Are you a PEACEMAKER or a MESSMAKER?

People who add unnecessary STRESS are #messmakers not #peacemakers. Don't let the STRESS of their MESS disrupt your PEACE.

Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

Whenever we are in the WILL of God and the TIMING of God, we will experience the PEACE of Isaiah 55:12:

"For ye shall go out with JOY, and be led forth with PEACE: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into SINGING, and the trees of the field shall CLAP their hands."

If your actions aren't causing JOY, PEACE, SINGING and CLAPPING...you're out of order and timing.

We cannot applaud what's flawed.

The Apostle Paul gave us such wisdom in 2 Timothy 2 when he passed on pertinent principles to Pastor Timothy. (Read this chapter and it will change the way you handle yourself in relationships, ministry and business.)

Here are a few passages:

23. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

24. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

25. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

26. And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

A PEACEMAKER isn't a MESSMAKER.

Be assured, if you cause a mess for someone else you'll inherit a mess yourself. I believe God desires His children to just DO RIGHT. He had an intimate conversation with His creation when He spoke to Cain about his actions in Genesis 4:

6. "Why are you so angry?" the Lord asked Cain. "Why do you look so dejected? 7. You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be it's master."

Doing what is RIGHT is RIGHT.

Choose to be a PEACEMAKER not a MESSMAKER and you'll walk in the favor of Isaiah 55:12...JOY, PEACE, SINGING and CLAPPING! :)

When Is It RIGHT to forgive a WRONG?

Dear Friends,

The way people treat you should never be the standard by which you treat them or others. Pray through the hurt. FORGIVE. Then live!  God doesn't show us people's true colors so we can brood, live wounded or turn bitter. He does it so we can FORGIVE them.  Sure, you could shout from the mountain top all that you know...but what good would that do? It's not even necessary...because God has you in the palm of His hand and in Him there is protection, purpose and promise!  Stay focused my friends...your FAVOR will attract opposition...expect it...and also expect God to give you more than you could ever IMAGINE!  

#YouGotThis!

Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice."

Paul was in prison when he wrote, "Rejoice in the Lord always." AROUND him was the cruelty of men, but WITHIN him was the Kingdom of God.  

How is such joy possible?  Paul gives us the key: "We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18). Child of God, there are things we see that the world doesn't.

Paul was saying, 

"You can lock me up, but you can't keep me in.  Outside these bars Caesar rules, but in here Jesus is Lord, and when my assignment is complete, I'm out of here. Go ahead, take your best shot.  Beat me, imprison me, lie on me, false accuse me, behead me, but one second after the axe falls I'll be more alive than I am now."

There's nothing you can do to a man like that.
He's beyond your reach.

Paul was saying, "This is the best it will ever be for you, but you ought to see where I'm going!"

"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved  we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Corinthians 5:1).

That's a God-altered perspective!

When you praise God, not because of what you FEEL, but because of what you KNOW, you'll have joy that transcends anything that comes against you!

Sometimes you don't FEEL like praising God.  However, we don't live by FEELINGS...we live by FAITH.

• You won't always FEEL like loving people.
• You won't always FEEL like forgiving people.
• You won't always FEEL like praising God.

I think of JOSEPH (one of my hero's) and the great injustice that was done to him.  He chose to FORGIVE a great WRONG...and likewise we are to do the same.  Is it easy?  NO!  But if God has forgiven us...we have the responsibility to forgive others too.

1. His brothers had DRIVEN him AWAY; he calls them to come near. (Genesis 45:4)
2. His brothers had LEFT him without comfort or home; he encourages his brothers and comforts them. (Genesis 45:5)
3. His brothers had been willing to ALLOW HIM TO DIE of starvation and thirst in a pit; he gave them provision for their trip home to Canaan. (Genesis 45:21)
4. His brothers SENT HIM AWAY on the back of a mangy camel; he sends them home on fine Egyptian carts. (Genesis 45:21)
5. His brothers had RIPPED THE COAT of many colors off his back; he gives them the expensive garments of Egypt. (Genesis 45:22)
6. His brothers SOLD HIM FOR SILVER; Joseph gives them silver for their trip. (Genesis 45:22)

For Joseph to do this...is a picture of GRACE.

Have you ever been hurt by someone?

Have you ever been offended?

Have there been times when people have wronged you?

What do you do when that happens in your life?

We have the example of Joseph.  He forgave his brothers.  We also have the example of Jesus. When He was hanging on the cross, about to die for sin, as the religious leaders and the crowds passed by mocking Him, He prayed for their forgiveness.

When we are wronged, and it WILL happen, we are to forgive to the same extent that we have been forgiven.  In fact, we are to go the extra mile in our forgiveness of others. That is not an easy requirement, but it is the will of God for our lives, and it is the only attitude that pleases God.

The key is to return "good for evil." (Romans 12:17-21; Matthew 5:44-48)

How could Joseph forgive his brothers like he did?  Joseph could forgive because...

