A Different Kind Of Love

Luke 6:27-36

What does love look like in 2020? In the days of the Old Testament, men and women would receive blessings from God for their obedience. The people of God in ancient times were purposed to stand in contrast to the fashions of the world. God often reveal His love in many ways, but mostly through giving His people victory in battle, providing for all their natural needs, and keeping them safe in their own lands.

God’s children were oftentimes separated from the world, and were consistent in keeping with godly gatherings and traditions. Fast forward to present day, and we see an entirely different world. Gone are the days of God’s people fighting against invading nations and giants, and being in the presence of God, who would reveal Himself in different forms. Today seems more challenging for the church to function as a collective group, as in times past, because we are now living in the midst of sinners on a regular basis. The children of God are exposed to sinful people on their jobs, in department stores, and nearly every place they dwell in the earth. It’s nearly impossible to avoid a sinful encounter, but despite the change in times, the church has even more opportunity to spread God’s love, even to those not engrafted into His family.

Back in the day, God would use one man or woman to speak on His behalf, but today, all members of the body of Christ are ambassadors of God. While we strive to build up and edify one another in the body, we must equally distribute that same love to our enemies. Rather than slaughter all those who opposed the God of Creation, as they did in the past, our duty today is to win our enemies to the Lord’s side. I don’t fully understand the purpose and reason behind the events of the past, but I do know, we have an assignment today, to show love, and not hate, to all men, especially those who despise and despitefully use us. Love is seen, when we can hug someone who purposely tried to harm us. Love is witnessed, when someone attempts to take something from us wrongfully, and we offer to give them more. The world will never understand the nature of God’s love, because it totally contradicts man’s logic, but it’s only through the love of God, can man truly find purpose in this life, and the next.

“It’s okay to ask God for what you want, but don’t be surprised when He gives you what you need.” – Ell

What A Wonderful World

Genesis 41:34-36

What kind of world would this be, if men weren’t so hungry for material possessions? I grew up under the philosophy of, “sharing is caring”, so it was natural for me to always extend a helping hand to anyone who needed one, even during my adolescent stage. As I matured, I began to notice how people were very selfish, and preferred to keep all their goods to themselves, rather than share what they had with others, who had little to none.

When a man receives the love of God in his heart, then allows that same love to blossom in his life, he’ll see things different from the way average men perceive things. If you take a poll on everyone who’s net worth exceeds a million dollars, I can guarantee you, most of them are insecure about their wealth, and keep a tight grip on it, without giving hardly any away. God is all about togetherness, unity, and humility, but the world teaches the philosophy of “get all you can, and can all you get”.

🎵🎶 If e-ve-ry bo-dy, was like Jesus, what a won-der-ful world, this would be 🎶🎵 (song performed by the late, great, and unique Inez Black). I wish I could wake up tomorrow, and see that the world was changed dramatically. I would jump for joy to see that racism had finally ceased, taxes disappeared, and all men treated one another, the same way they would desire to be treated. Well, that’s only wishful thinking, because men in this world will continue to grow worse. But, the hope we have in Christ Jesus, who went away to prepare a wonderful place for the Saints, keeps us motivated to endure this world of evil, until our time in this earth comes to its end. While we wait, let’s strive to be kind to one another, serve the Lord with gladness, smile to brighten someone’s day, and extend a helping hand, to those who are in need, especially if they are your enemy.

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

Ell

Gifted!

Genesis 41:9-13

The body of Christ is fitly joined together with countless members, each having their own talents, gifts, and special abilities. The Bible mentions some gifts as prophecy, teaching, helps, and many others. All of what we do for the kingdom of God is important, and not one person does God favor over another, because He loves us all the same.

In order to effectively walk worthy of the vocation, or calling wherewith we were called, we must remain humble, and patiently navigate according to God’s timing. Too often, many who discover their gift in God, have a tendency of stepping out too early, before fully understanding how to operate in that gift. While gifts indeed come without repentance, we must not abuse God’s blessings by operating in them unworthily, or before time. For example, if God called you to prophesy, it wouldn’t be wise for you to use your gift for show, or selfish gain. Instead, your gift of prophecy should be used to help the church grow, and edify all who need to be lifted.

