Monday Encouragement Archives

President Trump, Obama, Kamala Harris, and Biden, "Do you feel honor or dishonor?"

Do you feel dishonor?

04/29/2025 by PR Paztuh Mike

dishonor, Monday Encouragement, PAZTUHMIKE, political leaders

😠 Do you feel Dishonor?

Do you feel dishonor when you hear a certain president’s name? Maybe it’s Trump. Maybe it’s Biden. Does anger rise up in you, or do you instantly think of a crude joke that makes you laugh? You’re not the only one. Many of us have wrestled with dishonor toward our government leaders—even to the point of hatred. But as believers, we have to ask: what does God say about all this?

Proverbs 4:23 tells us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” To guard your heart means to protect the core of who you are—your values, emotions, decisions, and beliefs—from anything that pulls you away from God’s truth. It’s like setting a watchman over your soul, being careful about what you let in and what you allow to grow. That includes the way we think and speak about authority figures.

Dishonor starts in the heart…

The truth is, dishonor starts in the heart and takes root in the mind. That’s why Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” This world thrives on mockery and division, especially when it comes to politics. But we’re not called to be like the world—we’re called to be like Christ.

How do we respond?

So, how do we respond? We guard our hearts by seeking God’s perspective, not culture’s opinion. We guard our minds by filtering our thoughts through the Word, not social media. And we remember verses like 1 Peter 2:17: “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”

Let Honor Be Our Default!

Honoring doesn’t mean agreeing with everything. It means choosing love, humility, and prayer over gossip, hatred, and slander. As Kingdom citizens, let’s be the ones who set the tone—who reflect Jesus even in how we talk about leaders we don’t like. Let us guard our hearts and renew our minds so that honor becomes our default, not our exception.

Let’s be different. Let’s be Kingdom.

Monday Encouragement provides powerful, thought-provoking video content designed to inspire and uplift. Led by Paztuh Mike, each episode draws from his own personal struggles and real-life victories, creating a relatable and authentic teaching experience. Through a combination of Scripture, relevant discussions on current events, and heartfelt testimonies, viewers are invited to encounter transformative truths that speak directly to their own lives.

Whether you’re facing challenges, seeking guidance, or simply in need of spiritual encouragement, this series provides the tools and insights to help you navigate your journey with renewed strength and purpose. New episodes are released every month so don’t miss out—subscribe below to receive your dose of encouragement!

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Media Programming

04/29/2025 by PR Paztuh Mike

Fresh News, Monday Encouragement

media, Monday Encouragement, PAZTUHMIKE, programming

😵‍💫 Am I Being Programmed?

Media Programming: Most people don’t realize how much television, movies, and social media shape the way they think. We like to say, “It’s just entertainment,” but the truth is, your subconscious mind doesn’t know the difference between fiction and reality. That’s why your heart races during a scary movie or why you feel emotional when a character dies. Media doesn’t just entertain—it programs. And if we’re not careful, we’ll start believing the messages it’s pushing without even realizing it.

The Bible says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). That means we have to be intentional about what we allow into our minds. The enemy works through subtle influence—normalizing sin, twisting truth, and dulling our spiritual sensitivity. Repeated exposure to certain ideas makes them feel natural over time. This is why the world pushes its agenda through entertainment: it knows repetition is the key to programming the mind.

Making Sin Normal…

Advertisers, filmmakers, and influencers all understand this. They use music, emotions, and storytelling to shape how we think and what we value. Just like how a catchy jingle can make you crave a certain food, media can make sinful lifestyles seem normal, even appealing. And if we aren’t guarding our hearts, we start adopting those same mindsets. But Jesus told us to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14), not reflections of it.

What are we feeding our spirit?

So what’s the solution? First, be mindful of what you consume. If something is influencing you away from God’s truth, cut it out. Second, replace it with content that feeds your spirit—worship, biblical teaching, and godly conversations. And third, renew your mind daily in the Word of God. The best way to deprogram from the world’s system is to fill yourself with the truth.

The choice is ours!

At the end of the day, we are being discipled by something. The question is, are we being discipled by the world or by Jesus? The choice is ours.

Programmed to Hate

04/29/2025 by PR Paztuh Mike

Fresh News, Monday Encouragement

dishonor, media, Monday Encouragement, PAZTUHMIKE, programming

😠 Are We Being Programmed to Hate?

