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.

Did you sleep well last night?

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 happens to all of us. A situation arises where we feel we deserve an apology…but don’t get it.

Think for a moment about Jesus on the cross. As He was being brutalized and mocked, He still had enough love to say, forgive them…
 Luke 23:34 (NKJV)

³⁴ Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”^[a]

And they divided His garments and cast lots.

Think about the fact that Jesus offered this forgiveness and love, without an apology. It’s one thing that the Romans crucified Him, but His own people…those closest to Him consented to and called for His death.

One of the most difficult things to do is move forward with people that we feel owe us an apology…especially if they’re someone close to us.

Yes we still have to work with and relate to people who aren’t close to you, but how do you avoid the lack of apology turning into resentment and becoming a wall in your close relationships.

You may find yourself thinking…

“How can they be so content acting like nothing happened…acting as if they didn’t hurt me?

You may have said to yourself…

“If they loved me, they would apologize.”

Yes, it’s not easy, but here are 9 tips to help you move forward in your relationships without an apology…

1. BE READY TO FORGIVE IF AND WHEN THEY APOLOGIZE. Sometimes if we’re honest with ourselves, we don’t want an apology…because it takes away our excuse to be angry. If they apologize and you don’t accept it, the burden has shifted from God to you.
2. DON’T JUDGE THEIR APOLOGY IF AND WHEN THEY GIVE IT. When they come to you and apologize, don’t judge their apology by saying that they didn’t mean it or it wasn’t sincere. Especially if you didn’t like the tone. Don’t find yourself saying their apology wasn’t good enough. Even if they weren’t sincere…many times when we do what God has told us to do, we ‘don’t feel like it’, but God still honors our faith, effort and obedience. Sometimes when we apologize, we don’t feel like it, but in our heart we want to do what’s right.
3. DON’T LET THE ENEMY ‘FLIP-THE-SCRIPT’. Realize that when you remain upset because you haven’t gotten an apology, the enemy has tricked you into not forgiving  them for not apologizing to you.
4. REALIZE THAT THEY MAY NOT BE AS SPIRITUALLY MATURE AS YOU. Apologizing isn’t easy. It takes spiritual maturity to do so. If you feel they ought to be strong enough to apologize, realize that they might not be as spiritually as you. In fact, the bible tells us the strong must bear the failings of the weak (Romans 15:1 NIV).
5. REALIZE WHEN YOU ‘VE GOTTEN SOMETHING BETTER THAN AN APOLOGY. Even if they haven’t apologized, if they have stopped the behavior that hurt you…if they aren’t doing the same thing anymore…if they have clearly moved on as if nothing happened…if they’ve completely turned around, but not apologized, you’ve gotten something better than an apology – you’ve gotten REPENTANCE. Think of all the people who actually apologize to God, but don’t really change.
6. FIND A ‘REPLACEMENT THOUGHT’ WHEN YOU THINK OF HOW THEY HURT YOU. Of course you’re going to think of what they did sometimes, which can make you angry all over again, So, when you think of what they did…When they don’t seem to appreciate your kindness…find a replacement thought. Think of the good times…the best times… Think of the sacrifices they’ve made for you…Think of kindness they’ve shown you in the past…Think of the times they made you smile…or, Think of how you’ve hurt someone and regret it. 
7. REALIZE THAT YOU HAVEN’T APOLOGIZED FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU’VE DONE TO HURT OTHERS. Have you apologized for everything that you’ve done to hurt others? No! Because there are some people you offended and didn’t know you offended them. You can’t apologize for what you don’t know. Sometimes our words hurt, and we didn’t even know it…Sometimes our tone was not taken as we intended…Sometimes we did something hurtful and we didn’t even realize it. Those people are going on without an apology from you.
8. PRAY ABOUT IT! Ask the Lord to give you the desire and strength to ‘love through’ the lack of an apology. Ask God to give you a heart that doesn’t NEED an apology to move on. This is another situation where Philippians 4:13 is most powerful…”I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Moving on without an apology isn’t easy, but it is possible. This is another situation where Philippians 4:13 is most powerful…

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

¹³ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

Remember that nothing in your life happens by accident. God is in complete control, and when you are in relationship with Him through our Lord and Savior, Yeshua, Christ Jesus and are sensitive to His purpose for your life…ALL things are working TOGETHER for YOUR good…

Romans 8:29  (NKJV)

²⁹ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

This is a God-inspired promise from Yah, our Heavenly Father through the apostle Paul.

