The enemy doesn’t mind you going to church as long as you take him with you. He wants to distract and infect your worship. One way he achieves this is through division in the local church. Division in the Body of Christ is strictly forbidden, and is sin…
Galations 5:19-20
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, FACTIONS
1 Corinthians 1:10
10 “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be NO DIVISIONS among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
We as people tend to want to be in groups of people with either common interests, or people who can benefit us. Sometimes these groups can form in the church with an unwillingness to let others in…that’s a CLIQUE (FACTION) .
Church can become like high school – The Cool Kids, The Jocks, The Nerds…
Church can become like the outside world – The Haves and The Have Nots…
Church can become like the secular (or Christian) music industry – Pastor, his Entourage, his Groupies and Fans…
Are you in one of these CLIQUES?
These are all distractions from the enemy to make our churches carnal, unfruitful and unproductive.
Don’t let your small group, your ministry group, your choir, your circle of friends be a CLIQUE in disguise.
Clique- ‘ISH’ even tried to creep into the early church…
1 Corinthians 11:18-22
18 “For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. 20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.”
The Body of Christ is one body with many members (1 Corinthians 12:12) and EVERYBODY IS SOMEBODY!
Even though we as people have a tendency to be CLIQUE-‘ISH’…. we need to keep that CLIQUE-‘ISH’ out of God’s church.!
1. Slang term often used to replace “s**t.” Derived from the process of editing the vocals of rap-songs by revershing the curse words so said song could be played on radio or television.
Yes, that’s my quote in the meme, but nothing says it more powerfully than the word of God…
Hebrews 11:1-3(NKJV)
11 Now faith is the [a]substance of things hoped for, the [b]evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3 By faith we understand that the [c]worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
Romans 15:13 (NKJV)
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 5:1-4 (NKJV)
Therefore, having been justified by faith, [a]we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces [b]perseverance; 4 and perseverance, [c]character; and character, hope.
Romans 15:13 (NKJV)
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-4(NKJV)
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
The Psalms give us wonderful lessons in not only how to pray, but how to approach God…even when we want Him to hurry up.
It’s okay to ask God to hurry…
Psalm 70 (NKJV)
Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Make haste to help me, O Lord!
2 Let them be ashamed and confounded Who seek my life; Let them be turned back[a] and confused Who desire my hurt. 3 Let them be turned back because of their shame, Who say, “Aha, aha!”
4 Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified!”
5 But I am poor and needy; Make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay.
Salvation is a precious free gift of God, that cannot ever be taken away by anyone. This gift provides us with eternal security…
Ephesians 1:13-14 (NKJV)
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who[a] is the [b]guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
This inheritance is reserved for those of us according to how we manage our walk on this earth.
1 Peter 1:7-9 (NKJV)
7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not [a]seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
Yes, we can never lose the gift of salvation. It is always available as long as we are alive on this earth no matter what we have done.
However, we must not allow the syntax of “once saved always saved” confuse us of its application.
Consider this…
Every day of our lives, God is preparing our spirits for eternity.
He’s conditioning us to freely surrender our free will to His will.
Matthew 16:24-25 (NKJV)
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
When our lives are over on this earth, our bodies will return to the dust of the earth, to be replaced with new spiritual bodies.
1 Corinthians 15:51-53 (NKJV)
51 Behold, I tell you a [a]mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
Our bodies will be new, but our spirits will not be renewed when Jesus returns, they are being renewed right now.
2 Corinthians 4:16 (NKJV)
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
We have a lifetime of refining our spirits for eternity. It’s our responsibility. He’s encouraging us to remove those things from our spirits that come between our relationship with Him. We are all born with ‘stuff’ that we don’t need. That’s what circumcision represented, the cutting away ‘flesh’ that we don’t need.
Romans 2:29 (NKJV)
29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose [a]praise is not from men but from God.
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.
God is teaching us to allow our new nature to overcome our old nature.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
God has kicked those who allowed their spirits to be corrupted out of His Kingdom once, but He’s not going to do it again.
Isaiah 14:12 (NKJV)
12 “How you are fallen from heaven,
O [a]Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
Ezekiel 28:16 (NKJV)
16 “By the abundance of your trading
You became filled with violence within,
And you sinned;
Therefore I cast you as a profane thing
Out of the mountain of God;
And I destroyed you, O covering cherub,
From the midst of the fiery stones.
