 • Remember • Reminders Are For Our Benefit • A Holy Week Of Consecration It is important that we reflect on and remember the time when GOD’s people were once slaves in Egypt (Deuteronomy 16:12). Why is this important? Because just as it was important for the Israelites, it is important for us today to remember the time GOD’s people spent in bondage under the Egyptian regime, what that time was like for them, and who liberated them from it (Deuteronomy 15:15). REMINDERS ARE FOR OUR BENEFIT 1 Corinthians 10:11 reads, “Now these things happened to them as an example and warning (to us); they were written for our instruction (to admonish and equip us), upon whom the ends of the ages have come." We see the importance remembrance plays in our lives. This is why it is emphasized so often in the scriptures. The scriptures were written in such a way to help us recall events that occurred in places like Egypt, which later led to holy celebrations such as Sukkot. A HOLY WEEK OF CONSECRATION This week is a holy week that we need to consecrate to the LORD. Our focus needs to be completely on HIM by remembering what HE has brought us out of. Did HE free you from addiction, a self-destructive lifestyle, a bad relationship, financial difficulties, prison, a death sentence, etc.? Whatever it is, like the Israelites who once found themselves in bondage under Egyptian rule, we need to reflect on their time there as well as our personal time in bondage, and recall what GOD did not only for the Israelites to redeem them, but also what HE has done for us personally to free us from our own bondage.
Let this be our focus for the next three days leading up to the Holy Day celebration of Sukkot (October 16-23).
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persecution is coming In ministry comes a heavy mission and responsibility. We, as disciples of Christ, cannot be naïve. As ministers of Christ, we will all face some form of persecution as the end of this age draws near. In fulfilling our commission, we are certain to encounter rejection and division. Yet, Jesus will give us the strength, wisdom, and even the words we may need to speak whenever we are faced with any form of opposition to the gospel, if we trust Him. That is the key. We must trust everything Jesus has said to us in the Holy Scriptures concerning what He has promised to do when we experience persecution. In this season, it is essential that we are not cynical concerning our ministry, for such a mentality will not help us endure the things that will come. For Christ has sent us out as sheep in the midst of wolves (Matthew 10:16). Jesus understood that His disciples would have a hard road before them—that they would suffer as He did. Hence, He said, “A student is not greater than his teacher. A servant is not above his master” (Matthew 10:24-25). Therefore, the student will share in his teacher’s fate. A student of Christ should not only expect persecution but be prepared for it. They should be able to bear through it and continue their Kingdom work in the midst of persecution. ravenous wolvesIn our society, wicked men are likened to wolves. Their goal is to conquer, devour, and destroy (John 10:10). God's people are easy prey among them because they are like sheep among wolves. Although the trials they will face will be frightening, they can rest assured that Christ will be with them to comfort, protect, and help His disciples bear whatever comes their way. be preparedPart of helping them to be prepared is Christ telling His disciples what they should expect to experience.
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| “To me, he (Jesus) is faceless. But when I saw the normal picture of the public, I accepted cause to me all I ever knew was a spirit, a feeling of calm when I prayed for help. And normally it came. So, I said, whatever rocks whomever’s boat. LOL. I thought maybe an Arabic?” |
Before I get into the answer I shared with my Bible student, let me explain what led to this conversation about Jesus’ appearance.
our discussion
This student texted me a picture of three young girls on the street, at a restaurant, drinking coffee. The instructions on the picture said, “Close your eyes and then barely open them.” So, I did. And when I did, the image showed a depiction of Jesus. Well, what most people think he looks like.
So, I responded in awe and then said, “You know, that’s not what Jesus looked like.” That statement led to her comment above. To which I responded, “… The Bible does describe what he looks like. And it's not some European white man, nor a black man either.” She responded that Jesus was probably an Arabic. To which I said, “Not exactly, but close. He was a Jew, a Hebrew.”
She then said, “Oh, that is right – a Jew!” Then she asked, “Do you know where the Bible describes him? On The Chosen, he doesn’t look Jewish to me.” This question brings us to today’s post.
Since this is not the first time I’ve had this type of conversation while informal witnessing to a person. I thought it would be a good idea to put this topic in written form to share with you – my readers. But mainly because I have had this kind of discussion with other Bible students in the past with whom I either did not do a good job explaining at the time. Or, I failed or did not have an opportunity to explain or answer their inquiry. So, I want to use this time to correct that so I can forward this post to other Bible students.
So, I responded in awe and then said, “You know, that’s not what Jesus looked like.” That statement led to her comment above. To which I responded, “… The Bible does describe what he looks like. And it's not some European white man, nor a black man either.” She responded that Jesus was probably an Arabic. To which I said, “Not exactly, but close. He was a Jew, a Hebrew.”
She then said, “Oh, that is right – a Jew!” Then she asked, “Do you know where the Bible describes him? On The Chosen, he doesn’t look Jewish to me.” This question brings us to today’s post.
Since this is not the first time I’ve had this type of conversation while informal witnessing to a person. I thought it would be a good idea to put this topic in written form to share with you – my readers. But mainly because I have had this kind of discussion with other Bible students in the past with whom I either did not do a good job explaining at the time. Or, I failed or did not have an opportunity to explain or answer their inquiry. So, I want to use this time to correct that so I can forward this post to other Bible students.
Jesus appearance
First, we have to be mindful that the Bible never described Jesus’ features like his height, weight, skin tone, eye color, or hair color. Yet, prophets like Isaiah did provide us with some insight into Jesus' physical appearance. See Isaiah 53:2. I would love to discuss this verse further, but this verse will require a separate lesson to explain it, which I don’t have the time to do so in this specific post. So let’s move on for now. However, feel free to research this verse for yourself.
As we know, in Western art, Jesus is the most commonly painted image. But the Western culture has always depicted Jesus as a bearded, fair-skinned man with long, wavy, light brown or blond hair with blue eyes. And yet, the Bible does not describe Jesus in this way.
So, what does the Bible reveal about Jesus’ features? Can we recreate an accurate depiction of Jesus' features from the scriptures? No, but we can come very close from what the Bible provides.
As we know, in Western art, Jesus is the most commonly painted image. But the Western culture has always depicted Jesus as a bearded, fair-skinned man with long, wavy, light brown or blond hair with blue eyes. And yet, the Bible does not describe Jesus in this way.
So, what does the Bible reveal about Jesus’ features? Can we recreate an accurate depiction of Jesus' features from the scriptures? No, but we can come very close from what the Bible provides.
jesus nationality
We know that Jesus was of Jewish (Hebrew) descent. He was born in Bethlehem but raised in a town called Nazareth in Galilee. In Revelation chapter 1, verses 9 through 20, in the New King James Version, the subtitle is ‘Vision of the Son of Man.’ Now, we won’t read it all. Instead, we will focus on verses 14 through 15. (Also, read Matthew 17:2).
| His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and his voice as the sound of many waters. |
Now, what we have to be mindful of here is this depiction of Jesus given to Apostle John, which appeared to be an out-of-body experience. This description John sees of Jesus in verses 13 through 15 is a symbolic description [constituting a symbol or representation (which is a likeness or image of)]. So, when John described Jesus as having “… head and hair were white wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like flame of fire,” these were symbolic descriptions of Jesus as eternity, wisdom, and omniscience.
This depicts Jesus’ attributes and not necessarily his physical features. Therefore, what John was actually seeing and understanding about Jesus was the following.
This depicts Jesus’ attributes and not necessarily his physical features. Therefore, what John was actually seeing and understanding about Jesus was the following.
1. Jesus is eternity – infinite time. He has no end. Hence, verse 11 says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last….”
2. He is wisdom. This is a wisdom that goes beyond intelligence or knowledge. But this is supreme intelligence. The kind of intelligence that belongs to GOD – something that man lacks.
3. Omniscience or omniscient – his state of being. Jesus possesses universal or complete knowledge. He is not lacking in anything. He is the eternal god that is all-knowing in that he knows everything. His knowledge and understanding in infinitely in that man cannot compete with or exceed or even obtain or grasp.
2. He is wisdom. This is a wisdom that goes beyond intelligence or knowledge. But this is supreme intelligence. The kind of intelligence that belongs to GOD – something that man lacks.
3. Omniscience or omniscient – his state of being. Jesus possesses universal or complete knowledge. He is not lacking in anything. He is the eternal god that is all-knowing in that he knows everything. His knowledge and understanding in infinitely in that man cannot compete with or exceed or even obtain or grasp.
So, what we read at Revelation 1:14 is not a physical description of what Jesus looks like but a mere descriptive term describing his attributes so that mere man can comprehend the presence of their Savior.
The description we have of Jesus today is heavily influenced by Greek and Roman gods – particularly the Greek god Zeus. So, how do we know from the Scriptures what Jesus looked like? Go back to Revelation chapter 1, verses 12 through 16, John describes Jesus’ hair, eyes, feet, voice, and face, which is all symbolism. John provides a spiritual depiction of Jesus and not an actual physical description of his features – ethnicity or nationality.
