Repentance is a funny thing people don’t like to hear or talk about; like taking trips to see the in-laws. The problem is that the problem doesn’t go away if you don’t address it. You can’t sweep something under the rug and think that there won’t eventually be a pile of stuff under the rug. So the question is what happens when you repent?
Your mind changes. When you recognize that God is the One who determines what sin is and isn’t and you make the choice to align your mind with God’s Word; then your life will change in the right direction. Everything begins in the mind and we can see as far back as Adam and Eve. They allowed their stinking thinking to cause the turmoil that we all are born into. Acts 3:19 gives us the clear directives and getting to the refreshing and it starts with ‘Repent’ and ‘seek forgiveness’ so that ‘times of refreshing’ may come. With no repentance there is no forgiveness or refreshing. Our country reflects right now absolutely no repentance of fear of God. A mind changed toward repentance can fix that.
Your heart changes. When you repent your heart will change and in ways that you can’t imagine. Your heart wasn’t created to carry the burden and sin and all the things not of God; it just wasn’t. Because your body cannot go where your mind hasn’t been; the heart change will come after the mind makes the choice. A softened heart is one that God can work with. Psalms 32 is a great example of when King David repented to the Lord for his affair with Bathsheba. If you read the scripture carefully you won’t find where King David repented to Bathsheba; but rather to the Lord and his heart was changed. When things aren’t right with the heart; nothing else is right.
Your life changes. And of course if you choose to not repent your life will change; just probably not in the way you would like. In the story of Hannah we see where she wanted a baby more than anything and it was once she let go of her bitterness that her life changed; God gave her a baby! Now; it would make sense with bitterness that she wasn’t able to get pregnant since bitterness causes brittle bones; yet her story is a great testimony of healing, restoration, blessings, miracles and generations born.
If you want to grow in Christ repent for the things you have done; and you probably know what those deep dark hidden things are. Don’t allow the shame, guilt, condemnation or remorse keep you backpeddling. Just go to Jesus and let it all out; repent, seek forgiveness and let those times of refreshing come. Do it while you still can as I am quite certain you won’t regret it.
Julie Blair is President of Julie Blair Ministries that helps people worldwide grow in Christ. To learn more about going deeper in Christ or to have Julie speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
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How often are you chasing after something and then when you actually get it; it’s not what you thought? Yeah I’ve done that. The degree would get me a better job, that spouse will just make you happy and complete. The new title will just be everything. Hmm mmm. And so the idol chase for the idols becomes a way of life without even realizing it. It’s when you realize that if the race you are running is in vain and you are putting it before Jesus Christ that your life will change; which makes sense since His Word tells us to have no other gods but Him but I digress. Fantasy football anyone?
When you examine your life have you allowed what you think something will bring to your life be what you chase? That idol that you never realized was? Will the new home bring you more? Of course- more space to clean and take care of but will it seriously bring you what you have created it to in your mind? Will you being married bring you what you are expecting? Or will you find that you created the idea so much in your mind when it comes to reality you are disappointed? Probably so. But you see if you remove the idolizing of it when it all comes it will be wonderful; it will be what it needs to be because it will have been placed in its proper place. And that is behind Jesus Christ.
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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When you think of freedom what comes to mind? Better paying job, kids off to college? New home? Better running vehicle? It seems our lives have become ‘when I get….’ there freedom will be. The sad truth is that it isn’t true. Freedom doesn’t come that way at all. Identifying the steps to free is the first step to freedom for freedom. It all comes through Christ.
Freedom can’t come in the way that most people seek and search. Cars, homes and titles won’t bring it. It can only come through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When freedom comes; you will never be the same!
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Today’s Scripture
Colossians 1:13-14 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
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Forgiveness Tip #25
Forgiveness opens your heart to love.
