It’s so funny how smart we all think we are. I remember the days thinking I was oh so intelligent until I got the revelation that in my ignorance I was just racing to gain more ignorance. Go figure! What’s amazing though is how we can experience the ways of His wisdom when we just out of our intellectual ways. To truly have a God experience will require laying down your intellect. Experiencing the ways of His wisdom come through seeking Him.
I was reading Kings 3 about the word Elisha spoke and how the kings listened to the word from the prophet. What a lesson- listen to the prophet when he speaks! But then I saw something that only God could do-and that even in my amount of intellect I could not begin to 1) do what God has done, 2) think high enough to do what God has done and still continues to do.
So the question is: are you limiting God by your intelligence? Has your intellect gotten in the way of God’s wisdom and what He can do in you, to you and through you? Get out of the way and let God be God- and then witness, experience and share it. The kings did and the water was red. They experienced miracles only delivered by God. Aren’t you ready for that too?
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Today’s Scripture
Psalm 37:30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.
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Forgiveness Tip #23
Forgiveness and unforgiveness alike are both lifestyles; it’s just one is of life.
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Julie Blair is President of Julie Blair Ministries that helps people mature in Christ. To learn more about going deeper in Christ or to have Julie speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
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For more about growing in Christ visit www.julieblair.com
I remember years ago stepping out on faith and in big ways. I surely had no clue what I was doing; and still at times feel that way. Perhaps you do too. You want more yet don’t know how to get it. Increasing your faith and hearing from God is possible it’s a matter of you choosing to pursue it. It’s there- waiting just for you.
When you make the choice to step out know that nothing in your life will be the same. You will have experiences that most don’t or that some dream of yet never get serious about. You will be stretched in ways you couldn’t have imagined and to the limits you didn’t know existed. And God will be with you the entire way. You are not alone and that too was something I had no clue about. I was used to being alone so the idea of God actually being there was new. Now I get it and I pray that you too receive that you are not alone. Sure scripture tells us this in Deuteronomy and in the Psalms but reading it and receiving it are two very different things. It’s no different than knowing soda is bad and then not receiving the message and drinking too much. When you receive your life changes.
I share this today as one large testimony of how God worked in my life when I knew not much about Him, walking in faith, how to hear from Him or even what trust was like. The Lord carried me and I know He will you too should you get out of your way to allow Him too.
Remember these simple words: Talk to God. Step. Repeat. God will do the rest.
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Today’s Scripture
Hebrews 10:22 let us continue to come near with sincere hearts in the full assurance that faith provides, because our hearts have been sprinkled clean from a guilty conscience, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
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Forgiveness Tip #22
Forgiveness is an act of obedience that demonstrates love.
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Julie Blair is President of Julie Blair Ministries that helps people mature in Christ. To learn more about going deeper in Christ or to have Julie speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
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For more about growing in Christ visit www.julieblair.com
When you think of a king what comes to mind? Power? Pleasure? Title? Sure it’s all there but are all kings the same? Of course not. So what makes some better than others? Why does King David appear to get more accolades than some of the others? Where does King Solomon or Jehoshaphat fall into things? Or Jehu or Josiah? When we examine the commitment level of kings it’s clear. The question is what is your king’s level of commitment?
In the times that we are in it’s becoming more clear that those who are committed will be so and those who waver well; they may not waver much longer and those who don’t even get up certainly won’t stand up. Don’t fall into the trap of titles as we can clearly see that king isn’t the end all be all.
It’s time to be as committed more to Christ than to oh football, shopping, religion; facebook, gambling, gaming-or anything else that takes you away from being who God created you to be. Remember you are worth more as you are a Son of the King most high- and that counts for everything!
Be more than just a sometimes committed; be all the time committed. it’s better not only for you but for everyone around you- and will put you on the path to hearing ‘Well done My good and faithful servant.’
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Today’s Scripture
Deuteronomy 13:4, “You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.
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Forgiveness Tip #21
When there is forgiveness in your heart the river of love will flow through.
