You Offended Me

This will be quick... Well - maybe...

I just had a looooong conversation with someone I love, and someone who loves me.  Who keeps me straight- builds me up- tells me when I'm wrong- and helps me see the truth...  She said something very important.
It is very important to see people through the eyes of God.  Hurt people hurt people... This is something that we say, but it is very true.  When you look at others through God's eyes, it will wash all of the offense away..
I'm paraphrasing, but you get the point.   I talked earlier this week about being seated in heavenly places.  I am going to take the charge to pray for those that I feel are trying to hurt me in some way, so that I don't receive the offense.
My old college pastor used to tell us all the time.  If you ask God to show you the heart of those that offended you, it will wash it away when you see the depth of their truth.  The truth is, when people lash out at you or try to bring you down, or get themselves promoted overtop of you - its their own insecurities and hurts that are the problem.
Don't be the victim and wonder why me... Because if it wasn't you, it would be someone else.  Take the time to sincerely pray for them.  Forgive them.  Release them.  Not saying its easy... Once you do, and the thoughts about them start to come up- say it again, I have forgiven them and release them- I don't receive these ungodly thoughts about this person.
This has been a real test for me in the past couple of weeks unlike I have experienced in a loooong time... LOL - it's actually kind of funny now that I look back.  I am not going to pretend like some of these things didn't bother me- because they did.  But what I WILL do is pray for those people, and ask God to show me their heart- so one, I can see their treasure.  Two, so that I can pray God heals them so they can stop hurting others...
In a blog on Monday, I talked about playing hurt or playing injured.  Some refuse to believe that their arm is dislocated, their rib is cracked- and they have been shot in their baby toe.  They just keep on trucking.  I'm a conqueror!  I'm an overcomer!  Yeah!  You are!  Now SIT DOWN SOMEWHERE AND HEAL!  Because as they keep on trucking, they are leaving others unprotected, and injuring others along the way.  They don't want to limp alone- misery loves company.
Offense is a big deal in some churches.  People say all the time, "just get over it"... but if it were that easy, to "just get over it" - then it still wouldn't be running ramped.  "Just get over it", means "ignore it", but being honest with yourself is the best medicine you can take.
try saying this...
"Yes, this happen... Yes this offended me... Now Father, lets see what the real problem is... Help me to see their heart so that I won't carry this around.  I know the enemy is using this to cause me to feel rejected, but I don't receive that when I am the beloved of God"
I try hard to do right by others- but sometimes I slip- we all do.  Take the time to pray for someone who may be carrying offense because of you.  SOMETIMES... SOMETIMES things happen and its a misunderstanding.  Don't allow the misunderstandings of life put you in a box where you die...  Get it right - let it go- let it be- move forward...
Thats what I'm going to do anyway :)
Pray with me...
God, help me to release those that have offended me.  Help me to pray and see the truth of their heart through YOUR eyes so that I can honor them the way that you do.  I commit to being consistent with not believing the devil's lies about them.  Even if their actions say it's true- I only choose to believe what YOU believe about them.  I remain seated in heavenly places, and out of agreement with the lies of the enemy.  I will operate in reconciliation how I can.  No one owe's me ANYTHING.  No apology, no explanation, nothing.  I release all offense in Jesus name. I will NOT be held back by those that have rejected me.  Today I live in freedom, forgiveness, and offense free.
In Jesus Name...
AMEN.

I'm A Murderder- and Still Loved (Special V Day Edition)

I must confess...  I am...  You see the sin that I hadn't even committed yet contributed to a
heinous crime.  You see, Jesus was made a public spectacle.  Embarrassed more than we will ever understand.  Tortured more than anyone should have to endure.  And was completely innocent.  Thats the thing... HE was innocent... But I wasn't.  I believe that Jesus loves me so much, that if it meant my freedom, he would have done it just for me.

Yes... love begets love...  Pay it forward kind of thing... Just like the saying goes, "Hurt people, hurt people", we should replace it- change our focus to "Love Begets Love"...  Because thats waaay better to focus on and meditate on than the hurt... Yes, we should deal with it, face it, overcome it.  But there is a love available that is indescribable...

