Check Your Blind Spots

As we have discussed many times over the last few weeks, Samson led a life that gave way to self-destruction. We now must realize that among his issues was a lack of recognition for his “blind spots.” And, if we are to avoid his same fate, we must learn from his error.

Recognition can start with an embrace of a profound instruction from King Solomon in Proverbs 4:23, “Keep your heart with all diligence.” Undoubtedly, we all hope to do just that! But our problem – like Samson – is that we all have blind spots. And, they exist regardless of the level of our diligence.

Jeremiah warned us of blind spots in this way:

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9 NLT).

Jeremiah clearly states that no man can see everything that his heart is hiding. Therefore we must develop a strategy for checking our blind spots. Think of it in this way. In the same way, you must check the blind spots your car’s frame creates when you turn or merge lanes, so you must check your heart’s blind spots to end up in a spiritual wreck.

How can we check our BLIND SPOTS?

Try these simple questions to check two potential blind spots:

1. WHAT AM I SAYING?

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks. -Luke 6:45 (NKJV)

Are you curious if you have given your whole heart to God? Then, listen to what you are saying, especially in unguarded moments when you feel comfortable amongst your company. Your tongue will always tell on your heart.

1. TO WHOM AM I GIVING?

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -Matthew 6:21 (NKJV)

You can not find a single time in Samson’s life that he gave a sacrifice to God. Not. Once. In contrast, the first time Samson’s parents heard God’s instruction for their family, they immediately responded with an offering to Heaven. It is then bewildering that the only time in Samson’s entire storyline that you can find him giving anything – to anyone – was when he offered a woman a gift in the hope of sex. Yet, it was the same gift his parents gave to God when they found out he would be born (Ref. Judges 13:19; 15:1)! Not. A. Coincidence.

Meaningful connections with God directly result from what is going on in our hearts. And according to Jesus, meaningfulness can be easily rerouted to meaningless experiences if we choose the wrong destinations for our treasure – because our hearts will wind up at that same location. Of course, it’s fantastic to bless other people in your life, have hobbies, do fun things, get ahead, and leave an inheritance. But there is one thing that needs to come first – GOD. If He is not at the forefront of how you distribute your treasure, then He does not have your whole heart.

On Samson’s last day, he decided to surrender his heart to God. In response, the Bible states that he accomplished more for the Kingdom of God on that day than he had in his ENTIRE life. But consider this…there was very little to compare to that day – his LAST day. He had done very little for God! It didn't take much to surpass an entire life’s body of work in one moment. Talk about a meaningless life!

Thankfully, we have a God who seems willing to accept death-bed conversations. But, learn from Samson’s mistake and don’t wait until your last day to give God your heart. Instead, start making an impact today. God created you for a meaningful life filled with meaningful connections.

Check your blind spots and honestly evaluate the posture of your heart. Does God have all of it? It’s never too late to surrender your heart, step into a meaningful relationship with God, and start living the life of meaning and purpose God has planned for you!

I invite you to view this message in its entirety at this link: https://youtu.be/c_DPzy71VBc

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE| MESSAGE NOTES

We want to connect with you and help you take your next steps!

1. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? This decision is the first step in receiving peace in your life. If you are ready to give your life to Jesus, we would love to celebrate with you at 3trees.com.

2. Do you need to rededicate your life to Jesus? If yes, please connect with us at 3trees.com.

3. Do you feel God prompting you to take your next steps? If yes, BEGIN is waiting for you! You can walk through our ONLINE BEGIN class at 3trees.com/begin

4. Would you like to make a difference in our community? Join our captivate team! Visit 3trees.com to find out how you can participate in community outreach opportunities.

5. Subscribe to EricGilbert.org using this link:https://www.ericgilbert.org/subscribe. You'll be able to receive updates directly to your email inbox as we post blogs every Monday, Thursday, and Friday morning.

This is How You Can Live a Meaningful Life Despite Your Failures

Pride always goes before any spiritual fall, and, unfortunately, it’s often the one who thinks he is the greatest that falls the furthest. As well, it seems pride causes us to stumble perpetually. Despite all the warnings of pride’s danger, humanity continues to be tripped by it over and over again. Pride itself convinces us that it can’t happen to us personally. Simon Peter is an excellent example of this sinking thinking.

We can see Peter’s pride in the Upper Room during Jesus’ last supper with his disciples. Jesus gathers his closest followers together, and He informs the group that one of them will betray Him. The gathering’s response is bewildering. But, almost immediately, they divulge into a conversation about who is the greatest among them.

Nothing much has changed among Jesus’ followers. There is still betrayal in our midst, yet we continue to argue about who deserves the most recognition, likes, views, or fame. It happens in churches, workplaces, and even in our families.

As I revisit Luke’s account of the events that were transpiring, I can’t help but wonder if Simon Peter was winning the debate that night because it seems that amidst the argument about greatness, Jesus singles Peter out as the one who would fall soon.

