Luke 8:17 “For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.”
I cannot stress this enough. Motives of the heart and purposely manipulating outcomes, attitudes and turning the feelings of others away from someone who is loved due to jealousy, envy or strife will be exposed.
I Peter 2:1 actually says “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind”
INSTEAD OF ACTING OUT ON THE FLESH DO THIS-
Proverbs 11:25 “Those who live to bless others will have blessings heaped upon them, and the one who pours out his life to pour out blessings will be saturated with favor.” TPT
Doesn’t this sound like a much better way to live and love? – it certainly has a better outcome.
Proverbs 3:4 (NLT) – Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.
It seems I spend much time always searching for the best case scenario, or giving the benefit of the doubt where people are concerned. I have never known whether it was a strength or a weakness of mine to assume that most people are like me and want to assume the best . I think Jesus lived life, assuming the best in people even when he knew, in fact that the people weren’t for him.
Looking at his relationship with his disciple Judas, he knew before Judas knew that Judas would betray him, and yet he pulled him close and kept him in his circle. Even at the last supper, Jesus said “the one who has dipped his hand in the bowl with me will betray me.” Jesus goes on to say “whoa be unto the one who betrays the son of God it would have been better for him if he had not been born.”
These are very strong words from our Lord. Yet look at the love that he had for the one that he knew would betray him.
I find myself reflecting on whether it possible, for we mere humans who live in this fleshly earth suit to accomplish such love. I think my Hope would be that he that lives within me would be able to reach even those who would betray me or him.
Our lives must be lived, taking such a chance. I think, even though it can be painful and very challenging, I would rather be the one who gives a person the benefit of the doubt and space to be redeemed.
It should cause a person to reflect on a question of how many times someone else has felt the same way about me or you?
I think Jesus chose honor and he showed Judas honor not because he deserved it but because he was the Messiah. We should also choose to honor people, even when their lives do not merit honor. We honor the person because they are a created being, and do so to provide opportunity for restoration unto the Lord.
Our lives are nothing but a vapor here in this world. It’s our decision as to how we face our living, and those we share the living with. I do not regret giving anyone the benefit of the doubt and an opportunity to get right with the Lord, even if it hurts.
This must be the focus of all Christians. I certainly am not saying, be a doormat or proceed without wisdom. You must be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove. Show love, set boundaries, as Christ would do, go the extra mile, “love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you!”EVEN WHEN IT HURTS. “Rejoice and be glad and exceedingly joyful because your reward in heaven is great!”
How quickly the enemy will show up and attempt to snatch a word. I posted earlier this week asking for prayer 🙏🏻 agreement. Had a conversation today with a trusted sibling in Christ and the outcome was a word from God. What makes it credible is this being one of those times where only God knew the topic.
1 Corinthians 12:8 – “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit”
Words of knowledge are important enough that the enemy wants to steal the word. A seed of truth and a building of faith was sown today. As quickly as it was given, the enemy shows up to steal it.
Mark 4:15 “Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.”
Thankfully, this heart is fertile soil and I will not allow the seed to be plucked away.
This isn’t new to the believers walk of faith. And I am certainly not alone. Many of us receive words from God and have the enemy show up and try to snatch it.
Where the deciding factor lies is whether your heart is Stoney, Thorny, or on a path that isn’t futile. The heart that isn’t fertile allows for birds to eat the seed, the Stoney heart is shallow and the word withers and the thorny heart chokes out the word – all as the enemy would have it.
BUT, If the heart is fertile, the parable of the sower says in Mark 4:8 “Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”
Jesus goes on to say “whoever has ears to hear, let them hear!” In verse 9.
In mark 4:20 “Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”
Yes indeed! I am grateful that when the enemy showed up quite faithfully to steal the word of confirmation that I knew immediately that the enemy’s attempt was even more the conformation of the validity of the word received today.
Allow me to encourage you by first challenging you to examine your own heart. Is it Rocky, Thorny or infertile? My prayer is that the seed of the word falls on the fertile soil of your heart and that it becomes rooted producing 30, 60 or 100 fold return.
