secretary said:

“They elected someone to be strong and when he get’s hit he’s going to hit back.”

God said:

Matthew 5:39(NKJV)
But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 
(That means don’t hit back)

Peter 3:9 (NIV)
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 
(That means don’t insult or insult back)

Strong words are just that…words. Always measure them against the word of God, and not you emotions or what you may think is right.

Remember this…

Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV)

¹² There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.

If it’s contrary to the word of God, it’s in defensible and will eventually lead to destruction.

Pray for all of our leaders to submit to the word of God, first of all for their individual salvation and relationships with God…and for the good of our nation.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

I think I can… I think I will.. I think I want to… I think I don’t need to… I think I won’t.

I won’t!

Sometimes the ‘The Little Train that Could’, should be the ‘The Train that Didn’t’…

Discipline. Control of one’s self. This is something that many of us struggle with our entire lives…at least in particular areas of our lives.

It’s possible to very disciplined in some areas, while being out of control in others.

Disciplined in one’s finances, but not in one’s diet.

Disciplined with one’s credit, but not with one’s relationships.

Disciplined with exercise, but not with one’s prayer life.

Disciplined with work, but not with worship.

Most of the time we say we need more ‘will power’…meaning discipline over one’s own will.

But, maybe we need more power over our ‘won’t power’ or our ‘want power’.

Too many times our problem is the fact that…

We will do it. We will say it. We will eat it. We will drink it. We will smoke it. We will watch it. We will, because we are driven by our wants. We let the power of wants (fleshly, carnal desires) overpower the power of our wills.

Maybe instead of praying for more will power, we should pray for more won’t power!

We won’t do it. We won’t say it. We won’t eat it. We won’t drink it. We won’t smoke it. We won’t watch it. We won’t because we aren’t driven by our wants.

Galatians 5:16-21 (NKJV)

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

Did you know that God has provided a spiritual exercise to strengthen your ‘won’t power’? The problem is either we don’t take advantage of it enough, or we do it to manipulate blessings out of God to feed our ‘want power’.

The exercise is fasting.

Fasting is an exercise in putting our flesh and desires under subjection so we won’t be ruled by our carnal desires, or even needs.

Look at what the Apostle Paul said through the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit…

1 Corinthians 9:27 (NKJV)

²⁷ But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

 Now, look what God says about fasting in the book of Isaiah…

Isaiah 58:5 (NKJV)

⁵ Is it a fast that I have chosen,
A day for a man to afflict his soul?
Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush,
And to spread out sackcloth and ashes?
Would you call this a fast,
And an acceptable day to the Lord?

And, don’t forget about how Jesus told us we can release the faith to move mountains…even the mountains of our desires (our ‘wills’ and our ‘wants’)…

Matthew 17:20-21 (NKJV)

²⁰ So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief;^[a] for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. ²¹ However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”^[b]

Every physical battle that you fight is a spiritual battle over your ‘will’, your ‘won’t and your ‘wants’.

I pray that God gives you the strength to overcome whatever seems impossible to you today in the name of Christ Jesus the Son of the Living God.

BE BLESSTIFIED.

If God makes it so easy to join His organization (Romans 10:9), why do we make it so hard to join  some of ours?

I was watching a television show in which a young lady hoping to join a prestigious college band was beaten into intensive care during her initiation, and it was swept under the rug and defended by those in authority to protect their tradition.

I’ve heard many comment and reason that such behavior is just ‘part of the process’…that some initiations and inductions are just ‘part of growing up’.

I’ve heard that enduring this foolishness with others breeds loyalty, brotherhood/sisterhood, comradery, etc.

Now, I’m sure some of you reading will defend it out of loyalty to your own beloved organizations and traditions, but if you’re a Christian…if you know God’s word…if you know the character and culture of His Kingdom…and if you’re honest with yourself, you know it’s not of God and makes no sense.

If it’s not of God, then it’s of the devil…

If it’s of the devil, then it’s straight from Hell.

How do I know it’s not of God?

Because God made joining His organization EASY for us!

It’s interesting how so many organizations, teams, clubs etc. make it so DIFFICULT to join…initiations, rituals, rites of passage, hazing, traditions…while, God makes it so EASY!

Romans 10:9 (NKJV)

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

The Body of Christ, His church is the most prestigious ‘organization’ of this earth and beyond.

The benefits of membership are eternal…

Yet, God makes it so easy to become part of His family.