Love begets love...

The more you receive, the more you should give it away... Take the time to learn what true love is... yes - our society has conditioned many to think that love is only about being in relationships, and being happy, and everything going your way... Kind of like a fairy tale...

But love is more than that.  Love is the ability to be PATIENT with others... Not just people you like. (i feel like i just cussed).  Yes, be patient with people that you DON'T like.  Love is KIND- that means being NICE to people... (just cussed again).  Love does not ENVY... Wanting what others have, and willing to do what is necessary to get it, or make them feel some kind of way because you don't have what they have.  I've done that before.  Treat certain people bad because they had something I wanted- money, relationships, friends, size, looks, position, family... the list goes on and on... (THANK GOD FOR DELIVERANCE)... I know now that what God has for me, and if I was supposed to have it now, I WOULD!

 Love does not BOAST... love does not work hard to make others feel bad because it has something that others don't have.  Sometimes, thats why folk deal with envy, because others are throwing what they have up in their face.  NOW- let me get this straight, there is a difference in being a testimony to HELP someone, and bragging.  Bragging is to make the person feel bad for not being where you are.  Because those things define the person bragging.  Thats honestly what its about...  Some testify of what God is doing to ENCOURAGE others that God can do it for them too... BIG difference... BIG.

Love is not PROUD...  We all know what pride is - it is that thing that makes you not listen to reason because you feel that your way is better... you know more, more experienced, higher position, or are just self- righteous...  You know pride- that thing that comes before destruction.  Because it speaks in a small voice, and tells us that what we think is better than what God says... You know pride- that thing that got Satan kicked out of heaven... we say, "oh, thats a bit extreme"- but don't forget- "God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble" James 4:6... feel like you just can't get a leg up?  Check your pride level...  Feel like you just can't partner with God and it work?  Check your pride level.  Do alot of people tell you that you don't listen?  You probably don't know it cause you never listen to them... LOL

Love is not SELF-SEEKING - selfish, my way, i'm not happy if its not my way, I want what I want NOW, no matter what, who it affects, or what happens... I don't care- I want it, because I want it.  Everything has to revolve around you, or you pitch a fit...  Yeah, you know who you are...

Love is NOT EASILY ANGERED... Whew... people gotta walk on egg shells around you cause you will get mad?  Thats not love- people are afraid of your reaction when they speak their mind, or say what they need, and you get livid?  Thats not love.  Thats an ANGER problem, and it needs to be dealt with...

Love...  wait for it.... KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONG....

Yeah... it doesn't hold it... Thats not love... Goes back to the past two blogs about forgiveness...  A Heart That Forgives , and A Heart That Forgives Part 2... Click the link to read those...


Love does not DELIGHT IN EVIL... but REJOICES IN THE TRUTH....  If you get happy when bad stuff happens to others - you feel they deserve it, so on so forth - or when you gotta tell what happened to so in so, and you get a little buzz off of it... Check your love walk... Thats not love... not at all...

Love always PROTECTS, HOPES, TRUST, PERSEVERES,  - thats self explanatory... we are to protect each other, not throw each other under the bus... hope the best and hope the God in others will override all else.. and push through it... push through it... push through it...



LOVE NEVER FAILS.... really - love NEVER lets you down...  no other way to say it... not if its true love...



Love is pure, not tainted - so lets remember that God does all of these things for us.  He loved us so much that he allowed his son to be tortured and mistreated, rejected, despised, humiliated and murdered.


FOR US...


Thats love...


Happy Valentines Day

A Heart That Forgives Part 2

SO!  Talk to me, comment - you can comment anonymous if you'd like, what did you think of the last blog?  Did it make you reflect?  Help you be honest with yourself?  This particular blog had more readers on the first day than any other blog - so we must be on to something here...
((TAKE THE POLL TO THE RIGHT))----------------------------------------------------->>>>>>>

A Bitter Pill

Forgiveness is a bitter pill.  Just like any other medicine we don't like - we take it to mend.  The same with forgiveness.  We do it to mend.  Why are we talking about forgiveness?  Well - Jesus clearly lets us know that if we don't forgive others, that our heavenly Father can't forgive us. Matthew 6:14 says    

¹⁴ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

You mean to tell me that I can be abused, mistreated, neglected, raped, robbed, family member murdered, tortured, kidnapped, bombed, lied on, swindled etc... and If I don't let that person go, release and FORGIVE them?  Then GOD the almighty, the one who saw it all, who knew it would happen, the one who LET IT HAPPEN, won't forgive me????

