Rolling Stone

Matthew 28:1-10

The stone that secured the tomb where Jesus’ body was laid, was not rolled away by the disciples, whom the chief priests and Pharisees assumed would steal the body away, but by an unexpected visitor from Heaven. The angel of the Lord removed the stone, so that others could see that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead, as He boldly prophesied. History records that stones made to secure tombs were an average of a few tons, and while it was task rolling it into place to cover the opening, it was even more difficult to remove it. Fortunately, God sent an angelic being with powers beyond normal men, who entered earth’s atmosphere, causing a great earthquake, then easily rolled the stone away and sat on top of it, until the women who followed Jesus arrived. God knew the disciples and women who followed Jesus still didn’t believe, nor understand the words He spoke concerning His resurrection, so He had a plan to make certain all their doubts would be removed.

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

You Are Alive!

Psalm 106:1-6, 16-22

Why do you think you’re still alive? Why is it, out of all the people who’ve died this year, God continues to spare your life? Have you ever considered what a blessing it is, to simply see another day? There are people who wake up with murmuring and complaining on their lips, without considering that their first words should be to give God thanks and praise for another day on the earth. Could it be, those who refuse to acknowledge that the breath of life could easily be removed from them, have their minds fixed on earthly pleasures and treasures? Or, perhaps those who are ungrateful for God’s mercy have yet to taste and see how good a life in service to the Father really is. Whatever the case, God has everlasting mercy, and He has spared our lives for such a time as this.

We are living out the days of prophecy, when the pages of Scripture are being fulfilled. Whether we are in the will of God or not, the Bible will indeed fulfill itself. While we yet live, it’s crucial that we learn what is expected of us from the Father, and diligently carry it out. Why live on the earth going through hell, then die and spend eternity in unending hell?

Every man and woman created by God has a purpose, and a role to play in fulfilling His will. Regardless of what God has proposed for you to do in this life, you must do it wholeheartedly, and with a mind set on pleasing God. When God is pleased with our lives, He’ll grant us blessings in the earth, then can benefit our lives, and the lives of those around us.

The state of the world looks miserable, and the church seems to have lost its strength, but this is the time for the body of Christ, to join together in union, and reignite their passion for holiness. You are alive, because God is not done with you. You are alive, because you have work left to do in the earth. You are alive, because many people are depending on you to be strong, so they can continue to gain strength from your consistent faith. You are alive, because you know that you are special in God’s eyes, and you want to prove to Him, no matter what comes your way, you will not give up, nor give in to the pressures of life. You are AMAZING! You are FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made! You are SPECIAL! You are CHOSEN! You are a CONQUEROR! You are a WINNER! You are ALIVE, so appreciate every breath you breath, because you never know when those breaths will run out.

Why does the living man complain?

Ell