But,

So many earthly organizations feel it’s such an honor to be inducted into their ranks that some have even died trying to get in. When you think about it…it’s quite absurd that people have shed blood to join some groups but…

Yeshua, Jesus Christ, paid the price of our admission to His church with His blood…

 Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)

But He was wounded for our transgressions,He was bruised for our iniquities;The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

One of Jesus’ greatest battles was against foolish, senseless tradition (Matthew 15:1-20).

No organization on earth supersedes God’s and should never be no more difficult to become a part of than His church.

Even though some have even perverted and complicated ‘membership’ in His church, that was never His intention.

When any organization makes potential members submit themselves to violence, vulgar and profane language, embarrassment and possible harm as conditions of joining…those activities are not of God.

This is not an indictment on all organizations that require some sort of ‘proving grounds’, but when it crosses God’s line, it’s gone too far.

Don’t get caught up trying to hold onto, defend and condone traditions from Hell.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

A few days ago as I was on my way to work, I went around a lady who was driving a little slow in the fast lane. I was hoping to make traffic light before it changed. I missed it, and threw my head back in frustration. As I waited on the light I looked in the rear view mirror and the lady slowly raised her middle finger at me. She was in the way, but raises her finger at me.

Did it make me angry, at first? Yes! I wondered if she were a Christian. In fact, I looked around in my car for my bible to flash it in her face in hopes to convict her, but that may have been counter-productive. Plus was I doing it to make her angry, or convict her? Then I thought about what God’s word says…

1 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)

not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

 Romans 12:21New King James Version (NKJV)

²Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 So, I prayed for her as I drove off.

I prayed that God forgive her.

I prayed that God soften her heart.

I prayed that God grant her His peace and His spirit that He can be pleased in her and that she can bear good fruit for Him.

And, I asked God to forgive me for my initial anger and if I provoked her.

People don’t have to know you are praying for them for God to hear and answer. In fact, sometimes people can get angry that you’re praying for them…

“What are you trying to tell me?”

“I don’t need you praying for me!”

“What are you praying for me for?”

“You need to pray for yourself!”

And, sometimes they don’t even believe in God or prayer. But, the bible promises that the prayers of the righteous prevails much (James 5:16).

And, don’t forget the paralyzed man who was forgiven and healed not because of his faith, but because of the faith of the men who carried him…

Mark 2:1-5 (NKJV)

And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. ² Immediately^[a] many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. ³ Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. ⁴ And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.

⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

The next time someone flips you off in public, or wherever…

Pray for them.

Bless them.

Forgive them.

Intercede to God on their behalf.

Whether you were right or wrong. Whether you unintentionally provoked it your were innocent…Pray for them.

He created them in His image too.

BE BLESSTIFIED!!!

Yes, your spouse loves you and cares. Yes, your parents love you and cares for you. Yes, your best friend said you can talk to them about anything. Yes, your Pastor is anointed and has often spoken peace into your life, but…

But, God fixes some situations so that the only comfort you receive comes from reading His word.

That keeps us close to Him.

Have you ever opened your mouth to talk to someone, and the Spirit of the LORD stopped you…then you opened your bible instead to just the right word? You saw just the right verse on a billboard or bumper sticker?

God Himself comforted you with His word. Not through someone else this time…HIMSELF.

Have you ever talked to someone…that person closest to you, and though it helped, you still had no peace?

That’s because God wants you to talk to Him. Take take comfort in Him. He wants to be that REAL. That ALIVE. That CLOSE.

Sometimes only His word will give you peace…

Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)

¹⁷ No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord.

 Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV)

⁶ Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

John 16:33 (NKJV)

³³ These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will^[a] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Psalm 23 (NKJV)

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
³ He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell^[a] in the house of the Lord
Forever.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

When your back is ‘against the wall’…remember who has your back.

Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

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

When you are focused on God’s purpose for your life, He has your back. Yes, He is on your side…

Psalm 118:6 (NKJV)

The Lord is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?

When God is on your side, a wall becomes a VERTICAL FOUNDATION!

Please share this with someone that needs some encouragement today.

BE BLESSTIFED!

Have you ever thought about the fact that the same healing. The same miracle. The same encounter with Jesus that was available to the Pharisees as was the man who had his withered hand healed by Jesus, or those who witnessed the miracle.

They all went to ‘church’, but for different reasons.

