Choose Wisely

1 John 2:28-3:10

If we don’t abide in God, when Christ returns, we’ll lack confidence in our eternal security, and be ashamed at His coming. If we are ignorant of God’s righteousness, then we’ll never understand the righteous works of those who are born of God, or committed to His purpose.

Have you ever really realized how much God loves us? Well, it was His intentions all along, for His created humans to be called His sons. So, how does a common man become royalty, without being born into the family line? According to man’s tradition, this is virtually impossible, but because of Jesus, all who accept the gift of salvation, can transform from common, to royal.

As sons of God, the world won’t understand they way we walk, talk, live, and believe, because their understanding of biblical doctrines is darkened. But, the hope we have in Christ makes us pure, regardless of what man labels us as. Being born of God, makes it possible for the redeemed to actually live a sinless life. Say what?! The Bible mentions in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”, but it is doable to live sinless in the earth. Although believers slip here and there (with no intentions of abusing grace), the seed of righteousness is planted in everyone who is born of God, and if they consistently adhere to His Word, they can indeed resist the practice of, or temptation to commit sin.

Verse 8 reads, “He that committeth sin is of the devil, for the devil sinneth from the beginning.” While in Heaven, Lucifer allowed pride to cloud his judgment, thus causing him to rebel against God. His very nature is still influencing many today, but through the power and grace of God, anyone can overcome evil, and commit themselves to His holy will. All it takes to become royalty in Heaven is, a choice. “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

“If you ever made a mistake in your life, don’t judge someone else who falls.” – Ell

🎶 Walk In The Light… Beautiful Light 🎶

John 3:16-21

What is light? We see what it does, but what is it actually? Light exposes cockroaches in your kitchen, illuminates the midnight skies with starlight, expands and radiates in all directions like a lightbulb, bends around corners, and even carries energy and momentum. Light is an amazing source of awesomeness, and it has been a major benefit to mankind, since the beginning. In the natural sense, light is responsible for doing all these things, but on the spiritual level, light holds a more intense purpose. In the Bible, light is often contrasted with darkness, and is synonymous with knowledge. The knowledge of God (His Word) reveals the truth, and exposes the darkness found in sin and disobedience. The purpose of Christ coming to the earth was, so darkness could be revealed, and men could discover their desperate need for the light. Those who refuse and reject God’s light, willingly do evil, and hate the knowledge of His Word, so they get comfortable doing deeds in darkness, so the light won’t expose them. As children of God, we live in such a way, that our lives mirror that of Christ’s, so when the light shines over us, we welcome it, because our deeds are pure, holy, and acceptable unto God. Walk in the light, so that you can be a shining example of what holy living looks like, in these last and evil days.

“If God is love, then is the love you share with others godly?” – Ell

Wasted Time

Ephesians 5:8-16

Can you think for a moment, and calculate how much time you’ve wasted during your lifetime? I am probably guilty of squandering years worth of time during my days in the earth, and there’s nothing I can do to recover those precious seconds. Time, is the single, most valuable commodity God has given to man, and how we spend it, will determine our eternal destination. Unlike those of the world, who habitually invest their time in works of darkness, that always proves unfruitful, the children of God are to redeem, or make wise use of the time they’re blessed with, because the days are evil, and Christ is soon to return.

When we invest our time into things beneficial to kingdom business, our works will be acceptable to the Father, but when we join in fellowship with those who choose to walk in darkness, instead of the light, our works will profit nothing to secure an eternal future with God. “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Romans 13:11-14 KJV).

“Time wasted can never be recovered.” – Ell

For The Sake Of The Gospel

1 Thessalonians 2:1-10

For the sake of the Gospel, the apostle Paul endured many things from ungodly men, most of which were unfavorable and unsympathetic. While establishing churches in different cities, the apostle Paul, along with other apostles, were met with challenges purposed only to stop their progress. Of all the sufferings (beatings, imprisonments, shipwrecks, and many more) Paul and his brethren faced, they allowed nothing to hinder them from establishing foundational Gospel teaching in various lands.

Paul knew the importance of spreading the Gospel, and made it his top priority to see it through. Paul admitted himself, that even through the suffering, he and his companions were bold in their God, to speak the Gospel to the church at Thessalonica, despite the great contention against them. When times get rough, average men usually turn tail and gallop away, but real men and women of God stand strong, even in the midst of major conflict.