Nothing in your life is happening by chance…the good, the bad, the ugly and the unbelievable. He’s concerned about you and just as the internet can be all over the world at once, yet everyone have their own connection, God has a personal connection with each and every one of us, and is perfectly capable of giving your life personal attention, so…

Please, don’t ignore the little signs and what would almost seem to be coincidences in your life. Your know what I’m talking about, those seemingly random events, of God confirming your prayers, thoughts, words out of nowhere.

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Remember, that what is COINCIDENCE to the world is CONFIRMATION for believers!

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Don’t ignore your confirmation!

See, I told you it would be quick.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

I thank God for trusting me with His word and for this platform to share it. But, this platform would be nothing without readers. I thank each and every person who has taken the time to read what God has inspired me to write. And, I thank each and every one of my fellow bloggers for allowing God to use you.

Here are the links to the ten most viewed posts on BEBLESSTIFIED.COM during 2017. I’m looking forward to another awesome year. As anyone who writes knows, if you take your commitment seriously, it forces you to (1) Submit to His Holy Spirit (2) Read and study His Word daily (3) Be sensitive to inspiration its various forms (4) Be ready to drop everything and write. (5) Write something, even if you don’t post it, every day

If you’re like me, you feel most alive when you’re doing what God placed you here to do. For me, that’s taking care of my wife and family, and sharing what He places inside me through writing, preaching or songs.

Here are the links to my most viewed posts of 2017…

1. GODLY MARRIAGE: HOW SEX IS SUBMISSION AND HONOR PERFECTED (Graphic but Holy)…

2. 3 THINGS TO DO WHEN SOMEONE QUESTIONS YOUR LOVE…

3. WARNING: SPIRITUAL NUDITY INSIDE…

4. 4 WAYS TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PREACHING & A PERFORMANCE…

5. DOES GOD CONSIDER IT CHEATING WHEN MARRIED ACTORS DO LOVE SCENES?

6. SPIRITUAL FOOD POISONING

7. WHY THE MARK OF THE BEAST WON’T BE A CHIP, BAR CODE OR TATTOO…

8. SOME OLD SCHOOL GOSPEL SONG LYRICS THAT SOUND GOOD BUT AREN’T BIBLICALLY SOUND…

9. WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR ADULT CHILDREN DON’T APPRECIATE YOU…

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NUMBER 1

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1. 7 REASONS GOD HATES COMPLAINING…

BE BLESSTIFED!

It’s interesting to me to see how many people in our society seem to value being LOUD! They equate being LOUD to being strong…to being assertive.

And, yes there are times when one should raise his or her voice, but some of my greatest regrets are times when I opened my big mouth and raised my voice when I shouldn’t have done so.

Quiet, even silence can be just as strong and assertive, if not more so, than shouting. Never underestimate the power of a will-timed, God breathed gentle whisper. So, the next time you get ready to yell, shout, cuss or threaten, remember this…

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A SHOUT gets their attention, but a WHISPER forces them listen…

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1 Kings 19:11-13 (NKJV)

 ¹¹ Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; ¹² and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. ¹³ So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

BE BLESSTIFIED!

The night our Lord was betrayed, He didn’t have His ‘game face’ on. He didn’t initially have an, “I got this!” attitude. He wasn’t enthusiastically running to the cross. Remember how it went down?

Matthew 26:36-46 (NKJV)

 ³⁶ Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” ³⁷ And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. ³⁸ Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”

This was the Son of Man being man. We all know that in the subsequent verses that Jesus prayed that He did not have to endure what was to come if it was the will of the Father, and that He submitted to the will of the Father.

We all have moments when we feel like we can’t go on. We all have moments that we feel we can’t make it. We all sometimes feel like giving up. Sometimes we all feel like we are wasting our time doing good…All of us.