Jesus went to be a blessing.

The man with the withered hand possible out of habit, possible because He thought Jesus would be there…but he went with enough faith to be healed.

The Pharisees went to accuse Jesus in hopes to destroy Him.

Be very careful of what’s in your heart when you go to church.

Make sure the devil didn’t bum a ride to church inside you.

Make sure you’re always going for the right reasons. To have an encounter with God through our Lord and Savior Yeshua, Jesus Christ. And, make sure you go in faith.

 Mark 3:1-6 (NKJV)

3 And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. ² So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. ³ And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” ⁴ Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. ⁵ And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.^{[a] 6} Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.

 BE BLESSTIFIED!

Joy lives on the inside. Happiness only comes from the outside.

God’s joy lives independently. It is self sustaining and sustains.

Joy creates…It creates hope.

Determination.

Peace.

Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV)

Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD IS your strength.”

The joy of the LORD “IS” implies that joy is established…just like God Himself. God IS. This is because joy is a Fruit of His Spirit and an aspect of His character. Joy has power.

Joy protects the peace inside your heart.

Happiness is symbiotic, depending on the temporary condition that created it.

They both live and die together.

Happiness depends on something to happen. Notice this…

John 13:17 (KJV)

If ye know these things, happy are ye IF ye do them.

Happy are ye “IF” implies something has to happen first.

Even happiness about spiritual things depends on a condition…joy.

Happiness has no power. Happiness is not a Fruit of the Spirit. It is vulnerable to situations.

God gives joy. The world gives happiness.

The devil wants to steal your joy.  And, he can sometimes manipulate situations to allow happiness, or the lack thereof to steal, kill or destroy your joy.

Don’t let what’s going on around you kill what’s inside you.

Let what’s inside rule what’s going on around you.

Protect your heart…Protect your joy.

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

In the beginning, God breathed the breath of life into Adam and he became a living soul.

God has given us to breathe life into one another.

Think about it. You can’t speak without breathing.Yes, you can sign…you can write…you can type…but, you can’t speak without breathing into your environment.

Our words have incredible power.

Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV)

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.

You can breathe life into a room, a heart, a meeting, a situation…with kind words.

Proverbs 16:24 (NKJV)

 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

 Kind, positive words are powerful. They can encourage the discouraged. They can make someone considering suicide reconsider. They can bless the brokenhearted.

Kind words can change the entire tone of a meeting. They can make a gossiper feel convicted. They can make inspire and make the hearer aspire for better, greater, Godlier.

Kind words can plant seeds that bless a lifetime.

Kind words are the voice of God. Kind words are His image.

Remember, when everyone else is pissed off, somebody has to keep a level head.

Take a moment to pray that God anoints you breathe life into every environment you enter today.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

The spirit of the Pharisees is alive and well today. The expectations. The hypocrisy. And, how God feels about it has not changed.

Think about it. What did Jesus say?

Matthew 15:1-3 (NKJV)

Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, ² “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” ³ He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?

We must always remember which of our beloved and expected traditions and symbols are of God and which are of man.

We must remember that it’s not fair to judge what’s in someone’s heart because they don’t have the same affinity to a tradition, symbol or person as someone else feels they should.

And, that no matter how long they may  have endured, devotion to the tradition…the symbol…the person should never be so dear that it becomes worship.

I have a few honest questions that I would like for you as a Christian to answer to yourself from a purely spiritual perspective. Not political. Not social. Not racial. From God’s perspective with the bible as the standard.

How many fraternities? Sororities? Organizations? Have forced or pressured people to engage in sinful behavior to become members? How much of this behavior has become a tradition?

How many people blindly support what their parents, leaders, ancestors, pastor, coach did or does and seeks to excuse it whether it’s right or wrong?

Is standing and placing your hand on your heart actually an act of worship?

How many people have allowed their devotion to symbols to become worship. Statues (graven images). Flags. Crosses. Pictures. Logos.

How many people have sworn in court on a bible in which God forbids swearing?

How many people have taken an oath of office on a bible in which God forbids taking oaths?

