Living wisely

Colossians 4:1-6

When people hear the words that flow from your lips, what impression are they left with in their minds? Do you often speak words that are pure, true, and holy, that leave others yearning to engage in future conversations with you, or are your words sharp, piercing, and full of gossip, that cause men to turn away when they see you coming? The body of Christ should make it a priority to always use wisdom in their communication, and speak with grace, seasoned with salt, or answers that will oppose sin and preserve the truth of God’s Word. As Christians, our words should be Christian (Christ-like), holy, wise, respectful, courteous, and desirable. More important than speaking wise words, believers are to portray wisdom in all their actions as well. Imagine how many mistakes you could have avoided in life, by simply seeking wise counsel before making certain choices. God is always available to give us His wisdom whenever we ask, and I’m convinced He knows quite a bit more than we do.

James helps us understand, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (1:5). King Solomon also taught “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7). The life we live on this earth is meant to mirror the same life Jesus lived while in His earthly body. Although we may not be direct descendants of the holy Trinity, we have been engrafted into the same royal bloodline of Christ. Men witnessed how Jesus carried Himself on a daily basis. The words He used were holy, pure, and edifying. His actions were in line with the same will that His Father sent Him to fulfill. Not once did He deviate from His assignment, and many benefited from His unending love and grace. We too have an assignment to carry out, and all eyes are watching as we attempt to fulfill it. Our lives are intended to leave a positive impact on the saved, and the unsaved. At no point should a believer become a hindrance or stumbling block to anyone lost, or seeking a better life. Just as Jesus did, we should continue in the works of healing, prophecy, preaching, teaching, and edifying fellow Christians.

The sole purpose of our time on this earth is to obey God, and keep His commandments. In doing so, our actions will be aligned with God’s will, we will treat all men with love and respect, and we will live with very limited mistakes, because the wisdom from God will guide our thoughts and actions.

Walk in love,

Ell

Jesus teaches about right attitudes

Matthew 5:1-12

During this time in our text, Jesus had made a reputation for Himself, as the fame of His teaching, preaching, and miraculous healing spread throughout the lands. As He, along with His newly appointed disciples continued to explore Galilee, Jesus made notice of the large gathering of people who came to see Him, so He sought an elevated place, from where He could be positioned, so that everyone in attendance could hear Him speak. Jesus didn’t go up into a mountain to puff Himself up and belittle the people, instead, He wanted all to hear the wonderful teaching He had in store for them. Jesus always took advantage of opportunities to minister when crowds gathered, and His purpose was to save the lost, so He never missed an opportunity to do so.

This lesson’s text also introduces the “beattitudes”, or behaviors that resemble godliness, and in turn, render great rewards. I often stress that Christians are to carry themselves in the same light as Jesus did when He walked the earth, so our behavior and conduct should be very similar to His. According to the text, those who surrender their lives to God, and strive to obey His Word, are considered blessed in so many ways. All who remain humble and obedient, will one day enjoy the vast wonders of the kingdom of Heaven. Even to those who may be experiencing seasons of loss and mourning, God will never leave them comfortless. There are innumerable blessings in the earth, that will run down those who are meek, or gentle and submissive. To all who yearn to grow and mature in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, their aspirations will always be satisfied. Mercy is considered not getting the punishments you deserve, so when you show mercy to others, the same will be returned to you. There’s a character in Scripture who was mentioned as a man after God’s own heart, and I often wondered what God saw in this man, for him to be grace with such a title. One thing I know is, when our hearts are pure and clean (following conversion from sinner to Saint), we are then blessed to see and understand the wonderful mysteries of the almighty God. In addition, those who are the children of God are not only pure in heart, but also peacemakers.

The last of the beattitudes aren’t for the the faint of heart, as they involve the part of Christianity many try to avoid: persecution, suffering, false accusations, and the like, but endured for Christ’s sake. As representatives of God, believers should be mindful of how they carry themselves around others. How you live, proves what’s in your heart, and if you claim to be a child of God, there should be no sign of evil or wickedness in any of your actions. An apple can never be an orange, nor can a banana be a grapefruit, so the child of God should never be anything other than what their Heavenly Father is; pure of heart, humble, holy, righteous, loving, kind, merciful and always forgiving.

Walk in love,

Ell

A life pleasing to God

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Is your life pleasing to God? If so, how can you tell? Do you live in such a way that everything you do lines up with what Christ expects of you? Do you love your neighbor as you love yourself, love and bless your enemies, and abstain from all things unholy and ungodly? God set a standard that was established in the earth through His first created human being, Adam, that was carried on by the children of Israel, then expanded through the lives of the Gentiles, and all other nations welcomed into God’s family by way of the cross. The way of holiness stands in stark contrast to the worlds standard of sinful living. Where God says, “vengeance is mine, I will repay”, the world promotes eye for an eye. Christians are to always seek peace in every situation, no matter how frustrating they may be, without allowing themselves to be carried away into anger, that could lead to rage and retaliation.

