Identfying the Doors of Opportunity
You know the saying; as one door closes another opens. What doors of opportunity are you needing to be opened so that you can enter? And sometimes it’s a question of why wait for the door to open if you can just knock it down?
When I studied King Solomon I was intrigued by what so many taught of him; mostly his wealth and status and wisdom. Sure all of that is wonderful except I started noticing lost opportunities. Opportunities to do more than show off the wealth that he had. It brought me to a question in my own life of lost opportunities? How often throughout this year did I miss opportunities of greater outpouring? Was I more like Martha than Mary?
King Solomon may be known to have it all; yet what did he have? A city of wives and concubines? Ok. That went against the command of the Lord. Idols built to false gods? Ummm… that too goes against the Lord. Opportunity to witness the goodness of the Lord to Queen Sheba. Missed that opportunity too. In Kings 10:1-6 we read:
“And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with hard questions. 2 And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.3 And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not.4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon’s wisdom, and the house that he had built,5 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.”
Yes she knew King Solomon had wisdom; there is no doubt. He had great wealth too there is no doubt. But he had opportunity to share and he didn’t. He missed the opportunity to talk about his father King David, the holiness of the Lord, or even the faith of Abraham. Where was his focus? It was clear on the servants and all the material possessions that in the end share ‘her spirit left her’. We don’t know if it was in awe although one would think if there was much brought to her that her spirit wouldn’t leave her.
The question today then is what opportunities have you missed because of wrong focus? Have you been so focused on everything that isn’t as important and not one what is most important? You see; it isn’t a question of placement to bondage but rather one of reflection with Christ so that going forward; better and more abundant opportunities can be utilized at a more enhanced level entering into the new year.
You can have all the wisdom and wealth; although missed opportunities are still missed if they are never noticed. Pray entering into this new year not only for opportunities in the name of Jesus but also for the awareness of them when they appear so they aren’t missed. And you will be witness to the greatness of the Lord in ways you’ve never seen.
For more about growing in Christ visit www.julieblair.com
Dr. Julie went from homeless to hope-filled in Christ. To have her speak to your church or business please visit www.julieblair.com Her tv and radio program ‘Living in Forgiveness’ airs nightly at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork. Check your local listing.
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While many talk about peace during this time of year; it is possible to live in peace every day of the year regardless of season, holiday or current events. It is a matter of purposing to do so.
When I became a Christian I had no idea what to expect; none. I didn’t really even know what it meant to be a Christian I just wanted something more than what I had- which wasn’t much. And so I became a Christian yet much in my life didn’t change. I did go to church every week yet for 18 years still had no peace. I Still didn’t the victory that I thought would come by default for being a Christian. I see many falling into that same trap. There is no peace and for many no wonder why.
If you are a Christian living by default to a world system there is no peace. If you are a Christian living by default in a church system; there probably isn’t much peace there either. Peace will only come through Jesus Christ; not through any man made system of any kind. It can’t. John 14:27 tells us, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’
Getting, keeping and living in peace will require action. Action to get it, action to keep it and action to live in it. Society will do everything it can to take it, keep it; and prevent you from living in it. The world system is quite contrary to the Word of God and nothing of it produces fruit; only busyness. And busy friends is simply ‘bound under satans yoke’.
Take an inventory of your life today. Examine carefully what level of peace you truly have and make the necessary changes with the Lord to live in that level of peace He desires for you. Inventory your life. Examine the following in your life:
1- Clutter. Do you own your stuff or does it own you? How much is it robbing you of living because it’s always surrounding you; reminding you of the past, more chores; or whatever else. How much of your thoughts is the clutter stealing? Ask the Lord to reveal to you what items you need to give, what He may have you sell; and what items you have that need to be prayed over. You may have some items that you did not annoint that are bringing no peace and you need God to reveal those items to you. You must purpose to be on the offense in keeping your peace and not allowing any attachments of stuff steal it from you.
2- Your relationships. What we allow in from other people will have an impact. Are you allowing in trauma and drama? Are you creating ungodly soul ties or godly ones? Is gossip entering into your life? What boundaries do you have in place that you live by that bring peace? Remember if you aren’t setting boundaries then anything can enter and that means the enemy has legal right. Close the door to unhealthy relationships that aren’t producing fruit. Pray the following in Jesus name: “Father in the name of Jesus I ask that You distance me from the people in my life that I need distance from. I ask that You bring the relationships in my life that I need for this season. I ask that You increase my discernment and sensitivity to Your Holy Spirit during this time. I pray that as people are moved out of my life that they are blessed in the name of Jesus and I thank you for the peace that comes with this. I pray all this in Jesus name. Amen.” What you want to pay attention to is when people are transitioned in and out of your life that you thank the Lord for answering your prayer. You may be tempted to freak out over a period when it appears no one is in your life; although it’s the Lord answering your prayer and bringing the peace that you ultimately are seeking. It’s a blessing!
