Category Archives: Family Ministry

God’s Word for Marriages, Parenting and Sibling Relationships.

God’s Benefit Package 

Church Leaders, Family Ministry, Giving Thanks, Spiritual Food, , , , ,

Psalm 103:1-5 NKJV Bless (ḇâraḵ) the Lord (JEHOVAH), O my soul; And all that is within (midst, among, inner part) me, bless (ḇâraḵ) His holy (sacred-set-apartness) name! 2 Bless (ḇâraḵ) the Lord, O my soul, my And forget not all His benefits (compensation; make a mends for a wrong done unto you): 3 Who forgives all your iniquities (perversity, depravity, guilt) Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems (avenge, revenge, ransom) your life from destruction (pit (of Hell), the grave) Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies (compassion), 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed (to make anew, to repair) like the eagle’s.

So I remembered that the title sounded very familiar, so I did some digging in my notes, and back in March of 2023, I’d written 

The Lord’s Benefits Package

Psalm 103:6 The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.

So this is a Psalm of David, the “Man after God’s Own Heart.” Another powerful praise song to the Lord. Just look at the first verse: “Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!” I cannot read that without breaking out in song. That verse alone is powerful and could stand by itself. 

Yet he goes further in the following few verses to remind us of something which might be just as powerful: “Don’t forget the Benefits of our relationship with God.” When I heard the word ‘Benefits,’ I was struck by the thought of a benefits package that comes with some job offers. These packages include medical coverage, life insurance, dental insurance, a 401 (k), holidays, and paid time off. So in that same spirit, I noticed a couple of things: 

  1. Medical Coverage: (vs 3….Who heals all your diseases; vs 5 So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s). We receive healthcare from the Great Physician. Jesus went about healing the sick (Matt 4:23). He took the beatings, wounds, bruises, and humiliation upon Himself, then healed us with His stripes (Isa 53:4-5). Just like Abraham, Caleb, Elisha, and Samson, He will give us renewed (Renewed: to rebuild; to renew; to repair) youth/supernatural strength. Our Healthcare is covered by Jesus’ Blood. 
  2. Life Insurance: (vs 4 Who redeems your life from destruction). Life insurance is a benefit that’s only paid out after someone’s death. When Jesus died, He redeemed (Redeem:  To buy back a relative’s property….to marry his widow….deliver…purchase/ransom) our lives from destruction (Destruction:  a pit; a trap; ditch; grave); He bought our lives back from being trapped in a ditch, like Joseph. 
  3. Dental Insurance: (5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things? Jesus will fix our mouthed; we will speak faith and life (Eph 6:19). We will declare God’s goodness (Rom 2:4). He will also satisfy (Satisfies: to sate; fill to satisfaction; to have enough; have plenty.  supply (someone) with as much as or more of something than is desired or can be managed) us with His overflow of Favor (Ps 23:6). 
  4. 401 K: (vs 3 Who forgives all your iniquities). The Retirement account is designed to provide for you after you have retired. Jesus finished the work on the cross; He declared it finished (Jn 19:30). Understand what He finished on the cross; all was forgiven. He forgave our iniquities (Iniquities: Perversity; evil; mischief (Perversity is a deliberate desire to behave unreasonably or unacceptably; contrariness.   OR the quality of being contrary to accepted standards or practice).  Cambridge’s Definition of perversity: the quality of being strange and not what most people would do or expect: Sexual behaviour that is considered strange and unpleasant by most people.  Let all that marinate; His blood covers all.

The Lord’s Benefits Package is one-of-a-kind and covers everything you could possibly need. It will make you declare just like David: Bless the LORD, O my soul!

What Are You Striving For

Church Leaders, Family Ministry, Spiritual Food, , ,

Acts 24:16 NKJV This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

Paul was before the Governor of Caesarea, Felix, after being plotted against by the Jews in Jerusalem. Here he is pleading (via a carefully crafted sermon) as to why he does not deserve the bogus charge the Jews had made against him, and to tell Felix and whatever audience was there about Jesus and “the Way,” that which we call Christianity. Yet as he is sharing these words to the Governor, Paul makes this statement: so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.” 

So what exactly was Paul saying? 

