Jim… Jones

Psalm 37:23

Why do good people follow bad men? Being good, doesn’t exclude one from making unwise decisions. On the contrary, good and bad people alike, are susceptible to falling into error. Evil men thrive on manipulating others, in order to gain support for their wicked agendas. The more people who fall into the snare of deception, the greater the chance of increasing evil men’s influence. The key to avoid becoming a negative statistic, and joining yourself to an unhealthy cause is, place your trust and hope in the God who created all things, rather than a man or woman who has the power to create nothing.

Fruitful In The Famine

Genesis 41:25-33, 37-40, 50-52

Why do bad things happen to good people? Well, bad things happen to everyone, but it seems, at times, that the good suffer unnecessarily, simply for doing what’s right. Many have lost their lives in the past, for standing for truth, and although they were unable to live full lives, their message still resonates in our current time. In Scripture, Stephen was stoned to death, for doing great wonders and miracles among the people, and teaching the truths of Jesus. Many who strive to do good, suffer unfortunate hardships, but God sees all, and can use those hardships to promote those who endure them.

Our text summarizes the theme of Joseph’s life. Although he didn’t suffer death from all his negative occurrences, God proved to him that those who remain obedient to His Word, can and will be rewarded in the earth. Aside from being blessed during the famine, Joseph’s obedience to God caused him to become ruler of Egypt. Pharoah said to Joseph, “only in the throne will I be greater than thou” (vs. 40b). Wow, what an honor! Allow this lesson to encourage you to continue fighting the good fight. Bad things will happen to good people, but God will use those bad experiences, to elevate them to greater levels in Himself, and among men.

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

Ell

When Bad Does Good

Joshua 2:1-7

According to biblical references, harlots in Scripture were considered women who were known to commit fornication and adultry, to be unfaithful, and some were even forced into the life of prostitution against their own will. While it’s known, many women willingly sell their bodies for filthy gain, some have defiled themselves because of the pressure from others.

Our text mentions Rahab, also recorded as Rachab (of the genealogy of Christ). This woman was known in her community as a harlot. Although very little details are mentioned concerning her family and lifestyle, it is noted that she owned a house. Most prostitutes seen today hang out on street corners, and some have literally no place to live. It’s unfortunate how many potentially great women have resulted to such a degrading profession, but as long as they have breath in their bodies, they can still change their way of living, and do good for God. Rather than judge those whom you have little to no knowledge concerning their situation, pray for them, and hope that God will give them a mind to change their ways, and start living for Him.

Rahab may not have been the town nun, but what she did in our text, was noted in the Bible as a great faith act. While hiding the spies sent by Joshua, and seemingly lying about it may seem minuscule at first glance, her protecting of God’s men was essential in saving her own life, and the lives of her household. Just because you’ve done bad things in your life, doesn’t exclude you from doing great works for the Lord. Although Rahab was a harlot, her act of faith, and good works literally gave her, and her family, another chance to be redeemed.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold… don’t become one of them.

Ell

How Bad Do You Want It?

Proverbs 2:1-11

When we desire something, like we really really want it, we’ll go through great lengths to obtain it. A man who yearns to be with a specific woman, will do all he can to study her, so that he can do all the things she likes, in hopes of winning her favor. Men have been known for buying women cars, expensive clothing, and even jewelry, hoping they’ll eventually fall for them. Real women desire things that are more fulfilling, rather than material things, but men still try nonetheless. Another example is, how college scouts go over and beyond, to try and convince high school student-athletes to enroll in their school, and athletic program. They sacrifice time and money, to schedule visits to meet and greet with the child, and their family. Some have even been fined and put in jail, from taking risks like buying homes and cars, in order to convince the family that their university is worth attending. People have done strange things, to prove that what they desire, is worth fighting for. Unfortunately, most of those things offered little to no eternal value. If men sought diligently to learn the knowledge of God, more than they do worldly things, their lives would produce entirely different outcomes.

Many who claim to be Christians, struggle with understanding their purpose in life. One reason this happens is, they neglect to handle the first steps in growing, and maturing in God. The Bible teaches that we are to incline our ears unto wisdom, hide the commandments of God in our hearts, and seek after knowledge and understanding wholeheartedly. When it comes to understanding things like the stock market, politics, and other worldly interests, men go all out to understand all the juicy details, so they can gain an advantage in obtaining benefits for themselves. But, when it comes to pondering through verses of scripture, to gain a better understanding of what God expects from us, we automatically become lax, and prefer to hear sermons from televangelists, or YouTube. Why is it, when some people read the Bible, they always get sleepy? Hmm… in any case, it’s imperative that we obtain, and utilize the wisdom God gives, so that our souls can be kept, and our bodies preserved.

Do you desire God enough to spend at least an hour per day, meditating on His Word? If not, what is currently taking the place of the time God deserves? Always remember, only what you do for Christ, can impact your eternity in a positive way, but lacking a desire to grow in godliness, proves that the love you should have for God, is being invested in something else.

