In the wake of society’s overly politically correct requirement and acceptance of perversion; life is changing. What we all must realize is that denying sin doesn’t change its existence. Period. Sin is sin and it is God who deems it so.
The problem with current society is that it is one big coward. The church is a coward, its people are cowards all the while the army of the enemy bullies everyone everywhere. Where are the warriors willing to stand up for something; anything of righteousness in Christ? Why is it instead that every wake and turn of the devil and his minions are people speaking up and taking over?
Here is the thing that we must realize. If you are ok with sin and are too afraid to call it what it is for fear of being mean or called hateful then what are you doing? How can you call yourself a Christian all the while placate sin and not speak up about it; and then relish and live in it celebrating it with others? How is that advancing God’s Kingdom? We can clearly see how that’s um ‘not’ working can’t we?
When you get that God is the one who deems sin what it is your life will change. Until then nothing will except for the fact that you are sold a bill of lies; you will have fallen prey to the enemy who is just laughing at your ignorance of thinking you are standing for something and you are- it’s just that you are now a representative of the devil. Is that what you want to represent? Keep on standing up for sin and not the righteousness of Christ and guess what- that is exactly what you are doing.
It’s when you remove the fear and stand up and say sin is sin regardless of what others think that your life will change. You may lose some friends who think you are intolerant because you say being gay is sin but so what- you at least were bold enough to stand on the Word of God and speak it. At least you spoke Truth that would plant a seed instead of being a coward not doing anything but approving the death of someone else. At least you were on the side of holiness. And doesn’t that count for more than something?
In case you haven’t noticed society in America is changing. Sin is pervasive and has perverted our entire nation. There is no escaping it and even church pastors are on board with it and some even going so far to tell Christians to ‘evolve’ to just accept sin. What is that brothers and sisters? Seriously- what is that and why on earth would you accept it?
Unless you are willing to stand up in your church and outside of that building living in sin is not of God then don’t expect much of an escape route given to you by God. Why would you? Let it be made clear in Matthew 12:30 ‘”Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” So you need to choose what side you are on. And do it now while you still can.
Choose carefully. Do you just want to live in lala land where love in every sinful way is just accepted just because it’s the times and God’s Word is just outdated; or do you want to live in obedience to Christ and in His abundance that will come? Remember they hated Jesus so if you are so bold to stand up for Him then when they hate you- so what? Why should you even care if people who don’t even know who they are hate you? What it is to you? Your focus should be on His Word and your allegiance to Him and not to the ways of the sinful world that brings you nothing but death. Remember these words of Jesus in Matthew 10:34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
Don’t be afraid to stand up and say sin is sin. Period. If someone doesn’t like hearing that it’s not your problem. That is between that person and the Lord. It’s the Truth and if you are going to survive it will require you to get bold and speak up. Stop placating and pretending because that isn’t going to bring people to Christ. If you go down and live in the sins of others where is the testimony? Where is the power? There won’t be and you will have lost it all simply because you chose to disregard God’s Word that sin is sin regardless of what you or I think of it. It’s time to get that message so we can start advancing His Kingdom and stop dying in the devils.
______________________________________________________
Today’s Scripture
Psalm 97:10 You who love the LORD, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked.
______________________________________________________
Forgiveness Tip #15
Forgiveness isn’t a game of lip service but heart change through repentance.
______________________________________________________
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 forgiveness and the love of Christ or to speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
Image Belongs to its Owner
In the wake of tragedy or any life event that hits the hearts of people typically one of two things occur: they either turn toward God or turn from Him. One is in seeking understanding, peace and solace while the other too is seeking of understanding although in more of a justification of proving that God is a god of hate. The question based upon the latter is what happens when you believe God hates you? I can answer that.
Growing up I experienced dysfunction on many levels. With my biological mother as a toddler we lived in a car and then she abandoned me. As a child being ripped away from my mother and put into the back of the black car on that day with no toys or blankets with the CIA looking people I experienced rejection and its damaging effects beyond what any toddler ever should. If a mother doesn’t love her child then how could God? If God is love and my mother left me then did He not fill her with the capacity to love? And why was I the one who suffered because of it? For years I couldn’t grasp the love of the Father because of the lack of love from both mother and father.