  1. This being so:Paul was acknowledging the Truth of what he believed in and who he believed in. Jesus is “the Way,” but the Way is also what they called all those who followed Jesus. Ultimately, he was letting Felix know that everything he did was because he believed in Jesus. 
  2. I myself always strive: Paul wanted this audience to know that in every effort he made, every action he took, he took painstaking (requiring immense care and meticulous attention to detail) efforts to ensure. He did not take anything for granted or take steps haphazardly. He was very intentional in everything he did. 
  3. to have a conscience without offense: So, what was he so careful about? To maintain a moral consciousness without any malicious intent to harm anyone. In this case, not to cause offense (not leading others to sin by one’s mode of life). He did not want to cause anybody to sin because of his actions. We live in a day of constant acknowledgment of people’s shortcomings, whether in government. official, teacher, church pastor, or the President of a country. It seems that every day, someone will do something to lead others astray or cause offense. After all, these Jews were about to kill Paul if they could, but Paul wanted Felix and us all to know that he carefully chose his actions in a way to ensure that nobody fell because of him. 
  4. toward God and men: The thing about Paul is that he had lived much of his early life being offensive. Both to God and men. Remember, he was persecuting the early church so much that Jesus told him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 22:7). So then, I guess it was only right that, after meeting Jesus on that Damascus road, he would strive never to cause offense again. 

This leads me to ask: how are we living our lives? Are we living in a way to lead others to sin, or are we being diligent, disciplined, and deliberate to live lives that lead people to the Christ that Paul believed in??

That’s the Way Love Goes

Family Ministry, God Loves You, Self Care, Spiritual Food, , , , , ,

1 John 4:17-19 NKJV Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.

OK so I guess I was having a Pastor Jamal Bryant moment with the title choice today (Pastor Bryant is known for his very provocative sermon titles).  However, when I read these three verses, and read them together it was the first thing that popped into my mind.  Why?

Maybe it was because it’s the title of a song that somewhat redefined Janet Jackson’s entire singing career.  That song and that album turned Janet from an international singing super star, who had just rose from under the shadow of her famous brother, to a global sensation and sex symbol who had now put herself among the same plan as her brother because she had displayed a new side of herself that no had ever expected.  WHAT??  Then why would I see John’s words and think of this secular star.  

One my brain could be a little warped and these three verses are considered the Consummation of Love; that word consummation means the completion, achievement, attainment, execution or conclusion of love.  It denotes the action of making a marriage or relationship complete by having sexual intercourse. The completion of the covenant. Just as this song and album completes Janet’s quest to become a global phenomenon this section of scripture consummated Jesus’ Love Toward Us when HE died on the cross for our sins.

The crazy thing is this; each of these verses have been preached, taught, meditated on and had entire conferences centered around them.  But when you read them together.  It just makes everything Crystal Clear!!!  

Love Consummated (or perfected)

  1. Perfect Oneness-(The Two Become One): Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.  
  2. Perfect Security: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
  3. Perfect Pursuit: We love Him because He first loved us.

This radically changes how you see a relationship.  Because our relationship with God was perfected the minute He had Jesus come to earth to live and give His life so that we all would be able to be loved.  Jesus made it possible for God to truly demonstrate His love for us.  The cross allowed us to become one with Jesus and be seated at the right hand of God.  Because of His sacrifice, sin which kept us apart from God was destroyed, removed as a barrier to Him.  Now He could pour out His great love toward us like never before.  We were able to literally become One with God (John 17:22 NKJV And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one).   

Next we understand the true Security of His love for us.  To be secure is the be safe, have a feeling of safety or even the constant state of being protected against any danger or threat.  Being secure, stable, firm in your place.  I just looked up the three biggest fears of mankind and they are; death, abandonment, and failure.  Man, O could cry crocodile tears right there because that is the way the devil (our enemy) comes at me damn near every day.  Death, he is always reminding me of when my father and grandfather died so why do you think you will live to much longer; showing me a ton of people dying in and around that age.  Then he attacks with abandonment, being isolated loosing relationship focusing on how everyone around me wants nothing to do with me, I’d they had their choice they would be somewhere or be with someone else.  Always pushing me towards isolation.  Let me tell you first hand for a people person that sucks… Yet, let me also tell you what God says to us (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV…For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”) Jesus died on the Crosss and was resurrected to the Father, He never abandoned us but gave us Forever Help (John 15:26 NKJV “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me).  We are not alone….

