John 11:49-50
49Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was a high
priest that year, spoke up, 'You know nothing at all! 50You do not
realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than
that the whole nation perish."
The high priests were the final
decision makers in the plot to kill Jesus. Just a few short verses
above, the high priests admitted to Jesus performing the miraculous
signs. But the fear was that everyone would believe in Jesus and then
they would lose their good standing with the Romans. Rome was the ruling
government of the area the Jews occupied. Per the Zondervan NIV
Study Bible, Caiaphas had no concern for Jesus' innocence. His main
quest was to get the group to see that Jesus needed to be scapegoat to
keep their own agenda afloat. But Caiaphas really didn't not understand
the words which he spoke. Yes, Jesus was indeed to be sacrificed so that
no one else would perish but not for the reasons he assumed. The agenda
of the high priests was to keep their political standing and position.
The stakes were high for the high priests. They were high because to go
on with their charade of "power" someone had to look guilty. But later,
scripture says Jesus withdrew. Jesus still went to death on the time
frame that God had designated, not man.
Many people have agendas
but when an agenda consists of finding a scapegoat for the sake of
saving face like the high priests, it's a dangerous mission. Especially
if the scapegoat is innocent. How many times have missions such as this
backfired? The high priests' own greed for power led them to do what
they did. But in the end, they still lost. One's own agenda of power at
the cost of others is not only setting the stakes high but also a sure
way to fall.
P.S. Remember to check out my man V of the Artist to Artist Show Mondays on www.Qliveone.com and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!
Monday, November 5, 2012
Thursday, November 1, 2012
A Grandstand Affair
Luke 15:29
29But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
I love how God does not waiver when He says there's a message. The brother was jealous of the wonderful treatment his younger brother received. Understand that anger may be the first emotion but there was something else there. Jesus gave the parable of the Lost Son or Prodigal Son. Jesus was also talking about the older brother's anger as a metaphor to the anger the Pharisees had. They "obeyed" the laws of Moses but were not receiving the same welcome Jesus was receiving or at least no longer receiving it. God does not like "grandstanding." A couple of weeks ago God had me watch an episode of the Justice League cartoon. The episode was called Chaos at Earth's Core. One superhero was jealous of Supergirl's popularity and gifts while they were in Japan fighting an enemy. So instead of working together, the superhero decided to "show off" what she had. Yes, the enemy was defeated but the Justice League members were not working together as a team. She later commented to Green Lantern, much like the older son, why Supergirl had all the fans, people wanting her autograph, etc. Instead of looking at what gifts she was given, she focused in on Supergirl's status and why she didn't receive the same favor.
God gives what He decides to give and when He decides to give it. He is sovereign. He can do what He wants to do. To focus in on why you are not where someone else is gives exactly the same level of contempt the Pharisees had for Jesus and what the superhero had for Supergirl. The Pharisees' jealousy turned to plotting what they thought was Jesus' demise. The superhero taking delight in watching Supergirl suffer. Same spirit. The spirit is jealousy. It's the same spirit the older brother had toward the prodigal son. There is no place for a grandstand affair in the kingdom of God and neither is it of God. Just like Green Lantern pointed out to the other superhero, it actually takes energy away from fighting the real enemy.
P.S. Remember to checkout J. Black for Black Friday every Friday on Church Beat Radio on www.live365.com!
29But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
I love how God does not waiver when He says there's a message. The brother was jealous of the wonderful treatment his younger brother received. Understand that anger may be the first emotion but there was something else there. Jesus gave the parable of the Lost Son or Prodigal Son. Jesus was also talking about the older brother's anger as a metaphor to the anger the Pharisees had. They "obeyed" the laws of Moses but were not receiving the same welcome Jesus was receiving or at least no longer receiving it. God does not like "grandstanding." A couple of weeks ago God had me watch an episode of the Justice League cartoon. The episode was called Chaos at Earth's Core. One superhero was jealous of Supergirl's popularity and gifts while they were in Japan fighting an enemy. So instead of working together, the superhero decided to "show off" what she had. Yes, the enemy was defeated but the Justice League members were not working together as a team. She later commented to Green Lantern, much like the older son, why Supergirl had all the fans, people wanting her autograph, etc. Instead of looking at what gifts she was given, she focused in on Supergirl's status and why she didn't receive the same favor.