Other descriptions we have of Jesus can be found at John 1:14.
The description we have of Jesus today is heavily influenced by Greek and Roman gods – particularly the Greek god Zeus. So, how do we know from the Scriptures what Jesus looked like? Go back to Revelation chapter 1, verses 12 through 16, John describes Jesus’ hair, eyes, feet, voice, and face, which is all symbolism. John provides a spiritual depiction of Jesus and not an actual physical description of his features – ethnicity or nationality.
Other descriptions we have of Jesus can be found at John 1:14.
| And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…. |
So, when we take into account at Luke chapter 2, verses 1 through 20. Well, let’s explore that text.
We know that Caesar Augustus passed an edict requiring all to fulfill a census by registering to his own city. So, Joseph, Jesus’ earthy father, went from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to Bethlehem to register his family. At that time, Mary, Joseph’s wife, was pregnant with their first child, Jesus (the Son of GOD). While in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to Jesus.
We know from historical records that Mary, Jesus’ mother, ethnicity (cultural characteristics that define people who belong to specific groups) and nationality (the legal perception of belonging to a specific nation – citizenship). She was of Jewish descent. Mary, as well as her husband, Joseph, were from the northern area of Galilee in Nazareth. Joseph’s house and lineage were of King David (Luke 2:4-5). We see this in the book of Matthew where he traces Jesus’ ancestry from Abraham through King David (Matthew 1:1-17). However, at Luke chapter 3, verses 23 through 38, his lineage is traced from Adam to GOD (Mary’s lineage). Therefore, when considering Abraham’s background, we know he was a Hebrew – “… Abram the Hebrew….” (Genesis 14:13). Jacob was an Israelite [same as a Jew (Genesis 35:10)]. One of Jacob’s sons is directly connected to the Messiah through Judah, which are of Jewish descent – descendants called Judeans, later called Jews.
Therefore, to get a close depicture of what Jesus looked like, we have to take into consideration the ethnicity, of his mother Mary. So, when considering all of this, we know, Jesus was born, lived, and died as a Jew. So, if we want to know what Jesus possibly looked like, all we have to do is turn to the Jewish community, in the region in which Jesus was born and raised. But even when doing so, we have to be mindful, that this will only give us a basic description of Jesus. For he was an average-looking man whose appearance didn’t stand out uniquely. In the scripture, it does not describe Jesus in modern superficial terms in an attempt to categorize his appearance. This was not important from GOD’s perspective. Jesus was just a regular, normal person of Jewish descent. It is as simple as that.
We know that Caesar Augustus passed an edict requiring all to fulfill a census by registering to his own city. So, Joseph, Jesus’ earthy father, went from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to Bethlehem to register his family. At that time, Mary, Joseph’s wife, was pregnant with their first child, Jesus (the Son of GOD). While in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to Jesus.
We know from historical records that Mary, Jesus’ mother, ethnicity (cultural characteristics that define people who belong to specific groups) and nationality (the legal perception of belonging to a specific nation – citizenship). She was of Jewish descent. Mary, as well as her husband, Joseph, were from the northern area of Galilee in Nazareth. Joseph’s house and lineage were of King David (Luke 2:4-5). We see this in the book of Matthew where he traces Jesus’ ancestry from Abraham through King David (Matthew 1:1-17). However, at Luke chapter 3, verses 23 through 38, his lineage is traced from Adam to GOD (Mary’s lineage). Therefore, when considering Abraham’s background, we know he was a Hebrew – “… Abram the Hebrew….” (Genesis 14:13). Jacob was an Israelite [same as a Jew (Genesis 35:10)]. One of Jacob’s sons is directly connected to the Messiah through Judah, which are of Jewish descent – descendants called Judeans, later called Jews.
Therefore, to get a close depicture of what Jesus looked like, we have to take into consideration the ethnicity, of his mother Mary. So, when considering all of this, we know, Jesus was born, lived, and died as a Jew. So, if we want to know what Jesus possibly looked like, all we have to do is turn to the Jewish community, in the region in which Jesus was born and raised. But even when doing so, we have to be mindful, that this will only give us a basic description of Jesus. For he was an average-looking man whose appearance didn’t stand out uniquely. In the scripture, it does not describe Jesus in modern superficial terms in an attempt to categorize his appearance. This was not important from GOD’s perspective. Jesus was just a regular, normal person of Jewish descent. It is as simple as that.
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I sat on this word for a few days because I wanted to make sure this was something GOD wanted me to release. With that being said, here we go.
Let me point something out about myself that most of you don’t know. I am the kind of person who likes to encourage, build up, and push people toward their purpose, their gift, their calling in GOD. I love to celebrate people regardless of what venture or avenue they choose, especially if, there’s a passion and that’s what a person is called to do. Therefore, I am not the kind of person who wants to shoot something down or be negative. I desire to give constructive criticism that is honest and positive.
The point is, that I love to encourage and edify individuals. It is my high, a pleasure for me to do so. But at times, I notice things that rattle my cage and leave me feeling perplexed and troubled. So, I want to address today in my blog post, this phrase, GOD IS DOPE.
popular t-shirt design
I have to be honest. Whenever I come across this t-shirt design, GOD IS DOPE, my spirit becomes very grieved. For a long time, I didn’t know why this t-shirt design upset me so, until on Monday, March 4, at 1:00 a.m.
I woke up in the middle of the night and this phrase immediately came to mind and my spirit was irritated at just the thought of it. So, I finally decided to do a word study on this word ‘DOPE,’ and this is what I learned.
I woke up in the middle of the night and this phrase immediately came to mind and my spirit was irritated at just the thought of it. So, I finally decided to do a word study on this word ‘DOPE,’ and this is what I learned.
etymology of dope
Now, let me start by saying that I get what the designer of this t-shirt is trying to say. But we as Christians have to be mindful that we cannot allow our culture – its practices, attitudes, behaviors, or language, to influence the way we act, communicate, or speak. We as Christians are supposed to influence our culture, not the other way around. And yet, today, our culture is doing just that. Influencing the way Christians think, act, communicate, and speak. Take, for example, our language. Whenever our culture describes anything as ‘good,’ it will say, ‘that’s bad.’ And when it describes something awesome, it will declare, ‘that is wicked.’
When we adapt to and adopt such dramatic changes in our communication style and then try to attach this type of lango to GOD, it misrepresents the pure meaning of our language, while causing much confusion, and distorts the image of a holy and righteous GOD. Case in point, the phrase GOD IS DOPE.
When you do a word study of its origin, you will learn that DOPE has a very diverse and interesting background. Like many words, it takes on many different meanings. Before we get into its slang use which is more widely acceptable today, let’s look at its true meaning.
Dope comes from the Dutch word doop, which means thick sauce during the early 1800s. But by the 1850s, this word starts to transcend from meaning a thick sauce to becoming a verbal insult. For instance, if someone called you dope, it meant that you were a stupid person. I think y’all see where I am going with this but let’s keep going.
By the 1900s and 2000s, the word transformed again and took on a new meaning. During this time frame, dope was attached to drugs like morphine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. But it wasn’t until the 1980s that it took on the meaning that we know it today. In the 1980s, hip-hop rap artists like OG Busy Bee and Grandmaster Flash forever changed the meaning of dope from its negative connotation into a positive one. They single-handedly change its meaning from something that wasn’t good to mean ‘excellent.’ From there, it was quickly adopted into the mainstream culture, infusing itself into every sphere, including the Christian community. For instance, dope came to mean ‘good news,’ or when a skateboarder landed a sick trick, or a basketball player performed some monster dump, or a nice sports car, etc. The use of this word is endless but very misleading.
So, let’s take this further, which I am sure some probably will take offense to what I am about to say next and not agree with my point of view. But when considering the word DOPE and making it an artwork on a t-shirt to describe our Creator, we are coming into agreement with society’s description of not only what the word means from our cultural perspective, but we are labeling GOD with that same description. This is what we are saying about our GOD through that particular t-shirt design.
GOD IS STUPID, EXCELLENT, A DOPE DEALING, DRUG HEAD.
So, on one hand, we are saying GOD is awesome. But then, on the other hand, we are saying HE is a drug dealer who believes anything goes. Do you see the confusion it can cause when marketing such a message as GOD IS DOPE? The mixed message we are conveying about GOD when we don’t give careful consideration to the message we display about the GOD we serve. Also, we have to ask ourselves, what message is this conveying about the Body of Christ as a whole, who is MADE IN GOD’S IMAGE? Are we too stupid, excellent, dope-dealing, drug heads?
As designers, we need to be careful about how we create artwork when portraying a holy and righteous GOD. At the same time, buyers, practically Christian consumers, need to be wise in their purchases.
