Exodus 20:4-5 (NKJV)

 ⁴ “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; ⁵ you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me

“You can’t erase history!” That’s what so many so passionately proclaim when they protest the removal of confederate monuments and symbols from public places.

Think of all the historical figures and events that you remember without a statue or monument. Monuments aren’t necessarily about remembering…they’re about celebrating, honoring and even worship.

But, if God forbade us from erecting an image to represent Him, why would we need one to remember a man or woman.

When God forbade graven images, it was about more than just worship. Notice that Exodus 20:4 was about forbidding to make them. Then, Verse 5 addressed bowing down and worshipping them. Does this imply that it’s a sin to make them, then it’s a further sin to worship them…Hey, I’m just asking.

God knows how we are. He knows that people have the tendency to be more caught up in the symbol that what it actually represents.

Think about how many people wear crosses, but don’t live a lifestyle or really particularly care about what that represents.

People are ready to kill over statues, flags and songs.

Being that passionate about a statue, flag or monument is worship.

I’m a Black man and I don’t need a statue to remember who Dr. Martin Luther King was. God gave the Jews the Pentateuch, which is their history. When the children of Israel erected a golden calf to represent and remember the God that brought them out of Egypt, He commanded it be torn down (Exodus 32).

To say removing a monument erases history is very simplistic thinking.

If God doesn’t need a monument to represent or acknowledge Him, then why should anyone else.

Now do you see why He forbade graven images.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

It’s tough when you try to talk to the one’s closest to you and they just don’t get it…

They don’t understand how near and dear ‘it’ is to your heart.

They don’t understand how important it is to you.

They just can’t grasp how you really feel!

They don’t get how hurt you are!

But, they’re closest to you. They’re your mother. They’re your father. They’re your husband. Your wife. Your sister. Your brother. They’re your closest friend. They are SUPPOSED to understand everything about me! Right?

How can they love me the way they say they do? How can they care about me…and not understand how I feel? Are they really listening? Don’t they see what’s really going on? Why don’t they ‘get it’?!

If you’re honest with yourself, there are times that you couldn’t always understand what was going on with your loved ones…no matter how passionately they tried to explain it.

Why?

Because sometimes God has to remind us that He is the ONLY one who truly and totally understands us.

If we aren’t careful, we can begin to make those we love ‘little idols’. We can put them before God. This is one of the reasons that the Lord said…

Matthew 10:37  (NKJV)

³⁷ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

He has to remind us who really is supposed to come first.

How many times have you prayed about something, but you weren’t truly satisfied until you talked about it or confirmed it with a ‘real person’. Yes, God sometimes confirms things through people, but…

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There are some things He wants us to trust with Him only.

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There are some times that He wants you to prove to yourself how real He is in your life (because He already knows). There are some things that He wants you to truly…leave with Him.

But, how does God prove that He understands? That He hears? That he cares?

Well here’s how He’s proved it to me…

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a concern. I may have talked to someone about it and they didn’t understand. Or, I didn’t want to talk to anyone about it because I felt they wouldn’t understand. Then…

As I read my bible and the very passage of scripture I was reading spoke specifically to my issue.

Or, I heard a sermon that spoke directly to what I was going through. The minister may have even quoted the same scriptures I had studied.

Or, I read a blog post. Saw a bumper sticker. Saw come type of unsolicited confirmation of what was on my heart.

God has some pretty amazing ways of letting us know He understands. It’s up to us to realize that it’s really Him.

It’s good to have loved ones and friends in our lives to lean on. And It’s important that we be there for one another. Try to understand one another. Be a shoulder to lean on. It’s important that we be friendly and stick close to one another.

There are two things we must always remember…

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You don’t always have to understand someone to love them!

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And…

Proverbs 18:24  (NKJV)

 ²⁴ A man who has friends must himself be friendly,^[a]
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

 

Hey! I started my blog one year ago today! Please accept my sincere…

THANK YOU!!!!