God gives what He decides to give and when He decides to give it. He is sovereign. He can do what He wants to do. To focus in on why you are not where someone else is gives exactly the same level of contempt the Pharisees had for Jesus and what the superhero had for Supergirl. The Pharisees' jealousy turned to plotting what they thought was Jesus' demise. The superhero taking delight in watching Supergirl suffer. Same spirit. The spirit is jealousy. It's the same spirit the older brother had toward the prodigal son. There is no place for a grandstand affair in the kingdom of God and neither is it of God. Just like Green Lantern pointed out to the other superhero, it actually takes energy away from fighting the real enemy.
P.S. Remember to checkout J. Black for Black Friday every Friday on Church Beat Radio on www.live365.com!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Stretch
Luke 6:10
10He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so and his hand was completely restored.
It was the Sabbath and the Pharisees wanted to know if Jesus would heal anyone. The Sabbath is a day of rest and to recognize the rest the Lord took even in His own work to create the world and everything in it. The Jews were to adhere to the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy and to do no work. We as followers of Christ are to do the same but often do not. The Pharisees were looking for an excuse to accuse Jesus of not following the law. Jesus already knew and therefore decided to heal a man anyway. What is important to note is that Jesus gave the man specific instructions. He told him to "stretch." Why is stretching important? The man had to do something in order to receive his healing. The man had to make a conscious effort to take action in order to receive the result Jesus wanted to give him. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines 2stretch as 1) an act of extending or drawing out beyond ordinary or normal limits 2) a continuous extent in length, area or time 3) the extent to which something may be stretched 4) either of the straight sides of a racecourse. Drawing out beyond ordinary limits is what Jesus used to push the man to what he desired which is healing. If you want to be healed, you still have to do something. What is it that you want? More importantly, what is it that Jesus wants to give you? The only way you can receive it is if you stretch toward Jesus.
P.S. Thank you for patience over the last few weeks as I was working on rewrites for my second book, Shh...Don't Tell: Journey of Survivors. Remember to check out my girl Stubbs on the Leap of Faith Show Monday-Friday 6am-9am ET on the Leap of Faith Network at www.leapoffaithshow.com and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!
10He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so and his hand was completely restored.
It was the Sabbath and the Pharisees wanted to know if Jesus would heal anyone. The Sabbath is a day of rest and to recognize the rest the Lord took even in His own work to create the world and everything in it. The Jews were to adhere to the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy and to do no work. We as followers of Christ are to do the same but often do not. The Pharisees were looking for an excuse to accuse Jesus of not following the law. Jesus already knew and therefore decided to heal a man anyway. What is important to note is that Jesus gave the man specific instructions. He told him to "stretch." Why is stretching important? The man had to do something in order to receive his healing. The man had to make a conscious effort to take action in order to receive the result Jesus wanted to give him. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines 2stretch as 1) an act of extending or drawing out beyond ordinary or normal limits 2) a continuous extent in length, area or time 3) the extent to which something may be stretched 4) either of the straight sides of a racecourse. Drawing out beyond ordinary limits is what Jesus used to push the man to what he desired which is healing. If you want to be healed, you still have to do something. What is it that you want? More importantly, what is it that Jesus wants to give you? The only way you can receive it is if you stretch toward Jesus.
P.S. Thank you for patience over the last few weeks as I was working on rewrites for my second book, Shh...Don't Tell: Journey of Survivors. Remember to check out my girl Stubbs on the Leap of Faith Show Monday-Friday 6am-9am ET on the Leap of Faith Network at www.leapoffaithshow.com and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Let the Miracle Speak for Itself
25"Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."