I can go deeper and further this viewpoint but my goal is not to damage anyone’s reputation, gifts, or creative process. But we must bring to light whenever our creative work expresses a mixed message that doesn’t adequately represent our GOD. Because GOD certainly is not DOPE. HE is good, righteous, holy, merciful, gracious, immutable, omnipotent, perfect, love, faithful, etc.
When we adapt to and adopt such dramatic changes in our communication style and then try to attach this type of lango to GOD, it misrepresents the pure meaning of our language, while causing much confusion, and distorts the image of a holy and righteous GOD. Case in point, the phrase GOD IS DOPE.
When you do a word study of its origin, you will learn that DOPE has a very diverse and interesting background. Like many words, it takes on many different meanings. Before we get into its slang use which is more widely acceptable today, let’s look at its true meaning.
Dope comes from the Dutch word doop, which means thick sauce during the early 1800s. But by the 1850s, this word starts to transcend from meaning a thick sauce to becoming a verbal insult. For instance, if someone called you dope, it meant that you were a stupid person. I think y’all see where I am going with this but let’s keep going.
By the 1900s and 2000s, the word transformed again and took on a new meaning. During this time frame, dope was attached to drugs like morphine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. But it wasn’t until the 1980s that it took on the meaning that we know it today. In the 1980s, hip-hop rap artists like OG Busy Bee and Grandmaster Flash forever changed the meaning of dope from its negative connotation into a positive one. They single-handedly change its meaning from something that wasn’t good to mean ‘excellent.’ From there, it was quickly adopted into the mainstream culture, infusing itself into every sphere, including the Christian community. For instance, dope came to mean ‘good news,’ or when a skateboarder landed a sick trick, or a basketball player performed some monster dump, or a nice sports car, etc. The use of this word is endless but very misleading.
So, let’s take this further, which I am sure some probably will take offense to what I am about to say next and not agree with my point of view. But when considering the word DOPE and making it an artwork on a t-shirt to describe our Creator, we are coming into agreement with society’s description of not only what the word means from our cultural perspective, but we are labeling GOD with that same description. This is what we are saying about our GOD through that particular t-shirt design.
GOD IS STUPID, EXCELLENT, A DOPE DEALING, DRUG HEAD.
So, on one hand, we are saying GOD is awesome. But then, on the other hand, we are saying HE is a drug dealer who believes anything goes. Do you see the confusion it can cause when marketing such a message as GOD IS DOPE? The mixed message we are conveying about GOD when we don’t give careful consideration to the message we display about the GOD we serve. Also, we have to ask ourselves, what message is this conveying about the Body of Christ as a whole, who is MADE IN GOD’S IMAGE? Are we too stupid, excellent, dope-dealing, drug heads?
As designers, we need to be careful about how we create artwork when portraying a holy and righteous GOD. At the same time, buyers, practically Christian consumers, need to be wise in their purchases.
I can go deeper and further this viewpoint but my goal is not to damage anyone’s reputation, gifts, or creative process. But we must bring to light whenever our creative work expresses a mixed message that doesn’t adequately represent our GOD. Because GOD certainly is not DOPE. HE is good, righteous, holy, merciful, gracious, immutable, omnipotent, perfect, love, faithful, etc.
Photo CR: Samluce
A very important message to the Body of Christ from HIS apostle.
So, all the leaders and King Herod who sought to have Jesus killed were dead. See Matthew chapter 2, verses 19 and 20.
So, all the leaders and King Herod who sought to have Jesus killed were dead. See Matthew chapter 2, verses 19 and 20.
Verse 19 – Now King Herod was dead
Verse 20 – The angel of the LORD spoke to Joseph, who was in Egypt with his family, and told him, “… those who sought the young child’s life are dead….”
Verse 20 – The angel of the LORD spoke to Joseph, who was in Egypt with his family, and told him, “… those who sought the young child’s life are dead….”
Recall, at Matthew chapter 2, verse 13, an angel of the LORD appeared to Joseph, Jesus’ father, in a dream and instructed Joseph to take his son, and his wife, Mary, and flee to Egypt. This was a divine instruction and protection GOD gave to Joseph that I discussed in my January 2 YouTube post – Divine Instruction, Provision, and Protection. To watch, click here.
Within the divine instructions that the angel of the LORD gave to Joseph, there was an additional set of directions. The angel of the LORD also said to Joseph, “… stay there (in Egypt) until I bring you word…” (Matthew 2:13). Therefore, it was extremely important that Joseph remain in Egypt until he heard from the angel of the LORD once again.
Within the divine instructions that the angel of the LORD gave to Joseph, there was an additional set of directions. The angel of the LORD also said to Joseph, “… stay there (in Egypt) until I bring you word…” (Matthew 2:13). Therefore, it was extremely important that Joseph remain in Egypt until he heard from the angel of the LORD once again.
what lesson can Joseph’s situation teach us today
There is a great lesson in Joseph’s story for us today. As we observe our surroundings today, everywhere we turn, the world around us is becoming extremely corrupted and dark. Matthew 24:12 explains it this way.
| “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold” (NIV). The NLT says, “Sin will be rampant everywhere….” |
We see the above becoming a reality, as we consider the increase in lawlessness when a state or region has reached its fullness in corruption and evil, as we have noticed in such states as California and New York City. When the laws of the land no longer benefit nor help to improve the lives of their citizens, the heads of households must contemplate whether to stay or relocate his or her family to another region. We don’t want to overlook the factor that Joseph found himself in a similar situation concerning the welfare of his family. He had to choose to stay, to go, and if he goes, when and where.
Decisions like these should not be made without the divine direction of GOD. This is so important. Why? Remember the case of Elimelech’s family who was dwelling in the land of Bethlehem, Judah. A famine came and struck the entire land. So, without consulting thy LORD thy GOD, Elimelech decides to flee from his region and relocate his family to the region of Moab, in hopes of finding better resources and provisions for his family there (Ruth 1:1-2). What became of Elimelech’s family’s fate due to his untimely decision? Ruth chapter 1, verses 3, 5, 13, 20, and 21 explains.
Decisions like these should not be made without the divine direction of GOD. This is so important. Why? Remember the case of Elimelech’s family who was dwelling in the land of Bethlehem, Judah. A famine came and struck the entire land. So, without consulting thy LORD thy GOD, Elimelech decides to flee from his region and relocate his family to the region of Moab, in hopes of finding better resources and provisions for his family there (Ruth 1:1-2). What became of Elimelech’s family’s fate due to his untimely decision? Ruth chapter 1, verses 3, 5, 13, 20, and 21 explains.
| Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons…. Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband…." She said, "… It grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me! … Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” |
We see in these verses what can happen to a family’s livelihood when the heads of a household do not wait on the divine instructions from the LORD. Elimelech did not wait for directions from GOD concerning how best to deal with the famine that was in his land. Instead, he took it upon himself to relocate his family to a land that seemed to him to be more prosperous. The results?
| Verse 3 – Elimelech experienced an untimely death in the land where he relocated his family. Verse 5 – Then later, both of his sons, Mahlon and Chilion die, leaving the women alone to fend for themselves. Verse 13 – These losses were so great to Naomi, the wife of Elimelech, that she became depressed. She said to her two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, “… It grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me!” Verses 20-21 – Upon returning home to Bethlehem, she said to family and friends. “… Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” |
Now, let’s compare Elimelech’s family’s outcome to Isaac’s. In Genesis chapter 26, we see a famine struck the land in which Isaac, the son of Abraham, was residing. Isaac was faced with the same circumstances as Elimelech – to go or to stay and if he went, where. But noticed an angel interfered in the plans of Isaac and provided him divine instructions. “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you. Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you…” (Genesis 26:2-3).
Did you see that? Don’t miss what just took place! GOD provided Isaac with divine instructions that came with divine protection, which led to divine provisions for him if he followed the divine plans of the LORD for his life. As a result, Isaac decides to stay in the land.
Now, despite there being a famine in the land, noticed how GOD kept HIS promise to Isaac. Starting with verse 12 to verse 14.
Did you see that? Don’t miss what just took place! GOD provided Isaac with divine instructions that came with divine protection, which led to divine provisions for him if he followed the divine plans of the LORD for his life. As a result, Isaac decides to stay in the land.
Now, despite there being a famine in the land, noticed how GOD kept HIS promise to Isaac. Starting with verse 12 to verse 14.
| Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed him. The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous; for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great number of servants…. |
Isaac and his family prosper during a time of famine because Isaac, as the head of his household, chose to follow the divine plans of the LORD. Therefore, Isaac and his family did not suffer the same fate as Elimelech and his family.
This is a lesson we need to take to heart today as servants of the Most High GOD.