3- Your Order. God is a God of order. The enemy is all about chaos and disruption. When your life is out of order it’s because something internally is out of order. Ask the Lord to reveal to you where you are out of order and He will. Perhaps your sleeping patterns are out of order which is causing you to spend less time with Him. He is of order and when you are in order your level of peace will increase along with your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Ask in Jesus name, ‘Father in Jesus name please forgive me for the areas of my life that are out of order. I ask that You reveal it to me in a way that I can understand what is out of order and what my steps are to restoring order. I thank You for the peace that will come with order in accordance with Your Word. I pray all this in Jesus name. Amen.’ Remember that disorder cannot bring peace.
4- Your living within in your means. Current society is setup for failure. The world system is corrupt. We don’t need to examine that as one can look around and see it. The question is are you living within your means? The enemy has mastered the art of tempting people to live beyond their means. For many the increase in job title means increase in salary and of course; an upgrade in vehicle, home, and debt. A larger home, more vehicles and bigger wardrobe does not equate to peace. It never will. Ask the Lord to reveal the areas of your life where you are living beyond your means and as He answers what is revealed will forever change you. ‘Father in the name of Jesus please forgive me of all my sins. I come before You asking You to reveal to me the areas of my life that are outside of my means and that it’s in a way I can understand. I ask that You show me how to live within my means and provide a solution that will bring the peace in You that I desire. I thank You for all this in Jesus name. Amen.’ You will find that the excess of shoes, purses, tools; books, ATVs, watercraft; and 7.00 per day coffee isn’t as necessary at all and that you actually have more than you think without everything else.
5- Am I living my purpose? Living the purpose God has for you will bring peace. It brings clarity and will change your life without a doubt. One easy way the enemy ruins people lives is by giving them a false identity. A false identity denies anyone from living the real purpose that God has in store. In Jeremiah 29:11-14 it’s clear, ’11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listento you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord…’ If you want peace in your life go before the Lord and ask Him what He created you for. It’s much bigger than you can ever realize. ‘Father in the name of Jesus I ask that You forgive me of my sins. I come before You because I know Your word is true in Jer 29;11 that You have a plan for my life. I ask that You reveal that plan as I come before you and please do so in a way that I can understand. I thank You that You chose me before the foundation of the earth for this plan and I thank You that it will be revealed to me. I ask for an increase in faith to receive it. I ask for an increase in hearing and that all distractions, hindrances, obstacles and lies are removed from me and my path that would prevent me from understanding, knowing and following Your plan. I thank You that You have made it so easy to seek You and I pray all this in Jesus name. Amen.’ There is more involved in getting the full plan and operating in it; although moving in the direction toward it will bring more peace than living the false life given by a false god who is not of peace.
Living in peace with the Lord requires purpose. It does not and will not happen by accident. The enemy knows the tactics and how to operate in them and sadly; he does it better than most Believers. If you want the fullness of His peace moving in you, to you and through you; then purpose for it. Purpose to get before Him. Purpose to make peace in Christ your protocol and your personal code of conduct. When you do you will enter into a new way of life and one that can’t be taken away from you.
For more about growth in Christ please visit www.julieblair.com
Dr. Julie prayed at age 5 that Jesus would be her escape and when she was homeless at age 15 by the hands of her adoptive parents she knew God had bigger plans. She now helps others get out of the bondage of the enemy to live free in Christ. Her television and radio programs ‘Living in Forgiveness’ airs around the world to approximately 3 billion daily. You can watch a new episode tonight on the UANetwork at 9:30pm CST. Stream live at www.uanetwork.tv or check your local tv listing.
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Before you judge; keep reading. Perhaps you have been there and didn’t know what it was or how to talk about it; or even how to deal with it. It’s one of those not so talked about things like most things of importance in Church. The reality of what many people go through in their relationship with the Lord leaves many trapped and seeking help; yet because God is God may are told just go back and read some scripture and you will just fine. And while true; there is much more to it and when we grasp the full reality of a relationship with the Lord there is much to be gained.
You see; for me personally it was you are a servant of Christ. I was under the authority of a former Vietnam Veteran who’s wisdom and teaching has changed my life in ways unimaginable. Growing in in the Lord and understanding my role and position in Christ and what it means to be a servant is one where was related to military. You are an order taker. You are in rank that of a E-2 and of course ask no questions. You are not worthy of such things because well; you are where you are and God is as well. You are there to serve and take orders as commanded. What you think or want is not important; nor relevant
I got it. I learned much and took orders and grew exponentially. Everything became a status update of ‘I want whatever you want me to have Lord’ and that was how I lived. After all it’s God with the purpose for my life and I am just the one to fulfill that particular role and ask no questions. No opinion necessary. I climbed the ranks and of course as you climb the ranks what you get to do gets better. Increase territory means more fun missions and increase in hearing from God; which also means you are a more lethal target to the enemy. And I loved that part of it. I was battle ready and moving forward.
