Bless Me to Enable Me To

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. Luke 6:27-28 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

Are you willing to?

It is our natural inclination to close our ears to words we do not wish to listen to.

Are you willing to suppress that and listen to The Holy Spirits voice as He convicts you?

It is our natural inclination to hate our enemies and make them suffer as much as we can.

Are you willing to love them?

That is not the mushy nonsense you see in movies or on TV.

It is an effort that can only be accomplished by surrendering to the power of The Holy Spirit. It does not mean that you condone nor tolerate abusive behaviour. If you love them you will help them to understand why they are abusive ( many times it is because of abuse they have suffered and have not been healed of ) and help them get counselling. If you love them you will not empower them by allowing this behaviour to continue but will allow them to suffer the consequences of their actions.

Purge yourself of toxic folks less their poison kills your love and you are rewarded with nothing but misery in return. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Are you willing to pray for Jehovah to open your eyes to the problem and to the solution ( including the fact that the problem may not be them but may be you ).

When others hate us it is natural to hate them back.

Are you willing to love your enemies by understanding why they hate you and seek reconciliation in the relationship. If they refuse are you willing to love them enough to behave in a respectful manner towards them. Are you willing to pray for Jehovah to open your eyes to the problem and to the solution ( including the fact that the problem may not be them but may be you ).

“The Bible tells us to love our neighbours, and also to love our enemies; probably because they are generally the same people.” — G. K. Chesterton Prayer:

Please Jehovah ELOHIM YAKOL (God, the Most Able 2 Corinthians 9:8 ) bless me to enable me to conduct myself towards difficult folks in the noble manner in which Your gracious son Jesus Christ did. I wish not just for peace in this relationship but to use this situation to glorify You and to bring the little lost sheep into Your Heavenly fold. Please bless me with the strength and healing of ostracizing myself from toxic folks until they accept that their behaviour is not loving nor acceptable.

It is in the name of He who exemplified Christian behaviour towards others, Jesus Christ, that I humbly beseech You. Amen

May you always be receptive to and obedient to The Holy Spirits guidance in all of your relationships. Joseph a son of Jehovah

This article and photo @ 2021 Joseph a son of Jehovah. All rights reserved. Used only by permission of the author.

The Same Thing as A

A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do. Numbers 30:2 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

A pledge is the same thing as a contract.

A contract can be verbal as well as written.

It can be between friends, or family as well as an employer. When you make a pledge to do something or not do something you should work your hardest to fulfill that pledge to the letter.

Anything else is a lie and Jehovah detests liars. Jehovah takes your word seriously, so you better as well.

The Lord detests lying lips. Proverbs 12:22 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

A man or woman is only as good as their word. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Now if circumstances beyond your control happen and you cannot fulfill the pledge that is forgivable.

Prayer: Please Holy Spirit El Emunah (Deuteronomy 7:9 The Faithful GOD ) bless me with the wisdom of when to say yes and when to say no. Please bless me with the fortitude to let my word be law in my life. I deeply implore this of You in the name of He whose word is the supreme law, Jesus Christ. Amen

May the light of Christs love shine brightly in your heart today and every day Joseph a son of Jehovah

This article and photo @ 2020 Joseph a son of Jehovah. All rights reserved. Used only by permission of the author.

It Isn’t by Accident.

If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously.  Romans 12:8 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation                                                         

We all have the gift of giving. We just need the Holy Spirits discretion in where, who and how much to give. Joseph a son of Jehovah                                           

 As we travel through our days, opportunities will present themselves to us to do good deeds. These are not haphazard. They are pre-ordained gifts from God.

Gifts’ to the man, woman or child on the receiving end of the gift. It may be a word or action you give to them that makes their day.

Perhaps they are having a really bad day and your simple act of kindness and compassion brightens a dark and trying day. It is a gift to you.

Whenever I do a good deed it always makes my heart dance with joy, no matter how simple the act is.

We must offer ourselves to God like a clean, smooth canvas and not worry ourselves about what God may choose to paint on it, but at each moment, feel only the stroke of His brush. Jean Pierre de Caussade
It is a gift to God.

Hopefully the person on the receiving end takes a moment to thank God for the act of kindness.

If they do not know God but know you are a Christian, you act may be the catalyst that nudges them towards God.

Of course we should also praise God both for the opportunity to do good and for the blessings of joy we feel when we perform the act of kindness.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose imagination is stayed on Thee.
Isaiah 26:3 The Holy Bible, The King James Version

Prayer: I gladly offer You Jehovah my life to use to enrich the lives of others I meet today and every day. I thank you when these opportunities present themselves to me as they enrichen my life when I help others. In the name of our best example of giving of oneself Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

May Gods sunshine always bless you with brightening your day with His love, joy and peace. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Photo and article @ Joseph a son of Jehovah 2020

We are Still Stewards

 The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. Genesis 2:15 Holy Bible, New Living Translation

Now, even though we are not in the Garden of Eden we are still stewards of Jehovahs creation.