This is a lesson we need to take to heart today as servants of the Most High GOD.
how did it end for joseph
So, let’s now turn our attention back to Joseph's situation. As we recall, the men who sought to have Jesus killed were all dead (Matthew 2:19-20). So, the same angel of the LORD who divinely instructed Joseph in a dream to relocate to Egypt from Bethlehem returns to Joseph in another dream with new divine instructions. He instructs Joseph to take his family and move to the land of Israel (verse 20). As Joseph contemplates the angel’s instructions, Joseph is aware of the problems that occurred in Judea.
| SIDEBAR: After the death of King Herod I, his rulership was divided up among his three sons – Archelaus, Antipas, and Philip. Initially, King Herod assigned his youngest son, Antipas as his successor. But upon his death bed, he changed it to his son Archelaus, to which, his brothers challenged their father’s change to Caesar Augustus. Caesar divided the region among the brothers, which left Archelaus overseeing 3 areas – Samaria, Judea, and Idumea (non-Jewish regions). Over time, Archelaus loses favor with the Jewish people during an uprise situation when Archelaus’ men lose control over a Jewish gathering during a Passover event. Some Jews rose up and stoned some of Archelaus’ men who were there for crowd control. [(Is this starting to sound somewhat familiar to the so-called January 6 insurrection attack on the Capital?) “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9)]. In response to this insurrection, Archelaus sent his entire army to regain control over the crowd, which resulted in 3,000 Jews being massacred. This triggered a delegation to form to plead to Caesar Augustus to have Archelaus removed. Once Archelaus learned of the delegation's actions, he retaliated by having the men of the delegation tracked down and killed along with their families. |
Joseph was aware of such atrocities that occurred under Archelaus’ rulership. So as he contemplated the angel of the LORD’s instructions to relocate his family to Israel. He knew if he moved his family to Judea, and if Archelaus became aware of Jesus as the next king of the Jews, whom his father, Herod I, was unsuccessful in killing, it might put Jesus’ life at risk. So he decided instead of going to Judea to relocate his family to the region of Galilee and establish his family in Nazarene. This act by Joseph kept him and his family aligned with GOD’s divine plans for him and his family. Furthermore, Joseph was able to fulfill the words spoken by GOD’s prophets years prior, in which they proclaimed that Jesus would be called a Nazarene (Matthew 2:23; compare to Isaiah 11:1; Zechariah 6:12).
our lesson today
The lesson we can learn from these events and the decisions made by Elimelech, Isaac, and Joseph concerning the welfare of their families is that it is important to look to GOD for all instructions and direction on behalf of our family before choosing to uproot our family from any region. For our divine protection and divine provisions (HIS blessings) will only be provided by GOD, IF we are in the divine place that GOD has called us.
other resources
Stay Series by Felicia Crawford Ministry. To watch, click the picture below.
This was the word of the LORD spoke to me. “Read my word and read it clear. May it enter your ears and it gives you insight and understanding,” says the LORD.
So, this is what the word of the LORD said at Ezra chapter 4, starting with verse 1.
So, this is what the word of the LORD said at Ezra chapter 4, starting with verse 1.
| Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the descendants of the captivity were building the temple of the LORD God of Israel, they came to Zerubbabel and the heads of the fathers’ houses, and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do; and we have sacrificed to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.” |
Now, you must ask yourself. How did these men become aware of Zerubbabel’s building plan? And why did they wait until Zerubbabel had all the materials, resources, and finances needed to THEN want to be a part of the plans of the LORD was doing through Zerubbabel?
You see, there will be those speculators who will sit back and watch you work hard in your grassroots stage. They will watch you attempt to grow networks with different folks, see your challenges in raising funds, and observe you struggling to promote and market your product or service. They will watch you rise and fall and not lift a finger or a voice to advocate or aid in supporting your efforts or struggles – the infancy and challenging years of your building plans. But the very moment when everything comes together. When you ascertain all the money you need, the fanfare has arrived in all its glory, and all the materials and resources you can dream of have finally come. Then the BOTTOM FEEDERS arrive in their flame of glory, riding their white horse offering to help while declaring we are one and the same – “… we seek your God…,” we too sacrifice to the same GOD.
You see, there will be those speculators who will sit back and watch you work hard in your grassroots stage. They will watch you attempt to grow networks with different folks, see your challenges in raising funds, and observe you struggling to promote and market your product or service. They will watch you rise and fall and not lift a finger or a voice to advocate or aid in supporting your efforts or struggles – the infancy and challenging years of your building plans. But the very moment when everything comes together. When you ascertain all the money you need, the fanfare has arrived in all its glory, and all the materials and resources you can dream of have finally come. Then the BOTTOM FEEDERS arrive in their flame of glory, riding their white horse offering to help while declaring we are one and the same – “… we seek your God…,” we too sacrifice to the same GOD.
how should you respond
But noticed Zerubbabel’s response to these men – these late arrivals in GOD’s plans through Zerubbabel. “But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the fathers’ houses of Israel said to them, “You may do nothing with us to build a house for our God; but we alone will build to the LORD God of Israel…” (Ezra 4:3).
You see, most do not want to be a part of your growth and process until you have everything you need to finish the work you were called to do. Yet, they were present the entire time as a speculator only. At least not until they can see your work has definitely not failed. They will not move, advocate, lift a finger, or help to promote you until everything that needs to be done in the grassroots stage has been done. Then they will come running, acting as if they have been supportive cast members all along, while asking to join your building project. Then once you deny them access, they become offended and then make every effort to impede the work you were called to do just as they did in the case of Zerubbabel. The scripture reads “Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose…” (Ezra 4:4-5).
Wow! The deceptive works of man.
But these men just didn’t stop there. They went as far as writing a letter to the highest office of the law and made unfounded and untruthful accusations against the building work, Zerubbabel, and the land. They made such claims that Zerubbabel’s building project was rebellious and evil. That once his work is done, he will not pay taxes or tributes that are due. What Zerubbabel and his men were doing would be harmful to the king’s provinces and it would lead to a sedition. Then they declared that it would be in the best interest of the king to cease their work because it would benefit no one.
You see, most do not want to be a part of your growth and process until you have everything you need to finish the work you were called to do. Yet, they were present the entire time as a speculator only. At least not until they can see your work has definitely not failed. They will not move, advocate, lift a finger, or help to promote you until everything that needs to be done in the grassroots stage has been done. Then they will come running, acting as if they have been supportive cast members all along, while asking to join your building project. Then once you deny them access, they become offended and then make every effort to impede the work you were called to do just as they did in the case of Zerubbabel. The scripture reads “Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose…” (Ezra 4:4-5).
Wow! The deceptive works of man.
But these men just didn’t stop there. They went as far as writing a letter to the highest office of the law and made unfounded and untruthful accusations against the building work, Zerubbabel, and the land. They made such claims that Zerubbabel’s building project was rebellious and evil. That once his work is done, he will not pay taxes or tributes that are due. What Zerubbabel and his men were doing would be harmful to the king’s provinces and it would lead to a sedition. Then they declared that it would be in the best interest of the king to cease their work because it would benefit no one.
Access denied
There is always that group of men and women watching as you are building. And at the most opportunist time, they will come to join your team just in time when all the hard work has been done and your success is guaranteed. Then they will offer to be a part of the plans of the LORD, to help build with you.
But, we must be wise as serpents and yet innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16). We must be faithful and loyal to those who were faithful to the plans of the LORD from the very beginning. Those who endured the grassroots stages with you. Those who remain faithful to you and your cause. Those who were able to see the vision and tap into it when it was nothing but an idea. Those who built with you the very first brick.
It is important to have no pity or sympathy for those bottom feeders who came late to the building plans. (Compare to Matthew 25). Give no place or voice to them. For they were disloyal to you as well as the building plans of the LORD through you.
But, we must be wise as serpents and yet innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16). We must be faithful and loyal to those who were faithful to the plans of the LORD from the very beginning. Those who endured the grassroots stages with you. Those who remain faithful to you and your cause. Those who were able to see the vision and tap into it when it was nothing but an idea. Those who built with you the very first brick.
It is important to have no pity or sympathy for those bottom feeders who came late to the building plans. (Compare to Matthew 25). Give no place or voice to them. For they were disloyal to you as well as the building plans of the LORD through you.
Consecration is needed. The Church lacks a pure consecration to the LORD. With that being said, let me make the following point.
GOD will allow things to fall apart when we refuse to yield to what HE is saying through HIS prophets and apostles.
If GOD allowed me to say and share everything HE has shown and shared with me about specific leaders, pastors, churches, and church leaders, most would not believe me until it happens. But what GOD shares or shows me in most cases IS NOT meant to be shared. Therefore, I don't share most things GOD shows me because that IS NOT what HE wants me to do with the information HE has given me. When HE reveals things to me, I do one of three things with that information. (1) I pray according to what GOD would like to see happen. Sometimes I pray for months into a situation GOD has revealed to me. (2) I share what GOD has revealed to me with my ministry partner, my ministry team, and document it in Newford's archive, so we have a proven track record of such accounts. And the few I share with my ministry team I do so for two reasons. One, so we can pray together concerning the matter. And two, in some cases, we discovered that GOD has given other members of my ministry team dreams that further reveal and or expose things that are going on behind the scenes that GOD wants to be addressed through PRAYER. (3) In some cases, when and only when GOD instructs me to do so, I reveal what GOD has shown me to a leader or two that can make a difference in what GOD is showing me so that if they heed GOD's counsel, everything will work out in their favor. If not, well, it won't look pretty.
