YOUR MOST PEACEFUL PLACE IS PORTABLE..

Do you have a place where you feel more at peace? Your home? Your room? The beach? Fishing on the lake? Your church? The gym?

Somedays, if you can just get to your ‘peaceful place’, you’ll be okay. But, unfortunately we don’t always have access to our sanctuary when we need it…

That’s why God gave us the priceless benefit of access to Him through prayer.

I think one of the reasons that God allows trouble is to encourage us to come to Him…

Psalm 50:15 (NKJV)

¹⁵Call upon Me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

When we praye, we’re supposed to shut out the world and focus on an intimate conversation with our Heavenly Father(Matthew 6:6).

When we learn to to this, there is an unspeakable peace that comes from that conversation.

We discover that in His presence there truly is the fullness of joy…

Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)

¹¹You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore

In His presence is the fullness of joy.

The awesome thing is you can pray anywhere, anytime…

Working at your desk…

While driving with your eyes open…

In the middle of a meeting…

While getting a speeding ticket…

You don’t have to get on your knees. You don’t have to talk out loud. You just have to reach out to God. It doesn’t have to be a deep conversation full of complicated theological terms…just a sincere conversation. Even a simple, “Lord have mercy on me” can speak peace into your chaotic day.

Think about all of the unhealthy ways some people ‘escape’ reality…

Drugs…

Alcohol…

Sex…

Food…

Shopping…

The beautiful thing about prayer is that it is the only ‘escape’ from reality that can either…

Solve your problems…

Give you the strength to deal with your problems…

Or, give you peace in your problems…

So no matter where you are…at work, in a stressful meeting, school, running errands, stuck in traffic – it doesn’t matter…

You always have access to your ‘peaceful place’.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 24, 2017 0

WHY DOES GOD ‘TEST’ US WHEN HE ALREADY KNOWS…

Why does God test us when He already knows what we will do?

He doesn’t have to ‘find out’ how strong we are…He already knows.

He doesn’t have to see what we will choose…He already knows.

Yes, God tests us so WE can see how strong we are…or aren’t. Just like any other assessment, tests let us know where we stand, and where we need to grow.

Tests allow others to benefit from witnessing our strength, and to learn from our mistakes…

However, there is one more reason God tests us that is so obvious in scripture, but we if we aren’t careful we’ll miss it…

God somtimes wants to prove a point to the enemy.

God knows the outcome beforehand, but the enemy doesn’t.

The enemy thinks he can tempt you to do anything he wants and put God to open shame.

God loves it when we prove the enemy wrong ‘to his face’. Much like if an attractive rival tempts your spouse. This rival taunts you and tells you he or she can have your spouse any time they wish. You know for yourself that your spouse is attracted to the rival, but they still don’t give in. You didn’t have to make prevent your spouse from giving in…they willingly rejected the rival.

This happened ‘in a sense’ with Job…

Job 1:8-12

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?”

9 So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”

12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”

Next time you’re tested, put your name in Job’s place…

“Consider my servant ________.”

Show the enemy that he doesn’t know you better than God does.

Let God prove to the enemy, that you’re stronger than he thinks.

Make God shine in the face of the enemy.

2 Timothy 2:3-5 (NKJV)

³You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 23, 2017 2

WE PROVE WE WOULD DIE FOR CHRIST BY LIVING FOR HIM…

We all make claims sometimes. We all make promises…

Unfortunately, there are times when we prove our claims are just words…and our promises, though not necessarily empty, went unfulfilled.

We all know about how Peter ‘claimed’ he was ready to die with Jesus, but the Lord quickly told Peter that he would deny Him three times before morning…

Matthew 26:33-35 (NKJV)

³³Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” ³⁴Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” ³⁵Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.

But, God expects that of us sometimes because we are human, and though we may mean well, we often fall short.

Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

⁴¹“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

For example, one claim that we as Christians often proclaim is that if put in the position…we would die for Christ.

However, most of us never get the ‘opportunity’ to prove it…or do we?

How much do you sacrifice for the Lord…daily? (1 Corinthians 15:31)

How much do you deny yourself in following Him…daily? (Luke 9:23)

How much of YOU do you give up for Him…daily? (Matthew 19:21)

How much do you do for ‘the least of them’ (who are Him)…daily? (Matthew 25:31-46)

How many unbelievers do you reach out to, or believers do you encourage…daily? (Matthew 28:19)

You don’t have to die to lay down your life for Christ or your ‘brother’. (John 15:13) Click here to read… YOU DON’T HAVE DIE TO LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE FOR SOMEONE…

Going back to my example of Peter…his denial of Jesus wasn’t the end of the story. He went on to live His life for Christ, putting it on the line to spread the Gospel.

Remember this…

YOU PROVE YOU WOULD DIE FOR CHRIST…BY LIVING FOR HIM!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 23, 2017 0

WHEN NO ONE SEES YOU CRY…

How many tears have you shed that no one saw but you?

You may have been…

Hurt…

Troubled…

Betrayed…

Ignored…

Misunderstood…

Mistreated…

Belittled…

Embarrassed…

Left Out…

Ridiculed…

Broke…

Sick…

You were ‘in your feelings’ DEEPLY…in your feelings.

You may have hoped that someone walked up…stopped by…called…or saw you just in time to let you know that they cared.

But,

No one came…

No one stopped…

No one called…

No one saw…

You cried alone. You got yourself together. You moved on.

How we handle those silent tears proves how real God really is to us.

God see’s our tears…all of them. Is it good enough for you to know that He saw your tears and He cares?

Do you really get comfort from knowing that God saw you and heard you?

Too many times we claim that God is real to us, but how often have you not felt truly comforted until you talked to a ‘real’ person?

There are some moments that are meant to be just between you and God. That’s when He’s most real in your life.

God sees every tear you cry. The next time that you’re shed tears all by yourself, remember…you’re not alone.

1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV)

⁷casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 22, 2017 2

REMEMBER: ‘GOING THROUGH’ IS STILL…GOING!

Are you GOING THROUGH something?

Have you ever had days that you just wanted to give up?

Give up on your dreams? Your vision?

Give up on your hopes? Your goals?

Have you ever wanted to give up on your marriage? Your children?

Have you ever just wanted to drop everything and walk off your job?

Are there days when you feel your money will never be right?

Have you ever wanted to give up on your health?

Do you have a weakness that are soooo strong that sometimes you tell yourself…

Why try?

Just a quick word of encouragement…please don’t give up!

Look at what God told Joshua after the death of Moses as Israel was poised to enter their promise.

Joshua 1:5-9 (NKJV)

⁵No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. ⁶Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. ⁷Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. ⁸This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. ⁹Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Even though they were about to enter their promise, God told them that they would still GO THROUGH some things. But, the same divine encouragement God gave them holds true for us today.

Slow and steady is still moving forward!

It always takes energy to MOVE UP than to fall!

If you’re struggling, it means you still have some fight left in you.

No matter how tough it seems, keep your faith in God…Faith your way forward!

REMEMBER…

GOING THROUGH IS STILL…GOING!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 21, 2017 0

BE READY FOR THE DAYS YOU WON’T WANT TO HEAR FROM GOD…

If you haven’t already had them they’re coming…those days you DON’T want to hear or read the Word of God.
Do you love God? Yes!
Do you love His word? Yes!
Do you trust Him? Yes!
Are you turning away? No!
But, some days you feel…

So heavy…

So dark…

So busy…

So distracted…

So discouraged…

So apathetic…

So numb…

So upset with God…

That you know you need to read…need to pray…need to hear a word from God, but when you’re honest with yourself…You just don’t feel like it. You just don’t want to.
Someone may come to you with an encouraging word, and you just aren’t in the mood to hear it.

It’s time to go to church, but you just don’t want to go.

Were you always in the mood for a pep talk from your parents? Of course not, but that doesn’t mean you don’t love and respect them.

Psalm 119 and verse 11 is short, powerful and true.

Psalm 119:11(NIV)

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

When you regularly read, study and live by God’s word, you’re consuming it. It becomes a part of you…hidden in your heart.

Not only does it help you avoid sin when you’re strong, but it sustains you and keeps you when you’re weak.

Will you make mistakes? Yes.
Will you have moments when quite frankly, don’t want to hear it? Yes.

There will be days when you’re feelings and your faith don’t agree!