A few years later I listened to a pastor talk about the difference between being a servant and a friend. There are rewards due a friend that a servant doesn’t have access to. The servant; well rank E-2 has the access that only he is allowed to have and let’s face it it isn’t much. I started to wonder at that moment why I wasn’t thought of us as much more than a servant in the eyes of the Lord.
I searched and started reading the scripture in a new way. When Jesus asked Bartimaeus ‘What do you want’ and he replied ‘I want to see’ that was life changing! It meant that Jesus actually cared more about was someone wanted than the orders given and followed. He wanted interaction! It was also a challenging time to recognize that I could be in that type of relationship with Jesus and that it was ok to actually have an opinion about what I wanted; something that I hadn’t experienced before. And also a challenge because I didn’t know what I wanted; because I had never been asked. Through the process of digging and talking with the Lord I transformed from being the servant rank to being a friend who served and as such knew I was climbing the ranks for the Lord. It was an amazing time of growth with the Lord to say the least.
Well; as with any relationship there are ebs and flows and yes the Lord knows the desires of our hearts and for me it was a husband and family. Knowing that God’s Word is clear in may places in the Word that it’s not good for man to be alone, that He puts the lonely in families, that when you ask believe and don’t doubt, that a man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord; and I could go on and on. I knew that God answers my prayers because now there are 5 women whom I’ve prayed with for husbands who all have them and within months of the initial prayer.
I listened to a woman say that she is married to the Lord and I asked her what that was like. She said what I expected; God is her provider, she loves Him and all is great. I wondered what really her role in that relationship was or if it was just the proverbial answer that so many recite yet don’t take any further. I reflected on my relationship with the Lord and it wasn’t even close to being a super marriage. In fact I was miserable. Miserable. And I felt worse by even admitting it.
You see; what I saw in my marriage to God was that I was the one doing all the work. I was the one cooking dinner, doing the dishes; and waiting for Him to arrive. I was the one barely making ends meet, driving the vehicle with 160k miles while believing that God will provide. He is after all God right? I was the one in ministry asking for help every which way and getting nothing but the proverbial answers; and then going back to prayer only to leave with less than what I entered with. Where was my husband? Where was the love? Where was the touch of intimacy? I was a wife starving for something- anything from the One could deliver all yet I was completely alone and alone in every way. I felt abandoned, neglected; forsaken. I was begging for something; just a clue that I wasn’t alone. And I was sick of reciting the scriptures as this was’t just a go and read the Bible again answer that so many give. Perhaps you too have been to the depths with the Lord seeking that response that only can come from Him. Press in and keep pressing.
It wasn’t that I didn’t love God. Not at all. It wasn’t even that I wanted to divorce God or walk away. Oh no. We are in this for life and there is no walking away. I am beyond that and didn’t come this far to walk away. I am all in! There is a purpose for my life and regardless I will fulfill because after all; I am more than an E-2 (although we all start somewhere and nothing wrong with starting there) and there is no going back once you go forward. There is only forward. There are no knobs on the other side of the door even if you wanted to go back.
Maybe you’ve been there; where it feels like a stand still with the Lord. You feel like you are doing all that you can and that it isn’t enough, you aren’t enough; and that you can’t get to a place of enough. That is where I was. I started resenting God for who He was in my life because I couldn’t quite grasp how the God who loves me and created me couldn’t even show how much He loved me. I started to resent the fact that God created me in the first place because this was just a joke. Most of my life started looking a joke and a bad one all at my expense. Sure you can judge all you want and say ‘well sister He will never leave you’ and sure I know this. I’ve heard all the religious sayings and the word of faith bla bla bla and that brings more bondage than anything I’ve ever heard. It has people having more faith in the words they speak than in the God who delivers and for me I wanted answers. I wanted to feel love. I wanted to feel cherished. I wanted to feel anything other than forgotten, forsaked and a fool. That’s all. I wanted to feel alive!
Think about your marriage for a moment. Think about what it was like when you first got married; the excitement, the love, the passion, the hope for the future. Then fast forward. Do you ever feel forgotten, not important, or completely unnecessary? Are you an important part of your marriage or are you just in place of it to bake more cookies and pot roast? It’s a lonely place and something much change. And quick before you lose what you have. I had to make a change and quick for the sake of everything And maybe you do to.
