Common Pottery

Honor where Honor is Due

So, I was moved to a new location under a new Supervisor. The first week was awesome. I was moving quickly, impressing my co-workers and making some mad for fear my hard work meant they would get fired not working hard like me. This one guy literally said, “You’re going to get me fired.” I asked, “why, because I do my job?” At any rate, I saw a fight break out, found a cool looking cast iron metal thing-a-ma-jig and have the luxury of making strangers smile with each work day. I am blessed.

But like with any job come new problems. Last month, I had no worries or concerns but this month I’m being dealt luggage that isn’t mine. For example: As soon as I finish yesterday’s job, I ask a woman (not a co-worker but who I’ve seen conversing multiple times with my Supervisor) who just got finished scolding one of my co-workers if she knew where the Supervisor was. With her wild, big black eyes, she rudely yells, “Why would I know that? I don’t know him?” I’m thinking, didn’t she just meddle herself into my co-worker’s hustle, demanding she work harder? Hasn’t she had numerous conversations with my Supervisor?  I respond back with wisdom but I end up walking away to her loud, angry voice saying, “You don’t want to see mean!”

WOW! An angry black woman go figure. She’s a statistic and that’s all she will ever be if she continues this way. She responded unprofessionally, rudely, angrily and hostile to a normal yes or no question. My question was unprovoked and her response was unwarranted. Why is her anger my fault? It’s not. She’s a bully and the people around her aren’t her friends, their merely scared of her.

But when did it become the norm to treat people any way we want without consequence?  When did it become normalized to bring personal issues into the workplace?  

Today’s problem comes in the form of my Supervisor deciding NOT to pay me for the time I’ve already worked. Why? This isn’t legal and I’ve dealt with employer’s stiffing me for money owed. Last Tuesday, I arrived super late because of my crazy alarm. Nonetheless, I hustle to the spot an hour and 45min.late, set up and tear down. Once at my sign-out spot, I’m given extra hours. I’m blessed to be able to make up for the time. But once my shift is over I apologize for being late, my bad, for sure. Also, I guaranteed it would never happen again. The time is11:30and the Supervisor asks me in front of a female employee of another company, “What time are you coming tomorrow?” I cheekily say, “5:30” To which the Supervisor says, “ha!6:00but5:30would be great!” Ok, I tell him and so I start showing up to work at5:30every morning since last week Wednesday. Although, today the Lord put it on my heart to ask the Sup.if I was being clocked in at5:30and he says no! WHY NOT? Why am I coming at5:30then? He says, “I don’t know.” What you mean, you don’t know? We agreed on this, I call in every day at5:30. I was here at the job at5:00 amyesterday, rehearsed my sales pitch and called in at5:30! I am done with everything by10:00! “Nope, I’m clocking you in from 6-9.” WHAT????!!!!!!! Let’s not forget that he doesn’t count the minutes in between. Example: If I clock out of work at9:15, he still logs it as 9.

Sigh…I called the main office and reported the issue. I also asked if I could keep the same post location but suggesting that it’s a 4 ½ hour gig. They’ve had to fire 4 people the last 3 weeks for throwing out left over product because the gig is hard. If the job hours are being shaved down that means I have 1 ½ hour to sell 11 stacks of product. That is over 100lbs. I have to carry two blocks after the shift is over because it’s not enough time to sell. I’m unsure if it’s intentional but it’s implausible. I have so many questions.

Questions:

What will it hurt my Sup.to honor the time I’ve already worked?

Why is he choosing to be unreasonable?

Why after I asked him to honor my hours, did he immediately threaten me the loss of the job and a replacement? What does that have to do with the fact that I still am owed and the issue must be dealt with? Job or not.

Why did my Sup.act like I was asking him for a favor when in reality, I am owed for time worked?

Why can’t my Sup.assess my work skill, even after he keeps saying I’m doing a real good job, and utilize it for his gain? God’s glory.

Why are people bringing personal issues and dropping them off at my door?

Why are people so intent on placing the blame on other people but themselves?

If the hours were shortened why only after I asked my Sup.about my hours did he decide to tell me?

Shouldn’t a Supervisor inform his co-workers of change that will directly affect them, their work morale and so forth?

Why is my Sup.not communicating with me as his worker?

Why does it always have to be dramatic?

Why can’t I merely work, get paid for it and leave without jankery side-business?

Why do I have to deal with bad work ethics, ill behaved individuals and people in position who needn’t be?

