Get Real Love by Being Authentic

Authenticity is the key to unlocking your true self, staying true to your personality, values, and spirit, irrespective of external pressures urging you to act otherwise. It's about being honest with both yourself and others while taking responsibility for your mistakes. It is also the key to R.E.A.L connection and love.

Unfortunately, we create a false self because we were never accepted for who we were as children. We could never measure up or feel worthy enough to feel loved. Many of us constructed a false self as a defense mechanism, shaped by childhood experiences where acceptance was elusive. Feeling unworthy of love, we often conceal our true selves behind a facade of pride to mask shame, fear, and rejection. In the process, we inadvertently push away those who genuinely care for us.

The unmet needs of our childhood led us to find other ways to get those needs met such as manipulation, intimidation, domination, seduction, self-pity, and a host of other controlling behaviors. We often mimic what we see at home and when getting our way becomes our end goal; we end up creating a false self to get what we want. The desire for love and acceptance drives the false self. Consequently, we live inauthentically, failing to meet the imaginary standards set by others or ourselves, leading to a build-up of shame and anger. 

The repercussions of this lack of self-love manifest in patterns of self-sabotage, self-hatred, and destructive behaviors, hindering our ability to have genuine love and compassion for others. Our needs getting met takes priority over others. We only say or do what they want to hear. We are in survival mode. We often become oblivious to the casualties of our actions.

Is there a better way? Absolutely! Here are steps to guide you toward authenticity:

Trust in God: Rely on God to meet your needs; unlike unreliable or absent parents, He is steadfast and reliable. There is no need to manage things on your own.

Release Fear: Authentic love cannot coexist with fear. Let go of fear-driven controlling behaviors that drive people away. Realize your fear suffocates people and they deserve to breathe. Fear kills relationships this way.

Recognize Unconditional Love: Realize that you are already loved and accepted by God; there's no need to fake it until you make it. Love out of the revelation and overflow of being loved.

Prioritize Others: Prioritize loving people over getting what you want from them. All narcissistic behaviors are rooted in the "me" first mindset. While you might get what you want on a short-term basis you are robbing yourself of authentic love and relationships because people are eventually put off by this behavior.

Let go of Pride: Shed the barriers of pride preventing you from becoming your authentic self. No longer use pride as a defense mechanism that fends off people from your wounded self.

Release Shame: Don't allow accusatory thoughts to keep you in self-destructive patterns. You are not your behavior.

Relinquish Control: Trust in God's process and commit your ways to Him, allowing Him to manage the relationships in your life.

Heal Inner Wounds: Address the wounds that fuel inner chaos, rejection, and insecurity. Don't bleed on people just because you haven't taken the time to heal.

Abandon Retaliation: Refrain from hurting others in response to their actions; let God be the ultimate defender. Learn to be a safe person that people can feel comfortable being around.

Avoid Excuses: Take responsibility for your actions, and don't make excuses for bad behavior. Real people have real problems and they take responsibility for what they do. Blaming others disempowers you and keeps you in a victim mindset.

Seek Self-Discovery: Allow God to guide you in discovering your true self, understanding that self-love is a journey. You are worth the effort and the love.

Stick to Values: Adhere to your values and convictions, ensuring they align with true biblical values such as love, humility, and Christ-like character.

The end result of embracing authenticity is self-love, a powerful force that, in turn, enables love for others. By prioritizing genuine connections, we pave the way for mutual love and the fulfillment of our needs in legitimate ways. Embrace authenticity, and you'll find yourself on the path to R.E.A.L connection: Respect, Encouragement, Acceptance, and Love. ✨️ When you're real, you get R.E.A.L. love.

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If Church Is Not Producing Righteousness

If church is not producing righteousness or holiness in your life in the fear of God, if it isn't changing the way you look at sin, if you feel no conviction to change or make excuses for compromising God's Word then you are in either an apostate church or in a lukewarm church. Jesus said, ‘I know your actions, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. 16 Since you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, “I am rich. I have become wealthy. I don’t need anything.” Yet you don’t realize that you are miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

18 Therefore, I advise you to buy from me gold purified in fire so you may be rich, white clothes to wear so your shameful nakedness won’t show, and ointment to put on your eyes so you may see.

 19 I correct and discipline those whom I love, so be serious and repent! Revelations 3:15-19

Jaziz Gutierrez 

Repentance Means Freedom!

What good does it do to repent and still be bound? Doesn't salvation mean freedom? If we are saved what are we saved from? Shall we be like Catholics whip our backs with condemnation only to stay in our chains? Shall we confess our sins to the priest only to return next week to do the same? Shall we pray with our rosary of deliverance prayers, and satisfy the righteous requirements of Christ by going to church? Are these not dead works? Works/religious activities instead of true surrender  and turning away from sin? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:26 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Hebrews 6:1 More importantly, repentance is a change of mind and attitude towards sin. So much is our change of mind towards sin that it causes us to turn from it and not desire it anymore. This is when we truly experience freedom and the sacrifice of Christ is no longer in vain. 