Now on the flipside I spent 2 years in a foster hone where they truly loved me and I loved them. It was beautiful; probably what most experience in life as children. I was happy and had a family although it wouldn’t last. I was taken from that family too; the one that loved me but at least I had the experience. I was graced with the experience of love and it was beautiful; I just wish it lasted longer. The only reason why it didn’t was because the court paperpushers deemed my foster parents Bob and Emily Dedmond too old to be adoptive parents. How stupid is that? You can keep a child and love it but someone else determines whether or not you are fit because of your age. And so again what was up with the so called God of love? Was I just the one He chose to pick on for some reason? Was it because it was Tuesday? Or just Sunday?
I was adopted and that too simply revealed to me another level of God’s either distain for me or just His pure evil sense of humor. But here is the thing: I get it now. And I pray in Jesus name that you get it too.
I was reminded of the night when I was 5 on my knees newly adopted praying that Jesus would be my escape. Now; don’t ask how I knew 1) to pray that or 2) who Jesus was as I can’t answer that. What I do know is that in the midst of every trial and triumph He has been with me and He has been there with you too. His Word tells is in Psalm 27 that He will never leave you nor forsake you. That means ‘never’. And so what happens when you think God hates you? I’ll tell you. You will live like it:
1- Your ability to love will not be evident. It is not possible to love without Jesus for His is love. There is a difference of living in love and hate and when you turn your back on the Lord you stop all flow of what is good because His Word also tells us that He withholds no good thing. Love is a good thing and without it; there is nothing. Absolutely nothing.
2- Your outlook will be death and not life. Have you ever been around someone who sees the glass empty? Forget half full but just empty. And of course it’s cloudy too and dirty and funk filled on the bottom. Yep. No life because there is no God. Death is all consuming just as life is yet one produces and multiplies and the other steals and diminishes. When I believed God hated me I lived in turmoil of a downward spiral because of the pain. It was the lies I believed and not the Truth that kept me with the devil’s outlook. I was in essence; a tool used by the devil.
3- You will find every way to justify the wrong to prove His hate. Oh yes this is a big one dear reader. When things go wrong it’s so easy to find all the other wrong things. I did that for years; decades to be exact. Unforgiveness is the open doorway that also keeps your eyes distorted to the truth. It’s easy to see everything negative when you are looking at it. And of course God is just a god of hate wrong because people choose sin and turn their backs on Him never mind the free will part of the equation. Everything in my life for so long was just to justify how right I was in saying God hated me and sure I had enough ammunition to prove it; although I can surely attest that I have more to prove He is a God of Love instead.
4- Your life will lack joy, purpose, peace and direction. When you turn your back on God where will you go? What will be the purpose of your life? Spreading death? Sure right; because what else would you produce? It’s not like there would be joy or purpose when God hates you so you think in your mind. It can’t be right? God created you for a purpose and without Him how can you know that that purpose is? It’s not like the universe really is going to tell you- let’s be real. The God that created the universe is bigger than the universe so trying to go to something lesser of God is a waste of your time. Just go to the God of world and you will see. But yet if you think He hates you the lies will take hold and keep you trapped. Rebuke the lies as you are worth more than that!
5- You will move further from Him. When you believe and receive the lie that God hates you; you will only move further from Him. You can’t move closer now can you? Think about it: if you hate someone or believe someone hates you it’s not like you are going to edge closer right? What would be the point? And so on it will go you moving closer from the Lord because you experienced the issues of life or a tragedy that disrupted it. It happens to us all I can assure you. You are not alone and sometimes it’s the tragedy that is used to bring is closer to Him. Don’t lose that opportunity by letting lies become truths.