Where does all this leave the Christian worker? And what does God and His word say?

(Source: trinityministry.yolasite.com)

Work Place Drama pt.3- What To Pray?

I quench with the shield of faith every fiery dart the enemy sends my way (Eph 6:16)

I quench every fiery dart of jealousy, envy, anger, bitterness, and rage sent against my life in the name of Jesus

I quench every firebrand sent against my life by the enemy in the name of Jesus. (Isa 7:4)

I bind and rebuke all spirits of jealousy directed against my life in the name of Jesus. (Ps 74:7)

I bind and cast out every fiery serpent sent against my life in the name of Jesus (Isa 30:6)

I quench every burning lamp that comes from the leviathan’s mouth (Job 41:19)

I will not be burned by the fire of the enemy (Isa 43:2)

The enemy will not be able to burn up my harvest (2 Sam. 14:30)

I quench all ungodly words spoken against my life in the mighty name of Jesus. (Prov 16:27)

I quench all gossip directed against my life in the name of Jesus (Prov 26:20)

I break and release myself from all curses of poverty, lack and debt in the name of Jesus.

I break and release myself from all spoken curses and negative words spoken against me by others and by those in authority; I pray for the eyes of their heart to be opened to Godly sorrow which worketh repentance unto salvation.

Let the secret counsel of the wicked be turned into foolishness.

Let those gathered against me be scattered.

Destroy, O, Lord and divide their tongues. (Ps 55:9)

I am delivered from every satanic trap and plot against my life.

Let those who devise my hurt be turned back and brought to confusion.

Let the nets they have hid catch themselves, and into that very destruction let them fall.

Specifically for my case, these are the prayers I’m speaking aloud over my life tonight until tomorrow when I call the Sup. to clarify what went wrong. What I found hopeful about the book excerpts was prayer is the fundamental tool to defeat the devil. The world tells us to assert ourselves, man-up, defend your honor, stand up for yourself, handle your business!!! But God is simply saying to pray. There is rest for our souls even in the most turbulent of times. Through prayer, I also dug how David in some sense ‘swept” clean a path for Christ to be born. It was David’s prayers that routed demons. It was prayer that destroyed the works of the devil and spiritual wickedness.
Also, concerning spiritual warfare, we can’t be blind to the truth of what is happening. While well intentioned, I had someone try to urge me to “speak positively” about the situation when I mentioned how Satan always attacks me concerning work. Ex: “Don’t say that, Satan isn’t doing that to you. speak good things about your life.” I understand the whole “Word of Faith” concepts but is it always Biblical? No. I need supernatural strategies that will defeat natural enemies.

Speaking about enemies. I felt affirmed in my vocal response to address how Satan is attacking me because like David, I’ve realized demons recognize the power and authority of the Holy Spirit which is upon me. “There are hosts of lying and deceiving spirits that work under the authority of Satan. These spirits include delusion, deception, error and guile.” The spirits by which the workers were operating in was envy, jealousy, bitterness, slander and gossip. Discernment of spirits is a gift of the Holy Spirit and when God speaks a word of warning to your heart, believe it by faith, be warned and steer clear.

Somewhat of an exhortation to the saints. We have to be prepared to face our enemy, road blocks, trials and tribulations with faith and courage. It’s not time to pretend nothing is happening. I’m quite tired of Christians telling one another simple Bible rhetoric like “God knows your future, God’s gonna see you thru, God will never leave you.” While these may be true, the Bible also calls us to action, take up arms and fight the good fight of faith! We have gifts, we’re to use them to build up the body of Christ. If someone has a word of encouragment, speak! If someone has the gift of wisdom, use it for the glory of God! Allow the Lord to use you to usher in peace, hope and a plan of action for each other. But by all means necessary, DO NOT SIT AROUND PRETENDING NOTHING IS HAPPENING!
The Bible tells us resist the devil, submit to God and the devil will flee. We must resist the devil and prayer is one step in the right strategic direction.

Please pray with me, for me and over me. We pray for you! JESUS IS LORD.

(Source: trinityministry.yolasite.com)

Work Place Drama pt.2-Why We Pray?

Why We Pray

“We are not to be ignorant of the devil’s tactics. We can overcome all the schemes of the devil. The devil is a schemer. A scheme is a plan, design, or program of action. The Bible talks about the wiles of the devil (Eph 6:11). A wile is a trick or a trap. A trap is a snare.