Jaziz Gutierrez

Don't Let Go of the Rope

I hear the Lord say, "Don't Let Go of the Rope!" Some of you have grown weary in prayer. You have literally been in a tug of war for people's souls. You have wrestled with God, the devil, and your own emotions for years.You have watched in horror as your loved ones have dangled precariously over the mouth of hell. Never give up! You may be the only person tugging on the rope that keeps them out of hell. What would you do if you knew someone was in a house that caught fire? Would you keep walking by? Would you leave them there to burn just because they hurt you? Nobody would be that wicked! Yet, many of us forget all the people around us who are perishing around us. We settle into our comfortable lives thinking only of ourselves. Even worse we get angry and take offense with the prisoners of Satan and don't bother to tell them of their chains. We give up on people because we are angry with them and literally we let them drop into hell. But why are we upset with the damned? We are the ones with hope and eternal life. Saints we must be praying as if people's lives depend on it and whatever we do...We must not let go of the rope! Again, no matter how angry or upset you get, "Don't let go of the rope."

Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. James 5:20

Keeping Our Wedding Garments Clean: A Call to Holiness

In the grand narrative of the Bible, the relationship between Christ and the Church is often depicted as a marriage, with Christ as the bridegroom and the Church as His bride. As believers, we are part of this bride, called to prepare ourselves for the return of our bridegroom. This preparation involves keeping our "wedding garments" clean, symbolizing our spiritual purity and holiness.

The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV), "Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." While the blood of Jesus has washed us clean from the filth of our sin, it is our responsibility to maintain this cleanliness, to keep ourselves from all spiritual defilement. This involves actively distancing ourselves from worldly pleasures and influences that can stain our wedding garments.

James 1:27 (NIV) provides a practical guide on how to live out this purity: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." True religion, in the eyes of God, involves caring for the vulnerable and maintaining personal purity.

So, how do we keep ourselves pure and unspotted from the world? The scriptures highlight three key practices:

1. The Fear of the Lord: Psalm 19:9 (NIV) says, "The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous." Reverence and awe for God, acknowledging His holiness and our need for His grace, is the beginning of wisdom and a key to living a pure life. Proverbs 9:10 (NIV) echoes this, stating, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 8:13 (NIV) further defines the fear of the Lord, saying, "To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech."

2. Being Washed in the Water of the Word: Ephesians 5:25-27 (NIV) reads, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." Regularly immersing ourselves in God's Word purifies our minds and aligns our hearts with His.

3. Expecting the Return of Our Bridegroom: 1 John 3:2-3 (NIV) encourages us, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure." Living in the light of Christ's return motivates us to live pure and holy lives.

In addition to these practices, the scriptures also call us to a life of holiness. 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV) says, "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" Similarly, 2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV) reminds us that God "has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace." Leviticus 20:26 (NIV) also calls us to be holy, saying, "You are to be holy to me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own."

These scriptures remind us of our call to live holy lives, set apart for God's purposes. They also highlight the importance of fearing the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom and understanding. This fear is not about being afraid, but about having a deep reverence and awe for God's holiness and majesty. It's about recognizing His authority over our lives and choosing to live in obedience to His commands.

As we anticipate the return of our bridegroom, Jesus Christ, let us strive to keep our wedding garments clean, living lives of holiness and purity. We want to be ready for His return, unashamed and radiant in His presence.

Pride: The Hidden Obstacle in Overcoming Addiction

Pride, often seen as a virtue, can become a vice when it prevents us from acknowledging our weaknesses and seeking help. This is particularly true in the context of addiction, where pride can be a significant barrier to recovery.

The Nature of Pride

Pride is a complex emotion that can manifest in various ways. It can be a sense of self-worth and accomplishment, but it can also be a defensive mechanism that shields us from acknowledging our flaws and vulnerabilities. In the context of addiction, pride often manifests as a refusal to admit that we have a problem and need help.

Pride tells us that we don't need to take responsibility for our actions, that we don't need help, and that we can handle our addiction on our own. It can make us think that others are trying to control us, causing us to be defensive, and resistant to change.  It can also disguise itself as "knowing what it is best" and "nobody can tell me what to do" twisting our perception of ourselves and others.

Pride and Addiction

Addiction thrives on secrecy and denial. It convinces us that we are in control, even when our lives are spiraling out of control. Pride feeds into this illusion of control, making it difficult for us to admit that we are struggling and need help.

Pride can also make us resistant to seeking help. It can make us feel that we should be able to overcome our addiction on our own, without the need for therapy, or support groups. This can lead to a cycle of addiction, where we continue to use despite the negative consequences because we are too proud to seek help.