Revelation 12:7-9 (NKJV)
7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they [a]did not prevail, nor was a place found for [b]them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
If you’re spirit isn’t worthy, you just won’t get in.
Manage your health, manage your money, manage your relationships, manage your life, but please don’t neglect managing your spirit.
Now is the time to get resist all the filth that corrupts our spirits…
Galatians 5:19-21 (NKJV)
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [a]adultery, [b]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [c]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Your salvation is not a license to do wrong. Remember, the warning of Galatians 5:19-21 is not just for the sinner, but it’s for the church…
This is huge and often overlooked. Galatians, and all of Paul’s letters were addressing the church and all those who are ‘saved’ in the church (as well as both of Peter’s letters). Notice the greetings to each letter…
Galatians 1:1-5 (NKJV)
Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Corinthians 1:1-3 (NKJV)
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are [a]sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:1-2 (NKJV)
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:1-2 (NKJV)
Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the [a]bishops and deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:1-2 (NKJV)
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father [a]and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:1-2 (NKJV)
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:1-2 (NKJV)
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To the [a]pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
2 Peter 1:1 (NKJV)
Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have [a]obtained like[b] precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
Notice that the greetings to these letters address ‘the brethern’, the ‘sanctified’, ‘the saints’ ‘the elect’, ‘in sactification’, ‘those who have obtained precious faith’. And, every warning in each of those letters applies to them, not just the unsaved. I encourage you to go back and read through each one thoroughly.
And, remember this, no one can be an apostate to something that they were never a part of…
2 Thessalonians 2:3 (NKJV)
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of [a]sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
Please never forget the warning that Jesus gave us…
Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV)
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 [a]Because narrow is the gate and [b]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
So, honestly ask yourself this question, “Is my spirit ready for eternity?”
The less it takes to make you happy – the easier it is for you to feel rich!
1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NKJV)
6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, [a]and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
Marriage is a gift of God. It provides life-long companionship and support when we go about it as God has instructed us…but unfortunately too many marriages, Christian marriages, end in divorce.
Why?
Of course, there are various things that lead to failed marriages, but when you think about it there’s ONE common factor…
It’s not the struggle…
It’s not the challenge…
It’s not the trial…
It’s not the situation…
It’s not even the money…
And, it’s not that DEEP…
MARRIAGES FAIL BECAUSE COUPLES FORGET TO HAVE JOY IN ONE ANOTHER!
Joy is a Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)…even marriages of unbelievers and other faiths who have joy in one another stay together.
Marriages fail because couples forget how to simply have joy in one another…through it all.
The enemy manipulates struggles; situations; the trials to provoke…
If you’ve been a Christian or been in church any amount of time you’ve heard it or read it…
1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV)
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
But, many times when we’re honest with ourselves it’s not always that simple.
Some of our benefits of being in relationship with God can become churchy clichés and sometimes lose their power due to our OVERUSE and UNDER APPLICATION.
Why?
Because we don’t know how! How do you really “Give it to God”? How do you really “Let go and let God”? Have you ever tried to do that and it was still there? How do you do that? Have you ever asked yourself, “Is there something wrong with my faith?” “What am I doing wrong?”
After 48 years on this earth and 21 years as an ordained minister, I’m FINALLY learning how to ‘Cast…
It’s amazing to me how politics can make the most accomplished people revert back to being, well, just being childish and just plain immature.
It also amazes me how people will get fighting mad with people they’ve known all of their lives supporting someone else they’ve never met. Not only that, they might not like them if they did meet them, and vice versa.
Most of us will never meet Christine Ford, Brett Kavanaugh, Donald Trump or Barack Obama.
Here’s the deal…No matter how much evidence, or proof. No matter what they have done in the past, or currently doing. People will always find a reason to justify the people they want to support.
Most people will always believe only who they want to believe.
Oh, how I love the guidance of the word of God!
Psalm 146:3-7 (NKJV)
3 Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in [a]a son of man, in whom there is no [b]help. 4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish.
5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God, 6 Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever, 7 Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners.
Be careful who you judge to be a liar, because if by chance they aren’t, you’ve opened yourself up to be judged to be a liar. Matthew 7:1-2 (NKJV) 7 “Judge[a]not, that you be not judged.2 For with what[b]judgment you judge, you will be judged;and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
How often do you get bored? How often do you feel ‘there’s nothing to do’?
