It’s easy to read the gospels and think, shame on the scribes, Pharisees, Saducees and religious establishment that so often confronted, questioned and even corrected Jesus. But, if we’re honest with ourselves, many of us would have done the same thing if we were living then.

How do I know? Because that’s what many of us do, sometimes unintentionally, today.

Allow me to use the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-12), you know where Jesus performed His first recorded public miracle, to give a hypothetical example.

What if there was a man or woman who planned to go to that wedding, but one of the ‘church people’ told him or her, “Well, I’m not going, and I would advise that you don’t go. I’ve heard they will be drinking there. Based on that ‘churchy’ advice, the man or woman did not go. We all know that when they ran out of wine, Jesus was the person who richly replenished the supply, rather than rebuking them for serving it.

They would have missed an opportunity, possibly their only opportunity to meet Jesus trying to be righteous.

We all know that when they ran out of wine, Jesus was the person who richly replenished the supply, rather than rebuking them for serving it. For more on this please read my post: PLEASE DON’T ‘TRIP’ OVER A GLASS OF WINE – ALL THINGS IN MODERATION…

Yes, we must do our best to live holy lives, especially while in the midst of those who don’t believe, but we must have balance and apply wisdom.

Remember this…

Ecclesiastes 7:16-17(NKJV)

¹⁶ Do not be overly righteous,
Nor be overly wise:
Why should you destroy yourself?
¹⁷ Do not be overly wicked,
Nor be foolish:
Why should you die before your time?

BE BLESSTIFIED!

I’ve been seeing more and more people using slavery as ammunition against the bible. Atheists…

Those walking away from the faith…

Those trying to justify other sins…

And, those of other religions…

Quickly point to the presence of slavery in both the Old and New Testaments to discredit the bible or prove their point.

So, I decided to once again RE-SHARE my post…LET’S TALK ABOUT SLAVERY IN THE BIBLE…

Please use this as ammunition when slaver is used to attack the word of God. Please click the link above…check it out, and share if it blesses you.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

There’s nothing wrong with being recognized and awarded, but it can be a problem when we come to expect it. I was recently watching a Gospel music industry award show. The glitz. The glamour. The red carpet. The speeches… It almost seems like sometimes we’re saying, “The world has a red carpet, and we want one too!”

Here again, I’m not saying there is anything wrong with it, but we must be careful that those of us in Gospel aren’t conforming, but reforming.

Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

And as I said, we also must be very careful that we don’t allow pride to slip in to the point that we EXPECT rewards, awards and recognition. I wonder how many artists, songwriters, producers, etc., were actually disappointed or angry they didn’t win, or jealous of those who did? How many thought in their hearts, “They didn’t deserve it!”. Not to mention the thousands of people laboring for Christ, whose work is just as good, but are never recognized. In fact, in many cases, it tends to be the same group of people who continue to win or be honored.

We are human, and sometimes we can feel hurt when we see others getting all of the attention…especially when God’s anointing is working powerfully in your life.

On those days, remember this…

Remember that during His earthly ministry Jesus wasn’t:

Nominated for an award…

Accepted by the establishment…

Appreciated by those who needed Him most…

The ONE and ONLY time He was triumphantly celebrated (Matthew 21:1-11)…

Some of the same people shouted for, consented to, mocked at and celebrated His death (Matthew 27:16-26).

If you feel that you aren’t ‘getting what you deserve’…

If you feel that others are getting recognition while you’re being ignored…

Don’t get caught up complaining, whining, lashing out at the world for ignoring you.

Stay focused and work your ministry.

Our Lord has been waiting over 2000 years for His glory. If He can wait. So can we.

John 17:24 (NKJV)

²⁴ “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

A few years ago I regularly volunteered at a rescue mission. While there, I worked closely with the Pastor who over saw the location. As I watched him, there were some occasions I thought his temper was too short and he was too harsh. Of course there were many people there who needed help, but he would daily encounter people who were trying to take advantage of the system, harm other residents, or didn’t appreciate the help they were getting. I didn’t know the Pastor when he first started his job…how hopeful he was to make a difference…how passionate he was for those who were in need, but it was clear that dealing with negative, evil people had since hardened his heart.