Warfare involves tactics and strategies. The greatest generals are great tacticians and strategists. You cannot win without a strategy. Don’t allow the enemy to strategize against you. Overcome and destroy his strategies through prayer.
Traps and snares are hidden. People fall into traps unknowingly. We are delivered from the snare of the fowler. A fowler is a hunter. Satan is the hunter of souls. We can release ourselves and others through prayer.
The main tactic of the enemy is deception. He is a liar and the father of the lies. The word of God exposes the tactics of the enemy. God is light and His word is light. The light exposes the enemy and tears away the darkness.
Multitudes of people are deceived by the enemy. There are hosts of lying and deceiving spirits that work under the authority of Satan. These spirits include delusion, deception, lying, seducing, blinding, error and guile. Our praying can strip the power of these deceiving spirits and cause the eyes of the people to be opened.
David prayed against the enemy conspiracies of the wicked. The Psalms are filled with references to the plans of his enemies to overthrow him. His prayers were the key in destroying these plans and bringing him deliverance. David prayed for his enemies to be scattered, confused, exposed and destroyed.
David’s struggles were with natural enemies. Behind these natural enemies were spiritual ones that were opposed to the Davidic kingdom. Jesus was to come from this line and sit upon this throne. David was fighting something beyond the natural. Through the Holy Spirit he was contending with the powers of darkness that were set against the arrical of the kingdom of God.
These powers were also manifested through Herod, who attempted to kill the coming Messiah. Herod was driven by spirits of fear and murder. He was used by Satan to attempt to abort the coming kingdom. However, the Holy Spirit had already been loosed through prayers of David, and David’s throne was secure.
Many of these warfare prayers are taken from the psalms of David. Jesus is the Son of David. He sits on the throne of David. David’s prophetic prayers were weapons against the enemy’s attempt to stop the promised seed. David’s victories in prayer opened the way for his throne to continue. The throne of wickedness was unable to overcome the throne of righteousness.
God taught David. He became the warrior king. His victories caused his kingdom to be established. His victory over the house of Saul came after a long war (2 Sam 3:1). Don’t become discouraged in prayer. Continue to pray. You will become stronger and the enemy will become weaker.
David consumed his enemies (Ps 18:37-40). He did not turn until they were destroyed. We must see our spiritual enemies completely destroyed. We must pursue the enemy. To pursue means to follow in order to overtake or capture. It means to chase with hostile intent. We cannot be passive when it comes to warfare!
David’s victories prepared the way for Solomon. Solomon enjoyed peace and prosperity. Solomon’s name means “peace.” Peace is the Hebrew word shalom. Shalom means “peace, prosperity, favor, health and well-being.” Your victories over the enemy will release shalom. You will experience greater levels of peace and prosperity.”

Section 3,p.45 of “Prayers That Route Demons” by John Eckhardt

(Source: trinityministry.yolasite.com)