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Julie Blair is President of Julie Blair Ministries that helps people mature in Christ. To learn more about going deeper in Christ or to have Julie speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
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For more about growing in Christ visit www.julieblair.com
We all make decisions daily. Some are better than others do doubt. When it comes to making decisions who do you consult? Business partners? Spouse? Mentors? One step to enhanced decisions is rather simple. Seek the Lord first. By default; seeking the Lord first your decisions most likely will be different. We examine King Jehoshaphat and the lessons of seeking the Lord first and not doing so and the outcomes of such decisions.
King Jehoshaphat in 1 Kings 22 is known for his love of the Lord and how he stayed in the presence of the Lord and told other kings too that they should consult the Lord. No doubt that he is following the lineage of King David that he is from.
Through his seeking he was given great victory. He and his people sought the Lord before battle. They prayed, they worshipped; they won. it was like David and Goliath all over again. Victory in the house of the Lord! Wouldn’t you like to be that- the winner known for seeking the Lord? Or the one who sought the Lord and won. It’s one simple decision repeated for everything. Seek the Lord.
On the other side; Jehoshaphat also demonstrates what happens when you skip this step. Failure ensumes. We see this clearly in 2 Chronicls 35-37, ‘Later, Jehoshaphat king of Judah made an alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel, whose ways were wicked. He agreed with him to construct a fleet of trading ships. After these were built at Ezion Geber, Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made.” The ships were wrecked and were not able to set sail to trade.’ (NIV)
We can take this learning lesson t and get it quick so that we won’t fall into the trap of siding with the enemy; whether in business, marriage or just life in general. Making the wrong alliances always hurts in the end so be careful. Take the first lesson from the King and just consult Him first; for everything. You won’t ever regret it!
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Today’s Scripture
Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
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Forgiveness Tip #20
When you get entangled in wrong decisions repent and seek forgiveness so that times of refreshing may come.
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Julie Blair is President of Julie Blair Ministries that helps people mature in Christ. To learn more about going deeper in Christ or to have Julie speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
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How’s your faith? Seriously how is your faith? On a scale of 1-10 what would you say it is? You may say it’s ever changing and when we look at the widow with the oil in 1Kings we see hers too was flip floppy even though she experienced miraculous things in the presence of the Lord. How soon we forget His goodness. Measuring your measure of faith will help you stay not only in His presence but also remembering all the good He has done for you.
In examining the widow most focus on the never ending jugs of oil and water that God provided. I get it. I just started looking at the gaps in between that. You see; she was faithful- to a point. She followed what the prophet Elijah spoke to her as we see here in 1Kings 17:15 “She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.”
She followed and God worked it out. When we believe it’s amazing what happens isn’t it?
Now when we don’t believe we too see what occurs and how easy it is for the enemy to steal our thoughts. Let’s examine verse 17: ‘Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. 18 She said to Elijah, “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?” (NIV)
How quickly it was forgotten what she just experienced by the Lord. He just supplied for her and well; that was then right? How often has God supplied for you and you forgot?
How often have you witnessed God’s grace, goodness, mercy, miracles, signs, wonders and still missed it?
It wasn’t until the end after God revived her son that she got it. Imagine though if she got it the first time; would God have needed to take that step? Would Elijah have had to experience that as well? When we keep our eyes focused on the Lord with the amount of faith that is becoming of all of us it’s incredible what increase in every good area of our lives we will have to share with others.
So today; pray for an increase in measure of faith and then watch what God does- and then remember to share it with others so they too can grow in their measure.
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Today’s Scripture
1 John 5:5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
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Forgiveness Tip #19
When you forgive you are no longer tripping over the past but are moving from the present to your future.
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Julie Blair is President of Julie Blair Ministries that helps people mature in Christ. To learn more about going deeper in Christ or to have Julie speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
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King Solomon; oh the great wise king. When you hear the name that is what you think right? Wealth and wisdom; and then how can you too get it? While it’s good in nature there is a responsibility that comes with both and King Solomon demonstrates his turn away from God and all that he missed as a result. What King Solomon missed are great lessons for us to never forget.
We know that King Solomon missed the opportunity to speak holiness to Queen Sheba as it tells is in scripture that her spirit ‘left her’ and there is no evidence of her being filled with anything of the Lord.
We know that King Solomon turned his back to to the Lord and not only entered into marriages with hundreds of women but he also right in God’s face built alters for their dead god worship.