Thanks to each of you who take the time to read and respond to my blog. Even if you don’t respond, I appreciate you taking the time to read what God has placed on my heart. I made a commitment to make an original post every day, and that has drawn me closer to and more dependent on God. Every now and then I will bring back an older post, but I have been able to keep that commitment.

I have learned so much from my fellow bloggers, and those of you who give me feedback and add to each discussion with your comments. I also want to thank those of you have supported my wife’s (Mechelle Johnson google with an ‘e’ and not an ‘i’)  music:-)

Thanks again for your love, comments and support. I pray that God allows me to continue posting…

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Original, Daily Devotionals, Inspiration and More from a Fresh, “Hey! I Never Thought About It Like That Before” Perspective.

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And, I encourage you, please don’t die with a diamond in your pocket. Share what God has placed inside of you!

Romans 12:6-9 (NKJV)

⁶ Having 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; ⁷ or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸ he who EXHORTS, in EXHORTATION; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

Has anyone ever questioned your love for them based on what you’ve done or haven’t done? Based on what you’re doing or aren’t doing? Based on what someone else has done or hasn’t done? Based on what someone else is doing or isn’t doing?

It hurts when you know what’s in your heart and someone questions it or challenges it.

It’s important to remember that saying what’s in someone’s heart is judging. Be careful when you judge what’s in someone’s heart, because when you do you’re opening the door for someone to do the same thing to you.

Matthew 7:1-2 (NKJV)

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

You know what you feel…your level of devotion…your level of sacrifice. And, based on their perspective they question your love.

But, before you get too upset at someone for questioning your love there are three things that you should do.

1. ASK YOURSELF ARE THEY RIGHT

Many times it stings when people question our love…our devotion…our loyalty. But, before we get too upset we must ask ourselves have we given them a good reason to feel that way. Even though you may not agree with their reasoning. They feel the way they feel and there’s not much you can go about it. Sometimes people can be unfair, but sometimes they may be right. What have you done to hurt them? What have you not done to be in their corner. These are questions that we must ask ourselves. We must make and effort to see things from their perspective. Even if you say, “Well, I don’t see why you should feel that way” or “I don’t see it that way”…remember, they aren’t you. Just because your love ‘failed’ in one area doesn’t mean you don’t love them…but it did fail.

2. ASK YOURSELF HAVE YOU QUESTIONED GOD’S LOVE

Have you questioned whether God really loves you? Whether He really cares about you? Whether He really hears your prayers or sees your pain? Have you done this?

God proved His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, while we were His enemies…He gave us His only son.

We must realize that just because we let each other down, that doesn’t mean live is absent…it just means our love isn’t perfect.

Maturing in love is a lifelong process, and even if we live to be 100 years old, we will die with our love imperfect.

Only God’s love perfect. In fact, I think He allows us to let each other down from time-to-time to remind us that ONLY His love is perfect.

3. SINCERELY PRAY FOR THEM

Yes, you should first ask yourself if they are right – but if they’re wrong… If they are unfairly judging you… it’s easy to become angry and defensive. Think about Job’s friends who went to comfort him, but instead relentlessly questioned and blamed him for his calamity. They questioned his devotion and true love for God. We all know that God restored to Job everything that he lost, but only AFTER he prayed for those who contended against him…

Job 42:10 (NKJV)

 And the Lord restored Job’s losses^[a] when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before

Remember when someone questions your love for them, how you react is how you prove it.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

 

Psalm 127:2 (NKJV)

² It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.

Are you tired? You went to bed. You had time away from work, but you’re still tired? Is your mind always racing? Are you either trying to get ahead? Stay ahead? Or, catch up? Maybe you’re just trying to hold it together.

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So many of us our so busy. So many of us are either worried, stressed or obsessed.

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Then what do we say when someone transitions from this life…”Rest in Peace!”

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I want to encourage you today to learn to rest in peace BEFORE you die!

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One of the enemy’s greatest manipulations is to keep us spiritually weak because we don’t rest. He wants us too tired to read and study God’s word. He wants us too tired to take the time to pray before we eat our food, before we go to bed at night. He wants us too tired to go to worship.