But, when God’s word is hidden in your heart, that longing for His word and presence will always rise back up.
Read Psalm 42…. In the midst of deep distress and discouragement, the psalmist remembers the joy of fellowship and intimacy with God.
So, don’t stop with this devotional…

Read and study your bible TODAY.

Pray and talk to your heavenly Father. Tell Him how much you love Him. Thank Him for His unfailing love and faithfulness…

Because the day will come when you will need today’s worship to sustain you.
Some of you who are willing to admit it already know what I mean.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 21, 2017 3

HOW PRINCE INSPIRES ME AS A CHRISTIAN…

Prince’s music is definitely a huge part of the soundtrack of my life, especially my younger days. I enjoy the genius of his artistry..He wasn’t just a singer, but a singer/performer/entertainer/entrepreneur/activist/philanthropist. His influence on music, fashion and culture is undeniable.

It’s also very evident that Prince, as we all do, had a strong spiritual side and a strong carnal side. He wrote songs that were sexually explicit as well as songs that were beautiful and spiritual, such as “God”, which was the B-Side to “Purple Rain” (for younger readers who may not know, a B-Side was another song on the opposite side of the single of a vinyl record). In fact, sometimes Prince was a spiritual paradox…again, as we all have been.

The purpose of this post isn’t to judge Prince’s spirituality or his carnality, but how both inspire me.

Many of you may be thinking, how can a man of God be inspired by carnality? Well, remember Luke 16: 1-12, “The Parable of the Unjust Steward”?

Luke 16 (NKJV)

He also said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. 2 So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’

3 “Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’

5 “So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ 8 So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.

9 “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. 10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?

Notice that the rich man (representing God in this parable) commended the unjust steward or manager. The steward acted very shrewdly in regard to the rich man’s money. Jesus proclaimed that “the children of this world are more shrewd (wiser in some translations) in THEIR GENERATION than the sons of light”. In other words, Jesus was saying that there are some lessons that Christians can learn from ‘the world’…that’s another post that’s coming soon.

When I look at the life of Prince and the way he pursued and released what was inside of him…the way he made the most of his talents and gifts… I’m inspired in my pursuit of ministry and releasing what God has placed inside of me.

Prince’s Gifts and Talents

Prince was one of the most gifted individuals of our time, THAT WE KNOW OF. I say “that we know of” because there are probably scores of other gifted individuals out there that will let their talents and abilities die with them. Gifts and talents are no good if we allow them to remain dormant…or keep them to ourselves. God gives us gifts and talents so we can use them to reveal His glory to the world, and as tools to build His Kingdom. Prince didn’t allow his gifts to remain dormant or to himself. He didn’t come from ‘money’. He wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He didn’t allow circumstances or excuses to negate his gifts. He FOUND WAYS to make it happen…

That inspires me to do the same for God.

Prince’s Vision

God drives home the importance of vision in Habakkuk 2:1-3…

Then the Lord answered me and said:

“Write the vision, And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.

Prince had vision of where he wanted to go. He had a clear picture of where, what and who he wanted to be. Vision is a snapshot of how you see yourself in the future, and it is what drives you to reach the smaller goals along the way to get to your destination. No one can move with the trajectory and momentum of Prince, even through setbacks, without vision…

That also inspires me in ministry.

Princes Dedication to Perfection

In the bible, perfection in regard to man, isn’t flawless, but mature (Teleios, Strong’s Concordance). It means being ‘perfect’ for each level as you progress, as a 4^th grader who is ready to be promoted to 5^th grade…not yet ready for high school, but perfect for the current level. Prince honed his talents and the talents of those around him. He consistently got better, and he made those around him better. As an instrumentalist, song writer, producer, performer, entertainer, he was never satisfied. He always strove for perfection. This is what we should do as Christians. We should always be growing, maturing and perfecting the gifts and talents that God gives us…

This inspires me as a minister, songwriter, writer, husband, father, man of God.

Prince’s Boldness

It was clear that Prince had the boldness to do what he felt he needed to do to be seen and promote who and how he wanted to be perceived. Of course coming on stage almost naked, and using profanity was not good or Godly. In an interview with Tavis Smiley, Prince stated that he did a lot of things early in his career to be as “flashy” and as”noisey” as he could be to deal with and compensate for getting teased in school. He focused on getting better at what he did to deal with the pain of his past. His boldness to write what he felt, perform as he felt, dress as he felt is what gave him his platform. After signing with Warner Brothers, after being offered one of the hottest producers in the industry at the time, Maurice White, he insisted on producing himself….now that’s bold for a teenager…

This inspires me as a minister to be bold for Christ.

Prince’s Influence

Prince will always be remembered as one of the greatest influences on music, culture, fashion, expression, etc., of our time, and possibly all time. Not only did he set the standard, but he raised the bar. You can hear Prince’s influence in various genres of music. His audience is one of the most diverse of any artist. His influence extends beyond race, gender, culture and ethnicity. He has inspired artistry, professionalism, excellence and greatness in countless others that will continue to shape our world…

This inspires me as a minister, writer and man of God.

Again, this post is not to judge any aspect of his life.

Am I a fan of Prince…Yes.

Do I agree with everything that he did or the way he did it…No.

However, we have to learn to make the most of the good and bad in all of our lives…and Prince Rogers Nelson is and will remain to be the one of the greatest influences in the life of Minister Aldtric Johnson and my ministry.

Is there someone or something that inspires you in your walk with Christ, that may make others say….”REALLY? Tell me how!” If so, please leave a reply, and tell me how. It may inspire others too.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 21, 2017 3

ARE YOU BRICKS OR MORTAR?

Sometimes we get discouraged because we aren’t noticed for what we do, even though it is as important as those who get noticed. Every beautiful building needs a strong foundation, but who notices the foundation?

When we see a beautiful brick home, everyone notices the bricks, but no one notices the mortar holding it together. Who says, “wow look at that beautiful mortar”! No they say, “look at those beautiful bricks”! The cornerstone may have the glory of the names, but no one would see it if it weren’t for the bricks and mortar supporting and holding.

Some of us are bricks and some of us are mortar. Some of us are an architectural roof, and some of us are the foundation. We have been placed in some relationships to hold them up, and hold them together.

Rather than complain, we should recognize that it’s an anointing and an honor.

Christ is our foundation.

David couldn’t have been the mighty warrior that he was without his armor bearer.

There were many disciples and people martyred for the Gospel, and we don’t even know their names.

If you feel you bear the emotional, financial, physical, or spiritual WEIGHT in some of your relationships, then maybe that’s your PURPOSE in those relationships. Maybe that marriage, family, church or organization wouldn’t remain together if it wasn’t for your strength. Romans 15:1 says, We who are strong must bear the infirmities/failings of the weak and not please ourselves.

Let’s stop complaining if we aren’t noticed. Let’s stop complaining if we are bearing the weight in some our relationships, and always remember to thank God for those who are holding us up. If you get upset and fall apart…everything your holding together and supporting may collapse.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 20, 2017 0

YOUR MOST PEACEFUL PLACE IS PORTABLE..

Do you have a place where you feel more at peace? Your home? Your room? The beach? Fishing on the lake? Your church? The gym?

Somedays, if you can just get to your ‘peaceful place’, you’ll be okay. But, unfortunately we don’t always have access to our sanctuary when we need it…

That’s why God gave us the priceless benefit of access to Him through prayer.

I think one of the reasons that God allows trouble is to encourage us to come to Him…

Psalm 50:15 (NKJV)

¹⁵Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

When we praye, we’re supposed to shut out the world and focus on an intimate conversation with our Heavenly Father(Matthew 6:6).

When we learn to to this, there is an unspeakable peace that comes from that conversation.

We discover that in His presence there truly is the fullness of joy…

Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)

¹¹You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore

In His presence is the fullness of joy.

The awesome thing is you can pray anywhere, anytime…

Working at your desk…

While driving with your eyes open…

In the middle of a meeting…

While getting a speeding ticket…

Think about all of the unhealthy ways some people ‘escape’ reality…

Drugs…

Alcohol…

Sex…

Food…

Shopping…

The beautiful thing about prayer is that it is the only ‘escape’ from reality that can either…

Solve your problems…

Give you the strength to deal with your problems…

Or, give you peace in your problems…

So no matter where you are…at work, in a stressful meeting, school, running errands, stuck in traffic – it doesn’t matter…

You always have access to your ‘peaceful place’.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 20, 2017 0

7 ‘CHURCHY’ CLICHES THAT WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL OF HOW WE SAY…

If you’ve been in church or been around church people any amount of time, you’ve heard them…

You hear them in church, in songs and in everyday language.