Work Place Drama

So, if any of you follow my updates you will have read somewhere how the devil ALWAYS attacks me at the workplace. You may also have read how I almost took an employer to small claims, fasted for 21 days, won the case and received more than what was initially owed to me. The guy also apologized for taking advantage of me. Thank you God!
New job, third day.
Monday there really wasn’t an official supervisor so this white kid, gunning for the supervisor position took the role, leading the charge for the group of guys Cool, he seems like a hard worker, we hit it off and I comment on how him helping the new guy isn’t the norm for most dudes. Although, another worker this tall PR guy doesn’t like me. I get it. I’m not hard, I’ve got all my teeth, I smile, I’m joyous and I genuinely love working not merely because “it’s easy money.” Hate, hater. Ironic, because another guy watching me work gives me a thumbs up. Later we chat it up and I find he is part of the team.
Since I started the job, the white dude deems it necessary to move me around from post to post for the next two days, whatever, I still get the job done. Day two, we’re getting things done, white dude is happy talking about how we got rid of all the product. Some guys are signing out about an hour earlier than me and the WK says, “Fortunately for you, they want you to stay.” Honestly, he could have also said “unfortunately.” Either way I’m blessed and thank God for charisma. Day three, the WK keeps coming back to my post and sees my product moving quickly. Around the last hour and with my quota already met he randomly decides to move me to another spot. Again, I’m fine with this because I keep about my Father’s business and do what is asked of me. I enjoy the hustle and the bustle of the work God gives me. The new post has about 3 and ½ stacks of product that haven’t been promoted. Mind you this new spot was another guys who is now yucking it up with 4 other workers including the WK. Their goofing off all in the same spot, smoking cigs and gawking at chicks. Not my problem and I don’t really care so long as I am left alone to get my job done. The kid whose spot I’m in comes over and is like, “I’m going to help you.” Why? He’s got no style, flow, or flavor in his delivery. For the five minutes he “helped” I promoted 3 items to his one! Never mind the glaring fact that I’m working his post!!! The WK didn’t move the guy whose spot I was hustling to my spot. So, you got a empty space where there aren’t products being promoted because 4 workers want to chill?!!
Basically, he strategically and methodically planned for me to take the heat for the other worker who wasn’t doing his job. All them yuck-mouth knuckleheads we’re yacking it up in one spot while I’m on my grind. The white kid reports my false work statistics and I’m told by the real supervisor (or some dude on the phone) not to report to the post the next day because I’m being transferred to a new location. He tells me to call the main offices next week! I’m yes’ sir-ing the guy as he finally ends the convo with, “We need you to move faster friend!”
Now, I don’t have a problem being moved. I was going to ask for a transfer due to the amount of time it takes to get to my post. But I refuse to allow my work ethic to be maligned due to poor self-esteem, envy, jealousy and bitterness. If the same runt promoter wannabe supervisor (white kid) is moving me, why didn’t he send the guy whose post I was covering to my spot? (they were yucking it up, smoking cigs) He’s not telling anyone else what to do? Why was he telling me? If we’re a team and I’m slow, we all slow. If its every man for himself, then I was pushing my bit, getting it in.

I got played.

What does this mean for the Christian worker? Stay tuned!

(Source: trinityministry.yolasite.com)

Tweet from Leah Smith (@LeahSmithMusic)

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Heavenly Bookkeeping

http://www.omegaletter.com/articles/articles.asp?ArticleID=6918&SearchFor=heavenly_-_bookeeping

One of my favorite articles from Jack.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2nd Corinthians 5:10)

The Bible says that it is appointed unto man once to die, and then the judgment.  Every human being that ever lived will ultimately be judged according to his works. 

Every human being — including saved Christians.

The Bible identifies two separate seats of judgment.  The first is the judgment seat of Christ, also called the “Bema Seat.” 

“Bema” is the Greek word translated as “judgment seat” but the phrase loses much of its meaning in translation.  It means a rostrom or a tribunal, specifically one with one foot on the throne, or one with absolute authority. 

In Paul’s day, the Greek Olympic games had been part of Greek society for at least six hundred years. 

The ancient Olympics began as a foot race between female candidates for the job of priestess to the goddess Hera and continued in some form every four years thereafter until they were suppressed by Emperor Theodocius II of Rome in the early third century AD.

By Paul’s day, the Olympics had developed into a system, of which the Bema Seat was the most important.   The Bema Seat was the place where the judges sat directly in line with the finish line.

The job of the Bema judge was not to declare a winner, but rather, to record the order in which each runner finished his race.  The first one to cross the line was awarded a gold medal, next silver, next bronze, etc., but the race was not over until the last competitor crossed the finish line.

That is why Paul used the word “bema” to describe this particular judgment seat.  To be judged at the Bema Seat signifies having successfully completed the race – it is also called “believer’s judgment.”

The second judgment is the Great White Throne judgment.  This judgment takes place at the conclusion of the thousand-year Millennial Kingdom.  

“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” (Revelation 20:12)

Notice that believers stand before Christ.  At the Great White Throne they stand before God.  This doesn’t mean that  – Christ isn’t God, but the word ‘Christ’ (Christos) means Messiah, or Redeemer. 

Those that stand before the Great White Throne will NOT stand before the Redeemer to be judged according to their works.  That is the Bema Seat judgment.  At the Great White Throne, they will stand before the Righteous Judge to be condemned according to their choice.

Let me use a real, living example of the famously atheist Christopher Hitchens, author of “God is NOT Great.” As a sinner, Christopher Hitchens is no worse than I am.   His works are no more terrible than mine.  In short, he is no more deserving of hell than I am.

Hitchens is now dying of esophageal cancer and has explicitly rejected the prayers of the faithful for either his healing or his salvation.  Hitchens says that he refuses to bend his knee now because he doesn’t want to appear a hypocrite.