When the Lord wants to bring someone to a place of faith, He will sometimes use a miracle in the life of those who believe and allow the unbeliever to be a witness. A miracle cannot be explained by human action or effort but by the supernatural ability of God. Miracles whether performed in the Old Testament or New Testament served the same purpose. King Nebuchadnezzar had pagan beliefs. Daniel's friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had been thrown in a fiery furnace for not worshiping the king of Babylon but rather the Most High God. They were willing to perish than to sin against God and worship anything or anyone else but Him. Because they were faithful, the Lord showed up. He showed up in the middle of a hopeless situation to prove that He is God. He showed up in a hopeless situation to show the king who the three men serve. In saving Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, God showed the king that there is no other greater than He. Nebuchadnezzar was not quite ready to praise the Most High God as it took another incident. It took the fulfillment of a dream that Daniel interpreted before Nebuchadnezzar truly praised God. Witnessing the miracle put him in a fertile place to receive. How many miracles have taken place in your life? Were there any non-believers present? When you gave your testimony, did it at least raise an eyebrow of intrigue with them? God may have been using you to put them in a fertile place as He continued to water them until they believed. Even if they did not praise God at that moment, they at least had to admit that someone greater than you was in control. Let the miracle in your life speak for who God is.
Remember to check out the Tuesday Top Ten Countdown on Church Beat Radio with DJ Ambermay and Black Friday with J. Black on www.live365.com!
When the Lord wants to bring someone to a place of faith, He will sometimes use a miracle in the life of those who believe and allow the unbeliever to be a witness. A miracle cannot be explained by human action or effort but by the supernatural ability of God. Miracles whether performed in the Old Testament or New Testament served the same purpose. King Nebuchadnezzar had pagan beliefs. Daniel's friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had been thrown in a fiery furnace for not worshiping the king of Babylon but rather the Most High God. They were willing to perish than to sin against God and worship anything or anyone else but Him. Because they were faithful, the Lord showed up. He showed up in the middle of a hopeless situation to prove that He is God. He showed up in a hopeless situation to show the king who the three men serve. In saving Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, God showed the king that there is no other greater than He. Nebuchadnezzar was not quite ready to praise the Most High God as it took another incident. It took the fulfillment of a dream that Daniel interpreted before Nebuchadnezzar truly praised God. Witnessing the miracle put him in a fertile place to receive. How many miracles have taken place in your life? Were there any non-believers present? When you gave your testimony, did it at least raise an eyebrow of intrigue with them? God may have been using you to put them in a fertile place as He continued to water them until they believed. Even if they did not praise God at that moment, they at least had to admit that someone greater than you was in control. Let the miracle in your life speak for who God is.
Remember to check out the Tuesday Top Ten Countdown on Church Beat Radio with DJ Ambermay and Black Friday with J. Black on www.live365.com!
Monday, October 8, 2012
The Wrong Wind
Acts 27:13
13When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete.
I give all glory and honor to God when He highlights scripture my eyes may have glazed over in the past. GLORY!! Obtaining what "you thought" you wanted often turns out to be more than you bargained for. Yes, we have covered this story before but.....God! The wind, represents whatever blows into your path. Not everything blown into your path is of God. Sometimes it's a decoy to see if you can be taken off course from what God has for you. But many get stuck by thinking that what is blown in the path is what God wants. When really, it's not. If you NEVER seek God to see what He wants for you, then you are subject to chasing anything especially the wrong thing!! What happened to the ship? It sailed right into the storm which was actually God's judgement as noted by the NIV Study Bible. The apostle Paul was on the ship to help them navigate safely out of the storm. God sometimes sends someone to help you get out of what you were never supposed to be in. He sends the way out, "the alternative" but you have to recognize it when it shows up. What good is hope if not utilized? What good is the open door God sends if you don't take it? What good is it for God to have hope present for you to navigate out when you still are choosing to do it your way? Isn't that how you got into the storm in the first place? You did it your way when had you tuned into the REAL NAVIGATOR, you would've let that wind pass. GLORY TO GOD!! What storm are you in right now? Did you follow the wrong wind because you thought that's what you wanted? Chasing the wrong thing...whatever it may be!! Sometimes our eyes and ears hear what we think is right because we are deceived by our own selfish desires but what presents itself as gentle is actually leading you in for a bumpy ride. Let the Lord guide you out without loss of life even if cargo has to be thrown overboard as what happened with the ship Paul was on. Paul told the centurion ahead of time they were headed in the wrong direction but he didn't listen to Paul. He listened to the pilot because "he had experience." The pilot's experience still could not detect what was coming. God's wisdom sees beyond man's experience. God always warns but His warnings are often ignored.