How many times have you said, “I’m not going to church today…I’m too tired!”

Rest is so important to God that He commanded we rest one day every week (Exodus 20:10). He told us to do no work! But, I’ve noticed that in some church cultures people will go to morning worship, then they will leave and go to another church and worship having what’s called ‘afternoon services’ or ‘special days’….Men’s Day, Women’s Day etc.  Then some will even have another service in the evening.

Just as much as it is God’s will that we don’t forsake the assembling of ourselves together and that we worship regularly, it’s not His will for us to spend all day in church to the point that we don’t rest at all. That is establishing our own righteousness (Romans 10:3).

I have to admit when it comes to not getting enough rest. I’m guilty. I’m guilty of sometimes letting life’s problems weigh too heavy on my mind. I’m guilty of not stopping to just do nothing and rest my mind, body and spirit

I encourage you to learn to rest in peace before you die. Learn to rest your body. Learn to rest your mind. Learn to rest you spirit. Learn to refresh yourself in God’s word and prayer. Learn to say NO. Learn to say I can’t do that. Learn to say I need some time to myself. Think of how Jesus would withdraw to Himself (Luke 5:16).

The Lord has promised to help us with our ‘rest problem…’

Matthew 11:28New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁸ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Learn to get yourself some rest because if you don’t…you’re being disobedient.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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)

 

…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)

 

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!

 

This is where most people are in our lives…

We work with them…

They are our neighbors…

We like the same teams…

We have the same political opinions…

We even go to church with them.

You’re cordial. You’re polite. You can hold a conversation. You can work together towards a goal…but you definitely aren’t friends.

You don’t enjoy being together.

You don’t have any loyalty towards one another.

You don’t particularly care what they think about you.

BUT,

You don’t hate them.

You don’t work against one another.

You don’t have any ill will towards them, nor do they to you.

These are the people that we need to learn to disagree with without becoming enemies.

I pray you have at least a few good friends.

I hope you have few enemies.

But, most people you know will be neither.

Proverbs 12:26 (NKJV)

The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
For the way of the wicked leads them astray.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

Have you ever had someone get angry or aggravated at you for absolutely no reason? I mean you haven’t done anything.

Or, have anyone ever gotten extremely angry at you for trying to do the right thing. For doing something good? For be a blessing to someone? For speaking the truth?

Why?

Think about the times that those who were being led by the enemy got angry when Jesus came around (Mark3:1-6, Luke 13:1). When He healed people. When He did good. Think of the opposition He encountered. They even sought to kill Jesus and Lazarus because Jesus raised him from the dead and they didn’t want people to believe in Jesus because of that miracle…

John 12:9-10 (ESV)

 ⁹ When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus^[a] was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. ¹⁰ So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well,

Think of the reactions of the demons inside those they were possessing when Jesus came around. They were afraid, they were worried, they were restless, they were uneasy.

Matthew 8:29(NKJV)

²⁹ And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”

 Mark 9:20  (NKJV)

²⁰ Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.

Why were they angry, uneasy or afraid.

Because of the presence of Jesus! Demons tremble in the presence of Jesus…at the very mention of His name. The enemy get’s upset in the presence of Jesus and those in whom He lives.

So, I encourage you…

Do something to piss the devil off today!

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Here are 7 things you can do to please God while upsetting the devil.

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1. WALK IN THE SPIRIT

Galatians 5:16-17 (NKJV)

¹⁶ I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

2. GLORIFY GOD  WITH PRAISE

Psalm 22:3 (KJV)

³ But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

3. FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD IN PRAYER

John 14:13-15 (NKJV)

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

4. READ AND STUDY THE WORD OF GOD

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)

¹² For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

5. SHARE THE WORD OF GOD

Matthew 28:19-20  (NKJV)

¹⁹ Go therefore^[a] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.^[b]

6. SHARE THE LOVE OF GOD

 John 13:34-35 (NKJV)

³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

7. RESIST AND IGNORE THE DEVIL

James 4:7(NKJV)

⁷ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

So, don’t be surprised, upset, disappointed or discouraged when your good is met with opposition. Let it be confirmation that you are pursuing your purpose and pleasing God.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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Addiction…

Alcoholism…

Lust…

Greed…

Lying…

Adultery…

Fornication…

Homosexuality…

People pray to God to deliver them and their loved ones from the sins that plague our lives and souls.

