As a parent, let's say you come home with a bag full of toys; five toys for each of your children. You call them all in, tell them you have gifts for them then you stand back and watch as they eagerly select and play with them. However, one of your children doesn't take all of their toys; instead, they examine what the other kids have, become aware they don't have as many then get mad because their brothers and sisters have more.
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Are You Blessing to Be Blessed?
Many believers often administer the phrase, "we're blessed to be a blessing"; and while that's true, being a blessing always comes second. As children of God, we are first and foremost blessed because our Father loves us, and He loves to give good gifts to his children.
The Problem is Not the Toilet Paper Roll
You've had to use the bathroom for a while; in fact, you've been holding it painfully too long, waiting for your spouse to finish. After wearing a pattern in the carpet, you finally make it inside; squeezing as tightly as possible while you get in position, so as not to make a mess. You sit down, breathe a sigh of relief, close your eyes, and tilt your head back; thankful that your bladder no longer feels like it's holding a car. You're completely relieved and as you reach for the toilet paper...there are only three little squares dangling from the roll.
Why God Sometimes Won't Open or Close Doors
It's been said when God closes one door, He opens another. It's also been said when God closes a door, He opens a window. I get it; these are hope-giving declarations that encourage us to continue moving forward when it looks like things aren't in our favor. Though these statements are worldly; not scriptural, I can still appreciate the positive perspective.
Can You Go to Hell for These Things?
The answer is an emphatic NO; but let's talk about the "things" and expound with scripture. It's grieving that so many believers live in fear; but the pressures of living your life, thinking you can lose your salvation because of something you've done, becomes paralyzing.
The Challenge of Seeing Behind the Scenes
Over the past few years, the Lord has sent us to many places; homes, churches, and other establishments where the love of Christ was needed. Needless to say; it wasn't always a gentle and tender hug fest. Sometimes, the Lord admonishes with rebuke, which isn't regularly received without distain. I've been there, so I understand, but that doesn't make it any easier. One consistent truth about the Lord is that He loves people, and He will go out of His way in an attempt to rescue them.
Can You Have Victory in Forfeit?
In Baseball; a game is forfeited when the opposing team is no longer able to play. In Basketball; a game is forfeited if the opposing team doesn't show up within 15 minutes, actions prevent the game from being played or they refuse to play after being instructed to do so by the referee. In Football; a game is forfeited when a team cannot field the minimum number of players required. In card games or board games; a forfeit occurs when the opponent simply quits. By definition, can we really say in these instances, there was a true victory?
What Does it Mean to "Judge Not"?
I'm sure you're familiar with the popular-made-comical, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."
What is Faith without Works?
The Lord has been speaking to me heavily about "Faith without works is dead" in James 2; and how He wants His children to have the full assurance of understanding (Colossians 2:2) about the works He is referring to. Society deems works as things like putting in a lot of hours on the job, setting goals and striving to reach them, pounding the pavement to achieve one's dreams or even doing "good deeds". While those may be practical steps involved, believers should understand that the world's idea of working hard is not the Lord's ways.
Victory is Available, but It's Not a Given
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is still being debated. This message isn't to debate; as some will receive and some won't, but my prayer is that it will shed some light on the importance of this free gift God has for His children. For those of you who WILL receive it; your lives will be radically changed for the best!
Paul's Thorn in the Flesh was Not Sickness
I can hear the wheels spinning already. Your mind is screaming, "Sickness! It's sickness! It has to be sickness!" This is the scripture verbatim, in 2 Corinthians 12:7, "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure."
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