As children of God, believers are expected to walk differently from those who are walking in sin. As Paul mentioned to the Thessalonians in our text, we too have been commanded to do those things that please God, and not ourselves. The flesh desires things that are contrary to the Spirit. For example, it’s God’s will that His people abstain from fornication, and those things that war against the Spirit. We are to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service, so all our dealings are to be done in love, and without partiality or respect of persons.

With every day God blesses you to see, your motivation should be to strive eagerly, and aspire to be more like Christ. Christians are responsible for preparing themselves to be properly equipped to live effectively among the brethren, as well as those not living holy. Our lives should reflect the same love Christ shared with others, so that instead of turning people away from God with unholy loving, we can win them with love, and the truth of God’s Word.

Walk in love,

Ell

Do not judge

Luke 6:37-45

Nothing does one’s heart good, as seeing justice being served. When you’ve been done wrong, and your accuser is dealt the punishment for their crime, this brings a sense of relief that is pleasing to the soul. Seeing others be judged for their wrongdoing is natural, but when we begin to assume the role of judge and executioner, this presents issues the Bible strongly warns us against.

In the life of the Christian, God executes justice, and judges men according to their works, but many make the mistake of pointing out faults in others, when they themselves have not gotten rid of the faults in their own lives. It’s a dangerous thing to expose the mistakes of others, before cleaning up the residue of your own faults, because this proves the corrupt treasures that lie within your heart. What’s in a man’s heart, will eventually be revealed through their words and actions, and how you treat others, is the same way you’ll be treated in due time.

God is love, and He expects those who serve Him to carry out love through their actions. Rather than judge and expose the faults of others, we should cover them, without causing them shame and embarrassment. The problem with some people is, they enjoy making others look bad, in order to mask the problems in their own lives. This is ungodly, and wicked to the core. How can a man say he loves God, whom he’s never seen, but hate his own brother or sister he sees naturally? Only hypocrites involve themselves in making known the tiny little splinter of issues in the lives of some people, while trying to hide the giant tree trunk in their lives. It’s rather hard to see my toothpick problem, when you have a telephone pole blocking your view. The nerve of some people, smh.

Believers are admonished to render love in all occasions, to avoid falling into the snare of judgment and condemnation. Good fruit can only come from a good tree, and genuinely good actions can only come from good men, so let your actions reflect the love of God that resides in your heart. Never seek to make others look bad, instead, be merciful, just as your heavenly Father also is merciful.

Walk in love,

Ell

Apostles chosen for ministry

Mark 3:7-19

Raising children, teaching students, or molding the minds of young people in any positive capacity can present the most enjoyable, yet challenging experiences. Parents set good examples for their children to follow, so that when their time comes to be responsible, they’ll be prepared to face adulthood with the necessary tools required to be prosperous in life. In the same sense, good teachers take pride in shaping the minds of their students, in order that they become equipped to face life’s challenges, and use the knowledge they acquire, to become successful. Unfortunately, parenting and teaching are two of the most unappreciated and undervalued virtues in this life. Good parents get labeled as strict and mean for preferring the safety and wellbeing of their children, over trying to be their best friend, and good teachers are criticized for pushing their students to rise above mediocrity, and do their best. The time will come when children will grow up, and students will graduate, and what was instilled in them will be presented with the inevitable challenges of life. A few knicks and bruises from stumbling in the real world, will send a reminder to those who felt they were pushed too hard by teachers, or sheltered by parents, and will humble them to a point where they’d wish they had embraced those teachings more back then.

Our text presents a similar situation where the disciples who were handpicked to study under Jesus’ wing, would soon be ordained to spread their own wings and share the Gospel under the power and authority of their teacher. These twelve men were witnesses of the sinless life Jesus lived, as well as partakers in His miraculous healing, deliverance, and restoration missions. I think it’s safe to assume that the disciple’s ordination came at the most appropriate time, when they were aware of most things involved in following after Christ, and immediately after Jesus felt the immense pressure of multitudes of hurting people pressing hard just to touch Him, so that they could be healed. Placing His power in those He taught and trained, would allow for Jesus to shy away from the spotlight a bit, as it was mentioned in verse twelve, “And he straightly charged them that they should not make him known. Stick a pin in that thought for a moment. Jesus, the only begotten Son of the omnipotent God of all creation, left Heaven, came to earth to die for the sins of men, yet refused to be made known among the earth. How many “preachers” do you know off the top of your head, whose names are known around the globe? I’d bet anyone three dollars and my new box of toothpaste that everyone reading this came up with about five names in less than a minute. Why do Christians want to be so popular on this earth, when we were commissioned to walk in humility? We see the faces of pastors and leaders on book covers, magazines, and always appearing on television shows. We are to walk in the light and knowledge of God’s Word, and not in the spotlight of wicked and selfish men. Now don’t judge my words prematurely, as I commend those who are on platforms, and are using it effectively for the kingdom of God, but to those who want to be relevant by the world’s standard, I shake my head at you, and pray you change before this world consumes you. Notice, that none of the disciples promoted themselves, but were elevated by Jesus, who obviously felt they were ready for such responsibility.

