Have you ever noticed how little the bible says about being NICE?

Does God ever tell us to be nice? To the contrary, the bible says be careful when men speak well of you…thats being nice.

Luke 6:26  (NKJV)

26 Woe to you[a] when all[b] men speak well of you,
For so did their fathers to the false prophets.

The bible speaks of men flattering and blessing with their mouths but, hiding what’s in their hearts.

Psalm 5:9 (NKJV)

9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth;
Their inward part is destruction;
Their throat is an open tomb;
They flatter with their tongue.

Psalm 62:4New King James Version (NKJV)

4 They only consult to cast him down from his high position;
They delight in lies;
They bless with their mouth,
But they curse inwardly. 

That’s being nice.

There’s a reason that being nice isn’t a fruit of the spirit. The devil knows how to be ‘nice’…

2 Corinthians 11:14 (NKJV)

14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. However, kindness is an outward expression of love. It’s doing what best for others with a sincere heart, even if it’s uncomfortable to them.

Telling someone that they acted foolishly may not seem nice, but it is kind. Giving loving constructive criticism may not be nice, but it’s kind. Disciplining a child, (or adult) may not be nice, but it’s kind.

Here’s how I put it…

Being NICE is being good with a personal agenda.

Being KIND is being good with God’s agenda.

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.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

We all need it sometimes…Whether we admit it or not.

No matter how big or small.

No matter how rich or poor.

In some form or another we all need it from time to time…

Some more than others…but still all.

Everyone needs help sometimes.

Sometimes it’s help getting UP…when we fallen.

Sometimes it’s help getting DOWN…when we have exalted ourselves.

Make no mistake though, that when it comes through someone.

When someone helps you willingly or unwillingly…

It’s the hand of God.

Take a moment and thank God for those who have HELPED…are HELPING…and have been ordained to HELP you.

Psalm 118:7a (NKJV)

⁷ The Lord is for me among those who help me…

Psalm 71:3 (NKJV)

Be my strong refuge,
To which I may resort continually;
YOU HAVE GIVEN THE COMMANDMENT TO SAVE ME,
For You are my rock and my fortress.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Have you ever seen people doodle during a meeting? Do you?

Do you draw? Do your write your name in cursive? Do you write your families’ names? Do you play tic-tac-toe?

If so, I have a powerful suggestion for you. I know we all have our smart devices now, but keep a note pad or notebook handy. Before your meetings, lectures, conferences, classes, and find a scripture and write it down.

Doodle this verse during your meeting…While you wait at the doctor’s office…While you listen to the lecture…

Write it down…. Print it… Write it in cursive….scribble it…over and over again!

This is a powerful tool to help you maintain focus on God and power through negativity. It’s also a powerful tool to hide the word in your heart…to memorize it…to meditate on it.

Go ahead…try it!

Start with this one…

Psalm 34:1 (NKJV)

I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

How many times have you done it? You jumped out of bed, and hit the ground running. You got dressed, maybe grabbed a bite to eat and started your day. Then here come the challenges…

Family asking questions they could have asked last night…

Can’t find your keys…

Horrible traffic…

More horrible co-workers…

Everyone seems to be pushing all your buttons all morning long!

Then, just before lunch you realize it. How could you have forgotten? Yes, the bed felt good and you lay there a few more moments, so when you jumped up you had to get going. But, how could you get going without telling God…

“Good Morning!” (Psalm 63:1)

“I bless your Holy Name this morning!” (Matthew 6:9)

“Thank you for keeping while I slept!” (Psalm 4:8)

“Thank you for brand new grace and mercy this morning!” (Lamentations 3:22-24)

“Please forgive me of all my sins!” (Psalm 41:4)

“No matter what happens today I love you and I trust you!” (Psalm 31:13-14)

 “Thank you for sending the living word as your Son to die for my sins.” (John 1:14)

 “Please provide all of our needs for this day.” (Matthew 6:11)

 “ Lord, I look forward to being with you where you are when you return.” (John 17:24)

 “ I pray for peace and prosperity in your Holy City of Jerusalem and salvation for your people.” (Psalm 122:6-9, Romans 10:1)

 “I declare to have a good day in your Name!” (Psalm 118:24)

“For yours is the Kingdom, and the Power and the Glory forever!” (Matthew 6:13)

“In the name of Yeshua, Jesus Christ the Son of the only living God, and you are one.” (John 14:13-14)

 “I love you because you first love me…Amen!” (1 John 4:19)

Of course, you don’t have to use this exact prayer, but how dare us begin are day without talking to God first! Sometimes we forget, but sometimes we may just decide to skip praying. There are even mornings when we are going through trials that we honestly don’t FEEL LIKE PRAYING.

