MondayEncouragement Archives

What is honor?

03/12/2025 by Paztuh Mike

government leaders, honor, MondayEncouragement, PAZTUHMIKE

😮 Honoring our leaders…

What is honor? When we hear the word honor, a lot of things might come to mind. Maybe we think about honoring the military, giving honor to someone receiving an award, or showing respect to a well-known leader. But what about the people God has placed over us in our daily lives? How do we honor them, even when we don’t always agree with them? What does that actually look like in real life?

In the Bible, the Hebrew word for honor is Kavod, which means glory or to hold in high respect. It’s the same word used in Exodus 20:12:

“Honor (Kavod) your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

That verse feels different when you understand what Kavod really means. Honor isn’t just about following orders—it’s about recognizing the weight, the value, and the position God has given someone in your life.

What does honor look like?

So what does honoring our parents—or any authority figure—really look like? It’s not just about obedience; it’s about respect. It means speaking well of them, even when they don’t necessarily deserve it. It means treating them with kindness, even when we disagree. Honor is about our posture, our attitude, and our heart.

Now, let’s be real. Honor doesn’t mean blindly following someone just because they have a title. It doesn’t mean ignoring truth or compromising your convictions. But it does mean recognizing that God places people in positions for a reason. If we only honor those we think deserve it, we’re missing the bigger picture.

So here’s the real question: Are you honoring the people God has placed over you? Not just the ones you like, not just the ones who have it all together, but even the ones who make mistakes? Because real honor isn’t about them—it’s about your obedience to God.

And trust me, when you walk in honor, God honors you in return.

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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man in red shirt with red hat with hand on his chin looking questioning-like, while text on the left says "Is this ok?" while the text on the right has a sign that says "EXPLICIT Joe Biden" with the explicit word crossed out. There are also two people taking a picture of a naked trump statue in front of the Biden sign.

Dishonoring Government Leaders

03/12/2025 by Paztuh Mike

Fresh News, Monday Encouragement

dishonor, dishonoring leaders, MondayEncouragement, PAZTUHMIKE

😮 I was shocked when I found out….

Folks, we’re living in some crazy times. With technology and social media, we have instant access to news, politics, and entertainment like never before. In some ways, that’s been a blessing, but in other ways, it’s tearing us apart. One thing that’s become way too normal in this digital age is dishonoring government leaders.

But what does that actually mean? Is it just about not saying anything bad about them? Or is there something deeper? Does honoring a leader mean we have to agree with them or even vote for them? And what if their policies go against our beliefs? What do we do then?

I was still dishonoring them…

I’ll be real with you, I used to have no problem disrespecting and ridiculing political leaders. Before I gave my life to Christ, I’d mock them, tear them down, and not think twice about it. Even after I got saved, I didn’t realize that I was still dishonoring them in subtle ways through jokes, harsh criticism, and even hidden hatred in my heart.

Take this journey with me

But then I started digging into what the Bible actually says about this. And when I tell you it convicted me to my core I mean it. I was shocked at just how short I fell from what God commands of us in His Word. That’s why I want to take you on this journey with me.

In this series, we’re going straight to the Word of God to see what God says about honoring leaders even the ones we don’t agree with. It’s a tough topic, but an important one. So the real question is are we willing to check our own hearts? Are we ready to let God correct us in this area?

Click the video below
and discover the truth about honoring government leaders. You don’t want to miss it!

God told us to give up everything text with picture of married man and women on the right, with arrow pointing to a nice house icon with a plus sign in the middle and on the other side is a bag of money icon.

We gave everything

03/12/2025 by Paztuh Mike

Fresh News, Monday Encouragement

leaving everything, MondayEncouragement, PAZTUHMIKE, testimony

🤔 Is God really my first priority?

This is a question I have to ask myself honestly in every season as I seek to obey the Lord. Following Christ requires continual surrender. Maybe it’s a job, a relationship, a mindset, or even an old wound. Whatever it is, He calls us to release it fully to Him so that He can transform us. Let me tell you a story of how my wife and I gave everything away.

God told us to give everything away…

My wife, Anna, and I experienced this in a big way in 2022 when God told us to give everything away. At the time, we were at the height of success—living in a beautiful home, thriving in our careers, and enjoying financial prosperity. But then, God asked us to let it all go. Though we knew He had spoken clearly, we wrestled with obedience, delaying our obedience for six months. But eventually, we surrendered. By the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we gave away all our possessions, ended our lease, and moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, with nothing but our car and a few belongings.