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Julie Blair is President of Julie Blair Ministries that helps people mature in Christ. To learn more about going deeper in Christ or to have Julie speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
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For more about growing in Christ visit www.julieblair.com
It’s so funny how smart we all think we are. I remember the days thinking I was oh so intelligent until I got the revelation that in my ignorance I was just racing to gain more ignorance. Go figure! What’s amazing though is how we can experience the ways of His wisdom when we just out of our intellectual ways. To truly have a God experience will require laying down your intellect. Experiencing the ways of His wisdom come through seeking Him.
I was reading Kings 3 about the word Elisha spoke and how the kings listened to the word from the prophet. What a lesson- listen to the prophet when he speaks! But then I saw something that only God could do-and that even in my amount of intellect I could not begin to 1) do what God has done, 2) think high enough to do what God has done and still continues to do.
So the question is: are you limiting God by your intelligence? Has your intellect gotten in the way of God’s wisdom and what He can do in you, to you and through you? Get out of the way and let God be God- and then witness, experience and share it. The kings did and the water was red. They experienced miracles only delivered by God. Aren’t you ready for that too?
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Today’s Scripture
Psalm 37:30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.
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Forgiveness Tip #23
Forgiveness and unforgiveness alike are both lifestyles; it’s just one is of life.
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Julie Blair is President of Julie Blair Ministries that helps people mature in Christ. To learn more about going deeper in Christ or to have Julie speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
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I remember years ago stepping out on faith and in big ways. I surely had no clue what I was doing; and still at times feel that way. Perhaps you do too. You want more yet don’t know how to get it. Increasing your faith and hearing from God is possible it’s a matter of you choosing to pursue it. It’s there- waiting just for you.
When you make the choice to step out know that nothing in your life will be the same. You will have experiences that most don’t or that some dream of yet never get serious about. You will be stretched in ways you couldn’t have imagined and to the limits you didn’t know existed. And God will be with you the entire way. You are not alone and that too was something I had no clue about. I was used to being alone so the idea of God actually being there was new. Now I get it and I pray that you too receive that you are not alone. Sure scripture tells us this in Deuteronomy and in the Psalms but reading it and receiving it are two very different things. It’s no different than knowing soda is bad and then not receiving the message and drinking too much. When you receive your life changes.
I share this today as one large testimony of how God worked in my life when I knew not much about Him, walking in faith, how to hear from Him or even what trust was like. The Lord carried me and I know He will you too should you get out of your way to allow Him too.
Remember these simple words: Talk to God. Step. Repeat. God will do the rest.
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Today’s Scripture
Hebrews 10:22 let us continue to come near with sincere hearts in the full assurance that faith provides, because our hearts have been sprinkled clean from a guilty conscience, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
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Forgiveness Tip #22
Forgiveness is an act of obedience that demonstrates love.
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Julie Blair is President of Julie Blair Ministries that helps people mature in Christ. To learn more about going deeper in Christ or to have Julie speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
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For more about growing in Christ visit www.julieblair.com
When you think of a king what comes to mind? Power? Pleasure? Title? Sure it’s all there but are all kings the same? Of course not. So what makes some better than others? Why does King David appear to get more accolades than some of the others? Where does King Solomon or Jehoshaphat fall into things? Or Jehu or Josiah? When we examine the commitment level of kings it’s clear. The question is what is your king’s level of commitment?
In the times that we are in it’s becoming more clear that those who are committed will be so and those who waver well; they may not waver much longer and those who don’t even get up certainly won’t stand up. Don’t fall into the trap of titles as we can clearly see that king isn’t the end all be all.
It’s time to be as committed more to Christ than to oh football, shopping, religion; facebook, gambling, gaming-or anything else that takes you away from being who God created you to be. Remember you are worth more as you are a Son of the King most high- and that counts for everything!
Be more than just a sometimes committed; be all the time committed. it’s better not only for you but for everyone around you- and will put you on the path to hearing ‘Well done My good and faithful servant.’
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Today’s Scripture
Deuteronomy 13:4, “You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.
