Have You Despised Your Birthright?

Malachi 1:1-5 is very perplexing.  God is recorded as abhorring or hating Esau.  What would cause a loving, kind, and benevolent God to abhor anyone?  After studying the scriptures and looking at Malachi 1:1-5 in context it was revealed to me that God loving Jacob and hating Esau has nothing to do with the human emotions of love and hate. God chose one man and his descendants and rejected another man and his descendants.  But why?  Why did God reject Esau?

Perhaps we can find answers by studying Esau’s life.  One critical choice Esau made was to despise his birthright in Genesis 25:32-34.  To despise something means to feel contempt or a deep repugnance for it.  To hold something in contempt means to have a lack of respect or reverence for it.  Esau had a lack of respect or reverence for his birthright. He had a lack of respect or reverence for the giver of the birthright.  Ultimately God is the giver of the birthright.    

A birthright is something to which a person is entitled by the mere fact of his or her birth, birth order, citizenship or belonging/ connectedness to a family, community, nation or people group. These may include rights of citizenship based on the place where the person was born or the citizenship of their parents, and inheritance rights to property owned by parents or others.

As Believers we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.  We have an inheritance through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our birthright includes salvation, deliverance, healing, and restoration and so much more.  The Word of God includes promises, principles and prophecies which are our birthright.  God has given us spiritual gifts, natural talents and the ability to develop skills as a birthright. We have a birthright as citizens of the Kingdoms of Heaven and God. 

Have you despised your birthright? God forbid!  May this never be your portion. But the sad reality is many Believers have despised their birthright.  How? You may ask.  Many have despised their birthright through lack of focus, lack of discipline, lack of accountability, lack of faith, and lack of humility.

As we embark upon the New Year, I encourage you to ask forgiveness for despising your birthright, repent, cleanse your birthright, and consecrate your birthright anew to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Please check out a short teaching I recently did on the subject matter.  I rounded out the teaching with prayers.  Remain blessed!

Link to teaching: https://youtu.be/5jcoZ6U6AoM.

In His name,

Dr. Lyn   

Contending for Your Birthright Blessings

Two of the greatest enemies of your birthright blessings are envy and jealousy. These forces don’t just stir emotions, they are spiritual assassins that seek to kill destiny, dreams, ministries, and even divine assignments.

Biblical Definition of Envy: A sinful desire for another’s advantages, gifts, or blessings, leading to resentment and even violence. It is destructive to both the envier and the one envied (James 3:16).

Biblical Definition of Jealousy: A fear-driven suspicion of being replaced or losing what one believes is theirs. Unlike envy, which covets what others have, jealousy clings to what it already possesses.

Key Distinction: Envy wants what someone else has, while jealousy fears losing what you already have. Both spring from pride and insecurity, and both can manifest as strife, division, and destruction.

Spiritual Insight: Human envy and jealousy are always destructive, but God’s “jealousy” is holy. His jealousy is His covenant zeal, His burning passion to protect His people and secure their undivided devotion (Exodus 20:5; Deuteronomy 4:24). While human jealousy corrodes relationships, God’s jealousy saves and preserves covenant love.

From the very beginning, Scripture shows us the danger of envy. Cain murdered Abel because he envied the favor God placed on Abel’s offering (Genesis 4:3–8). Later, the Philistines envied Isaac’s wealth and tried to choke his inheritance by stopping up the wells his father Abraham had dug (Genesis 26:12–15). Even our Lord Jesus was handed over because of envy. Pilate knew the religious leaders envied His authority and anointing (Mark 15:10). Envy crucified the Son of God.

Beloved, this is a year many of you will step into your birthright blessings with greater clarity and power. And yes, your obedience will offend some, even those close to you. Joseph’s brothers hated him for his dreams (Genesis 37:5–11), but those very dreams carried the plan of God to preserve a nation.

How should you respond? With wisdom, discernment, and above all, love. Some people you must cut off because they refuse to repent. Others you must simply hold at a distance until God brings them to maturity. And with some, you may still walk closely, but you will need to guard your tongue and keep certain treasures of the heart between you and God. In every case, you are commanded to love (John 13:34–35).

The apostle Paul reminds us that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). God will even use fiery trials to refine your character, purify your motives, and prepare you for greater glory.

Challenges may come because of your identity in Christ. And when you are spoken against or resisted, count it as a blessing if it is done so because you are standing faithfully for Jesus’ sake (Matthew 5:11). Just as the cross led to resurrection and exaltation, your opposition can become the very launching pad into your destiny. What was meant for evil, God can turn for good (Genesis 50:20).

So take heart when slander, false accusations, or secret plots arise against you. The psalmist declared, “Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy” (Psalm 101:5). And Jesus promised, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:11–12).