We were excited for the radical journey at first, thinking, “Wow, what is God about to do?!” But as time passed, the reality of our decision sank in. Without our businesses, home, and financial stability, we felt lost. It was then that God revealed something profound—our identity had been wrapped up in our achievements. We had taken pride in our success as if we had earned it ourselves, failing to fully acknowledge God as the source of it all. This realization humbled us deeply, and we knew that without surrendering everything, we might never have seen it so clearly.

My wife got cancer…

In the midst of this, we received devastating news—Anna was diagnosed with colon cancer. (full testimony here) Not only were we navigating the uncertainty of giving everything away, but now we faced a serious medical crisis with little to no resources. It was an incredibly difficult season, but God was with us every step of the way. Despite the challenges, we chose to keep trusting Him, knowing He had a plan beyond what we could see.

He is faithful!

Now, we are seeing the fruit of that obedience and are grateful every day that we chose to trust Him. Surrender isn’t easy, but God gives us the strength we need when we step out in faith.

So today, take a moment to ask yourself: What do I need to surrender to God right now? Be encouraged—He is faithful!

Man Unwilling

03/11/2025 by Paztuh Mike

Fresh News, Monday Encouragement, Relationships

Marriage, MondayEncouragement, PAZTUHMIKE, unwilling

😠 I was unwilling…

Ever had your boss assign you a task you absolutely hated? You’re already irritated, but you do it anyway—because, well, it’s your job. The whole time, you’re grumbling, dragging your feet, and when a coworker asks you something, you snap at them. Now they’re wondering, What’s his problem? You finally finish the task, but it took longer than it should have, and you feel drained. Sound familiar? I get it. This is what happens when we obey, but are not willing. Sure, the job gets done, but we leave a mess in the process—hurting those around us, slowing ourselves down, and feeling exhausted. Let me share my story of how I was unwilling.

My pride wanted control…

I’ve been there in my walk with God. My wife has reminded me time and time again to surrender to the process God has for us. Outwardly, I would nod and agree. But inwardly? I was stubborn, resistant. My heart wasn’t truly committed. I followed God’s direction in my actions, but my attitude was all wrong. Deep down, my pride wanted control. I wanted the kind of success the world brags about, even though I knew chasing that would mean disobedience to what God was calling me to.

God met me there!

But when I finally humbled myself and truly surrendered—when I repented, not just in my actions but in my heart—God met me there. He started to give me the grace to change, to obey Him willingly, not grudgingly. That’s when things started shifting, not just in my circumstances, but in me.

See, God isn’t just looking at what we do—He’s looking at how we do it. “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 ESV). We can go through the motions of obedience, but if our heart isn’t in it, we miss the whole point. We become numb, just checking boxes instead of truly growing. God wants us fully present, learning, leaning into Him, and walking in obedience with a surrendered heart.

What if my spouse is unwilling?

But what if you’re on the other side of this? What if your spouse is the one who’s unwilling? How do you deal with that? First, pray for them—not with frustration, but with a heart that truly intercedes for them. Bring them before God and trust Him to do the work. Second, have the courage to self-examine. Ask God, Am I also unwilling in areas? Am I leading by example? Sometimes, the biggest way to influence change in someone else is by letting God change you first.

At the end of the day, your spouse has free will—you can’t force them to change.

But when God sees that you’re serious about letting Him work in you, He’ll start working on them too. Be encouraged today!

Broken Trust

03/11/2025 by Paztuh Mike

Fresh News, Monday Encouragement, Relationships

Marriage, MondayEncouragement, PAZTUHMIKE, trust

🤝 I chose to earn my wife’s trust..

Trust isn’t something you just hand out—it has to be earned. I’ve always told people, if someone says, “Just trust me,” that doesn’t mean you should. Real trust is built over time. It’s proven through character, consistency, and experience. But what if you are dealing with broken trust? What do you do then?

Before my wife and I got married, I had to earn her trust. See, I didn’t come from a background that made that easy. Before Christ, I was a manipulator. I had a player mindset, something that ran deep in my family for generations. It was a stronghold, a generational curse I had to break. Even after I gave my life to Jesus, I struggled to trust that I had truly changed. Has my heart really been transformed? Or was I still the same man, just wearing a new label? That fear kept me cautious, even when it came to love.

Deep down I was afraid…

For eight years, I walked alone—no dating, no sex, just me and God. When I finally met my wife, I thought I understood love, but deep down, I was afraid. Afraid I would hurt her. Afraid I was still the same broken man. My family even questioned me, asking if I truly loved her or if I was just longing for intimacy. The truth is, when a man abstains from sex, it can blur the line between love and desire. Was my love for her real, or was it my desire for intimacy? These doubts, combined with the voices around me, made me wrestle with what love really meant.