We have all felt restless and uninterested in our current situation at times. We ‘weren’t feeling’ what was going on. We wanted some type of excitement. However I believe…
The more you focus on your God-given purpose, the less you’ll find yourself bored.
Boredom usually is a result of inactivity or lack of interest in activity. Either way, that boredom can lead to laziness. And, we all know what he bible says about laziness…
Proverbs 19:15-16 (NKJV)
15 Laziness casts one into a deep sleep,
And an idle person will suffer hunger.
16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who [a]is careless of his ways will die.
It’s truth to the statement that the idle mind is the devil’s workshop. How much trouble in your life is a result of moments when you were bored?
However, when you’re focused on your vision and fulfilling that vision, even though you may relax, rarely ever is your mind ever resting.
You’re always thinking…
Always planning…
Always trying to make the most of every opportunity and every ounce of your time.
Ephesians 5:16 (NKJV)
16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
When you’re purpose is your reason for getting out of the bed every morning, you find inspiration in literally everything. You find inspiration in…
The good…
The bad…
And, the ugly…
There’s always something to write about, to sing about. There’s something that always produces a melody in your spirit. There’s always a cause for which to fight. There’s always someone for whom to advocate or defend. There’s always someone to help. There are countless people who don’t believe in God and don’t accept Yeshua (Jesus Christ) as the Son of God, Lord and Savior.
When you’re purpose driven, our minds are working during those activities that seem mundane. You’re rarely ever just sitting around twiddling your thumbs.
You may be inactive at times, but you’re rarely every bored.
Hallelujah! It’s our 31st Anniversary. God said in His word that…
Proverbs 18:22 (NKJV)
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.
His word comes to life with my wife Mechelle Johnson!
The legendary musical group Switch said, “There’ll Never Be a Better Love” for you!
I’m so thankful to share my life with this woman. Our life together has been one great adventure. God has given us three awesome children, and one grandchild.
She is my partner in ministry, music and business! I trust her with my life and there’s no one else in the world with whom I would want to share this journey.
God uses the analogy of marriage to describe His relationship with Israel and Christ’s relationship with His church. He encourages men to love their wives as Christ loves His church…
Ephesians 5:25 (NKJV)
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
Even on our worst days, I have to say my love for her has never diminished. In fact, it’s the dark days that has not just made our love stronger…but confirmed it.
I know that no one can love like God loves us. And, I know your marriage may be good and your love may be strong…but I have to say that when it comes to marriage, “There’ll Never Be a Better Love” than ours:-)
John 12:27 (NKJV) “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.
There is nothing more powerful than a person who is certain of his or her purpose, and relentlessly working towards it. But, I hear so many people say,
“I don’t know my purpose!
or ask,
“How do I know I’m walking in my purpose?”
It is clear that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ knew His purpose. How else could His human side endure the humiliation, shame and pain of the cross. Every word He spoke, every miracle He performed…led to the cross.
John the Baptist’s declaration that, “He must increase and I must decrease” in John 3:30 implies that he knew his purpose as well. Of course we were all created to glorify God our creator (Isaiah 43:7), if you are a parent, it is God’s will that you be a good parent and bring up your children in the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).
But, what about the thing(s) we were born to do that no one else can do?
How can we discover that?
Here’s a simple way to help you find out your purpose(s) that God has for your life. I call it the BEBLESSTIFIED.COMTHREE P’S of PURPOSE.
Your Position Your Passion Your Pain
YOUR POSITION
This us exactly what it implies. Jesus was born a Jew, and His purpose was to save Israel first then the world from their sins. Acts13:36 states, “For David, after he served his own generation by the will of God fell asleep…”. It is no coincidence that you were born into your specific time, family, socio-economic status, race, culture etc. It was no coincidence that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born into his particular family in the south in 1929 to set him up for his purpose in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Yes he was a husband and father, but his purpose went beyond that. Somewhere in your position, you find your purpose.
YOUR PASSION
In Matthew 25, the Parable of the Talents, Jesus explains how He gives us all talents and has expectations of each of us according to our ability. What are you good at naturally and effortlessly. What do you have an aptitude for? What do you enjoy and get satisfaction out of most? What cause tugs on your heart more than any other? This is the key to your gift and more than likely your calling. Are your using your natural abilities only for your self…Your profession or vocation…Or, to help promote the Kingdom of God?