But, it is a foolish thing to be bold enough step out into this world (or even stay at home) without talking to God first.

If you aren’t having a ‘good day’…did you pray? And, even if you did, stop and think of how much ‘worse’ your day could have been if you didn’t.

Remember, before you ‘hit the ground running’…hit the ground in prayer!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

We as writers and ministers can find ourselves seeking to share something ‘deep’. Something profound that makes one sit back and say, “Wow!” If we aren’t careful we can feel pressured to validate our anointing or education with quotes, discourses, and words of wisdom that confirm God speaks through us. The fact is, when we are fortunate enough to do so, it IS God and not us.

Have you ever been around someone who never talks normal, but feels every word must be a divine revelation? Every sentence must be crafted perfectly? Every moment is a teaching or mentoring moment…they can’t just have a simple conversation?

Have you ever noticed how a very charismatic speaker can make something really simple sound deep? That’s why we should never confuse charisma with anointing.

But, even God Himself isn’t always DEEP.

John 3:16 (NKJV)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life…

That’s simple.

Romans 10:9 (NKJV)

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…

That’s simple.

Luke 6:31 (NKJV)

And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise…

That’s simple.

Even the Apostle Paul admitted he wasn’t always deep either…

1 Corinthians 2:1-2  (NKJV)

2 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony^[a] of God. ² For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

It doesn’t take much reading to discover God’s word is full of simple truths and expressions of His love.

God knows how to feed us with milk, and how to feed us with meat. He knows what we need and when we need it…

1 Peter 2:2  (NKJV)

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

If God can humble Himself to sometimes keep things ‘simple’ for us, then we can to.

And, don’t get to the point that your expectation of the deep allows you to miss what’s profoundly simple.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

There is great power in a transparent testimony. Sometimes people just need to hear that you’ve been through what they are going through…and made it.

But, remember this…

You can give your testimony without telling ALL your business. You can bless their spirit without feeding their nosiness.

You don’t have to give every intricate detail of what you’ve gone through, what you did, what you endured to be a blessing to someone else. In fact, some parts of your testimony could do more harm than good. We still need to give people something to aspire to.

Think about this…

While he was president, we didn’t know every detail of John F. Kennedy’s business. We didn’t know every detail of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s business. We didn’t know every detail of Martin Luther King Jr.’s business.

Yes, we know that David sinned with Bathsheba, but we don’t know every detail. Yes, we know that Peter denied Christ, but we don’t know every sin he committed. Yes, we know that Paul (Saul) persecuted the church, but we don’t know every sin he did. Yes, we know Paul had a ‘thorn in the flesh’, but we don’t know what that sin or weakness was.

1 Corinthians 15:9 (NKJV)

⁹ For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

The fact is that many of today’s scandals simply aren’t any of our business. We live in an age that people that not only does the public want to know everyone’s business, but they feel they have a right to it…especially public figures.

Pray for wisdom, discernment and discretion to know what you need to share and what you need to keep between God and yourself.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

SOME OF THE BIGGEST LIES WE TELL ARE…

Not intentionally (most of the time)…have any of these come from your mouth????

I love you…

I’ll pray for you…

I’ll call you back…

That’s okay…

I’m okay…

What’s wrong? “Nothing!”…

That’s hilarious…(and you don’t laugh)

Oh yeah, I remember that…

I don’t remember…

I don’t have it on me…(when asked for money)

That tastes great…

You look great…

I like that…

I’ve got your back…

I love everybody…

I don’t see color…

I’m doing this for you…

That didn’t bother me…

I don’t even care…

I’m over it…

It doesn’t matter…

Remember what Jesus said in Matthew Chapter 12…

 Matthew 12:36 (NKJV)

 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

Take a moment and thank God for His grace and mercy for the lies we tell…intentional and unintentional.

 BE BLESSTIFIED!

Praise is so powerful. And, I’m not talking about using it as a tool of manipulation to get God to bless us, but I’m talking about a powerful way to BLESS HIM.