6- Your days will be shorter. When you think God hates you your days will be shorter. Not only this they will be shorter on so many levels. Your purpose-smaller. Your joy- less. Your outlook-tiny. So what is lengthened? Nothing. Living for death isn’t living so know that God is on your side and He has the best in store for you. Just look up and you will see. I did and it’s beautiful.
7- You will miss out on experiencing and seeing the beauty and heart of God. For the longest time I couldn’t understand how this God; this oh so powerful God would let children suffer. I couldn’t understand why He would allow me to experience such pain and loss day in and day out. Why would He allow abuse, loss of a baby, loss of loved ones; lack poverty pain. Why? I struggled with that for so long because I just didn’t get it. Until one day I did.
You see; it wasn’t His intent at all for us to experience it. Go back to Genesis. Read the beginning and you will see. God created us to be in relationship with Him and for us to experience His love. Because of the choices of Adam and Eve (which by the way her name didn’t come to be until after they disobeyed) we are born into sin. We are born into a nature of rebellion. We are born with choices to think what we want and to accept the Truth or the lies. When I started understanding and receiving that God loves me and that He doesn’t hate me my entire life changed.
God is on my side and He’s on yours too. In the midst of trials and tragedy He is there; wanting to comfort you-to give you peace. Remember He gave His son for you so He too knows loss and the emptiness which is something I hadn’t thought of myself for a long time. God wants more of you than you can imagine so He can pour more of Him into you. Let Him. Let Him show you just how much He loves you. You will never be the same in Jesus name.
______________________________________________________
Today’s Scripture
Romans 8:31 ‘What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?’
______________________________________________________
Forgiveness Tip #15
Forgiveness shows others you love them more than hate their mistakes.
______________________________________________________
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 forgiveness and the love of Christ or to speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
When most people think of King David they think of Goliath, valor and a man who had a heart after God. Sure all of these things are correct and we too know that David was quick to repent. The question for today is where was King David’s Forgiveness?
In reflection of the many ups and downs of the great king there are many lessons of forgiveness placement to recognize for our own lives as we develop and mature in Christ and how forgiveness plays a part in that level of maturity.
As we examine King David we see that he fell often. How does one fall so often? It’s simple; take your eyes of the Lord. It’s no different than King Solomon; although that’s a series for another time. When David allowed his focus to be shifted from the Lord he fell. he sought forgiveness but from whom?
In the story of David and Bathsheba it was David who committed adultery before the actual act took place. He obviously lusted after her with his eyes as there is no record of his eyes turning away from what he saw. Instead we learn ‘2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her.’ (2Sam11:2-3) He did not turn away from a married woman. Additionally; he brought others into his plot of sin.
As we know David and Bathsheba had an affair, her husband was murdered and she gave birth to his child; all at the hands of the selfish ruthless king. But here is the thing that is curious: David’s forgiveness.
As we read in verse 26, “When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. 27 After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.” Notice that Bathsheba mourned the death of her husband and instead of being honest and confessing his sin to her; David kept quiet. Not one word to her that he was the mastermind of the murder of her husband. Do you think is she knew the truth she would have married him? Would you? If you had an affair with someone who murdered your husband and you were pregnant; would you still even want that ‘love’ child? Everything would be different and of course my best best is that King David knew. How could he not? We can then refer to Psalm 32: 3-5 where it’s clear:
When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.b]”
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
When it comes to forgiveness there is no evidence that he ever went before any one person to confess his sins. In many cases people focus on James 5:16 where they believe it reads to confess your sins to others although in the King James it reads different: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” A fault is much different than a sin as being habitually late may be a fault yet not sin and so in this case David is in alignment with scripture by simply stating he sinned against the Lord and repenting and seeking forgiveness from the Lord. David clearly says it in 1 Samuel 12:13 “Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”
Any and all sin is sin and is against the Lord. Period. David grasped that. He recognized that in his heart were all the things not of God. The lust after another man’s wife, the evil and wickedness of murder, affairs, selfishness and the list goes on- all of which were against the Lord.
