Tag: Appreciate

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

A True Friend

1 Samuel 19:1-7

Why do men hate you, simply for doing what’s right? Why is jealousy always associated with being blessed by God? Why can’t men appreciate you for who God made you to be, and focus their attention on becoming better persons themselves, rather than seek to tarnish your good reputation. I can safely assume, these are a few of many questions David asked within himself while being pursued by king Saul.

Thankfully for David, there was someone on the inside, who would stand in the gap on behalf of his safety. Jonathan and David had become an inseparable union, one that no man could tear apart, so when Saul gave an order to all his servants, including his son Jonathan, to kill David, this direct command didn’t sit well with the heir to the throne. Jonathan delighted much in David, and could not fathom the idea of seeing him killed, so he confronted his wicked father, and convinced him to retract his order to kill God’s chosen king.

Do you have people in your life, who will stand between you and your enemy, in order to seek peaceful resolution, or are all your friends as fickle as a flame, and wouldn’t hesitate to leave you in harm’s way? Give God praise for all those you can truly call friend, and make sure to take a moment to let them know how much you appreciate them.

“We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.” – 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

The Name Of The Lord

And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it [is] secret?” (Judges 13:18 KJV). In all the years I’ve studied the Scriptures, I’ve never understood, “the name of the Lord”, as I just discovered five minutes ago (I guess I’m a late bloomer). There are scholars and historians, who debate over what God’s actual name is, and invest years of research, trying to discover it. But, I’ve gained a greater understanding of where our focus, in God’s name, should be directed.

In the same way children are to reverence and respect their parents, by calling them father and mother, or mom and dad, Christians are to acknowledge God, not by an actual name, but who He actually is. God is our Father, who resides in Heaven, and we are to do as Moses did in our text, and “publish the name of the Lord…” (vs. 3). To publish can also mean to proclaim, or make known. When making mention of “the name of the Lord”, we should actually proclaim who, and what God represents. One verse reads, “the name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10). The prophet Isaiah understood the relevance in God’s power and authority, rather than trying to figure out what His name was when he wrote, “I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” (Isaiah 42:8).

When men hear “the name of the Lord”, God, Lord, and all the other terms in Scripture that represent the Father, it’s more important that they gain an understanding of who God is, what He represents, and how powerful and unmatched His authority is. The same applies to us, when we acknowledge our parents. I don’t make it a habit of calling my mom and dad by their first names, because it’s been looked upon as a sign of disrespect. Instead, I acknowledge them by who they are, and respect what their roles represent.

God isn’t moved by men who make attempts to learn His actual name, because it means nothing, if they don’t know what the name truly stands for. Rather than spending time trying to figure out what “the name of the Lord” is, redirect your attention to all the amazing things God stands for, as well as what He expects from those who love Him. Respect God’s position as Father, and stay in your lane, as His child, walking in obedience to His commands.

(Exodus 3:13-15 KJV) “And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.”

(Jeremiah 16:21 KJV) “Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name [is] The LORD.”

The original Passover celebration

Deuteronomy 16:1-8

Keeping the Passover was commanded by God, so that the children of Israel would always remember the night God delivered them out of Egyptian oppression. Not only was it commanded so they’d never forget God’s unmerited grace, but also that their children, and children’s children would know what God did for His people, throughout all their generations. There would come times when the children of Israel would become faint of heart at the sign of opposition or temptation, but what God did for them in Egypt was intended to remind them that if He was able to miraculously deliver them then, He could do even greater works through them after.

In our lives, we celebrate events like weddings, birthdays, the birth of children, the revealing of the sex of a child (still scratching my head on that one), graduations, promotions, etc., but how often do we commemorate spiritual moments? For instance, as a child, I used to hear the seasoned saints often mention the actual time, date, and place they gave their hearts to God. I didn’t pay much attention to this until I got older, and realized that it was indeed helpful to think back on the time God saved you, for encouragement, enrichment, and motivational purposes. Hearing how God sustained the older believers for soooo long, encouraged me to continue walking in holiness; striving to endure to the end, as they did.

God does so many things for us that we often forget to thank Him for including breath, health, and provision. Although we may not thank God enough for what He does in our lives, we should at least have a few dates set where we stop, and give God glorious praise for things and situations He delivered us from. I’ve heard stories of some who were under the influence of certain bad habits for years, that could have even costed them their lives, but God delivered them from their addictions, and allowed them time to enjoy physical and mental health once again. Others I’ve heard were living in oppression in their own houses, being abused verbally, physically and mentally, but God stepped in right on time to save them, before they lost their lives.

Take time now to think on all the good things God did specifically for you, write them down, and as you wipe the tears from your eyes in thanks and appreciation, make a vow to never let a day go by without praising Him for what He does for you on a daily basis. Then, encourage others to do the same, so that the body of Christ can keep a mindset of gratefulness and appreciation for the One who loves and cares for us the most.

Walk in love,

Ell