One day early this spring while riding my bicycle down a country road the Lord guided my attention to how filthy the side of the road was and reminded me that as a Christian I am a caretaker of Jehovahs creation. He inspired me to go midweek with some garbage bags and start to clean up all the rubbish on the side of the road. It was incredible the amount that was collected in a short distance. I made a commitment to return one day a week and continue down the road until it was all cleaned up.

“You must not defile the land where you live, for I live there myself. I am the Lord, who lives among the people of Israel.” Numbers 35:34 Holy Bible, New Living Translation

After about a month, it rained out on the scheduled clean up day. A couple of days later when riding down the road to get some supplies for our garden the Lord directed my attention to the side of the road. It was spotless. That means someone or group noticed the work done, how it looked good and how bad the uncleaned part looked. They took the initiative and cleaned it up.

Many times we can lead by example in life with out even realizing it. Joseph a son of Jehovah

You yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Titus 2:7 Holy Bible, New Living Translation

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Bore (Isaiah 40:28) The LORD Creator for blessing me with helpers to restore some of Your creation to the beauty You created to be. I exalt You in the name of He who will restore all of creation to its original beauty upon His victorious return Jesus Christ. Amen

May Gods sunshine always bless you with brightening your day with His love, joy and peace. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Photo and article @ Joseph a son of Jehovah 2020

The Best Investment.

Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. Mark 10:16 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

Jesus took time out of His busy day to show love to children, should we not imitate Him every day?

How much quality time do you spend with your children?

At meal time (irregardless of whether it is breakfast or dinner) do you sit around the table and talk, cementing your bonds, or do you all sit there with you mugs pasted in front of the idiot box (TV)?

Do you help them with their homework, class projects or go to parent teacher meeting with them?

Do you tuck them into bed and read them bedtime stories them kiss them good night and tell them you love them (that was my personal favorite)?

On the weekend do you do things with them like go to the park or watch a family movie and then talk about it?

You are the potter, they are the mold, what type of vessel are you creating?

Children learn more by watching then listening. What do they see when they see you?

Children learn more by watching then listening. Joseph- Anthony: Green

The same goes for teachers.

At the beginning of each semester I would tell my classes: “I am your teacher. I will work hard for you to be the best teacher for you. You will work hard for me because you love me.” Then I proceeded to prove it. At first they thought I was nuts. After about a month, they were my babies and they knew it. They loved their teacher because they saw their teacher loved them (Kinda like Jesus taught me. We love Him because He loved us first.). I believe what I taught them about love will stay with them all of their lives.

“Children will not remember you for the material things you have provided, but for the feeling that you cherished them.” –Richard L. Evans

Children are Gods gift to you, nurture them properly like you would a garden for you are sowing the seeds of the future. Joseph- Anthony: Green

The same goes for those who are new children in the family of Jehovah. You are to love them as if they were your own children and dedicate yourself to their well being and maturity in Christ as you would your own children.

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Emet (God of truth) for blessing me with all the marvelous teachers You have sent my way. Thank you for guiding me to emulate the greatest Teacher, Jesus. May I inspire all those You bring to me to become loving obedient children of Yours so as to enrich Your treasure in Heaven (to be surrounded by even more loving children of Yours). I meekly ask of this in the name of the greatest Teacher Jesus Christ. Amen

May Gods sunshine always bless you with brightening your day with His love, joy and peace. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Photo and article @ Joseph a son of Jehovah 2020

Be Thankful

In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.1 Thessalonians 5:18 Holy Bible Amplified Version

I desired to make raised flower beds for my aged mother who can no longer bend over to work in her flower beds and she loves her flower beds and working in them. I wanted ten skids and my friend suggested he could get a truck and we could pick them up the next day, but because the truck he wanted to borrow was not available he phoned and informed me we could only get three.

There was disappointment and anger in my heart because we agreed upon ten.

After talking with Jehovah became I became grateful for what was given and for my friends help and waited for him to come pick me up the next day to get the skids.

The friend showed up with five skids in the back of his SUV the next afternoon. When we went to the place where the skids were supposed to be they were all gone. He drove to the place where he saw the skids on the side of the road during his morning walk and we got five more.

Because of that the raised garden could be made ( even though it was not as big as I wanted. I wanted to build a pyramid raised garden but the skids were too small).

As well there was enough skids to use as the base to make another bigger raised garden using a discarded dresser drawer. Another blessing was Jehovah giving me an idea on how to make more raised gardens as a border for our flower beds using materials around the house that I never thought of.

As a consequence there was not a need for so many skids.

When we desire something but Jehovah does not give us what we want but are to still be appreciative. Then Jehovah multiplies His blessings upon us.

A faithful (right-minded) man will abound with blessings. Proverbs 28:20 Holy Bible Amplified Version

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah-Jireh (God is our Provider) for providing for me the material necessary to build a monument of love towards Your cherished daughter, my mother and for the brother who graciously helped me. I thank You in the name of He who was grateful for the blessings of the disciples You sent unto Him Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.

Come close to God.

 Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people]. James 4:8 Holy Bible Amplified Version

Contrite means you feel bad about your sins and desire to repent of them and double minded means you think this way but behave in the exact opposite way.

Have you ever met someone who says they will do this and then they do that. It is not a one off experience but a habitual one.