Then lastly, that failure attack!! It is a non-stop attempt to minimize any accomplishment, overemphasize or stress any setback or unmet goal.  It literally diminished almost any success and makes the world come crashing down with any and every inevitable missed opportunity, problem, or unmet expectation.  I see this every single day as a business owner.  It becomes so hard to celebrate the small victories because of the constant thought of one dropped ball bring the whole thing crashing down.  However, when I find myself here I have to recall Jesus’ perfect love which gives me the option to cast all of these cares on Him (1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you).  A big part of God’s perfected love is that He does not force anything, this then causes us to submit ourselves to be loved.  You have to humble you to give all of this stuff in us to God.  When we won’t humble ourselves and allow Him to love us we hold on to the fear of abandonment afraid that if we give it He may decide it’s too much and leave as well not accepting the fact that He cares for you.  His care for us loves the mess out of us.  

God came after us, it was a full out Pursuit.  God chased us down.  To show us why we needed him (the Law; wages of sin); to demonstrate true love (that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us) and lastly giving us blessed assurance (John 16:33 NKJV These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”) He has paved the way for us to overcome and He has made a place with Him forever (John 14:2-3 NKJV  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also).  When we were pursued in the manner that God pursued each of us we cannot help but be loved and then return that love (because He first loved us). 

We need this Love, but the majority of the world does not accept it and they look for it everywhere else.  

But you know what….That’s the Way Love Goes.  

A Touchless Society

Emotional, Family Ministry, God Loves You, Self Care, Spiritual Food, , , , ,

The Modern Day Leper

Mark 1:41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

We live in a day of Touchless Technology.  This technology is used in numerous settings, including restaurants, stores, schools, and was especially vital during COVID.  It allows us to interact with devices and systems without physical contact and was implemented to reduce the spread of germs and viruses.  However, we never returned to interacting with each other.  I believe that while the effects of  COVID increased this trend of usage for safety, today it is used more for convenience, than anything else.  We seem to be looking for convenient ways not to have anything to do with other people.  Sad Right; yet I believe that many people enjoy the isolation. 

Leviticus 13:50 The priest shall examine the plague and isolate that which has the plague seven days.

Isolate: to shut, to close, to be shut up.  

The definition is interesting; shut, closed and be silenced.  Isolation is physically shutting you up and shutting up the community around you.  In isolation the enemy’s voice often becomes the loudest, and in isolation we remove our access to some essential needs.  

What needs: of the top 5 things that are documented as critical needs for a newborn, like being fed, good hygiene, and safety, is the Parental or Caregiver’s affection and interaction.  The affection and interaction include holding, cuddling, talking to, and responding to the baby’s needs; each are vital for the emotional well-being of the child.  Well just like for the baby, Affection is very important to us as children and adults; it contributes significantly to our sense of well-being, connection, and a feeling of being loved.  This need of emotional and physical intimacy through affectionate touch, hugs, kisses, and words of affirmation are key to grown people feeling secure and valued in a relationship.

Leviticus 13:45-46 “Now the leper on whom the sore is, his clothes shall be torn and his head bare; and he shall cover his mustache, and cry, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’  46 He shall be unclean. All the days he has the sore he shall be unclean. He is unclean, and he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.

So imagine this leper who is coming to Jesus; this man’s body is literally deteriorating before him.  Not only the physical pain in his body; but the emotional pain of utter neglect had to be excruciating.  A Middle Aged man in Jesus’ day would be married with a pretty large family. So you would have to think that this man had been isolated from the city, from his neighbors, from his wife and from his kids.  Yet not only isolated from them, the very ones who loved him.  But rejected by them because they did not want to catch what he had.  Ridiculed by the people of the city because they treated the lepers lower than vermin.  An even ostracized by the religious leaders as they proclaimed their leprosy was tied to their sin.  Imagine being berated physically, emotionally and spiritually for weeks, months, or even years.  We don’t exactly how long this man was with this agonizing disease but we do know it was long enough that when he went and told the people and church leaders what happened many believed because they knew his condition.  

What does this have to do with Touchless Technology?  We have unknowingly created a bunch of lepers today as we in general have disconnected physically and emotionally.  Just like the leper isolated, lonely and ill repute (the state of being held in low esteem by the public).  The impact of lack of touch and affection, can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and even decreased relationship satisfaction.