YOUR PAIN Philippians 1:29 reminds us that it has been granted to us to not only to believe in Jesus, but to also suffer for Him. It isn’t fair that Jesus suffer and die for our sins and we have a convenient care-free life. We are to share in His sufferings so we can share in His glory as stated in Romans 8:17. We all have situations, storms, circumstances and assignments that we didn’t ask for. You will notice that very few, if any people in the bible who were used by God signed up for their task. You may have been: betrayed by a loved one, had your heart-broken, had a family member murdered, had your parents die while you were young, lost everything, been accused or imprisoned for something you didn’t do…the list can go on and on. But just as Abraham being told to leave his country and go to a place that God will show him, Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers, Hosea being told to marry a prostitute, or Joseph being told to marry a woman who was already pregnant by the Holy Spirit…your unsolicited pain, storms, trials, sicknesses, disabilities and circumstances sometimes hold the keys to your purpose in God.
So, look at your life from the beginning until now. Look at your POSITION…your PASSION…and yes your PAIN, and find YOUR PURPOSE.
King David of Israel was a man after God’s own heart, but He was still a man. He had personal flaws and weaknesses just as we all do. However, the difference between David and King Saul is that David had a truly repentant heart when He came to the realization of His sins, while Saul did not. That’s what made David not only a man of God, but a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14).
Psalm 51:1-17 (NKJV)
Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just [a]when You speak, And blameless when You judge.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. 6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise. 16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it You do not delight in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.
We all have done things of which we are ashamed, some worse than others. But, it doesn’t get much worse than sleeping with the wife of a man who is loyal to you, getting her pregnant, trying to conceal the pregnancy, and finally having that man killed so you can have his wife.
That is what David did. And, he paid a huge price for that sin. Read 2 Samuel Chapters 11 and 12 again to refresh your memory of what happened.
It’s interesting that when the Prophet Nathan rebuked David on the behalf of God that God DID NOT tell David could not be King anymore. His sin did not disqualify David’s anointing. God still fulfilled His promise to David.
God went on to use David to write most of the Psalms in the bible. These Psalms teach us how to praise, pray, worship and even lament to God.
The fact is that God knew what David would do even before He chose Him to be King. David did not surprise God when He sinned, and neither do we.
In today’s culture, not only would David not have been allowed to remain king, but once people discovered what he did, they would have wanted to take all of His Psalms out of the bible.
It is important for us to strive for holiness, but God made us and He knows we are just flesh…
Psalm 103:13-14 (NKJV)
13 As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. 14 For He [a]knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust
This is good news!
Your sin and your failures don’t necessarily disqualify your anointing. Like David, it’s your attitude after you sin that determines if God will continue to use you.
How many times have you heard someone say, “You aren’t going to change my mind”?
As Christians, we say that to anyone who tries to convince us to reject Jesus. So, as we strive to promote the love of Christ, and to convince people to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, it’s easy to understand how some people who were born and raised in other faiths or no faith will say the same thing.
But, we must understand that our challenge as Christians isn’t to change MINDS, but to touch HEARTS. When you touch someone’s HEART with the love of Christ, their THINKING changes.
In Jeremiah 33:31, God promises us,
“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it…
In cultures that value youth, birthdays can sometimes be bittersweet. When you’re a child you look forward to reaching double digits and growing up. As a teenager you look forward to the benefits of becoming an adult.
But, usually after their 20’s, many people begin to dread their milestone birthdays…
30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 years old
Those milestone birthdays can give people an overwhelming feeling of leaving their youth behind. You’re reaching those ages that you have always considered ‘old’. You’re reaching a number of years that you may remember your parents, grandparents or even great-grandparents at that age.
You’re getting old!
There’s truth to the old statement that age is nothing but a number. You have the power to enjoy each and every birthday God allows you to see through your mindset. Don’t let society dictate to you how to view getting older…
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
REMEMBER, IT’S A BLESSING TO GET OLD
Unfortunately, there are so many people who don’t live to see old age. Years are a blessing from the Lord. The only way to avoid old age is to die young.
Psalm 91:16 (NKJV)
16 With [a]long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”
Proverbs 20:29 (NKJV)
29 The glory of young men is their strength, And the splendor of old men is their gray head.
The only way to avoid old age is to die young. Thank God for every birthday that He blesses you to see. Embrace the blessing of another year because there are many who share your birthday and year who didn’t live to see your shared milestone birthday. Do you have classmates and friends and relatives your age who are no longer here? Be thankful because it could have been you.