There have been times that I willingly bought food for people in need on the street, but other days, because of people who were clearly trying to take advantage of my kindness, tried to ignore those who are in need.

Jesus made a powerful prophecy for the last days. He prophesied that BECAUSE of evil, the sincere love of many will grow cold.

Matthew 24:12 (NKJV)

¹² And because lawlessness (sin) will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

Has negativity, dysfunction, racism, violence…evil ever made you angry?

Do you have a family member or friend who has given so many chances to change that you don’t feel sorry for them any more?

Has being mistreated made you feel justified in disliking, or even hating someone?

When people seem to confirm negative stereotypes, does it push you towards racism?

Have those who abuse systems designed to help cause you to lose compassion for those who are truly in need?

Have you found yourself to love less? Be careful, because it can lead to being loveless.

The devil wants to use the evil in the world to harden your heart. He wants to find the right button(s) to press to make you the mirror image of that you see as evil.

Please don’t let allow the bad in the world to harden your heart.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Revelation 19:10 (NKJV)

10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Revelations 21:8-9

8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.

9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

I love how the angel of the Lord replied to the John in Revelation 19:10 and 22:8-9...Twice as the Apostle John received awesome Revelations from God, he tried to bow down and worship the angel of God, but the angel immediately stopped John and told him, 1. “I am of your brethren…2. Worship God!

I love that!

So many times when God uses great men and women to share His word and love people will try to worship them.

Yes, the bible says we should honor and respect those who bring the word, but there’s a difference in respecting and worshiping.

Some people have even come to expect people to worship them, especially after God has shown HIS POWER THROUGH THEM.

If an angel of God can humble himself, then so should we. We should NEVER give any man or woman MORE respect than we give God.

Sometimes, I’ve found people to try and hide their liquor when I would come around, or I’ve found them to curse with every other word until they found out I was a preacher, then they would change while I was around. I quickly tell them, “I appreciate the respect, but before I arrived God was here  and, He will still be here when I leave. Don’t respect me more than you respect God!” People who stop drinking, doing drugs, cursing or whatever when the “preacher” comes around must remember that God is always there, and that every time they do it, they do it in His presence.

Let us always respect one another, but never more than we respect God.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Have you ever noticed someone name dropping? When they use the fact that they know someone, or have met someone to their advantage? Have you ever done it?

Have you ever noticed God ‘name dropping’ in scripture? Not only does He name drop, but He also has called out specific names for one reason or another throughout history.

God knows us all by name…by what we’re called and who we are.

Why or when does God ‘name drop’ your name?

Why does God call out your name?

God does some name dropping in the book of Ezekiel. When Ezekiel is prophesying about judgment for persistent unfaithfulness, God states that when He allows calamity to come upon the land, even Noah, Daniel and Job would not be able to deliver the people, but only themselves. But the fact that He called out these men’s names…that He referred to them…speaks to their righteousness, prominence, influence and standing with God.

Ezekiel 14:14 (NKJV)

¹⁴ Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,” says the Lord God.

In what context does God call out your name? Look at a few examples of God calling out some names…

Genesis 17:5 (NKJV)

⁵ No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.

1 Samuel 3:4 (NKJV)

⁴ that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!”

Job 1:8 (NKJV)

⁸ Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?

Matthew 16:18 (NKJV)

¹⁸ And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:23(NKJV)

²³ But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.

Luke 19:5 (NKJV)

⁵ And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him,^[a] and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”

Acts 9:4  (NKJV)

⁴ Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

How has God ‘dropped’ or called out your name?

To give you your purpose?

To brag on you?

To judge you?

To come to Him?

Go go away from Him?

To fellowship with you?

To use you as an example?

Remember God knows your name, but you control how He uses it.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Sometimes as soon as your feet hit the floor it seems that trouble is waiting for you. It may carry over from the day before, or you can wake up in a great mood and helplessly see everything around you spiraling downward.

You feel helpless. As much as you struggle to get a handle on things, they slip right through your fingers.