Are we programmed to hate? Media is everywhere. Whether it’s viral TikTok videos we scroll through without thinking, our favorite YouTuber, or the never-ending political debates on TV, it’s hard to escape. But have you ever stopped to ask—what effect does all this media have on us? And why do they call it programming?

Malcolm X once said, “If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.” That’s a heavy statement, but it speaks to the power of media in shaping our views and even our emotions. If you hear the same negative reports about a person or group over and over again, it’s almost impossible not to start believing it. And maybe that’s the whole point—to keep us divided, distracted, and blind to who the real enemy is.

People are waking up…

Now, a lot of people are waking up to the fact that the news isn’t always telling the truth. That’s why we hear the term fake news so often. According to a survey by Pew Research Center, 64% of Americans say fake news causes serious confusion about basic facts. Most of us—especially younger generations—know that a lot of what we see in the media is exaggerated, twisted, or outright false. So what do we do? Do we just stop watching the news altogether to avoid being manipulated?

We become what we watch!

That’s a tough question. But as Christians, we need to be mindful of what we consume and how it’s shaping us. Jesus said in Matthew 6:22-23, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness.” In other words, what we let into our minds affects our entire being. Are we filling ourselves with truth, or are we letting darkness program us?

Fight the Right Battle

And here’s something even deeper to consider: Are we fighting the wrong battles? Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world.” The real fight isn’t against people—it’s against the unseen forces shaping this world.

So let’s be intentional about what we consume. Let’s make sure we’re feeding our minds with truth and not getting caught up in the enemy’s distractions. Stay woke—not in the world’s way, but in God’s way.

Ungodly Soul Ties

04/29/2025 by PR Paztuh Mike

Fresh News, Monday Encouragement

Monday Encouragement, PAZTUHMIKE, relationships, soul ties

😮 Ungodly Soul Tie?

Let’s talk about something real today—soul ties, specifically ungodly soul ties. It’s a spiritual concept that gets tossed around, but not many people truly understand how deep it runs or how it affects their walk with God. Ever felt stuck, wondering why you can’t move forward? The issue may be an ungodly soul tie that needs to be broken.

What’s a Soul Tie?

A soul tie is a deep spiritual connection between two people. Soul ties are good in the context of how God created them—like the bond between David and Jonathan in the Bible. (1 Samuel 18:1) They had a soul tie of friendship. Soul ties are also important for keeping married couples close and bonded together. God created us for connection, especially in marriage, family, and godly friendships. A soul tie can help strengthen that connection.

But when that connection forms outside of His design—through sexual sin, abusive relationships, emotional manipulation, or even certain spiritual practices—it turns toxic. That’s what we call an ungodly soul tie. It pulls you back, keeps you emotionally stuck, and opens the door to spiritual oppression.

How to Break Free

If you find yourself obsessing over someone from your past, struggling to move on, or feeling spiritually drained and stuck, there’s a chance an ungodly soul tie is at play. The good news is—you’re not powerless. Breaking free starts with confessing the sin or situation that opened the door, truly repenting, and then verbally renouncing the connection in Jesus’ name. Forgiveness is a major key—releasing both the other person and yourself. From there, you invite the Holy Spirit to heal those broken places and restore what was lost.

You Have the Victory in Christ!

Breaking soul ties is spiritual warfare, but you’ve got the victory. Stay prayed up, stay in the Word, and surround yourself with people who speak life.

Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Don’t let anything or anyone keep you bound. Walk in that freedom.

Why do we hate them?

04/29/2025 by PR Paztuh Mike

Fresh News, Monday Encouragement

dishonor, government leaders, Monday Encouragement, PAZTUHMIKE

😠 Is it okay for me to hate them?

Have you ever caught yourself feeling sudden anger—or even hatred—when a certain political leader appears on your screen? Maybe it’s someone who you deeply disagree with, or someone the media constantly criticizes. Before you know it, you’re filled with frustration… maybe even rage. But where does that hatred really come from? Why do we hate them? And what does the Bible have to say about it?