I took my issues to the Lord as any wife would take her issues to her husband. And let me say this; if you do have issues with your husband don’t not address them. He and you and your marriage are deserving of that. Of course timing is everything and I told the Lord how much I love Him, respect Him, and don’t want to ever be away from Him- and just how much I resented Him for everything. I resented that He found it ok for me to drive a vehicle falling apart, I told Him I resented Him for the things that He allowed to happen that left me worse off than I had been in years and that as I felt that He as my husband wasn’t protecting me. I told Him everything. Everything. And whether or not my perspective was ‘correct’ didn’t matter. It was how I felt and that was important- just as it is for you. Trying to hide behind religion is what will hurt you more than anything. Just be you and spill it. I had to. And if you are in such a situation- so do you.
You see; what many fail to recognize is that a relationship with God is that- a relationship. A marriage is a marriage and it requires open communication. If you cannot communicate and be honest you are simply living a lie- and most people will simply lie to themselves to they can master the lie to others. Eventually though it will all crumble.
When I reflect on my relationship with God and where we started and the growth over the years I can tell you that Regardless of what you are going through- go to the Lord and share it with Him. If you don’t- what you are going through will only burden you further and that burden will separate you.
When I shared everything with the Lord it changed our relationship entirely. It freed me to just be who I am without the pretense of all the ideologies of what people think a Christian should be. It freed me from the bondage of how I should behave, and how I should approach the Lord; and how I should seek, ask, knock. I stopped worrying about the ‘you can’t say that’ to ‘well; I did and the Lord still loves me’ I went to the Lord based upon ‘my’ relationship with Him and got to the root of the issues I was dealing with and was free. I didn’t want anything in my marriage causing problems and anything evident not dealt with will only increase separation and I didn’t want that any longer- and I’m sure you don’t either.
I share all of this to say that the Lord loves you. He understands what you are going through at every level and when you share with Him your deepest feelings and desires it will not only transform you but also your relationship and your heart toward Him. It changed my level of intimacy as that is a key component in any relationship. If you are struggling with anything in your relationship with the Lord- share it with Him. Deal with it. Open the doors of communication so that you can move toward what’s next with Him and know that you will never be the same in Jesus name.
Dr. Julie is president of Julie Blair ministries helping people grow in Christ. Her television and radio program ‘Living in Forgiveness’ can be heard daily at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork.
To have Julie speak to your congregation or business visit www.julieblair.com.
There has never been a moment in your life when you have not been loved. Never. Not one. While it may sound trite and simplistic in nature; the truth remains. You have been loved before the foundation of the earth. To be that love on this earth; you must love as He loved and loves you. The only solution is Love. There is no other way and until we individually and collectively grasp and live this out as reality we as a society are doomed. Again I repeat: the only solution is love. And God is love.
When we carefully examine our society we see the downfall, destruction; distraction at every facet. Families are in distress, the political climate is disastrous and the economy in despair. We need help. The only solution is love. A heart turned from the evil and wicked toward Love will be the only way in which we will survive. It is time now to allow your heart to experience Love; for there is no other way.
Please know this isn’t a feel good tickle you on Sunday message from the fluffiest of pastors. It simply is not nor can it be because if it truly were; 1) it would be preached more often, 2) it would be received, 3) our society would reflect it. But as such love is not easy. Loving others and receiving Love are the hardest things for us to grasp and as such why we are in such desperate times as we are now.
When love is examined it must be recognized that it is much beyond the waiting for one day per year to demonstrate a nice gesture of flowers that die quickly; and you are worth more than that anyway. What love is isn’t just a feeling for one day. It is a lifestyle and one that we must get if we expect to survive the next day; or even the net moment.
The Bible is written clearly in 1 John 4:7 “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
The division and dissent among us is evident and more colorful with each passing day. One cannot claim to know God and not exhibit Love because it simply is not possible. The lack of demonstration of love reveals lack of love. Love is patient; as is God. Love is Kind; as is God. Love covers a multitude of sins; as God does. Every single facet of God represents Love and therefore; we must look in the mirror and ask the Holy Spirit to identify the areas of our lives that are not reflecting who we are, what we are; why we are so that we can become all of what was purposed to be done in us, to us and through us; by Love. It is only through that heart change toward love that we will experience any change and hope for our future.
It starts with you; it starts with me. Blaming others for their ignorance won’t change it. Sharing negative comments about idiocy only furthers the agenda. Getting involved with gossip and dissent only breeds it. Titus 3:1-2 reads for us to ‘Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” Notice it does not say some times or some people. No. It is very clear always and everyone; which makes sense that God who is Love would want to be represented in the same manner without discriminating. Otherwise; if there is no love how can others be brought to it?
Today is the day, now is the time and this is your moment. Be the Love that has been given freely to you. Be the change that you want. Be obedient. Be the example for others to follow. Be the one who picks up your cross and says like Isaiah ‘Send me’ and Love; for there is no other way.