Psalm 34:1 (NKJV)

I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Yes, God wants to be blessed by us, just as much as we want to be blessed by Him. How can you bless God who has all power, possesses all things and has control of all things? The same way a baby blesses a parent when he or she reaches up to them.

Why does a baby reach up to his or her parent?

To get their attention…

To be picked up…

To be hugged…

God wants our affection. Our affection is a blessing to Him. Every parent wants to be ‘loved on’ by their children.

There are few things more affectionate, more intimate, more touching, more empowering, than a well-timed hug.

Have you ever had someone give you a warm affectionate hug? Without saying one word that sincere hug said “I love you!” “I’m so glad you’re in my life!” “I appreciate you!”

A hug is a beautiful way of saying that “We are one”.

Yes, we praise God with the fruit of our lips.

Yes, we praise God in a song.

Yes, we praise God through beautiful music.

Yes, we can even praise Him with a dance…

But, there is something special about lifting our hands up to Him in praise.

Lifting up our hands (just like that baby) is almost like we’re waving to get God’s attention, “Lord! Here I am! See me!?!”

Lifting up our hands is an act of surrender and letting go of what we are holding to reach out to Him.

Lifting up our hands is stretching them forward, just as our Lord, Yeshua Jesus Christ had His hands extended and stretched when He was nailed to the cross.

Lifting up our hands toward God is an expression of affection.

Our God so big that we can’t get our arms around Him, so it’s our way of giving Him a holy hug.

If we are alone it’s an intimate personal hug. If we are in corporate worship, it’s a powerful group hug.

So take some time today to love on our Heavenly Father. Lift up your hands to Him and bless Him with a Holy hug!

Look at how we are encouraged to let go of all wrath and all doubt and lift up our holy hands to the God of our salvation.

1 Timothy 2:8 (NKJV)

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

Give God a holy hug!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

It wasn’t fair! It wasn’t right, and they knew it. But, yet they still did it. They hurt you. They hurt someone you love…maliciously. They didn’t apologize. They are still glad they did it, and would do it again.

They were cruel. They made your life a living Hell. You didn’t want to get out of the bed, go to work, go to school…all because of them.

They have influenced others against you. They have taken from you that what you will never get back. They have gained at your expense.

They turned their back on you when you needed them most. They could have come to help you. They could have rescued you, but they thought about it and decided NOT to do so. You weren’t worth the trouble to them.

They hate you. They genuinely hate you. And, you’ve done nothing. Or, you have asked their forgiveness and they refuse to give it.

They put their hands on you. They murdered someone you love dearly. They wish you were dead.

They want to see you fail. They will enjoy it. They hate you. They genuinely hate you. And, you’ve done nothing. They don’t even know you but still have you.

You have asked their forgiveness and they refuse to give it.

It’s amazing the levels of hurt we can cause one another…

But, no matter what they have done, are doing or will do. No matter how they feel about you. God does not allow us to hate them.

I know it’s hard, but that’s how God loves us…and it’s how He expects us to love.

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.

It’s not easy, but love has the power to cover any hatred or wrong…to diffuse it…to forgive it…TO ENDURE IT.

1 Corinthians 13:7 (NKJV)

…(Love)bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, ENDURES all things.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

I like to define science as humans’ attempt to give a physical explanation for spiritual things.
Every thing that exists was spoken into existence by God, so everything is a physical expression and extension of our invisible and spiritual God…

Romans 1: 20 (NKJV)

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

I’m not against science, we have benefited greatly through scientific and medical discoveries and research. But, rather than disprove God…I feel it proves Him.

Notice the chronology in Genesis 1 is the same as what science claims…

1st water…

Then the creatures in water…

Then plants and vegetation…

Then the creatures on land…

Then humans.

Physics…

Chemistry…

Biology…

Astronomy…

All Medical Science…

Can explain many things…

BUT,

Science can NEVER explain the invisible attributes of God that define how we are made in His image…

Those NON-PHYSICAL attributes He shares with us…

Those NON-PHYSICAL ELEMENTS that make us ‘look’ like Him.

Think about it…

Love…

Joy…

Peace…

Faith…

Kindness…

Hope…

Consciousness…

Science can NEVER isolate our spirits entering our bodies at the beginning of life…

Or, leaving our bodies at the end of life.

I call them GOD’S TANGIBLE INTANGIBLES…

Those things that your senses can’t experience…

You can’t see, touch, taste, hear or smell love…

Only your spirit can experience it.