Ok, unpin that pin, and I’ll leave you with these two scriptures: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6).

Walk in love,

Ell

Great rewards to come

Luke 6:17-23

At the end of our time on this earth, God has some wonderful and incredible things prepared for those who withstand the seasons of trial and suffering, and walk in love, without giving in to the pressures of sin. What the body of Christ must understand in the early stages of their changed lives is, suffering is not without purpose, especially when experienced for the name sake of Christ. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us” (2 Timothy 2:12). I often wonder why the church can’t simply live in peace and harmony, while God zaps all wicked people, along with satan, to the plains of oblivion, but when Adam gave his authority over the earth to satan, everything changed. God still reigned supreme over all creation, but He had to adjust things according to His own words. After sin and death came into the earth, man was stripped of his inheritance in God’s kingdom, and required a method of redemption in order to gain back his status in God’s family.

Since the time of Adam until now, suffering has been a consistent part of the life of the believer. Many who lived for God had gone hungry, experienced seasons of lack, and been hated and disregarded by men who even scandalized their good names. One would think that being connected to the God of all creation would ensure that you’d never be in lack, or want for any good thing, but if Jesus suffered the ultimate suffering and persecution without sin in His life, what makes us better, knowing that all of us have sinned, and fallen short of God’s glory?

Although our suffering is far from pleasant and enjoyable, the writer of this lesson’s text encouraged his readers to rejoice and leap for joy when hard times came. Say what!?!? The next time you experience trial and suffering, see how high you can jump and how excited you really are for being hated, slandered, rejected, ridiculed, provoked to wrath, and despised. While it may seem to be a hard thing to do, when you consider how great your rewards are in Heaven, you’ll gladly take your persecution with a smile, and a glass of cold lemonade (as you sip with your pinky sticking out). In those times when we’re scraping to make ends meet, we’re still blessed. When family members, so-called friends, and even coworkers mistreat us, we’re beyond blessed. When people who know we have needs ignore our cries for help, we’re yet blessed. When we suffer for Christ’s sake, we may not see instant rewards on this earth, but believe me, you’re going to get your mind blown away as soon as you step out of mortality, and into immortality.

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Peter 5:10). “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope” (Romans 5:3-4). “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19). “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin” (1 Peter 4:1). “But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled” (1 Peter 3:14). “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake” (Philippians 1:29). “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:3-4).

Walk in love,

Ell

Perfect God’s love among you

1 John 4:7-21

After reading and studying this lesson’s text, I feel led to simply write exactly what the Scripture says, because it’s already stated plainly, simply, and easy to understand. So, here goes…

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation (means by which our sins were forgiven) for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God, love his brother also”. Need I say more?

Walk in love,

Ell

Living among wrongdoers

Psalm 57

Many teach that the proper response to negative treatment is retaliation. When being attacked, whether you’re a Christian or not, rendering a counter attack is the worst possible thing anyone could do. For one thing, prolonging a negative situation is never a healthy option, so stirring up such a fire could cause flames that could affect innocent bystanders as well. Violence never solves anything, it only creates opportunities for people to get hurt spiritually, physically and mentally.

When a person submits their life to God, they automatically become a target for satan to attack, so it’s common for men to harbor ill wills against them. There will even be times when others will have resentment towards a Christian, when they’ve done nothing to cause it. The world hated Jesus, so expect it to also hate the fact that we operate under God’s agenda, and not the devil’s. For the believer, king David left a perfect example of how to conduct oneself in the presence of those who intentionally seek to disrupt their spiritual and mental focus. God sees and knows all that we face in life, but it’s required that we acknowledge Him in all our ways, so David made it his business to approach God with his issue, as well as praise. God knows we need Him, but He also knows when we try to pimp Him. There were many times I prayed to God to get me out of jams, but only to go back into those same situations after He had delivered me. David knew in his heart that He needed God to stand with him against his enemies, so that he would be free to offer more worship, praise, and good deeds that would bring glory to His name. When you seek God’s help, always check your motives for doing so. David also made certain to promote God’s power in his prayer, more than the ploy of those against him. God doesn’t need to be convinced of His power, but we must first convince ourselves that He is able to do “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20).