• He could see the hand of God in everything that happened to him.
• He knew that God was behind every disruption in his life.
• He knew that even his brothers sins against him were part of God's plan for his life.

If you and I are going to get past the hurts we experience, we must adopt the same attitude. If something takes place in your life or mine, it does so only because God gave it PERMISSION to occur.  He is behind every single event that takes place, even the HURTS we experience.  

If He has allowed it...then He will use it for my good and His glory in His time.  My responsibility is to accept the things that come my way and trust Him to work out His will through it.  If I can see His hand in the hurts I experience, it will make the hurt easier to bear.

5 Things For Tuesday

10 Reasons To Honor

When we HONOR our leaders and others, GRACE flows in our direction. A lack of HONOR limits intended blessings in your direction.

• Honor is RECIPROCAL.
• When you HONOR, HONOR is bound to flow to you.

When the disciples of Jesus came to him, they said, "Master, teach us how to pray. In other words, teach us how to receive heavenly blessing."  Jesus replied and said to them, "If you want the blessings of God from heaven to pour out on you, the first you must do is to HONOR the Father in heaven." (Matthew 6:9) (Romans 13:7)

To DISHONOR your leaders is to dishonor God's grace upon their life. Whatever position your leader occupies, you must give due HONOR to him/her because it's the same HONOR that will come back to you.

10 REASONS TO HONOR

1. Indicates that PRIDE has been dealt with in your heart. 

• James 4:6 - "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."

2. Releases more GRACE and ANOINTING upon your life allowing you to RISE.

• James 4:6a - "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith."

3. Releases LONG LIFE for you in life and ministry.

• Ephesians 6:2-3 "Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."

4. Gives you VICTORY over the schemes of the devil.

• Your leaders have certain GRACES, not just because of the anointing on their life, but also by virtue of the position they occupy.  They command a certain respect and can also stop certain schemes of the enemy against you!
• JOSEPH is a prime example of this. While he was in command, he was able to stop the punishment of Israel.
• Elisha appealed to Elijah's POSITION in his life when he said, "My Father, My father, the chariot of Israel and the horse men thereof."  Elisha's ANOINTING was stirred up and he was able to command the king to take the bow and arrow and shoot, and he shot; and Elisha declared there would be a three-time VICTORY over Syria!

5. How you RESPOND to the INSTRUCTION of your leader shows how much honor you have for them and the TYPE of VICTORY that will follow you.

6. Your ERRORS and MISTAKES can be easily forgiven and overlooked.

• The example of the SINNER WOMAN, mentioned in Scripture, that brought an alabaster box of ointment and washed the feet of Jesus with her tears.  She HONORED Jesus with a very expensive perfume. Others judged and condemned her, but Jesus saw her LOVE, her HONOR and her REVERENCE for Him and pronounced her sin forgiven and her errors and mistakes bypassed and overlooked.

7. UNITY is released. (Psalm 133)

8. It VALIDATES your leader's leadership in your life.

• John 3:33 - "He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true."

9. It RELAXES those who are leading you, when you're around.

• Your leader is not agitated because of disrespect or face value.  Rather, they know that TOGETHER you will do mighty things for God.

10. It brings RESPECT, HONOR and ACCEPTANCE to your own ministry.

• The world will not honor the church and their ministers until the people in the church begin to honor their own and one another.
• You are responsible for HOW you honor your leader. Their honor is your honor; their dishonor is your reproach.
• Psalm 69:9b - "And the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me."

RESPECT and HONOR are reciprocal. Respect those you are leading and also affirm your authority. (Romans 12:10b "...in honor preferring one another.")

HONOR is a must in CHRISTIAN MINISTRY and LEADERSHIP; no matter the age of your pastor or leader, you must respect and honor them for your own sake, in God's eyes.

Everyone Needs A Shepherd

Because of the odd dimensions of a sheep's body they're 

unable to pick themselves up if they roll over on their backs. 

WE NEED SHEPHERDS!

Why SHEPHERDS are needed...

1. They keep a lookout for predators and protect their sheep from attackers.
2. They care for the wounded sheep and nurse them back to health.
3. They rescue the sheep that become lost or trapped.
4. They spend time with their sheep, guiding them to places of nourishment and rest.

The RESULT?

1. Trust and relationship that keeps the sheep following the shepherd.
2. The sheep are attuned to the shepherd's voice to the point that even if they were temporarily mixed with another herd, at the call of the shepherd, they would separate & follow him.

Pastors are called SHEPHERDS...

1. Their calling and gifting are much like those who care for sheep.
2. They are called and gifted to care for the spiritual well-being of a local body of God's people. 
3. Pastors are first and foremost servants...(servants of God and His bride, the Church.)
4. Pastors are given a mixture of abilities by GRACE that allows them to serve the needs of an entire community.

The Pastor's goal...

1. Reveal the glory of God in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit!
2. This is achieved by TEACHING the Word of God to the church. (Ephesians 4:11)
3. By teaching the Scriptures to the church, the pastor feeds the "sheep" of God. (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9)

The Holy Spirit helps the Pastor...