Isaiah 49:3-4 (NKJV)

³ “And He said to me,
‘You are My servant, O Israel,
In whom I will be glorified.’
⁴ Then I said, ‘I have labored in vain,
I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain;
Yet surely my just reward is with the Lord,
And my work with my God.’

I don’t care how confident someone may seem on the outside. They all have moments of weakness.

Those moments of weakness are one of the very reasons that we witness their highest levels of confidence.

Even Jesus had to sleep while during His earthly ministry. The bible teaches that weakness and weariness is a part of being strong…

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I believe our strength has to sleep sometimes too.

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Isaiah 40:30-31 (NKJV)

³⁰ Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
³¹ But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

I don’t care how strong a man or woman may be physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually…everyone has to sleep. I’m not using sleep as a metaphor, yes everyone has to renew their strength with sleep.

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When handled correctly, our momentary moments of weakness are healthy. No one’s strength always remains at 100% all of the time.

Our strength has to sleep. It has to rest. It has to be renewed.

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Even the most moral person has impure thoughts. It’s a part of being clothed in sinful flesh. That’s why God’s grace is so priceless. Even the greatest leaders doubt their decisions.

When you feel like you can’t go on. When you feel like you are slipping morally. When your anger seems to be getting the best of you…remember what Jesus did in the garden. He prayed.

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Here’s powerful encouragement! The LORD knows we are flesh…

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Matthew 26:41 (NKJV)

⁴¹ Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Psalm 103:14  (NKJV)

¹⁴ For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.

He knows that our moments of weakness are unavoidable. That’s why He reassured us that when our strength ‘is resting’, His strength rests upon us and holds us up…

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)

⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

This is by no means to indulge in sin during your weak moments, but to lean on the power of God to help you avoid sin.

If you struggling with hopelessness, despair, anxiety or fear don’t be too hard on yourself. Even Jesus had human moments. But, He also left us a great example of what to do when that happens…

Watch. Pray. (Matthew 26:41) Meditate and fellowship with Him in His word, and just as the LORD said, He promises to renew your strength.

Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Don’t give out…Give it to God.

Let your strength rest, but don’t let in die.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

It’s okay to want things done the way you feel is right. It’s okay to be particular…to be a perfectionist…it’s okay to be detailed.

It’s okay to provide constructive criticism, but it’s not okay to be petty or hypocritical.

It’s not okay to hold people to a higher standard that you hold yourself.

It’s okay to try to maintain control in your life, but not everyone elses.

Remember how Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23. Read the entire chapter for context, but check out this verse…

Matthew 23:4 (NKJV)

For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Jesus rebuked them for being ‘nit picky’ and overly critical hypocrites. They were obsessive about criticizing others and expressing their expectations while not holding themselves to the same standard.

People are much more willing to hear what we have to say if we aren’t nit picky over every little detail in regard to them. We can get to the point to where people won’t even listen to us when we are right.

People not only will avoid your good advice. They will avoid you.

People will view you as obnoxious, nasty, and overly opinionated…even those closest to you.

The term for this obsession, derived from Freudian psychoanalysis, is referred to as anal-retentiveness, or simply ‘anal’.

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Don’t be so ‘anal’ that you become an a**

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Remember what the Apostle Paul said…

Romans 12:18 (NKJV)

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Have you ever seen God working things out in your life? I’m not talking about super spiritual, super religious church talk. I’m talking about you can actually tell God is manipulating situations. Touching hearts and minds. Working through the uncomfortable. Answering SPECIFIC prayers. Yes, answering prayers, supplications and intercessions in subtle, obvious ways. When you can actually see things turning around.

Yes, I can see things turning around for the better in my life right now. I can see God answering my prayers in the lives of others right now.

This is what I’m saying…

Right now, today…God is just as real and tangible to me as the air I just inhaled.

Right now, today…I can tell He’s working in me and for me just as that air/oxygen is working in my body.

I can’t see the air, but I know that because I breathed it in…it’s there.

I can’t feel the air/oxygen working in my body, but I know it’s energizing my body.