Overcoming Pride with the 12 Steps

The 12 Steps of Celebrate Recovery provide a spiritual pathway to overcome pride and addiction. Here's how they can help:

1.  Admitting Powerlessness: The first step is to admit that we are powerless over our addictions and that our lives have become unmanageable. This is a direct challenge to pride, which tells us that we are in control and can manage our addiction on our own. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled. (Psalm 6:2)

2.  Believing in a Higher Power: The second step is to believe that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity. This requires humility, the opposite of pride because we are admitting that only God can help restore us.
But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

3.  Turning Our Will Over to God: The third step is to make a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God. This involves letting go of our pride and self-will, and trusting in God's will for our lives.
"Not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)

4.  Making a Moral Inventory: The fourth step is to make a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. This requires honesty, humility, and a willingness to acknowledge our faults and weaknesses.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting. ( Psalm 139:22-24)

5.  Admitting Our Wrongs: The fifth step is to admit to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. This is a direct challenge to pride, which often prevents us from admitting our mistakes and asking for forgiveness.
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. (James 5:16)

6.  Becoming Ready for God to Remove Our Defects: The sixth step is to become entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. This requires humility and a willingness to change. 
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

7.  Asking God to Remove Our Shortcomings: The seventh step is to humbly ask God to remove all our shortcomings. This involves acknowledging our need for God's grace and mercy, and our inability to overcome our addiction on our own.
“Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” (Joel 2:12)

The remaining steps involve making amends, continuing to take personal inventory, improving our conscious contact with God, and carrying the message to others. These steps all require humility and a willingness to let go of our pride.

Conclusion

Pride can be a significant obstacle in overcoming addiction, but it is not insurmountable. By acknowledging our pride, seeking help, and practicing humility, we can overcome our addiction and start on the path to recovery. The 12 Steps provide a spiritual pathway to overcome pride and addiction and to live a life of recovery and freedom.

Breaking Free from Codependency: Being Authentic

 

Codependency is a complex and often misunderstood concept. It's a relationship dynamic where one person sacrifices their own needs and desires to meet the needs of another. This dynamic is often seen in relationships where one person is an addict but can also occur in any type of relationship.

The sad thing about addiction and codependency is that they don't allow you to be authentic. Addiction is self-absorbed and it alters your personality. Codependency always tries to please others at the cost of being true to your dreams and aspirations. Addiction destroys our dreams and codependency forfeits them to make others happy. Either way, our identity is lost in both of these situations.

As long as we keep striving to make things happen on our own, we will never be able to break the cycle, be our true authentic selves, and fulfill our God-given destiny.
So, how can we break free from this cycle of codependency?

Recognize the Problem

The first step to breaking free from codependency is recognizing that there's a problem. This can, be difficult as codependency is often rooted in our fear of rejection and our need for acceptance.
Understand the Role of Fear
Codependency is rooted in the fear of man. Not being afraid of people but rather trying to make others happy at the expense of your own happiness, personal goals, dreams, and etc. When we aim at pleasing others instead of God, we make them our idols and yield our control over to them because of our own fears.

Trusting in God

Trust in God is not just about belief, but also about hope. It's about having faith that God will guide us, even in our darkest moments. When we trust in God, we are blessed and filled with hope. This trust is not passive, but active. It's about believing that God exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. When we aim at pleasing others instead of God, we make them our idols and yield our control over to them because of our own fears. By placing our trust in God, we can break free from the cycle of codependency and live a life that is true to our authentic selves.

Let Go and Let God

There's a misery to playing God in other people's lives. First, you can never get it right. You don't really know how to meet the deepest need of the human heart. That's when you choose either to allow God to step in or continue doing a lousy job playing his role. You need to step down so he can step in. This is the famous let go and let God thing everyone talks about. This is breaking codependency. You step down from your position of being God and trust Him to do his job.

Being Authentic

Breaking free from codependency means being authentic and transparent. It means letting go of the need to please others and instead focusing on pleasing God and fulfilling your own dreams and aspirations.

In conclusion, breaking free from codependency is a journey. It's a journey of self-discovery, of letting go, and of embracing your true authentic self. It's a journey that requires courage, faith, and a lot of self-love. But it's a journey worth taking.

Prayer

Father, we humbly ask you that you help us trust you and surrender the ones that we love to you. You are God and we are not. We don't know what is best for them and we can't fix them. We are going to stop compromising just to keep them happy. We command all fear of losing control to leave us now in Jesus' name! All anxiety and fear of the unknown to go in Jesus' name! We thank you now that you will take care of all our concerns the moment we let go and let you do your job.

Sobriety vs. Abstinence: A Spiritual Perspective

Introduction

In today's post, we'll explore the profound difference between abstinence and true recovery or sobriety, especially from a Christian perspective. Understanding this distinction is crucial for anyone grappling with addiction, as it can mean the difference between a life of struggle and a life of freedom.

Key Verse

But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed, and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion). James 1:14

Heavenly Father, we humbly approach Your throne of grace, seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance and strength as we delve into the topics of abstinence, recovery, and true sobriety. We earnestly ask for Your divine wisdom to understand these critical issues and for the strength to commit and dedicate ourselves to the path of recovery. Amen.