Phones and other tech have replaced simple dialogue, conversation and even just being present with others.  Hugs, holding hands, cuddling, and normal physical contact is missing.  And just look at the impact below of what we miss, taken from a summary of studies:

*Emotional connection:
Physical affection like hugs and cuddles releases oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and feelings of closeness, which is crucial for men and women to feel connected to their partner. 

*Self-esteem boost:
Receiving affection can significantly enhance a person’s self-esteem and sense of worth. 

*Stress reduction:
Physical touch has been shown to reduce stress levels in men and women. 

*Communication tool:
Affection can be a powerful way to express love and appreciation, even without words. 

Although the technology has Changed Jesus Remains the same.  When we’re isolated and alone; Jesus is always willing  (“I am willing; be cleansed.”) to touch us!!  His touch restores and makes us whole.  

Mark 1:41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

The Lord’s Guide to Loving Your Spouse

Family Ministry, God Loves You, ,

John 15:9-11 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

I was recently talking to the Lord about marriage and I asked Him to give me a fresh word on the topic. When we’ve been walking with Christ for some time we can tend to hear the same verses preached time and time again.  If a preacher gets up and says the topic is marriage, certain scripture immediately come to mind in the Gospels, 1st Corinthians or Ephesians.  So it made me laugh a little when God took me too a familiar, yet out of the box verse that seemingly has nothing to do with marriage…. oh but it indeed has everything to do with it.

John 15 reminds us of Jesus’ words to His followers; we are to look to God’s love for Jesus as our guide and example to see love demonstrated, receive love and most important (especially in marriage), how to love others (Spouse).  We cannot look to the world, the church or even our own parent when it comes to loving our spouses, because:
*The world tends to treat marriage as a romantic comedy, trashy novel or sometimes both.  What do I mean?  There is always a happy ending, even if it means disregarding the sanctity and principles of marriage.  The world has no standard, instead it has numerous different ones and use whichever one suits their desire.
*The Church because although this should be where we go for examples, but unfortunately the church is made up of man and often when you look to man you open yourself up to disappointment.  Today, the numbers are quite discouraging, but more than 50% of these marriages are ending in divorce, there seems to be a huge disconnect!
*Our Parents, even though this is where most of our actions within marriage comes from; whether we want it to or not.  Many have parents that have been married for years, some have endured divorce and others have parents who have never been married.  Even in the best of situations, if we will be honest, there are many things that we’ve seen, experience or even vowed never to do, that we less than ideal examples to follow.  And while we should not blame our parents, because they did not have perfect models to follow either.

However, we do have hope and a guide provided by the Lord Himself. Jesus makes it clear with His own words that His example of how to love was from only one source. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you,” Jesus loved others as He was loved by his Daddy God.  God’s love for us is amazing, He gave us His very best when we did not deserve it.  God made plans for us (plans to prosper us and give us hope), He made provisions for us and He wrote a book full of love letters for us.  So, we have to first decide if God has loved us like this, which is typically the trickiest thing to do.  If He has then we are to love our spouses in the same manner.

He then encourages us to live, stay and remain in this love, “Now remain in my love.”  The word remain (or abide in the KJV) means to live, dwell or spend your time in God’s love for you.  The most important thing we can do in order to love our spouses is to become saturated in God’s love for us.  I look at it like this, most of us take showers and not baths.  Why?  A shower is much faster, easier, cleaner and focuses maximizing time to do other things.  However, a bath takes much more time, it is more difficult, it can get really messy and is really focuses on you (you feel refreshed when finished).  We do the same with God’s Love, we don’t spend time bathing in it, we allow a little to fall on us so we can get on to other things (there is so much to do).  When we really abide/remain in God’s love for us, our self-esteem is improved, confidence is greater and our trust in God goes through the roof.  We end up filled and are in a much better place to pour out love for our spouses.  When we don’t remain is His love, like I’ve often done, we end up loving out of frustration, disappointment and stress caused by daily life.  Remember; you get out what you put in, so when that is how you’re loving; that is what is being received by those you’re trying to love.  Your spouse is receiving the frustration, disappointment and stress you’re giving in the form of your love.  Did you ever get a gift you did not want 🙂  When we learn to bathe in God’s love for us and get full, we can then effectively love our spouses; and what they receive will become a part of their baths.