‘Churchy’ clichés.

Those familiar sayings, sometimes one liners, that may not be the same in every church culture, but every church culture has them.

Of course there are many ‘churchy’ sayings that are biblical and encourage us, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But, some aren’t really biblical, and are even sometimes mistaken for scripture.

It’s those that we have to either avoid, or be VERY careful of how we say it, or of our attitude towards it.

Here are 7 ‘CHURCHY’ clichés that we need to be careful of how we say.

GOD HAS NEVER FAILED ME YET (Avoid)…

This one is so NOT biblical, and it’s one word that messes it up…”YET”. It’s true that God has and will never fail us…but where did yet come from? “Yet” implies that God could possibly fail us in the future. It’s catchy, it helps make a song rhyme, but It’s not biblical.

Psalm 136:1 (NKJV)

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.

The fact that God’s mercy endures forever means it can NEVER fail.

PRAYER WORKS (BE CAREFUL)…

This one is true, but we’ve got to be careful of how we say it, or our attitude about it. God always answers prayer, and through prayer people are healed, restored, delivered, led to Christ…lives are changed. So what’s the problem? If we are careful, saying ‘prayer works’ in the wrong context or with the wrong frame of mind can reduce prayer to a gimmick…just something else you can try to make things right. This can lessen the true intimacy of conversation with God to be to mindless, superstitious, empty words that we hope changes things. It leads to an, “I’ve tried everything else, so now I’ll try this attitude”.

1 John 5:14(NKJV)

14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

When we pray to God, not only are we talking to Him, but He actually hears and responds. When you start a car, turn on a television, install software or successfully repair something…it WORKS…God RESPONDS. Be careful how you say it.

THIS IS MY SEASON (BE CAREFUL)…

This one is also true, but be careful when you say it. Most of the time we are implying it is our season for Good things. But, the bible teaches us there’s a time and season for EVERYTHING. We have seasons of rest and peace, but we also have stormy seasons and trials. We have seasons of progress and celebration, as well as seasons of consequences and struggle. As one the lyrics to one popular Gospel song says, “This is my season for grace and favor”. This is my season to reap what I have sown.” We must remember that sometimes our ‘grace and favor is NOT reaping what we’ve sown. We must be very careful when proclaim, or sometimes brag, “This is my season!”

WHAT GOD HAS FOR ME IS FOR ME (AVOID)…

This is a very popular cliché, and is even in songs. We’ve got to be VERY careful about approaching God actually and selfishly. Too much “ME”, “MY”, and “I’s” can mean we are leaning too close to covetousness, which is idolatry.

Colossians 3:5(NKJV)

5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Yes, what God has ordained for you is for you, but too many time this is said from a selfish, I want what’s mine point of view. Plus, everything that, “God has for you” isn’t necessarily pleasant. Some trials, tests, challenges and struggles God has ‘for you and no one else’, but you don’t hear many people singing about that. God had Joseph of Genesis struggle, ‘Just for him. God had Job’s struggle, ‘Just for him’. This isn’t necessarily based on any scripture, and I think it’s best to leave it alone.

I’M BLESSED AND HIGHLY FAVORED (BE CAREFUL)…

This one is true and based on scripture, but we must be careful of our attitude about the phrase and we say it around. Again, we must not say it with a covetous or arrogant attitude. God promised that all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). But, the contingency is, those who are called according to His purpose, but some boldly say this inferring their own purpose. The bible also tells us His favor is for life in the same context of His anger and weeping. And, don’t forget, God showed Joseph on Genesis favor while he was in prison for something he didn’t do…

Genesis 39:21(NKJV)

21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

God’s favor is sometimes working things out for our good in very difficult, undesirable circumstances.

Plus, saying ‘blessed and highly favored’ around the spiritually immature can not only make them think God has respect of persons, but make us sound spiritually arrogant, I’ve seen it happen. We need to be careful with this one.

I HAVEN’T ALWAYS BEEN SAVED (BE CAREFUL)…

If this is said with a humble attitude in an effort to encourage someone who is unsaved or weaker to let them know the dramatic change God made in your life…then cool. But, most of the time I’ve heard this said in pride or arrogance, with a threatening tone after they’ve been made angry. I’ve most often heard it said implying they will revert back to the ‘old them’, if prompted. I have more often heard it said with an attitude of they are proud of what they used to be, rather than ashamed, and we all know what God said about that…

James 4:6(NKJV)

6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

IF I’VE EVER DONE ANYTHING TO OFFEND YOU, PLEASE FORGIVE ME (BE CAREFUL)…

This is often used as an easy ‘way out’ to ask for forgiveness. Too many times people say this either to a group or an individual…the problem is that if it’s a group they fully know EXACTLY WHO IN THE GROUP they hurt, and if it’s an individual, they know EXACTLY WHAT THEY DID. Simply saying, “If” is not good enough…

Matthew 5:23-24(NKJV)

23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

God expects us to go to the person and make things right…and remember, a public embarrassment deserves a public apology.

‘CHURCHY’ clichés sound good, and help define church culture, but we must be very careful how we use them…and know which ones to leave alone.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 19, 2017 0

I DIDN’T SAY IT WAS AN EXCUSE, BUT IT’S THE REASON I DID IT…

Can you tell the difference between a REASON and an EXCUSE?
I was recently in a situation where I was at fault. I was angry, and said something hurtful that I shouldn’t have…

When asked, “How could you say that?” “Why did you say that?” I responded…

“I was angry, I got defensive and I lashed out.”

I was also in a situation in my office where I overlooked something very important, and was asked by my Director at the time, “Why did this happen?” I responded…

“I was really busy and just missed it”.

The above situations involved two different people, but I got the same response both times, a response that I have made myself. The response was…

“That’s not an EXCUSE!”

Again, my response was the same both times…

“ I didn’t say it was an EXCUSE, but it IS the REASON that I did it.”

God invites us in His word to come and reason with Him…

Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV)

¹⁸“Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.

If God is willing to reason with us, we should be willing to reason with one another, but that involves good communication and a willingness to accept what the other person has to say.

One tool in reasoning together is learning the difference between a REASON and an EXCUSE. It’s inevitable that we will hurt one another from time to time…especially those we love. But, one way to diffuse the disagreement is learning to EXPRESS and ACCEPT the REASONS we do or say things rather than EXCUSES.

My answers above were REASONS…

I was angry…

I was defensive…

I was careless…

I was foolish…

I was inconsiderate…

I felt rushed…

I was unprepared…

I was embarrassed…

I was immature…

I didn’t care enough…

These are all examples of REASONS we might make mistakes or hurt one another.

Here are some examples of EXCUSES…

I’m only human…

Everyone else did it…

I’m just a man (or woman)…

I couldn’t help myself…

You get the picture?

Sometimes people take our REASONS for EXCUSES. Sometimes we try to pass off EXCUSES as REASONS.

We’ll find ourselves on both sides of this discussion so…

Learning the difference between both can help diffuse our arguments, differences, disagreements and help us move on to resolution.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 19, 2017 2

DON’T BE BOLD ENOUGH TO BLAME GOD…

Sometimes we may be…

Disappointed with God’s answer…

Hurt or confused by what He allows to happen…

Even, angry at His decision!

You might be upset that He did something for someone else that He didn’t do for you…

But,

We must ALWAYS still trust Him!

Job 13:15 (NKJV)

¹⁵Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

And,

We should NEVER blame Him or charge Him foolishly!

Job 1:22 (NKJV)

²²In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 19, 2017 0

3 THINGS THAT WE SHOULD NEVER EXPECT GOD TO DO…

The Lord gives us the awesome privilege asking Him what we need or desire in His name and, He will answer according to His will.

Sometimes He says YES, and sometimes He says NO.

John 14:13-14 (NKJV)

¹³And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴If you ask^[^a^] anything in My name, I will do it.

Even though He said, “Whatever you ask”…there are SOME things that we should NEVER expect God to do. Sometimes we unintentionally ask God to contradict His holy word and His will.

