When a fellow believer has fallen into sin, this is one of the times that they need us the most. We are to rally around them in prayer and ministry. Doing anything opposite of this is like turning your back on a friend. Even if you and that person are not exactly “friends” you shouldn’t take a prideful and self righteous attitude like you could never do what they have done (Romans 3:23). I remember years ago, a girl that attended the same church as I did got pregnant. She and I had fallen out a few years prior to that and were no longer friends. When I heard that she had gotten pregnant, I was saddened. We were 16 at the time. Laughing at her bad situation wouldn’t have been right.

Haven’t you noticed that when a well known person is found in a bad situation, the first thing the world does is gossip about it? Suddenly, every tabloid, news and talk show wants to to a “story” on it. Well, when we as Christians gossip and seek to profit from a fellow believer’s calamity, we are not conducting ourselves much differently. If you have found that you are guilty of this, repent and ask God to forgive you. Take it a little further and ask the person you committed this offense against to forgive you as well.  Let’s walk in every aspect of love. Let’s be one that reconciles and restores.

Pick Them Up Part 2 of 2 is a post from: Mrs. BliSs for WomantoAnother.com

In Obadiah, God is dealing with the Edomites for taking on a “spectator status” when their brothers were being destroyed. Obadiah 3 says “The arrogance of your heart has deceived you,You who live in the clefts of the rock, In the loftiness of your dwelling place, Who say in your heart,Who will bring me down to earth? ” In their pride, they sat back and watched, eying the spoils even handing over some Judeans that were tying to flee to the Babylonians. Verse 11 says “On the day that you stood aloof,
On the day that strangers carried off his wealth, And foreigners entered his gate And cast lots for Jerusalem–You too were as one of them. ” In verse 15, God tells Edom that what they have done will be done to them.

We can learn something else from this situation. God judges the conduct of the spectators just as He judges the oppressors. Jesus said that He came to give life and give it more abundantly. To be like Christ means to be like Him in every way. We are suppose to be people of reconciliation and restoration.

Pick Them Up Part 1 of 2 is a post from: Mrs. BliSs for WomantoAnother.com

Another way we often relieve the stress of hurts and offenses is to mumble and grumble to ourselves. This is something that God has been dealing with me about. Ephesians 4:30 tells us not to grieve the Holy Spirit. While reading this the other day, the Lord led me to Numbers 1:11. Here, the children of Israel were complaining in the wilderness. Their complaining displeased the Lord. As a result, the fire of the Lord, consumed some of those that were on the outskirts of the camp. Choosing to mumble and complain about an offense rather than giving it to God, can burn up blessing that God may have for us. We can be shutting doors to some things that we have asked God for and not even know it.

When we are hurt of offended, it can be hard to let things go. It can even be hard to give things to God. Our flesh wants to control the situation and maybe even get revenge. Ephesians 31 tells us to put away bitterness, fighting, wrath, anger and evil speaking. Verse 32 goes on to say, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God forgave you.” Holding a grudge isn’t going to make the situation better. I have found that it takes more energy to be upset with someone than it takes to forgive them and move on. Holding grudges and staying angry only hurts us. It doesn’t affect the other party.

Ladies, I know it can be hard to let offenses go. But, God wants us to forgive those that do us wrong. The only way we can do this and any thing else is by seeking Him. As something the Lord has been dealing with me about, I have to continually pray for His help in overcoming in this area. I invite you to do the same.

Letting It Go…The Right Way Part 2 of 2 is a post from: Mrs. BliSs for WomantoAnother.com

Ephesians 4:29-32 tells us how to use our mouths when dealing with offenses and disagreements. Verse 29 says “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers”. So many times, we make the mistake of telling others when some has offended or hurt us.  While doing this, we often bad mouth the other party. When we make this choice, we are not using our words for edification. When we are hurt or offended, we should go to God and ask Him how He wants us to deal with the situation. Acting out on our own may make the situation worse.

Another way we often relieve the stress of hurts and offenses is to mumble and grumble to ourselves. This is something that God has been dealing with me about. Ephesians 4:30 tells us not to grieve the Holy Spirit. While reading this the other day, the Lord led me to Numbers 1:11. Here, the children of Israel were complaining in the wilderness. Their complaining displeased the Lord. As a result, the fire of the Lord, consumed some of those that were on the outskirts of the camp. Choosing to mumble and complain about an offense rather than giving it to God, can burn up blessing that God may have for us. We can be shutting doors to some things that we have asked God for and not even know it…

Letting It Go…The Right Way Part 1 of 2 is a post from: Mrs. BliSs for WomantoAnother.com

The Israelites made three choices that played a major role the success of rebuilding the wall. Nehemiah 4:14 says that they chose to no be afraid, remember the Lord great and awesome, and to fight for their endeavor. Throughout their entire ordeal, they never forgot God’s word. They leaned on Him and didn’t let their faith waiver.