Contend for your birthright blessings. Refuse to be intimidated by envy and jealousy. Keep your heart pure, your hands clean, and your eyes fixed on the One who called you. The God who began the good work in you will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6).

 

5782: The Year of Release

We're approaching the Hebraic New Year. 5782 is  a Shmita Year. Shmita literally means ‘release.’ Commonly translated as the ‘Sabbatical Year,’  During this Year of Release the Torah mandates that the land is left fallow, debts are forgiven, and a host of other agricultural and economic adjustments are made to ensure the maintenance of an equitable, just, and healthy society.  

The sabbath year, also called the sabbatical year is the seventh year of the seven-year agricultural cycle . Traditional teachings about shmita shed light on contemporary issues, including rest and work, relationship to land, relationship to community, relationship to debt and debt relief, definitions of community, inequality, and the issue of consumption itself. (Reference: www.myjewishlearning.com) 

Schmita begins September 7, 2021. May the Year 5782 be your Year of Release! May you cease from toiling without reward. May you enter into a season of rest. May you release debts and forgive. May you be forgiven debts, transgressions and offenses. May your God-ordainrd relationships be reconciled. May your financial debts be forgiven. MAY STUDENT LOAN DEBT BE CANCELLED‼🔥 May there be a divine transference of wealth to Kingdom Citizens. In His name.  Amen.

Biblical Affirmations of Identity

I Am bold as a Lion. Proverbs 28:1

I Am the light of the world. Matthew 5:14-16; Acts 13:47

I Am the apple of God's eye.  Zechariah 2:18

I Am seated with Christ in heavenly places. Ephesians 2:4-7

I Am a child of God. John 1:11-13

I Am loved by God.  Romans 5:8; 1 John 3:1

I Am strong and courageous. 2 Tim 1:7; Joshua 1:9

I Am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. 2 Cor 5:21

I Am a royal priesthood. Revelation 1:5-6; 1 Peter 2:9

I Am a joint heir with Christ.   Romans 8:16-18

I Am the temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

I Am fearfully  and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

I Am dead to sin.  Romans 6:11-14

I Am an overcomer. 1 John 5:4-5; 1 John 4:4

I Am more than a conqueror. Romans 8:37-39

I Am born of the imperishable seed.  1 Peter 1:23

I Am a new creature in Christ.  2 Cor 5:17-18

Lessons from the Book of Job: The Hidden Sin of Pride

Job is an unusually upright man. His conduct is above reproach. Yet calamity befalls him.  In those  days, it was  believed that if something bad happened to a person  it was due to their sins. But Job 2:3  is often interpreted  to mean  God allowed bad things to happen to Job without just cause. How could a righteous, just God do such a thing? 

What if we interpreted this scripture differently such that God is telling Satan "You presented a case, made a request concerning Job but presented no evidence to support your case  in order for me to grant that request yet I did so anyway" [to serve My ultimate purposes and plans].

Simply  because satan presented no evidence doesn't mean there wasn't just cause for the testing of Job. God has a reason, a cause, a righteous cause,  a just cause for everything God does. Stay with me. Satan sees behaviors. He doesn't judge the hearts of men. God knows Job's heart. Perhaps Job had a heart condition that could only be addressed and resolved through  testing.

So what may have been Job's heart condition? We often talk about Job perhaps being fearful and that fear may have opened the door to calamity. That's a good argument since Job says "the very thing I feared has come upon me. " But the challenge with this argument is that scripture does not tell us that Job is restored after he took heart, had faith, believed, etc. Scripture tells us after Job HUMBLED himself he was restored. Was Job- the man described as perfect and upright, prideful? 

Perhaps Job was perfect in all his WAYS and yet flawed in his THOUGHTS.  His defect is not one of outward action but of inward thought, especially in how he perceived himself in relation to God, but also to fellow man. Perhaps there was a seed of pride hidden deep within his heart that was unearthed and plucked out through the process of trials and tribulations.

What evidence is there to support this? Job 29 tells us how Job sees himself and how he sees himself in relationship to others. Yes, his behavior is above reproach. But he exalts himself  by using "I," "me," and "my" more than forty times in this very short chapter. 

Job 9 tells us how Job sees himself in relationship with God. It's almost as if Job thought God was accoubtable to him instead of his being accountable to God. In chapter 9 Job complains that what he is enduring is completely and totally unfair and that God is wrong in permitting it to occur.

Job eventually surrenders to God and is humbled before the Ancient of Days. Then and only then is he restored. A lesson we often miss in the book of Job is  true success in life comes from humbly submitting ourselves to God. How we perceive ourselves in relation to God and others matters and indicates our level of true humility.