That’s why the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1-13).

This is far from exhaustive, but here are 3 things that we should NEVER expect God to do…

1. FOR GOD TO MAKE YOU STOP DOING WRONG…

I talk about this often. How many times have you heard someone caught up in sin…caught up in a weakness, say…

“Lord, please make me stop doing this!”

“Lord, please remove this temptation!”

God never promised to MAKE us stop sinning. He never promised to REMOVE temptations out of our way. Can He do it? Yes, of course, but Jesus died on the cross to GIVE US the power over sin and death. He expects us to make a choice to choose Him over sin. He tells us to put to death (Colossians 3:5)…put off (Colossians 3:8)…put away (Ephesians 4:25, 31)…cleanse ourselves (2 Corinthians 2:7)… lay aside (Hebrews 12:1) those behaviors and sins that displease God. He told us to, STOP ON YOUR OWN!

And, think about it. No one wants to have to force someone they love to choose them over a rival. No one wants to have to force their spouse to be faithful. We want it to be a choice…a personal choice out of love and respect.

When we ask God to make us stop doing wrong, we are saying that we can’t help ourselves.

When we ask God to remove a temptation…there is no commitment, faithfulness or strength in that…it’s taking the easy way out. The desire is still there, the temptation has only been that’s been removed.

There’s no growth or maturity in that!

God wants us to love Him enough to overcome the desire.

We should never ask God to do what He expects us to do what He has empowered us to do for ourselves.

If God has to FORCE you stop sinning…you may not like the way that He does it.

2. FOR GOD TO GIVE YOUR ENEMIES WHAT YOU FEEL THEY DESERVE…

We all have people in our lives who don’t like us, hate us, and sometimes work or even plot against us.

It could be someone who hurt you personally, or it could be someone who hates you because of your family, race, socio-economic status, faith…

It could be someone who abused you, murdered one of your loved ones…who attempted to kill you.

They may have betrayed your love by cheating on you with your best friend…They may have cheated you out of your life savings…

They may owe you money and act as though they never borrowed it…

There are innumerable ways that we hurt one another, and God knew this when He commanded us to love our enemies.

Matthew 5:43-48 (NKJV)

⁴³“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor^[a] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴But 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] ⁴⁵that 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. ⁴⁶For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷And if you greet your brethren^[c] only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors^[d] do so? ⁴⁸Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

So, we must be very careful to NEVER pray that God gives our enemies what WE feel they deserve. They are God’s child just as you are. He doesn’t love them any less than He loves you. When we hurt one another, we are hurting God. He wants them to submit to His will and commandment to love just as He does you.

Plus, we must admit to ourselves that we have all hurt, betrayed and let down one another. We all have people in our lives that we have given a good reason to ‘not like’ us (DON’T BE TOO HARD ON SOME OF YOUR ‘HATERS’…). This is the main reason why we should NEVER pray for God to give our enemies what we feel they deserve…because we are actually placing that same judgement on ourselves.

When we decide someone doesn’t deserve God’s mercy..

When we decide someone is worthy of punishment…That’s condemnation and judgment.

Remember what the Lord said…

Matthew 7:1 (NKJV)

7 “Judge not, that you be not judged. ²For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

God told us to bear with one another…to have mercy on one another…to forgive one another and to have an attitude of forgiveness, just as He forgives us…

Colossians 3:13 (NKJV)

¹³bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

Be careful when you wish ill will on your enemies, and NEVER pray for it.

3. FOR GOD TO HELP PEOPLE YOU HAVE THE MEANS TO HELP YOURSELF…

How many times have you seen someone in need and prayed, “Lord, please help them”…and then went on about your business, while you had the means to help them?

Have you ever prayed or heard someone ask God bless the people in hospitals, nursing homes and prisons?

Have you ever told someone, ‘Just let me know if there is anything that I can do to help you, or if you need anything”, when you could clearly see they needed help?

Too many times we will pray for God to help people when we have the means to help them. Sometimes God put them in your path so you can be the answer to their prayer.

God expects us to give food, clothing and shelter to those in need. In fact, when we do so, He says we are doing it to Him (Matthew 25:31-45).

Look at what the book of James says about helping others when addressing faith without works…

James 2:14-17 (NKJV)

⁴What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ¹⁵If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶and 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? ¹⁷Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

There’s nothing I can say to make it anymore clear than that. Now, look at what 1 John says…

1 John 3:17(NKJV)

¹⁷But 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?

We should NEVER pray expect God to miraculously help someone when we have the means to help them ourselves.

Yes, it’s good to pray, but we must always make sure that we are praying or, and not praying for the right things.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 18, 2017 2

IS ‘OMG’ TAKING GOD’S NAME IN VAIN?

wp-1492422231938. — Just say WOW instead, it takes the same number of letters.

It’s one on the most common acronyms now…OMG! The texting world has infected our day-to-day speech.

Of course you know that OMG is an acronym for “Oh My God!

These days, people very casually say “OMG” to express surprise, astonishment, amazement, shock, disbelief, etc., without any thought they are referring to God.

But, OMG isn’t just referring to God…it proclaims to “MY” God! The one true and living God!

We all know that the bible commands that we don’t take the NAME of the Lord 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.

…but does OMG do that? It’s not like using His name when cursing, as so many people do…is it?

Well, what is GOD’S name? God is referred to by names that convey His essence…Yahweh, Elohim, I AM.

And, what is taking His name in vain? It’s MISUSING it…reducing it…blaspheming it…

But, taking His name in vain goes beyond the misuse of the combination of consonants and vowels by which He is called… but His essence, His character, His personality… His authority.

When we call Him ‘God’, we are saying who and what He is…, and that is His name.

Exodus 3:14 (NKJV)

¹⁴And 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.’”

We are only to make reference to Him in respect, honor and reverence….never casually…never flippantly.

When God commanded that He be referred to only in reverence provided a necessary boundary to protect the His honor due to His name and authority.

Some expressions should only be used when we are crying out to God, in humility or with an attitude of worship.

Be careful how you say, write, type or text…

“Oh my God!”

“Oh my Lord!”

“My God!”

“Lord have mercy!”

“OMG!”

“Good God!” should only be proclaimed when you REALLY mean ‘God is good’.

Even “Hallelujah!” …Jah (Yah) in Hallelujah is referring to God. (This is said much too casually in many popular secular songs)

Too many Christians are accepting as okay being down right silly when referring to the one true living God…

“Oh Lawd!”

“Oh Lort!”

“Lawd ham mercy!”…

Are all disrespectful and beneath God’s holiness.

Think of the when Jesus cried out, “My God!” on the cross…

Matthew 27:46 (NKJV)

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

Remember…you don’t have to say the horrible “GD” word to take God’s ‘name’ in vain.

Whenever you see or hear “OMG”…notice the context and ask yourself, “Did that honor God?” “Was that in humility?” “Was that necessary?”

Just say “Wow!” instead…it takes the same number of letters.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 17, 2017 8

I HOPE YOU HAD A BLESSTIFIED RESURRECTION SONDAY!

What are you doing with your POWER?

Ephesians 1:19-20 (NLT)

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

April 16, 2017 0

LET’S BE REASONABLE…

If God is willing to REASON with us, how dare we not reason with one another…

If God is willing to FORGIVE us, how dare we not forgive one another…

If God is PATIENT with us, how dare we be impatient with one another…

If God LOVES us unconditionally, how dare we place conditions on one another…

Because how we treat one another, is actually how we treat Him.

Isaiah 1:18 (ESV)

18 “Come now, let us reason[a] together, says the Lord:

though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red like crimson,

they shall become like wool.

Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Romans 5:8N (NKJV)

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 2:4 (NKJV)

4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Matthew 25: 40,45 (ESV)

⁴⁰And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,^[f] you did it to me.’

⁴⁵Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 16, 2017 0

HOW TO HAVE REAL JOY WHEN YOUR CHILD DOESN’T APPRECIATE YOUR SACRIFICE…

Consider this story…

There was son became estranged to his single father. The father worked many hours to take care of his son and daughter and was either unable or too tired to spend the time with them that he would have liked to. The son resented his father and felt the he was never there, but the daughter understood.

Both children went on to accomplish great things because of their father’s sacrifice.