Selah...

I guess if we look at it all through God's eyes, no sin is greater than the next.  Some sin may have a higher consequence or earthly punishment...  But God looks at a man who conceives lust in his heart towards another woman as an adulterer - JUST AS MUCH - as the man who is in an adulterous affair.  

Matthew 5:28   But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Theres a story in the bible that I love to read, but at the same time, its hard to take.  I'm going to paraphrase the story in laymans language - you can read the bible story here.  All the names of the characters are fictitious in order to protect the actual people... ((LOL)).  

*notice the first line - The KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is like* (when you read the bible version)

Spongebob owed King Neptune about 10 grand.  He didn't have it to pay, so he was going to have to give up his pineapple home, his pet- Gary the Snail, his job at the Krusty Krab and all that he owned to the King so it can be sold to pay the dept.  

Spongebob pleaded... "Oh King Neptune, you are so wise and are full of wonders.  My things are but dung to you.  Please give me time to pay it back.  I promise - I am the best fry cook in town, we can have that money in no time.  Please don't take everything I have!"

    

 King Neptune looked at Spongebob and knew that his heart was sincere, and had pity on him.  So much so- that not only did he allow him to keep his things, but he CANCELLED HIS DEBT!!!  What a gracious King!

Spongebob left the presence of the King full of joy because he knew there was no way for him to repay that debt!! He went home, and found his friend Patrick by the mailbox.  He yells, "Hey Patrick!  Where is that $10 you owe me eh?"  Now, Patrick borrowed $10 dollars last week from Spongebob, and now the Sponge wanted it back.  Patrick looks at Spongebob like a deer in headlights... Spongebob gets ANGRY...  He starts to fussing and yelling and draws a crowd.  The police show up- because Spongebob is threatening to choke Patrick out if he doesn't pay him back his money!  Spongebob finally tells the police to throw Patrick in jail until he can repay the money!  Patrick breaks down in tears and BEGS Spongebob... 

With tears in his eyes, not wanting to loose everything  including his best friend for $10 measly dollars.  He was devastated.  The police, recognized Patricks debt, and carries him off to jail.

King Neptune caught the word on the street that Spongebob had Patrick thrown in jail for $10 measly dollars!!!  King Neptune was infuriated!  He didn't understand how Spongebob's mind could conceive such a thing, when he had just been forgiven of such a large debt.  10 GRAND!  King Neptune had Spongebob thrown in jail to be TORTURED, until he could REPAY THE DEBT!!! 

 (how can you pay something back when you are in prison and tortured??? selah)

THE END...

Oh wait... then - at the end of the story- it says this scripture...

Matthew 18:35   “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

DAG!  Yeah, I know my story probably made a couple of you giggle - especially if you know me, but it was the truth.  Thats how the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN operates.  Thats because no debt someone owes to us is ever bigger than the debt we owe to God...

I'LL SAY IT AGAIN...

No debt anyone owes to us, is BIGGER than the debt we owe to God....

I DON'T THINK YALL HEARD ME...

No debt anyone owes to us, is BIGGER than the debt we owe to God....

God is not man... He doesn't weigh sin... Thats why Jesus stood in front of the lady who was caught in the act of the adultery, drawing in the sand, and said - "Oh hold up homies --- those of yall who are completely FLAWLESS - go ahead and throw that stone".  He didn't say, those of you that have flaws or sins LESS than hers go ahead and tag her in the forehead with a rock....  Because Heaven doesn't weigh sin... thats what MAN does...

Now again, I must repeat... Don't think you are gonna go commit a crime, and go into court saying that no sin is greater than the next - so they need to let you go free- cause that boat will not float... LOL

Matthew 18:35 lets us know that we will be tortured in a sense until we forgive others from our heart.  Thats how we will be treated---- Yo, I'm so not wanting to endure that.  I mean, honestly, I'm looking back over my life - seeing things that I've prayed to be different, fasted to be different, worked hard at - just to see it not be successful... and could--- this--- be ---- why????