Prayer:

God I thank You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made in Your image. I praise You. You are the Ancient of Days. You are the all wise, all-knowing, ever present, all-powerful, true and living God. God see me through the blood of your Precious Lamb. Forgive me all my sins. Blood out my transgressions. Lead me in the way everlasting for your namesake glory and honor. 

God forgive me for pride and stubbornness. God visit the foundation of my being. Cleanse my paternal lineage and my maternal lineage from the spirit of pride. Reconfigure my very DNA to mirror that of Yeshua Hammashiach. Oh Lord my God however the spirit of pride has manifested in and through my life deliver me. Set me free. Break me out of the bondages of pride. Place your hook in the nostrils of the spirit of pride and pull it out of my mind, thoughts, heart, emotions, desires, will. 

Lord, cause me  to boast in You and You alone. Cause me to know at the deepest level of knowing and understanding that without You I am nothing, have nothing and can do nothing. Lord expose and pluck out every seed of pride that seeks vain glory. Lord expose and pluck out every seed of pride that would cause me to be unteachable, inflexible, unapproachable, off putting, self-protecting, puffed up and resistant  to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Deliver me from every form of pride that thinks it knows better than You and those You have set in authority over me. 

Lord, deliver me from every form of pride that would cause me to have a wrong view of myself and my relationship with You and others. Grant me the grace to trust and obey You and to humbly submit to Your sovereignty in all things. God Grant me the grace to esteem others above myself. Deliver me from every form of religious pride, legalism, and self righteousness. 

Lord, wherever I've been defiled by the spirit of pride cleanse me. Cleanse my robe of righteousness and garments of salvation. Lord clothe me in humility. Let the fragrance of a broken spirit and contrite heart be upon me and emanate from deep within. May humility within me and upon my life be a sweet smelling savor unto You. May the essence of my being attract the Presence, Your favor and the favor of divine connections and destiny helpers. In Jesus" name I pray. Amen.

A Father's Day Blessing for the Fatherless Child

May you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior early in life. 

May you be filled with the Holy Spirit. 

May you be affirmed in your identity in Jesus Christ. 

May you rest in a spirit of adoption into the family of God. 

May you be led by the Holy Spirit and live as a son/child of God. 

May you move, breathe and have your being in the Lord. 

May you bear much fruit of temperance and self control. 

May you be holy and live a consecrated life. 

May you walk in  purity and chastity. 

May you step into into your calling and genius at an early age. 

May the Lord load you with His benefits, meet you at your points of need and supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory. 

May all that is needful for your care and upkeep be provided. 

May you lack no good thing. 

May the Lord raise up godly men to mentor you. 

May the Lord raise up father figures to affirm your identity. 

May you receive divine immunity from the effects of fatherlessness by the grace of God Who is the Everlasting Father.

 

May you never be a negative statistics. 

May you be protected by God and God's angels. 

May you feel safe and secure. 

May no evil eyes look upon you or evil hands touch you. 

May you walk through life with a divine sense of purpose. 

May you prosper and be in good health- spirit, soul and body. 

May you operate in an excellent spirit. 

May you have good success in everything you put your hands to in holiness and  righteousness. 

May you love, honor and obey those God places in authority over you. 

May you be raised up to break generational curses in your family. 

May you be satisfied with longevity and fulfillment. 

May your star always shine brightly for the glory of God.

You are blessed in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Check Your Drip!

I love young people and urban culture. Heck I love old and middle-aged people and rural and suburban cultures. I think I just love people and culture- period. Young, urban people are full of life, creative and a bit edgy- just enough to guard against stagnancy. 

I was recently out at a store and heard one of the young men tell his friend "man check her drip." He was admiring this sister's attire who was carrying Hermes, wearing Burberry, and walking in Christian Louboutins. I think she had a little Cartier, Chanel, and Patek Philippe sprinkled in as accessories. 

"Drip" and "dripping" are words  popularized by Atlanta, GA rappers such as Gunna and Young Thug.  If you're  "dripping" it means  you wear "drip." Drip is high end clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc.

"Drip" is beautiful and nice to enjoy. As Believers,  before we put on any other "drip" we should focus on robing ourselves with the virtues of God. Apostle Paul encouraged the church to do so in Colossians 3:12-14. 

"You are always and dearly loved by God! So robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others. Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them. For love is supreme and must flow through each of these virtues. Love becomes the mark of true maturity." TPT

Paul lists some of the virtues of the Lord all of which we should emulate. We're reminded in this text that the Lord is: 

Holy

Merciful

Industrious

Understanding

Selfless

Compassionate

Kind

Collaborative

Gentle

Humble

Unoffendable

Patient

Forebearing

Empathetic 

Family-oriented

Kingdom-minded

Forgiving

Merciful

Loving 

What are you wearing today? Check your "drip"!