Matthew 5:33-37 (NKJV)

³³ “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ ³⁴ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; ³⁵ nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ³⁶ Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. ³⁷ But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

James 5:12  (NKJV)

¹² But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.^[a]

 Yes, Romans 13 tells us to be subject to the established authorities because they are ordained by God, but we must read that in context of what Peter said when confronted with not complying with the officials. I’m just going to post it below for context…

Acts 5:22-29 (NKJV)

²² But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, ²³ saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside^[a] before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” ²⁴ Now when the high priest,^[b] the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. ²⁵ So one came and told them, saying,^[c] “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” ²⁶ Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. ²⁷ And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, ²⁸ saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” ²⁹ But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

Now, if that were today. Would they be criticized?

God’s word supersedes any and every tradition that we have established.

Don’t let your devotion, dedication, loyalty and respect doesn’t subtly turn into worship…

Before you judge what I have said, first ask yourself. Did God establish what is so dear to me? Or did man or woman?

Ask yourself would I have been one of those Pharisees confronting Jesus over not honoring the traditions…even the law of Moses…

Matthew 19:8-9 (NKJV)

 ⁸ He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. ⁹ And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality,^[d] and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”

Many people point a self-righteous finger and say “Shame” when they read or hear a sermon about the Pharisees, but you prove by your behavior to parallel situations today how you would have reacted had you lived back then.

What is your reaction when someone doesn’t honor, respect or submit to something the way you feel they should?

I would love to hear your respectful responses.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

I’ve found the most intimate refreshing place to pray at my home. I love sitting in my chair on my front porch and enjoying quality time with God in prayer. When I’m out there, it’s like it’s just Him and me. Yes I pray everywhere. But, that place is special.

And yes, I said sitting.

You see, it’s good to get on your knees in submission to God, but contrary to what many may have been taught it’s not mandatory. That is not the exclusively acceptable prayer posture.

Your proper prayer posture isn’t the position of your body, but of your heart and spirit…

To a humble spirit… it’s about humility.

Psalm 51:17 (NKJV)

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise

1- On Your Knees

Ephesians 3:14 (NKJV)

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,^[a]

 2 – In Your Bed

Psalm 4:4 (NKJV)

Be angry, and do not sin.
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.

3 – Out Loud

Psalm 34:6 (NKJV)

This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.

4 – Silently

1 Samuel 1:13 (NKJV)

¹³ Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.

5 – Hands Lifted

1 Timothy 2:8 (NKJV)

I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

6 – Eyes Open

John 17:1 (NKJV)

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,

7 – Head Bowed

Genesis 24:26 (NKJV)

²⁶ Then the man bowed down his head and worshiped the Lord.

8 – Prostrate

Matthew 26:39 (NKJV)

³⁹ He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

9 – Standing

Mark 11:25 (NKJV)

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

God just wants you to be humble. Many have even misunderstood “come boldly” in the book of Hebrews…

Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

It’s not about ‘telling God what to do’, but direct access to Him. We don’t have to go through a priest, or a preacher to talk to Him…just submit to Him humbly in prayer through our Lord and Savior Yeshua, Jesus Christ.

So, bow your head, lie in your bed, fall on your knees, lift up your hands, as long as you’re sincere…God will hear.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Most of us lead very busy lives. How many times have you thought, said or heard someone say…I don’t have time to read, or study my bible, pray or go to church?

How many feel that God happily accepts being an after thought or ignored?

How many feel it’s okay to say you believe, but never live like God is real or like they are in true relationship with Him?

How many people say through…

Jobs…

Careers…

Family…

Organizations…

Youth Sports and Activities…

Even church activities…

That they don’t have time for God, prayer, reading and studying their bible or worship?

The truth is that God doesn’t give us blessings to replace Him.

Our blessings should never become barriers or burdens to our relationship with Him.

Here are a few simple, easy suggestions to carve out quality time with God.

1. WHEN YOU CAN’T SLEEP AT NIGHT

We all have those nights when we can’t sleep. You may not even necessarily be worried. You may be excited about the next day. You may have awaken to use the bathroom and couldn’t go back to sleep. For whatever reason, you just lie there in the bed. You may turn on the television. Maybe God is trying to squeeze in some quality time with you before you get busy during the day. It’s the ideal time to be close to Him. No distractions. No noise. Just you and God. You can lie there and pray…get on your knees…get up and lift up your hands and praise God…You can go outside and adore His awesome creation…You can read your bible, or even study a specific topic. God can give you fresh revelation during these intimate times. You will find yourself feeling so much closer to Him, but most of all you will please and bless Him. Best of all, you will find yourself yawning and going back into a wonderful restful sleep for the rest ot the night (or morning).