I so didn't even get to the whole pride thing... I haven't forgotten - we will go there- because obviously there are some layers we must work through... don't forget to comment - like the Facebook page- leave a wall post and let me know what you think, want to know more about- or want to see covered as far as this topic is concerned.  Hey, I don't know it all - and honestly, I'm working through this MYSELF - that may be why it sounds so real...

Where did we leave off yesterday?  oh yeah...  PART 3 TOMORROW!! (part 3???- YEAH- part 3!))

A Heart That Forgives

MIA- missing in action is one word that can describe me. LOL - I do apologize for those that looked forward to this blog.  It has been a doozy of a month I tell ya.  But i must remained focused and remember the reason I started this blog.

TODAY saints, ain'ts and friends... ((LOL)) - we are going to talk about forgiveness.  No I did not just cuss.  This is something that is thrown around quite haphazardly, but many don't have the direction or the know how to do it FOR REAL.  I am going to admit some things in this blog that others may not be willing to admit- because of who they think they are in Christ.  BUT  being that I know who I am, I'm confident in who I am, I can freely share, and its all well and good- you can like it or lump it.

FREEDOM only comes with total honesty.

The truth is, when you have been offended or hurt - no one can tell you how deep your hurts are but God.  Some may wonder, "why can't you just let it go?"- and you find yourself asking God he same thing.  Over and over, you pray, you release them, you move forward, only to see them, and that "thing" inside you jump.  Yall know what I'm talking about.  Then the avoidance game begins.  You try your hardest to make sure you are not in the same place at the same time with this person, because one- you don't want to pounce on their head and beat them like you feel they deserve it, but also because you don't want to have to feel the hurt, the moment, the incident all over again.  Unforgiveness makes you relive the hurt all over again.  If you see them, if you think about them, or if you talk to someone about them, you experience the hurt all over again.  And the longer you experience it, the deeper it gets.

Oh how we long for these words.  Whether the person is alive or not, many of us long to hear these words.  Because honestly, it hurts worse when the person refuses to accept responsibility for their offense, refuses to believe that they even offended you, or blames YOU for what happened.  All you know is what you feel in your heart.  We all know that with resolution comes change... But--- what do you do when you can't find resolution through the person?  When they have entirely too much pride to admit that they were wrong.  Because alot of times, thats what it is... PRIDE.  "I'm gonna wait until they call me", or "If they loved God, they would just get over it",  or this is a good one... "I didn't mean too, so I don't see the big deal anyway, they should just forgive me".    The truth is - you may never have that moment where your offender actually admits that they were wrong.  You may NEVER see that day.  And as a CHRISTian, it is your job to recover and heal REGARDLESS.  You must.

Yeah, it would be nice for people to admit it.  Gosh, it would just relieve some of the pressure RIGHT?!?!?  It could help you move forward JUST KNOWING that they knew they were wrong.  That they offended you.  Sometimes, you desire that from the offender because a wound has been created.  Getting stabbed in the back is gonna leave a mark, to say the least... LOL - and yes, you can forgive people - but it doesn't mean that it doesn't hurt.  It can get a little tricky, but thats when you have to draw closer to God, to say, okay, yes- I forgive them, I release them- but this still hurts... God remind me when I start to think negatively of this person so that I don't accept it.  Keep my heart pure so that I can love them even though I'm still hurting.  I know that while I try my best to love them as you do, that you can heal this wound.



Yeah... its real people.  God bless all those people that can be offended and shake it off and act like it never happened, and nothing is held up in their heart.  Actually, we can all do this with certain areas - but when we can't, its probably because of one of two things... A wound- that needs to be healed--- and the other is...

PART 2 TOMORROW...


or tonight...


but definitely by tomorrow...

PROMISE!

The Hatred of Love {{Part Deux}}

I like that word... Deux... it sounds so official... LOL

SORRY the blog is late guys - there have been some.... CHALLENGES... in the midst... LOL - Thats what I love about being me...