The Surface-Level Solution: Abstinence

Abstinence is part of the recovery process. It involves refraining from substance abuse due to negative consequences like incarceration, health issues, loss of income, or strained family relationships.

Those who abstain might still harbor thoughts of returning to their old ways. They often fantasize about going back to what they perceive as a better life. Many times abstinence causes people to be unhappy in their sobriety. Consequently, some individuals transform into what is referred to as "dry drunks," wherein their attitudes and behaviors remain unchanged. These individuals tend to exhibit anger and vent their frustrations onto others, displaying a markedly low tolerance for stressors. Unfortunately, they have yet to acquire the essential healthy coping mechanisms that accompany the process of recovery, and they have yet to address the underlying causes that led to their drinking or substance use.

The Pitfall of Relapse in Abstinence

The pitfall in abstinence during the recovery process is that willpower can only last so long. You try to convince yourself that you do not want to do it and even tell everyone else that you are done but if you at the wrong place with the wrong people you find yourself giving in. This is why having someone you can call in a time of weakness is so important. In the recovery world, we call them sponsors. Sadly, in the realm of abstinence, relapse is often seen as a total failure, leading to a return to active addiction. This can result in overwhelming feelings of guilt, shame, and even hopelessness. We need to remember that Jesus is the one that gets us over the finish line, not us. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, Hebrews 12:2 Shame may cause you to believe that your struggle with addiction is your identity. It is not your identity it is only your struggle to surrender something that you still think you want deep down inside.

Whatever you do, don’t hide from God run to him.
The Lord is near to the heartbroken And He saves those who are crushed in spirit (contrite in heart, truly sorry for their sin) Psalm 34:18

The Deeper Solution: Recovery and Sobriety

In sobriety, there's an immediate return to accountability. Humility and surrender are keys in all recovery scenarios. This often involves soul searching to eliminate the cause of relapse, taking inventory, and making amends with loved ones. Abstinence is a necessary step for recovery, but true recovery involves a change in how you perceive addiction.

In recovery, you see addiction not as a lost friend whose enjoyment you miss, but as a harmful, life-threatening enemy. You take proactive steps, deepening your love for God, practicing a reverential fear of God, and being thankful for everything He has given you. You make meaningful relationships with other people active in their recovery.

The Joy of True Sobriety

In true sobriety, you do what's necessary to have true contentment and joy. You change what you find joy in. Instead of yearning for what harms you, you hate those former vices, properly assessing them as having devastating consequences and destroying your cherished relationships.

The Importance of Motive and Community

It's essential to deeply consider your heart's desire for true recovery and a renewed life. What is the "why" behind your life? Are you only seeking sobriety because you have run out of options or because you feel forced into it? You need to want to leave behind everything and everyone to follow Christ. A recovery program is effective only if you are committed to it. Like they say, it only works if you are working it.

A Final Warning

If you struggle with addiction, please take it very seriously. Understand that it is a killer, not only of lives but also of families. It too often causes subsequent generations to follow in your footsteps. Oftentimes you hear about recovering addicts burying their children who followed their parents' example. You don't want this to be your story. Take courage and please remember that everyone's recovery process is unique, so find something that works for you. Don't hesitate, as waiting might mean it's too late.

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, we earnestly seek Your guidance in applying the lessons we've learned today about abstinence, recovery, and true sobriety. We ask for Your divine help in application and for the strength to resist the temptations of evil spirits that lure us back to destruction. We bind their operation over our minds, will, and emotions in Jesus' name! We command their influence to let go of us and for the Holy Spirit to empower us for victorious living. May we live lives blessed by these truths and be free from the lies that bind us. In Jesus' name Amen.

Written by Jaziz Gutierrez

All Rights Reserved 08/28/23

Addiction: The Illusion of Liberty

One of the biggest lies of the enemy is believing that liberty means living for ourselves and doing what we want to do. From the beginning of time, Satan has tempted mankind to take the same route as he did and so we can become our own masters. Like he told Adam and Eve, 'you shall be like gods.' Just like he did when he said, 'For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.' (Isaiah 14:13) Satan did indeed become his own master to sit on his own throne in hell. Separated from love, light, peace, and a life without God. Like they say, misery loves company. Believe me when I tell you that the devil wants your company.

The Kingdom of Darkness is always promising liberty to those who still want to be in control of their lives. The truth is the solicitors from hell know that the moment we take their offer we come under the bondage and slavery of whatever we yielded to. They seduce and deceive us to be, 'Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.' The word heady means to fall headlong by being reckless. The word highminded means to be blinded with pride. Pride is the devil's ticket into our lives. If he can convince us that we know better than God then he convinces us to become gods over our own lives. What he doesn't tell us is that we become his slaves the moment we do. There are only two masters in this world: Yahweh or Satan. There is no middle category. We are either servants of God or servants of the devil. Jesus said, 'No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and ?.' (Luke 16:13) You fill in the blank.

Today you have a choice. Are you going to serve self, and your fleshly desires so you become Satan's slave or will you serve Jesus and become his servant, fully surrendered to do His will? Who are you going to yield your life to?