To live victoriously in love and forgiveness visit www.julieblair.com
Dr. Julie is president of Julie Blair Ministries helping people live victoriously in love and forgiveness in Christ. To have her speak to your congregation or organization please visit www.julieblair.com.
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There is nothing fun or enjoyable about waiting in most cases. Some love the anticipation and joy of what is to come as in waiting the 9 months for the birth of the baby. For others it’s the ‘When God when’; as in when will I get promoted, when will I be the bride instead of the bridesmaid, when will it be my turn to shine. Regardless of what it is there is much to learn about what to do while waiting and much to come for those who wait.
- Waiting is forward motion. The time of waiting isn’t just for sitting and doing nothing; oh no. There is much to do and growth to take place. What happens with many people is that they just give up before they get breakthrough and then never actually reach the pinnacle of what God has for them. It’s sad to see because I bet many Believers would be living more fulfilling lives if only they went forward with God instead of ringing out to date and settle for the wrong person, job; life. Imagine if Queen Esther didn’t continue her preparation to be the queen and she just decided to ring out because it was just too hard. No- she sought where she was going and didn’t just sit and put all the responsibility on God. She didn’t take control but rather she moved at a proper pace within her time of waiting.
- Waiting is preparation. During the time of waiting there is something to be doing so that when the time arrives you are not trying to go back and complete what should have been done in the first place. Could you imagine not having enough time to be read for the new baby to arrive? The time of waiting is preparation in anticipation of what is to come. In the book of Ruth we see where she positioned herself to be prepared for Boaz. She was always doing something on her way to doing something. She was progressing in the environment she was in getting herself prepared for the future that became her present. If you are single what are you doing while waiting? Does your home reflect the readiness of that spouse or are you just enjoying your life as a career single person? Are you preparing yourself for the job upon graduation so you don’t have to go back and try to get prepared? Waiting is not doing nothing and expecting everything. Ruth had plenty of reasons to just do nothing; yet she prepared for her future and a future in the entirely unknown.
3. Waiting isn’t God’s denial. Waiting is not easy. For most it’s not enjoyable either. For so many years I struggled with waiting as I love getting to the destination rather than the journey. I believed for so long that God just was withholding all the good in m life and I struggled with how a God so good just would withhold when it’s contrary to His Word. I started to resent Him and in many ways because all I could see was that each day was going by and the only thing that still remained; was that I was still waiting. Then I learned that in the time of waiting God knows better than I. He has the plan and it’s in His time when it’s to be executed. I am reminded of how long Abraham and Sarah waited for their baby and while it was a long time- God delivered.
Having a change of perspective about waiting is hard. It is beyond challenging at times and it’s especially hard when it seems like every day is just like the previous yet the only thing difference is that you are one day older but here me clearly on this: God has a plan for you that can only be done His Way. If you want all of what God has for you it will require you to stand firm; and stand firm to the end. It will require strength and it will require your mind to be rightly aligned with Him so that He can deliver as only He can.
To be restored to love and forgiveness in Christ visit www.julieblair.com
Dr. Julie Blair is president of Julie Blair ministries; helping people live lives of love and forgiveness; and the victory that comes with it in Christ.
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Society is changing and in reality has just plain gone mad. Everyone moves at a frantic pace trying to accomplish everything in an instant and most often without thought. Everything is needed 5 minutes ago regardless of what time it is. Understanding the weapon of patience your life will change; and in ways you can’t imagine.
I never was a patient person. Not at all. My nickname was New Yorker because of the pace I moved at; which was contrary to that of those in Denver. I simply believed it was that everyone around me was just high and I was the one moving with purpose. I even found it irritating in NYC all the people who just had to stop and look up; do it somewhere else! Move out of the way. People often believe New Yorkers are rude; no they are just misunderstood is all. And so I was the leader of the impatience pack and either move with more or be moved out of the way. The problem is that it isn’t the manner in which God moves at. Haste makes waster and in reality impatience is just that. When God revealed to me the great weapon of patience my life forever changed.
You see; patience as a weapon gives you much more than you think. It gives time of reflection, steady movement forward, an increased in hearing from the Lord. It gives you a strategy that cannot come otherwise. It is a growth in wisdom. It yields greater results and it changes not only personal interactions; but the results of them. It brings experience that those without the weapon demonstrate they don’t have. It; the weapon of patience is a gamer changer.
People typically are not accustomed to patience. Not in today’s society. There is no time for patience when websites need to be built, the deal must be done; and the ladder must be climbed. Society has attempted to remove what patience people had and the results are proving disastrous. The invasion of text messages for instant results removes the face to face interaction and that; what is needed to be seen is lost. The pace of shoving food down ones throat without even knowing what it is is obviously noticed in the waist size of Americans; which over the last 5 years has grown and has no reason to decline. The stress and strain that impatience is placing upon families is seen in divorce; whether in or out of the church.