I share this because here's where the church is failing. When a member of a local church shares with the pastor and or other leaders about a matter that the person shouldn't know but knows. And informs leadership, this is what GOD is showing me how this situation needs to be handled, and the leadership of the local church heeds the advice - the problem is averted, or a problem is identified, and the leadership is placed in a better position to resolve an on-going problem that they could not previously identify. Now, where leadership and pastors fail is when they don't go back to that individual and inquire what else is the LORD showing you.
GOD oftentimes will show pastors and leaders a key member of their congregation whom HE IS speaking through to identify witches, warlocks, and other problems that are hidden that are hindering and preventing the congregation from growing and blocking GOD's blessings upon that congregation. But man, church leaders, put so much loyalty and faith in men that they have appointed that they ignore GOD's appointments - anointed men and women of GOD. This only results in 3 things. (1) That local church have to enter right back into their wilderness season and go around that mountain for another season because their leaders refused to see what GOD was doing and what HE was saying through whom HE was speaking through. (2) Those leaders who refused to heed GOD's counsel must be disciplined by GOD, for GOD discipline whom HE loves. HE can do this in many different ways depending on their offense (disobedience) toward what GOD was showing them, their role and position of authority, etc. GOD may demote a person from their position (this can also be done by forcing a person to step down); a person can be fired; a person might be sat down for a season; expelled from a congregation; judgment can come upon them, their family, and their finances; an unexpected and unexplainable sudden death can occur; other struggles; etc. When local churches, leaders, and pastors refuse to align themselves with what GOD wants to do and what HE is saying and through whom HE is saying it through, sad to say, leaders open themselves up to demonic attacks because they give Satan legal rights to them and possibly their family for their disobedience.
I have said this, billions of times, in thousands of different ways through many of my blog posts. Obedience is necessary - even more so in this season. We are reaching an hour when we have very little room for disobedience. For there is a reason why GOD is stressing strict obedience from HIS servants in this hour. Don't take this lightly because a change is coming, and if we are not completely submitted to GOD and the voices HE is actually speaking through, it won't look pretty for you or your family.
It is vital we figure out who all really have an accurate track record of hearing from GOD. You would be surprised by the fact that THERE are more who do not share publicly their accurate track record of words and prophetic pronouncements than those who are publicly known. (I'm only speaking of those who have a proven track record). If there is no one in your group that you can identify that has a proven prophetic track record, I strongly suggest that you pray to GOD to lead you to a person or ministry that is actually hearing from HIM. FOR THIS IS the Issachar season and we need to be connected to individuals or ministries that possess that Issachar anointing (compare to 1 Chronicles 12:32).
If GOD allowed me to say and share everything HE has shown and shared with me about specific leaders, pastors, churches, and church leaders, most would not believe me until it happens. But what GOD shares or shows me in most cases IS NOT meant to be shared. Therefore, I don't share most things GOD shows me because that IS NOT what HE wants me to do with the information HE has given me. When HE reveals things to me, I do one of three things with that information. (1) I pray according to what GOD would like to see happen. Sometimes I pray for months into a situation GOD has revealed to me. (2) I share what GOD has revealed to me with my ministry partner, my ministry team, and document it in Newford's archive, so we have a proven track record of such accounts. And the few I share with my ministry team I do so for two reasons. One, so we can pray together concerning the matter. And two, in some cases, we discovered that GOD has given other members of my ministry team dreams that further reveal and or expose things that are going on behind the scenes that GOD wants to be addressed through PRAYER. (3) In some cases, when and only when GOD instructs me to do so, I reveal what GOD has shown me to a leader or two that can make a difference in what GOD is showing me so that if they heed GOD's counsel, everything will work out in their favor. If not, well, it won't look pretty.
I share this because here's where the church is failing. When a member of a local church shares with the pastor and or other leaders about a matter that the person shouldn't know but knows. And informs leadership, this is what GOD is showing me how this situation needs to be handled, and the leadership of the local church heeds the advice - the problem is averted, or a problem is identified, and the leadership is placed in a better position to resolve an on-going problem that they could not previously identify. Now, where leadership and pastors fail is when they don't go back to that individual and inquire what else is the LORD showing you.
GOD oftentimes will show pastors and leaders a key member of their congregation whom HE IS speaking through to identify witches, warlocks, and other problems that are hidden that are hindering and preventing the congregation from growing and blocking GOD's blessings upon that congregation. But man, church leaders, put so much loyalty and faith in men that they have appointed that they ignore GOD's appointments - anointed men and women of GOD. This only results in 3 things. (1) That local church have to enter right back into their wilderness season and go around that mountain for another season because their leaders refused to see what GOD was doing and what HE was saying through whom HE was speaking through. (2) Those leaders who refused to heed GOD's counsel must be disciplined by GOD, for GOD discipline whom HE loves. HE can do this in many different ways depending on their offense (disobedience) toward what GOD was showing them, their role and position of authority, etc. GOD may demote a person from their position (this can also be done by forcing a person to step down); a person can be fired; a person might be sat down for a season; expelled from a congregation; judgment can come upon them, their family, and their finances; an unexpected and unexplainable sudden death can occur; other struggles; etc. When local churches, leaders, and pastors refuse to align themselves with what GOD wants to do and what HE is saying and through whom HE is saying it through, sad to say, leaders open themselves up to demonic attacks because they give Satan legal rights to them and possibly their family for their disobedience.
I have said this, billions of times, in thousands of different ways through many of my blog posts. Obedience is necessary - even more so in this season. We are reaching an hour when we have very little room for disobedience. For there is a reason why GOD is stressing strict obedience from HIS servants in this hour. Don't take this lightly because a change is coming, and if we are not completely submitted to GOD and the voices HE is actually speaking through, it won't look pretty for you or your family.
It is vital we figure out who all really have an accurate track record of hearing from GOD. You would be surprised by the fact that THERE are more who do not share publicly their accurate track record of words and prophetic pronouncements than those who are publicly known. (I'm only speaking of those who have a proven track record). If there is no one in your group that you can identify that has a proven prophetic track record, I strongly suggest that you pray to GOD to lead you to a person or ministry that is actually hearing from HIM. FOR THIS IS the Issachar season and we need to be connected to individuals or ministries that possess that Issachar anointing (compare to 1 Chronicles 12:32).
I need to start by being transparent. Recently, GOD has been dealing with me concerning my natural abilities and talents. Talents and gifts that HE has blessed me with for the sole purpose of spreading the Good News of the gospel to those who are willing to receive it.
For each one of us, our expression of the Kingdom work as we all have been commissioned to do may be different. I am talking about people who are gifted by GOD to do a certain thing or task. Not someone who has been trained to be good at something because they worked at it or a parent or someone who took an interest in them, groomed them for a certain thing. I’m talking about and to people who have been called by GOD and gifted with a specific gift.
For instance, I know that I know GOD has endowed me with the gift to write. My grammar skills can always be improved upon. But writing words in such a way that it draws people into the subject matter in which I am speaking about has always been a gift for me. People are attracted to my writing. And I know this. Another example is pastors. Pastors who are genuinely gifted by GOD to speak in an eloquent way that holds the attention of people. People want to hear what he or she has to teach or say. Then there are musicians. Whether a person plays an instrument or sings, when GOD anoints a person with such beautiful talent, people will go to extremes to invest in that artist’s product.
But what I have learned, even about myself, anointed people who are given specific talents for a specific purpose often get in their own way. Resulting in them not only not fully benefiting from what GOD has blessed them with. But oftentimes, they end up forfeiting the plans of GOD for their life because of four things.
I want to talk about these four things GOD has brought to my attention recently as HE was dealing with me concerning my own giftings – what HE has gifted and given me to do. For GOD has blessed each one of us with at least one specific gift (talent) that will enable us to fully serve our purpose and fulfill our part of the great call that all Christians have on their life. (See Matthew 28:19-20). But far too many of us, including me, are failing ourselves, our calling, our purpose as well as GOD because we continue to allow other things, people, places, as well as our emotions, uncertainties, commitments, and loyalities to wrong things and people hinder us for fully living our best life. We are no different from Adam in the Garden of Eden. GOD gave him a very simple and easy game plan to follow. All Adam had to do was follow the road map that GOD laid out for him. (See Genesis chapters 1 and 2). To stay in the place where GOD had placed him and connect closely with the person that GOD brought to him. If Adam stuck to GOD’s game plan not only his life would have turned out differently. This world would look much different than we know it today. We all would be different. But like Adam, many of us are allowing nonessential things, family, friends, jobs, life, our own mental state, and other distractions to prevent us from (1) not only not using our gifts to the fullness. But two, it is causing us to miss it. To miss all the blessings that GOD has for us. We cannot have a fully blessed life and happiness, if we are not following the roadmap GOD has for us.