YOU’RE STILL YOUNGER THAN YOU WILL EVER BE
As we grow older we are still always younger than we will ever be if God allows us to live.
If you are turning 50, you’re no longer in your LATE 40’s, but you are now in your EARLY 50’s. You are 10 years, 3,652 days, 521 weeks, and 120 months from your 60’s. Enjoy every day, week and year of your milestone and subsequent years. Stop thinking, ‘I’m almost 65’. Enjoy every year of being 64. I think you get the point. You are always younger than you will ever be if the good Lord allows you to continue to live.
Psalm 90:12 (NKJV)
12 So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
STOP VIEWING YOUR FROM THE AGE YOU WERE
Stop viewing yourself from the perspective of your LATE 20’s, 30’s, 50’s etc. and begin viewing yourself from the perspective of your EARLY 30’s, 40’s 50’s, 60’s etc.
If you’re turning 40, those in their 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s view you as ‘younger’. Think about how much younger those people who are 10 and 20 years younger than you seem. Too many times we continue to view life from the perspective of when we were younger. As you grow older, let your maturity and level of thinking change with your age.
EMBRACE YOUR NEW ROLES IN LIFE
As your perspective changes you will be able to embrace your new role in life.
Job 12:12 (NKJV)
12 Wisdom is with aged men,
And with [a]length of days, understanding.
With age comes wisdom and respect if we live our lives with integrity and learn from the mistakes of our youth. Embrace those lessons and the respect that should come with getting older. Enjoy becoming parents and grandparents. Be okay with being the oldest person in the group. There are some answers and solutions that only your age, experience and wisdom can bring. There is great value in that. The more that we value the benefits of getting older, the more our culture will shift to respect age rather than look down upon it.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
There are many people in their 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s in better health and better ‘shape’ than some people in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. God tells us to take care of our ‘temples’ (1Corinthians 3:16,17). Of course there are health conditions that we have no control over, but eating healthy, exercising, getting proper rest, managing stress, and letting God guide you in your decisions can help you maintain a higher quality of life as you get older.
How many times have you heard people say, “40 is then new 20” or “50 is the new 30”. It is true that people these days seem much younger than they did at the same age years ago. That’s okay as long as you aren’t still behaving and thinking as you did when you were 20 years younger.
So if this is a milestone year for you, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Enjoy every year God gives you!
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
FEAR
Fear is a faith killer.
It steals your hope.
It destroys your purpose.
It stops you in your tracks.
The enemy uses fear to get us to undermine our own future.
The fear of the shame and consequences of failure. The fear of the challenges and responsibilities of success. Some people are afraid of being promoted, afraid of being a leader, afraid of being held accountable. Some people don’t run for public office because they are afraid of shameful secrets from their past that may be revealed by an opponent. Some people are simply afraid of change.
What are you afraid of?
Do you look shamefully on the Jesus’ disciples fear during the storm in the boat, while you may be afraid of flying…afraid of water? Remember, God did not give us the spirit of fear…
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
If God didn’t give us the spirit of fear, that leaves only one source.
Facing your fears, attacking your fears is attacking the enemy. And, you can’t do that without the power of God. Never try to face your fears without prayer.
COMFORT
Comfort, convenience and luxury are enemies of your purpose because they disguise themselves as success. Most of us would love a comfortable, trouble free life, but that’s simply not an option to purpose-driven people called by God…
Philippians 1:29 (NKJV)
29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
Nothing of value comes without sacrifice. How fair would that be since God had to sacrifice His own Son to pay the required price for sin…
Hebrews 9:22 (NKJV)
22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Too many of us won’t sacrifice our comfort enough to be what God truly called us to be. True ministry is rarely comfortable or convenient. People who claim they have a heart for ministry remain in the comfortable ‘four walls’ of the church because they don’t want to get their ‘hands dirty’. So many real entrepreneurs may have given up a enormous salaries, benefits, and sacrificed some of their luxuries to pursue their vision.
People stay in lucrative careers and dead-end jobs fulfilling someone else’s vision while letting their own vision die.
Big houses, fancy cars, nice clothes, impressive titles all SOUND LIKE success. But when we put all of our energy pursuing those things, how much do we really put into our purpose?
When we achieve those things what are we willing to do to keep them? If you have invested the money that you’ve put into your comforts into your vision, would you be working for yourself right now? How powerful could you be for the Kingdom of God.