How then do we take this bath? Jesus said “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”  Keep and Commands become important words for our understanding.  The word keep means to guard, protect, build a fortress around; this is something very valuable.  The word Commands in this verse denotes a prescription, just like what a doctor would give you to heal an illness.  This prescription is the word of God, the bible the precept upon precept that Jesus came in human form to display for all to see or receive in written form; it is the “Prescription of Life.”  When we guard and protect God’s prescription for life we bathe in God’s love and are fulfilled.

Jesus told us this for one reason “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete (full),” and if you receive this for your marriage today, I declare you marriage will be full of the Joy of the Lord!!!

Get Some Daddy Time

Family Ministry, God Loves You, Spiritual Food

Ps 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

So this morning, as it is many Saturday mornings, my industrious wife was off to the grocery store early to beat the rush and get back in time to still enjoy the weekend.  So it is up to Daddy to take care of breakfast and spend some quality time with the children.  This time is usually spent with me in the kitchen cooking, and the kids downstairs watching their favorite cartoon or TV show.  Then we eat breakfast together, typically at max speed because the boys want to get back to playing games and or hopeful that I will let them watch another show.  But today was a little different, no hot breakfast, just cold cereal and toaster’s strudel.  This was quickly gobbled up by the kids and I had not even sat down to eat my mix of breakfast and leftovers from last night’s dinner.  My 4 year old daughter was still sitting there and she said these words to me “Daddy can I keep you company while you eat your breakfast?”

Ohhhhhhhh, my heart melted so fast, I could not get the words “Of Course!!!” out of my mouth quick enough.  There was such a smile of my face that I could not wait to sit and spend Daddy Time with my little Princess.  We had such a pleasant time, we talked about questions she needed answers to, things that were fun for her, some things that I did when I was small and our favorite things about playing in the snow yesterday and even sharing some of her fears.  It was then that Jesus spoke to me and said this is exactly what I feel when my children want to spend time with me.

The bible says “In Your presence is fullness of joy” and I have always enjoyed this verse because it reminded me that when I spend time in the Lord’s presence, I will be full of joy.  His joy not mine, this Joy the world could never take away from me, because it did not give it to me.  This joy is not based on my situation or circumstances but based on the Joy of Jesus, whose Joy is unspeakable.  Knowing this makes you look forward to spending time with God so that we can be replenished or be filled.  Today, Jesus revealed to me that it’s not just my joy that will be full, but that Jesus joys in His children desiring to spend time with Him.  He loves to hear from us, He smiles when we tell him what makes us happy, the things we like about being with Him and especially the cares we want to lay at His feet.  Nothing beats Daddy Time for you or Daddy.

Know that Jesus Joys in your presence with Him.  He loves to hear from you and loves to fill you with His unspeakable joy.   In Your presence is fullness of joy

We’re Never Alone

Family Ministry, God Loves You

2 Kings 6:16So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.”

Have you ever felt like you were the only one or one of a few in your walk with Christ?  Sure we know that there are more than 2 billion Christians in the world, but some days when you are going thru life honestly, it  just seems like you’re alone.  The devil has specialized in isolating Christians over the years, whether it was in the Garden with Adam and Eve or in the asylum we set up in our own minds.  When he can get us alone we tend to focus on ourselves, our short comings and our faults rather than the awesome choice that Jesus made on the cross on our behalf.  About 3 and a half years ago my wife were introduced to Joseph Prince’s ministry and began to hear his teachings on God’s Loving Grace.  It has definitely changed the way receive from Jesus and walk in His love for us.  It was so simple and foundational that it was really difficult to accept at first, until the Lord began to show Himself in scripture like never before.

Rejuvenated by the Love of God and knowing how precious I am to Him, it became something I could not wait to share with everyone.  The issue I had was that it was not well received with those who I’d grown up with spiritually; it kind of made me feel isolated.  My wife and I really became the epitome of iron sharpening iron, encouraging each other in the Lord.  Even in that, it would often feel like you’re walking alone at times.

This past weekend I had an Elisha’s servant episode.  In this text Elisha’s servant that he and his master we isolated and surrounded by their enemy.  But what the servant did not realize was “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”  My oldest Son and I took a trip up to NJ to see Joseph Prince who was preaching in Newark, during his first preaching tour in America.  It was our first trip together, just the two of us.  I had a really great time, it was really cool and it reached a pinnacle for me when we found ourselves in the middle of praise and worship with well over 18 thousand other believers lifting up the name of Jesus Christ on one accord.  To see Jesus’ loving embrace caressing each one of us was tremendous.  I saw Jesus overflow my son’s heart with His joy, so much so that all he could do was cry.  He told me that he was so happy and he knew that Jesus loved him.  Are you kidding me???  It was as if Elisha was praying for me to have my eyes opened and that night I was reminded like Elisha’s servant “And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around ME.”