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Forgiveness Tip #21
When there is forgiveness in your heart the river of love will flow through.
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Julie Blair is President of Julie Blair Ministries that helps people mature in Christ. To learn more about going deeper in Christ or to have Julie speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
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We all make decisions daily. Some are better than others do doubt. When it comes to making decisions who do you consult? Business partners? Spouse? Mentors? One step to enhanced decisions is rather simple. Seek the Lord first. By default; seeking the Lord first your decisions most likely will be different. We examine King Jehoshaphat and the lessons of seeking the Lord first and not doing so and the outcomes of such decisions.
King Jehoshaphat in 1 Kings 22 is known for his love of the Lord and how he stayed in the presence of the Lord and told other kings too that they should consult the Lord. No doubt that he is following the lineage of King David that he is from.
Through his seeking he was given great victory. He and his people sought the Lord before battle. They prayed, they worshipped; they won. it was like David and Goliath all over again. Victory in the house of the Lord! Wouldn’t you like to be that- the winner known for seeking the Lord? Or the one who sought the Lord and won. It’s one simple decision repeated for everything. Seek the Lord.
On the other side; Jehoshaphat also demonstrates what happens when you skip this step. Failure ensumes. We see this clearly in 2 Chronicls 35-37, ‘Later, Jehoshaphat king of Judah made an alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel, whose ways were wicked. He agreed with him to construct a fleet of trading ships. After these were built at Ezion Geber, Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made.” The ships were wrecked and were not able to set sail to trade.’ (NIV)
We can take this learning lesson t and get it quick so that we won’t fall into the trap of siding with the enemy; whether in business, marriage or just life in general. Making the wrong alliances always hurts in the end so be careful. Take the first lesson from the King and just consult Him first; for everything. You won’t ever regret it!
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Today’s Scripture
Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
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Forgiveness Tip #20
When you get entangled in wrong decisions repent and seek forgiveness so that times of refreshing may come.
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Julie Blair is President of Julie Blair Ministries that helps people mature in Christ. To learn more about going deeper in Christ or to have Julie speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
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How’s your faith? Seriously how is your faith? On a scale of 1-10 what would you say it is? You may say it’s ever changing and when we look at the widow with the oil in 1Kings we see hers too was flip floppy even though she experienced miraculous things in the presence of the Lord. How soon we forget His goodness. Measuring your measure of faith will help you stay not only in His presence but also remembering all the good He has done for you.
In examining the widow most focus on the never ending jugs of oil and water that God provided. I get it. I just started looking at the gaps in between that. You see; she was faithful- to a point. She followed what the prophet Elijah spoke to her as we see here in 1Kings 17:15 “She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.”
She followed and God worked it out. When we believe it’s amazing what happens isn’t it?
Now when we don’t believe we too see what occurs and how easy it is for the enemy to steal our thoughts. Let’s examine verse 17: ‘Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. 18 She said to Elijah, “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?” (NIV)
How quickly it was forgotten what she just experienced by the Lord. He just supplied for her and well; that was then right? How often has God supplied for you and you forgot?
How often have you witnessed God’s grace, goodness, mercy, miracles, signs, wonders and still missed it?
It wasn’t until the end after God revived her son that she got it. Imagine though if she got it the first time; would God have needed to take that step? Would Elijah have had to experience that as well? When we keep our eyes focused on the Lord with the amount of faith that is becoming of all of us it’s incredible what increase in every good area of our lives we will have to share with others.
So today; pray for an increase in measure of faith and then watch what God does- and then remember to share it with others so they too can grow in their measure.
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Today’s Scripture
1 John 5:5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
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Forgiveness Tip #19
When you forgive you are no longer tripping over the past but are moving from the present to your future.
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Julie Blair is President of Julie Blair Ministries that helps people mature in Christ. To learn more about going deeper in Christ or to have Julie speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
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King Solomon; oh the great wise king. When you hear the name that is what you think right? Wealth and wisdom; and then how can you too get it? While it’s good in nature there is a responsibility that comes with both and King Solomon demonstrates his turn away from God and all that he missed as a result. What King Solomon missed are great lessons for us to never forget.