It doesn’t matter what you are attempting to do today. It can be something like losing weight, raising great kids or even starting a business, don’t allow ridicule to stop you from doing what God has called you to do. With man things are impossible, but with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26)

Success in The Midst of Ridicule Part 3 of 3 is a post from: Mrs. BliSs for WomantoAnother.com

Another place ridicule can come from is within. Our minds can often be battlefields. We can often be our own worst enemies. I often deal with this in my own mind. Especially when it comes to getting my clothing line started. Right now, I am in the beginning stages of learning how to sew. I have successfully made a couple of easy pieces and altered a few things. However, there is still a whole lot that I have to learn. With no fashion background beyond working in retail, the thought of having my own clothing line can often seem intimidating to me. Sometimes, things will come into my mind like “Do you really think you will sew clothing that other people will want to spend money on and wear?” or “You will never be able to do this”. When these thing come into my mind, I remember what God’s words says about getting things done. It says that I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). So, when I put my faith and trust in the One that gave me this vision, I know that He will help me to learn and do what is needed for my clothing line.

Success in The Midst of Ridicule Part 2 of 3 is a post from: Mrs. BliSs for WomantoAnother.com

Ridicule may come from many different sources. One place it can come from is from the outside.  Family or friends may not understand our endeavor. Looking at the situation from a fleshly or carnal perspective may cause them to speak to us negatively about what we are doing. Unfortunately, we sometimes learn who our true friends are or who really has our best interest at heart when we attempt something great. Psalm 41:9, says “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me” I often hear Joyce Meyer talk about how she lose her friends when she began to minister for the Lord. It was not a popular thing for women to preach when she first started her ministry. Nevertheless, she continued to do the will of God and not let ridicule stop her. Now, her ministry is world wide.

Success in The Midst of Ridicule Part 1 of 3 is a post from: Mrs. BliSs for WomantoAnother.com

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 gives us all of the things that make up love. The first aspect of love is long-suffering. The word in itself is pretty self explanatory. Long-suffering is bearing with others and sticking it out. Proverbs 10:12 says “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.” When someone wrongs us, we are long-suffering towards them by forgiving them and not holding a grudge or blabbing about it to all of our friends. Holding a grudge against someone will only hurt us in the long run. Jesus said in Matthew 18:21-22 that we should forgive one another no matter how many times we are offended. He also tells us in Matthew 6:14-15 that if we don’t forgive each other, God will not forgive us for our wrong.

It’s All About Love pt 1 of 5 is a post from: Mrs. BliSs for WomantoAnother.com

She defied all the norms of life in post -Civil War America. Not only was she a woman evangelist, she was a black woman evangelist and an ex-slave. She must have been filled with love and grace; because she traveled both north and south, preaching to people of all races and persuasions. She later spent fourteen years evangelizing in England, India, and  Africa. To the best of her ability, she fulfilled the Great Commission.

Amanda received opposition from her own African American churches as well as from white people. When her own denomination held their first general conference south of the Mason-Dixon line, Amanda made plans to attend. Her appearance cause quite a stir of gossip, even though she says in her own words: “The thought of ordination had never once entered my mind, for I had received my ordination from Him who said ‘Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you that ye should go and bring forth fruit.’” (John 15:16 KJV).

In The Face of Opposition Part 2 of 2 is a post from: Mrs. BliSs for WomantoAnother.com

In John 6:60-66 there were,people turned away from Jesus. There were also people that didn’t believe He was the Christ, The Son of God. Even after seeing the miracles and hearing Him preach, they still didn’t believe. 1 Corinthians 9:22 says “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. ” My husband mentioned once that this scripture did not say save “all”. It said save “some”. So, don’t get discouraged if someone doesn’t believe. We can only praise God for the opportunity to minister to them and pray that God touches their heart, waters the sown seed and causes them to give their lives to Him.

In The Face of Opposition Part 1 of 2 is a post from: Mrs. BliSs for WomantoAnother.com