The desire for comfort steals, kills and destroys your desire to sacrifice what is necessary to achieve what God has placed you on this earth to do.
Look inside yourself. Is what you’re afraid of holding you back? Look around you. Is what you have and what you want preventing you from being what and who you can be?
Let me first say that this article is in no way excusing the sin, shortcomings of weaknesses of any preacher, but rather acknowledging them. I know that God expects us as ministers and teachers to set the standard of behavior and holds us to a higher degree of accountability.
1 Peter 5:2 (NKJV)
2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly,[a] not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV)
11 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
1 Timothy 3:2-12 (NKJV)
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,[a] but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in…
It’s God will that marriage be for life. And, that’s not easy.
Mark 10:8-9 (NKJV)
8 and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
We all know that marriage is a series of ups and downs, highs and lows. It’s a lifetime of challenges and confirmations of your love for one another. That’s exactly what these challenges are…confirmations.
The good times are the reward of love, but the hard times are the reasons to love.
After 31 years there are some things that confirm beyond the shadow of a doubt that my wife and I were meant to be together. Here are three…
1. WHEN YOU CAN SMILE ABOUT YOUR BAD MEMORIES
When you think of some of the things you endured together…Some of the things your spouse said to you in anger,…some of your most challenging struggles you survived…it can make smile or shed a tear of joy.
2. WHEN YOU KNOW YOU WOULD MARRY THEM ALL OVER AGAIN
When even though you wouldn’t do everything the same, you know in your heart that you would marry them all over again.
3, WHEN YOU WOULDN’T WANT TO BE WITH ANYONE ELSE IN THE WORLD
No matter how they look, what they have, what their accomplishments may be or what they can do…you wouldn’t want to share your life with anyone else in the world. You wouldn’t want to share their struggles with anyone else. You wouldn’t want to share your joys and victories with anyone else. It just wouldn’t be the same.
Enjoy one another, and continue to prove your love to one another every day.
It’s no question that our society today values appearances. Many people today love to look good and they want to be seen with people who look good.
Some men and women even consider some people to be ‘beneath them’ or ‘not in their league’ because of their appearance.
Some people expect their friends, associates and even their pastor to have a certain appearance or status.
Be honest with yourself. How receptive are you to people who look less attractive or not groomed as well?
The bible let’s us know that Jesus wasn’t what was considered that times’ standard of ‘good looking’.
Isaiah 53:2 (NKJV)
2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
He has no [a]form or [b]comeliness;
And when we see Him, There is no [c]beauty that we should desire Him.
Would you have taken Jesus seriously based on His appearance?
Would you have been ashamed to be seen with Jesus?
Would you feel comfortable saying, “I’m with Him?”
The fact of the matter is that some people today would have rejected Jesus simply because He wasn’t white (appearance) as He is popularly and falsely portrayed. And, I’m not just talking about ‘white people’.
Revelation 1:14-15 (NKJV)
14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;
Matthew 2:2 (NKJV)
2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
Would you have accepted Jesus today if He wasn’t your race? There are too many Christians who wouldn’t accept a Pastor who wasn’t their race.
Be honest with yourself. Would you accept Jesus if He applied to be Pastor at your church? A Jewish carpenter who wasn’t formally educated…
John 7:15-16 (NKJV)
15 And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”
16 [a]Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.
We love to point a self-righteous finger at the religious leaders in the bible that rejected Him, but how would you have received Him?
HOW MANY CHRISTIANS WOULD BE ASHAMED TO BE SEEN WITH CHRIST?
If He was here in the flesh today as He was then, would you be ashamed of Him? Would you have accepted Him? Would you have taken Him seriously?
Your attitude today indicates what your attitude would have been back then.
People are secretly watching you. And, some of the people you inspire the most will…
Copy you…
Model you…
Imitate you…
Emulate you…
Plagiarize you…
Talk about you…
Slander you…
Speak evil of you…
They will be secretly encouraged by you. Secretly admire you. Benefit from God’s light in you…
They just won’t tell you!
1 Peter 2:12 (NKJV)
12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
John 7:12-13 (NLT)
12 There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, “He’s a good man,” but others said, “He’s nothing but a fraud who deceives the people.”13 But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.
May this encourage and remind you that influence isn’t always recognized or rewarded by others, but it always is by God.
Remember, you can’t whine, complain or be petty at the same time.
Remember, whining, complaining and praise are all contagious.
