Without Love

1 Corinthians 13

Can you imagine what this world would be like, if love was nonexistent? The state of this present world is far from ideal, but remove love from it, and this earth would instantly become unimaginably more dark and corrupt. Without love, nothing would make sense. Life would be lived for vain purposes, gifts would be used to no avail, and the feelings that come with pure acts of love, would never be enjoyed.

Without love, there’s no need to prophesy, preach, teach, admonish, rebuke, or speak with tongues. All is futile, when love is absent from the equation. Love is what makes our deeds and actions meaningful. When we do things in love, it becomes more than a simple act of giving, but an opportunity to spread the goodness of God to all. God is love, so what we do for others must be done with the intentions of pleasing Him, and not ourselves.

Our text vividly expresses the extent to which God’s love is portrayed. We learn from the scriptures, that love is patient, kind, humble, respectful, generous, courteous, compassionate, caring, solid, true, pure, understanding, selfless, giving, and durable. Love is the thread that combines every line of text in the Bible. It’s because of love, God sent His Son to the earth, to give man another chance to enjoy the benefits he willingly handed over to the enemy. Love keeps us strong, in times when we feel like giving up. Love motivates us to meet every challenge of life, head on. Love inspires us to commit our ways to the Lord, while ignoring all temptation that tries to distract us. Love gives us a reason for living, and helps us understand the real purpose of life. Love never fails, never gives up, and always makes us better. Live your life in love, knowing that the love you abide in, is very love of God Himself.

“Let your light shine so bright, until someone can see it in their valley moment.” – Ell

Keep It Simple

1 Corinthians 14:13-19

Doing ministry and works for the kingdom of God, are very noteworthy opportunities. God is the creator of all things, and working to fulfill His purpose is a great thing! I can remember as a child, I always wanted to go out on Saturday mornings, to help my dad and brothers mow lawns. I was always denied that privilege, because I was too small, and would probably hurt myself, or someone else. But, when the opportunity came to assist my dad with his side business, I jumped at the chance to finally contribute to bringing funds to our home. When we do works for the kingdom, it’s so that all members of the body of Christ can be blessed. There’s no secret to what Christians do, and all things are done for edification, and encouragement. For this reason, there should never be a time, when a preacher, teacher, prophet, or anyone who exercises their gift in the body, do so for self gain. Paul mentioned in our text, he can speak with tongues (multiple human languages) more than all of the Corinthian church members, but he would rather speak only five words the people could grasp and understand, rather than 10,000 words that would leave them beyond confused.

Never get so caught up in your spiritual gift, talent, or ability, until you lose focus on God’s purpose to help others, and not hinder them. Take pride in all the great things God has placed inside of you, and be careful not to abuse, misuse, or not use His gifts, but operate in them as they were purposed to be used.

“Let your light shine so bright, until someone can see it in their valley moment.” – Ell

Be Healed!

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Of the many gifts given by God, and the diversities thereof, one that is desired by most people is, the gift of healing. Sickness and pain, and all other unfortunate bodily ailments, invade the lives of many, but healing is desired by all, in order to enjoy the benefits of healthy living. I believe, no man in his right mind desires to suffer sickness, and make attempts to avoid things that cause it. But, God in His never-changing state, can still manifest divine healing to anyone He desires to bless.

The ways of the Lord are far beyond what my 3 pound brain can fathom, so I have limited understanding why so many good people suffer, and deal with sickness and disease, but I’m also fully aware, God takes no pleasure in seeing His children suffer either. There’s reason and purpose behind all things taking place in the earth, and God is fully aware of them all, but if I could operate in the gift of healing, I would make wise use of the gift, and bring change to many hurting individuals. Not only would I heal bodily hurts and pains, but also mental, emotional, and spiritual pains. Around the world, many suffer from inward pains, and other forms of hurt that come through the heart. Physical pain hurts, but emotional suffering can at times, hurt a lot more. While there are no medicines that can heal the pains of the heart, only through the love of God, and His grace and mercy, can healing of the heart truly begin.

Take time today, to pray for those who you know are suffering any kind of sickness, disease, hurt, pain, or shame, and ask God to manifest healing in their lives. We may not operate in the gift of healing, but our fervent prayers can provoke God to send His healing manifestation to those we love and care about, all over the world.

“He died for me… I’ll live for Him.” – Ell

GO TEAM GO!!!

Colossians 1:3-8

Of all that goes into a winning sports program, one of the groups that usually goes unnoticed, yet contributes greatly to their team’s success is, the cheerleaders. According to wikipedia, cheerleading is an activity in which the participants (called “cheerleaders”) cheer for their team as a form of encouragement. It can range from chanting slogans to intense physical activity. It can also be performed to motivate sports teams, to entertain the audience, or for competition. Cheerleading routines typically range anywhere from one to three minutes, and combines variations of tumbling, dance, jumps, and stunts.

