Secret Service

Matthew 2:7-15

Did you know, satan hates you? He literally despises the fact that you even exist. Were you also aware of the fact that every day, evil entities try extremely hard to turn your focus and attention away from God? If the Lord revealed to you all the dangers He daily protects you from, I can guarantee with 100 percent certainty, it would startle your mind.

God has assigned predestined purpose to all who willingly accepts His free gift of salvation, but walking in that purpose can never be attained by any other means. When a man or woman is plugged into God, only then are they granted access to His divine wisdom, knowledge, and protection. This earthly habitation is temporal, and will soon cease to exist, but there is a life, beyond what we see, which God set in place, for all who are obedient to His holy Word.

God had a predestined purpose for His only begotten Son also. Even before Jesus was sent to the earth, prophecy of His arrival was written throughout the Old Testament. During the time when the birth of the Savior was finally fulfilled, king Herod became troubled at the news, so much that he gathered all the chief priests, scribes, and the people of Jerusalem together, to inquire of the startling news. Rather than acknowledge and try to better understand the prophecy of the birth of Jesus, the wicked king felt more threatened for his throne, above all else. Unfortunately, Herod plotted an attempt to have baby Jesus killed, so that his reign would not be hindered. Despite the king’s evil intentions, God’s plan of salvation would not be stopped, as He made certain to keep Jesus safe, by giving words of wisdom to all who watched over Him, to keep the child out of harm’s way.

In your life, you may never know it, but God has people watching over your life, and protecting you also. Many times, we should have been exposed to all sorts of danger, but God had someone standing in the gap, to keep us safe. In your daily prayers, ask God to give strength and peace to those who fight for you, even though it may never be revealed who they are.

“I pray for those who fight for me, even whom I cannot see.” – Ell

Tis’ The Season

Matthew 2:19-23

Christmas time is a wonderful season, despite its pagan roots and undertones. The true reason Christians acknowledge the season of “Christmas” is, to commemorate the birth, and celebration of Jesus into the earth. Jesus is the reason for this season, but modern society views this special day from a different perspective. From the eyes of the unbeliever (and many Christians, surprisingly), the icon of the Christmas holiday is Santa Claus, and gift giving is the real purpose for gathering together. Sharing gifts amongst family, friends, coworkers, and strangers isn’t inherently bad, but it has the tendency of drawing the focus away from the purpose of Christ coming to the earth.

For God so loved the world, He gave His only Son, so men could be saved from the consequences of sin. The worldly gift giving theme presents many problems, because while some families are blessed with the ability to purchase and exchange presents with many, there are countless others who can barely afford to eat, and keep their lights on, let alone buy their children gifts for Christmas.

The Christmas season is the prime time when depression and suicide rates skyrocket, and many have difficulty finding things to be grateful for, but if the church would take the time to express the true meaning of God’s gift to adults and children alike, rather than promise them loads of gifts (which they’ll probably forget about in a few weeks), the Christmas holiday would more than likely be embraced from a more meaningful perspective.

Family gathering is good, giving to the poor is righteous, showing kindness to strangers is divine, but celebrating what the birth of Jesus truly means, is more important than anything else.

“During this season, share with others the love of God, and the knowledge of His Word. That’s the best gift anyone can receive.” – Ell

Equal Opportunity

Galatians 3:25-29

Are all men created equal? I use to think so, until I witnessed some being born into the world with physical handicaps, or mental disabilities. Being born into sin has put man at a disadvantage in some respects. For example, one of the biggest issues concerning society today is race, and ethnic background. Some people are restricted from receiving certain jobs, simply because of the color of their skin, or their gender. Others are turned away for being born with a disability, that hurts their chances of being productive with a company or business. Are all men created equal? Not at all, but all men who are born again into the body of Christ, have equal blessings, and opportunity to become one in Christ Jesus.

Unlike the world, who sees your shortcomings, and refuses to extend a helping hand, God ensures that those who have faith in His Son, are treated with love, respect, and are positioned to receive all the promises associated with being His child. Despite how the world treats you as a believer, keep your faith, hope, and trust in the Lord, and continue to assume His character, while going through your daily lives, working together with your brothers and sisters in the Lord.