The next time you’re feeling sorry for yourself and wanting someone else to notice and feel sorry for you…STOP, and give God some praise that things aren’t worse.
TURN YOUR PITY PARTY INTO A PRAISE PARTY!
It’s when you feel worse that praise is an actual sacrifice. You have to dig deep into your faith, confidence, trust and love for God and with the fruit of your lips praise Him in spite of __________.
Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV)
15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
What do you hope for? Think about it for a moment. Both big and small, what do you hope for in life? For yourself? For your family? For the world?
Please don’t ever take hope for granted. Hope gives us a reason to get up each morning. Hope gives us a reason to live. Hope gives us anticipation beyond this life.
Hope is a blessing from God…
Romans 15:13 (NKJV)
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 5:1-5 (NKJV)
Therefore, having been justified by faith, [a]we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces [b]perseverance; 4 and perseverance, [c]character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
As much as faith is evidence of what we can’t see, hope is the expectation and desire of what we can’t and can see. Faith is the belief that we can actually have what we hope for…that it can and will happen.
Faith is hope’s fruit…
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
The reason so many rich people are unhappy is because their ability to hope has been challenged.
A life of having everything you want when you want it is a life with literally, no hope!
Those who can put their hands on everything they want can find themselves unhappy and unfulfilled because God wants our hope to be in Him…
Psalm 39:6-8 (NKJV)
6 Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they [a]busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, And does not know who will gather them.
7 “And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You. 8 Deliver me from all my transgressions; Do not make me the reproach of the foolish.
Take a moment to thank God for the ability to hope, and ask Him that your hope always be in Him.
In today’s American culture it seems people value so-called ‘strong words’ and confrontation rather than the controlled strength of meekness and making peace.
Do you know someone who has a passion for peace? Is it you?
Some people have an innate passion for conflict resolution. They are the uncelebrated heroes that hold, relationships, families, teams, organizations, causes, churches, and nations together. People celebrate soldiers…but not peacemakers. Jesus came to earth looking for a fight with the enemy….He came to establish peace between God and man.
1 Timothy 2:5 (ESV) For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man[a] Christ Jesus,
Ephesians 2:14 (ESV) For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility
Colossians 1:20 (ESV) and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or…
36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
Matthew 5:14-16 (NKJV)
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Nor do theyl ight a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.16 Let your light so shine before men,that they may see your good works andglorify your Father in heaven.
Hebrews 10:24 (NKJV)
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
Matthew 28:19 (NKJV)
19 Go[a]therefore andmake disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Most of us lead very busy lives. How many times have you thought, said or heard someone say…I don’t have time to read, or study my bible, pray or go to church?
How many feel that God happily accepts being an after thought or ignored?
How many feel it’s okay to say you believe, but never live like God is real or like they are in true relationship with Him?
How many people say through…
Jobs…
Careers…
Family…
Organizations…
Youth Sports and Activities…
Even church activities…
That they don’t have time for God, prayer, reading and studying their bible or worship?
The truth is that God doesn’t give us blessings to replace Him.
Our blessings should never become barriers or burdens to our relationship with Him.
Here are a few simple, easy suggestions to carve out quality time with God.
Let me first say that I enjoy football, and I enjoy watching games after church on SONday. I also love our country and I’m thankful to everyone who has sacrificed their lives, comfort and convenience for my freedom. But, most of all, I love God!
Since so many are judging other Americans as unpatriotic because they support the peaceful protest of kneeling during the national anthem, I have a few questions only for the Christians who feel taking a knee is disrespectful…
Which should be MORE sacred to a Christian?
Worshiping on the Lord’s Day.
Or
Going to a football game.
Which should be more offensive to a Christian?
Not standing for the national anthem.
Or
Skipping church and going to a football game.
Both were great sacrifices, but which sacrifice was GREATER?
Those who died for our freedom?
Or
Jesus dying for our sins?
Which is in the bible?
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)
Or
all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; (US Code)
Which do you think God considers more offensive?
Choosing a ball game over going to church.
Or
STANDING for the national anthem at that ball game.
Which did Jesus rebuke the Pharisees for?
Putting their traditions before God’s word?
Or
Their patriotism to the nation of Israel?
What did Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Shadrach, Meschach and Abed-Nego) do when it was considered PATRIOTIC to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image when the music began to play?
They did what the national law required.
Or
They were thrown in the fiery furnace for refusing.