And if all that isn’t enough the king makes no mention of his father King David, has no surroundings of prophets of seers; basically no mention of the people that should be mentioned.
When we examine the final aspect for this series the last area of focus is that King Solomon had ample opportunity to serve the people. Did he? Did he celebrate passover? Did he properly prepare? Nope. In 2 Chronicles 35:18 it tells us, ‘The Passover had not been observed like this in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel; and none of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated such a Passover as did Josiah, with the priests, the Levites and all Judah and Israel who were there with the people of Jerusalem.’ Now King Solomon had the opportunity to serve the people and the Lord yet he didn’t. He just didn’t.
Instead King Solomon served himself and his women. And what a sad miserable life when you think about it. To have everything from the Lord through his father King David and to squander it for nothing. His life was against the Lord even thought ‘twice’ he had visitations from the Lord. And for what?
King Solomon missed out and really he missed it. He missed it entirely. Many people could barely dream of being a king and he was and truly proves that wisdom may be something to pray for but that if there is no application of it then what’s the point? You can have it all yet if you turn your back to the Lord then you have nothing. And is that worth it? To be so wise and wealthy and yet poor in spirit?
King Josiah went on to be known as one who kept the Passover and served 30,000 people unto the Lord. Isn’t that worth more than all the riches without Him?
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Today’s Scripture
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
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Forgiveness Tip #16
Forgiveness keeps you standing tall!
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Julie Blair is President of Julie Blair Ministries that helps people mature in Christ. To learn more about going deeper in Christ or to have Julie speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
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King Solomon was born into something most aren’t. Royalty. And with that royalty comes responsibility and expectations to live up to. Did the king meet those expectations? Or did he miss and miss it big time? Lost opportunities means everyone missed out. What King Solomon missed is clear; if you pay attention.
It isn’t being king; nor following in the footsteps of a father like David I would imagine. The funny thing is that when you have King David as a father there are many things to glean from; and some things to toss. What’s of interest is what King Solomon chose to glean and toss. For example:
1- King Solomon missed being in the presence of the Lord and instead chose to be in the presence of foreign women whom he took as wives. They led him astray and it doesn’t take much to turn to the left or right; King David proves this although King David repented while Solomon kept going further in the wrong direction.
2- King Solomon missed being around prophets and the seers and instead allowed his wives to create idols of worship to their fake, false gods- in Jerusalem I might add. Instead he chose 700 wives and 300 concubines; all foreigners going against God’s command. He surrounded himself by all the wrong people; are you doing the same?
3- King Solomon missed even talking about his father King David or truly following in his footsteps with being quick to repent. Remember that people talk about what is most important in their lives. What is most important in yours? You will reveal if you pay close attention.
The opportunity is there to be in the presence of the Lord; don’t miss it. Don’t miss the opportunity to surround yourself with those moving in the same direction as you. King Solomon reveals to us that you can have it all and yet still miss out big time. You don’t want to be in the same position of having wisdom and wealth; and miss God in the meantime. It’s not worth it. Time is running short and you don’t have to be a king by title to have it all; you just have to be aware.
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Today’s Scripture
Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
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Forgiveness Tip #16
Seeking forgiveness for not being in His presence will put you in His presence.
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Julie Blair is President of Julie Blair Ministries that helps people mature in Christ. To learn more about going deeper in Christ or to have Julie speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
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The great King Solomon was great; wasn’t he? Oh so wise and wealthy and full of it- himself that is. So much so that the glory of the Lord didn’t shine through him as it should have. What King Solomon missed was big enough for it to be noticed without a doubt. What did King Solomon actually miss? For today we examine two key things that were missed and that by noticing them you won’t miss them in your own life.
1- King Solomon missed opportunities to share the goodness of the great God and even holiness with Queen of Sheba. She visited him and brought her own riches to the king along with her tough questions yet in 1King10:5 we read that ‘And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.’ Why is there is filling of His Spirit in her? Where was the talk about the faith of Abraham? Where was the talk about his father King David? What it’s like to be in the presence of the Lord? No talk of such things! What a missed opportunity don’t you think? How many opportunities are you missing out on by talking of the nature of the world instead of the Word? Is it basketball and who’s better over His glory?