One night, I told her I loved her and I truly meant it. But as the words left my mouth, I realized they couldn’t just be words. Words are empty if not backed by action. So I told her, “You need to make me show you that.” And that’s exactly what I did. I honored her, I honored God, and for three years, we remained pure—no sex, no living together, no blurred lines. We faced ridicule from friends and family, but we stood firm. Through premarital counseling, we confronted our baggage together. I proved my love not just by saying it, but by living it—through my perseverance, my commitment, and my integrity.

Love is shown in actions…

Now, when I tell my wife, “I love you,” she believes it. Not because I demanded her trust, not just because I threw the Bible verse at her, Love “always trusts” (1 Corin. 13:7) but because my actions have shown her she can rely on me. And if I were to break that trust today, I know it wouldn’t be restored overnight. Trust takes time to build, but it can be shattered in an instant.

Are you dealing with broken trust?

Whether in marriage or friendship, trust doesn’t just happen—it has to be nurtured. If infidelity has broken the trust in your marriage, seek God’s guidance on whether He wants to restore it. True reconciliation must be Spirit-led. God loves to heal and redeem, but He also loves you too much to leave you in a relationship with someone who continually betrays you and refuses to change.

If you’re struggling with trust or facing betrayal in marriage, I encourage you to watch the full video below the reel. Let God lead you, and take heart—He will show you the right path forward.

Get Focused

03/11/2025 by Paztuh Mike

Fresh News, Monday Encouragement

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😖 I don’t have enough time…

Does the vision God has for you feel impossible? You work eight hours a day, come home exhausted, and still have more responsibilities waiting for you. As time passes, that dream of starting a business or ministry seems further and further out of reach. It seems impossible to get focused.

I understand that feeling, but let me offer a new perspective. At one time, I worked as a painter and finished carpenter. I enjoyed the work, though my boss was difficult. But my real passion was music and ministry. Instead of seeing my job or my boss as an obstacle, I used it as a tool. You might wonder, how does painting and carpentry relate to music? But the truth is, any job can teach you valuable skills if you shift your perspective. I observed how the company operated, learned their systems, and later applied those principles to my ministry and music business—some of which I still use today. On top of that, the skills I gained led to higher-paying side jobs, allowing me to invest $25,000 into my record label, Last Day Records. to get focused.

Then God told me to leave…

Many times, I wanted to quit, but God told me to stay. He was using that season to refine me—teaching me to humble myself under a difficult boss, grow in my talents, and use my job’s financial provision to build my dream. Then, just when I got comfortable, God told me to leave. Funny how that works. When I wanted out, He kept me there. When I was finally at ease, He moved me on. But God’s plan is always about growth.

Get Focused!

That job—and even that difficult boss—was just a stepping stone. Maybe your job is simply a means to fund your business, or maybe the skills you’re learning now will be crucial for your future. The key is perspective. The more you embrace where God has you, the more you’ll grow and move closer to what He’s ultimately calling you to do. Get focused and don’t give up!

Man Full of Pride

03/10/2025 by Paztuh Mike

Fresh News, Monday Encouragement, Relationships

Marriage, MondayEncouragement, PAZTUHMIKE, pride

😠 I had the evil spirit of pride….

Pride is one of the biggest things that can trip us up in our walk with God. A lot of times, it stays hidden until the right moment exposes it. If you get defensive when corrected or feel like you always have to prove yourself, pride might be at work. James 4:6 ESV says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” The truth is, holding onto pride doesn’t protect us—it only holds us back. I learned that the hard way.

For me, pride showed up in pre-marital counseling. Back then, I didn’t think I needed advice from anyone. I told myself, “The Holy Spirit will counsel me,” and while that’s true, I was using it as an excuse to avoidwise counsel from other believers. I had this I got it all figured out mindset. But honestly, I was just running from the process of growth.

Pain from my past…

Deep down, I was carrying pain from my past—things from childhood, past relationships, and disappointments that I never dealt with. But instead of facing it, I let pride keep me isolated. Eventually, I had to surrenderand get real about my struggles. I went to counseling, and through that, God started breaking down the walls I had built. As I humbled myself, I saw how much grace He gives when we stop trying to do everything on our own. That healing changed me, prepared me for marriage, and even allowed me to pour into others. If we’re going to lead, we have to be willing to receive counsel for ourselves first—otherwise, our words won’t carry any real weight when we go to counsel others.

Overcoming pride is a process!