“Put on Christ, and allow Him to rule your life.” – Ell

Undefiled

Daniel 1:8-17

Throughout life, we often feel as though God doesn’t notice our suffering, and we wonder whether or not He actually hears our prayers. As believers, we face continual persecution for our faith, men slander and defile our good reputations, and the world mocks us for what we believe. Some even go so far as to inflict physical pain on those who claim the name of Christ. But, in those moments when we feel as though God has forgotten about us, we should stop and read about the struggles men of God dealt with in Scripture.

One example of men who suffered for righteousness sake, can be found in our text. Because of their continual disobedience, God allowed Israel to be taken into captivity by Babylon. While being held captive, the king of Babylon called for children from Israel, who were without blemish, well favored, skilled in all wisdom, cunning in knowledge and understanding, and were able to learn their language. Those who were selected included Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The king even decided to change the names of the young men, as a sign of placing them under subjection. It’s one thing to be abducted against your will, and it’s even worse when you are given another name, then forced to learn pagan customs.

To make a long story short, Daniel and his brethren went against the kings commands, in order to obey the commands of God, and his three friends were forced to face the death penalty. God delivered the young men from the fiery furnace, and proved that no matter what comes against the children of God, if they remain faithful, He will deliver them with a mighty hand.

It matters not what you’re going through in life, because if you stay true to God, and obey His words over man’s, He’ll always come through for you, and your haters will have front row seats to witness it.

“Trust God through the good, the bad, and the in-between.” – Ell

I Wish…

1 Kings 3:5-14

One of my favorite childhood movies is, Aladdin. Aside from the fact that I had the biggest crush on princess Jasmine, the good ole “Street Rat” turned out to be prince material after all, which made for a heartfelt story. The part of the movie I desired to be in most was, the scene when Aladdin found the magic lamp. Oh, how I wanted so badly to find a magic lamp, and make three wishes. The first wish would have been to have the ability to fly, even into outer space. The second wish would’ve been to have an endless supply of skittles and now-and-laters. For the final wish, I would have asked the genie for a time machine, so I could travel back and forth from the past and to the future, at will. Now, don’t judge me, I was only a kid, but I had a rather unique and vivid imagination.

Being offered the opportunity to be granted anything your heart desires, would be an amazing thing, and I’m certain the average person would request something that would satisfy their selfish desires, but our text proves that not all men seek only to fulfill selfish desires, but place others above themselves. While asleep one night in Gibeon, the LORD appeared to king Solomon in a dream. In this dream, God asked Solomon to make any request, and He’ll grant it unto him. If the young king was asked that same question while living in the 21st century, I’m apt to believe that his request may have been altered, just a little bit (I’m only kidding… maybe not lol). In any case, the text tells us that Solomon’s speech pleased the Lord. So, this begs the question, what exactly did he ask for? Did the young king ask for wealth, long life, or even the destruction of his enemies? Did he desire perfect health, peace on earth, or perfect weather forever? Solomon realized the position he took on from his father was not easy to fill, so he asked God for wisdom, to judge the people, and discern between good and bad. What a guy! Just like his daddy! God was so pleased with Solomon’s request, not only did He grant him wisdom that would never be equaled, but He added riches, honor, and long life, if he walked in His ways, as his father David did. What a dream!

If God asked the same to you, what would you request?

“I Know I Can”

Exodus 1:15-22

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of, “I Know I Can!” Starring, Little Saint, and Life! I’m your host, “holyell”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

(Little Saint begins his day with prayer, and asks God for wisdom and strength to get through the day)

Little Saint: Alright. Here we go. Another day to make Him Proud.

(Little Saint begins his walk through life’s journey.)

Little Saint: This is the day, that the Lord has made…

Life: HEADACHE!

Little Saint: Ohhh my head, but I know I can make it. I’ll keep walking by faith.

(Little Saint continues his journey, despite a terrible headache.)

Little Saint: The Lord is good, and His mercy endures forever…

Life: HEARTACHE!