We know that King Solomon missed the opportunity to speak holiness to Queen Sheba as it tells is in scripture that her spirit ‘left her’ and there is no evidence of her being filled with anything of the Lord.
We know that King Solomon turned his back to to the Lord and not only entered into marriages with hundreds of women but he also right in God’s face built alters for their dead god worship.
And if all that isn’t enough the king makes no mention of his father King David, has no surroundings of prophets of seers; basically no mention of the people that should be mentioned.
When we examine the final aspect for this series the last area of focus is that King Solomon had ample opportunity to serve the people. Did he? Did he celebrate passover? Did he properly prepare? Nope. In 2 Chronicles 35:18 it tells us, ‘The Passover had not been observed like this in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel; and none of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated such a Passover as did Josiah, with the priests, the Levites and all Judah and Israel who were there with the people of Jerusalem.’ Now King Solomon had the opportunity to serve the people and the Lord yet he didn’t. He just didn’t.
Instead King Solomon served himself and his women. And what a sad miserable life when you think about it. To have everything from the Lord through his father King David and to squander it for nothing. His life was against the Lord even thought ‘twice’ he had visitations from the Lord. And for what?
King Solomon missed out and really he missed it. He missed it entirely. Many people could barely dream of being a king and he was and truly proves that wisdom may be something to pray for but that if there is no application of it then what’s the point? You can have it all yet if you turn your back to the Lord then you have nothing. And is that worth it? To be so wise and wealthy and yet poor in spirit?
King Josiah went on to be known as one who kept the Passover and served 30,000 people unto the Lord. Isn’t that worth more than all the riches without Him?
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Today’s Scripture
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
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Forgiveness Tip #16
Forgiveness keeps you standing tall!
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Julie Blair is President of Julie Blair Ministries that helps people mature in Christ. To learn more about going deeper in Christ or to have Julie speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
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King Solomon was born into something most aren’t. Royalty. And with that royalty comes responsibility and expectations to live up to. Did the king meet those expectations? Or did he miss and miss it big time? Lost opportunities means everyone missed out. What King Solomon missed is clear; if you pay attention.
It isn’t being king; nor following in the footsteps of a father like David I would imagine. The funny thing is that when you have King David as a father there are many things to glean from; and some things to toss. What’s of interest is what King Solomon chose to glean and toss. For example:
1- King Solomon missed being in the presence of the Lord and instead chose to be in the presence of foreign women whom he took as wives. They led him astray and it doesn’t take much to turn to the left or right; King David proves this although King David repented while Solomon kept going further in the wrong direction.
2- King Solomon missed being around prophets and the seers and instead allowed his wives to create idols of worship to their fake, false gods- in Jerusalem I might add. Instead he chose 700 wives and 300 concubines; all foreigners going against God’s command. He surrounded himself by all the wrong people; are you doing the same?
3- King Solomon missed even talking about his father King David or truly following in his footsteps with being quick to repent. Remember that people talk about what is most important in their lives. What is most important in yours? You will reveal if you pay close attention.
The opportunity is there to be in the presence of the Lord; don’t miss it. Don’t miss the opportunity to surround yourself with those moving in the same direction as you. King Solomon reveals to us that you can have it all and yet still miss out big time. You don’t want to be in the same position of having wisdom and wealth; and miss God in the meantime. It’s not worth it. Time is running short and you don’t have to be a king by title to have it all; you just have to be aware.
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Today’s Scripture
Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
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Forgiveness Tip #16
Seeking forgiveness for not being in His presence will put you in His presence.
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Julie Blair is President of Julie Blair Ministries that helps people mature in Christ. To learn more about going deeper in Christ or to have Julie speak to your church or business visit www.julieblair.com
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