There’s no telescope or microscope that can see it…

No microphone that can hear it…

No device that can measure it…

No computer that can create it…

Because LOVE IS OF GOD.

Love is even of God in the ungodly.

This proves God’s existence and sovereignty to me more than anything else.

God will never allow science to PROVE everything.

First of all because then man would claim he is God…

But most of all…then there would be no need of faith.

Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Just because someone auditions you for their drama…it doesn’t mean you have to accept the role.

No drama today!

Psalm 144:1

“Blessed be the Lord my Rock,

Who trains my hands for war,

And my fingers to do battle”

Men and women of God, TODAY IS TRAINING DAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIVES! God is training you for spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12). Today is another opportunity to get familiar with and get better at using your weapons (Ephesians 6:10-18).

You will be confronted with situations and challenges that will determine not only your future, but the future of those you love and the future of your fruit, you know, those who God assigns to you along the way.

Just like in the movie starring Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke, the new detective (Ethan Hawke) was assigned to a veteran detective (Denzel Washington) for training. The new detective had a good heart, but he was confronted with and partnered with the devil (Denzel) on his first day. The entire day was a string of situations that required Ethan Hawke’s character to make the right decision, and the decision wasn’t always easy. At the end of the day, the decisions made by both determined their future, and the devil tried to sabotage the new detective’s future. Ethan Hawke’s character’s decisions saved his lost, while Denzel Washington’s character’s decisions cost him his life.

Who will you be at the end of the day? Ethan Hawke or Denzel Washington? The devil is trying to sabotage your day. Just as He did Jesus in the wilderness in Matthew 4:1-11. He is trying to get you to make decisions in one day to high-jack your future. He goes about as roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). He is trying to steal, kill and destroy your testimony, your fruit and your future. Jesus, Yeshua, the Living Word, has come that you can live an abundant life (John 10:10). But, that abundant life shouldn’t be just thought of carnally. God had called us to be abundant in fruit for the Kingdom, in making disciples and Kingdom building. He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

So be encouraged, you are guaranteed the victory if you walk in the Spirit and are led to make the right decisions throughout the day (Galatians 5:16-18). Remember, that one bad decision at the end of the day can negate all the good decisions made earlier that day.

God is your training officer. He is preparing you for battle (Psalm 144:1). TODAY is your TRAINING DAY. Be strong in the Lord, fight the enemy with the word of God, just as Jesus did in Matthew 4:1-11, and the enemy will flee…but just as he left Jesus until another opportune time, he will be back….Tomorrow will be TRAINING DAY too.

It’s interesting to me how we sometimes expect more of one another than God expects of us.

Those who are against athletes kneeling during the National anthem complain they are disrespecting the American flag and service men and women who have fought for it.

Those who support kneeling contend it’s a peaceful protest to bring attention to police brutality against African-Americans.

The protest escalated when the President of the United States used his podium and position of authority to call athletes who choose to kneel sons of b*****s. This is not only insulting them but their mothers. It amazes me that so many ‘Christians’  (especially Christian leaders) are not offended at that.

My question is this. Why is kneeling considered disrespectful?

If GOD doesn’t consider ‘taking a knee’ to Him disrespectful…why should we?

God allows us to approach Him kneeling, standing, or sitting.

Do you always stand to honor God when you pray?

Do you always stand before God when you read His word?

Jesus did when He read the scripture publicly in the synagogue…do you ALWAYS do likewise?

Luke 4:16 (NKJV)

 ¹⁶ So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.

Respecting a flag and the ideal behind is fine, but I will honor NOTHING more than I honor God.

Many of our traditions and expectations aren’t necessarily ordained by God…but merely traditions.

Remember how Jesus constantly rebuked the Pharisees for expecting more from the people than God did. How he rebuked them for being more passionate about traditions than devotion to God and His expectations.

Matthew 15:3 (NKJV)

 ³ He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?

 In many ways, our country has set traditions that contradict what God commanded.

Think about it…

People are expected to put their hand on a bible and swear an oath to tell the truth when God forbids swearing in that same bible. That makes little since anyway since swearing on a bible means nothing to an unbeliever.

People are expected to take ‘an oath of office’ when God forbids it.

 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.