The FALL

Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times. So Peter went out and wept bitterly.” -Luke 22:59-62 (NKJV)

Simon Peter proceeds to deny Jesus three times. Only when he hears the rooster crowing in the background that he fully understands what Jesus was trying to tell him. Can you relate to Simon Peter? Have you ever experienced what you were warned would happen because you ignored every warning?

If so, just like Simon Peter remembered what Jesus had told him when the rooster crowed, aren’t you glad you have a history with God? Thankfully, He helps us remember what He has spoken, and from his Word, the work of the Holy Spirit brings conviction into our life. The tears of repentance in failure give way to the joy of restoration.

But, something we can’t miss about Peter’s story is that he was only given the opportunity for restoration because he was not immediately incarcerated.

When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword? And one of them (Peter) struck the high priest’s servant (Malchus) and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear and healed him. -Luke 22:49-51 (NKJV)

When the army had come to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter had already become his fall from Godly character when he arose in anger and cut the ear off of Malchus’ the High Priest’s servant. This sinful act was punishable by death. Yet, Peter was never arrested. Why? Because Jesus destroyed the evidence! This action is remarkable because in doing this, Jesus is saving Simon Peter’s life! Had this moment not happened, there may have been four crosses on Calvary, not just three. Despite what the servant may have accused, Jesus destroyed the evidence of the fall!

We have all been under attack. And many of us may have fallen. In fact, we have all fallen at one point or another. Scripture clearly says, “we have all sinned, and we all come up short of the glory of God.” And “Anyone who denies this is a liar.” But the incredible thing about our God is that He takes everything the enemy meant for evil and uses it for our good! God transforms us, just like He did Simon Peter on the other side of his fall!

Simon Peter went on to become an outstanding servant of Christ. He had to be sifted, churned, and shaken so that every particle that did not belong in him could be broken. But on the other side, he preached a 10-minute sermon that saved 3,000 lives, and he demonstrated great faith in adversity! He knew that Jesus would not fail him.

We should praise God for the sifting happening in our lives because the fall can’t prevail. God wants to bring you into a period of restoration! Jesus is faithful and just to forgive you if you confess your sins. He not only forgives, but He forgets. The blood of Jesus wipes away the fall.

1. You can have a meaningful life despite the attack.

2. You can have a meaningful life despite the fall.

3. You can have a meaningful life because of God’s power of restoration.

We have a God who is willing to destroy the evidence! Let Him in. He is ready to heal whatever you’ve torn up.

Simon Peter’s ups and downs serve as an inspiring example of the relationship we can have with God. DESPITE falling, the beauty of God’s true restoration can be manifest in each of our lives.

I invite you to view this message in its entirety at this link: https://youtu.be/6bd3yscBYWw

We want to connect with you and help you take your next steps!

1. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? This decision is the first step in receiving peace in your life. If you are ready to give your life to Jesus, we would love to celebrate with you at 3trees.com.

2. Do you need to rededicate your life to Jesus? If yes, please connect with us at 3trees.com.

3. Do you feel God prompting you to take your next steps? If yes, BEGIN is waiting for you! You can walk through our ONLINE BEGIN class at 3trees.com/begin

4. Would you like to make a difference in our community? Join our captivate team! Visit 3trees.com to find out how you can participate in community outreach opportunities.

5. Subscribe to EricGilbert.org using this link:https://www.ericgilbert.org/subscribe. You’ll be able to receive updates directly to your email inbox as we post additional blogs each Thursday and Friday morning.

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE| MESSAGE NOTES

Five Blessings to Ask God for That Will Change Your Life Forever

Praise the LORD! How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will last forever. Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. The wicked will see this and be infuriated. They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.

-Psalm 112: 1-10 (NLT)

A voice in my life, Pastor Larry Stockstill, recently encouraged all graduates of Pastors University, his training institute for ministers to believe God for the promised blessings of Psalm 112 to be made manifest in their lives in 2022.

As I took his instruction and prayed through the passage, not only did his counsel ring true but, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I also received some personal insights from the text. What follows is a conglomeration of Pastor Larry’s revelation intermingled with my thoughts – his insight being the better and more prominent portion of this post.

Five blessings to ask and seek God for in 2022!

1) A Blessing Upon Your CHILDREN

Many challenges can arise when raising children. As a result, bringing your kids up in the right way requires some type of blueprint. It won’t happen by accident. For example, when it’s time to build a house, no one brings all the construction materials, throws them down in a pile, and lets people do whatever they want with the two-by-fours, sheetrock, or trusses. Instead, there is always a process and a plan – a blueprint and a vision – for the outcome. This principle is the same for our children because the Bible gives us an incredible promise, raise your child in the way they should go, and in the end, they shall not depart from it!

Do you have a blueprint for your family? It is essential to pray and ask God for dreams, visions, and clarity for how to raise your children. Then, you can be a part of putting that child on the right path, at the right place, at the right time, and with the right people! But this requires the right plan.

If you are not yet a parent and you're reading this, know that it’s never too early to start praying over your future children. If your kids are already grown, it’s never too late to start praying for them or too early to begin praying blessings upon your future grandchildren.