Psalm 16:7 (NKJV)

⁷ I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.

 Psalm 63:6 (NKJV)

⁶ When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.

 2. WHEN YOU FIRST WAKE UP

I used to be in the habit of going to the gym early in the morning to start my day. I would say a short prayer and then go ‘work out my body’. I ruptured my Achilles tendon one day and found myself in a boot and a cast for several months. Not much later, God cultivated out of that the practice of going outside on my porch, and spending rich quality time in prayer and praise before I do anything else. I replaced worshiping my flesh in a sense with worshiping Him. Now, you don’t have to go outside, but it’s not difficult to kneel and pray as soon as you wake up. Before you drink your coffee. Before you watch the news. Before you check your social media. I think it is a foolish thing to begin the day without submitting ourselves to and talking to God first. Even if you don’t get on your knees…lie in your bed…get up and bow your head…lift up holy hands…just make sure your heart is humble and your prayer is sincere and not rushed.

Psalm 63:1 (NKJV)

63 O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.

3. WHEN YOU ARE USING THE BATHROOM IN THE MORNING.

This is something we all have to do when we wake up. Keep a bible in the bathroom, or use your bible app on your phone. This is another time when you are alone and can choose a verse of the day on which to meditate or even read a chapter each morning. A verse of the day is good for memory or meditation, but it should never take the place of real in-depth bible study. God doesn’t mind you making His word #1 while you do #2.

4. THANK GOD FOR AND BLESS EVERY MEAL (EVEN SNACKS)

Make it a point to thank God for every meal you eat. It doesn’t have to be a long drawn out prayer, but a sincere thank you for the awesome blessing of having food to eat. Don’t be ashamed to thank Him for your food while you are in public…at lunch with co-workers…at a lunch meeting. Also, it’s very important to bless each meal and ask God that it nourish your body and not harm it. Much of our food we don’t prepare ourselves and we don’t know how it could harm are bodies…Always bless every meal and shack.

1 Timothy 4:4-5 (NKJV)

⁴ For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; ⁵ for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

5. WHILE YOU’RE DRINKING YOUR COFFEE

Whether you have a relaxing cup of coffee, tea, juice or whatever your morning beverage may be, it’s an ideal time to read God’s word…pray…or even praise God each morning. What do you read or watch while you sip on your coffee? Why not make it God’s word?

6. WHILE CHECKING YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA STATUS

How many times a day do your check your social media? Many people check their’s as soon as they wake up…then claim they don’t have time to read the bible. Check out what God has posted in His word before you check out what’s going on in social media. There’s nothing wrong with checking you Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or whatever. Of, course there are even devotionals on there just like this one, but never let it take the place of reading and studying your bible.

7. DURING YOUR LUNCH BREAK AT WORK OR AFTERNOON BREAK

Your lunch break is your time. Why not dedicate a few moment of it, or even an entire lunch break once a week to reading and studying God’s word. You can even volunteer at a mission or serve others in some way during your lunch break from time to time. It’s just another opportunity to spend quality time with God during your day. To prove to Him and yourself that you really value time with Him and love Him. You will find it to be not a burden or task, but a time of refreshing and fellowship to help you stay focused and make it through the rest of the day.

8. TAKE A VACATION DAY JUST TO SPEND WITH GOD

Most of us have vacation days. Have you ever taken a vacation day just to spend in prayer, study, praise and fellowship with God? Devoting one of your vacation days to God is an awesome mini-sabbatical opportunity to grow closer to the God of our salvation through our Lord and Savior, Yeshua, Jesus Christ.

9. LISTEN TO GOSPEL MUSIC SOMETIMES OTHER THAN IN WORSHIP

Of course there’s nothing wrong with fun music or love songs as long as they don’t contain ungodly lyrics. But, there’s a world of good Gospel music of every genre that you can use to turn your leisure time into worship time. It doesn’t have to be a hymnal. Like my wife, Gospel Jazz Artist Mechelle Johnson (Yep that’s a plug:-) But, good Gospel music is another way to help stay focused while you work or play.

God knows that we make time for what and who are important to us. These are just a few suggestions of how to make more time for God. There’s no excuse to say we are too busy for Him.

Proverbs 3:6 (NKJV)

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

BE BLESSTIFIED!

As so powerfully stated by Rev. Paul Jones…

Luke 19:40 (NKJV)

But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”

BE BLESSTIFIED!