We must be careful that we don’t have the spirit of the Pharisees. It’s not fair for one base someone else’s patriotism on their expectations, perspective or traditions.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

I’m thankful that God allowed me to live to see my 49^th birthday today. Wow! Forty-nine years! Seven times seven!

I can feel a sense of transition in my life. Do you know what I mean? Have you ever felt that? Have you ever noticed what some people call coincidences, but believers call confirmations? There are some areas I’ve been moving, but there are some other areas I’ve been stagnate.

There are some things that I have placed before God’s purpose for my life. Have you?

One of the most humbling thoughts about the blessing of reaching this age is how many great men and women God has given me more years than they received…and all that they accomplished in their time here.

Even though I’m thankful for all I’ve accomplished in life thus far, I still acknowledge…

I’ve wasted some time on foolishness…

I’ve wasted some time neglecting the calling on my life…

I’ve made some bad decisions…

I’ve messed up more than I’ve mastered, but I will make the most of all of it.

I pray that God anoints me to make the most of every day He gives me going forward.

One thing we all share is this generation. Let’s leave behind a strong heritage for our LORD.

Acts 13:36 (NKJV)

³⁶ “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption;

BE BLESSTIFIED!

There was a time when God’s name was referenced more. We need to be careful how we refer to God casually and not in reverence…how we let what is meant to be praise be reduced to idle words. Look at what Jesus said about idle words…

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.”

We must make sure that we never play with His praise. Many movies, plays and songs, have turned what is meant to be sincere praise into a joke, or cliché…

Please don’t say HALLELUJAH unless you’re really praising Him.
And, don’t play with it.

Please stop saying “HALLELUYER!”

Remember this…

JAH (YAH) is the part of the word that’s His name. You don’t have to say GD to take His name in vain. 

Exodus 20:7 (NKJV)

⁷ “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

For more on this please read…IS ‘OMG’ TAKING GOD’S NAME IN VAIN? 

BE BLESSTIFIED!

If you feel God is placing it on your heart to move, to act, to do something. Test it by the Word of God, pray for wisdom, guidance and protection…then move!

I learned this lesson the hard way several years ago…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Galatians 6:1

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

 And also,

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NKJV)

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

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

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

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

My church should have been at the jail that morning.

I let him down…

I let God down…

For religion…

For duty…

For tradition…

For ‘a form of Godliness’…

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

I missed an opportunity to save a life.

This is one of the reasons Jesus said…

Matthew 9:13 (NKJV)

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

This is one of the reasons the bible says…

James 2:15-17 (NKJV)

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

This is one of the reasons the bible says…

1 John 3:17 (NKJV)

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

 And most definitely why Jesus said…

Matthew 25: 31-40 (NKJV)

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

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

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

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

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Stand up for RIGHT even if you’re the only one LEFT…

God will ALWAYS be RIGHT there with you.

1 Kings 18:22 (NKJV)

Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Luke 8:24-25 (NKJV)

²⁴ And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. ²⁵ But He said to them, “Where is your faith?”

As the winds blew and the boat began to take on water, the disciples were terrified and Jesus slept peacefully. We can easily be critical of His disciples, but if you are like me, you’ve been shaken by less…much less.

Jesus asked them, “Where is your faith?”

He didn’t ask did they have faith. He did rebuke them of having ‘little’ faith as He did on other occasions. He asked, “WHERE is your faith?”

God gives all of us a measure of faith…

Romans 12:3 (NKJV)

³ For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

 Sometimes it only shows up in small measure…

Matthew 6:30 (NKJV)

Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

And, sometimes it doesn’t show up at all…

Luke 8:25 (NKJV)

But He said to them, “Where is your faith?”

If you think about it, this happens in the physical world quite often.

You get ready to pay for your groceries. You reach in your pocket or purse and realize you left your money at home. “Where is your money?” You didn’t ‘bring it along’ so you don’t have access to it.

Or, you have been working in your yard all day long. A friend calls and asks if you can help them move some furniture. You tell them, “I would but I’m just too tired.” You are strong enough, but right now, you’re just too tired to help. Where is your strength? Just because you’re too tired doesn’t mean you aren’t strong enough.

Or, you know you put your car keys on the kitchen counter, but you can’t find them. Someone placed a dish towel over them, blocking your view. Where are your keys? Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there, but at the time you don’t have access to them.

Sometimes we go into situations ‘without our faith…

Sometimes we have gone through so much, our faith can be weaker…

Or sometimes we can let the storms of life (like the disciples) hide or overpower our faith.