2- Solomon was wealthy no doubt; but so what? We can see that if there is a misappropriation of wealth that it means nothing so we must know what the purpose for wealth is in the first place. You may be surprised to learn it isn’t to buy more luxury vehicles and shoes; just saying.In Deuteronomy 8;18 it tells us, ‘But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.’ So the wealth you produce is part of a covenant with Him? Hmmm…. so that means it isn’t that God gives you the ability to gain wealth and then turn away from Him with not even a thank you?
We see Solomon came into the wealth through his father although once his heart turned away everything changed. The purpose of what the wealth was intended was not the outcome. Solomon was more interested in his own kingdom and not that of the Lord’s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ymcacO9d2A
When we turn our eyes from the Lord everything changes. It did for King Solomon although most don’t see that; they focus on the wealth and wisdom which makes sense.
It is when we recognize the rest that will cause us to not only walk in wisdom; but to also include in our prayers application of that wisdom and also self-awareness. What good does wisdom do you if you aren’t aware of what you are even doing? Solomon simply proves to us all that any of us can be wise and stupid at the same time.
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Today’s Scripture
Isaiah 29:10 The LORD has brought over you a deep sleep: He has sealed your eyes (the prophets); he has covered your heads (the seers).
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Forgiveness Tip #16
Forgive yourself for not seeing the obvious.
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Julie Blair is President of Julie Blair Ministries that helps people mature in Christ. To learn more about going deeper in Christ or to have Julie speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
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Psalm 91 is one of the most well known Psalm of them all. It’s one of the great; although I must admit not my overall favorite even though it offers so much. Something to consider in reading this wonderful Psalm are the conditions for protection that come with it. In essence there are three Psalm 91 conditions for protection that we must examine.
To begin first though let’s refresh with the beautiful Psalm.
Psalm 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
So what are the conditions? Do you see them by chance? Do you see what occurs in verse 9? There is a condition outlined. Well; in order to meet the conditions of protection you must:
1- You must be close enough to the Lord to even be in His shadow.Quite plainly how can He protect you if you aren’t near? Verses 1 explains this clearly. If you choose to be far then there will be no shadow of protection for you. Ask yourself this: how much in His shadow am I right now? Would I meet the qualifications for His protection?
2- You must trust Him. How can God protect you if you don’t trust Him? If you don’t trust Him is there really a relationship at all? It is because of your trust in Him that He is able to be God and deliver. In verse 2 trust is identified. Verses 3 and 4 share what He will do when you place your trust in Him. God requires your trust because He is faithful and verse seven outlines what He will do for you. Through your trust in Him you will be kept safe it reminds us in verse ten. Remember that God can’t be your back-up plan. He must be your only plan! When you choose to trust Him you will never live the same way again.
3- You have to love God. A condition of receiving from God is loving Him so it tells in verses 14-16. It’s ‘because’ you love Him that He will rescue you. Through your obedience you will be answered, not alone, delivered and honored’ and given long life.
This Psalm gives us all steps to moving along through life in the best way possible. Stay near to Him, trust Him and love Him. Isn’t really that what we all want and need anyway? Isn’t it in reality what all parents want from their children? Psalm 91 gives us the conditions and even the command to not fear which should additionally bring solace that He has everything covered; we just have to align ourselves to being in the position to receive.
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Today’s Scripture
Nahum 1:7 “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.”
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Forgiveness Tip #16
Your forgiveness just may be the breakthrough others are waiting for.
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Julie Blair is President of Julie Blair Ministries that helps people mature in Christ. To learn more about going deeper in Christ or to have Julie speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
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God gave us all free will; the choice to choose. You choose your actions; God’s Word will tell you the consequences. It’s that easy. If you choose to either live in or accept sin for anything other than what it is then you by default are accepting the consequences of the sin. Accepting and tolerating sin has permeated our lives and it’s time for Christians to stand up for something other than sin.
What has happened in our society is that 1) we have changed the meaning of sin so that it doesn’t look and feel so bad, 2) we have just become immune to sin being what it is because then there really are no consequences, 3) Christians no longer are standing up for all of God’s Word and saying ‘no’ to sin; all in the name of people pleasing and tolerance. As a result judgment is upon us and in larger ways that most comprehend. To this the answer really and truly is repentance for there is no other way.