God stands at the ready to assist His people in all situations, but we must activate that power with our faith. You can sit in a car all day and pray that it starts, but until you turn the key, or push the start button, you’ll sit there until your buttcheeks get numb. In his prayer of distress, David’s faith was shown in his great admiration for God, and His everlasting mercy. When you pray, do you cry and moan about your issue the entire time, or do you reverence God, then get off your knees feeling motivated to knock the devil out like Rocky did against that tall Russian dude? Talking to God should always motivate us to stand strong against our adversary, because it’s in Him that we live, move, and have our being, so acknowledging our association with the greatest source of power known to all creation, gives us the hope we need that all will soon be well.

Never be afraid of what men try to do to you, because they can only go as far as God allows them to. God allows certain situations to occur in order to see what level our faith is, and whether we need to mature more, or use our faith to motivate someone else. “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:44-45a).

Walk in love,

Ell

Hearts united in love

Colossians 2:1-15

When a person finally grows weary of trying to live by their own methods of understanding and wisdom, then surrenders their life to God, it’s of great importance that they connect to those who are well-versed in Scripture, and can assist them in understanding the wonderful and amazing new person they’ve now become. Many churches and televangelists often walk those seeking salvation through the “sinner’s prayer”, by having them recite a few words, claiming their salvation. While there are those who deem this method improper and ineffective, I support it, as there are many who don’t know how to be saved, and need spiritual guidance. The apostle Paul made it clear in Romans 10:9-10, when he wrote, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” How would someone straight off the street, and without knowledge of Christ, know the proper way to come to Him, except he be led by one who’d already walked the path?

Although confession alone doesn’t bring salvation, it’s the belief in the love and grace of God that makes the difference. Salvation is absolutely free, and we did nothing to earn it, but because of God’s unending love for His creation, He offers it daily to all who will receive it. Seasoned believers are tasked with the responsibility of helping new converts understand how deep the love of God goes in Christianity. Many are daily deprived of the knowledge of all the things they have access to in God, because no one takes the time to reveal to them the full assurance of understanding of the mysteries of God, in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid.

As the body of Christ, the church is tightly knit together in love, and is required to bring comfort to the hearts of the brethren, and not division and discord. Many in churches and religious groups around the world are being spoiled, or robbed of their blessings and benefits from Christ by false teachers. My heart goes out to all the unsuspecting souls that are being carried off as plunder and booty (as pirates operate) by men and women who deceive them through worldly principles, and ways that contradict the Bible. Paul warned the Colossian church in our text to beware of such men, and cling to Christ, because in Him we are complete. When something is complete, it has all the necessary and appropriate parts it needs, so desiring or adding anything additional is unnecessary and irrelevant. When the heart of a man is united with Christ, it needs nothing else to become complete. Yes, he will need to mature and grow in grace, but in Him, he’s been circumcised by the putting off of the sins of his flesh. No more work needs to be done to bring salvation to men; they are only required to confess, believe, and receive the only free gift that can grant access to the unimaginable love that comes from the eternal, and all-powerful God.

Maintain your union with Christ

Colossians 2:16-23

If Jesus had not given His life so that mankind could be redeemed, then we’d all still be commanded to honor the whole law of Moses which was against us, and contrary to us. God the Father made sure to have that law taken out, and nailed to the cross with Jesus, along with the powers of satan to kill and condemn man to eternal damnation. Jesus took the law of Moses out of the way so that we wouldn’t have to remain under its curse. Now that it’s been removed, it’s wise that we not stumble over it again, and keep it far away from us. There were many in the past, who continued to follow things in the law that were abolished, including the use of clean and unclean animals, holydays, festivals, and sabbaths. These men would cause others to feel convicted, if they didn’t follow the strict rules of the old law. None of the old law restrictions are commanded in the new covenant, so men are now free to do as they please in those things. As I often mention, being redeemed doesn’t give the body of Christ a license to live frivolous and wild, instead, it allows us to love freely, without the penalty attached to disobeying the handwriting of old ordinances. Even in modern churches, many are led to believe that certain traditions are mandatory in fellowship and worship, but those things are only kept as tradition, and should not convict others of wrongdoing.

Never let a man force you to do anything Jesus died for on the cross. The Spirit of God lives inside of all those who’ve been redeemed, and He alone convicts men of the error in their ways. Christ did an amazing thing for everyone in bringing salvation through His blood, and making us free from sin by the Holy Spirit. Be mindful of those who nullify the fact that you were born-again in the Spirit, and take delight in inducing you to walk according to the flesh. The body depends on the Head, which is Christ, and human religion is powerless against anything spiritual. In all you do in this life, be certain to maintain your union with Christ. Without the head, the body won’t function, so keep God first in all things, and study the Word for yourself, so that you’ll never be deceived by carnal men who aim to satisfy the flesh, over the Spirit.

Walk in love,

Ell