Now, as I go through this particular word, remember, that I am talking about myself and how GOD has dealt with me recently. But I am being transparent here and speaking in plural terms because I really believe this can be helpful to all of us.
Hopefully, this word will cause all of you to do some serious soul-searching concerning what it is GOD is calling you to do. As a result of reading this blog, I hope it will encourage you to take steps, have radical faith, and make the needed changes to redirect yourself and your life so that you can align yourself with GOD’s game plan for you. That you will stop self-sabotaging your potential to have a fulfilling and better life. That you will stop being the primary roadblock to what GOD has for us as individuals.
For each one of us, our expression of the Kingdom work as we all have been commissioned to do may be different. I am talking about people who are gifted by GOD to do a certain thing or task. Not someone who has been trained to be good at something because they worked at it or a parent or someone who took an interest in them, groomed them for a certain thing. I’m talking about and to people who have been called by GOD and gifted with a specific gift.
For instance, I know that I know GOD has endowed me with the gift to write. My grammar skills can always be improved upon. But writing words in such a way that it draws people into the subject matter in which I am speaking about has always been a gift for me. People are attracted to my writing. And I know this. Another example is pastors. Pastors who are genuinely gifted by GOD to speak in an eloquent way that holds the attention of people. People want to hear what he or she has to teach or say. Then there are musicians. Whether a person plays an instrument or sings, when GOD anoints a person with such beautiful talent, people will go to extremes to invest in that artist’s product.
But what I have learned, even about myself, anointed people who are given specific talents for a specific purpose often get in their own way. Resulting in them not only not fully benefiting from what GOD has blessed them with. But oftentimes, they end up forfeiting the plans of GOD for their life because of four things.
I want to talk about these four things GOD has brought to my attention recently as HE was dealing with me concerning my own giftings – what HE has gifted and given me to do. For GOD has blessed each one of us with at least one specific gift (talent) that will enable us to fully serve our purpose and fulfill our part of the great call that all Christians have on their life. (See Matthew 28:19-20). But far too many of us, including me, are failing ourselves, our calling, our purpose as well as GOD because we continue to allow other things, people, places, as well as our emotions, uncertainties, commitments, and loyalities to wrong things and people hinder us for fully living our best life. We are no different from Adam in the Garden of Eden. GOD gave him a very simple and easy game plan to follow. All Adam had to do was follow the road map that GOD laid out for him. (See Genesis chapters 1 and 2). To stay in the place where GOD had placed him and connect closely with the person that GOD brought to him. If Adam stuck to GOD’s game plan not only his life would have turned out differently. This world would look much different than we know it today. We all would be different. But like Adam, many of us are allowing nonessential things, family, friends, jobs, life, our own mental state, and other distractions to prevent us from (1) not only not using our gifts to the fullness. But two, it is causing us to miss it. To miss all the blessings that GOD has for us. We cannot have a fully blessed life and happiness, if we are not following the roadmap GOD has for us.
Now, as I go through this particular word, remember, that I am talking about myself and how GOD has dealt with me recently. But I am being transparent here and speaking in plural terms because I really believe this can be helpful to all of us.
Hopefully, this word will cause all of you to do some serious soul-searching concerning what it is GOD is calling you to do. As a result of reading this blog, I hope it will encourage you to take steps, have radical faith, and make the needed changes to redirect yourself and your life so that you can align yourself with GOD’s game plan for you. That you will stop self-sabotaging your potential to have a fulfilling and better life. That you will stop being the primary roadblock to what GOD has for us as individuals.
want it to be easy
The first hindrance that GOD brought to my attention is that many of us want it – our purpose, our calling, our careers, our ministry, and our part in the Kingdom work to be easy. He showed me that this is the number one killer of many careers and ministries. We lack the proper understanding of what is that GOD has given us, how to use it, and even more so, how we implement and employ those gifts. Many of us truly believe that everything is supposed to be handled to us on a silver platter. With no real work on our part other than those parts, we prefer and choose to do.
Felicia put it this way when we were discussing how GOD came down on me with a hammer. She said
Felicia put it this way when we were discussing how GOD came down on me with a hammer. She said
| This reminds me of Abraham’s situation when he was sojourning to different places within the Promised Land. While going from one place to another, Abraham had to dig up many wells. Water was a necessity for his family and livestock survival. (See Genesis 26:18-22). But we must ask ourselves how Abraham knew where to dig? How was he able to find and tap into the water source in the ground that he needed for himself, his family, and his livestock? Well, the answer is obvious. GOD led him directly to the place he needed to dig. That was GOD part. To show Abraham where exactly he needed to go to obtain what he and his family needed to prosper. |
Now, yes, GOD could have made it easy for Abraham by making the water come from out of the ground without Abraham doing a single thing. But that is not what GOD did. GOD SHOWED ABRAHAM WHERE THE WATER WAS AND MADE IT ABRAHAM’S RESPONSIBILITY TO DIG FOR WHAT HE AND HIS FAMILY NEEDED. Abraham had to put in the required work if he wanted himself and his family to survive and prosper.
Now, as you can imagine, digging is no easy task. It is dirty, hard work that probably will require many hours of labor. But if Abraham did not gather his tools and strength to do the work to dig those wells, he and his family would struggle and even worse, die.
This is the point GOD was making to me concerning my own gifts and talents that HE has given to me to use for specific thing. GOD can show me the giftings I have. HE can show me when and how to use my gifts. But it is my responsibility to be proactive in employing those gifts. Meaning I have to put in the work. But the kind of work GOD was referring to was not necessarily the parts I enjoy doing, like writing books or blogging. HE was talking about the dirty, hard part of the work that I do not necessarily enjoy doing. The parts I rather someone else do it. Or better yet, for GOD to do it.
You see, we want it easy. I want it easy. I want to ONLY focus on the part that I like doing, which is writing. The parts that come so naturally to me. Whether GOD allows me to conjure up a book idea on my own or HE drops the idea in my spirit from heaven. It does not matter which way it comes to me. But that book cannot do a single thing and will not benefit anyone if I write it and then sit it on my bookshelf. It doesn’t build me any wealth. It can’t transform anyone’s life if I do not do all the other things that are required once my book is done to get it out there. It’s just another book I have finished on my bookshelf collecting dust. As a result, I am not using my talent and gifting to the fullness. I am and nor are others benefiting from my talent and gift. I am not living up to GOD’s expectations of me. I am not fulfilling my purpose, the thing GOD has birth me for. (compared to Jeremiah 1:5). And therefore, I am not fulfilling my part of the Kingdom work (Matthew 28:19-20). My purpose, my calling will go unfulfilled.
GOD was showing me that we, like Adam, fail to understand that our careers and or the ministry that GOD placed in us, HE has gifted us to govern over is a partnership that requires active participation on both of our parts – GOD and ours. GOD has a role to play in our success. And HE will always fulfill HIS part. But we like Abraham have to dig to do our part. And oftentimes that requires us to do many things we would prefer not to do. I am sure Abraham would have preferred not to dig that dirty well. He would prefer for GOD to just spring the water up for the ground. He would even have preferred if GOD would just pour the water that he needed to drink into his cup for him. But that is not what GOD did. GOD provided the source – the water. But Abraham had to do all the needed hard work to get to the source – the water.
I would prefer to sit back and just write about whatever comes up in my head. But again, if I do not do all the other necessary stuff that I would not prefer to do – the marketing and promoting; sale pitches; showing up for events; partnering with others and agencies; putting in the many required hours that are needed to get the masterpiece I have written out there, otherwise it truly benefits no one and not even myself.
GOD showed me because I have no interest, no drive to do all the required digging to see my projects succeed, this is why I have been feeling unfulfilled lately. Restless and not content. What good is a talent or gift, if I don’t expose it to the world.
Now, as you can imagine, digging is no easy task. It is dirty, hard work that probably will require many hours of labor. But if Abraham did not gather his tools and strength to do the work to dig those wells, he and his family would struggle and even worse, die.
This is the point GOD was making to me concerning my own gifts and talents that HE has given to me to use for specific thing. GOD can show me the giftings I have. HE can show me when and how to use my gifts. But it is my responsibility to be proactive in employing those gifts. Meaning I have to put in the work. But the kind of work GOD was referring to was not necessarily the parts I enjoy doing, like writing books or blogging. HE was talking about the dirty, hard part of the work that I do not necessarily enjoy doing. The parts I rather someone else do it. Or better yet, for GOD to do it.