Little Saint: Oh my wee heart, aches so bad, but I know I can make it. I’ll keep walking by faith.

(Little Saint continues his journey, despite a terrible headache, and heartache.)

Little Saint: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name…

Life: DEATH OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

Little Saint: My God, My God, I feel nothing but pain and sorrow from losing my family and friends, but I know I can make it. I’ll keep walking by faith.

(Little Saint continues his journey, despite a terrible headache, heartache, and loss of family and friends.)

Little Saint: The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?…

Life: JOB TERMINATION!

Little Saint: NOOOO, I needed that job to consistently make ends meet, and to support the ministry, but I know I can make it. I’ll keep walking by faith.

(Little Saint continues his journey, despite a terrible headache, heartache, loss of family and friends, and loss of employment.)

(Little Saint begins to feel the weight of the world bearing on his shoulders.)

Life: PERSECUTION!

Little Saint: O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt…but I know I can make it. I’ll keep walking by faith.

(Little Saint continues his journey, despite a terrible headache, heartache, loss of family and friends, loss of employment, and persecution.)

*Life is indeed hard, not only for the Saints, but for unbelievers also. The difference is, those who suffer for the sake of righteousness, will receive eternal rewards from the Father, while those who suffer while in sin, can only receive the second death. God wishes that all men come to repentance, and desires for no one to die in their sins. The best way the Saints can prove their profession to godliness is, to walk by faith, despite all obstacles that come to block their path. It’s unfortunate that believers will suffer in this life, but our suffering is only for a season. In His perfect timing, God will restore the joy of His salvation to all Saints, and He will give them strength to endure, and continue fighting the good fight.

This concludes the exciting episode of, “I Know I Can”! Thanks for tuning in.

Can You Imagine?

Isaiah 49:1-7

Mankind has lived and abided in this troubled world for thousands of years. We inhabit a world of sickness, disease, violence, and a number of other evil associations, that continue to plague the lives of men today. Oftentimes, it seems as if the hope of even having a good day is hopeless, and the joy that’s promised to come in the morning, will never come. Aside from the obvious and observable truths of this present world, when’s the last time you took a moment to consider an eternity in the new Heaven, and new earth?

Our corruptible bodies will soon be changed to incorruptible, and we will change from mortal, to immortality. An eternity in the presence of the God of all creation, Jesus the Saviour, and the sweet Holy Spirit, will be a daily breathtaking experience. During this timeless experience, All who have received God’s free gift of salvation, will be rewarded for all their labor in the earth. The long days of trial and struggle, the sleepless nights praying to God for provision for family, friends, and the poor, and the countless hours spent, showing godly love to those who worked against us, will pay off.

Remaining steadfast in the Lord is not in vain, but will net the believer eternal rewards. Imagine an endless world, where sickness is non-existent, pain is nowhere to be found, the toils of working paycheck to paycheck are over, and all men will be of one mind, one heart, and one spirit. While it may seem unfortunate to abide in a world that promotes evil and wickedness, God has equipped the church with the necessary resources to withstand in this time of peril.

Look forward to that promised future, where we will live with God forever, and use that blessed hope to motivate you to continue fighting the good fight, especially in times when you feel like giving up.

“Let go of the world, cling to God, and make your life count.” – Ell

Special Delivery

Luke 1:26-38

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of, “Special Delivery!” Starring, Mary, and Gabriel the Messenger! I’m your host, “holyell”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

(Mary walks from the kitchen to the living room while cleaning, then suddenly sees the angel Gabriel appear before her)

Mary: (Screams frantically!!!) Who are you? What are you doing here? How did you get in my house? What is happening right now?

Gabriel: Calm down Mary, everything is fine. I am Gabriel. I was sent by God to give you some very exciting news!

Mary: I’m extremely sorry I screamed in your face. Allow me a moment to sit, and catch my breath.

(Mary sits on the couch, and looks puzzled at Gabriel’s presence)

Gabriel: Oh Mary, you are highly favored, and the Lord is with you. You are truly blessed among women.

Mary: I don’t understand your words sir. What do you mean? What is this about?