The son would often give credit to everyone along the way who helped him but never his father. The daughter not only honored their father, but would often plead with her brother to be reconciled him. The father’s grandchildren also went on to accomplish great things. The grandfather would watch on television as his son and grandchildren were often recognized for all they did. Neither the son nor his children ever visited the father, but dad still had joy in his heart as he looked on all they had done.

One day the daughter told the dad she regretted how her brother treats him, and she wouldn’t give up until they were reconciled.

She also asked him how he had such peace. He told her that he appreciates her, and that he gets enough joy from her love for the both of them. He then said just because his son doesn’t acknowledge his sacrifice or love doesn’t take away the fact that everything he’s accomplished was because of him. It doesn’t take away the fact that his son or his son’s children all came from him.

The father said, “Would I love relationship and acknowledgment ? Of course! But, I have peace that I did right by the responsibility God gave me, if my son chooses not to give me love, honor or acknowledgment, is between him and God…I’m at peace.”

In the same way, Jesus shows His love to those who don’t appreciate His sacrifice, acknowledge Him, love Him or honor Him. He allows the sun to shine on the just and unjust. That’s why the bible says, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!”(Psalm 107:2)

It’s our responsibility and should be our joy to tell the world how much we appreciate the Lord Jesus, and let the everyone know what He’s done for us and them. Just as the daughter made it her mission to make sure her brother was reconciled with their father, that’s what God expects us to do with His children who don’t acknowledge Him…

2 Corinthians 5:20

“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.”

It’s our responsibility to make sure Yeshua get’s joy for His sacrifice and let Him know how much we appreciate it.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 16, 2017 0

WOULD YOU HAVE SHOUTED HOSANNA OR CRUCIFY HIM?

So many times we read our bibles or hear a sermon and frown upon the way the Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, Jews, Romans…all those who antagonized Jesus behaved.

Jesus came with a message that was different from what they were used to hearing, but was clearly supported by scripture. They witnessed Him working miracles and proving who He was, and they rejected Him.

We read about how at the beginning of the week they shouted HOSANNA , but at the end of the week they yelled CRUCIFY Him! We think to ourselves, or proclaim that if we were living back then that we would have bee on Jesus’ side….

But, your attitude now implies how you would have behaved then.

How you react to the word of truth now implies how you would have reacted then.

I’m not talking about the false prosperity ‘preachers’ who come on at 2am promising riches without preaching a word about salvation.

But, I’m talking about when a real word comes forth that may challenge your personal theology. That’s what Jesus did. That’s what the apostles did.

They confronted and corrected Jesus IN HIS HOUSE…many people would do the same thing today.

They were concerned with the outward appearance but not the heart…many people are today.

They worshipped Him with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him…many people do that today.

They established their own righteous and a form of godliness, but not according to knowledge…many people do that today.

They twisted the word to fit their purpose…many people do today.

Some were apathetic and just didn’t care…many are today.

Remember it was the religious leaders were threatened by and killed Jesus. Let us examine ourselves and our attitudes about God. Would you have been like those disciples in John 6 who said…

John 6:60 (NKJV)

60 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?”

...and then left Him.

Would you have been one of those shouting “CRUCIFY HIM!” when they discovered He didn’t fulfill their expectations?

Your attitude today…How you respond today not only implies how you would have responded then, but which side you would have chosen. Beware the leaven ( teaching, mindset) of the Pharisees!!!(Matthew 16:6)

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 15, 2017 0

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR GOD’S UNLIMITED PLAN?

One buzz word in marketing these days is UNLIMITED.

In order to be competitive, more and more companies are offering ‘UNLIMITED’ to attract loyal customers.

Unlimited minutes…

Unlimited texts…

Unlimited data…

Unlimited miles…

Unlimited streaming…

Unlimited doctor’s visits…

Unlimited legal advice…

What’s interesting is that people get spoiled by ‘unlimited’ quickly and easily. When unlimited becomes the norm…it doesn’t seem special anymore, but expected.

Well, God has an UNLIMITED plan through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Unlimited forgiveness…

Unlimited peace…

Unlimited joy…

Unlimited grace…

Unlimited mercy…

Unlimited prayers…

Unlimited protection…

Unlimited access…

Unlimited comfort…

Unlimited love…

Unlimited salvation…

LIFE UNLIMITED…Forever!

His plan was finalized on the cross of Calvary.

His plan is absolutely FREE…at least to us.

His plan was paid for with the blood of Jesus.

Unfortunately, too many of us have gotten spoiled by God’s UNLIMITED plan. They’ve enjoyed all of God’s UNLIMITED benefits so long, that they don’t seem special anymore.

Take a moment right now to thank God for all of His UNLIMITED benefits.

And, just as you would recommend unlimited data to someone who constantly going over their data plan…tell someone about the UNLIMITED life available to them through Jesus Christ!

Have you signed up?

Psalm 103:1-17 (NKJV)

Bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits:

Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

Who satisfies your mouth with goodthings,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord executes righteousness

And justice for all who are oppressed.

He made known His ways to Moses,

His acts to the children of Israel.

The Lord is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

He will not always strive with us,

Nor will He keep His anger forever.

He has not dealt with us according to our sins,

Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,

So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

As a father pities his children,

So the Lord pities those who fear Him.

For He knows our frame;

He remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass;

As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

And its place remembers it no more.[a]

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting

On those who fear Him,

And His righteousness to children’s children,

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 15, 2017 1

NAMES MATTER (BE CAREFUL HOW YOU CELEBRATE OUR LORD’S RESURRECTION)…

Reposting for Good Friday…

Growing In Yahuah

As we come upon the season of celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I’m compelled to share what He placed in my heart years ago…my annual reminder.

John 4:24 proclaims that God is a spirit and we are commanded to worship Him in Spirit and Truth….Spirit and Truth.

God also commanded in Joshua 23:7 that we are not to make mention of or swear by the names of pagan gods, particularly those that were worshiped by the people who surrounded Israel.

Joshua 23: (NKJV)

⁷and lest you go among these nations, these who remain among you. You shall not MAKE MENTION OF THE NAME of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them,

Some of those names were Baal and Ashtoreth (Judges 2:12-15). One of Israel’s greatest sins was when they “did evil…

View original post 618 more words

April 14, 2017 0

OKAY, I’LL ‘TAKE A CHANCE’ ON DISCUSSING…IS ALL GAMBLING SIN?

When Jesus began His earthly ministry. He challenged the theology of the establishment. He didn’t challenge their belief in God…He challenged their system and WHY they believed what they believed. Many Christians don’t know why they believe much of what they do. He came to fulfill the letter of the law with love. In fact, when accused of eating and keeping company with sinners, Jesus told them they need to reevaluate how they interpreted the scriptures…

Matthew 9:13 (NKJV)

¹³But 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.”^[b]

In Matthew Chapter 23 Jesus sharply rebukes the religious leaders for their blatant legalism, and forcing people to observe statutes not necessarily given by God.

Even today, there are some things that the church really frowns upon…drinking alcohol, smoking, getting high, and yes…gambling.

Most Christians will be quick to tell you that gambling is a sin, and I’m not necessarily saying that it’s not. In fact, let me make this disclaimer…

THIS POST DOES NOT CONDONE OR JUSTIFY GAMBLING!

We do, however, need to be able to have an intelligent, godly discussion about some of the more difficult subjects that aren’t specifically addressed in the bible and ask ourselves how much conjecture has gone into the conclusions we draw about those subjects…one of which is gambling.

Gambling is one of those subjects that when someone sincerely asks a question seeking the truth…sometimes one or all of the following occurs:

We find it is not specifically addressed in the bible.
We can try to reeeeaaaaaachhhh to make scriptures apply to the subject that may or may not do so to support our theology.
We will say that certain scriptures apply a particular subject or behavior that we want to label as SIN, while saying the same scriptures don’t apply to a similar or identical subject or behavior that we want to justify.

Have you ever been asked a bible question, and when you couldn’t find that perfect scripture that you really wanted to use to address it…you picked one or more and ‘made them fit’?

This often discredits us when we’re attempting to either lead people to Christ or help them grow in their faith.

Remember, Jesus and later the apostles constantly challenged the religious establishment on what and why the believed.

So, that being said, I want to briefly and honestly address…

Why is GAMBLING is considered to be a sin?