I can’t see it, but I can tell it’s there.

I can’t feel it, but I know it’s working.

That’s how real God’s power is in me right now. Invisible, but tangible. Working within me to sustain me.

It’s no wonder that God is a living Spirit. God is breath. God is life.

Let every breath you take remind you of how real God is. Let every move you make remind you of how He’s alive and working in you.

Isaiah 42:5 (NKJV)

⁵ Thus says God the Lord,
Who created the heavens and stretched them out,
Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it,
Who gives breath to the people on it,
And spirit to those who walk on it:

1 Corinthians 15:45 (NKJV)

⁴⁵ And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.”^[a] The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

 

I have to admit I love the convenience of bible apps. They offer quick access to various translations and study tools. It’s so easy to pull out my smartphone throughout the day and get encouragement, instruction, comfort, guidance and revelation throughout the day. Sometimes if I’m in a stressful or contentious meeting, I will open a bible app to help my mind stay focused and to help me remain in the integrity and character of God.

There are some pastors who don’t like that convenience and accessibility in worship service. They like the personal discipline of bringing a bound bible to church. Sometimes they feel having cell phones and tablets out during worship service is a distraction. Some feel that people are texting or surfing the web during service. Some pastors are concerned with what would we do if technology fails (in case they can’t get a signal). Some pastors have a personal preference to hear pages turning.

I by no means think that bible apps should replace bound bibles, however I do think they are an excellent use of technology, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with using them in worship service.

The words in an electronic medium are no different from the words on a paper medium. They are no different than the words were on a parchment or papyrus medium. God’s words on your smart phone or tablet are no different than they were on a scroll or carved in stone. Whether the words were carved, written with a quill or typed…it’s still the word of God.

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The word is the word, no matter where it’s recorded or who it was written.

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I just want to remind those pastors who forbid bible apps in the worship services they oversee that…

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Bound bibles were once technology too.

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I wonder how many religious leaders complained about the use of scrolls instead of stone tablets. I wonder if how many religious leaders complained about the use of bound bibles after years of using scrolls.

Tablets of stone, parchment scrolls and sheets of papyrus mediums were examples utilizing the latest technology to provide newer and better options to record, share, read and study God’s word.

As I said, I by no means think that electronic bibles should by no means replace bound bibles…I have several, and there is no guarantee that the technology we enjoy today will last until Jesus returns.

Yes I feel pastors have a valid concern that there may not be a data signal available and the bible app may not work. So, I encourage everyone to have a bound bible on hand in worship service. As far as the distraction of a wandering mind texting or surfing is no different from a wondering mind doodling on a piece of paper, or figuring their bills or planning their meal after church.

I do want to encourage all pastors to allow their members feel comfortable using their various bible apps in worship service. From electricity to climate control to computers to the transportation we use to get to worship…technology has its place in church. Many churches have even embraced streaming their services live to make their worship available to the word without the cost of being on television.

So, pastors, please let them pull out their phones. What really matters is that everyone has access to the same word of God.

Remember, that God has spoken to His people in VARIOUS WAYS, yet His word remains the same…

Hebrews 1:1 (NKJV)

God, who at various times and IN VARIOUS WAYS spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

 

 

 

The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that is available to us and that God wants to use to work in us.

Romans 8:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

God has called us to build His Kingdom and bear much fruit for Him, but only by being connected through our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.

John 15:5  (NKJV)

⁵ “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

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 As you know, a conduit is a channel through which something such as water or electricity is conveyed.

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God wants us to be the conduit of His power through our Lord Jesus. Are you a conduit or a can’t do it?

Look at King Saul and King David…

Both men were anointed by God, but God rejected Saul and gave David an eternal promise (2 Samuel Chapter 7).

Saul used his anointing for himself. Saul was selfish, insecure and disobedient. After being disobedient he even attempted to build a monument for himself…Do you know any anointed men or women of God who are anointed, but use their anointing for themselves?