If God doesn’t consider kneeling before Him disrespectful, why should we?
Does God consider choosing a game before Him on the Lord’s day disrespectful?
For those of you who worship on Saturday, simply change the day from SONday to Saturday, and game from professional to college and answer the same questions.
It’s interesting how people can justify…
Putting a game before God…
Working seven days a week, or working on the Lords day…
But, can’t tolerate what they consider to be unpatriotic.
God requires:
Faith before Family…
Faith before Race…
Faith before Nation…
No Exceptions!
If you can’t disagree with this post without anger or insults, quite frankly, you need to read your bible.
Even God humbles Himself to reason with us… Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV)
“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.
So let this post begin a conversation for reasoning with one another.
This is dedicated to all those who fought and fight for our country and appreciate the right to peaceful protest. Their opinion matters too.
There is not many things more unholy than a cross used for crucifixion. It was the Roman equivalent to the electric chair or a lethal injection needle.
It was an instrument for execution that was used to fulfill the purpose of our Lord and Savior Yeshua, Christ Jesus. There were many other who were killed using a cross other than our Savior, but He is the only one who was raised from the dead.
Today though the cross has become the universal symbol of inspiration for many that represents Christ.
When you are filled with God’s Holy Spirit, there is always inspiration in unholy things. When the children of Israel were deported and dispersed they had to find inspiration in unholy lands.
As our world becomes increasingly ‘unholy’ we have to learn to find inspiration in the ungodly.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NKJV)
3 But know this, that in the last days [a]perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, [b]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
Galatians 5:19-25 (NKJV)
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [a]adultery, [b]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [c]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 [d]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
The apostles and the early church were persecuted and thrown in unholy places, surrounded by unholy people, even faced death but they had to persevere, endure and continue to grow the church.
1 Peter 5:8-9 (NKJV)
8 Be [a]sober, be [b]vigilant; [c]because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
The people in the bible couldn’t pull up a playlist of spiritual songs to encourage them through their trials and tribulations. The apostles didn’t always have captive audiences giving them ‘Amens’ and positive feedback and feeding their egos. In fact, many times they were blessed to get out of town alive.
There is inspiration in some of the most unlikely places when we walk in His Spirit. It’s just our responsibility to find it. From jobs to relationships, there are innumerable instances, situations and places when and where we have to reach down and pull out the light and God inside of us.
In a song, movie, book, blog, politician…even witnessing the zeal for another religion.
Yes, sometimes seeing people do what we aren’t supposed to do can further inspire us to do good.
When was the last time you had to find inspiration in an unholy place
So many times we only measure our effectiveness by who notices, and acknowledges us. But, there are many more people who notice your effort, your hard work, your accomplishments other than those who acknowledge them.
There are people who notice, but intentionally ignore. They make it a point that they DON’T acknowledge you.
As a writer, an artist, a creative, or in whatever you do, these are the individuals who are most impressed by what you do and don’t want to acknowledge to you, or themselves.
These are the people who are likely to imitate you, or modify what you’ve done to claim it for themselves.
So, don’t be discouraged when some of the people you want to notice you don’t acknowledge you. They see what you’re doing.
Remember when you were a child and you intentionally ignored your siblings or friends. You would put your fingers over your ears and say, “Laaaaa, laaaaaa, laaaaaa, laaaaa, I can’t hear you”…but you really could!
Remember, you can’t ignore something you haven’t noticed.
And, though He may seem quiet sometimes, God never ignores you!
Matthew 6:4 (NKJV)
4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secretwill Himself reward you[a]openly.
I’m not talking about the path your feet will take, but the path your heart will take.
Which path will you take today?
Forgiveness or Unforgivingness?
Thanksgiving or Complaining?
Understanding or Judgement?
Selflessness or Selfishness?
Humility or Arrogance?
Generosity or Greed?
Release or Revenge?
Calm or Conflict?
Peace or Wrath?
Joy or Stress?
Truth or lies?
Love or Hate?
Just as your feet can’t take two paths at the same time, neither can your heart. Beginning your day with prayer and in God’s word makes it a whole lot easier to take the right path.
Psalm 37:23 (NKJV)
23 The steps of a good man are [a]ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.
Remember what God warned Cain, and what happened when he didn’t listen… Genesis 4:7 (NKJV)
7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is[a]for you, but you should rule over it.”
Change the heart and the mind will follow. 
Growing In Yahuah 