You see, we want it easy. I want it easy. I want to ONLY focus on the part that I like doing, which is writing. The parts that come so naturally to me. Whether GOD allows me to conjure up a book idea on my own or HE drops the idea in my spirit from heaven. It does not matter which way it comes to me. But that book cannot do a single thing and will not benefit anyone if I write it and then sit it on my bookshelf. It doesn’t build me any wealth. It can’t transform anyone’s life if I do not do all the other things that are required once my book is done to get it out there. It’s just another book I have finished on my bookshelf collecting dust. As a result, I am not using my talent and gifting to the fullness. I am and nor are others benefiting from my talent and gift. I am not living up to GOD’s expectations of me. I am not fulfilling my purpose, the thing GOD has birth me for. (compared to Jeremiah 1:5). And therefore, I am not fulfilling my part of the Kingdom work (Matthew 28:19-20). My purpose, my calling will go unfulfilled.
GOD was showing me that we, like Adam, fail to understand that our careers and or the ministry that GOD placed in us, HE has gifted us to govern over is a partnership that requires active participation on both of our parts – GOD and ours. GOD has a role to play in our success. And HE will always fulfill HIS part. But we like Abraham have to dig to do our part. And oftentimes that requires us to do many things we would prefer not to do. I am sure Abraham would have preferred not to dig that dirty well. He would prefer for GOD to just spring the water up for the ground. He would even have preferred if GOD would just pour the water that he needed to drink into his cup for him. But that is not what GOD did. GOD provided the source – the water. But Abraham had to do all the needed hard work to get to the source – the water.
I would prefer to sit back and just write about whatever comes up in my head. But again, if I do not do all the other necessary stuff that I would not prefer to do – the marketing and promoting; sale pitches; showing up for events; partnering with others and agencies; putting in the many required hours that are needed to get the masterpiece I have written out there, otherwise it truly benefits no one and not even myself.
GOD showed me because I have no interest, no drive to do all the required digging to see my projects succeed, this is why I have been feeling unfulfilled lately. Restless and not content. What good is a talent or gift, if I don’t expose it to the world.
lethargic attitude and mentality
The second hindrance to our success is lethargy. Our mental state and attitude are just lazy. Yep! That is how GOD put it to me. "You are just lazy about doing what needs to be done." Then HE showed me men like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and other successful business leaders. Many of us have seen documentary after documentary of the lives of these types of men and admire their success. But one thing that was consistent and similar about each one of these men that led to their success and wealth was that they were willing to do all the necessary work to ensure their success.
Yes, Bill Gates might be great at coding, and creating software programs, and love it. But what would Microsoft Office be today if Bill had created it and set it on his bookshelf as another coding program he created? It would do him nor us any good if he did not get behind his own product and do all the required marketing and promoting; sale pitches; showing up for events; partnering with others and agencies; putting in the many required hours to do all the necessary administrative stuff that was needed to become one of the most admired and richest men in American. At some point, he had to come from behind his computer screen and do all the other necessary tasks that he least enjoyed to become the successful businessman he is today.
And this is no different for Steve Jobs or other successful business leaders. Once they created the part they love – their masterpiece. Each of them had to turn their attention to the parts they least enjoyed. Like Abraham, they had to dig and dig deep to benefit from the works of the promise.
Yes, Bill Gates might be great at coding, and creating software programs, and love it. But what would Microsoft Office be today if Bill had created it and set it on his bookshelf as another coding program he created? It would do him nor us any good if he did not get behind his own product and do all the required marketing and promoting; sale pitches; showing up for events; partnering with others and agencies; putting in the many required hours to do all the necessary administrative stuff that was needed to become one of the most admired and richest men in American. At some point, he had to come from behind his computer screen and do all the other necessary tasks that he least enjoyed to become the successful businessman he is today.
And this is no different for Steve Jobs or other successful business leaders. Once they created the part they love – their masterpiece. Each of them had to turn their attention to the parts they least enjoyed. Like Abraham, they had to dig and dig deep to benefit from the works of the promise.
resistant to god
The third hindrance to our success is the resistance to GOD’s plan, GOD’s way, GOD’s processes, and GOD’s roadmap to success for us. GOD knows every single step that is required for us to be very successful in the gifts and talents HE has placed in us. HE knows it will build us as well as our family wealth. GOD puts it this way. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11; also see Deuteronomy 28:1-14).
GOD wants us to prosper, to have success, to have wealth, to have happy fulfilling lives. Hence why HE has endowed in each of us gifts and talents that will ensure us that success. But when we follow GOD’s plan for our lives there are no shortcuts, no detours, no time for our own ideologies of how we think it should be done. It’s either Choice A or Choice B. Choice A is GOD’s plan. Choice B is our plan of how we think it should be done. We must choose and we must choose wisely.
The point here is when we are resistant to all the requirements that are required in Choice A – GOD’s plan, we will never be satisfied, happy, content, or feel fulfilled. We will always feel we are lacking or missing something. We will always be frustrated with ourselves and with others.
We can continue to be resistant to what GOD has for us and the way HE is requiring us to do it – which always requires us to dig to reach the treasures that are at the bottom of the well. Or, we can do it our way and make claims that we are doing it in GOD’s way. The choice is ours. The choice is mine – A or B.
GOD wants us to prosper, to have success, to have wealth, to have happy fulfilling lives. Hence why HE has endowed in each of us gifts and talents that will ensure us that success. But when we follow GOD’s plan for our lives there are no shortcuts, no detours, no time for our own ideologies of how we think it should be done. It’s either Choice A or Choice B. Choice A is GOD’s plan. Choice B is our plan of how we think it should be done. We must choose and we must choose wisely.
The point here is when we are resistant to all the requirements that are required in Choice A – GOD’s plan, we will never be satisfied, happy, content, or feel fulfilled. We will always feel we are lacking or missing something. We will always be frustrated with ourselves and with others.
We can continue to be resistant to what GOD has for us and the way HE is requiring us to do it – which always requires us to dig to reach the treasures that are at the bottom of the well. Or, we can do it our way and make claims that we are doing it in GOD’s way. The choice is ours. The choice is mine – A or B.
fear
The final hindrance to our success is our internal fears. Fear of success and fear of having to maintain that success. The fear of putting in the work and not being able to maintain the labor that will be required of you. The fear of failure. The fear of not knowing if you have it in you to be successful.
You see, that is where we, where I always make our mistakes. We put all of our success on ourselves, which only creates fear and anxiety. In us ourselves we cannot do it alone what GOD is requiring of us. Our pure talent and gift can only carry us so far before you run into a brick wall. This is why we have to look to GOD for every step we must take and then follow the roadmap that GOD is showing us.
Abraham would never have found water if he did not heed to GOD’s direction – GOD’s roadmap. And that would have been the end of his dream to conquer the Promised Land and to inherit the promised, the blessings of GOD that built his wealth. The success of an entire nation and an entire family would have died with Abraham if he had allowed his fears to cripple him with such thoughts as.
You see, that is where we, where I always make our mistakes. We put all of our success on ourselves, which only creates fear and anxiety. In us ourselves we cannot do it alone what GOD is requiring of us. Our pure talent and gift can only carry us so far before you run into a brick wall. This is why we have to look to GOD for every step we must take and then follow the roadmap that GOD is showing us.
Abraham would never have found water if he did not heed to GOD’s direction – GOD’s roadmap. And that would have been the end of his dream to conquer the Promised Land and to inherit the promised, the blessings of GOD that built his wealth. The success of an entire nation and an entire family would have died with Abraham if he had allowed his fears to cripple him with such thoughts as.
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Proverbs 3:1-6 says, My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
GOD has a plan. A plan that guarantees that we will prosper IF we follow GOD’s plan. But there are things we must do, things I must do to benefit from the words that are stated in Proverbs. I cannot benefit from my giftings and talents if I do not fulfill all the other required duties of Plan A. There are other things that are required of me to ensure my gifts and talents enable me to become successful.
Yes, I LOVE TO WRITE. Yes, it comes to nature for me. I do my best problem-solving and thinking through writing. I literally feel lost when I am not writing. But my writing benefits no one and not even myself or my family if I am not using my writing ability in the way GOD INTENDED ME TO USE IT. And that is for HIS GLORY. To successfully do that I must not only write (the part I like doing), but I also must do all the other administrative stuff that I do not enjoy doing to get my work out there.
I hear you GOD. I want Choice A. To be successful at Choice A, I must roll up my sleeves and dig deep into the dirty wells that I really don’t want to dig. I get it.
Now, do you?
GOD is so good. In fact, HE is too good to HIS servants and those HE calls HIS friend. No matter what is on our hearts. Whenever we have a concern or disappointment of any kind, HE will answer, comfort, and edify us, and then give us the encouragement we need to carry on.
For example, I recently felt disappointed as well as frustrated with GOD concerning a matter. To the point that I expressed to HIM, “LORD, I don’t understand what it is that YOU are doing. What’s the holdup? Is it me? Am I looking at this wrong? Do I need to do something different, etc., etc.? I was just so frustrated.
As quickly as I expressed my grief, without delay HE answered. HE reassured me. HE built back my faith in HIS Word and HIS promises. Then HE reminded me of the words other people have spoken over me over the years – like Benny Hinn, Mr. Gore, Pastor Travis Laws, Prophetess Felicia Crawford, and a few other brothers, who all spoke the same thing over me that I did not know how to receive because I didn’t understand it at the time. Or I took their comments more as a joke than a word that was identifying my future. So, on this day, GOD brought to my remembrance these words that at least a dozen people have spoken concerning me.