Sometimes its even after you prayed for peace, for direction, for protection…for God to bless your day.

How could He allow such calamity when you just asked Him for peace.

Think about this. It’s easy to have peace in a peaceful situation, But, how can you know that God has given you true peace unless you see that you can maintain it when surrounded by trouble.

Sometimes God allows trouble to show you He answered your prayer for peace. To prove to you that your peace is established in Him, and not what’s going on around you…

John 14:27 (NKJV)

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

So I encourage you, that when your day starts off ‘bad’…TRUST GOD through it…

1. Tell God that you love Him and you trust Him. The devil wants to manipulate the situation to make you doubt God. He wants to interrupt your prayer life and fellowship with God. He wants you to think God doesn’t hear you or care. There is power in telling God, in the face of the devil, that you love Him and trust Him.
2. Get out your bible, bible app, or whatever you use and turn to Psalms. Feed yourself with a book full of encouragement in adversity. Read several and meditate on them all day. Notice how the Psalms that begin in trouble always end in praise and trusting God.
3. Don’t let the trouble provoke you to step outside of God’s character. Don’t curse. Don’t blame. Don’t backslide. Don’t damage your testimony.
4. Find a way to give God glory in the situation. Sometimes it’s speaking peace into others who are troubled. Sometimes it’s allowing them to see your resolve in crisis.
5. Maintain God’s purpose. Sometimes trouble can lead you to give up or say who cares. Even a momentary lapse in your calling or purpose can cause catastrophic damage. Remember, that God promised through the Apostle Paul that ALL things work TOGETHER for the GOOD of those who LOVE Him and are CALLED according to HIS purpose.

Sorry if you were expecting some magic prayer or exercise to suddenly turn things around. We have to many people of spiritual influence doing that now.  That’s not how God works. In fact, that only turns your faith into superstition. God is developing us to conform into the image of His Son…and who’s day started out worse than Jesus’ did a little over 2000 years ago when He went to the cross for us.

Remember this…

Psalm 34:19 (NKJV)

¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Many people have been eager to offer their opinion on Snoop Dogg doing a Gospel album. It’s not my place to judge who God chooses to use. I will say this…

1. Many of our most beloved Psalms were inspired by God through a man who killed thousands of people, and had a man killed so he could have his wife (King David)
2. It’s interesting how some of the same church people who accepted R. Kelly’s, “I Believe I Can I Can Fly”…some even including it in worship are critical of a Christian or Gospel artist who sings a love song. (Song of Solomon proves there’s nothing wrong with a love song, especially in a Christians marriage).
3. Even though God strictly forbids the homosexual lifestyle along with other sins, many of the Gospel songs that touch the hearts of countless people, and have even led people to Christ were very likely written by homosexuals. (That by no means excuses or justifies the sin, but the truth is the truth).
4. Even the apostle Paul said that some preach with ungodly motives and others with a sincere heart…but he was just thankful that Christ was preached and despite the selfish motives, people received the word.

Philippians 1:15-18 (NKJV)

¹⁵ Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: ¹⁶ The former^[a] preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; ¹⁷ but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁸ What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

So, if Snoop Dogg recording a Gospel song(s) that sincerely inspires someone or strengthens someone’s connection to God…then to God be the Glory. It’s not my place, not matter how evident it may seem to me by his current and past ‘fruit’, to judge what is in Mr. Calvin Broadus Jr.’s (Snoop Dogg’s) heart. That is between him and God.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

You finally got it! That promotion you worked so hard for, or it may be that you didn’t earn or deserve it. Either way, you got it.

The first thing you want to do is make sure that it’s from God. But, how can you tell? It’s really very easy.

Here are 7 quick ways to tell whether your promotion or job is a blessing or a curse in disguise.

Make sure the expectations of your new duties don’t…

1. Make you behave contrary to God’s will.

2. Make your compromise God’s character and integrity.

3. Prevent you from attending regular worship service.

4. Force you to make a choice between your career/occupation and your calling.

5. Force you to be disrespectful to others

6. Force you to endorse, encourage or excuse ungodly lifestyles.

7. Did you pray about it first?

Number 7 is really big. I probably should have put it first, but it would have messed up my transition:-) How can God bless something that you didn’t pray about first? Making any decision, but especially big decisions without God is foolishly stepping out on your own.