Instead, Hitchens says, if there is a God and a judgment, he prefers to be judged according to his own merits.  It is his choice to make. When he stands before the Great White Throne, his every action and thought and deed, as recorded in the books, will be examined and judged. 

But he will be condemned according to but one criteria. 

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”  (Revelation 20:15)

I chose to be judged at the Bema Seat when I accepted my sinful state and trusted Jesus Christ as my Savior.  The Bema Seat judgment will be no less horrific than that of the Great White Throne. 

Let me repeat myself for emphasis: The Bema Seat judgment will be no less horrific than that of the Great White Throne.   Like Christopher Hitchens at the Great White Throne; Christians will be “judged according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2^nd Corinthians 5:10)

The Bema Seat is not going to be some picnic – the Apostle Paul calls it ‘a terror.’

“Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” (2^nd Corinthians 5:11)

But the Bema Seat judgment, although it IS a judgment for works, judges how you ran the race, not whether you finished it.  By definition, if you are standing before the Bema Seat, you finished the race.

The purpose of the Bema Seat is to determine what rewards you have earned. If you are there, it is because your name IS found in the Book of Life. 

The Book of Life is the ticket into heaven. Anyone whose name is not in there will join the antichrist and false prophet in the Lake of Fire. But the Book of Life is but one of four books identified in Scripture that record the details of our existence.

What are the other books? 

The Book of Births:

“Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Thy Book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalms 139:16)

The Book of Tears:

“Thou tellest my wanderings: put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: are they not in Thy book?”

The Book of Tears records our pain and disappointments and sadness — Who we trusted and how we dealt with the trials and tribulations of this life.

“In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me… . For Thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?” (Psalms 56:10-11,13)

The Book of Remembrance:

“Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His Name. And they shall be Mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” (Malachi 3:16-17)

The Book of Remembrances is where God records that which sometimes man forgets. The Scriptures promise that:

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21)

And finally, the Big One: The Book of Life:

“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.” (Revelation 3:5)

“And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15)

Understanding the difference between the judgments and the Books that determine which judgment we face makes it impossible to mount a cogent argument against the doctrine of eternal security, or what is often derided as “OSAS”.

Every person who ever lived is recorded in all four Books, including the Book of Life.  Revelation 3:5 says that he that overcomes will be clothed in white rainment and that Jesus will not blot his name out of the Book of Life.

Does that mean a saved person’s name can be blotted out if they fail to ‘overcome’?   No. It means exactly the opposite.  How does a believer ‘overcome the world?’   Obviously, he can’t, or there would be no need for a Savior to do it for him.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Ye are of God, little children, and HAVE overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.  (1^st John 4:4)

Your name is recorded in the Book of Births, the Book of Tears, and the Book of Remembrances and the Book of Life.  So, too is the name, Christopher Hitchens.  Hitchens is still alive.  He still has an opportunity to repent and trust Jesus.

That opportunity will remain with him until he draws his last breath.   On that day, if he remains defiant, THEN will Jesus blot his name out of the Book of Life.

(note: Christopher Hitchens died on December 11, 2011 an unrepentant atheist.)

THAT is what John meant when he wrote that the Great White Throne was the second death.  The first death occurs when one dies in his sins and his name is blotted out of the Book of Life. 

The second death occurs at the second resurrection at the Great White Throne.

You cannot blot your own name out of the Book of Life by your sins.  It is blotted out by Jesus by your final rejection of salvation at the first death.  

If it is blotted out by your sins, rather than your rejection of salvation, then what does it mean when it says we will be judged for what was done in the body, both good and bad?

Otherwise, the first death and the second death are meaningless symbols, since death is a fairly identifiable condition — it means, ‘not alive’. 

If you are alive now, your name is in the Book of Life — and will remain there until you are dead and its is too late to trust Christ. The actual equation isn’t “once saved, always saved.”  It more accurately undersood as “saved once and always”.

The decision to blot out your name from the Book of Life is not made based on your sins in this life.  Your name remains in the Book of Life until you die in your sins.  And if you are saved, you can’t.

Don’t let the enemy steal away your victory.  It came at too high a price.

(Source: trinityministry.yolasite.com)

Jack Kinsella- L.I.P

Such an awesome man of God and Bible prophecy, Jack has gone on to be with the Lord. We covet your letters and articles to the church Jack. Your work has been a blessing to my family and we look forward to dancing on the streets of gold with you. God comfort Jack’s family and friends who knew him intimately. Maranatha!

(Source: trinityministry.yolasite.com)