1 Samuel 15:10-12 (NKJV)

¹⁰ Now the word of the Lord came to Samuel, saying, ¹¹ “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the Lord all night. ¹² So when Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul, it was told Samuel, saying, “Saul went to Carmel, and indeed, he set up a monument for himself; and he has gone on around, passed by, and gone down to Gilgal.”

Saul made mistakes but didn’t repent. Beware of people and especially leaders who won’t repent. God rejected Saul and removed his anointing.

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Saul could have been a conduit, but he made himself a ‘can’t do it’.

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David was anointed, and a man after God’s on heart. David didn’t just use his anointing for himself, but to the glory of the LORD God of Israel…

1 Samuel 17:26 (NKJV)

26 Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

David didn’t fight Goliath to make himself look good, but to the glory of God. David served God in his generation (Acts 13:36). God used David to write Psalms to minister to us…bless us…teach us how to praise…teach us how to worship….even teach us how to lament.

David made mistakes. Big mistakes, but he humbled himself to repent and remain in the favor of God. Because of his repentant heart, God did not reject him. He remained a man after God’s own heart.

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God used David as a channel convey His power. David was a conduit for God.

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Are you connected to God the Father through our Lord Christ Jesus, and yes, they are One (Deuteronomy 6:4, John 17:20-23)? Are you connected to the vine (John 15:5)? SIMPLE EXPLANATION OF HOW GOD IS ‘THREE in ONE’, YET ‘ONE’…

Are you bearing good fruit? Are you making disciples? Are you working your purpose in God? Even if you are doing kingdom work, are you using your anointing for God or for yourself?

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Are you a channel to convey the power of God? Are you a conduit or a can’t do it?

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Because without Him we can do nothing.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

 

 

 

 

Jonah 1:1-3

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

Some jobs are also ministries…teaching, medicine, even law enforcement. Some jobs, in order to do them effectively you must have passion and a heart for people. You’re using your God-given abilities to earn your living. But, most jobs are occupations. They are what we do to sustain our lives, but they can change.

My job is my occupation, but my FAMILY  and my MINISTRIES are my PURPOSE.

Occupations can change, but your PURPOSE is the reason you’re still here. You choose your job…but God chooses your PURPOSE, so work it relentlessly.

The apostles had occupations. They were fishermen(Matthew 4:18-22), tent makers (Acts 18:1-4) and even tax collector (Matthew 9:9-13), but we didn’t get the Gospel because of their occupations. It was because of their purpose.

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

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

Relentlessly pursue your purpose and be ALL God created you to be.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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God somtimes wants to prove a point to the enemy.

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

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

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

This happened ‘in a sense’ with Job…

Job 1:8-12

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

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

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

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

“Consider my servant ________.”

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

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

Make God shine in the face of the enemy.

2 Timothy 2:3-5 (NKJV)

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

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Our spiritual wars started ‘a long long time ago’…

Ephesians 6:12(NKJV)

¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

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MAY HIS FORCE BE IN YOU!

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GOD is the SOURCE! Psalm 121:2

JESUS CHRIST is theVOICE!  John 1:14

HOLY SPIRIT is the FORCE!  Acts 1:8, Romans 8:11

THREE AUTHORITIES – ONE GOD!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

God can tell when our love for Him isn’t real.

So, let me say this first…

Before you judge someone else’s love, make sure you are truly reciprocating God’s love for you. Whenever someone else’s love doesn’t measure up to your expectations, ask yourself does yours measure up to God’s.

We must always be patient with one another and remember the fact that when your spouse, your child, your parent, your friend your church member, your Pastor…or when YOU fall short, it doesn’t mean that there is no love. It just means that our love isn’t perfect.

And, pray for the discernment to know when love isn’t genuine. Even when it’s not, it does not free us from the responsibility to make sure ours is. That’s what makes it love.

Matthew 15:8  (NKJV)

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

I wonder how many people in the Body of Christ…how many ‘church’ people…how many Christians really care about those who are lost.

He told us to bear much fruit…

John 15:16 (NKJV)

¹⁶ You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

To make disciples…

Matthew 28:19 (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,

It’s His will that ALL come to repentance…

2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)

⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us,^[a] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

He told us to pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send laborers into HIS harvest…

Matthew 9:36-38 (NKJV)

³⁶ But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary^[a] and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. ³⁷ Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.³⁸ Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Do you care about the lost, or only about what you may have lost?