Remember, no matter what your role, job title, or job description…you are God’s representative at work. You are His ambassador…

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.

Even in an ungodly culture, God has sent you behind enemy lines to set the standard of behavior in the most difficult circumstances.

If God gave it to you…Congratulations!

If not, you would be better off with less money if it comes between you and God. And, any influence you may have lost in the world is multiplies in God’s Kingdom.

Mark 8:36-37 (NKJV)

³⁶ For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?³⁷ Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

BE BLESSTIFIED.

An astronaut slowly and quietly drifted off into deep, dark space in a movie I recently watched. It made me think about God’s omnipresence and omnipotence. He is everywhere at the same time. He has all power. Some say He is the universe, but God made the universe, so He goes beyond its vastness.

If that astronaut had accepted Yeshua, Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, though his body drifted…he was not lost in space.

My wife and I shared the most beautiful thought…

Even if you were 1,000,000,000,000 light years away in space, you would still be just as close to God as you are right now.

Jeremiah 23:23-33 (NKJV)
“Am I a God near at hand,” says the Lord,
“And not a God afar off?

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Before you react. Before you judge. Before you say yes or no. Before you look. Before you answer that text. Before you snap. Before you ‘get even’.

Make sure he, she or they aren’t a test.

When you accepted Christ, you made a commitment to God. You made a commitment to your husband or wife. You made a commitment to your family. You made a commitment to God children…

To remain in God’s character. Conform to the image of His son. To keep your marriage vows. To do your job as if doing it for God Himself. To be a light. To set the standard of behavior in difficult circumstances.

Maybe that person who…

Is attractive to you…

Who says all the right things…

Maybe that person who won’t accept your apology…

That person who disrespected you publicly.

Maybe that person who betrayed you…

Who lied to you.

Who refuse to help you, when you know that they could.

Maybe that person…those persons…that group…that love one…

Maybe they are a test.

Not, for God to know what you will do, because He already knows. But, a test for you to see where you really stand with Him. To reveal your lever of spiritual, physical, emotional and psychological…

Strength and weakness! To reveal your true character and level of integrity.

So you can know where you need to grow.

Maybe it’s a test.

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.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Early in His ministry, Jesus was confronted by the enemy as recorded in Matthew 4:1-11,  He was confronted/attacked while His FLESH was weakest. He had been fasting for 40 days. The enemy tried to catch Jesus in His flesh’s most vulnerable state. But, even though Jesus’ flesh was weak, His will was strong. Jesus knows us, and He knows our flesh gets weak too, that’s why He encourages us…

Matthew 6:24

“Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the SPIRIT indeed is WILLING, but the FLESH is WEAK”.

Even though Jesus’ flesh was weak, His Spirit and resolve was still willing and strong. Why? Because He fought off the enemy’s attack with the WORD OF GOD. The word of God is our most powerful weapon against the enemy.

2 Corinthians 10:4 says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.”

Hebrews  4:12 reminds us, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

As much as so many Americans are preoccupied with and put faith in their GUNS…our greatest attacks aren’t against the FLESH, but SPIRIT. Even those who attack you physically have succumbed to a spiritual attack that led them to result to violence…it started in the Spirit.

That’s why YOU CAN’T BRING A GUN TO A SWORD FIGHT!

Temptation is an attack of the enemy, and Jesus made the devil back down with the word of God in Matthew 4:1-11.

He was tempted with HUNGER (vs 3)…which many have used as an excuse for violence and theft. Jesus’ response…“IT IS WRITTEN, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”. (vs 4)

He was tempted with PRIDE (vs 5,6)…which has led many to violence. Jesus’ response…“AGAIN IT IS WRITTEN, you shall not put the Lord your God to the test”. (vs 7)

He was tempted with POWER (vs 8,9)…which has led many to kill countless people. Jesus’ response…“Be gone Satan! FOR IT IS WRITTEN, you shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.” (vs 10).