Gabriel: Fear not, Mary. You have found favor with God. I’ve come to tell you, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and will call his name JESUS.

(Mary’s puzzling look grows more intense)

Gabriel: The child you birth will be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.

Mary: I…..but…..

Gabriel: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Mary: Forgive me kind sir for my puzzled gaze, but how shall this be, seeing I know not a man.

Gabriel: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Mary: All this seems unreal, and hard to fathom.

Gabriel: I understand how you must feel right now, but if it makes you feel any better, your cousin Elisabeth, the one who was called barren, she’s already six months pregnant, even in her old age.

Mary: How did you know that?

Gabriel: Mary, with God, nothing shall be impossible.

Mary: Well sir, be it unto me, according to thy word.

(Gabriel departs, and Mary sits for hours, pondering over the message she had received from the angel)

*Every word spoken of Jesus before His birth, was fulfilled. He, along with his cousin John, would be great, but Jesus would be even more greater, because He was indeed, the Son of God. God saw something in Mary, to trust her with birthing the Savior of the world, and her humility and submission to Gabriel’s message, proved that she was well able to carry out God’s plan for her life. What has God called you to do? Have you submitted yourself to carrying out His plan for your life? Or, are you too busy concerning yourself with the business of others? Focus your time and efforts on doing what God has called you to do, then watch Him bless you, as you walk in obedience to His commands.

This concludes the exciting episode of, “Special Delivery”! Thanks for tuning in.

The Mission

Isaiah 42:1-9

Was God surprised to see Adam fall to sin? Was He caught off guard, and unprepared to rectify the influence satan caused on God’s precious created beings? Did Heaven go into panic, after the authority over the earth was willingly handed over to the evil one? God the Father and creator of all things, was fully aware, man would fall to the temptation of satan, and He already had a plan in place, to bring things back into its proper place.

Verse six of our text helps us understand that God had already prepared a plan for redemption, through His son, Jesus. The text reads, “I the LORD have called thee (Jesus) in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles. To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house” (vs. 6-7). Jesus came to the earth, to not only redeem men back to the Father, but to restore unto them their spiritual sight, and position in the family of God. Many have been broken and defeated by the enemy, to the point they have lost sight of their place in God, but Jesus came to deliver men from darkness, and direct them to the light, and knowledge of God’s Word.

Only in the Word of God, can men discover the truth of their existence, and the purpose they were created to fulfill. Jesus’ mission was to come to the earth, conquer death, hell, and the grave, and allow for mankind to be reunited with the Father, as well as offer acceptable sacrifices to Him. All the glory, honor, and praise, belong to God, so give Him all of you, and maintain a righteous standard, as you live to imitate Christ.

“Christ fulfilled His mission, but will you fulfill yours?” – Ell

Conditioned To Endure

Isaiah 7:10-15

The average athlete trains hard, putting their bodies through extensive and repetitive training, so that when the time comes to compete in their event, they’ll be conditioned to perform accordingly. It’s easy to tell whether or not an athlete of a specific sport has trained or conditioned properly, by how long they last while performing, or the effort they put forth during an event. A boxer who’s legs get weak and shaky halfway during a fight, probably decided not to take his training seriously. Another example is, when a swimmer gives up halfway through a lap, because their conditioning wasn’t up to par.

Throughout the years, I’ve often stressed, “Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance”. The better we plan and prepare for what’s ahead of us, the better we’ll perform, when that time comes. This same fact holds true for the body of Christ. All our lives we train daily, showing love and kindness to others, shunning things that are evil, and resisting temptation when it comes, so that as the end-time prophecy continues to be fulfilled, we won’t cower nor fret, when times become more severe. God daily loads us with benefits, in order that we gird and guard ourselves against the evil one. In addition, every situation we overcome now, will increase our faith in God, and better prepare us to face what’s soon to come.

The world is suffering greatly because of sin, but the Bible plainly states that perilous times will indeed come, in the last days. Make it your business to grow daily in the knowledge of God, and ask for His wisdom to help you understand the times, and how you must conduct yourself, as these last days pass by. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord”. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

“The way may seem hard, but you’ll endure, by the power of God.” – Ell