In the context of addiction and codependency, this choice becomes even more critical. Addiction and codependency are forms of bondage, where we become slaves to our desires or to the desires of others. They rob us of our true identity and prevent us from living our God-given destiny. As the scripture says, 'While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.' (2 Peter 2:19)

Breaking free from the cycle of addiction and codependency is a multi-step process. It begins with acknowledging the existence of a problem. This is followed by understanding the role fear plays in our lives, often acting as a driving force behind our unhealthy behaviors.

Next, we must place our trust in God, believing in His power to heal and transform us. This involves surrendering control, a concept often referred to as 'letting go and letting God.' It's about releasing our tight grip on our lives and allowing God to guide us.

Being authentic about our struggles is another crucial step. It's about being honest with ourselves and others about our experiences, feelings, and the challenges we face. It's about removing the masks we wear and revealing our true selves.

The journey also involves soul searching and taking a fearless inventory of our lives. This means examining our past decisions, understanding why we made them, and acknowledging their impact on our lives.

This journey isn't easy. It requires courage to face our fears and shortcomings, faith to believe in a power greater than ourselves, and a lot of self-love to nurture our wounded spirits. But despite its challenges, this journey is worth taking. It's a path to freedom, healing, and a more authentic life.

So, who are you yielding your life to today?"

Is Your Foundation Strong?

"And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a foolish (stupid) man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house, and it fell—and great and complete was its fall.” Matthew 7:25-27 Why did the house fall? Because the foundation wasn't right. The building wasn't built right. If your foundation was not built on repentance then your building will fall. If you aren't rooted in love your house will come down. If you have some devils your house will come down. If your mind is not renewed your house will be shaky and you will feel the impact of the winds and waves. Listen it's time our houses get inspected for structural integrity. Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the [chief] Cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure is joined together, and it continues [to increase] growing into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, set apart, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]. Ephesians 2:20-21 Saying a prayer and incorporating Jesus into your life is not repentance. Going to church is not repentance, Feeling bad for your sins is not repentance. Repentance is conviction that leads to change and surrendering to God. It is deciding to lose your life for His sake. It is denying yourself, picking up your cross to follow Him. It is giving up control! Changing your mind about sin and hating it! It's time for inspection church because the wind and waves will increase and your house needs to be  built right to stand! Jaziz Gutierrez

What it means to be born again

You must be dead in Christ to be born again. If you left the waters of baptism and continued to live for you then you never died in that water. You only went to a pool party. Death to self requires surrendering ALL to Jesus. The excuses stop, the justification stops, the rationalization stops, and the poor me stops. The Bible says that in the Last Days people will have "a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them." 2 Timothy 3:5 Repentance lays the ax to the root of sin and uproots the tree. Sin loses all dominion. We become free from sin when we are dead in Christ. A true born again believer hates their sin and wants nothing more than to make Jesus happy. The problem with so many people is that we still want to sin and play church. This is apostasy. After a while, because you have been playing games with God for so long you start believing the lies you tell yourself. This is called a delusion. You start living in a false reality to maintain an outward appearance of being religious for the purpose of acceptance without realizing that our lives must be approved of God. If you are living a double life I'm calling you to repentance. You will not inherit the kingdom of God while living in sin. Please understand, "sexual immorality and all [moral] impurity [indecent, offensive behavior] or greed must not even be hinted at among you, as is proper among saints [for as believers our way of life, whether in public or in private, reflects the validity of our faith]. 4 Let there be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse [obscene or vulgar] joking, because such things are not appropriate [for believers]; but instead speak of your thankfulness [to God]. 5 For be sure of this: no immoral, impure, or greedy person—for that one is [in effect] an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God [for such a person places a higher value on something other than God]. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty arguments [that encourage you to sin], for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience [those who habitually sin]. 7 So do not participate or even associate with them [in the rebelliousness of sin]." Ephesians 5:3-7 For more on what repentance is or looks like please message me and I will give you a checklist. Love in Christ, Jaziz Gutierrez

Fear Causes Pain

Fear causes PAIN! Fear is a lie and a spirit that talks in our ears to tell us, God, does not care nor will he do anything about our problems. We must cast down that argument and speak the truth of God's love in our situation. He does love us and he wants the best for us. Sometimes he has to work a little harder because of the mess we get ourselves in. Nonetheless, he is always actively working behind the scenes to turn our situation around to glorify him despite us. We can rely or count on our Father to be there for us. For those of us who had flaky dads, we need to stop seeing God through the failure of the parental figures in our lives. Amen?