Then HE asked me something HE has not asked me in about a year. “Do you trust ME?” To which I replied. “LORD, this isn’t about whether I trust YOU. YOU know I trust YOU. I just don’t know what YOU are doing in this season.” To which, HE responded again, “Do you trust ME?” Shortly afterward that conversation, I went to bed.
The next morning, I woke up just a little after 4. I had not read my Bible in about 3 days due to my outpatient surgery. So, I felt pulled to read my Bible before getting ready for my doctor’s follow-up appointment this morning.
So, I picked up from where I left off in my Bible reading, which was Romans chapter 4. And low and behold, once again, the LORD dealt directly with my concerns from the day before and built up my faith concerning those matters. So, let’s talk about that this morning – why we should not waver concerning the promises of GOD.
For example, I recently felt disappointed as well as frustrated with GOD concerning a matter. To the point that I expressed to HIM, “LORD, I don’t understand what it is that YOU are doing. What’s the holdup? Is it me? Am I looking at this wrong? Do I need to do something different, etc., etc.? I was just so frustrated.
As quickly as I expressed my grief, without delay HE answered. HE reassured me. HE built back my faith in HIS Word and HIS promises. Then HE reminded me of the words other people have spoken over me over the years – like Benny Hinn, Mr. Gore, Pastor Travis Laws, Prophetess Felicia Crawford, and a few other brothers, who all spoke the same thing over me that I did not know how to receive because I didn’t understand it at the time. Or I took their comments more as a joke than a word that was identifying my future. So, on this day, GOD brought to my remembrance these words that at least a dozen people have spoken concerning me.
Then HE asked me something HE has not asked me in about a year. “Do you trust ME?” To which I replied. “LORD, this isn’t about whether I trust YOU. YOU know I trust YOU. I just don’t know what YOU are doing in this season.” To which, HE responded again, “Do you trust ME?” Shortly afterward that conversation, I went to bed.
The next morning, I woke up just a little after 4. I had not read my Bible in about 3 days due to my outpatient surgery. So, I felt pulled to read my Bible before getting ready for my doctor’s follow-up appointment this morning.
So, I picked up from where I left off in my Bible reading, which was Romans chapter 4. And low and behold, once again, the LORD dealt directly with my concerns from the day before and built up my faith concerning those matters. So, let’s talk about that this morning – why we should not waver concerning the promises of GOD.
abraham DID not waver
This morning, I would like to take you on a brief journey and make a drastic comparison that will hopefully help some of us grow in your faith.
There is probably not one Christian who is not familiar with the life of Abraham and the promises GOD made to him. Before we get into his story. Let’s explore the meaning of the word promise.
The Webster’s Dictionary defines the word promise as the declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified. It goes on to say, it is a legally binding declaration that gives a person to whom it is made aright to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specific act. In fact, in the Scripture, a promise holds an important place. It is not something that is taken lightly by men of GOD, especially not by GOD. When men or whenever GOD gives HIS word or makes a promise to a person, there is an expectation on the part of the person receiving it that it is good as already done. Case in point.
There is probably not one Christian who is not familiar with the life of Abraham and the promises GOD made to him. Before we get into his story. Let’s explore the meaning of the word promise.
The Webster’s Dictionary defines the word promise as the declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified. It goes on to say, it is a legally binding declaration that gives a person to whom it is made aright to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specific act. In fact, in the Scripture, a promise holds an important place. It is not something that is taken lightly by men of GOD, especially not by GOD. When men or whenever GOD gives HIS word or makes a promise to a person, there is an expectation on the part of the person receiving it that it is good as already done. Case in point.
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There are so many promises that are made in and throughout GOD’s Word. And the Scriptures testify that not one promise went unfilled not unless the individual to whom the promise was given, forfeited their promise.
So, how can one forfeit their promise – their inherited right to something specific that GOD said they can have? Let’s take a closer look at Abraham’s journey to answer that question.
A Brief Review of Abraham’s History
As we know, back in Genesis chapter 12, GOD gave Abraham specific instructions.
| Get out of your country, from your family, and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you…. |
To inherit his promise to become a great nation, Abraham had to be willing to do something first on GOD’s behalf. He had to leave what was familiar – something he treasured – his homeland and family. And then he had to go to a place that was unfamiliar to him that GOD would show him. Now, we know in the beginning, GOD did not tell Abraham where he was going nor how he was going to get there. He just simply told Abraham to leave everything behind that he knew and loved and follow GOD to a place that Abraham did not know.
Now, we are not going to cover all the details that occurred in that journey to Abraham’s promise and Promised Land. You can read about it on your own starting at chapter 12 in the book of Genesis.
So, let’s fast forward to the book of Romans, chapter 4. Here, we learned about Abraham’s faith concerning that promise. This is what I really want to get into this morning. An area that far too many of us struggle with – and this includes me. That is, a promise GOD made specifically to us that we have yet to see fulfilled and we are struggling with putting full faith in that promise.
Now, we are not going to cover all the details that occurred in that journey to Abraham’s promise and Promised Land. You can read about it on your own starting at chapter 12 in the book of Genesis.
So, let’s fast forward to the book of Romans, chapter 4. Here, we learned about Abraham’s faith concerning that promise. This is what I really want to get into this morning. An area that far too many of us struggle with – and this includes me. That is, a promise GOD made specifically to us that we have yet to see fulfilled and we are struggling with putting full faith in that promise.
the promise
Romans 4:13 reads
| For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. |
Oh man, don’t miss that – what is being said there. We see here that Abraham was not justified by GOD based on his works. Although Abraham did many good works. But he was justified based on his faith – his faith alone. We see in verse 9 that “… faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. Abraham’s faith was so eminent (outstanding, superior, noteworthy) that verse 11 said, “… he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith…” while he still was uncircumcised.
| SIDEBAR: As we know, circumcision was an important practice in the Jewish community. In fact, if one was not circumcised back in ancient Israel times, one was cut off from the community (Genesis 17:10-14, 21; Leviticus 12:3). |
As a result, Abraham was able to obtain the promise that GOD ensured him. But we need to notice something in verse 13 of Romans chapter 4. It reads, “For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was NOT TO ABRAHAM OR HIS SEED through the law…” Now, this sounds like a contradiction. For we know GOD did promise Abraham that HE will bless Abraham and all the nations will be blessed because of him. Genesis 12:2-3 reads.
| I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” |
But Romans 4:13, says that the promise was not given to Abraham. So, let’s read on for clarity.
The latter part of that verse says that promise was given ‘through the righteousness of faith.’ Now, what exactly does that mean?
We have to go back to the beginning of Abraham’s journey in Genesis chapter 12. We read in the first 3 verses that GOD made Abraham an offer and a promise. HE offered Abraham an opportunity that Abraham could have refused or even reject. GOD said
The latter part of that verse says that promise was given ‘through the righteousness of faith.’ Now, what exactly does that mean?
We have to go back to the beginning of Abraham’s journey in Genesis chapter 12. We read in the first 3 verses that GOD made Abraham an offer and a promise. HE offered Abraham an opportunity that Abraham could have refused or even reject. GOD said
| 1. Leave your county 2. Leave your family 3. Leave your father’s house 4. Then go to a place that HE will show Abraham |
Abraham was required to do four things before GOD could bless him and fulfill the promises HE have given to Abraham. The Scriptures say it was by faith that Abraham believed and acted although he probably did not want to leave his homeland, his family, or his father’s house to go to a place that was unfamiliar to him. But instead, Abraham believed in GOD and the promises HE made to him. So, Abraham departed as the LORD had spoken to him, which leads us to verse 20 (Genesis 12:4).
| He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God (Romans 4:20). |
Here it notes two things to us.
| 1. That Abraham did not waver in the promises of GOD through unbelief. Abraham heard the word of GOD and responded to GOD’s promises immediately. 2. There was no delay, no second guessing, no questioning, or trying to figure out on Abraham’s part. GOD spoke and Abraham believed GOD. In fact, verse 20 said, he was ‘strengthened in faith,’ gave GOD glory, and was fully ‘convinced’ that GOD would do what HE said (Romans 4:21). MY GOD! I want to develop faith like that! To the point where I never waver in my faith concerning the promises GOD makes to me no matter what things look like. Or even when I don’t know where GOD is leading me, how HE will do it, or how long it will take. |
Like Abraham, I want my faith to be accounted to me for righteousness. That my promise will be granted to me because of my obedience and faith – an eminent kind of faith. That I too am justified in the eyes of the LORD by my faith and not my works.
LORD, help me grow my faith, Amen.
Author
Thought-provoking Biblical topics. Talking Points with Deaidre.
And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you] (Romans 12:2 AMP).
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