In our text, Joseph had the gift of interpreting dreams, and God allowed him to exercise that gift at appointed times, and for specific people. Joseph didn’t attempt to go around interpreting everyone’s dreams, in order to flaunt his gift, but he allowed God to place him in the right situations, so that his gift could be used to bring glory to His name.

Do you use your gift to show off, and draw attention to yourself? If so, you should reconsider your motives, before you are met with strict chastisement from the Father. God doesn’t regret making you super special, but He desires that you walk in humility, and use your gifts to help others, and not yourself. God will always take care of your business, so long as you take care of His.

If you die today, where will you spend eternity?

Ell

Have A Heart

Luke 11:5-13

Why are people so mean these days? Have you thought about that lately? I’m not too sure how things went on back in the olden days, but from my experiences growing up in the 80’s and 90’s, men showed a bit more respect for one another, than they do today. Fathers taught their sons proper work ethics, and how to be kind and courteous to women, and mothers would show their daughters the ways of womanhood. Far gone are the days of “yes sir”, and “no ma’am”, because children aren’t being taught to respect their elders. Instead, are youth are being groomed by Disney and Nickelodeon, rather than good old fashioned wisdom, and Bible teachings. Old cartoons usually conveyed chivalry by showing a man laying down his coat over water, so a woman’s feet wouldn’t get wet, or by young boys holding doors open for elderly women. Those virtues are hardly seen today, because men have become selfish, and more self-centered than ever before.

In my 38 years of journeying on this planet, I’ve learned, the farther men drift away from God, the more inclined they are to entertain immoral, and unethical behaviors, but the closer they remain to the Father, the more apt they are to show love and kindness by default. Jesus taught that friends are to always be there for each other, even if it comes at a cost. When you say love someone, there will ALWAYS come opportunities for that love to be proven. Our text gives a few examples of the proper way to handle friends in need, and the importance of showing kindness to those in desperate situations. If I’m hungry, and come to a friend in the wee hours of the night for food, is it right for them to shun me away saying, “it’s too late”, or give me a bag of rocks? Not at all. Instead, they should make it top priority to see that my need is met, especially if they have more than enough to spare. This is especially relevant for the body of Christ. No brother, or sister joined to God, should ever deny a fellow believer assistance (within reason, obviously). Even if you can’t personally assist someone, the least you can do is help point them in a direction where help can be rendered.

If you claim to have the love of God residing in your heart, it should ALWAYS show in your actions. Remember to treat all men the way you desire to be treated, and love them with the same love God shows you every day.

Walk in love,

Ell

Ark placed in tent in Jerusalem

1 Chronicles 16:1-6

The season of giving is nearing its most celebrated day, Thanksgiving, and people all over the world are preparing their hearts, and appetites, to make that day one to remember. Just as king David distributed bread, good meat, and wine to everyone in Israel, there are ministries and organizations worldwide that provide meals, clothing, and even shelter for those who are unable to care for themselves throughout the year, but Thanksgiving is a day recognized as one where giving should be promoted all day long, and by everyone.

Mothers, grandmothers, and even some fathers put their coveted recipes on full display, while seeking to satisfy warm hearts and yearning appetites, companies generously provide turkeys for their employees, and most businesses allow their workers to take time away from work, to enjoy moments with their families. Unfortunately, the Thanksgiving season isn’t observed the same way by everyone. While some are fortunate to spend time with many family members and friends, others may be experiencing their first Thanksgiving without their mother, father, sister, brother, or grandparent. Many houses are full of food, wine, and laughter, while others are filled with sadness and gloom. For this very reason, the true purpose of Thanksgiving shouldn’t be all about turkeys and football, instead, we should be thankful to God, for all the days He blessed us to experience, thus far in our lives. Without God, we would be nonexistent, so celebrating a day of thanks, without giving thanks to God seems rather contradicting.

Whether you spend the holiday in the company of hundreds, or just one, be sure to show reverence and appreciation to God, because He already gave us countless reasons to be thankful. “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name”. (Psalm 100:4)

Walk in love,

Ell

Striking a fair balance

2 Corinthians 8:9-15

Good advice can go a long way, especially when the words are motivated by the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul spoke to many churches during his time of ministry; preaching, teaching, admonishing, rebuking, and doing as he was instructed to do by God, so that the people would know, and live by the standard God approved of, and not the standard of men.