They want God to take away the desire…the taste…the longing…

Can God do this…Yes!

Did He promise to do this…No!

Too many times those in the church associate deliverance with God taking away the desire to sin, but He never promised to do that.

In the bible, deliverance means to rescue.

God does know how to rescue or snatch His people out of sinful situations…

2 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)

⁹ t then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,

He rescued/delivered Israel from oppressors and enemies time and time again though out the Old Testament.

God delivered us from the power of sin through our Lord and Savior, Yeshua, Jesus Christ, but that does not take away the desire to sin…

Colossians 1:13 (NKJV)

¹³ He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

Think about Lot (Go back and read Genesis 19). God rescued Lot from Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot wasn’t in a hurry to leave. He liked where he lived. The angel had to practically drag Lot away, and warned him and his family to not look back. Lot reluctantly left and was told to run after getting out of the city.

God rescued Lot, but did not take away his desire to be there.

God rescued Israel from Egypt, but they longed to go back.

God is a strong deliverer. He loves to rescue His people, but…

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Asking God to take away our desire to sin is the easy way out!

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There’s no love for Him in that…

There’s no devotion to Him in that…

There’s no commitment to Him in that…

There’s no relationship with Him in that!

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What husband or wife wants to have to force his or her spouse stop wanting or desiring a serious rival? They want their spouse to reject them on their own.

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That’s what God told us to do…

Colossians 3:8 (NKJV)

⁸ But now YOU YOURSELVES ARE TO PUT OFF all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

Ephesians 4:25 (NKJV)

²⁵ Therefore, PUTTING AWAY LYING, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,”^[a] for we are members of one another.

Ephesians 4:31 (NKJV)

³¹ Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking BE PUT AWAY FROM YOUR, with all malice.

2 Corinthians 7:1(NKJV)

7 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, LET US CLEANSE OURSELVES from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, LET US LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT, AND THE SIN which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

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God expects us to love Him enough to choose Him over our sin…not have Him conveniently take away our desire for it.

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We do more harm than good when we give people the expectation God will take away their desire for their weakness.

That’s why people ‘go back’ after being snatched out.

The truth is that some people struggle with some sins all their lives with the help of God.

Yes, God can and does sometimes take away the desire, but only after we have truly lay it down ourselves.

Let’s stop expecting God to do what the Lord has given us the responsibility to do ourselves.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Have you ever heard anyone say, ‘Don’t let me let the hood come out,” “i went straight to the ‘hood’ on ________,” or “Don’t let me get ghetto on you”?

It usually refers to ‘going off. ‘Cussing out, or even kicking someone’s a**.

Why?

Why do so many of us associate THE HOOD or THE GHETTO with the worst in us?

There are good people in the hood.

There are people with self-control in the hood.

There are people with integrity in the hood.

Some of our richest cultural and spiritual influences have come from the hood.

It’s plenty of good mothers, fathers, grandparents and guardian doing their best to raise their children right in the hood.

It’s plenty of kids doing their best to stay on the right track in the hood.

It’s plenty of good churches doing real kingdom work in the hood.

Jesus was from ‘the hood’ in a sense. When the disciples heard about Him remember what Nathanael said…

John 1:46  (NKJV)

And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

Philip said to him, “Come and see.

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It’s time we change the negative narrative about the hood. Its time we stop feeding it.

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I’m not from the hood. I’m from the ‘country’ which has its own negative stereotypes. But, I proclaim to be unapologetically country.

So whether you be from the hood, live there now or never been… don’t let the negative speak louder than the positive.