Cheerleaders don’t really get much respect, when compared to the athletes running on the field or court, but it’s always good to have someone in your corner rooting for your success, especially when the competition is intense, and overwhelming. One thing that offers certain benefits to the believer is, receiving encouragement from a brother or sister in Christ. Walking the path of righteousness isn’t always easy, and many are tempted to throw in the towel, but no matter how challenging the enemy makes things for the children of God, when they stand with and one mind, one focus, and one goal, they’ll always overcome any obstacle in their path.

Take time to encourage someone you love, and pour into them positive energy, that can help make their journey through life a little easier. “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb 10:23-25).

“He died for me… I’ll live for Him.” – Ell

Quack! Quack!

Philippians 2:1-11

If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, more than likely, it’s probably a chicken. Don’t you agree? I’m only kidding… of course it’s a duck. It’s fairly easy for the average hunter to determine an animal by its tracks, sounds, and other things typical of its behavior. The actions and behaviors of an animal usually stem from their genetic makeup, and associated traits embedded into them, upon creation. Dogs bark, and chase their tails. Cats meow, and leave fur balls in random locations. Birds tweet, cows moo, alligators chomp, and monkeys swing from tree to tree. All these behaviors are expected from each associated animal, and rarely will you find either, behaving like something other than its own kind. Are you beginning to see where this lesson is going? If, not then I’ll get straight to the point.

All who are sons and daughters of God, are expected to behave in the earth, as Jesus did. This is because, the children of God are to operate with the same mind that was in Christ Jesus. Jesus was the most selfless man to walk the face of the earth. He would daily empty Himself of His own desires, so that He could be filled with all that His Father planned for Him to do. Jesus is the Son of God, and His actions and behavior proved this fact on a consistent basis. God is love, and Jesus showed love to the weak, weary, and even His enemies. God is faithful, and we can find countless scriptures where Jesus always kept His word. God is holy, and Jesus built a strong reputation of shunning the world, while representing all things holy.

During His brief visit to the earth, Jesus came as God in the form of a man, but never deviated from His divine nature, or behavior. Do you call yourself Christian, child of God, believer, or disciple? If so, does your life and daily behavior typify what you claim to be?

“He died for me… I’ll live for Him.” – Ell

A Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:1-8

To sacrifice, in a natural sense, is to give up something you want to keep, in order to get or do something else, or to help someone with a need. People make sacrifices daily, for purpose specific to their situations. From a biblical perspective, sacrificing originally involved killing clean, and unblemished animals, to offer as a means of atonement to God, for man’s sins. Sacrifices were also offered to acknowledge guilt, fellowship, and many other things.

The sole purpose of a sacrifice is, something has to be given up, permanently. Interesting, isn’t it? Based on this fact, how is the believer supposed to be a “living sacrifice”? Are they to walk around as a zombie, like in Walking Dead? No, not at all. Instead, being a living sacrifice involves giving up all things that are contrary to holiness. Our old man has desires that the flesh yearns to fulfill, but the new man puts to death, all those things God despises.

A living sacrifice is witnessed through the lives of those who are holy, and make godly living their standard. It’s common for a Saint to act like Christ did, while in the earth, maintaining all the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit. During His time with His family and disciples, Jesus never conformed to worldly standards. In fact, He stressed vehemently the will of His Father to all who would listen.

To be like Christ, we must experience a total transformation, by first renewing our minds. If satan can trap the mind of a man, he can then easily overtake the soul and body. For this reason, it’s crucial that we guard our minds against all evil and wickedness, and not give in to the temptations that are daily set before us.

To prove God’s perfect will for our lives, we must maintain His holy standard, in all areas of our lives, remembering that we are the salt of the earth, and we were called to season, preserve, and irritate as God’s Spirit directs.

As you continue on your path, guard yourself against the attacks of the enemy, while keeping yourself unspotted from the world. Although we are in this world, we must not allow ourselves to become what it represents. Be that living sacrifice, that’s holy, and acceptable to God, all the days of your life.

“He died for me… I’ll live for Him.” – Ell

Treat All Men The Same

1 Samuel 30:21-25

Our lesson’s text gives two very good examples of treating all men fairly. I’ve mentioned in the previous lessons, the importance of showing love to everyone, because this is the very nature of Christ. God uses men in different ways, and for various purposes, so it’s important that we always treat men with love and kindness, despite who they are. The first example in our text took place when the Amalekites cruelly left an Egyptian slave in a field to die. The man had taken sick, and was left alone in his state of suffering and misery. Fortunately, David’s men found the slave, brought him to the king, and nursed him back to health. The man was key in assisting David in overcoming the wicked Amalekites. While the slave was left to die, God used him to lead David and his men to victory. David and his men showed kindness to the feeble stranger, and in return, he was kind enough to lead them to their enemy. As I’ve stated earlier, be mindful how you treat those you meet, because you never know how God will use them to help you, or haunt you.