It Cannot Be Wiped Away

Family Ministry, Spiritual Food

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Have you ever cut yourself and did not know it?  Or, you’ve cut yourself but cannot see the cut because there is so much blood?  What do you do?  Wipe the blood away so that you can see the injury, the hurt, the thing causing the pain, then immediately apply some type of cleanser to keep the cut from getting infected.  Now I’m sure my wife, the Pediatrician, will school me later on the technical terms and techniques, but I hope that I got the gist of it.

I highlighted this verse in 1 John, because it says something that we have to believe to survive, the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.  Jesus does just the opposite to our spiritual cuts and injuries.  Our sin, causes hurt and pain, but Jesus’ blood is the balm in Gilead (Jer 8:22).  His blood not only covers our sin, but it cleanses us from all sin; but doesn’t stop there, His blood heals (Lk 4:18) and gives eternal life (Jn 6:54).

So what’s up with the title?  Well, we’ve been taught that God sees all of our sin, and He is upset with us when we sin.  He is not pleased with us until we repent from every individual sin.  In essence wiping away Jesus’ Blood.  I guess we wipe it away so God can see our sin, then after we repent the blood is then reapplied.  I know that it seems like a little thing, but we mix up God’s old covenant with His new one.  In His old covenant, we indeed would have to atone for every sin, working for our salvation by offering some type of sacrifice, even putting our hope in the High Priest so that he would sacrifice on our behalf.  Then on top of all that, the offering had to be accepted by God for our sin to be removed.  That is a heck of a lot that has to go right.  Jesus died so that we do not have to live like this anymore…..

I’m so glad that God declared in Heb 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, there was fault with the first covenant or the Old Covenant or the Law, therefor He gave a new covenant.  Paul tells us that this old covenant, was the ministry of death (2 Cor 3:7).  Be mindful of what you are receiving and believing, you may be sippin’ on a little death, which slowly kills our Faith is Jesus’ Blood.

I will not say any more, I will let the bible tell you that Jesus’ Blood is more than enough, and it can NEVER be wiped away…….

Heb 8:8-13 Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah — 9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the LORD. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 11 None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 13 In that He says, “ . Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

Enter God’s Presence With Boldness & Assurance

Family Ministry, God Loves You

I get so irritated with my two boys every now and then, for many reasonsJ, but specifically for this blog, when I call them after they have done something wrong.  You see my ever playful and happy go lucky oldest son becomes stoic and depressed, his movement is slow and speech is nearly silent.  My overtly loud, flamboyant, loving and often obnoxious younger son becomes miniscule, basically disappearing with the only the top of his head visible to me, as he looks directly to the ground in horror.  My response is often “Pick your head up!! You weren’t looking like this when you did it, so why are you looking like that now.”   And this often shifts their countenance from extreme guilt and embarrassment to all out fear.  WHY??

Well it is obvious “they are no good little twerps that need a good hard beating to get them back in line.”  Of course not I love them both tremendously, but I know that this is how they feel sometimes because my anger has gotten the best of me and I may have smacked them upside the head, snatched them up  or whatever other method that honestly was more than acceptable when I was growing up J.  Now why I say this in just, most of us know that there have been times where we’ve over reacted because we were upset.  And the very thought of coming into my presence reminds my kids of those previous reaction to their mistakes.  While my wife and I (much like all of you) have tried our very best to respond and correct our kids in a way that most reflects God’s response to us, we have often and will at times fall so very short.

Fast forward the years and look at how many of us respond to God today, so often when we have failed, sinned or done something that is just way outside of our character; we find ourselves in a similar position when entering the Lord’s presence.  We feel the same embarrassment, shame and honestly fear.  The truth is the enemy will put on his best voice imitation to tell us all of the negative we’ve done and why we should feel shame in hopes of keeping us from going into the Lord’s presence at all or at least making us feel like this while we’re there.  HOW????  Because we too often see God as our father treating us in a similar way that we do or have been treated by our fathers…..that could not be further from the truth.