When you say “I’m going to let THE HOOD come out”, embrace all the good about unique culture. Let it be the about…

Determination…

Hard Work…

Loyalty…

Devotion to Family…

Perseverance…

Faith…

Or, one of the many other positive aspects of ‘HOOD LIFE’.

Let the world know there are plenty of GOOD TIMES in the hood.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

No matter how many problems you have. No matter how many issues you’re struggling with. No matter how little money, influence or resources you may have. God has still given you the solution to someone else’s problem.

Even if your meal is free, God has equipped you to bring something of value to the table.

It may not have a dollar $ign…

Encouragement…

Inspiration

Entertainment

Education

Strength

Support

A shoulder…

An ear…

A voice…

To the friendship…

To the marriage.

To the team.

To the organization.

To your church.

To a stranger.

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Even if you’re broke, you can be the key to someone’s breakthrough.

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Not only no matter your situation, but BECAUSE of your situation, God is strategically positioning you with the people and places where you can be a blessing.

Remember this…

James 2:5(NKJV)

5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

Now…Get out there and bless somebody today!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Many times we hear people say, “What I do in my house is my business”. That’s true, but if it’s wrong…it’s wrong.

Think about the fact David committed his greatest sin while watching ‘soft porn’ at home (2 Samuel 11).

Notice how he affirms to behave at home in Psalm 101…

Psalm 101:1-3 (KJV)

I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O Lord, will I sing. 2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. 3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

Yes, sinning ‘in the street’s’ affects others, but sinning at home alone can be more harmful than many may think.

How?

1. SINNING CAN BECOME EASIER

When we become comfortable sinning alone, it makes committing that sin, and other sins easier.

2. IT DEFIES OUR SPIRITS

God wants us to strive for holiness. That’s why He tells us to lay aside all filthiness and sin because it defiled our spirit.

2 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV)

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Remember, God’s Spirit wants to live in a clean ‘temple ( 1 Corinthians 6:19).

3. IT MAKES OUR ‘HOUSE’ A COMFORTABLE PLACE FOR DEMONS

Piggybacking on #2, when our spirits are defiled, we make our bodies and spirits a comfortable place for demons to dwell. And, not just dwell, but thrive.Notice that Revelation 18:2 (KJV) called Babylon a ‘habitation’ for devils. Notice what Jesus said in Matthew 12…

Matthew 12:43-45 (KJV)

43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

We must make sure our spiritual and physical house comfortable for God and not the enemy. What we do or don’t do at home sets the atmosphere.

4. EVEN THOUGH WE’RE ALONE, WE STILL HAVE AN AUDIENCE

Just because you’re in your house with the doors and blinds closed doesn’t mean you’re alone. You’re personal angel(s) watching…

Hebrews 1:14 (NKJV)

14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

What has your angel(s) witnessed in your HOUSE?

Be just as careful, if not more careful of your behavior at home. Watch what you watch, listen to, say and do. Watch who you allow inside your house.

Sin at home led David to greater sin, and it can do the same to us.

And, please…please…please don’t ask God to leave only to invite a demon inside…(please click to read) DON’T ASK GOD TO LEAVE FOR A DEMON TO COME IN…

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

 

Many people in ministry can get caught up wanting to be famous, talked about, prominent or at least well known. But, God reminded me one day to enjoy your anonymity. Enjoy your limited influence. Enjoy where God has you hedged from responsibility.

Because…

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The more people that know your name…the more demons know it too. Are you ready for that?

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Acts 19:11-17(NKJV)

¹¹ Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, ¹² so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. ¹³ Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We^[a] exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” ¹⁴ Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.

¹⁵ And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”

¹⁶ Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered^[b] them, and prevailed against them,^[c] so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. ¹⁷ This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

 If God has you hidden for a season, make the most of it. Enjoy it. Study harder. Grow stronger. Prepare yourself because if you get the attention you seek won’t always be good, positive, rewarding or enjoyable.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

We all have struggles in our lives. Emotional. Psychological. Physical. Relational and, yes… Spiritual.

We all have fears.