Remember to check out my man V of the Artist to Artist Show Mondays on www.Qliveone.com and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment! My interview with Stubbs on the Leap of Faith Show has been postponed for a later date.
13When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete.
I give all glory and honor to God when He highlights scripture my eyes may have glazed over in the past. GLORY!! Obtaining what "you thought" you wanted often turns out to be more than you bargained for. Yes, we have covered this story before but.....God! The wind, represents whatever blows into your path. Not everything blown into your path is of God. Sometimes it's a decoy to see if you can be taken off course from what God has for you. But many get stuck by thinking that what is blown in the path is what God wants. When really, it's not. If you NEVER seek God to see what He wants for you, then you are subject to chasing anything especially the wrong thing!! What happened to the ship? It sailed right into the storm which was actually God's judgement as noted by the NIV Study Bible. The apostle Paul was on the ship to help them navigate safely out of the storm. God sometimes sends someone to help you get out of what you were never supposed to be in. He sends the way out, "the alternative" but you have to recognize it when it shows up. What good is hope if not utilized? What good is the open door God sends if you don't take it? What good is it for God to have hope present for you to navigate out when you still are choosing to do it your way? Isn't that how you got into the storm in the first place? You did it your way when had you tuned into the REAL NAVIGATOR, you would've let that wind pass. GLORY TO GOD!! What storm are you in right now? Did you follow the wrong wind because you thought that's what you wanted? Chasing the wrong thing...whatever it may be!! Sometimes our eyes and ears hear what we think is right because we are deceived by our own selfish desires but what presents itself as gentle is actually leading you in for a bumpy ride. Let the Lord guide you out without loss of life even if cargo has to be thrown overboard as what happened with the ship Paul was on. Paul told the centurion ahead of time they were headed in the wrong direction but he didn't listen to Paul. He listened to the pilot because "he had experience." The pilot's experience still could not detect what was coming. God's wisdom sees beyond man's experience. God always warns but His warnings are often ignored.
Remember to check out my man V of the Artist to Artist Show Mondays on www.Qliveone.com and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment! My interview with Stubbs on the Leap of Faith Show has been postponed for a later date.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Source of Strength
Psalm 29:11
11The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.
How many times have you been through blows by life? How many times have you had "the wind knocked out of you"? While you were down, did you call on the Lord? No one outside of the Lord can give you the strength to get back up, not even you. There will be blows so heavy that by all accounts, you shouldn't get back up and the world wouldn't expect you to do so. AHHHH BUT GOD!! When the Lord is the source of your strength, you will rise again. Proverbs 24:16 says though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again. The only way to be righteous is to take on the righteousness of the Lord. And in doing so, you can rise again. You got up so give the Lord total praise! The song in my spirit is Richard Smallwood's Total Praise.
"You are the source of my strength."
"You are the strength of my life."
"I lift my hands in total praise to you."
I don't care where you are reading this but when you finish, just lift your hands in total praise to the Lord and tell Him thank you because obviously, He is the source of your strength. Whatever blow you were dealt, you got up!! GLORY TO GOD!!!
Join me Columbus Day (this Monday) as I will be on the Leap of Faith Show with my Girl Stubbs between 7:30-8:30am ET by logging onto www.leapoffaithshow.com and click Listen Live!
11The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.
How many times have you been through blows by life? How many times have you had "the wind knocked out of you"? While you were down, did you call on the Lord? No one outside of the Lord can give you the strength to get back up, not even you. There will be blows so heavy that by all accounts, you shouldn't get back up and the world wouldn't expect you to do so. AHHHH BUT GOD!! When the Lord is the source of your strength, you will rise again. Proverbs 24:16 says though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again. The only way to be righteous is to take on the righteousness of the Lord. And in doing so, you can rise again. You got up so give the Lord total praise! The song in my spirit is Richard Smallwood's Total Praise.
"You are the source of my strength."
"You are the strength of my life."
"I lift my hands in total praise to you."
I don't care where you are reading this but when you finish, just lift your hands in total praise to the Lord and tell Him thank you because obviously, He is the source of your strength. Whatever blow you were dealt, you got up!! GLORY TO GOD!!!
Join me Columbus Day (this Monday) as I will be on the Leap of Faith Show with my Girl Stubbs between 7:30-8:30am ET by logging onto www.leapoffaithshow.com and click Listen Live!
Thursday, October 4, 2012
In Conflict
Galatians 5:17
17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
The apostle Paul was having a very frank conversation with the churches of Galatia about living life in the Spirit as opposed to living life in the sinful nature or "flesh". They are opposites or opposing views. The same way God represents good and Satan represents evil. It is not an easy road to travel and ALL of us have messed up somewhere along the way. Some may not have been caught yet with visible consequences while others have. Here's the deal. Your spirit will always want opposite of your flesh if you are a follower of Christ. The key is letting the Holy Spirit dominate your life and your flesh so that each time you attempt to go the way of the flesh, the Holy Spirit's convicting power will cause you to think twice and repent. Spending more time with the Lord, in prayer, listening, reading and studying His word and learning to trust Him are ways to get you there. Okay, so your flesh issues may not be with idolatry, witchcraft, sexual immorality, drunkenness, etc. but it could be with words, it could be with your thoughts, it could even be with jealousy, envy, hatred, quick temper, gossip, overeating or whatever. If you are actively working in your faith, then it is a process. THANK YOU JESUS FOR GRACE AND MERCY!! It doesn't help though if you "make provision for the flesh." Or shall we say, set yourself up knowing there's potential for a situation that is not of the Holy Spirit to occur, then you are truly stirring a recipe for disaster. But if you really desire to live by the Holy Spirit, then the Lord will create a way out as said in 1Corinthians 10:13. Just remember to take the way out when you see the open door.
17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
The apostle Paul was having a very frank conversation with the churches of Galatia about living life in the Spirit as opposed to living life in the sinful nature or "flesh". They are opposites or opposing views. The same way God represents good and Satan represents evil. It is not an easy road to travel and ALL of us have messed up somewhere along the way. Some may not have been caught yet with visible consequences while others have. Here's the deal. Your spirit will always want opposite of your flesh if you are a follower of Christ. The key is letting the Holy Spirit dominate your life and your flesh so that each time you attempt to go the way of the flesh, the Holy Spirit's convicting power will cause you to think twice and repent. Spending more time with the Lord, in prayer, listening, reading and studying His word and learning to trust Him are ways to get you there. Okay, so your flesh issues may not be with idolatry, witchcraft, sexual immorality, drunkenness, etc. but it could be with words, it could be with your thoughts, it could even be with jealousy, envy, hatred, quick temper, gossip, overeating or whatever. If you are actively working in your faith, then it is a process. THANK YOU JESUS FOR GRACE AND MERCY!! It doesn't help though if you "make provision for the flesh." Or shall we say, set yourself up knowing there's potential for a situation that is not of the Holy Spirit to occur, then you are truly stirring a recipe for disaster. But if you really desire to live by the Holy Spirit, then the Lord will create a way out as said in 1Corinthians 10:13. Just remember to take the way out when you see the open door.
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