Their children will be successful everywhere… - Psalm 112:2

We are believing for a blessing upon our children in 2022! Our kids will be raised and trained in the way that they shall go. No weapon formed against them will prosper because they will be successful everywhere. Not just because you are a great parent, but because you introduced them to a great God who will place a hedge of protection around them. As parents, we should be praying God’s favor over their lives. I challenge you to lay your hand upon your children and pray the blessing of God over them every day.

Pray that they will be blessed in the city and the field. Pray that they will be blessed coming and going. Pray that they are the head and not the tail. Pray that any enemy that raises his hand against them will be smitten by the Lord our God. Pray blessing upon your children!

2) A Blessing Upon Your FINANCES

They themselves will be wealthy… -Psalm 112:3

You can believe God for a blessing upon your finances. Our God does not know lack, and you are made in His image. God’s vision for you is not that you would always be pressed down and overwhelmed, but instead that you would reach a place in your life where you could be a blessing to others. Many people never get blessed financially because God knows they only want more for themselves; a bigger house, a nicer car, more of this, and more of that. They have no intention of being a blessing to other people.

Contentment does not reside in THINGS. Therefore, there is only one way to experience contentment, and that is knowing your God has all that you need, and all of your needs will be supplied according to His riches and glory.

“The man who had God for his treasure has all things in one.”

- A.W. Tozer

Here are three types of generosity you must make sure you are living out in your life if you want God to bless your finances:

• Tithing: The first 10% of your income goes to God and is released to your local church for the work of ministry. (Ref. Malachi 3:8-10)

• Offerings: Something you purpose in your heart as you respond cheerfully to God’s direction. This type of gift is to be submitted for the work of public ministry, and God loves it! In fact, he promises the more you give offerings, the more He will provide for you so that He can provide through you. (Ref. Malachi 3:8-10, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7)

• Alms: Give to the poor and the needy generously. And, don’t tell anybody what, when, where, or how you gave. When it comes to this form of generosity, according to Jesus, don’t even let your left hand know what your right hand is doing – just help people in need with no desire for public recognition or strings attached. The result is riches in Heaven! (Ref. Matthew 6:3-4)

When you walk out these three types of giving, the enemy will never be able to attack your finances successfully. You will always live a blessed life. It is a three-fold cord that can not easily be broken!

If any of that sounds like too great of a commitment, you are welcome to embrace the practice of Acts 2:42-47, where the early Church Christians went above and beyond, tithes, offerings, and the giving of alms as they literally sold possessions to meet needs.

3) A Blessing Upon Your RELATIONSHIPS

They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. - Psalm 112:4

It’s doubtful the Lord will bless you financially without blessing you relationally, because according to John Maxwell’s evaluation of the Stanford Research Institute’s 1996 assessment, the money made in any endeavor is determined only 12.5% by knowledge, and 87.5% by your ability to deal with people. In other words, you’re only as good financially as you are relationally!

If you see the relationships in your life in turmoil, maybe it’s a good time to do a self-evaluation and see if you are living generously, compassionately, and righteously so God can take your relationships to a new level and bring more people into your network.

4) A Blessing Upon Your EMOTIONS

They are confident and fearless… -Psalm 112:8

There’s a great deal of fear in our world today. But when you confidently place your trust in the Lord to bless your emotions, you become fearless and confident – to the point you don’t even fear bad news.

The toxic emotions of the world are not the emotions God intended you to have or live by. He wants to put a blessing upon your emotions so that you can stand next to the gates of Hell and decree Hell shall not prevail against me. I am confident, and I am fearless, not because of my might but because of the Spirit of God available in the name of Jesus!

5) A Blessing Upon Your INFLUENCE

They will have influence and honor. -Psalm 112:9

You may not feel like you have a lot of influence, but when you start inviting God to bless your influence, you might be surprised how God uses you to bring His purpose to pass. You might have more influence in your community, workplace, or small group than you think, especially if you ask for this blessing and have a desire to bring real change to the world. But, never forget, a drip can start a flood.

Believe God to bless your children. Believe God to bless your finances. Believe God to bless your relationships. Believe God to bless your emotions. And believe God to bless your influence. So let 2022 be the year that you ask & seek God for these blessings in your life because these blessings lead to a life of meaning and purpose!

I invite you to view this message in its entirety at this link: https://youtu.be/FcrRhAeDqPY

We want to connect with you and help you take your next steps!

1. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? This decision is the first step in receiving peace in your life. If you are ready to give your life to Jesus, we would love to celebrate with you at 3trees.com.
   

2. Do you need to rededicate your life to Jesus? If yes, please connect with us at 3trees.com.
   

3. Do you feel God prompting you to take your next steps? If yes, BEGIN is waiting for you! You can walk through our ONLINE BEGIN class at 3trees.com/begin
   

4. Would you like to make a difference in our community? Join our captivate team! Visit 3trees.com to find out how you can participate in community outreach opportunities.

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE| MESSAGE NOTES