I’m a minister, and I’m quite familiar with most of the scriptures that we use to support gambling as a sin, Here are just a few…

Luke 12:15 (NKJV)

¹⁵And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness (greed),^[a] for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

This implies that all gambling is greed. (I’ve used this one)

1 Timothy 6:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

This implies that all gambling is rooted in the love of money and greed. (I’ve used this one too)

Psalm 1:1 (NKJV)

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

This is often used (yep, I’ve used this one too) to imply that all places where gambling takes place, such as casinos, are evil.

There are plenty of scholarly resources available if you want to investigate this further yourself (and I encourage you to do so), or you can do a simple google search.

So, what is gambling?

There are no good examples of gambling in the bible, however there are examples of people casting lots (dice) to make decisions. This is how the apostles chose a replacement for Judas (Acts 1:26). However, this was before the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is who we’re supposed to rely on for guidance.

So what is gambling?

Dictionary.com defines gambling as (1) the activity or practice of playing a game of chance for money or other stakes. (2) the act or practice of risking the loss of something important by taking a chance or acting recklessly.

But, the apostle Paul asserts in 1 Corinthians 6:12 that we are free to do many things, as long as we aren’t brought under the power of them. However, the context of this verse is in a discussion of sins that the bible DOES address directly…(fornication, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, sodomy, thievery, covetousness, getting drunk etc..)

However, even though getting drunk is a sin…drinking a glass of wine isn’t as pointed out in 1 Timothy 5:23 and in my article… ( PLEASE DON’T ‘TRIP’ OVER A GLASS OF WINE – ALL THINGS IN MODERATION…). Some things aren’t a sin unless we do them in excess, or if we let them have dominion over us. This is addressed well in Romans Chapter 14. We should avoid anything that we can’t control.

So, if someone gambles in moderation merely for enjoyment, and if there is some positive benefit (such as a lottery helping to fund roads or education) does that make it okay? Hmmmm?

Before you write me off, also consider this…According to the definition of gambling…

Is investing in a risky stock gambling? (Think of how many people lost everything when the economy crashed.

Is purchasing insurance that you may never use gambling? (Think of how many people don’t get their claims honored due to loopholes…or they never have a loss so never collect).

How about this…Is playing a game at a carnival or amusement park gambling? (What’s the difference in taking a chance to win a teddy bear and taking a chance to win money?)

I think you get my point.

Most people will give you excuses to explain how some risks aren’t gambling when they’re no different from betting on a horse with a history of winning. (Which I’ve never done).

So, here’s my question for the saints, theologians, fellow ministers, and deep thinkers…

If a Christian is obedient and responsible in giving to God…

If they are generous in giving to the poor and those in need…

If they are responsible in paying their debts…

If the don’t neglect their family…

If they aren’t addicted…

If they aren’t obsessed…

Is it a sin for them to purchase a lottery ticket every now that then…or go to the casino and play a determined amount of money and then quit?

For those who say a casino is evil, most of our favorite restaurants have a bar…most grocers sell liquor, but Christians still go).

Again…I’m just trying to have an intelligent discussion about a topic that is often addressed, but sometimes mishandled.

And, I must be responsible enough to say that if anyone has a weakness for gambling, then it is most definitely a sin for them.

But the truth of the matter is…

LIFE IS RISK MANAGEMENT…

And, this is a conversation we must have if we want those who are lost to take us seriously, and not weaken our case for Christ by reaching trying to pick our sins.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 13, 2017 4

GOD GAVE IT TO YOU TO SHARE!!!

You feel like you’re going to explode because it’s got to come out. You can’t hold it. God has poured something into your spirit. It amazes you because you know you couldn’t come up with it on your own.

God gave it to YOU to share.

And, though He may have given the same message to someone else too,

There’s no one on earth who can share it like you.

So,

Write it…

Type it…

Say it…

Sing it…

Recite it…

Preach it…

Teach it…

Sign it…

Draw it…

Paint it…

Play it…

Just don’t keep it…

God gave it to you to share in your way…

Because there will ALWAYS be someone who cares what you have to say.

BE BLESSTIFED!

April 13, 2017 0

HEY! WHERE’D THAT PEACE COME FROM?

God always answers prayer…and usually it comes suddenly.

There have been times I was greatly troubled to the point that found it difficult to enjoy anything else.

Even in a happy moment, I might laugh… and then rushing to the front of my mind comes the thought, “REMEMBER ME!!!” I’m your trouble and I haven’t gone ANYWHERE!!!

In the midst of this trouble I pray to God for peace, which doesn’t always come immediately. As I continue in prayer, I consider my troubling situations. I think of how good God is to me, EVEN with the trouble I’m experiencing. I think of all of the things that COULD go wrong…that haven’t. I think of ALL of the things God has ALREADY brought me through.

That’s when I stop and thank Him for just for being God…for His unfailing love, even when mine fails…for His faithfulness even when I’m unfaithful to Him. And, I realize, why does God get out of being faithful to me? Thank you Lord!

Then it happens…suddenly. Like the SON breaking through the cloud of my troubles!Yes, I’m sitting here thinking about my trouble…and I notice it. I find myself saying…

“Hey! Where did that peace come from?!”

God has poured His peace into my heart, and even though my trouble is still there. Even though I’m thinking about it…I feel at peace.

Peace is one of God’s awesome promises. He will give it to us.

If we PRAY…just ask Him.

If we’re PERSISTENT…continue to ask Him.

If we’re PATIENT…They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength (another promise) Isaiah 40:31.

If we PRAISE…Continue to thank God and praise Him while you wait.

Then suddenly, out of nowhere. When you least expect it, but most need it…He will give you His PEACE.

Philippians 4:7 (NKJV)

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

So, to answer my own question…”Hey! Where’d that peace come from?!”

It came from PRAYER, PERSISTENCE, PATIENCE & PRAISE…

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 12, 2017 8

JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN’T FLY – DOESN’T MEAN YOU CAN’T TOUCH THE SKY!

I saw an older gentleman relaxing in the park, flying a remote control airplane. It was clear that he wasn’t physically able to do the things he could when he was younger. But, he looked totally empowered as he flew his plane.

When I looked at his face, it was almost as if he were in the plane himself. He wasn’t smiling…he looked serious but relaxed. It seemed at the time that there was no where else he would rather be. His hands looked strong and as if they have done their fair share of hard work, but he delicately worked the controls with expert precision…while his eyes were fixed towards the sky.

I don’t know his past…what was going on in his life at the time…or what he had to face later in the day. But, it was clear that he had achieved a moment of peace, serenity and joy with his remote control plane. It was as if he was in the park all by himself. It was obvious that his plane was a mental…emotional…and even spiritual ‘get away’ for him.

But, he wasn’t alone…Most people in the park stopped to look as he skillfully navigated his plane through the sky. They seemed to enjoy watching it too…I know I did.

His moment reminded me of prayer. Psalm 16:11 describes the feeling we should get when we have found that moment of peace, serenity and joy while we are praying to God.

Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Prayer should take us to and beyond where the plane took that gentleman. No matter what’s going on in our lives…when we approach prayer as God intended…a personal, intimate moment with our Father, it becomes our mental, emotional and spiritual get away.

Nurture and develop your prayer life to be your personal escape from the world. Like that man in the park…

Just because you can’t FLY doesn’t mean you can’t touch the SKY.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 12, 2017 0

IF YOU’RE STILL GLAD YOU DID IT, THEN GOD HASN’T FORGIVEN YOU…YET.

We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

We have all done some things of which we are ashamed…at least I hope so.

Why?

Because our shame is what leads to godly sorrow…which leads to true repentance…

2 Corinthians 7:10 (NKJV)

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Remember that repentance isn’t simply just asking God for forgiveness, but a made up, resolute mind to completely turn from the sin that we’ve committed or have been practicing. Repentance according to Strong’s Concordance literally means “a change of mind”. All sin, no matter how spontaneous, begins with a thought.

Repentance is a legal U-Turn in your mind…

God wants us to REPENT and not REPEAT!

So, it’s good when we have regret of what we did. In fact, we should make the most of our regrets to be better people. Find out more about this in my article, “How to Make the Most of Your Regrets”.

But, what about when we don’t have regrets? What about those things that we’re glad we did?

It may have given us pleasure…

We may have felt vindicated…

We may have ‘gotten even’ with someone…

It might have given us glory…

We may have gained wealth and prominence…

Whatever the reason…you know in your heart that it was WRONG, but you’re still GLAD (sometimes even proud) you did it.