Standing for the truth isn’t as simple as it sounds, but requires a certain character and behavior, in order to be bold as the apostles were. The apostle Paul was able to stand during times of suffering and intense persecution because, he modeled his life after the life of Christ. Jesus portrayed all characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit in all His encounters, thus allowing Him to always please the Father with his words and actions. In the same sense, Paul and the other apostles were consistent in being honest, pure, faithful to God’s purpose, humble and considerate with others, gentle and kind, and selfless in all their doings. Not only did Paul preach the Word, but he lived his life according to that same Word, on a consistent basis.

When we read the scriptures, we easily become fascinated with the lives of God’s great men and women, but we too can live great lives for the kingdom of God as well. If we love God, keep His commandments, study and meditate on His Word, then live every day rendering selfless acts to our fellow man, our names will someday be listed in the heavenly hall of fame, along with Paul and others also. 

By Who’s Authority

John 15:4-17

By who’s authority do you pray? By who’s authority do you believe? By who’s authority do you preach, teach, and perform works in the earth? When we abide in the Father, and His words abide in us, we are granted access to do things in the earth, with His full authority and permission. By God’s authority, we are privileged to love each other, as He showed love to the Son. All the words God spoke to Jesus, He in turn, gave them to His disciples. Doing this left the disciples in a position to keep His words, live by them, and love each other through them.

God’s authority trumps all other influences in the earth, that fight hard to take man’s attention away from holiness, but if we fall weak and give in to tempting influences, the works we do will be supported by another authority. The devil is powerless against the forces of good, but his wicked devices can have a real effect on God’s people, but only if they submit to his advances. Thanks be to God, for the fellowship of the Saints! The church, or body of believers, is a strong, single unit, that when all members work together, the devil can do nothing to stop their progress.

We are friends with Christ, and no more servants, because a servant knows not the things his lord does. But, Jesus called us friends, and has chosen and ordained us to perform continuous good works in the earth. As long as we stay connected to God, and show real love to one another, our prayers and requests will be manifested in our lives, and God will be pleased with our unyielding obedience.

“It’s easier to deliver the Gospel of Christ to others when your life pleases God.” – Ell

Pruning Season

John 15:1-3

Is it possible for someone to be connected to God, the source of life, and still be dead? I can answer that question with an experience I had during my early years in college. One of the stores closest to the University of Central Florida was, Walmart Supercenter, so I would usually do my shopping there for school supplies, groceries, and personal items. One of the most important items on my shopping list when I went off to college was, a clothing iron. Walking around that huge campus in wrinkly clothes would have been embarrassing, so I knew to keep a good iron on hand, in order to have my clothes pressed to impress.

While ironing a shirt one morning, I accidentally tripped over the power cord, causing the iron to fall on the floor. I quickly picked up the iron, so it wouldn’t burn the carpet, then placed it back on the ironing board. After the plug was yanked from the wall, I reinserted it and waited for the iron to heat up again. Unfortunately, after it hit the floor, the iron became good for nothing except the garbage can. Even though the plug was connected to a live power source, the iron itself was dead.

Our text tells us, all who are in God, but aren’t producing fruit, will be taken away, but those who bring forth fruit, will be purged, so they can continue producing. God is the only one who can remove a person from His hand, and no man can pluck anyone from Him. It’s sad to be in God, yet spiritually dead, because in God we have all the necessary resources required to bring forth fruit meet for repentance.

Even when we fall, and feel disconnected from the source, forgiveness is readily available upon our request. God is merciful, and gives grace to the humble, so all who are in Him must seek only to use His power for good, and not evil. Connect to God’s source of power, so you can be equipped to produce good fruit, but remain faithful to God’s commands, so that your spirit may live, and you’ll never be plucked from the true vine.

“It’s easier to deliver the Gospel of Christ to others when your life pleases God.” – Ell

Be Prepared!

John 15:18-25

When a person becomes a born-again believer, are they immediately exempt from trouble? Ha, if only that were true. In fact, the moment someone gives their heart to God, they instantly become public enemy number one to satan, and his band of deceivers. The world hates Christians, and can only imagine wicked thoughts toward them, but have you ever considered, the world hated Jesus, before you were a twinkle in your daddy’s eye? That’s right, before your coworkers, so-called friends, and in-laws hated you, they hated Jesus first. Our Savior endured unbearable suffering and persecution by men who had literally no cause for doing so. Jesus came to reveal man’s sin, so they could willingly repent, and be reconciled to the Father. Unfortunately, many chose, and still choose today, to cling to their fleshly passions, that keep them bound to sin. Think it not strange, when people who are worldly, don’t respect your profession of holiness, and could care less about the Gospel you preach, because if the world could hate and persecute Jesus, what makes you think they won’t do the same to you?