Keep your chin up… it’s easier to see Heaven that way,

Ell

Mediator of the new covenant

Hebrews 8:1-12

Does God make mistakes? If not, then why is there so much trouble in the world? Fair question, but one of the best things God ever did was create living beings with the freedom to make their own decisions. Could you imagine what the world be like if everything was created as robots, to only do what God required, and nothing could willingly go against His commands? For one thing, there would definitely be peace and tranquility in the land, but Heaven and earth would be missing a sense of genuine authenticity that comes with the power of personal choice. God made everything, then called it good, and very good, but one being’s pride caused changes in God’s original plan for creation that continue to plague the world to this very day.

In an effort to unify God’s people to Himself, a covenant was established, whereby men were granted promises, but only if they obeyed what was written in the law. The first covenant wasn’t a mistake that God implemented, rather it had faults and had to be done away with, because although it helped men live according to a better standard, it didn’t provide salvation and eternal life. Where the first covenant’s laws were written on external sources, according to the new covenant, God put His laws into men’s hearts and minds. This is interesting on so many levels, because having God’s words written in your mind and heart eliminate all excuses as to not knowing what He expects from you. In addition, every man can know God for themselves, and it would be difficult for pride to overtake the minds of those who have full knowledge, and understanding of the will of God.

Unlike the first covenant which had no mediator, but priests who offered gifts and sacrifices to God, Christ Jesus, the Son of the true and living God, serves as the high priest, who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice to God, so that the new covenant could be sustained forever. Jesus is indeed the everlasting high priest, and has made the only true atonement for man’s sins. It’s because of Christ, that no matter where a person is, or how bad their circumstances in life are, no one is too far that His grace cannot reach them, and His love can’t save them. Thank you Father for a new, and better covenant!

Walk in love,

Ell

Children suffer for adults’ sin

Numbers 14:31-35

What do you do, when the thing you feared most, finally comes to pass? Your doctor warns you to eat healthier and exercise, but you constantly ignore their advice, then later find yourself sitting on that same doctor’s table with a sickness that could have been easily avoided, had you only listened. In another instance, your spouse, or friend, tells you to drive according to the speed limit, and avoid high speeds, but your lead foot is too heavy to control. You eventually are discovered in a car, flipped upside down, and resting in the shrubbery on the side of the road, because of an accident you incurred from driving too fast on the interstate. Both instances mentioned happen to people on a daily basis, but could be avoided so easily. What makes matters worse is, when those who fail to follow sound advice, suffer, and their suffering also affects their children as well. Developing children need good parents to raise them well, and teach them the ways of life, but when those parents are “gone too soon”, those they leave behind are left to suffer, and deal with adjusting to life without their greatest support.

How sad it is to see children suffer, especially those who hardly have anyone to help them, but the more you read the Bible, the more you’ll discover that there’s really nothing new under the sun. The thing the children of Israel feared most had finally came to pass, after their continual disobedient behavior moved God to destroy them in the wilderness. They were given multiple warnings to give up their disobedient acts, and trust in the words God spoke through Moses, but they boldly refused, and were ultimately sentenced to death. God spared the children of the disobedient adult generation, and granted them access into Canaan, but from the older generation’s disobedience, the children were issued punishment as well. They were forced to wander the wilderness 40 years, until all of those who rebelled against God were dead.

Are you living to make life better, or worse for those coming behind you? Be sure to monitor your daily actions, and keep them aligned with things that are pleasing, and acceptable to God, because you never want to make life more harder than it will already be on those coming up after you.

Walk in love,

Ell

The Father honors those who follow

John 12:20-26

“🎶🎵Following the leader, the leader, the leader, we’re following the leader, wherever he may go.🎶🎵” These are the words to a famous children’s song written by Bobby Driscoll and Paul Collins. Life is just as simple as the words from that song. Everyone is following someone to their expected end. On the one hand, many who live in sin are following after satan (some unawares), and their final destination is set to a place of everlasting suffering. On the other hand, those who commit their lives to following Christ, have cemented their reservations to spend the rest of their existence with the God of all creation.

Jesus came from Heaven to earth, to reveal to mankind, God in the flesh. He lived a sinless life, while fulfilling God’s will, without error. His purpose was to tear down the wall that divided the Jews from the Gentiles, so that all men could be welcomed into God’s royal family. Knowing that Jesus is the only way to the Father, it’s sad that many still refuse to accept Christ as their leader. I’ve mention in many lessons prior to this one, how many are distracted by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, which blinds their eyes with carnal things, that hinder them from joining in union with God. These persons willingly ignore every call to come to Jesus, and choose instead to “live it up”, or “get rich, or die trying.” But to those who ignore the pleasures of this world, turn from their sin, and seek after God and His righteousness, these are those who are held in high regard by God Himself. When we desire to live the “good life” on this earth, we forfeit the opportunity to see Christ in peace, but when we seek first God’s kingdom, and His righteousness in our every day living, we can anticipate an everlasting life full of peace, love, and godly pleasures.

Walk in love,

Ell