Think about this…at any given time, on any given day, any given person that you encounter or even observe without their knowledge, is most likely struggling with something.

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The truth is that we struggle with some issues and fears our entire lives.

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What are you struggling with right now?

Here’s the interesting thing about struggles, trials, tests and fears…

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My struggle may not seem like much to you, but it’s HARD for me…

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Someone who loves to fly may not understand your crippling fear of flying…YOUR FEAR VS YOUR FUTURE

It’s easy for someone else to say, ”You shouldn’t struggle with that.” “You should be over that by now”. “That wouldn’t be a problem for me”. “Why can’t you just move on”. “You don’t have enough faith”. “If I were you I would…”. “That’s no big deal”….And, sometimes they are right.

They may have even gone through the same thing. The same struggle. The same fear. The EXACT same thing…but they aren’t you. Your levels of strength, faith, experience, endurance are not the same. You weren’t raised the same. You weren’t prepared the same. You have different strengths and weaknesses. You’ve had different challenges. Different ‘breaking points’. Different levels of maturity. Everyone’s relationship with God is not the same.

Five children who read on the same grade level, may still all comprehend the same material on five different levels. We aren’t the same in areas that we are the same.

We can criticize Peter for denying Christ (Matthew 26:69-75). Judas for betraying Christ (Luke 22). Thomas for doubting Christ (John 20:24-29). The religious leaders for resisting Christ on challenging their traditions (Matthew 15:2). Many of His disciples for walking away because of how difficult His words seemed to them (John 6:60-71). Or, even the Jews and Romans for crucifying Him (Luke 23:21), but the truth be told, many of us would have done the same thing if we were living back then. How do I know? We can tell by our actions and attitudes today. For more on that click here to read…WOULD YOU HAVE SHOUTED HOSANNA OR CRUCIFY HIM?

So, I’m saying all that to say this…

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Let’s respect one another’s struggles and fears!

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Please respect someone else’s struggle.

Be patient with them.

Don’t judge them.

And most of all remind them how to overcome…

Philippians 4:13(NKJV)

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

BE BLESSTIFIFED

 

 

 

You ever notice how some phrases just make you feel good. If you like cake, saying “I think I’ll have some cake”, as you lift the top off the ‘cake taker’ is always accompanied by a smile.

Here’s another phrase that provokes a smile…

“Would you like to have a treat?”

Come on now! Who can say no to a treat?! Everybody likes treats!

How about this one? Whether you’re in school…work in an office…or a factory, these two words ALWAYS bring out the teeth…

“SNOW DAY!”

Proverbs says it best…

Proverbs 16:24 (NKJV)

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

What words or phrases make you feel good or smile? I hope that two of them are…

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Psalm 47:7 (NKJV)

For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding.

Annnnnnd, if you’re like most people you don’t buy CDs or full albums any more…you stream or download.

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Whether you like music from a major artist or independents like my wife, eventually someone has to actually purchase music if more music will be made:-)

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That’s why we record singles:-) To make it easy and inexpensive.

It’s perfect your your playlist whether you’re relaxing, working, grilling, chilling, riding or yes….worshiping.

I have made it easy for you to check it out, stream or possible even download for only 99 cents. Here are the links…

“Walk with Me (Never Alone)”

http://apple.co/298RrOb iTunes

http://apple.co/298Rg59 Apple Music

http://amzn.to/29lXdxO Amazon MP3

http://bit.ly/29s2bct Google Play

http://spoti.fi/29ey3iN Spotify

“URGENT”

http://apple.co/1MuDUyj iTunes

http://apple.co/1TRlqO9 Apple Music

http://amzn.to/19qwe0K Amazon MP3

http://bit.ly/1TywxWp Google Play

http://spoti.fi/1EvC4WX Spotify

“Thanks for Loving Me Too”

http://apple.co/1J3u5l6 iTunes

http://apple.co/1MhfvxW Apple Music

http://amzn.to/1EXdILQ Amazon MP3

http://bit.ly/1qMRMxd Google Play

http://spoti.fi/1L8fRow Spotify

 

 

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Oh, yes! Don’t forget to check out and LIKE her FB page, and follow her YouTube Channel…

https://www.facebook.com/MechelleJohnsonMusic/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWR2NdeCk5nP6cDFyfwwGvg

I hope you enjoy our music. Please listen closely to the lyrics, and thanks in advance for supporting our ministries!!!