As a good leader, Paul cared sincerely for those he covered spiritually, and oftentimes shared thoughts from his heart (with God’s permission) to the churches. In our text, Paul thought it necessary to provoke the Corinthian church to consider sharing their possessions with those who had little, to nothing. It’s easy to say you love God with all your heart when you aren’t being challenged to prove it, but there are times when that same love needs to be put into action.

There are many leaders who have given advice to their followers, but only for reasons to benefit themselves, and not the needs of the people. On the contrary, Paul gave words that would be expedient, or profitable for the church, if they put into action what he advised. The grace of giving was not a commandment, but mentioned as an example of what the other churches were doing, to build and edify their communities.

For some strange reason, giving seems to be one of the hardest things to do amongst the body of Christ. Having the love of God inside of us, giving should in fact be one of most natural elements of our being. Perhaps some are hesitant to give, because they’ve struggled all their lives, and feel that giving will deplete their supply to the point they’ll fall into poverty again, or maybe some have entertained the spirit of selfishness too long, until it keeps them for maintaining the desire to put others before themselves. No matter the reason, if you give willingly, and cheerfully, God will return unto you overflowing blessings that will come by the hands of men. Be mindful of this though, refusing to bless others, keeps God’s hand from blessing you, because it is more blessed to give, than to receive (Acts 20:35). If God can give His only Son to save the world, then why can’t we willingly give a portion of our goods to help someone who is struggling? Selfishness is NOT an attribute or character of godliness, rather it’s a direct derivative of sinfulness. Were all men created equal? Not at all. But, those who were fortunate enough to have an abundant supply of resources, or even finances, should never hesitate to help a brother in need. I was blessed to meet a woman from Jamaica many moons ago, who has a heart so pure, I think it would rival that of king David. No matter what state she’s in, her willingness to help others never shuts down. She truly exemplifies what a heart after God’s own really is. I strive to follow her example, and the example Christ showed us in the Word, so that my giving won’t be in vain, and God will one day say to me, “well done”.

How would you feel if you lost everything, like the people who are suffering from the recent storm that literally demolished the islands of the Bahamas, and no government in the world, nor your own family or friends would offer a helping hand? You’d be broken beyond repair. My advice to the body of believers is, when God blesses you with increase, instead of storing all your goods away to be eaten by moths, or to become corrupted, share the wealth with the men and women who strive daily to live according to God’s Word, the same as you do.

Walk in love,

Ell

Protecting widows

Deuteronomy 24:17-22

Society today is full of people who think more of themselves, than they do others. The rich continue to get richer, while neglecting to extend the wealth they can’t take beyond this earth realm with those who are less fortunate, and can barely provide for themselves. It’s ironic to witness those who are homeless strive to care for each other, while the men and women with more than enough, pass by them as if they are invisible. Even widows are often forgotten and neglected by those who can offer support, without being negatively affected by doing so. Those women who once depended solely on the support of their husbands, found life to be extremely more difficult after their passing, and would benefit greatly if people followed the command given by God, to the children of Israel in this lesson’s text.

The Hebrew word for “glean” is laqat, and it means “to collect, gather up, pick up.” Gleaning is the gathering of grain or other harvested material left behind by reapers. In our text, the Israelites were commanded to allow strangers, the fatherless, and widows to follow behind reapers and pick up leftover spears of grain, olives, and fallen grapes. Doing this, in accordance with the Law of Moses, provided food for the poor, orphans, widows, and resident aliens. The law specified that land owners must leave some of the harvest for gleaners, remembering how they were once in need of help, then God delivered them from bondage. The reason some people are selfish is, they’ve become comfortable in their prosperity, until they forget the times when they were broke and busted, and needed someone to provide for them.

God provides more than enough for His people, and He intends that they share their increase with those who have little to nothing to live on. Life is getting tough as the days go by, and it gets harder for those single mothers, and widows who strive hard to provide for themselves, and their children. If you proclaim that the love of God rests and resides in your heart, then consider those who need help, when God blesses you with increase. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27).

Walk in love,

Ell