For example you make an appointment with them for nine o clock in the morning and they do not show up until eleven or one in the afternoon. They do not call to say they will be late and when they arrive they do not apologize but make some stupid excuse. It infuriated me. Now I just tell folks to be there on time because I am not waiting. If it is important enough for them then they will be there on time.

Mutual respect is an intricate part of a loving relationship. Joseph- Anthony: Green

The same thing is true with Jehovah.

We must be respectful towards Him if we desire a loving relationship with Him.

If He convicts you of a sin in your life and you admit it but intentionally continue in your sin that will make Him angry and yes He will walk away from you. He will not accept lame excuses nor tolerate insolence.

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Pryyand ( God is my friend ) for blessing me with a Heavenly friendship with You. Please bless me with always being respectful towards You in all I say and do. I humbly give thanks for this blessing and request this blessing in the name of my bestest friend Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the sunshine of Jesus’ sweet love bless you today and every day.

We Can do Nothing Without Prayer.

 “He will pray to God, and He shall be favorable to him, So that he looks at His face with joy; For God restores to man His righteousness [that is, his right standing with God—with its joys]. Job 33:26 Holy Bible, Amplified Version

Some come quick, some come slow but never give up.

Some, it is sad to say, will never come true because of the resistance from those concerned.

I am, of course, referring to intersessionary prayer.

It has taken me thirty years of daily intersessionary prayer for my family.

Most resist the Holy Spirits prodding but one has returned to going to church twice a week, reading their Bible, praying and a complete change of attitude and behavior. Please do not insult Jehovah and write it off as a coincidence. You have no idea how vehemently they opposed anything to do with Christianity after some bad experiences with some stone throwers at various churches they attended.

We can do nothing without prayer. All things can be done by importunate prayer. It surmounts or removes all obstacles, overcomes every resisting force and gains its ends in the face of invincible hindrances. –E. M. Bounds

The same can be said when we fall (and because we are all sinful folks we all fall no matter how strong our faith is) and sincerely repent. Jehovah gladly restores our relationship with Him and our hearts dance with ecstatic joy.

A non-praying Christian is an oxymoron. Joseph- Anthony: Green

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Emunah (God is faithful) for blessing me with hearing my prayers and in You kind graciousness always answering them in You magnificent way, in You wise timing. I thank you in the name of the best answered prayer of all our loving Savior that brings us unto You through His sacrifice Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the sunshine of Jesus’ sweet love bless you today and every day.

Reliable and Trustworthy

 

 Let us seize and hold tightly the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful [to His word].Hebrews 10:23 Holy Bible Amplified Version

When we become Christians we confess Christ as our Savior, King and best Friend.

We have all had friends that have let us down and even back stabbed us.

When Jesus is our bestest friend He is reliable and trust worthy. He never lets us down or back stabs us. His word is law. He promises to always be there with us and for us. He never lets us down. During our trials and tribulations, sorrows and snares we cling to His promise and it strengthen us to endure the hard times. As we progress in our walk with Him we become more confident in Him because He has proven Himself to be reliable and trustworthy.

Constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength]. Romans 12:12 Holy Bible Amplified Version

We have all received conflicting and bad advice about our careers from others.

When we accept Christ as our King we follow the path He has chosen for us with hope (Hope in this manner is confidence in His divine guidance.) Many times He leads us where we do not understand where He is leading us but we trust in Him more and more along the journey because He has proven Himself to be trustworthy and reliable so far.

As death approaches us we are not worried about the unknown or the torment of Hell because we are confident in our hope that He as our Savior will be there to greet us to our Heavenly home. That is because He has proven Himself to be trustworthy and reliable all of our lives.

Jehovah promises and He always delivers on His promises. Joseph- Anthony: Green

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Emunah (God is faithful) for always being faithful to me in Your divine guidance in every aspect of my life. I praise You for this precious treasure in the name of my faithful king Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the sunshine of Jesus’ sweet love bless you today and every day.

God is Near.

 

 Do you believe that God is near? He wants you to. He wants you to know that He is in the midst of your world. Wherever you are as you read these words, He is present.–Max Lucado

It is not that Jehovah is far from you but that you are far from Jehovah. Think about that okay?

Why do you cry unto Jehovah and wonder why He is far from you when you do not spend any time with Him?

How much time do you spend talking with Him intimately (prayer), not just whining like a spoiled brat to give you things but thanking Him every day for all the abundant blessings he gives you every day?

When you do pray unto Him for guidance how much do you obey what he is saying to you if you do not like what He is saying unto you?

How much time do you spend reading His word?

How much of your time and your life do you give unto Him?

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 Holy Bible, New King James Version

So if you want to get close with Jehovah why not ask Him to share His thoughts towards you and follow His paths that He has predestined for you to be blessed with peace, hope and a good future?  

Prayer: I praise You my loving Father Jehovah-‘Immeku (The Lord Is With You) for blessing me with always walking with me through trails and triumphs, sorrow and joy, for guiding my with Your wise gentle, firm had and most of all for blessing me with sharing the most awesome loving relationship with You, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I thank you in the name of He who walked amongst us Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the sunshine of Jesus’ sweet love bless you today and every day.