I remember when I was a teenager, I used to have older men come to me and brag about how they used to ‘run the women’ when they were younger…but not in a shameful, “Don’t make the same mistakes I made” type of way. No, they were bragging. They were trying to impress me. It was clear they were still proud of if. Well, if they’ve asked God to forgive them…the sin is still there.

God only forgives us when we repent. Yes, we’ve all gone back and done some things that we had not only asked forgiveness for, but also promised God that we would not do again. He knew when we said it.

But, God knows the difference in a changed mind that really worked hard, and sometimes even struggled not to go back…And, when someone is actually proud of what they did.

God knows when we unexpectedly end up in tempting situations…And, when we actually position ourselves to commit the same sin again.

Think for a moment. Is there a sin in which God hasn’t forgiven you?

If you’re still glad that you did it…

If you know in your heart that you would do it again…

If you think back on it fondly…

If you sometimes brag about it…

If you have no shame…

Then it’s a good chance that you haven’t repented, and if not…that sin is still there.

Think of how you feel when someone has hurt you, and even though they say they’re “sorry”…they continue to do it over and over, or they don’t show any remorse.

That’s evidence that we’re made in God’s image, the fact that we can hurt just as He hurts when done wrong.

You see…we’re like our Father in heaven…

We want people to REPENT and not REPEAT too.

Examine yourself today. If there is sin in your life that you don’t regret. Pray for a repentant heart. Make an effort to have a total change of mind about that sin.

If you don’t regret it because it gave you pleasure…think of how that pleasure hurt God.

If you don’t regret it because you felt vindicated for got even…forgive.

If you don’t regret it because it gave you glory…think of the fact that you were sharing that glory with the devil and not God.

If you don’t regret it because you gained wealth or prominence…use your resources and influence to give glory to God.

Be ashamed enough of what you did that it hurts you to think of yourself doing it again…

Make a legal U-Turn in your mind.

REPENT and don’t REPEAT

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 11, 2017 2

ARE YOU WORSHIPPING GOD OR YOURSELF? 12-QUESTION SELF-CHECK…

Are you guilty of idolatry? It’s a sin that many of us think isn’t on our list of personal vices. Of course not! I don’t worship statues. I would never build an idol god.

We all know that worship is not just going to church, but to whom we give our dedication and devotion.

Romans 12:1 (NIV)

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

The enemy knows he can’t get you to make a golden calf. He knows he can’t get you to bow down to an idol…

But right here, smack dab in the 21st Century he’s cleverly found a way to trick well- meaning Christians into idolatry?

Notice what Colossians Chapter 3 says…

Colossians 3:5 (NKJV)

⁵Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, AND COVETOUSNESS, WHICH IS IDOLATRY.

The bible teaches us that covetousness (Greed. Greediness. An unquenchable desire for more) is equal to idolatry.

Why?

COVETOUSNESS IS BEING DRIVEN BY ONE’S DESIRES – WHICH IS PUTTING ONESELF BEFORE GOD.

God judges us not by WHAT we do, but WHY we do it…

Matthew 15:8 (NKJV)

⁸‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.

Here are 12 questions to ask yourself to determine if you actually worshipping yourself instead of God

ONE. Has the enemy tricked you into pleasing yourself?

TWO. Has our prosperous society become a stumbling block to you?

THREE. Are you driven by the pursuit of pleasing yourself and getting more material things?

FOUR. Is pleasing yourself your hidden agenda…even in your worship? Not hidden from God. Not necessarily hidden from everyone else. But, hidden from yourself.

FIVE. Did you accept Jesus because you love Him or because of what He can do for you? Yes, He can make our lives here better, but that should not be the primary reason that we come to Him…

John 6:26-27 (NKJV)

²⁶Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.²⁷Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

SIX. Do you work hard and labor only for yourself every day only to sustain your life, or so you can be a blessing to others? Notice what Ephesians Chapter 4 says…

Ephesians 4:28 (NKJV)

²⁸Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with hi shands what is good, THAT HE MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO GIVE TO HIM WHO HAS NEED.

SEVEN. Do you serve God and help others to draw attention to and get glory to yourself? Remember what Jesus said about many of the religious leaders of that day…

Matthew 23:5 (NKJV)

⁵But all their works they do to be seen by men.

EIGHT. Do you get upset when no one praises you or notices what you do ‘for God’?

NINE. Does your job prevent you from regular worship, provoke you to compromise your faith, values, ethics, morals or integrity?

TEN. Do you give in church only motivated by being blessed or being a blessing to His Kingdom? Some Christians treat giving as a ‘blessing bill’. They only give out of fear that God will cut off their blessings, much like their utility bill or mortgage. Giving must be out of love and a desire to fund Kingdom work – not just out of obedience, but with the right heart.

ELEVEN. Do you go to church motivated only by being blessed or to offer the sacrifice of praise and to be equipped for ministry? Many Christians go to church and leave with the attitude that they have done God a favor. We are only doing what we are supposed to do. Read Luke 14:12-14

TWELVE. What is on your mind and heart when you praise or pray? Yes it’s good to praise God…to pray regularly, but we must make sure we are doing it with the right heart. We must be careful we don’t have the mindset, “Thanks for what you’ve done for ME, now give me more!”

If we aren’t careful, we can be faithful in worship, working, giving, prayer, praise and service, but in our hearts we are only doing it for ourselves – not God.

We must be careful not to allow idolatry to sneak into our lives. Be very careful that when you are worshipping that you really aren’t worshipping yourself along with or instead of God.

1 Corinthians 10:14 (NKJV)

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 11, 2017 2

CAN YOU BE THANKFUL FOR A JOB YOU HATE?

How well do you sleep on Sunday nights? Do you dread Monday morning…or whatever day may be your Monday? Is it Monday or Mournday to you?

Yes you know that the bible tells us that we must do our jobs as if we are doing them for God Himself…

Colossians 3:23-24 (NKJV)

²³And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, ²⁴knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

We all know that the bible tells us to be content no matter what our situation…

Philippians 4:11 (NKJV)

¹¹Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

There is only one problem though…

You hate your job!!!!

Yes you prayed for it…(Maybe, sometimes we take jobs without consulting God first)

Yes you were excited when you got it…

Yes you gave God praise for it…

But, you HATE going there now!

You didn’t know that the culture would be toxic…

You didn’t know that the boss would not like you…

You didn’t know the people would be so difficult…

You didn’t know they would have you doing stuff that’s ‘not in your job description’…

You didn’t know!!!!

BUT, for whatever reason, (and you know YOUR reason)…YOU HATE YOUR JOB.

However, you’re still thankful for your job…

You know that it’s God that gives us the power, ability…the sound mind to work to sustain our lives…

Deuteronomy 8:18 (NKJV)

¹⁸“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

You know in your heart that you’re thankful for your job, but you have cognitive dissonance…you have this internal conflict because you feel guilty that you hate it.

God knew that we would have to do things we don’t like, or even hate.

The inspired word of God was given to us through a culture in which indentured servitude (servants) was common. Many question slavery in the bible…for a good explanation on that topic check out my article “Let’s Talk About Slavery in the Bible”.

Think about this, God gave us the instruction to ‘work as if unto Him’ in the context of instruction for servants Colossians 3:22-25.

God knows that few people would enjoy being a servant, but still He said do it while maintaining His character and integrity.

Think of some of the ‘job assignments’ given to prophets in the Old Testament…do you think they loved and enjoyed every assignment?

Also think about this, during Jesus’ earthly ministry He said He was doing the works given to Him by the Father…

John 9:4 (NKJV)

⁴I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

When Jesus was on earth in the flesh…He was WORKING. He was doing His job. Think about how many times that He seemed frustrated at work and with His co-workers…

Mark 9:19 (NKJV)

¹⁹He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? HOW LONG SHALL I BEAR WITH YOU? Bring him to Me.

Luke 11:29New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁹And while the crowds were thickly gathered together, He began to say, “THIS IS AN EVIL GENERATION”. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.

John 12:27 (NKJV)

²⁷“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.

It is clear that Jesus had some tough ‘work days’. It was clear there were aspects of His ‘job’ and ‘coworkers’ that He didn’t like.

