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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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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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
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.
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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.
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Forgiveness Tip #15
Forgiveness isn’t a game of lip service but heart change through repentance.
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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 forgiveness and the love of Christ or to speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
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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.
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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?’
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Forgiveness Tip #15
Forgiveness shows others you love them more than hate their mistakes.
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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 forgiveness and the love of Christ or to speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying ‘oh forgive and forgive’ or ‘I can forgive you but I can’t forget what you did’ and on it goes but is it really wise to forgive and forget? Seriously do you forgive and forget? Or hold on? And not only that is it possible to forgive and forget?
In understanding the process of forgiveness to the full; it brings with it many components. First and foremost for Believers is that it is between that person and the Lord. Sure you can seek another person for forgiveness of sins; except that really isn’t the best route or direction. Not only this; in the Bible it reads to confess your ‘faults’ which is different than ‘sin’. A fault may be being tardy although it’s not a sin. So in essence dealing with unforgiveness is an issue between a person and the Lord.
Now then; when it comes to forgiving is the emotional component that is tied to the unforgiveness. We already know we are to forgive; and even Peter knew that as his question to Jesus wasn’t ‘if’ he should forgive but how many times he should in Matthew 18:21. It’s the emotional component that keeps most people living in the misery of unforgiveness. Let me explain:
A person may claim that he/she has forgiven except their emotions reveal otherwise. The level of bitterness, resentment, angst, fits of rage, intolerance, lack of patience and all the other roughly 40 symptoms are evident. The person may believe that there has been forgiveness except that when there is the emotional condition of the person changes too. No longer is there the emotional attachment to what the situation was or who the person was. It is something that occurred in a time no different than walking the dog.
As a result; yes the Bible is very clear to take every thought captive no doubt. (2 Cor 10:5) except there is a difference in taking every thought captive and suppressing every thought. See; just because you don’t think about someone who hurt you doesn’t mean you don’t exhibit the symptoms of the pain of what the hurt caused. And this is where most get into trouble because they don’t recognize it. In my life I honestly thought I forgave although the symptoms were evident along with my chosen topics of conversation. Once I forgave it was my eye color and voice that changed; proof again that what is inside is always revealed outwardly whether good or bad.
So to answer the question is it wise to forgive and forget? It depends. If I needed to forgive you for eating the last of the gelato in the freezer they probably not. Why take up memory space right? On the other side; if we live in forgive and forget then what is the testimony? You wouldn’t know because well; you forgot.
When the emotional aspect of forgiveness is progressed through it not only changes the perception of events but also heals as a result. And it is Jesus who is the Healer; the one to bring freedom. Because the emotions are not raging over the very thought of whatever or whoever it was then the only thing remains is the fact that something occurred although it is not occurring now. The emotional component has no more power. This is why forgiveness is so much more than the utterance of a few words in passing just to move along about life.
If I forgave my biological mother and forgot there would be nothing further to ever be said. There would be no testimony; no further glory for God. There would be no evidence of fruit of what has taken place since that time. No. There would be nothing. And what a shame for Jesus to have died for no testimony of His goodness!
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Today’s Scripture
Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
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Forgiveness Tip #5
Forgiveness is freedom.
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If you are struggling with forgiving someone, yourself or even God let us help. He created you for so much more and the last thing you want is unforgiveness to block the life He has in store! Visit www.julieblair.com
Watch Living in Forgiveness nightly at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork.
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Life is full of choices. It’s estimated that adults make 35,000 every day and most probably without even thinking about them; an irony in and of itself. When we examine the choice to forgive or at least placate that that forgiveness has taken place it has to cause one to question what kind of fruit is beared as a result. Hence the figs, fruit and forgiveness come into play.
In the Parable of the Fig tree there is much to learn about repentance and Christlike living; yet as a society we still continue to fail and fail miserably. It is time for change. Aren’t you ready? How often have you been staring in the mirror knowing that there is something beyond what you see; yet you still are where you are?
In Luke 13: 6-7 it reads, ‘“A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any.’… (NIV) The scripture continues although stopping at this point is pertinent because the question to reflect upon is what fruit do you have growing that is hidden? And hidden by unforgiveness? The tree is there; but it doesn’t bear fruit.
How many years and how many people are looking at you and not seeing what is there? How much longer are you going to allow your fig to not be found? You see; just because something isn’t found doesn’t mean that it isn’t there or that it doesn’t exist. It means that it isn’t ‘found’. It means that there is something hidden to uncover.