Verse 11 tells us that the devil fled…Jesus overcame the temptation/attack with the word of God.

EVERYTHING that leads man to violence and gun fire BEGINS with a temptation to the Spirit, but Jesus taught us how to fight before the guns are drawn.

Read Matthew 4 :1-11 again for context. Read 2: Corinthians 10:1-6. Read James 4:7. And read Psalm 33:16 and remember….
YOU CAN’T BRING A GUN TO A SWORD FIGHT!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

There may be some reason that you aren’t looking forward to or may even be dreading tomorrow. It could be because of challenges in your relationship(s), on your job, your health. It could be that your paycheck will not be enough to take care of your obligations. It may be a promise you made that you already know you can’t fulfill. You may have robbed Peter and still don’t have enough to pay Paul. You may be separated from loved ones and support.

It may be the expected or the unexpected.

I’m not here to promise a miracle if you share this post.

I’m not even promising tomorrow will be better or even arrive.

God hasn’t promised us tomorrow…but He has given us today.

That’s why He said…

Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)

 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

If you have the strength or means to read this post or have it read to you, then God has abundantly blessed you.

In fact, no matter how much or how little money, food, clothing, strength or hope you have, He’s given you more than enough for today.

Those days in your past that you have dreaded, even if they were as ‘bad’ as you expected…you’re still here.

The truth is that God is sovereign to do what He pleases with each day and each person He made.

He loves us, and no matter how bad it may seem, He’s working all things together for our good…

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.

The fact is either we trust Him or we don’t. Don’t worry about tomorrow if you don’t trust God with today.

Reach down inside and praise God and tell Him you love Him and trust Him with today.

If you don’t know what to say, I suggest…

Psalm 118:24 (NKJV)

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

BE BLESSTIFIED!

The “Dark Room”, that’s what they called the room on the 4^th floor in which the Information Technology team worked. They were intentionally shut off from the rest of the building…There were no windows. They enjoyed the privacy and freedom from interruption, but unless they left the room, they didn’t know if the sun shined or if it rained.

Unfortunately, one day something went wrong with the alarm system, and they didn’t get warning there was a fire in the building. As Jim, the Department Manager opened the door he noticed smoke coming from the stairwell designated as the fire exit. He quickly told his team they must hurry into the fire exit before it’s too late. However, rather than rush into the fire exit as Jim said, the team immediately team looked at Dorothy, who was an Analyst.

Why?

Because Dorothy was the person on the team everyone went to with their problems. She was kind. Dorothy always seemed genuinely concerned. She always listened. She always honored her commitments. She remained calm at times of crisis, and she very rarely complained. In fact, she was almost always positive in negative situations.

They liked her.

They respected her.

They trusted her.

Jim had the TITLE, but Dorothy had the INFLUENCE.

Dorothy paused a moment and deduced the fire might have actually been set in the fire exit , and she advised to take the main stairwell, which would normally be avoided. The team quickly moved on Dorothy’s advice and exited the building.

You don’t have to be the President, CEO, Governor, Mayor, General Manager, Director or Pastor to change things…all you need is influence.

When people feel you believe in them, they will believe in you.

Remember, Jesus took a rag-tag group of men, and inspired them to change the world after a shameful death.

If you inspire people, make them smile, or comfort them, they will always value you.

Use your influence to be a blessing to the Kingdom of God…

Use your influence to save souls…that’s why God gave it to you.

1 Corinthians 1:27 (NKJV)

²⁷ But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;

BE BLESSTIFIED!

One of the most precious gifts from God is freedom. Just as America celebrates its freedom each July 4^th, most nations, cultures or races that had one time been oppressed in some form stop to celebrate their independence.

In the book of Joshua , after God established Israel as a nation. we read what will be a common phrase in the bible established Israel in the promised land…

Joshua 21:44New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴⁴ The Lord gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand.

King Solomon also recognizes that God has given him and the nation rest from all enemies or adversaries…

1 Kings 5:4New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴ But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor evil occurrence.