We will be walking this out. I am beyond my ability to express the gratitude for Gods faith in us to speak, send a word and then for our posture of a fertile heart that the seed can take root in.
How does the seed of the wors find the condition of your heart in? May you be found in the condition of fertility.
Do you feel like you have things unfinished? Do you wrestle with the world? Do you feel like you have decisions to make and you cannot make up your mind? You are not alone in this battle!
It’s tempting to take things into your own hands when desperate times hit you. Even small things can appear tempting when confusion or lack of clarity exists.
Thankfully – “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (I Corinthians 10:13)
Guess What!
When your mind is renewed (Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will) then your mind is made up.
I’ve made up my mind on a few things. My decisions are strictly based on Gods will and His plans – not mine and I’m deeply grateful that there is a plan.
Next steps are a bit scary. It’s a faith walk right? And most always it’s a blind leap of faith. We cannot walk by sight – we walk by faith. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
I’ve heard it said that you “be” where you are celebrated – not tolerated. I think the most difficult battle of life is pushing back what the flesh wants and grabbing hold of what God wants. Crucify the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:24) Jesus himself said “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34, CSB).
One must walk by the spirit! When you do -“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
Sometimes, even the best intentions can be out of the will of God. Your motives may even be pure and still not produce good fruit because it’s out of the will of God.
The good news is that God gives second chances.
Psalm 86:15 says it well: “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”
Micah 7:18 says, “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love”
It’s that simple – take the leap of faith, trust in God, obey his lead, stay in the will of the Lord. Be like Abram who was courageous and trusted God fully when “The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” (genesis 12:1)
That kind of trust and obedience will yield many a blessing. (I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.)
The kind of peace I have right now cannot be gained through worldly means. This is the peace that only comes from God when you settle into your place in God. He has made things very clear recently in the Suddenly that happened earlier in the week.
It’s a great place to be when the enemy of your soul comes prowling. It happens through people much of the time. What a wonderful place of contentment to know that I (personalizing it) do not have to receive it. It is He who goes before me. Love even those who are used by the enemy because “we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12).
To be truly content does not mean you stay silent. The peace and contentment that I have right now is fueling me and motivating me to take back what the enemy has stolen. There was a mission and a call that I don’t just intend to fill but WILL walk out. Habakkuk 3:19 says “GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places”. I am taking my place – I declare and decree.
In settling into this season of identity in Christ, when God said to get “re-acquainted” with the me that He created, called and appointed, the contentment deepened with me – but with a new confidence (in Christ), a new authority (in Holy Spirit). And in saying this I am reminded of two of my favorite passages about contentment.
Paul says in Philippians 4:11–12 “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
The strength mentioned here is renewed in me.
Then Paul also says in 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
We see the word POWER made perfect in my weakness. The power of Christ, the strength of Christ all perfected in my place of contentment.
Praise be to God. Let me say again- as I’ve said too many times to count. “God is no respecter of persons.” (Acts 10:34).
This truth is for all believers. Gaining your confidence in Christ, settling into who God says you are, taking your place with authority brings peace, contentment, strength and power! It’s for YOU TOO! Let me encourage you brothers and sisters – seek God, hear Gods voice, Yield to His will and receive this settling of your whole person in Christ. I cannot declare my gratitude loudly enough.
This blog was actually written in December of 2013. I wanted to include it here for safekeeping.