BE BLESSTIFIED!!!

 

We’ve all done it before!
We’ve walked up while people are already talking and butted in.

Maybe it was important, and maybe it wasn’t. But, for us to interrupt, we are assuming that what we have to say is more important than what is already being said.

I’ve noticed interrupting to be very common in the office in which I work. It’s a Fortune 300 company, and almost daily I see those with the highest titles (VPs and up) feel most free to interrupt important conversations. It takes place in all organizations…even the church.

I think there’s a certain level of arrogance and entitlement that makes one feel comfortable enough to walk up and expect everyone else to drop everything because you want to talk…even if what you have to say is important.

No matter how important you may think you are, everyone deserves to be shown the same respect.

If you don’t like being interrupted, then please don’t interrupt others.

Remember what Jesus said…

Matthew 7:12 (NKJV)

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Doors. They provide access. They allow us to enter one environment while at the same time exit another. When closed, they keep things in and keep things out. We all want God to open doors for us to better things. We may even pray for God to open doors for us. Doors lead to the things we desire…

One day a man had to hurry in the bank before he picked up his daughter from school. He didn’t go to the bank his normal bank location because he decided to stop at the one closest to his daughter’s school. At 2:45 as he pulled up and read the sign on the door that said, “Open 8:30 – 5:00”. He pulled to open the door, and it was locked. He pulled again, and again. As he looked through the glass and through the lobby he could see the tellers behind the counter and became angry. “What are they doing?” “Bankers make me sick!” “They know it’s just 2:45!”  “They see me out here!” Furious, he now shook the door violently. “Let me in you lazy…!” Suddenly, he saw someone come to the door and he began lecturing the employee as he rushed into the building when he noticed the employee locking the door back and felt someone aggressively grab his arm. The bank was being robbed!!! His daughter stood waiting for an hour before her horrified mother picked her up as they waited and hoped for hostages to be released.

We need to remember that some doors God has closed for a reason. 

Some things you have your heart to do, some places you have your heart set to go, some people you have your heart set on, some jobs you have your heart set on, some loans you hope to get, even some things you sincerely want to do for God…are not meant for you.

Some things we want aren’t His will for us. 1 Chronicles 22:7, David states that it is in his heart to build a house for God, but that wasn’t God’s will for David. Acts 16:6, the Holy Spirit prevents Paul and his companions from going to Asia.

Sometimes people denying you access, ignoring your resume, ignoring your text messages is God keeping you from something that’s not for you. Sometimes people ignoring your gifts or choosing someone not as gifted is God’s way of getting you to move on to where you are meant to be.

We need to be very careful when we find ourselves trying to unlock and force our way into doors that God may have shut for a reason.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Who wants to be last?

Last in line.

Last on the list.

Chosen last for the team.

Last to be recognized.

Last to be seen at the doctor’s office.

Last to be promoted.

Last to be heard.

Last to be healed.

Last to be delivered.

Last to get your breakthrough.

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When was the last time that you were frustrated about being last?

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I just want to give you a quick reminder. The next time that you get ready to complain about being last, remember this…

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Being LAST is better than being LEFT OUT!

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For every person that’s LAST, there are countless others who were never chosen, never included, never considered…who were LEFT OUT.

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And, think about this. It’s the LAST piece of any puzzle that makes it complete.

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Remember the beautiful promise that Jesus gave…

Matthew 20:16 (NKJV)

So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”

Can you think of a time that you were blessed to be last?

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Remember this…

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You don’t have to see things EYE to EYE, to listen EAR to EAR and connect HEART to HEART.

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If God is willing to reason with us…

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.

…Then we should be willing to reason with one another.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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.

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

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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!