But unfortunately, each time that Israel was granted peace and freedom from adversaries, that rather than growing closer to God, they eventually used that peace and freedom to begin compromising their relationship with God and began serving other God’s, allowing their leisure to become a distraction…

Judges 2:11-12 (NKJV)

¹¹ Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served the Baals; ¹² and they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the Lord to anger.

Even though King Solomon initially used God’s rest from enemies to build the temple, he eventually began using his peace and freedom from calamity to marry many unbelieving wives who led him to compromise his relationship with God to please his wives…

1 Kings 11 (NKJV)

11 But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites— ² from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel, “You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. ³ And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. ⁴ For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. ⁵ For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. ⁶ Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as did his father David. ⁷ Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon. ⁸ And he did likewise for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.

These are just two examples of how Israel and Solomon squandered their ‘rest’ from enemies…they squandered their freedom.

When Israel allowed their freedom to become a distraction, God always allowed them to become oppressed to bring their hearts back to Him.

I just want to use this as a quick reminder that freedom is a gift of God. And that we should never take it for granted.

I also want to remind us, that just as Solomon initially used his rest to build the temple and write numerous Proverbs, that we should use our freedom to honor God, build His Kingdom and share His truth.

We should not use our freedom as an opportunity to…

Become disobedient to God’s word.

Live or endorse lifestyles contrary to His word.

Become negligent in or totally abandoning His worship.

Or totally turn to other Gods.

It’s God’s will that we enjoy our freedom.

It’s God’s will that we use our freedom to glorify Him.

It’s God’s will that we use our freedom to grow closer to one another.

It’s His will that we use our freedom and peace to make our lives and the lives of others better.

Use your freedom to grow stronger and not weaker…

Don’t squander your freedom.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

How does it make you feel when you hear someone whining? Isn’t it annoying?

Whining is a total waste of energy…

It’s a verbal expression of worry…

Whining is a verbal pity party.

Whining is a form of complaining, and God hates complaining …

1 Corinthians 10:10 (NKJV)

Nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.

It establishes the whiner’s perceived weakness and powerlessness.

Not one time in scripture do we find Jesus whining…

He rejoices…

Luke 10:21a (NKJV)

²¹ In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…

He weeps…

 John 11:35 (NKJV)

³⁵ Jesus wept.

He rebukes…

Matthew 17:8 (KJV)

 ⁸ And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

He even pleads….

Matthew 27:46

⁴⁶ And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”^[a]

But, He never whines.

Very few people want to hear you whine…

Very few times does whining change the situation….

Have you ever noticed how a group of people whining together feed into each others’ misery?

It becomes a pity party…they validate one anothers’ complaints but accomplishes nothing.

Yes, there are times that we are displeased, dismayed, overlooked, overworked, unappreciated, unhappy…

Sometimes we may even need to rebut, rebuke, protest or protect our interest…

But, do it in strength not weakness.

Don’t whine…

Turn your WHINING INTO WORSHIP

Turn your PITY PARTY INTO A PRAISE PARTY!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Evening Epiphany…

Live a life for God so significant, that the impact, legacy and influence you leave behind is so powerful, that those who oppose your wish you were still alive.

Matthew 27:54 (NKJV)

 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

BE BLESSTIFIED!

One of the most precious, personal and intimate things you can share with someone…is a memory. A moment that you experienced together…good or bad.

Not necessarily the BIG moments, but the seemingly small and trivial.

The memories in your mind and spirit are between only you, the person with whom you share them, and God. That’s true intimacy.

We’re always making memories with our loved ones.

Make them good…

Because one day, that’s all you will have.

1 Corinthians 2:11(NKJV)

 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

History didn’t take place in black and white…

It wasn’t experienced in 8mm…

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

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

The past was it’s past’s future.

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

They had hopes and dreams just as we do.

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

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

Psalm 118:24 (NKJV)

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

I’m sorry if I post too often but, there’s inspiration and revelation everywhere…

In the good and the bad,

In the beautiful and the ugly,

In right and wrong,

In the profound and the profane,

In righteousness and in evil,

In the light and in darkness,

In peace and in chaos,

In work and in leisure,

In worship and in rebellion,

In hope and in hopelessness,

In contentment and regret.