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Keeping my hands busy while I wait. Is that possible? Yes it is. I wait upon The Lord in many ways in this season. But waiting on The Lord to lead the way is far different that idly waiting. The bible says much about idle hands. In Proverbs 19:15 ESV it reads “Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger”. It is good to labor with our hands and in most cases we will be rewarded by the fruit of our labor. It applies to both men and woman as you will find in Proverbs 31. In verse 27 it reads “She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness”. There is much to benefit from making use of your hands. We work with our hands to earn our keep. By staying busy we don’t give our brains much idle time for the enemy to do battle through over thinking things that are not of God. By using our hands to serve The Lord by serving others, we bring glory to Jesus and the harvest is good. The Apostle Paul addressed the church of Thessalonia about idleness which is found in 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 This passage exhorts us not to be idle and to work for what we have. How are your hands busy? What ways do you find that brings glory to God? I know that for myself I keep my hands busy as often as possible. Yesterday I painted the bathroom. Today I am refinishing antiques. But everyday I ask God to use my hands for His purpose and I yield to His call. Will you do the same? Love to all – Pastor Mel
One of the most difficult things to navigate are words that are spoken about you, behind your back, that are half truths or misconceptions and impact the opinion of the listener about your character or reputation. 🤨
I have experienced this too many times to count. It’s absolutely sinful to ruin someone’s reputation or credibility with half truths and even if there were some truth from an action in the past, people grow and mature past their past mistakes or actions and should be afforded opportunities to participate in their maturing. 😇
Most recently a lost opportunity has come to light based of this very thing. Words spoken about something that happened in the past. The listener didn’t check in with the person who was the topic to confirm validity. It was just assumed to be correct. 🤔
What does one do or how does one respond to such bad behaviors? 🤓
First thing – is not react. Reaction is usually without thought or prayer.
Response comes from time spent in prayer and the meditation of the word.
Isaiah 53:7 reads “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, so he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”
This is the example that was prophesied about Jesus and his response to the persecution He endured.
Luke 23:34 says “And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And they cast lots to divide his garments.”
Jesus still afforded forgiveness to those who nailed Him to the cross.
Peter 4:13 “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”
This is how we are to respond when half truth, slander and deceptive words are spoken. We are to view it as an opportunity to grow in our sanctification.
Charles Spurgeon is quoted saying “A great lie, if unnoticed, is like a big fish out of water—it dashes and plunges and beats itself to death in a short time.”
Matthew 18:15 is put into place to give guidelines for a gentle conversation with someone who has caused offense. It’s to gain back your brother or sister and to clarify and de-escalate a dispute and bring peace back.
It’s good to note that we should not forget that Jesus, above all was persecuted and beaten for our sakes. John 15:18/Jesus says “if the world hates you, remember, it hated me first.
I’d say if you have experienced slander that ruined your credibility- You are in good company with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Don’t just pretend to love others- Really love them. 💕🙏🏻🙌🏻
Did you know that there are love languages? 5 to be exact. It’s true. Love, even though it’s an emotion, is also an action (verb).
What are the love languages you might ask?
*Acts of service – when Mary poured the expensive oil called “pure nard” on Jesus’ feet, she was performing an act of service to Jesus by anointing Him (John 12)
Caring for a sick person or a person in need is an act of service. “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28
What opportunity have you taken to serve others lately?
*Giving/Receiving gifts – Paul said in Acts “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”
We are in the season of giving right now remembering that Jesus is the reason for this season.
Outside of gift giving, what opportunities have you been given to do the giving and in what ways?
*Quality time – in Acts 2 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
Time is a difficult discipline to navigate and especially during the Christmas season. Part of the feeding of the spirit is found in the gathering of fellowship and breaking bread. I pray you’ll find the time to gather with your family and close loved ones to share in the meaning of Christmas.
How can you find the time in your busy life to share with others?
*Words of affirmation – In 2 Peter 2:9 we are reminded that “Iam a chosen generation and a royal priesthood, holy and special.”
We all need a little affirmation to remind us of who we are in Christ. God has given us many examples found in Scripture to remind us of who He says we are. You can be a messenger to another person everywhere you are by being discerning and ready in being a vessel of love and encouragement. You never know, you could potentially save a life by being the voice of affirmation that God wants you to be.
Will you be ready while you are busy about the hustle and bustle of Christmas?
*Physical touch – In Mark 10 Jesus is noted to have touched the children saying that “he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying hands on them”
Jesus saw Simon’s mother laying ill “took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her” (Mark 1:31)
We meet people in all capacities who don’t have someone to love them. A simple hello and “holy” hug can provide the loving arms of Jesus to get through the day.
As a servant to the broken hearted, laying hands on them and praying may be the best Christmas gift you can give them.
Shall we touch and agree in the name of Jesus to be about His work this Christmas Season? (Matthew 18:19).