None of these situations mean we don’t have faith, we are just denying ourselves access to its power.

Be encouraged. God knows we have weak moments. Don’t let your failures allow the devil to manipulate you into thinking you have no faith.

But, at the same time don’t be satisfied with little faith either. Remember what God has already done for you. Tell others of what God has done for you and remind them of what He’s already done for them. And, do what it takes to grow your faith…Jesus said it very plainly in Matthew 17…

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]

If you’re going through a trial of your faith right now, hang in there or encourage someone else going through…

James 1:2-4 (NKJV)

² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

The same God who brought you through past situations can bring you through this one. Just make sure to let the faith you do have….show up.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

When your GOOD isn’t GOOD enough for some doesn’t mean your GOOD isn’t GOOD enough! 

GOD’S GOOD isn’t GOOD enough for some too.

Matthew 10:14(NKJV)

14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.

2 Thessalonians 3:13

But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.

A hero’s greatest power isn’t in his or her ability to save, rescue, or protect, because even if they ‘fail’ they are still a hero.

Their greatest power is their ability to inspire others through their sincere effort, determination, unselfishness and courage.

In the eyes of many, Jesus failed on the cross that day over 2,000 years ago, but to those of us who believe…He is our hero.

Be someone’s hero today!

2 Corinthians 13:4 (NKJV)

BE BLESSTIFIED

I have 3 children adult children, who of course, don’t always get along perfectly. Siblings disagree and the bible confirms that. Joseph of Genesis brothers disliked him. Jacob and Esau were rivals over the family blessing and birthright. Even David, a man after God’s own heart, had children who were not only rivals, but extremely dysfunctional.

My children and I’m quite certain your children or you and your siblings, if you have them, are no different.

There have been times that my children have claimed that my wife and I were not being fair toward one of them relative to one of them, or the other two. They have each compared what we do or don’t do for each of them to one another.

My response…

God isn’t ‘fair’ with His children. God does what He pleases or doesn’t do as He pleases for His own reasons.

I can’t explain why one person has a terminal illness, and another rarely ever has a sick day. I can’t complain why everything one person touches turns to gold, while there are other devout Christians live in a country with no clean water or infrastructure for things to get better anytime soon. However, many times this type of poverty is an opportunity for those who are blessed more materially to be obedient and do good to ‘the least of them’ (Matthew 25).

But, look at what Jesus said in a sense about ‘fairness’ in the bible…

 Luke 4:24-27(NKJV)

²⁴ Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. ²⁵ But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; ²⁶ but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath,^[a] in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. ²⁷ And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”

God used the prophet Elijah to help the widow in Zarephath, however there were many others who didn’t receive help. There were many with leprosy in those days, but Jesus declares only Naaman was healed. Were either of these situations ‘fair’?

Have you ever looked at t he lives of others and felt that God wasn’t being fair to you? It may seem others are being blessed, some who you feel may not ‘deserve’ blessing as much as you. It may seem that others are being healed. It may seem that others who are a lot less sincere are doing a lot better than you.

You may not say it out loud, you may feel God is being unfair.

You may not say it out loud, you may even be jealous of your Christian brother and sisters…

Family…

Marriage…

‘Success’…

Children…

Health…

Influence…

Ministry…

You may even to begin to consider them your rival, placing yourself in some unspoken competition with them. This can cause great dysfunction in the Body of Christ.

Remember, that just as a parent loves all their children, God loves all of His. But, also remember that just as each of your children are not the same, neither are all of God’s.

Sometimes God lets us see how He feels through our relationships. We can compare our frustration with our children with His frustration with us. After all, we were all made in His image.

Rather than hear a random complaint from your child about how unfair you are, wouldn’t you rather hear a random, “THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR ME”?

So, the next time you think that God is being unfair to you. The next time you find yourself complaining about how He is treating one of your ‘siblings’… stop and thank Him for how good He is to you. Thank Him for what He IS doing in your life. Thank Him for what He is protecting you from. Thanks

BE BLESSTIFIED!

It’s sometimes easy to tell when we have abused, neglected, or not taken very good care of our bodies. We  can do some serious damage to the bodies that God has given us as temples for His Spirit, and sometimes it’s very easy to see. We’ll  run into someone we haven’t seen in years, and we may think to ourselves, “They sure have let themselves go!” Have you ever said or thought that? We can wear down our bodies with what we put into them, riotous living, lack of exercise, worry and stress, not getting proper medical care and the list goes on. You can see it in our skin, teeth, eyes, our physique…

But WHAT IF YOU COULD SEE YOUR SOUL?