When it comes to forgiveness your and my sins are against the Lord which is why repentance is necessary and where forgiveness comes into play. We can learn from David what it means to ask for a clean heart and of course understand why. We can also see that King David was quick to turn his eyes and heart back toward the Lord; something that if we too are quick to recognize that our sins are against the Lord we can create that same pattern in our own lives.
So it’s really that simple. Remain focused on the Lord and when you sin it’s against God. Repent and seek forgiveness; so that times of refreshing may come. They did for David so take heart that they will for you too.
______________________________________________________
Today’s Scripture
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
______________________________________________________
Forgiveness Tip #14
Forgiveness reveals your character. Let it shine the light of the Lord.
______________________________________________________
Image belongs to its owner.
As society has made everything about self; forgiveness has been in the mix too. Many people prescribe or even advertise forgiveness as just the next feel good method; all about self. Forgive so that you feel better. Forgive so that you can move on. Forgive. Forgive so that you can this or that. What most don’t recognize though is that the purest forgiveness isn’t about you. No. Forgiveness isn’t about you.
Our society has misplaced what is right and wrong, what is moral and immoral and it’s become all about self-pleasure, self-indulgence and self-righteousness. And forgiveness will help you continue to live in that smell of euphoria. But lets get real: Forgiveness isn’t about self. it’s about overcoming self! And therein lies the reason why so many aren’t getting it. Let me explain what forgiveness is truly about:
1-Forgiveness is about your obedience to Christ. Period. When you make forgiveness about you where is God in that? If it were all about you then you truly would not need Jesus as your savior. You would be your own God as many believe they are.
We as a society have the motives entirely wrong. Forgiving just so you can feel better isn’t what it is about at all! It’s so much bigger than you. It’s about the Jesus who died so that you could be free! Your obedience to His Word is the only way to become free. And you don’t need any type of drug to be free. Your freedom is the free gift with purchase; of His blood. With this said; you will feel better when you forgive although that is merely a benefit of the act of obedience in forgiving and not the reason that you should forgive.
Remember that the Lord knows the purity of your heart; He knows your motives. Are your motives just doing something to get something? That is works based and no different than the message of the Law and what the Pharisees followed. If your heart is after Jesus and your heart is focused on being obedient regardless of the cost then forgiving is just part of that. As you enter the process of forgiveness you will experience that you are stronger than you think because your motivating factor will be obedience working for you instead of your emotions and feelings working against you.
2. Forgiveness is about overcoming yourself through your obedience to Christ. It’s hard in a society to recognize that we really are that self-absorbed but if you look around closely you will see it. The good news is that it is possible to overcome yourself and even more possible to live in the rewards of it! In revelation 3:21 it tells us, ‘To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.’ Now we know that Jesus overcame death on the cross and that it was His obedience that led the way.
We are no different and our obedience to Christ above all is what we must get. It is clear that our society and even many church sermons have dumb downed the messages in recent decades to preach whatever the people want to hear; whatever makes them feel good and tithe more. In doing so we have lost souls because the severity of God’s Word means nothing. Repentance means nothing and what has been celebrated instead is that Jesus approves of everyone doing everything; regardless of it is sin or not. We can’t continue to send this deceitful message because it will only prove to kill more than it already has.
When we get that forgiveness is a command and that in forgiving we are demonstrating that we are overcoming the pain, the past; the whatever life has brought to overcome by obedience to Him. We in essence are not allowing unforgiveness to rule and justify our sinful behavior while focusing on everything else other than Jesus Christ. We are instead going to see the larger picture of life and what it really means when it is written that He came to set the captives free that we are free indeed. In order to stay that way and live as an overcomer though will require obedience above all. And remember that obedience; is worth more than sacrifice. And you are worth giving that to the Almighty.
______________________________________________________
Today’s Scripture
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
______________________________________________________
Forgiveness Tip #13
Forgiveness is about your level of obedience to Christ.
______________________________________________________
Image belongs to its owner.