The second example of showing kindness to all men can be found in the latter verses of the same chapter. In this instance, David and his men had returned to their camping spot, with all the spoils from the Amalekites, including their wives and children who had been taken captive. Earlier during the pursuit of the enemy, some of David’s men had grown weary, and couldn’t press on, so they were assigned the duty of holding up by the brook Besor, to guard their supplies and munitions of sort. After returning, “all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David”, felt that those who stayed behind were not worthy to receive any of the spoils. Wait a minute…so David fought with wicked men in his army? That’s what it looks like, doesn’t it? Well, I’ll dive into that in another lesson. Anyhoo, the men who fought against the enemy, disapproved of the men who stayed behind of receiving any of the spoils, but king David made a statute and ordinance for Israel, that all men who participate in any function of battle, whether it be front line, or stay behind, will all share the spoils together.

Fighting a war or battle takes more than armed soldiers, but a good military makes wise use of various support systems. In addition, churches and other organizations couldn’t function without secretaries, trainers, administrators, and other positions that usually go unnoticed. Stop hating on people who get blessed for presumably not putting in as much effort as you may be contributing, because all aspects and functions of any group or organization are important for its overall success.

“He died for me… I’ll live for Him.” – Ell

Who Is My Neighbor?

Luke 10:25-37

God is love, and His love extends far beyond human comprehension, but the understanding we gain from how the Scriptures define what love is, is vital for all Saints to grasp and apply in their daily living. There are innumerable aspects to God’s love, some of which include compassion, mercy, grace, kindness, humility and many more, and all of them can be exercised by those who truly walk according to holiness. All who are in Christ Jesus, should be readily available to express the love of God in all situations, especially in times when others have great needs. We should not show favor to some, while disregarding others, because we were called to win the lost, and edify our brothers. In other words, we can’t refuse help to those who aren’t joined to the church, and we must not turn our faces from our brothers or sisters, who reach out for a helping hand. God truly loves everyone, and expects His people to distribute His love to all who have need of it.

Most of us know the story of the “Good Samaritan”, so I won’t delve too deep into it, but this story helps us understand, despite the title we wear, or position we hold, we should never allow those to keep us from helping someone in need. If Jesus could leave Heaven, and come to earth to save us, then we should never miss an opportunity to lend a hand to anyone, whether they be saved, or lost. In the Bible, the Samaritans were considered half-breeds, and were shunned by many, but when the certain Samaritan in our text saw a man battered, bruised, and near death, he had compassion on him, took care of his wounds, and carried him to safety. The priest and levite should have been ashamed of not representing God’s love in the time of need, and we should also be mindful not to allow our status, title, or the opinions of others, to keep us from showing love to all men, no matter their ethnicity, background, or the color of their skin.

“He died for me… I’ll live for Him.” – Ell

Because He Cares

John 4:1-15

Have you considered lately, how special you are to God? The Lord loves you so much, that He daily loads you with benefits, keeps you filled with His Spirit, and protects you from seen, and unseen danger every day. That’s enough to lift your head to the sky and say, “Lord, I Thank You!” God made every man and woman unique, yet He loves them all the same. What the Father will do for one, He’ll also do for the other, because He is no respecter of persons. There’s no matter too great, or small, that God won’t take time to help us get through it. Like a loving father who cares for his children, God makes sure that the body of Christ is properly cared for, on a daily basis. Even during moments when God has to remove all our distractions, so that He can have our full attention, this proves that He is not too sovereign, until He can’t have private moments with His children. A good father listens to his children, and allows them to build faith and trust in their credibility. To the believer, there’s no one more credible than the One who created all things, and sustains His creation without assistance. Saints have the liberty to come to God anytime, anywhere, and with any issue, and He’ll always provide some means of understanding of how to handle the problems we face in life. Learn to appreciate God, not because of what He does for us, but just for who He is.

“He died for me… I’ll live for Him.” – Ell

For The Faith

Acts 7:9-15

Does being a good person exempt you from trouble? Oh, how I wish that were true. Being good, and doing good is expected behavior of the children of God, and He honors obedience by bestowing blessing to His people. But, while God seeks only to bless the church for obedience, satan desires to block and hinder God’s people from continuing in holiness. The devil and his minions try hard to bring down, and defame the body of Christ. Men who fall under the influence of satan, allow themselves to become wicked tools that work against the righteous, and some actually seem to succeed.

In our text, God had been using Stephen in a mighty way, to do great wonders and miracles among the people. All the works he did, and words he spoke were inspired by God. Unfortunately, while Stephen was busy tending to the Lord’s business, a group of jealous, hateful men assembled together to conspire against him. Anytime you set your affections solely toward God, expect someone to try hard to block your focus. The cruel and corrupt religious folk went so far as to lie on Stephen, as well as hire others to do underhand work for money. How low can you go? You’d think men not affiliated with the synagogue would do these hateful things to Stephen, but the same men who claimed Moses as their father, sought only to destroy the innocent, and anointed man of God.

It matters not how much good you do in this life, there will ALWAYS be those who seek to bring you down, but when your faith and trust rest in the Lord, He’ll give you the wisdom and power you need to minister, despite those who diligently conspire against you.

Stephen’s life was eventually taken by evil and corrupt men, but the message he left still resounds even to this day. If God were to call you home tomorrow, what would people remember you by? Would you be missed more for how you influenced others to get closer to God, or would your life be soon forgotten, because the works you did revolved only around selfish desires?

“He died for me… I’ll live for Him.” – Ell