Do you share your faith with those who don’t believe or only with those who already do?

Do you hope those who are lost…especially those guilty of the sins that bother you the most, or those who have hurt you, or those who hate you…do you hope they come to repentance?

Do you regularly pray the Lord or the Harvest to send laborers into His Harvest? Are you a laborer for His Harvest or a Laborer for yours only?

It’s easy to sincerely love God, have faith in Him, share our faith and testimony with others who are already ‘saved’ – its’ easy, if we aren’t careful, to serve, give and do Kingdom work with selfish motives…pursuing our own prosperity, health and blessings. It’s easy to approach God, but approach Him selfishly. APPROACHING GOD SELFISHLY…

We all want a bountiful harvest in our lives and there’s nothing wrong with that, unless we totally ignore our responsibility to bring others into the Kingdom of God

The LORD wants us to have a heart for those who are lost, just as He did in 9:36. He looked at the multitudes and felt moved with compassion on them. Have you ever looked at those who don’t believe in God through our Lord and Savior Yeshua, Christ Jesus, or those who are caught up in practicing ungodly lifestyles and felt…Contempt? Anger? Rage? Or, just didn’t care at all? Don’t let the sin of self-righteousness or apathy corrupt your faith.

Let us always pray for a heart for those who are lost, and follow up that prayer with genuine effort.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

 

Isn’t amazing how people give coaches a pass? They don’t want the teacher or police to ‘curse’ at their children, even if they are disruptive. They don’t even want the preacher to speak too ‘harshly’ to or of their children – but the let the coach say what he or she wants and how he or she wants. Some will even let a coach hit their children…hit not spank.

Have you ever heard anyone say they had to talk to someone ‘on their level’ to reach them, especially when they are disruptive or have harsh speech themselves.

God says very clearly that we are not to allow corrupt communication to come out of our mouths…

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This applies to coaches too!

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Ephesians 4:29  (NKJV)

²⁹ Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

He clearly tells us that we aren’t to swear (an oath) or to curse ( cursing is pronouncing condemnation)…

Matthew 5:37 (NKJV)

³⁷ But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

That means it’s sin to say “Hell yes!” or “Hell no!”. Jesus says that “anything more is from the evil one”.

To reason that it takes profanity or cursing to get the best out of someone is to imply that it takes ‘the evil one’ rather than God to do that. Why do people trust their children to language straight from the devil. In other words, we are saying God can’t handle it, but the devil can. God forbid!

Some say it prepares them for the real world or competition. I say that teaching them how to get the best out of you according to God’s will prepares them to be light in the real world. Remember, God is sending us out like sheep among wolves…that’s how He prepares us.

Matthew 10:16 (NKJV)

 ¹⁶ “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

There is no game, competition or battle on earth more serious or challenging than the one Jesus endured on the cross. There was no profanity and cursing in preparation for that…only submission and humility.

If I don’t curse or use profanity to get the best out of my children, I’m not going to allow a man or woman to do so when it’s within my power.

Giving a coach the thumbs up to curse out or belittle your child is another way that a parent can provoke their children to wrath.

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Allowing a coach to curse your children is cursing your children…

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Ephesians 6:4 (NKJV)

⁴ And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

There are plenty of coaches out there are very effective and do it the right way. But to those who don’t…God will hold them accountable and hold the parents accountable for allowing it.

Just because our culture has normalized this behavior as acceptable doesn’t make it right. Trust God’s word and not the ‘devil’s words’ with your children.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

People sure can ‘cherry pick’ their sins!

Let me first say this. I DID NOT say God hates homosexuals or those who have abortions. God loves everyone, and we were all made in His image.

Now, with that said…I wonder why do so many of my fellow Christians act as though homosexuality and abortion are the only sins that matter socially, politically and most of all that matter to God.