There is always an opportunity to overcome...  #goteamjesus

Then I was out of town this weekend for a worship concert and conference with Dr. Cindy Trimm and Micah Stampley.... Words cannot express THAT experience - I will blog about that another day

OKAY!

So... we were talking to Joseph right? *if u haven't read part one yet - click the picture below*

The Hatred of Love {{Part One}}

SOLD...  Into slavery.  Well - we all know somethings about slavery...   I wonder what his ride was like.  How much did he cry?  How overwhelming was his fear?  Now Joseph knew and loved God with all of his heart... CLEARLY... but think about the traumatic things you have experienced SINCE you've loved the Lord.  It still is hard.

*push pause*  there are many differences between a believer and an unbeliever.  One major difference is when a believer cries because of pain - they know the SON will shine when its all over - its called HOPE.  Isn't Jesus the hope of Glory??

All an unbeliever can do is HOPE they can survive through it... or... HOPE that life will one day miraculously change - even though they aren't doing anything to facilitate change... and HOPE that someone will come along and rescue them... #pipedreams... just come to Jesus - He'll work it out...

*push play*

The Ishmaelites finally arrive at the trading area.  One of Potipher's servants is coming to buy a slave- and he see's Joseph.  Only God can do something miraculous out of something that seems like it is going to just be a mess...Joseph is purchased, and brought back to Potipher's home.  He is then presented with two eternal and internal options.

Option 1:  Be bitter.  Live in the hatred that his brothers forced on him.  Be traumatized.  Be a victim.  Always reflect on what has been DONE to him and communicate and react out of that place.  Decide to give his personal power to his brothers.  Stay STUCK.  You all know it to be true.  If a car is in neutral, it doesn't mean the engine isn't running - it just means no matter how hard you hit the gas,  you will NEVER... MOVE... FORWARD...  You can sing the song all day... But until you shift your mind into gear - thats all you will do--- is sing...

Blank Stare

Option 2:  Make a decision to live with the hand he was dealt with.  Progress, prosper and succeed - NO MATTER WHAT.  Success is ALWAYS an option- no matter where you are.   Joseph made a decision to be who he was REGARDLESS of his situation.  There lies his promotion.  Not in trying to out do the other slaves - out shine the other slaves - or always be the THE ONE - all Joseph had to do was be HIMSELF.  And be the best JOSEPH that he could be.  I'm sure he was surrounded by others who didn't want to be a slave.  I mean, who does?  Who asks for those things to happen to them?  NO ONE DOES... But it doesn't mean you don't achieve where you are.

How stuck do we allow ourselves to be because of what HAPPENED to us???  And the thing is this - the people that hurt us, have moved on.  Do you think Josephs brothers chose not to live their lives?  They were malicious enough to do what they did, they were able to move on... TRUST...  Stop staying stuck and being mad at people who are progressing without you.

Forgiveness is for you - not them.

We all know what option Joseph chose.  He chose option 1.  Was it easy??? I'm sure it wasn't... But was it necessary for his sanity?  Absolutely.  If you look at the life of people who are stuck, and either we are those people - or we know those people, they have a touch of insanity - just a small touch - LOL - Because they are holding on to something that should have been dead along time ago.  Keeping something on life support that doesn't deserve to live.  They are purposely asking the circumstances to suck the life out of them.  They are giving their personal power away, they are letting their minds be dulled by what they went through - rather than sharpened by who they know.

Like I said... Just a touch.  Insane means - utterly senseless.  How senseless is it to sit around with a corpse in your house?  We have seen that on the news where people have died - and they keep them in their for days, because they just can't let go.  Sounds disgusting right?

Well...

How many corpses live in your house?

Some of you have a morgue living on the inside of you - but instead of the bodies lying in drawers - they are lying on beds - hooked up to machines - and you visit one bed after the other - hoping one day, someone will wake up.


Just let it die...


Jesus came that you may have life and have it more abundantly.  Living with something that should have died along time ago is not life more abundantly.   Ask God to help you to let it go.


WOW...  I think we should end on that note.  Alot to think about huh?