It was three years that the man was looking; and found nothing. Not one fig. Imagine three years of not seeing any change and then reflect on this: many people live lives where there is no change; yet they see it not. Further; this gentleman went three years before it is clear he spoke with the caretaker. How many years of your life have gone by where you may not have seriously taken inventory of your genuine level of forgiveness? How often have you ‘looked’ at it but did nothing further?
You see; until you get beyond ‘looking’ nothing will change. We see in verse 8 it reads, ‘“‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.’ What we see is that there were steps taken to make the change. An action was to take place in order to get to that next level of fruit bearing; the same with forgiveness. If you simply identify something and move on but never actually deal with it then you will be where you are long after your future has become your past.
If you are believing or blaming God for something that hasn’t yet occurred; ask Him if there is unforgiveness. Ask Him what must be done because there probably is something you may not be aware of. Don’t get caught in just looking and passing by. Don’t do that.
Unforgiveness is one of the biggest blessing blockers in anyone’s life. It hinders blessings, the ability for God to use you to His desire; and it decreases your hearing from Him. It will leave you empty and further separated from Him than you can ever realize. It destroys relationships, it destroys business deals; and it does destroy every aspect of a person’s life. It that what is happening to you in your life right now? Waiting and whaling instead of soaring and singing? It’s time now to decide to grow fruit and see the figs of your future.
For more about forgiveness watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ weeknights at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork.
One of the things about unforgiveness is how it’s tied to finances. If you are believing God for a financial breakthrough and it hasn’t yet happened; there is a reason. And it isn’t because you don’t work hard or enough. There is always a reason and most don’t recognize the element of forgiveness. Most people don’t get this. They simply blame God will increasing their level of bitterness and resentment and refusal to forgive. Oh how the cycle continues.
God’s Word is clear and no it doesn’t change because we may not like it. It’s us that must change and in His Word there are a few requirements in order to receive His blessings. Obedience to His Word is one such way and well; forgiveness is a command- something to obey.
In Matthew 6:14-15 it tells us, ‘For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.’ (NIV)
So- if you are not forgiving God won’t forgive you. Period. So that peace you want, that joy that’s been lost; that breakthrough in your finances. Yeah it won’t come. It can’t. There are no rewards for disobedience; regardless of what the world tells you. If you treat others with unforgiveness how would you treat the finances that God would bless you with?
Now the other caveat to this is that it isn’t about just forgiving and forgetting. There is a step further and one that many miss. They spend their time ‘forgiving’ others and sure that is required except Acts 3:19 gives is more that must be taken into consideration. “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,…”(NIV) Most people who have to forgive also need to repent because more often than not there is the harboring of unforgiveness which is a sin against God, there is bitterness, resentment; and all the other cousins. With all this turmoil operating how could God bring storehouses of financial blessings your way?
You see; God has plans for you there is no doubt. His Word is clear. The financial breakthrough will be able to enter when there is obedience. When I forgave my mother for all she had done to me I was also freed financially; and also in my faith. Before forgiving my ideas and thoughts toward money were distorted. It would have been a total set up by God to financially bless me before I fully forgave because if the order came from God for me to give to my mother- I never would have. Seriously I would not have. I hated her and who wants to give to people they hate? If you are going through a divorce and you haven’t yet forgiven and God tells you to give your spouse 70% and not 50% would you? Or would just resent every minute of it? Would you actually do it? Or would you just justify all the reasons why the other person is not worth it? Would you then have your list of all the stuff you have done good and that it all should be yours? Yep- now do you see the pickle you put yourself in? I had to be healed of all of that because my mother has great needs and I didn’t want to give once cent to her; and now that my heart and life have been healed and restored being a giver to her is now part of who I am. It is you too you just may need to get there.
God can’t bring to you all that He wants if you don’t let Him. If you want breakthrough in any capacity it will require you taking the step toward Him as He is waiting; just waiting to give you everything- and yes including a financial blessing. But if God can’t trust you and you choose to not trust Him then you are at a stale mate. No one wins. There is no breakthrough but only breakdown. Breakdown in your life and state of it; along with in some ways breakdown in impact for God’s Kingdom.
He didn’t intend for you to be poor and pride yourself on it like many Christians do. They wear it like it’s an honor and then live so selfishly in fear because if they were to give they won’t have- yet in actuality they will have more! But it starts with being obedient in repenting for harboring unforgiveness, asking for forgiveness and then walking and living in it. As you experience breakthrough; your finances and everything else will break through too.
For more about forgiveness watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ weeknights at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork.