GOSSIP & CONFLICT RESOLUTION

by | Dec 7, 2016

GOSSIP & CONFLICT RESOLUTION

 

Everyone has experienced the harm of gossip before. Whether the people talking didn’t mean direct harm, the result of gossip is always broken trust and hurt feelings. Gossip can be defined as information about the behavior or personal life of other people, often without the full truth revealed or known. God’s Word warns us to stay away from people who gossip and to guard our words when we speak about others!

Scripture also uses the word slander which means making a false spoken statement damaging to a person’s reputation. Slander can destroy someone’s marriage, job, wealth, and family. The tongue has power and we must be careful with how we use our words. The Bible tells us what words we should speak, and which we should not.

Scriptures about Gossip

2 Corinthians 12:20; Ephesians 4:29; James 1:26; Leviticus 19:16; Proverbs 11:13; Proverbs 17:9

Gossip is usually the result of people not applying the biblical principles for conflict resolution; and thereby falling into a trap that brings harm to themselves and division to the Body of Messiah – hampering their and our (collective) ability to move forward in the anointing and authority of the Kingdom of God.

Yeshua’s instructions about conflict resolution:

Matthew 18:15-17

15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.

16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’

17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.


Practical application

God uses the differences between us to help us grow.  The choice is ours on how successful our growth is.  We can work through things together and grow in humility, love and unity, or we can choose to avoid conflict resolution and harbor hurts which will divide us and keep us from being all that God intends, individually and collectively.

It takes discipline to make the right choices with regard to conflict resolution.  It’s not easy, but it’s well worth the effort.

“All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” (Heb. 12:11)

Open and honest communication are keys to victory in personal relationships. Even when things bother you that you think aren’t a big deal, it’s important to communicate with each other in order for your relationships to remain pure and undefiled.  Humble and open communication will deepen our relationships with each other so we can be more united in Christ, and more loving.

We are ministers of reconciliation. The scriptures clearly state that we’re to take that position in reference to man’s relationship with God.  I truly believe that we’re also to take that position to aid man’s relationship with man, as well.

Godly communication, discipline, humility, reconciliation, forgiveness…these are all such big keys to the success our relationships with one another.  They can have such a positive effect on our relationships and on the other side of the coin their absence can completely poison our relationships.


Communication Tools:

Confrontation is often something we avoid because we don’t want conflict.  But truthfully the conflict will be there whether we confront it or not. And because conflict is something that comes between two people to divide them, it breaks our unity until confronted and resolved.

Conflicts need to be handled in “tool box” discussions where certain rules of communicating (tools) must be adhered to in order for people to be heard, and issues to be dealt with in a godly way.

  • When someone communicates that something you do bothers them act in love by being sensitive to their feelings.
  • Listen to one another with a desire to understand, and not just desire to defend yourself and respond. This isn’t always easy, but God’s Spirit (Spirit of self-control) can help you.
  • Think the best of each other and give the benefit of the doubt in questionable situations.
  • Approach each other without accusation. When something bothers you, communicate how it made you feel without accusation.
  • Give the other person a chance to respond to your feelings.  This is very helpful in honoring each other and reconciling problems.
  • Ask for forgiveness when you’ve done or said something that hurt your brother or sister.
  • Verbalize your forgiveness on the other end. There’s a tremendous amount of healing power within words of forgiveness.  They truly are words of life.
  • Seek to build one another up instead of tearing down. Our tongues are so powerful. Guarding them is essential. Think before you speak and listen to the words that come out of your mouth. Repent if you hear yourself tearing others down with your tongue.
  • In humility look to yourself as the source of conflicts first. Be open to God showing you things He wants you to repent of. Prayerfully seek the Lord when something negative is pointed out about you. This isn’t easy, but it’s essential for the growth of our character.
  • Each of us, as humans, has wounds that we may not know about, or realize. These are often the reason conflicts arise in the first place. We must rely on God and each another, to aid in our individual healing processes. Desire recovery and growth. Be intentional about your healing.
  • Seek the Lord for healing and don’t just “stuff” things inside of yourself.
  • If there is something going on between you and someone else, the longer you wait to deal with it the more difficult it will be to work through the problem. It takes prayerful wisdom to know the right timing of dealing with things, but scripture is quite clear. “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever shall say, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.  If therefore you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” (Matt. 5:22-24) “Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” (Matt. 18:21-22)
  • Strive to speak the truth in love and not be afraid of conflict. Conflict, when handled correctly is actually an opportunity to grow closer. By acting on and applying these godly forms of communication strong bonds will be built that will glorify God. “..but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” (Eph. 4:15-16)
  • Open and godly communication, coupled with humility with the goal of reconciliation, is a recipe for unity. Unity is paramount because without it our own lives and ministry efforts will not be anointed by God. (Psalm 133)
  • Seek to identify things that come between us and to recognize them for what they are. We can’t change each other, but the Holy Spirit can. Because of that, pray that the Holy Spirit works in all your conflicts.
  • Don’t get emotional, defensive or manipulative in conflict; but open your ears and hearts and listen to each other objectively in the midst of the conflict. This allows for reconciliation in conflicts and the restoration of unity, which are of utmost importance in the body of Messiah.
  • Sometimes there are wounds that are inflicted upon us by what people do or say that trigger things from our past. It’s important to really get to know ourselves and each other, being sensitive to the hidden psychology of our personalities.
  • It’s a natural thing to want to avoid confrontation at any cost. It does you and the person you’re in conflict with a great disservice by not opening up and talking about adverse things that were said or done. By not confronting we aren’t really loving our brothers and sisters the way that God wants us to.
  • There’s a side to love within the Body of Christ that calls us to desire to see our brothers and sisters grow more into the likeness of Christ. Quite often it takes confrontation to address some issues. Godly confrontation is a big part of our responsibility in our relationships with one another.

 

HANUKKAH CHALLENGE

by | Dec 6, 2016

 Hanukkah Challenge: Let your light shine…
* Some text taken from “The Real Story of Chanukah” by Kevin Geoffrey – Perfect Word Ministries

Some think the Hanukah celebration is about gifts, light and miracles.  In fact, the holiday commemorates gruesome events and horrible persecution that took place as the Jewish People stood up for God and His Word. Let’s take a brief look at the real story and see what we can learn to benefit our own lives and make us the People God wants us to be.

The time of the Maccabees: 175-134 BC: Seventeen miles from Jerusalem there was a small Selucid outpost in Modi’in.  The Selucid soldiers ordered everyone there to gather and sacrifice a pig on an altar.  Mattathius, a Jewish priest, zealously killed a Jew who agreed to do this.  Mattathias called upon people loyal to the traditions of Israel to oppose the invaders and the Jewish Hellenizers. His three sons began a military campaign that ultimately restored the Jewish Temple and People to the ways of God.

1. How have you stood up for the things of God with people in your life?
2. What can you do in your life to rally people to God’s causes?

During this dark period in Jewish history everything related to the Torah and Temple service, everything that defined and distinguished Israel from the nations would be eliminated.  The goal was for the Jews to forget who they were so the Selucid king could rule the world.

1. How are evil forces working to cause us to forget who we (Believers) are today?
2. What does Scripture teach regarding the truth of who we are?
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This period of history was a nightmare of savagery toward the Jews, who were even killed for studying Torah.  There was a war on Jewish faith.  Sacred scrolls destroyed; Sabbaths and feasts were profaned; Circumcision was outlawed; Altars were built for idols in the temple; Swine were sacrificed on the altar; all who disobeyed the king were killed. Many Jews believed in bowing to  these new ways  as they preferred Greek culture to their own.

1. How do we see a war on Christian/Messianic faith today?
2. How are you bowing to the ways of society because you prefer the culture, over living a holy & surrendered life to God?

During this time Jews were arrested and tortured; whipped and scourged; scalped and maimed.  Their tongues were cut out; their hands and feet lopped off; their skin and hair ripped from their bodies.  They were seared in boiling caldrons, their lives billowed out of them in clouds of smoke, fried away as steam from their mangled bodies.  People praised their Maker while being tortured, and some while being forced to watch their loved ones tormented and made sport of. These martyrs were willing to lay down their lives for what they believed, and yet as disciples of Messiah today we can barely endure a harsh word or a nasty look for the sake of our convictions.

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1. What do we need to do in our lives to prepare us to stand up to unspeakable persecution, including our inevitable demise, with unwavering faith in God’s goodness, and the promise of eternal life?

HEALTH SCRIPTURES

by | Dec 5, 2016

HEALTH SCRIPTURE

 

God’s Word is true. When we meditate on scriptures, confessing them over our lives and allowing their truths to sink into our hearts God can bring peace and health into our lives. Believe and speak God’s Word out over your body and watch His healing power be released in your life.

 

Deut 7:14-15 14 “You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall be no male or female barren among you or among your cattle.15 “And the LORD will remove from you all sickness; and He will not put on you any of the harmful diseases of Egypt which you have known, but He will lay them on all who hate you.(NAS)

Exod 23:25 25 “But you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water; and I will remove sickness from your midst.(NAS)

Deut 34:7 7 Although Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated.(NAS)
Prov 4:20-22 20 My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their whole body.(NAS)

Jer 30:17 17 ‘For I will restore you to health and I will heal you of your wounds,’ declares the LORD, ‘Because they have called you an outcast, saying: “It is Zion; no one cares for her.”‘(NAS)

Jer 33:6 6 ‘Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them; and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace and truth.(NAS)

Acts 3:16 16 “And on the basis of faith in His name, {it is} the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which {comes} through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.(NAS)

Acts 4:10 10 let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead– by this {name} this man stands here before you in good health.(NAS)

3 Jn 1:2 2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.(NAS)

Matt 9:22 22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.(KJV)

Matt 15:28 28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; be it done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.(NAS)

Is. 53:5 He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. (NAS)

 

These are just a few of the scriptures in the Word concerning healing.  Healing is part of the atoning work that Yeshua/Jesus did for us on the cross.  Ask the Lord to reveal more truths from His Word concerning healing to you and share those truths with others.

I AM

by | Dec 3, 2016

I am…

 

This study will help you uncover more about who the Word of God says you are.  Knowing who God says you are in Messiah is the key to living a victorious life and walking in the authority and power that God has given to you as His child.

God is the Great I Am and we are made in His image.

Verbalize these statements about who the Word of God says you are.
Take the time to look into the Bible and read the corresponding passages of Scripture.
This will bring added blessings into your life.

If you’re not certain that your identity is in Messiah yet visit this page first.


I am…

A child of God (Romans 8:16)
An heir of eternal life (1 John 5:11-12)
An heir to the blessings of Abraham (Colossians 3:14)
An imitator of God (Ephesians 5:1)
An overcomer by the blood of the lamb and the word of my testimony (Revelation 12:11)
Being transformed by the renewing of my mind (Romans 12:2)
Blessed with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3)
Doing all things through Messiah who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)
Forgiven (Ephesians 1:7)
Healed by His wounds (1 Peter 2:24)
Justified, an heir of God and co-heir with Christ (Romans 5:1; 8:17 )
Kept in safety wherever I go (Isaiah 46:4)
Led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14)
Living by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)
More than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)
Redeemed from the curse of the law (Colossians 3:13)
Redeemed from the hand of the foe (Psalms 107:2)
Rescued from the domain of darkness (Colossians 1:13)
Saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8)
Strong in the Lord and in His mighty power (Ephesians 6:10)
The light of the world (Matthew 5:14)

No weapon formed against me shall prosper. Every tongue that rises against me I shall condemn. This is my inheritance as a child of God. (Isaiah 54:17)

I receive my inheritance today and walk in it. Place me inside the hedge of thorns, inside a ring of fire, protect me in all your ways O Lord. Place me in the cleft of the rock in the shadow of Your wings.


My Armor:

My helmet of salvation protects my mind. In fact, I have the mind of Messiah!

I take every thought captive to the obedience of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus and think on things that are noble, true, praiseworthy, full of virtue and goodness.

My helmet protects my ears from the lies of the enemy.

Yeshua said “my sheep know Me, and they hear My voice and they follow Me.” I hear you, Lord and I follow your leading.

My helmet keeps my eyes fixed straight ahead on Yeshua.

There is a voice behind me (which is the Holy Spirit) that tells me “This is the way, walk in it” whether I go to the right or the left.

I put on my breastplate of righteousness. You, O Lord Yeshua, are my Righteousness!

My goodness is nothing without You. My righteousness is as filthy rags without You.

My Righteousness goes before me and the glory of the Lord is my rear guard.

The angel of the Lord encamps about those who fear Him.

I have been given a robe of righteousness. I am clothed by Yeshua in clean, fine white linen.

I am clad with zeal as a cloak. I am clothed with power from on high I have been given the keys to the kingdom.

Lord I receive those keys right now and I use them!

You have given me power over all the power of the enemy. I trample on snakes and scorpions.

I am clad with garments of Praise and garments of vengeance.

You said “Be strong and of good courage, I shall never leave or forsake you.” You said “Fear not – Do not be dismayed. There are more of us than there are of them”.

Lord, show me the spiritual reality of your power and your angels.

Lord reveal to me your hidden treasures in the darkness, your secret riches in hidden places.

Lord, show me “great and mighty things that I do not know.”

Lord, You said “Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world” Lord, help me overcome the world today and be Your light.

I pickup the shield of faith which quenches every fiery dart the enemy sends and I use it. Lord, help my unbelief! Increase my faith!

Yeshua/Jesus, you have placed weapons in both my hands. Show me please how to use them!

I use the sword of the Spirit, which is the living, mighty Word of God.

Father help me speak Your Word with accuracy, authority, boldness, clarity, compassion, eagerness, integrity and reverence.

Luke 10:19

You have given me authority to trample on snakes and scorpions so that nothing should hurt me.

 Lord, I receive that kingdom authority right now, and I use it. And nothing shall harm me.

I am shown favor wherever I go.

Send warring angels with flaming swords to walk with me today.

Holy Spirit, prepare the way ahead of me. Don’t forget my belt of Truth! And Shoes of Peace! May I be called a peacemaker. May your peace rest always upon me! Lord you said the truth shall set you free. Right now I declare my freedom in Messiah Yeshua!

Cover me with your blood Yeshua, wherever I go today.

If God is for us who could be against us? If God is for us what can man do? I love you Lord!

For more on the Armor of God CLICK HERE. 

For more of God’s Promises CLICK HERE. 

KNOWING MESSIAH

by | Nov 30, 2016

KNOWING MESSIAH

Nothing else will bring your life greater joy and peace than knowing the One who knows you intimately.

Knowing the Messiah is the most important thing to living life abundantly. The word “know” indicates intimacy. The Bible actually says that eternal life is in knowing God and Messiah whom He sent. (John 17:3).

Nothing else will bring your life greater joy and peace than knowing God, the One who knows you intimately.

How do we know God? I encourage you to take the following steps and find out how. Great blessings will pour out into your life. That I can promise you!

Knowing Messiah

1. If I want to know Him I must study the Scriptures
2. I must be willing to spend time alone in prayer, meditation and worship of God – talking, listening to Him, allowing Him to speak
3. I must trust Him
4. I must obey Him – believe and do what He says
5. I must observe and record how God works in my life and in the lives of other people
6. I must be sensitive to what God is doing in the lives of others – why does He respond the way He responds – why did circumstances turn out the way they did – every person is a potential object lesson of knowing Messiah
7. I must turn away from self-centeredness
8. I must look for the evidence of Messiah in every circumstance in life
9. I must be willing to lay aside every single thing in life that competes with my love, loyalty and devotion for God

Here are some Scriptures to study to begin your journey:

As our Creator, God is King of all the universe. His Kingdom is an eternal Kingdom. He has a right to rule in our lives, but in our pride we exalt ourselves as King. This pride is one example of sin (imperfection) and sin separates us from God – who is perfect. By faith (trust, belief) God puts His Holy Spirit into our spirit and makes it come alive. (Romans 8:11) Having life in our spirit is what enables us to recognize and understand the truth about God’s Kingdom. It enables us to communicate with God and turn from our sin and live righteous and holy lives. The healing and cleansing that follows brings life and vitality to our lives.(Acts 3:19) This doesn’t happen automatically though.

God sent a manifestation of Himself/the Messiah to the earth. He and the Messiah were One. (John 10:25-30) This manifestation wasn’t the first time God had come to earth! See these scriptures for more examples: .(Genesis 11:4-7; Genesis 32:24-30) Messiah Yeshua/Jesus came to teach us about the Kingdom of God and to die on the cross so the sins of humanity could be forgiven (Matthew 1:21.)

To know Him is to know God (John 8:19; 14:7); to see Him is to see God (John 12:45; 14:9); to believe in Him is to believe in God (John 12:44); to receive Him is to receive God (Mark 9:37); to hate Him is to hate God (John 15:23); and to honor Him is to honor God (John 5:23).

Whatever you’re reading in the Scriptures remember to always pray before you read and ask God to teach you, by His Spirit what He wants you to learn about Himself, Messiah and His ways.