Pride is something I still have to check daily. Just when I think I’ve surrendered one area, God shows me another. It’s a process. But I’ve learned that pride only leads to struggle, while humility opens the door to wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 ESV says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” So let’s choose wisdom, let’s choose growth, and let’s walk in humility. Be encouraged today!

When Is Divorce OK?

03/10/2025 by Paztuh Mike

Fresh News, Monday Encouragement, Relationships

christianmarriage, divorce, Marriage, MondayEncouragement, PAZTUHMIKE

😔 Breaking the Cycle of Abuse…

When is divorce okay? We may be asking ourselves this, especially if we are in an abusive marriage. When we talk about abuse, the focus is usually on the victim—and for good reason. They have suffered deeply and should have never been put in that situation. But questions that rarely get asked are: Who is the abuser? What led them to this point? Were they once victims themselves? Understanding this doesn’t excuse their actions, but it does help us see the bigger picture of how the cycle of abuse continues.

If you’re in an abusive situation, it can feel like there’s no way out. Fear, hope, or uncertainty might keep you stuck. Maybe you’re asking yourself, “Doesn’t God hate divorce? When is divorce okay? Will things get worse if I leave? What if they finally change?” These are difficult questions with no easy answers, but God is faithful to lead us in each situation.

I have counseled both…

Over the years, I’ve counseled both victims and abusers, and I’ve seen just how complicated these situations can be. I also have my own story—one that offers a different perspective on abuse, healing, and change.

You’re not alone!

So whether you’re dealing with verbal or physical abuse, infidelity, or know someone who is, this video is for you. I encourage you to listen to this message with an open mind and know there is a way forward—you don’t have to go through this alone.

African American man and woman looking at each other with the text reading, “Selfish Marriage” behind them, there are two gold wedding rings below them.

How Do I Fix A Failing Marriage?

02/11/2025 by Paztuh Mike

Fresh News, Monday Encouragement, Relationships

christianmarriage, Marriage, marriageproblems, MondayEncouragement, PAZTUHMIKE, selfishness

😠 I was selfish…

Let’s be honest guys. Marriage is hard. In fact it’s one of the hardest commitments two human beings can make with one another. Some of us may be asking “How do I fix a failing marriage or relationship?” We may feel exhausted and losing hope of what to do. A healthy marriage or relationship is a selfless commitment. Two people coming together despite all of their mistakes and flaws and committing to a lifetime of growth? Now that is true sacrificial love.

I don’t say these things as if I have it all figured out. In fact I learned my own selfishness in marriage when my wife got cancer. I was there for her in a lot of ways, helping her to appointments, praying for her, etc. but emotionally I was distracted. At the time, financial and housing struggles filled me with a lot of fear and worry. This fear made it hard for me to be there for her mentally and emotionally in the way that I wanted to be.

The trial will reveal it…

The truth is, we are a lot more selfish as individuals than we even want to admit. This negatively affects not just our marriage but all other relationships as well. It may take that trial or stressor in life for us to really know the selfishness that was deep within us all along. But we can trust, that if God is exposing it, He wants to transform it.

Lean On God!

It’s impossible not to be selfish in our own strength. We will continuously fail and our marriage will suffer. But the good news is that we don’t have to do this in our own strength. We can press into God and be encouraged knowing that with God “all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) Will we be perfect? No. But with God, we can work towards sacrificial love improving not only our marriage, but every other relationship in our lives.

Text on the left saying “Quote of the Month” with white arrow pointing to square image of a man sitting with his hands on his head, and the quote, “Falling is not failure, staying down is.” The graphic is intended to depict the question, “What if I fail?”

What If I Fail?

02/10/2025 by Paztuh Mike

Fresh News, Midweek Encouragement, Monday Encouragement, Quotes

MondayEncouragement, PAZTUHMIKE

Man in office suit sitting with his hands on his head, looking down and discouraged thinking, “What if I fail?” There is a quote to the left of him in black with the words, “Falling is not failure-staying down is.”

💪 How I Learned From Failure…

Failure-it hits hard, doesn’t it? Nobody likes to fail, and if we’re not careful, the weight of it can make us want to quit altogether. We are stressed with the question, “What if I fail?” But what if failure isn’t just something to endure? What if it actually has a purpose? What if we could learn from it?

Let me tell you how failure taught me a valuable lesson in my life.