God is faithful [He is reliable, trustworthy and ever true to His promise—He can be depended on], and through Him, you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9 Jaziz Gutierrez

Prophetic Word: Repair the Broken Altars

After Elijah confronted the false prophets of Baal, the Bible says that he rebuilt the broken altar. “Then Elijah called to the people, ‘Come over here!’ They all crowded around him as he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been torn down. 31 He took twelve stones, one to represent each of the tribes of Israel, 32 and he used the stones to rebuild the altar in the name of the Lord.” (1 Kings 18:30-32) He later went on to say why he did this, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets.” (1 Kings 19:10)

I hear the Lord say it is time to repair the broken altars. They are broken in the church, homes, and nation. You have altars erected in the name of other gods. You have tried to kill the prophets and silence the voice of truth, but you will hear me, for I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will not compete with your idols. If you want fire, you must repair the altars first. Instead of your devotional time in front of the TV and your media devices, it is time to devote that time to Me. Your children do not know how to worship Me, nor do they know My ways. They grope around in the darkness and don’t even know who they are. Your  identity can only be found in Me. Just like Elijah, the altars of the family must be rebuilt first. Your house must become a house of prayer.

The altars in my church must be rebuilt. Entertainment has replaced true worship. Consecrated men and women have been replaced by game show hosts. They don’t host my presence, nor do they know my ways. You have allowed temple prostitutes, false prophets, and perversion into my church. Your Pastors and Teachers have followed after the ways of Balaam. They will have no part in my Kingdom. They have led my people astray, and they will carry a heavier judgment. They have prepared Jezebel’s table and have given my people food sacrificed to idols: the idols of entertainment, worldly lusts, covetousness, greed, and pride of life. They cleverly disguised their wolf appetites behind scripture, all the while devouring the sheep.

The altars in this nation must be rebuilt. This nation was founded by people who sincerely wanted to seek Me, so I blessed them. Now you have taken away from the children My word and prayer from schools just to allow men with perverse agendas to corrupt their innocence. I will judge this and place millstones around the necks of those who hurt my little ones. You defend the guilty and persecute those who stand up for righteousness. As the prophet Isaiah said,

“Why do you continue to invite punishment?
    Must you rebel forever?
Your head is injured,
    and your heart is sick. Isaiah 1:5

You have erected altars to Molech and sacrificed your children by aborting them. You have erected altars to Mammon and given of your money to gambling. You have erected altars to Dagon and worship material wealth and work of your hands. You have erected altars to Baal and pridefully celebrate how you have broken your covenant with me by living in sexual immorality and perversion. You have mistaken my mercy as complacency. “And don’t forget Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns, which were filled with immorality and every kind of sexual perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire and serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God’s judgment.” (Jude 1:7) And I did not spare the ancient world—except for Noah and the seven others in his family. Noah warned the world of My righteous judgment. So I protected Noah when I destroyed the world of ungodly people with a vast flood. (2 Peter 2:5) The rainbows you wave in My face are not a promise I will keep with those who destroy purity in innocent hearts.

Yet the most enormous altar erected in your homes, churches, and this nation are the ones you have erected to yourselves. You have made yourselves gods. Wanting the worship of others, you break my commandments and teach false things to my people. You spend hours on media devices trying to find ways to get the adulation and adoration of men. You have become lovers of self instead of lovers of Yahweh. You make laws that go against My commandments just to stay in positions of power for the purpose of placating the Jezebels who manipulate you. All the while, she castrates you so you can become  weak and powerless men. You have nothing to be proud of but should see how wretched, blind, and poor you are. Yes, you would need to buy of me gold purified in the fire to repair these altars. You will either suffer the affliction of persecution that refines you or suffer the affliction that comes from disobedience and idolatry.
It is time to choose this day whom you will serve. Repair the broken altars and bring a worthy sacrifice. I am the Lord. 

Prophetic Word: Holy Confrontation

A holy confrontation is coming between the false prophets of Baal and the Elijahs of this generation. The false prophets of Baal are castrated men who speak on behalf of Jezebel. They bow at the altars of men and eat off of Jezebel’s table.

“For behold, Your enemies make loud confusion; And those who hate You have lifted up their head. They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, And consulted together against thy hidden ones.” (Psalm 83:2-3)

They have stood against thy people like Goliath to mock the armies of God. Where are my Davids? Who will take the simplicity of my Word with child-like faith and topple over the defiant, intimidating, and mocking giants in the land? I need my Elijahs to call down fire on the altars of men’s hearts. I need my Jehus to cut off Ahab’s household. I need my Deborahs to go into battle and my Jaels to drive the stake through the enemy’s head. Will you answer Oh my people? Will you hear the call of our Warrior King? Was it, not I who took a whip to cleanse the temple of those merchandising the things of God? You have been deceived into thinking I am complacent, apathetic, and will do nothing to bring justice to the crimes committed on the earth. I am both Judge and King. I am calling forth my remnant, my end-time warriors and harvesters, to go on in this hour to do my purpose and will. Do we not have a cause?

To watch this on YouTube 

Holy Confrontation Video

Prophetic Message: Collision Course

 

Introduction:

In the midst of the chaotic world we live in, have you ever had a sense that something significant is happening? That we have crossed a threshold, venturing beyond the point of no return? Such thoughts have been weighing on my heart, and I believe it's crucial to pay attention to the signs around us. Today, I want to share with you my reflections on the current state of affairs and the urgency for spiritual preparedness.