The truth is, much of our hatred is learned—fed by what we hear, see, and consume. News outlets, social media, and even conversations with friends or co-workers often highlight the worst in our leaders. Over time, that negativity builds up, shaping our thoughts and attitudes. If people we trust show anger or hatred, it’s easy to pick up the same attitude without even realizing it.

God takes hatred seriously…

But here’s where Scripture challenges us. Most of us know Jesus’ command: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). But Jesus takes it even deeper. In Matthew 5:21-22, He says, “You have heard it was said… ‘You shall not murder…’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.” That’s intense. Jesus puts unchecked anger on the same level as murder. The Apostle John echoes this: “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him” (1 John 3:15).

So, yes—God takes hatred seriously. But what about when our anger feels justified? What about leaders who promote evil or create suffering? Jesus didn’t leave any gray area. He said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44).

That’s tough. Pray for those we disagree with? Even those we feel have caused harm? Absolutely. That is the heart of God. Pray for their repentance. Intercede for their salvation. And ask God that they would lead with wisdom and righteousness.

His Kingdom calls us higher…

As citizens of God’s Kingdom, our response should look different. Are we praying for our leaders—or just cursing them under our breath? Are we speaking life, or just adding to the noise of criticism? 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us of God’s heart: “He is patient… not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

One thing is certain—spending hours soaking in negative media will make it harder to walk in love and humility. It doesn’t mean we should ignore what’s happening in the world, but we need to stay grounded in God’s truth. His Kingdom calls us higher.

The Heart of the King

So, next time that familiar anger rises up—pause. Pray. And ask yourself, what response reflects the heart of Christ?

What is dishonor?

03/19/2025 by Paztuh Mike

Fresh News, Monday Encouragement

dishonor, government leaders, Monday Encouragement, PAZTUHMIKE

😮 Honoring our leaders…

Let’s be real—dishonor is everywhere, even in Christian circles. Whether it’s the “Let’s Go Brandon” chant or making fun of the assassination attempt of President Donald Trump, it’s clear that disrespect toward government leaders has become normal. Some might say, “Come on, it’s just a joke!” And I’ll be honest—I’ve laughed at some of this stuff before too. But let’s take a step back and really think about it.

What Does Dishonor Actually Mean?

The Oxford Dictionary defines dishonor as bringing shame, disgrace, disrespect, or discredit. Now, let’s go back to those examples. Does chanting “Let’s Go Brandon” fall into any of those categories? What about making fun of an attempted assassination? If we’re being honest, yeah, they do.

But dishonor isn’t just a modern issue. It’s been part of American culture for a long time—whether through public criticism, political leaders tearing each other down, or how the media portrays them. Did you know that four U.S. presidents have been assassinated? Abraham Lincoln (1865), James A. Garfield (1881), William McKinley (1901), and John F. Kennedy (1963). And the Bible already told us this would happen: “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

How Should We Respond?

As Christians, how should we treat government leaders—even the ones we don’t agree with? Let’s look at what Peter said:

“Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good.” (1 Peter 2:13)

Now, here’s the crazy part—Peter was talking about Nero. This guy was no friend to Christians. Historical accounts say that after the Great Fire of Rome, Nero blamed Christians for it and used that as an excuse to have them killed—fed to lions and worse. Yet Peter still told believers to submit to authority. Why?

Peter wasn’t saying, “Agree with everything your leaders do.” He wasn’t saying, “Obey them even when they go against God.” But he was making a point—respect the position, even if you can’t respect the person. That doesn’t mean we stay silent about corruption or evil. But it does mean we handle it in a way that reflects Christ.

Honoring God While Resisting Evil

Martin Luther King Jr. said it well:

“One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.”

This principle is all over Scripture. Take Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—they refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue, even though it meant getting thrown into a fiery furnace. (Daniel 3:16-28) But notice how they did it. They didn’t curse him out, mock him, or start a rebellion. They stood firm, but they did it with honor.

How Do We Look Different?

Dishonor is everywhere. It’s in the news, on social media, in memes, and even in conversations with friends. But as followers of Christ, we’re called to be different. Peter’s words and these Bible stories give us a picture of what the Kingdom looks like when it comes to honoring leaders.

So let’s choose to be set apart. Let’s stand against corruption, but let’s do it in a way that still reflects honor. It won’t always be easy, but if we’re serious about living for Christ, it’s worth it.