My prayer is that you are abundantly blessed, equally impacted as you impact others during this Christmas Season.
Character assassination (CA) is a deliberate and sustained effort to damage the reputation or credibility of an individual.
You might think this is that silly psychology Mumbojumbo. But guess what…..it’s also backed biblically.
Look at what the Bible says about this……
Proverbs 26:18-19
“A man who deceives his neighbor and disguises his deception as a joke is as dangerous as a madman shooting arrows at a crowd. Someone will surely get hurt.”
Lying is never a joke, and someone always gets hurt, even though it may not be immediately apparent.
Lying is sin and sin brings death. Do we believe this in the actual practice of life?
Though the lie, when discovered, may cause laughter, a reputation has been stained and trust diminishes.
Has this happened to you? Then you understand the deep pain that persists on the inside of your chest when your reputation and credibility is attacked.
God forbid you are the one who is committing the Character Assignation by spreading lies and deceit which translates to division and discord.
There is NO grey area here. If you are speaking Ill against someone and they aren’t present, you are a gossip and a slanderer.
Romans 1:29 says this “They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,”
Gossiping and Deceitful actions are associated with murder. MURDER. Yikes. That should NOT sit well with you.
If you have behaved in these ways, there is hope. You can repent of your sin, ask for forgiveness from God and the person(s) you’ve attempted to Assassinate.
God is merciful to the unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Hebrews 8:12.
If you are the one who has been the recipient of such behavior, do not return wrath for wrath. Please pray for the assassin and always walk in forgiveness.
God will defend you!!
Psalm 55:22 says “22 Leave your troubles with the Lord, and he will defend you”
He will protect your reputation. quit worrying about the chatter, the negative comments; those are all distractions. That’s the enemy trying to bait you off course, so you’ll waste your time and energy involved in battles that don’t matter.
I love what Peter said in I Peter 2:22-23 when talking about Jesus after his severe persecution. 1 Peter 2:22-23 (NLT)
22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
To be like Jesus means to worry not and continue about the business of the kingdom.
Jeremiah 51:36 (TLB) 36 And the Lord replies: I will be your lawyer; I will plead your case; I will avenge you.
Bottom line – if you are the assassin, stop it. Repent and be redeemed.
If you are the target, pray and forgive, trust God to be your defender and go about His business.
Matthew 5:10-12 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Most recently, I have noticed this picking up in both Intensity and frequency. Let’s be honest, this, despite the guidance to rejoice and be glad due the reward in Heaven, this is rough and hard to navigate.
My heart breaks even though I’m guilty as charged and certainly wouldn’t change a thing about what I believe and who I serve.
This is one area that I have worked very hard to not participate in. I believe lives are precious. Humans are worthy of love. It’s hard for me to imagine that it’s easy for others to persecute, slander, or go after someone’s reputation. I am experiencing this lately on a daily basis.
Gods word is, thankfully put into place to give us the framework to navigate this eternal problem. It’s been going on since before my time and will continue until Jesus comes back.
When I analyze why I am still shocked over the depravity of the human heart, I encourage myself in the Lord by expressing my gratitude concerning the fact that I would rather be shocked and idealistic than the sower of persecution and discord.
Blessed are those who are persecuted!
Jesus said “If the world hates you, it hated me first”
Peter, Paul and James all talk about this very thing to bring light to this eternal issue and encouragement in how to navigate it.
Peter said “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” (I Peter 4:14)
Paul encourages us stating “3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)
James partners with Paul in saying “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4).
As encouraging as this all sounds, I can honestly admit how hard it is to embrace joy in the face of such slanderous behavior. But I CAN rejoice in knowing that the trial IS maturing and completing me in the midst of it all and that I WILL walk away lacking nothing.
This certainly isn’t an exclusive promise to just me. If you are experiencing this uptick in persecution lately, then this word is for you too!
Let’s put into practice rejoicing in the hardships knowing it is doing a GREAT work in us. Paul said in Romans “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
If I rate the enormity of the persecution I feel coming at me against Paul’s words – then I sure am LOVED perfectly and I am truly more than a conqueror as this word says and so are you!
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