In God’s word and the absurd…

I have to write. I have to share

Because there is inspiration and revelation everywhere…

Romans 1:20 (NKJV)

²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

What’s trivial to one could change someone else’s world.

Harmonizing…Measuring…Reconciling everything I see with God’s word is therapy for me…

I’m sorry if I share too much. But, if I don’t…I may go crazy.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

QUICK ENCOURAGEMENT…

When your best isn’t good enough for them…That’s their problem, not yours!

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.

BE BLESSTIFIED

Jonah 1:1-3

The Lord spoke his word to Jonah son of Amittai: ² “Get up, go to the great city of Nineveh, and preach against it, because I see the evil things they do.” ³ But Jonah got up to run away from the Lord by going to Tarshish.

Have you ever noticed how we ask children, “What to you want to BE when you grow up?”…Rather than, “What do you want to do?” That’s because we often define ourselves by what we do, rather than who we are.

When you think about it, some jobs or careers other than those directly related to ministry are also ministries…teaching, medicine, leadership, even law enforcement. Some jobs, in order to do them effectively you must have passion and a heart for people. You’re using your God-given abilities to earn your living. But, most jobs are occupations. They are what we do to sustain our lives, but they can change.

But, my career is my occupation…my family and my ministries are my calling.

Careers can change, but your calling is the reason you’re still on this earth. You choose your career, but God chooses your calling.

The apostles had occupations/careers. They were fishermen(Matthew 4:18-22), tent makers (Acts 18:1-4) a tax collector (Matthew 9:9-13), and Paul was a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5), but we didn’t get the Gospels and God’s word because of their careers or occupations. It was because of the calling on their lives.

REMEMBER, Jesus had an occupation. He was a carpenter…WE DIDN’T GET SALVATION BECAUSE JESUS WAS A CARPENTER! 

Jonah ran from his calling and found himself in the belly on a great fish (Jonah 1:17) to get him on task. God intervened to shift his focus. The men on the ship on which Johah boarded to flee even asked him, “What is your occupation?” (Johah 1:8). Don’t get so occupied with your career, that you neglect or ignore your calling. 

If God has to help you refocus, it may not be comfortable, but His will, will be done.

Relentlessly pursue your calling and be everything God created you to be.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Anyone who involved in ministry or cause that wears the name Gospel have either gone through or are going through periods when he or she may feel their efforts aren’t getting the attention or ‘support’ that it deserves.

You know that you’re anointed. You have prayed over your decisions and you feel confident that you’re doing just what God called you to do.

But, when we deliver a message, sing a song, write a song, book or blog, launch a ministry…invest our heart, soul, passion and yes, money into our ministry…it can be devastating when people don’t seem to ‘feel it’, accept it or appreciate it.

Other than my blog, I collaborate with my wife (GospelJazz recording artist Mechelle Johnson) to write songs for our music/marriage ministry. I have been an ordained minister for over 21 years, and I have found myself second guessing my callings and investments because of the response. I found myself comparing myself and my wife to others doing the same thing (big mistake). I found myself sometimes getting upset at God because He hadn’t made things happen fast enough for me or us (Lord please forgive me). Have you?

Then I was reminded of something. The apostles were blessed to get out of town sometimes with their lives. They narrowly escaped being killed. They were beaten and imprisoned for the sake of the Gospel.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-2(NKJV)

 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, ² and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.

I’m reminded of what Jesus warned in the book of John…

John 16:2(NKJV)

 ² They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.

They couldn’t download music help keep them inspired. They were going on 100% Holy Spirit!

Many of us have been spoiled by ‘amens’, captive audiences and spiritual celebrity. From the local church level to Gospel recording artists to national and international…sincere Christians can become intoxicated by the attention.

The very anointing that makes us so powerful for God can become a stumbling block when we use it to benefit ourselves or feed our egos whether than glorify the name of God.

We, myself included, can find ourselves whining and complaining if we aren’t accepted as we would like to be…

We can find ourselves begging for support and votes for awards instead of delivering what God has given us…

We can find ourselves watering down our message for mass acceptance.