The weapon of patience brings an understanding of the world around you. It brings noticeable results that one simple cannot get while rushing to boast of 100 hour workweeks. Much in life is lost when impatience and ‘now’ reign. You see; even the Lord rested. He does everything with purpose yet still stands so patient with every person knowing that as they continually seek Him that patience will endure.
The weapon of patience is built on love for it is written in 1 Corinthians 13: 4 that “Love is patient”. So when you use the weapon of patience you are walking and living in love; which will accomplish more than anything else that you can acquire.
When you grasp the reality that patience is a weapon to be used to your advantage you will see more, achieve more, sell more; and in the end become more. You will find that while people are toiling faster and faster impatiently to their deaths you my dear friend will see the harvest of patience because you will still be standing to see it.
To know Jesus visit www.julieblair.com
To remove the stinking thinking and be transformed in Christ join Julie for Kingdom Thinking and Living Seminar on October 8th. For more visit www.julieblair.com
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There is so much emphasis on the entitlement of the Millenials which everyone except them sees it. Those born into that generation don’t believe it’s entitlement it’s just normal; normal to expect everything without giving an iota or doing anthing. The trend is coming of reality in the Body of Christ as well. The entitlement factor of Christians is something not of a phenomenon just something that actually is prevalent and needs to stop.
When we get to the core of Christianity it was God who first gave. It was God who gave His Son who died on the cross; giving us the opportunity to be in relationship with His Son. Yet that example of giving seems to be ignored and it’s instead the ‘what do you have for me’ syndrome that is become exasperating to say the least.
I am witnessing ministries across America asking for help yet it’s disregarded. These are not the prosperity preachers but those who go to Israel quarterly to share the gospel with the Jews. It’s those who have a call on their lives that are barely making it and that should not be so. These are brothers and sisters in ministry who give and give so willingly yet don’t have money enough to even pay their rent or mortgage. Pastors are walking away and well; can you blame them? They give and get what in return? Not much. Not much at all. Oh yes the satisfaction of giving? Is that what you think? Sure. Because everyone wakes up with the goal of being satisfied in a life of giving to takers who take for granted. Right. Now of course we know it’s not all although the numbers are speaking for themselves. More churches are closing than opening and the average church in America has 100 people in it. And if that’t not enough I just learned that only 4% of people in Dallas, TX are churchgoers! Yeah in Dallas where churches are on every street corner.
And so it goes; Christians have a mentality that because we are brothers and sisters something is owed to them- sure. Except why? Why brothers and sisters are you owed anything by your brothers and sisters? Why do you expect that your brothers and sisters should give and give and give and give to you while you give nothing in return? It is because no one ever truly told you about what Christ gave and that He is the example? Or do you not care? What is it?
What is it that you believe you are actually entitled to from your brothers and sisters? Shouldn’t it be that you are entitled to give and give abundantly? Oh yes! Especially if you are going to be a follower of Christ who gave His life. But that isn’t really what we want to actually talk about right? Of course not. Instead it’s how do I get this or that for my own motives and pleasures. And what does that say about us as Christians?
With the ministries in need I’m learning that other communities are stepping up to help. It’s a sad day for the Body of Christ when more Muslims help Christian ministries than Christians. And yes. Not only this I know an apostle who actually stayed in the home of a Jihadist for 2 weeks in the Middle East. They took him in because they knew he was a man of God and upon his departure the Jihadists actually gave him suitcases of clothes for his children and treasures of gold jewelry for his entire family! Yes- the Muslims who are known to behead Christians gave to that man and did so willing. They held nothing back. It’s a day when Athiests are giving more than Christians. Why oh why brothers and sisters are you even allowing that to happen? Do you not see that your holding back hurts not only you, but denies your blessings and blocks in the Body of Christ from moving? Yes!
I never knew to be honest how to give; and so I didn’t. I was broke most of my life and as a college student it was either pay rent or car insurance but not both. I never learned how to give and and a result my money was funny, my change was strange and my prayers unanswered. See; money is the answer for all things. Yes open your Bible. Read Ecclesiastes 10. It’s written right before your eyes. And yet it’s missed.
I have too learned that most Christians tend to live in the receiving end too; yet are still broke. There is a clue there brothers and sisters. If you have a need sow a seed. Do it. Know the soil first though. If you don’t do your research you not only won’t know the 4 types of soil but won’t get the best harvest either. See; you have to get to a place of looking outward and not inward. That is where life begins to change. Again; the example of Jesus.