So what are the consequences of accepting sin? Many although here are three:
1- Your understanding of Truth, God and His plan for your life are distorted. When you deny God’s Word you deny His power and all operations in your life. The power that you maybe once had will be gone. No longer will Truth prevail but rather lies; and more lies until everything in your life has no meaning of anything beyond the material and now. Beyond yourself there will be nothing yet you will not know it because the understanding too will be gone. Your life will turn into nothing more than a meaningless selfie in the midst of the selfie sea of lost souls all searching but never finding.
God has a plan for your life and the only way that you can live in it is to 1) get with Him to get it, 2) live in the accordance of His Word. Claiming to be a Christian yet choosing sin above Him will never put you in the plan that ‘He’ has for you. He is too just to give you all of what He has when you aren’t who you need to be in order to receive. Trying to deceive God simply will not work and so therefore; the consequence of sin will sting and until you make the choice to turn back to Him and deny the works of the enemy in all areas of your life.
2- Your life will be separated from Him. Sin separates. Period. There is no life walking with Jesus to the full; how could there be? Imagine coming to Christ and claiming that you follow Him yet just on Sundays because ya know; he parties and debauchery are all the other days of the week. Oh yes let’s go straight to 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10 where it’s clear: ‘Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.’ So in other words- your choice to sin, accept it, live in it or tolerate it will cause you lose anything good from God. And because God withholds no good thing from those who love Him your choice to turn your back will cause you to live separated from Him. You see; walking with Jesus isn’t a game and it obviously isn’t for everyone because if it were our society wouldn’t be in the mess that it is.
Being separated from the Lord is a very lonely place. Sin does not and cannot bring anyone closer to Him. It is a separator and the enemy knows this. The good news is that there is repentance and in Acts 3:19 it tells us ‘Repent, and seek forgiveness so that times of refreshing may come.’ Through repentance the wall of sin can be removed and you can come closer to the Lord. It though is your choice. The choice to reap the harvest of obedience or the curses of disobedience. Either way; God’s Word will not change because you do not like it and want to be liked by man.
3- Your identity will be stolen through deception of the enemy. The enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy and today that has become so cliche to hear but what does it mean? It means exactly that! The enemy has it out for you and any way he can get you to live in and accept sin he has the foothold in.
Once the enemy gets you to believe the lie and lies you are toast. The enemy will steal your identity and use you as a tool for him. One need not look any further than Hollywood and see those who once were for Him now against Him. They are pawns for the devil. And if you aren’t careful you will be too.
When you know who you are in Christ you will know the ploys of the enemy. You will be able to thwart all his endeavors against you and you will live in victory in Christ. You will be strong enough to stand up for righteousness and you will not bow down to accepting, tolerating and living in sin because you know better. You will not be moved when people call you bigots, racists, homophobe, intolerant or any other name that they want to come up with because it simply will not matter. It just won’t because you know who you are in Christ and the enemy can’t take that away.
If you want your life to have the proper meaning to it then understand this brothers and sisters it’s time now to remove the sin and stop tolerating it and accepting it. It’s time to rebuke those who tell you that you as a Christian need to just let go of the Truth’s of the Bible because they are outdated. That’s pure rubbish! God’s Word is clear: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” so it is written in Hebrews 13:8. When they tell you that you need to just accept sin because it’s not so bad rebuke it. When they tell you that your leadership must tolerate every form of perversion in your church or business rebuke it. If it does not line up with the Word of God then rebuke it. You must otherwise you will simply fall prey to the sin and it’s consequences and not even know what happened. And remember there is no freedom in sin or the consequences that it produces. There is only freedom in Christ and obedience to Him at all times in all ways.
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Today’s Scripture
Romans 8:31-32 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us,who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
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Forgiveness Tip #15
Forgiveness will change your life in ways that fortunes can’t.
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Julie Blair is President of Julie Blair Ministries and host of ‘Living in Forgiveness’ television and radio programs that airs daily to over 3 Billion people on 5 continents. To learn more about righteous living and the love of Christ or to have Julie speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com