God made us and He knows us. He knows we aren’t perfect, and when He does tell us to be perfect in the bible it means to be mature…not faultless.

One aspect of a mature Christian is the ability to be able to be thankful in the midst of uncomfortable situations.

God knows that conditions change on our jobs that make them more uncomfortable. The important thing to remember is that if you trust God, and if He is sovereign in your life that He is even in control of your work situation.

Don’t let the desire to be released from a job that you hate prevent you from being thankful for a means to provide for yourself and, or your family.

Don’t let it give you a contagious complaining spirit, which God hates (1 Corinthians 10:10).

Acknowledge that if God still has you there, then if must be for a reason. You’re still His representative on your job setting the standard of behavior in both good and bad circumstances. There is still someone there He’s assigned you to influence and bless.

Pray for discernment for God to let you know when you’ve stayed there too long. Do you like the money? Have you gotten comfortable? Are you compromising your standards to succeed?

Sometimes if things aren’t going right no matter how hard you try…if it’s a struggle in a place you used to thrive…

Maybe it’s God’s way of allowing things to ‘DRY UP’…trying to convince you to have the faith to move on to your next assignment…

Read 1 Kings Chapter 17 about how God sustained Elijah during a drought in the land by the Brook of Cherith and God had the ravens feed him. Eventually the brook dried up because God wanted Elijah to move on to the widow in Zarephath.

Sometimes God allows things to get difficult to get us to move on.

Be sensitive to the Spirit of God in your work life. Pray for discernment so you can be led by Him.

So……..let me encourage you that YES it’s possible to still be THANKFUL for your job and HATE IT TOO…that’s a sign of spiritual maturity.

If you hate your job, take a moment to thank God for it, and while you’re still there, make a commitment to do it well, as if for the Lord Himself.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 10, 2017 2

HELP ME CELEBRATE MY WIFE’S LATEST GOSPEL JAZZ SINGLE…

Jazzy….

Soulful…

Upbeat…

Inspiring.

Enjoy my wife’s, Gospel Jazz Artist Mechelle Johnson, latest single “Walk with Me (Never Alone”). It’s our fresh, fun arrangement of an old classic.

This song is perfect whether you’re…

Chillin’

Grillin’

Working

Or, worshipping.

Hey, it’s perfect for stepping at your wedding reception.

Arrangement: Terry Poindexter and Aldtric Johnson.

You can find this song and Mechelle’s other original singles on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, iHeart Radio or wherever you buy or stream music online. Search Mechelle Johnson spelled with an (e).

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 9, 2017 5

YOUR SUBTLE BUT POWERFUL SPIRITUAL GIFT…

Sometimes it’s so easy to notice those high-profile, spiritual gifts that not only bring attention and glory to God, but also those who are being used by God…

Pastors, Evangelists, Teachers, Leaders etc…

Ephesians 4:11-12 (NKJV)

¹¹And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹²for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

Some people are obviously much more gifted at singing, or speaking…some people naturally have more charisma and personality.

If we aren’t one of these people, if we’re not careful, we can begin to believe that we aren’t gifted.

But, some spiritual gifts are more subtle, but just as important and powerful.

Is there anyone in your life who just makes you feel better?

Even though they always seem to know the right thing to say, they often don’t even have to say a word…you just feel better when they’re around.

They have perfected the art of when to speak, and when to just shut up and listen.

They are the one’s who know how to make us laugh and smile at just the right time.

These are the people who quietly hold families, churches, organizations, and even marriages together.

These are the people who inspire and strengthen those high-profile speakers, singers, leaders etc.

One of the most powerful, overlooked and under-desired gifts in the Kingdom of God is the gift of…

EXHORTATION

Roman 15:6-8 (NKJV)

⁶Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸he who EXHORTS, in EXHORTATION; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Some people are just natural encouragers…it is effortless to them.

In fact, they feel compelled to do so whereever they go…they can’t help it.

People gravitate to them…both saved and unsaved because everyone needs encouraging.

Is this you?

Remember this…

When you INSPIRE, ENCOURAGE or ENTERTAIN someone you will always have value to them…though they may not always show it.

I even believe the gift of COMEDY and ENTERTAINMENT are gifts of EXHORTATION…they’re spiritual gifts that are sometimes hijacked by the enemy. What’s more encouraging than making people laugh or relax?

So, just because you may not be powerful speaker, have a beautiful singing voice or a visionary leader doesn’t mean you aren’t gifted.

If your gift is the gift of encouragement…identify it and embrace it.

Don’t despise your spiritual gift or desire someone else’s…embrace your own!

And, if there’s someone in your life that keeps you going…Encourage Your Encourager Today!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 9, 2017 0

IT TAKES STRENGTH TO STRUGGLE…

Are you struggling with something?

A weakness…

A trial….

A sickness…

Your finances?

Your relationships?

Your job?

Your spiritual life?

Do you feel like you’re just holding it together…BARELY?

Do you feel that even though you’re keeping the faith that God’s not hearing your prayers? Or, do you admit to yourself that you should be stronger than you are right now in your walk with God?

Either way…YOU’RE STRUGGLING.

And, sometimes when you love God, struggling can make you feel like a spiritual failure.

But, let me encourage you with a reminder right here, smack dab, in the middle of your struggle…

Remember this…

IT TAKES STRENGTH TO STRUGGLE!

Even the best of us, the most faithful of us, the strongest of us feel troubled sometimes.

And, none of us are better, more faithful or stronger than Christ Jesus…He gave up His home in glory to become like US…to struggle like US.

Think about the times how Jesus’ heart was troubled and how He struggled before He went to the cross…

John 12:27 (NKJV)

²⁷“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. ²⁸Father, glorify Your name.”

Matthew 26:38-39 (NKJV)

³⁸Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” ³⁹He 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.”

God made you…

God knows you’re flesh…

God knows you’re human…

God knows you will have human moments…Jesus did. (Oh my God…)

But human moments in the bible from Job, to Psalms, to Jesus are followed by….

Praise

Humility

And, submitting to the will of God.

This is where the strength in your struggle comes from. The fact that your struggle hasn’t ‘taken you out’ is evidence of not only God’s love, grace and mercy in your life…but your strength in Him.

The fact that you haven’t given up is evidence that God has given you the strength to overcome.

Your struggle, and the fact that you haven’t given up, even though you may have thought about it, is proof of the presence and conviction of God’s Holy Spirit in you.

Look to Jesus, who was able to look beyond His struggles…

Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

²looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Matthew 27:46 (NKJV)

⁴⁶And 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]

Take a moment right now and praise God for the STRENGTH TO STRUGGLE…

And remember this…

Romans 5:3

³And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

April 8, 2017 2

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For example, one claim that we as Christians often proclaim is that if put in the position…we would die for Christ.

However, most of us never get the ‘opportunity’ to prove it…or do we?

YOU PROVE YOU WOULD DIE FOR CHRIST…BY LIVING FOR HIM!

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Why try?

Slow and steady is still moving forward!

It always takes energy to MOVE UP than to fall!

If you’re struggling, it means you still have some fight left in you.

No matter how tough it seems, keep your faith in God…Faith your way forward!

REMEMBER…

GOING THROUGH IS STILL…GOING!

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GOD HAS NEVER FAILED ME YET (Avoid)…

PRAYER WORKS (BE CAREFUL)…

THIS IS MY SEASON (BE CAREFUL)…

WHAT GOD HAS FOR ME IS FOR ME (AVOID)…

I’M BLESSED AND HIGHLY FAVORED (BE CAREFUL)…

I HAVEN’T ALWAYS BEEN SAVED (BE CAREFUL)…

IF I’VE EVER DONE ANYTHING TO OFFEND YOU, PLEASE FORGIVE ME (BE CAREFUL)…

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“I was angry, I got defensive and I lashed out.”

“I was really busy and just missed it”.

“That’s not an EXCUSE!”

“ I didn’t say it was an EXCUSE, but it IS the REASON that I did it.”

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We should NEVER blame Him or charge Him foolishly!

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Both children went on to accomplish great things because of their father’s sacrifice.

The father said, “Would I love relationship and acknowledgment ? Of course! But, I have peace that I did right by the responsibility God gave me, if my son chooses not to give me love, honor or acknowledgment, is between him and God…I’m at peace.”

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“Hey! Where did that peace come from?!”

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