The Acceleration: It feels as if we are aboard a speeding train, hurtling through time with a sense of recklessness. We, the passengers, are engrossed in the distractions inside the train, oblivious to the world passing by. Yet, a shift has occurred. We sense it in the very atmosphere, affecting even the weather. We must open our eyes and see the truth unfolding before us.

Scripture reminds us of the words spoken by the prophet Daniel: "But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge" (Daniel 12:4). In these last days, knowledge is indeed increasing exponentially. Technological advancements and global connectivity are transforming our world at an unprecedented pace. It is a clear sign that we are living in prophetic times.

The Warning: While the train of our lives hurtles forward, it is crucial to recognize the danger we face. We are dangerously close to veering off the rails. The collision course we are on with something beyond our imagination will shock us for years to come. The COVID-19 pandemic may have been a wake-up call, but what lies ahead will surpass even that.

In these times, it is essential to be firmly anchored to Jesus. We must be rooted in His love, walking in obedience, and in tune with the Holy Spirit. There is no room for fence-sitting or pursuing our own agendas. As followers of Christ, we have a mandate to advance God's Kingdom.

The Call to Action: While many remain unaware, there are those who have looked out of the windows and discerned the signs. They understand the urgency of the hour. If you are reading this, you might be one of those people. You are called to be a light in the darkness, to stand firmly on the side of truth and righteousness.

Let us come together as the body of Christ, united in purpose. As we witness the approaching collision, let us intensify our prayer meetings. Let us seek the face of God and intercede for our families, communities, and nations. For it is through prayer that we align ourselves with God's will and invite His intervention in these tumultuous times.

Scripture tells us, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Conclusion: The signs of the times are all around us. The world is changing rapidly, and we must not be caught off guard. By staying connected to Jesus, rooted in His love, and guided by the Holy Spirit, we can navigate the challenges ahead.

Let us heed the warning, intensify our prayers, and work together to advance God's Kingdom. The collision course we are on requires our utmost commitment and dedication. May we be found faithful, ready to face the future with unwavering faith and hope.

Are you prepared for what is to come?

References:

• Daniel 12:4 (NIV)
• 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

Embracing Unwavering Faith

In our journey of faith, it is common for us to claim that we have fully surrendered to the Lord while still holding onto control in our lives. This hesitation to trust God completely stems from our fear and reluctance. We find ourselves attempting to manipulate outcomes, people, and circumstances, all the while professing our faith. However, it is crucial to understand that faith and fear cannot coexist harmoniously; fear undermines and nullifies our faith.

The Word of God cautions us against being double-minded, for such individuals cannot expect to receive anything from the Lord. James 1:6-8 states:

"But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."

This passage emphasizes the importance of unwavering faith, highlighting that doubt and wavering hinder our ability to receive from God.

In moments when we struggle to trust the Lord with every aspect of our lives, we should humbly approach Him and ask for His help in removing the fear from our hearts. Let us seek His guidance and allow Him to teach us how to place our complete reliance on Him. The psalmist beautifully expresses this sentiment in Psalm 56:3-4:

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"

This passage reminds us that in times of fear, our trust in God should supersede any concerns we may have about human circumstances or outcomes.

This lesson of unwavering faith is exemplified by the lives of Abraham and Sarah. Despite their advanced age, Sarah herself received strength from God to conceive and bear a child because she considered Him faithful to His promise (Hebrews 11:11). Their story serves as a powerful reminder that when we judge God as faithful and trust in His promises, even seemingly impossible things become possible through faith.

Abraham's unwavering faith is also highlighted in Romans 4:20-21:

"Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised."

May we, like Abraham and Sarah, be encouraged to let go of our fears and fully trust in the Lord's faithfulness. Let us rely on His strength and have unwavering faith, knowing that He is true to His Word and will fulfill His promises in our lives. As Proverbs 3:5-6 advises:

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Video Message

Faith That Produces Results

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.2 For indeed, the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, [a]not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. (Hebrews 4:1-2)

There is a certain kind of faith that produces results. To further explain this, I am going to use the example of a woman and how she produces a child. First, an egg is released from her ovary and makes its way down to the womb. Sperm is released to penetrate the egg, and when the egg is inseminated, it produces a child. A biological miracle has happened. Now, unless the egg and the sperm mix or make contact, it produces nothing. The egg will continue to make it to the womb where it can be inseminated but will be discarded. Even though the womb will get filled with blood, making the conditions right for insemination, the egg will die. There will be no miracle, no birth, and nothing will happen.

In a similar way, when we hear the Word of God, it will produce nothing unless we mix it with faith. The Word of God must be met with faith to produce healings and miracles! Let's take the story of an actual Holy Spirit insemination in the life of Mary, Jesus' mother.

"Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, 'Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!'" (Luke 1:26-28)

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom, there will be no end."

Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"

And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God, nothing will be impossible."

Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:29-38)

Now, the Word was given by the Angel Gabriel and it was met by Mary's faith. The moment Mary said, "Let it be to me according to your Word," the Word of God inseminated her womb and the Holy Spirit's power brought it into existence. Just like in Genesis: God spoke the Word, and the Holy Spirit brought it into existence. "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void, and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness." (Genesis 1:1-4) Here we see the Godhead creating our world. The Father speaks the Word (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit's power brings it to pass. The angel said, "That the Holy Spirit would overshadow her." Just like in Genesis, the Holy Spirit is hovering, waiting to take action on our faith.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

Faith gives things substance. In other words, it makes it a reality. Many times we confuse faith and hope. Hoping for something does not produce anything. While it is a building block of faith, it is not the same as faith. Hope is a desire for something to happen. Faith is knowing it will happen. Also, many people pray out of fear. They are afraid that if they don't pray, things will continue to get worse, or in their anxiety, they are praying all the time. Jesus said this, "And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words." (Matthew 6:7) Sadly, we pray over and over about the same things because we don't believe we were heard the first time. I know that this hits some people where it hurts because we can all be guilty of this. I don't want people to think they can't pray for the same thing over and over again. Sometimes we need to take ground in the spiritual realm. To be honest, some of our family needs our continuous prayers until we see the manifestation. I'm not talking about that. We need to examine whether we are in faith or anxiety when we pray.

If we are going to produce results with our prayers, we must believe God's Word and mix it with our faith. The best kind of prayer is praying God's Word in faith over our circumstances or the people we love. We can also command healing and miracles to come to pass through faith. It floors me that the God of the universe has given us this type of capability and authority in Jesus' name. He has given us this God-given power to produce results in the earth. Can you feel the weight of this responsibility?

Let us pray: Father, we thank you for this awesome and amazing God-given power and authority to co-labor with the power of the Holy Spirit and bring about results by faith. We receive the insemination of your Word in the womb of faith. We pray that we be fruitful and multiply an abundant harvest of healings and miracles in your name as well as many souls coming into Your Kingdom. Amen!

 

 

The Be Attitudes of Reconciling and Restoring Your Marriage

In the journey of marriage, conflicts, and challenges are bound to arise. Relationships can become strained, and the love that once flourished may seem distant. But amidst the trials, there is hope for reconciliation and restoration. In this pursuit, we turn to the timeless wisdom found in the Be Attitudes – a profound teaching by Jesus Christ in Matthew 5. These powerful principles are key to unlocking the path to lasting love and rebuilding broken marriages. In this blog, we will explore the transformative power they hold and the profound impact they can have on the dynamics of your relationship. Get ready to discover a fresh perspective on navigating challenges, cultivating forgiveness, and building a foundation of love that can withstand the tests of time. Let us embark on this journey together, as we explore the profound truths that can breathe new life into your marriage and open the doors to a renewed sense of joy, intimacy, and lasting love.

The Be Attitudes of Marriage


1. Blessed are those who humbly recognize and confess their faults to their partners. Blessed are those who show genuine remorse and repentance for the pain they have caused their partner and God.


2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. They recognize the significance of acknowledging their sorrows, pains, and shortcomings within their marriage. Instead of seeking temporary solace in external sources, they humbly bring their burdens before God, trusting in His faithfulness to provide comfort and healing. By embracing this attitude of seeking God's comfort first, they create a sacred space within their relationship.

3 Blessed are those who set aside pride and embrace humility, seeking reconciliation and restoration.

4. Blessed are those who have a deep hunger and thirst for righteousness within their marriages, for they will be abundantly filled. When we long for righteousness, we yearn for God's standards of love, faithfulness, and integrity to permeate our relationship. As we seek His righteousness in our thoughts, actions, and decisions, we open ourselves to His guidance, wisdom, and healing.

5. Blessed are those who extend mercy to their partners, even when they deserve judgment. They forgive and choose to move forward, refusing to dwell on past mistakes.

6. Blessed are those who prioritize purity within their marriage, considering their partner as the most important person in their life. They wholeheartedly commit to preserving the purity of their union, safeguarding it from anything or anyone that could erode their bond. Blessed are they that seek to honor God in the holiness of their marital covenant.

7. Blessed are those who strive for peace instead of engaging in conflict. When their ultimate goal is reconciliation, they demonstrate their true identity as children of God.

8. Blessed are those who, in the face of ungodly behavior or persecution from their partner, choose to remain silent, steadfast in prayer, walking in the love of God.

In conclusion, the Be Attitudes of reconciling and restoring our marriages are key to unlocking a path of profound transformation and lasting love. By embracing these attitudes of humility, forgiveness, truth-seeking, mercy, purity, peace, and unwavering commitment, we can overcome obstacles, build bridges, and cultivate a love that withstands the test of time. Let us embrace the abundant joy, fulfillment, and intimacy that awaits us as we pursue love. With these Be Attitudes as our compass, we can create a love story that stands as a testament to the power of reconciliation and the beauty of restoring our marriages.

By Jaziz Gutierrez

All rights reserved: Copyright May 19, 2023