We can defile and harm our SPIRITS just as we can defile our BODIES.

2 Corinthians 7:1 tells us to cleanse ourselves of all filthiness of flesh and spirit. 1 Peter 2:11 begs us to abstain from fleshly lusts that war against our soul.

Think of all the things you have put your soul through…according to 2 Corinthians 7:1, sin defiles our spirit…think of all the sinful things you have done, and the effect it has had on your spirit.

When it comes to your body, you are what you eat…and it’s the same with your soul.

Unfortunately, the souls of many Christians are either malnourished from lack of spiritual food (reading the word)… or in poor health because of too much junk food (allowing the wrong things through our eye and ear gates).

What do you watch?

What do you listen to?

What types of conversations do you have?

What kind of relationships are you involved in?

Remember that 1 Corinthians 15:33 reminds us that “bad company corrupts good character ”.

Just as stress and worry wear down the body, the spirit man of many people are worn by ungodly attitudes and character, damaged by hatred, anger, racism, jealousy, wrath, malice etc. Many people’s spirits are weak because they don’t exercise their faith through studying God’s word, prayer and fasting as Jesus explained in Matthew 17 Matthew 19-21 (KJV) and 1 Peter 2:2. That’s why right after 2 Corinthians 7:1, the word of God tells us to cleanse ourselves of the things that defile our bodies and spirits. When we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior our spirits are renewed (2:Corinthians 5:17). From that day forward the enemy tries to tempt us to defile our spirit man with the works of the flesh. Keep your spirit clean because even though we can’t see it…God can.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

When I learned to drive years ago (in the early 80’s) I wasn’t in the habit of wearing a seat belt. It thought it to be…

Restrictive…

Uncomfortable…

Unnecessary for my security…

In fact, I thought that I couldn’t enjoy my ride as much while wearing a seat belt.

Then a law was passed making it mandatory to wear a seat belt, or you would be fined.

I reluctantly began wearing my seat belt…regularly. The more I put it on, the more I got used to wearing it. The more I got used to wearing it, the more I got comfortable wearing it. It was not burdensome anymore.

What felt unnatural, now feels natural!

It now feels unnatural to NOT wear my seatbelt. I now feel uncomfortable and unsecure without it on.

Look at what the bible teaches about being obedient to God’s word…

1 John 5:3(NKJV)

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

Many times people are reluctant to submit to God because they feel submitting to His word is…

Restrictive…

Uncomfortable…

Unnecessary for my security…

In fact, they think they can’t enjoy their ‘ride’ through life as much while submitting to God’s word.

The more you submit to God, and the more your love for God grows…the more you value and treasure His word and His expectations.

Just like me wearing a seat belt, being obedient not only becomes easier, it feels more natural. At the same time…old sinful behaviors, even those that haven’t gone away completely seem more unnatural.

So open your bible and BUCKLE UP!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

We all know people or encounter people who just aren’t nice. We all have our days, but no one wants to be around someone who is negative, mean or overly critical most if not all of the time.

But think about this…

Why are they like that?

Have you ever considered the story behind their bad attitude? God doesn’t want us to just throw them away. He loves them too. He wants them to made whole. He wants them to stop sowing bad seeds.

Here’s where real love comes in. Not just for those close to you, but for those who hate you. Those who can’t stand you. Those who have hurt you.

There’s always a story behind their bad attitude.

Were they hurt? Were they betrayed? Were they taught or conditioned to be negative, hateful or overly critical?

You won’t always know it. They won’t always tell you. But, there’s always a story behind their bad attitude.

You don’t have to know their story. You don’t have to understand them.

You see..

You don’t have to understand people to love them. Just love them.

We were all made in God’s image. He gave us all a measure of faith. He has given us all the ability to love like Him. It’s up to us to bring that out of one another. But, too many times encountering in negative people brings out negativity in us.

This is where…

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

¹³ I can do all things through Christ^[a] who strengthens me.

…is most powerful

God expects us to meet bad attitudes and negativity with the positivity of His love. It’s not always easy, but it’s what He expects of us.

1 Peter 3:9 (NLT)

Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

BE BLESSTIFIED!