“Do you practice what you suggest?” – Ell

Who Is Jesus?

John 10:11-18

I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep…As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father…I lay down my life for the sheep…other sheep I have, I must bring…I lay down my life, that I may take it again…No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself…I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again…

Jesus is amazing! His love for the Father, extended to those who were committed to His charge. Jesus lived a selfless life, and never hesitated to express His love to anyone. Whether it was through teaching, healing, or rebuking, Jesus was responsible for changing the lives of countless men and women throughout the Scriptures. From the beginning of His ministry, until the end, Jesus held true to His Father’s will; never wavering to the left, nor the right, despite the many temptations presented to Him (some by satan himself).

Jesus is the savior of all mankind, and held the power to literally lay down His life, then take it again, so that salvation could be brought to all who would be willing to receive it. The life of Jesus was literally love in action. His words, works, and behavior were all mirror images of the character of God, and gave a vivid understanding of who God is, but in the form of a man. Just as God is, Jesus was patient, kind, merciful, generous, selfless, meek, compassionate, and all the other fruit of the Spirit found in the very nature of the Creator.

I love Jesus, because without Him, I would be drifting away into utter darkness. I am so glad, He came for me, died for my sins, arose to take victory from the grave, and the sting from death, so that I can have an invitation to spend eternity with Him in peace. This is who Jesus is to me. Who is He to you?

“What do you and God have in common?” – Ell

Promise Of Power

John 14:8-14

What is greater than healing someone who was sick? What could be greater than turning water into wine? What’s greater than walking on water? What’s greater than speaking a word, and causing a man to rise from the grave? What was greater than feeding 5,000 men (not including women and children) with two fish, and five loaves of bread? What greater works can we do today, than the list of awesome works I mentioned that Jesus performed thousands of years ago?

God wrapped Himself in flesh (Jesus), and came to the earth to redeem man back to himself, but while in the earth, His works were limited to a single vessel (Jesus), a single location, and the technology of that time. Jesus did some amazing things during His time with man, and His works continue to resonate during this 21st century, but what did He mean when He said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father” (vs. 12). Where Jesus was limited to a certain place, He now lives in all those who have surrendered themselves to God, and can literally be expressed all over the world, at the same time, through countless believers. Could this be an example of greater works? I dunno… maybe, maybe not. Jesus raised men from the dead, and this was definitely amazing, but we have His power of influence to awaken men from their dead state of living. Could this also be a greater work? I dunno… maybe, maybe not. Jesus was limited to the technology of His time, and worked accordingly with it, but we have access to all sorts of high tech gadgets, that allow us to reach as many as we can with the Gospel message, in a matter of seconds. Could this be a greater work? I dunno… maybe, maybe not.

The Saints of God have the Holy Spirit literally influencing their every move (if they have submitted themselves to Him) and need not follow the man Jesus, as the disciples did, but can carry Him everywhere they go, inside their hearts, to do those things they’ve been empowered to do. This is just awesome in itself! Each believer can operate in the same power as Jesus did, to perform the same miracles He performed, and greater, if the situation demands it.

I’m only limited to what I’ve experienced, and what the news chooses to share with the world, but I am totally convinced, there are men on this planet, who have performed miraculous works, in the name of Jesus. There may not be apostles as there were in the time of Christ, who did those things Jesus did, but we have the same power flowing through us, that walked with the disciples, and we too can be used to do great works, even during these troublesome days.

Don’t limit yourself to the opinions of others, nor by the evil in the land, because God still reigns supreme, and you have His authority to represent His awesomeness, as Jesus did, in your lifetime.

“What do you and God have in common? – Ell

Examine Yourself

Isaiah 27:2-6

Why does God allow people to continue in sin, and get drawn farther and farther away from the truth? Why won’t He simply wipe out all those who refuse to accept His salvation, and move on to the next stage in life? Why is God so merciful? Why is God’s grace sufficient? Why? Why? Why? Well, unlike the wicked men of Noah’s day, God knows that no matter how far men stray from His Word, there’s a chance they will return. God loves His creation, despite how unruly and ignorant they become. Imagine if God judged and condemned you for every sin you committed, what state would you be left in? Without Jesus’ sacrifice, you’d be lost forever, but, because of His unending love, we all can be forgiven, transformed, and engrafted into God’s royal family. Appreciate all the chances God has given you, to come back to your senses, then learn to show compassion to others, who may need a little more time to tighten up. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32 KJV)

“The enemy uses our dirt to shame and manipulate us. God uses it to harden our foundation and strengthen our faith in Him.” – Ell