I recall listening years ago to a largely known female preacher share that the day Disney World employees dread the most was Christian day because the Christians were so rude, loud, obnoxious and inconsiderate. She shared that they knew the hotel cleaning staff would be left tipless as well. And how sad is that that the people who represent the most giving God are such takers and not following the simple example of ‘give’? Now I must say it’s not true of all you so put your feathers down. I must also share that when I heard her speak that about Christians like that I took offense; except that now I see it and am in a position of agreement. That too is sad.
It should not be so that Christians live expecting so much from their brothers and sisters all the while doubting and disbelieving God. Stop asking your wallet as it will always tell you that you don’t have enough. Ask the God who has more than enough! It should not be so that Christians expect free from everyone who gives and willingly and yet not even think about sowing back to who just gave. It takes a lot to give and those who give know so and do so willingly. Those who receive well; do so and do so willingly. Of course the receiving means that the giver gets blessed but here is the thing: if all you do is receive you won’t be blessed to the full. You can’t be because God’s Word really is based upon giving and not just living a life of taking.
So the next time you see someone in need don’t be a miser. Don’t. You are hurting yourself because giving isn’t about you- it’s for you. Yes you are entitled to all the promises in God’s Word; and those promises are between you and God. It’s time to stop pushing your entitlement to others Christians in expectation that they were only created to serve you and that you were only created to receive. You are blocking blessings from moving forward in more ways you can imagine. And the next time you see the Muslims and the Athiests happy with will full accounts it may just be that they are blessed because they are obedient to God’s principles. It’s that simple. God’s principles apply to all and those that know that follow that. So give. Keep giving. And don’t stop. You are entitled after all if you are a Christian- to give. Give as Jesus did. And you will be blessed.
If you ready to turn your heart toward giving: give to Julie Blair Ministries. (www.julieblair.com) Julie Blair Ministries is a Faith Based Organization reaching 3 Billion a day sharing God’s Word and send Bibles to those in need and there is such a demand that without your giving it can’t be done. Know it’s good soil and the Word of the Lord is uncompromised.
If you attend a church in your local area; know that your tithe is a demonstration of your obedience to the Lord and that it isn’t about the amount you give but that you are giving. It’s ok if you give more than 10%. God won’t be upset. You will be blessed by the purity of your heart in your giving.
Watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ Monday-Friday at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork. To know Jesus visit www.julieblair.com
To change your mindset and experience Kingdom Living Join Dr. Julie for ‘Kingdom of God Seminar October 8th at 9am in Farmers Branch. Visit www.julieblair.com for more information.
Rest is one of the biggest tools to be used if understood properly. It is evidenced in today’s society that this is not the case as working 130 hours and sleeping in a cube while the norm for some; is truly not sustainable for any type of normal or quality of life. The weapon of rest on the other hand; will prove much more sustainable and even to greater lengths; if that rest is found in the Lord. For without Him there is no such thing.
When I understood the weapon of rest my life changed. It changed entirely because my strength in the Lord increased and my vanity decreased. When there is no rest in the Lord there is simply toil and vanity and all is vanity so says King Solomon. And so the question is what really is going on here in today’s society that it is so highly thought of to either work 130 or more hours per week or boast about that? What is the expected outcome other than tiredness and exhaustion; and loss of life. What is the ultimate goal of rising at 4am if not to spend time with the Lord? That too is vanity and chasing after the wind; and in the end what will you have to show for your chasing? What really will you have?
When we examine Genesis 2:3 we see it clearly that God rested for it is written: “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. (KJV) Understand that 1) God created everything and everything in everything, 2) God didn’t need to rest because He is God, 3) God created ‘rest’, 4) God does everything on purpose with purpose, 5) God doesn’t make mistakes.
When you understand that rest is one of the greatest weapons and how to rest in Him you won’t fall prey to the so called experts dying to prove something for a world that doesn’t care. You will recognize that a life resting in the Lord will bring more peace, more success; more solitude than any 100 hour work week at any time of the year. You will understand that success really isn’t what you always thought it to be but that in reality you were living in a warped world with a warped sense of accomplishment and identity and as such; you will need and find rest and be better for it.
The world loves to ostracize those who rest or rather those who don’t do what they are doing; comparable to those who write checks or use cash but let it be known that if God rested and created rest there is a reason. If you want to increase your hearing from the Lord simply stop. Rest. Listen.
When there is no rest there is not peace to the full. When there is no rest there is no ability to actually reflect on anything; how could there be because there is no time. The frantic hurried pace of accomplishing must go on! As a result the understanding of time and space in relation to anything is gone and for no reason. Without rest the here and now is simply nonexistent because there isn’t one because it too has passed. Without rest there is no growth; only a quicker death that can’t even be seen or experienced. And that is not a life God would want for anyone; not even you.
The weapon of rest is one of the most important weapons a Believer can have; of course in addition to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit; angels (not to worship) Bible etc. etc. and it’s when it’s understood how to use the weapon of rest in your own life everything will change. You will change.