Forgiveness is one of those things that many talk about; but don’t apply. It’s turned into one of those little motivational quotes images seen throughout social media. It’s just oh so sweet like apple pie but let’s get real. There is a real side to forgiveness and it’s time that we as a society stop placating it and get with the reality of what forgiveness is. There is a truthful side to forgiveness. The truthful side of forgiveness is what most don’t talk about and for a variety of reasons.
The truthful side of forgiveness is what must be examined otherwise what’s the point? What is the point of one more blog that just says ‘oh brother and sister forgive’? You already know that! It’s been preached for how many decades yet still believers tend to skip that part and then wonder whey they are broke, busted and distrusted or disgusted. It’s seriously time to stop with the sweet usery of God’s Word and start understanding the reality of the truth of it to the full along with the consequences of just disregarding it because you just don’t feel so good about doing that today. Oh yes is that not for today either? Forgiveness is and it’s time to we get it and start living as overcomers otherwise Christians worldwide will be more of a laughing stock than we already are.
So what is the real side of forgiveness?
1- Forgiveness is a command not an option. Our society has dumbed down God’s Word to where the ‘Dummies’ guide needs a guide because of what people have made of God’s Word. Forgiveness is not a joke; it’s not an option when you just feel like it; and it certainly isn’t something to take lightly. It’s crazy how many people hear the message and then return home to their bitter lane and life and wonder where God is. Yeah- God isn’t your problem- your pure rebellion and disobedience is. God’s Word gives you everything for abundant living and forgiveness is the command to get there; oh and yes along with the first which is love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul. And love your neighbor as yourself. So let’s stop mocking His Word and start taking it serious shall we and then become obedient to forgive even when we don’t want to? https://julieblair.com/the-command-to-forgive/
2- Forgiveness isn’t about you- it’s about your obedience to God. Many people simply forgive so they fell better which sounds oh so holy and noble right? Oh yes ‘I wanted to lose weight so I forgave’. Sure. I get it. It is what happens when you forgive although that is a purely selfish motive in the big scheme of things. The scientists of today propagate all the health reasons to forgive but yet they miss the entire point which takes me back to #1. It’s a command. So therefore if you are only forgiving just because you want to feel better well then good for you. You just showed the Lord your motives and how do you think that makes Him feel? How would you feel? It isn’t about living under the law any more thank God! So when you go to the Lord to forgive it should be because you want to be right with Him more than you want to lose whatever weight you have gained through you active disobedience. Then you will be set free. And of course this makes sense because His Word tells us remain focused on Him and not ourselves.
3-Forgiveness is about Christ and His Kingdom- not yours. I know it’s hard to hear or read that it isn’t all about you but it’s the truth. Our society has turned life itself into a selfie and where is there room for God? When you honestly go before the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings to declare forgiveness and repent for unforgiveness you will walk away with a testimony for His Kingdom- not your own. You can’t even have forgiveness without Christ so let’s just get real about it. Without Jesus Christ in the midst of your forgiveness you are just working yourself to some form of self-glorification and don’t we already have enough of that in our society?
As you can see forgiveness isn’t a joke. It isn’t a game. Jesus didn’t die so you could go take a selfie of how great your little mind will tell you that you are. Oh no. He died for you and the life that comes through Him. There is no way to get to the Father but through Him and whether you accept that or not isn’t my issue but rather His Truth. So if you want the full life that comes with being a follower of Christ then it will require you to understand that it is because of His love for you that you are here. It is because of His selflessness that you are here. It is because of His blood that you are here. And so just mocking Him by disregarding His Word or just using it for your own glory is not going to anything but reveal what you are. And if you want it to be revealed what you are don’t you want it to be one who loves the Lord, who lives in forgiveness and one who is obedient above all regardless of cost?
______________________________________________________
Today’s Scripture
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
______________________________________________________
Forgiveness Tip #12
Your strength to forgive will come through your obedience to Christ.
______________________________________________________
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 forgiveness and the love of Christ or to speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
Image belongs to its owner.