The Truth Is:
Hebrews 10:15-18
15 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” 17 then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18 Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

The Holy Spirit reminds us that God was clear about why He sent Jesus.   Jesus’ shed blood was to introduce this new covenant that would relieve us from having to experience the above scenario when coming into the presence of God (or keeping you from entering His presence).  According to the Law “all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission (of sin),” Jesus’ blood allows God the ability to remember no more!!  We as parents don’t have that same ability (which is just one more thing that makes Jesus so precious).  There are so many times I wish I had that ability, because forgiveness would be so much easier.  While it is very difficult to comprehend with our finite minds, we can BY FAITH BELIEVE that God says “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”  You should not stop there, we also believe that “Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin”  Today there is remission, which Strong’s defines as release from bondage or imprisonment;  forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty.  Those were not my words but Jesus’.  Now that there is remission by the Blood of Jesus “there is no longer an offering for sin.”  There is no need for an offering because “It Is Finished!!!”  Once again Jesus’ words not mine.

Now nothing here exalts sin or advocates for sin, God hates sin (so do I) Sooooooooooo much, so much that He dealt with it forever on the Cross!!!.  And because Sin has been dealt with and forever destroyed, God will not remember them anymore….ON PURPOSE.  What is that purpose:
Hebrews 10:19-22
19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let His word minister to you, there is a lot in this passage, let it free you from the bondage that you’ve often subjected yourselves to.  Jesus loves you so much; allow His word to transform you with Boldness and Assurance.

Love That Speaks Volumes

Family Ministry

Eph 5:28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

Are your actions really saying what your heart believes?  What should you do when your actions say things to your spouse other than the words you speak?  Communication is one of the common issues that spring up in marriage; it really becomes a barometer of the health of a marriage.  When the communication is good, a marriage thrives; but when communication is bad a marriage struggles.  I’ve had my challenges in this area.  I’m improving…but I still have a ways to go.

Paul tells us here in Ephesians that we (husbands) are to love our wives as much as (or more than) we love ourselves.  A very important part of loving someone is communicating that love.  I can communicate love by my words, and also by my actions, but there is a problem when the two are not aligned.  The other night I was the MC for a fundraiser at my job.  It was the first of this magnitude so I wanted my family there to share with me, especially since I would be there all day missing a family function.  Just before the event, things really began to pick up and before I knew it we were well into the bulk of the program.  I had not even as much as greeted my wife and family (maybe brief eye contact).

This obviously did not communicate to Vanessa how glad I was that they made it and that I was extremely happy to see them there in support.  When I finally came over to the table they were preparing to leave; not ideal for spending time with those most important to me.  As I walked them out to the car I could definitely tell that Vanessa wished they hadn’t ever come.  When we finally wrapped up and I was on my way home, I called and Vanessa shared something that really blew me away; “this is what you always do” she said.  This was not the first time that I had acted in a similar manner which continued to communicate to her was that she and our family were not as important as I’ve stated.  As would be imagined, I was hurt not because of what she said but what my actions said to her and my kids.  As a husband and father it is important to me that they know my heart towards them and if that is not being communicated then there is no way that I am loving my own wife as my own body.

So why am I sharing this?  Because after hearing my wife’s heart I realized that something needed to change.  I was reminded by the Holy Spirit of a message taught by Frank Wilson at a men’s conference in Philadelphia (10 yrs ago).  He talked about how to show your wife that she is the most important person in your life.  He spoke about how he shows his wife, Bunny, just how important she is to him, specifically when he is serving or working in some capacity.  “The minute Bunny walks in the room and I see her, I stop whatever I’m doing and go to her; this acknowledges her presence.  I then check to see if there is anything she needs from me and if so I do it or I assure her that it will be dealt with.”  This ensured his wife Bunny knew that she was indeed the most important person in his life.

Now I am not Frank Wilson, and may never get to where he and Bunny are in their marriage, but I at least have something to shoot for.  My help in communicating my love is the Holy Spirit, you see Jesus knows me and my wife, therefore as I look to Him for wisdom He will direct my path. I encourage you (brothers) that what you say has to match what you do and if the two don’t align, then it has to be dealt with immediately.  Jesus will help you deal with the issues in your marriage, and show you how to make all of your communication consistent.  While letting Jesus help your communication you will begin to love your own wives as your own bodies, and by doing so your marriage will thrive.

God Bless You!