When I first started my nonprofit ministry, Men Standing Positive, I had to fundraise for the first time. I reached out to people, sent emails, asked for donations, and at first, it worked. But after a while, people stopped giving. So, I switched it up. I decided to reach out to businesses for sponsorships, thinking it would be the solution. Using the same approach of simply asking for donations, I expected different results. Instead, no one was interested. Frustration set in, and discouragement followed. The thoughts started creeping in…Maybe they don’t like me. Maybe I’m not good at this. Maybe I’m just not cut out for it.

I went to God…

But instead of sitting in my failure, I did the only thing I knew to do. I went to God in prayer. I asked, What am I doing wrong? And God answered. He told me, “Be willing to examine your faults. Ask people why when they say no.” Everything in me resisted that idea. Afraid of what people would say, I hesitated, not wanting my failure to be exposed. But eventually, I humbled myself and did it anyway. Some businesses weren’t honest with me, but surprisingly, many were. And what I heard over and over again was this: “There’s nothing in it for us. Your proposal only benefits your organization and the community, but not our business.”

That truth stung, but it also opened my eyes. There was no reciprocity. I was asking for something without offering anything in return. So, I made a change. I created sponsorship packages that actually benefited businesses. We offered them advertising at our events, online promotion, and even helped them find employees by connecting them with the community. Now, when I reached out, I wasn’t just asking for money, I was offering them something valuable. And guess what? Businesses started saying yes.

Failure turned into sucess!

What started as a failure turned into a success, not because I gave up, but because I was willing to humble myself, pray, and receive correction. Here’s the truth: falling doesn’t mean you’ve failed. What matters is what you do after you fall. Will you stay down, or will you learn, grow, and get back up?

So don’t let failure stop you. Ask the hard questions, take the correction, and keep pushing forward. You never know what feels like failure today might just be the setup for your next breakthrough.

I Want to Quit My Job

02/05/2025 by Paztuh Mike

Fresh News, Monday Encouragement

MondayEncouragement, PAZTUHMIKE

If I Would Have Quit…

I want to quit my job. This is something we have all felt, whether it was our first fast-food gig, a stressful corporate role, or maybe the job we have now. But how should we respond—suffer through for the paycheck or quit at the first sign of dissatisfaction?

There was a season when God led me to take a job I really didn’t want—roofing. I enjoyed construction, painting, and drywall, but roofing was different. It was exhausting, hot, and dangerous. Everything in me wanted to say no, but I knew God had a plan.

At work, I met my managers and coworkers, including one who stood out—a strong atheist. He was critical of faith, often silent when I shared about God, but I could tell he was listening.

I was surprised…

One day, to my surprise, he invited me to dinner. The way he said it made me laugh, like his wife had forced him to ask. But I knew God was opening a door. Over dinner, I shared my faith, and though he didn’t say much, at the end he admitted, “I’ve been an atheist most of my life, but I’ve never heard anyone talk about God like you do. You have my attention.” Later, sitting outside my house, he told me, “I want to receive Jesus. Can you pray with me?” I was shocked and honored. That night, he gave his life to Christ, and his life was completely changed.

Mission Complete!

Shortly after, God told me to put in my two weeks—the mission was complete. I thought it was just about roofing, but it was really about reaching him.

So was sweating on that hot roof worth it? Absolutely. We have to think—what does God want to do in our job? Who does He want to reach through us? If we quit too soon, we may miss the greater purpose God has planned. We must learn to wait on the Lord. Be encouraged today!

Is Sex Before Marriage Ok?

01/13/2025 by Paztuh Mike

Fresh News, Monday Encouragement

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Having Sex Before Marriage?

Sex saturates our culture. It now feels meaningless to many, even though it was once held sacred in marriage. While sex can offer momentary pleasure, sex outside marriage harms both individuals and society. So, how do you know what truly benefits you when it comes to sex?

God created sex for one man and one woman. He designed marriage as a covenant between them. (1 Corinthians 7:1-5) This covenant lets couples enjoy sex safely and securely. Consider the the heartache, unwanted soul ties, broken families, and fatherless homes that result when we ignore God’s design.

What do the stats say?

Studies confirm that multiple sexual partners before marriage reduce marriage quality. The Wheatley Institue and other research show lower relationship satisfaction, stability, sexual satisfaction, and emotional connection. Our culture urges you to experiement while single, promising sexual satisfaction in marriage. Yet, research contradicts that advice. When you share sexual intimacy outside marriage, you give a piece of yourself that belongs to your spouse. God’s design remains best.

It can be redeemed…

If you already have or are currently having sex outside of marriage, know that hope awaits in Christ. The Bible encourages us that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) We serve a good God who wants to brings freedom in every aspect of our lives. We must only repent from our sin, surrender, and trust that His way is better.