Yes, I agree that homosexuality is a sin…that gay marriage is unacceptable to God, and that abortion does equate to murder. My intention in writing this isn’t to debate these two sins, but to be responsible… From Genesis 19, to Leviticus 18, to Romans 1, to 1 Corinthians 6, God makes it undeniably clear that homosexuality is a sin and that marriage is only between a man and woman Genesis 5:2 and Matthew 19:4, even though there are many who are now trying to twist scripture and claim ‘that’s not what God is saying’. The bible also makes it clear that life begins at conception Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:19 confirming that abortion is taking a life.

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It is my intention to remind many of my fellow Christians who in their self-righteousness accept, excuse, overlook or ignore other sins that are equally wrong in the eyes of God.

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And, I’m not just talking about the obvious fornication and adultery either. In fact, I wonder how many people so passionately against some sins read their bible enough to examine their own lifestyles.

Carefully read Romans 1:26-27…it clearly addresses those who engage in homosexual activity…

Romans 1:26-27 (NKJV)

²⁶ For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. ²⁷ Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

But UH OH!!! Don’t stop reading there! Look what comes immediately after! How many times have you heard this read, preached or taught?

Romans 1:28-32, 2:1-3 (NKJV)

²⁸ And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; ²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,^[a] wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ³¹ undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving,^[b] unmerciful; ³² who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

 Romans 2:1-3 (NKJV)

2 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. ² But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. ³ And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?

If you read that carefully, it needs no commentary. It clearly speaks for itself. Look at some of the sins that the NKJV defines as ‘not fitting’, and again… I’m not just talking about fornication and adultery either.

Here are a few…

Covetousness: This is greed and Colossians 3:5 goes on to define it as idolatry. This sin, in my opinion is one of the greatest plagues to our society today. The unquenchable desire for more goes beyond ‘wanting better’. It is the exact opposite of contentment and thanksgiving. And the idolatry committed isn’t just worshiping ‘things’, but oneself by placing our desires before God’s.

Strife: There are those who love to quarrel and bitter conflict.

Whisperers and Backbiters: How many people secretly or openly speak evil of others? Think about the fact that many publications and television shows are successful because of the love of gossip, whispering and backbiting.

Proud, Boasters: Pride and boasting almost defines our society and culture today. Not a spirit of humility and thanksgiving, but an arrogant pride in our strength, out accomplishments without regard that everything we have or have done is through the grace of God. We revere leaders with this attitude even when God has spoken against it. I can’t help but notice how many Christians excuse President Trump’s arrogant, unapologetic and UNREPENTANT attitude that God hates, just as much as homosexuality…yet this is excused because they falsely see it as strength. It was much easier to criticize President Obama’s efforts towards gay marriage…in these areas, both leaders were wrong in the eyes of God.

Unloving: Many Christians don’t share their faith or express themselves or even speak out against sin in the spirit of love. Even though homosexuality is wrong, God does not us to hate, bully or be mean to anyone who participates in that sin. It’s God’s will that we hate the sin and not the sinner. No one will be convinced of any wrong through being mean-spirited and hateful.

Untrustworthy: The KJV calls it ‘covenant breakers’. This includes those who breaking contracts and commitments (including marriage). Have you ever broken a contract or agreement? Have you ever been untrustworthy.

And notice that not only does verse 32 state that all the sins mentioned are worthy of death but many people approve of those who practice them.

Romans 2 goes on to say that when we judge others for the sins they practice, we who practice other sins are judging ourselves for our own. In other words, God condemns self-righteousness.

Please remember this, calling out sin is not judging. It is our responsibility to hold one another accountable and to judge righteously…

John 7:24 (NKJV)

²⁴ Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

Condemnation or stating what’s in another person’s heart is judging. Saying homosexuality or fornication is sin is not judging. Telling someone they can go to Hell for a particular isn’t judging. Judging is condemnation as if someone has no hope. Judging is the condemnation in saying that someone is beyond saving, or have done too much to be saved.

So please…Don’t let what is politically or socially popular dictate what you consider to be right or wrong.

And pleaassseeee…

1 Corinthians 16:14 (NKJV)

¹⁴ Let all that you do be done with love.

BE BLESSTIFIED!