The ways of the world are wicked and the days are marked with evil. There is no rest in any of it. The trap of the world is large; ready to catch if you don’t stop to see it. The world must toil because of the earth curse but brothers and sisters you do not have to. You do not have to live a life where you are simply existing to serve the wrong master; the one of death and disaster. You are called for something much higher. And if you do not stop and use the weapon that the Lord has already given you and follow what He did; you won’t have it or anything else to use for it will be too late. And in the end wouldn’t it be a shame to rise at 4am every day for nothing?
For more about growing in the Lord visit www.julieblair.com
Watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ Monday-Friday at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork.
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It’s a funny thing what people think of one another. If you are like them you are cool; but yet the minute you aren’t well; you just aren’t so cool. As if that matters right? Your level of coolness is based upon others- while theirs of course is not.
And so in these times if you are a Christian and one with a mouth; and one not afraid of standing up for the entire Bible there will be times when people will come against you. They may call you names and guess what? It doesn’t matter. It really doesn’t. Those words spoken over you ‘not’ Holy Spirit commanded are really just dead words. There is no life so don’t give any life to them. When the world labels you intolerant just rejoice. Rejoice in the Lord for that it means the world knows the Word you stand on!
Stand firm on God’s Word and know that it’s ok to be intolerant. Don’t tolerate sin. Don’t tolerate anything less than God’s full word because the moment you do; your life will be changed. We can look at the change from Adam and Eve when they tolerated disobedience and idol worship. We see what David lost the moment he fell to temptation.
You are the example for someone else and right now at this very moment an answer to a prayer someone else is praying. But if you are too scared of sharing Jesus and His message, too fearful of offending others in His name- then what example are you? If you are too shy then just remove that in the name of Jesus and ask Him to give you the words- and He will. All you have to do is ask. And then share. And finally; be not ashamed of following Jesus and speaking His Words- for no weapon formed against you can come to pass. God bless you brothers and sisters in the name of Jesus. For more about growing in Christ visit www.julieblair.com
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God is a God of justice as this is determined from Genesis to Revelation. God’s will is even identified in the United States form of government in the Declaration of Independence. As a result it is man’s right and duty to throw off a bad or corrupt government in that God requires those who are able to protect and rescue those that cannot so for themselves. So the question is are you perpetuating the fallacy of separation of church and state? Are you doing anything?And if not- why not?
King Solomon recognized that he had certain responsibilities because of who he was as king. It is written in Psalms: ‘Endow the king with your justice, Oh God, the royal son with your righteousness. He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor.” (Psa 72:1-4)
Today; it should be no different for any believer who is claiming to be a follower of Christ and walking in the authority thereof yet for some reason there is. Those who follow the lie of separation of church and state are obliging the enemy and as a result combat ineffective. We look to 1952 Supreme Court case of Zorach v Clauson for proper ruling and understanding of the law so that you make the choice in how you will advance God’s Kingdom appropriately to the full and with strength and not fear.
“The First Amendment, however, does not say that in every respect there shall be a separation of Church and State. Rather, it studiously defines the manner, the specific ways, in which there shall be no concert or union or dependency one on the other. That is the common sense o the matter. Otherwise the state and religion would be aliens to either other- hostile, suspicious, and even unfriendly…. Municipalities would not be permitted to render police or fire protection to religious groups. Policeman who helped parishioners into their place of worship would violate the Constitution. Prayers in our legislative halls, the appeals to the Almighty in the message of the Chief Executive; the proclamation making Thanksgiving Day a holiday; ‘so help me God’ in our courtroom oaths-these and all other references to the Almighty that run through our laws, our public rituals, our ceremonies, would be flouting the First Amendment. A fastidious athiest or agnostic could even object to the supplication with which the Court opens each session: ‘God save the United States and this Honorable Court’. We are a religious people and our institutions presuppose a Supreme Being… When the state encourages religious instructions or cooperates with religious authorities by adjusting the schedule of public events for sectarian needs, it follows the best of our traditions. For it then respects the religious nature of our people and accommodates the public service to their spiritual needs. The hold that it may not be would be to find in the Constitution a requirement that the government show a callous indifference to religious groups. This would be preferring those who believe in no religion over those who do believe…” (Zorach v Clauson 343 US 306 (1952)
Let it be known that staying silent in order to keep the so called peace, the donations or membership numbers; or simply live in a land of tolerance while everyone else is intolerant of you, your beliefs and very existence there will come a time when the blessings of the Lord will cease to exist in your life.
Luke 12:48 sums it up for clearly ‘From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (Jesus)
If these words from Jesus are too much then perhaps these particular words will prove more motivating: “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Mat 7:23)
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