If what we’re doing bears the name GOSPEL, then you must maintain the integrity of the message and count the cost. Even if it’s Gospel entertainment (and there is a place for good wholesome Gospel entertainment) be prepared for the fact that everyone may not accept what you have to share. Or, it may never be as ‘you’ envisioned.

When the notoriety means more to us than the message then the enemy has found a way to distract us.

We must be careful to never compare our progress, success or what we perceive as the lack thereof to that of others.

Galatians 6:4-5 (NKJV)

⁴ But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. ⁵ For each one shall bear his own load.

What if John the Baptist had compared himself to his cousin Jesus?  He obviously entertained some doubts considering he sent his own disciples to see if Jesus was really, ‘the one’, or should they look for another…

Matthew 11:2-3 (NKJV)

 ² And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of^[a]his disciples ³ and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

It’s only human to want to be well received, get positive feedback and be successful according to the world…but if what we’re are doing bears the name of Christ, that can’t become the focus.

If you find yourself whining, and begging for support, or chastising others for not paying enough attention to you…stop it today and focus on planting those seeds that God ordained you to plant. You never know when and how He chooses to give the increase in His own timing.

I pray in the name of Yeshua, Jesus Christ, that God keeps you encouraged and focused. God bless your ministry, and please pray for us as well.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Have you ever noticed how some people will ALLOW a coach to ‘cuss’ their children…

How they expect a drill Sargeant to sternly say anything get the best out of a soldier…

But, get angry (pissed off) at the preacher for a raised voice, or using sharp words to reprove and rebuke.

2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV)

 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine

To REPROVE is to disapprove, to chide to the face as worthy of blame, to expose, to convict.

To REBUKE is to reprimand, strongly warn, restrain.

EXHORTATION is encouragement..

Those who believe the word of God and accept the authority and hierarchy in the church understand what God expects of a Pastor.

Jesus, Yeshua, Himself spoke strong words to the religious leaders, those who were closest to Him, and those who rejected Him…

Hypocrites…( Matthew 15, Matthew 23)

Perverted…(Matthew 17)

Brood of vipers…(Matthew 12, Matthew 23)

Foolish…(Luke 24)

White-washed tombs…(Matthew 23)

And most offensive of all, He called them BASTARDS…

John 8:37-45 (NKJV)

 37 “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. 38 I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with[l] your father.”

39 They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.”

Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. 41 You do the deeds of your father.”

Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.”

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.

 Read all of John 8 for context. They got so angry at Jesus that they took up stones to kill Him.

After calling the Pharisees hypocrites, the disciples told Jesus…

Matthew 15:12 (NKJV)

 12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”

 Remember, Jesus’ rebukes were not just for the hypocritical religious leaders, but also for those closest to Him as in Matthew 17:17.

We must be reminded that love isn’t always delicate, sugary sweet words, warm feelings and heavenly promises…sometimes it’s a reminder of Hell.

When a parent disciplines or gives a child strong correction, it doesn’t mean he or she doesn’t love them.

God will hold the preacher accountable when the people aren’t warned about sin, which sometimes applies to the preacher too.

Ezekial 33: 1-9 (NASB)

And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ² “Son of man, speak to the sons of your people and say to them, ‘If I bring a sword upon a land, and the people of the land take one man from among them and make him their watchman, ³ and he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows on the trumpet and warns the people, ⁴ then he who hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, and a sword comes and takes him away, his blood will be on his own head. ⁵ He heard the sound of the trumpet but did not take warning; his blood will be on himself. But had he taken warning, he would have delivered his life. ⁶ But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away ^[a]in his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman’s hand.’

⁷ “Now as for you, son of man, I have ^[b]appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a ^[c]message from My mouth and give them warning from Me. ⁸ When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand. ⁹ But if you on your part warn a wicked man to turn from his way and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your life.

And, warning people about sin isn’t judging, warning isn’t condemnation, it’s helping the hearers avoid condemnation.

Let us all listen with spiritual ears, when we hear words of correction, and always measure it against the word of God and not our feelings.

BE BLESSTIFIED!