1. ...Humbly teach the church, guid them, protected them and lead them in the mission that God has for His church, namely THE GREAT COMMISSION.
2. ...Keep the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the center of his life and ministry.
3. ...Walk in his place of spiritual authority through the power of the Holy Spirit.

There is a tremendous difference between PREACHING for a church and SERVING as a Pastor. I love Peter's interpretation of this in 1 Peter 5:2-4

"Feed the flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."

SIX BASIC FUNCTIONS OF THE PASTOR...

1. FEED THE FLOCK

• Pastors must TEACH The Word of God.
• There's a big difference between having to say something and having something to say!
• Studying the Word of God is demanding but it is essential to feeding the flock.
• Just any sermon won't do! It must be a message from God's Word that is needed by the body at that time!

2. LOVE THE FLOCK

• It is one thing to be given the title of "pastor" but it is quite another to be give the trust of the people. A good shepherd will give their life for the sheep.
• You cannot fake real love for people! Either you do or you don't!
• Love is always the first step in leading.

3. LEAD THE FLOCK

• The Pastor must seek and share the plan or vision of God for the church.
• The writer of Proverbs tells us that "where there is no vision the people perish." 
• Not everyone wants to be led...but a Pastor must continue to lead!

4. KEEP THE FLOCK TOGETHER

• Resolving conflicts and uniting various personalities under one goal consumes a large amount of energy and time!
• Facing multiple forms of conflict causes many Pastors to want to flee instead of staying and solving the problems.
• To be a part of a significant work of God one will have to weather many storms and trials!

5. TEND THE FLOCK

• Psalm 23 is a good example of what a SHEPHERD does in the lives of his sheep. 
• Shepherds provide general oversight, according to Ephesians 4:12 - to PERFECT the saints for the WORK of ministry.

6. PROTECT THE FLOCK

• A Pastor not only deals with sheep, he must also deal with WOLVES. Paul warned the leaders at Ephesus about the wolves that would seek to destroy the flock. 
• A Pastor must not only PREACH THE TRUTH, he must EXPOSE ERROR. This is why we must reprove and rebuke. One day, Pastors will give an account to God for they they executed their role.

Final thoughts...

There will be times when you will fall over on your back and will need a SHEPHERD to help you back up on your feet. #everyone needs a shepherd.

Givers and Takers

GIVERS can spot TAKERS. If the giver is BATMAN, the taker is the JOKER. Anyone who can TAKE from you & then try to discredit you is a joker. If you let takers take advantage of you...then the joke is on you. ‪#‎lessonlearned‬

Don't stop GIVING, just be wiser about who you let TAKE from you. God will send you some of the best people on the planet to walk in true covenant relationship with. They won't USE you to get what they want from you & then ABUSE the relationship you afforded them. They will be LOYAL, FAITHFUL & TRUE.

Over the years, I've allowed my good nature to be taken advantage of. At one point, I said, "never again." However, the love for people & the call to raise sons pushed me past my own hurt. God turned it & what was meant to harm me catapulted me. My advice now is - remain sweet, forgive quickly, stay tender hearted and walk in truth. God will uphold you & you won't even have to say a word...even when you could have.

Never stop GIVING. Inspect the soil, before you scatter the seed. You'll still encounter losses, cry tears & make yourself vulnerable...but it's worth it because God is keeping watch & He's entrusted you with this assignment. He knows your heart & He knows exactly what the future holds.

Remember this...what goes around comes around. Anyone who has sought to do you harm will experience the same measure in their own life...without any help from you. The best thing you can do is just be prayerful, loving, forgiving & future focused! Your best days are ahead of you!

If God allowed it, He will use it. You will grow from it & be the better for it. You're wiser. You're stronger. You're not a pushover! Love everyone & keep it moving.  ‪#‎RemainAGiver‬

5 Things For Monday

10 Things

1. Don't give up on God, yourself or your dream! There are angels, resources, & people on standby waiting on you to BELIEVE again.
2. Recalibrate your faith! Don't abandon your ASSIGNMENT because of your struggle!
3. If you serve in ministry, spend at least twice as much time FILLING up as you do POURING out.
4. The time you spend indulging in a VICE is wasted time. Put that time to better use.
5. Say about yourself only what GOD has determined about you thru the finished work of Christ!
6. God doesn't need great circumstances to make you great. All He needs from you is a RELENTLESS FAITH that refuses to give up!
7. Some people are repeatedly disappointed, so they give up. Others are repeatedly disappointed & become more DETERMINED than ever.
8. Even if your "WANT TO" and your "HOW TO" aren't in sync, don't be discouraged or give up hope! God is at work within you!
9. People usually give up when they fail to GIVE THOUGHT to God's integrity, faithfulness & power! THINK and then give THANKS!
10. We FIT where God has placed us, not where we feel we should be placed. Your assignment will not EXPIRE unto you do! Don't give up on it!

5 Things For Friday

Notes About OFFENSE