Look Up!

Luke 21:25-28

This life on the earth, is coming to an end. Although I’ve been hearing that since the 1980s, it’s more apparent now, than back then. The Bible mentions many signs of the end-times, and we can see them vividly today. The issue with a lot of Christians is, they focus more on the pleasures and treasures of this present world, rather than the gifts God has prepared for them in glory. There’s no need to fear death in this life. We must only shift our focus from temporary, earthly desires, to eternal, spiritual wonders.

Choose Wisely

1 John 2:28-3:10

If we don’t abide in God, when Christ returns, we’ll lack confidence in our eternal security, and be ashamed at His coming. If we are ignorant of God’s righteousness, then we’ll never understand the righteous works of those who are born of God, or committed to His purpose.

Have you ever really realized how much God loves us? Well, it was His intentions all along, for His created humans to be called His sons. So, how does a common man become royalty, without being born into the family line? According to man’s tradition, this is virtually impossible, but because of Jesus, all who accept the gift of salvation, can transform from common, to royal.

As sons of God, the world won’t understand they way we walk, talk, live, and believe, because their understanding of biblical doctrines is darkened. But, the hope we have in Christ makes us pure, regardless of what man labels us as. Being born of God, makes it possible for the redeemed to actually live a sinless life. Say what?! The Bible mentions in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”, but it is doable to live sinless in the earth. Although believers slip here and there (with no intentions of abusing grace), the seed of righteousness is planted in everyone who is born of God, and if they consistently adhere to His Word, they can indeed resist the practice of, or temptation to commit sin.

Verse 8 reads, “He that committeth sin is of the devil, for the devil sinneth from the beginning.” While in Heaven, Lucifer allowed pride to cloud his judgment, thus causing him to rebel against God. His very nature is still influencing many today, but through the power and grace of God, anyone can overcome evil, and commit themselves to His holy will. All it takes to become royalty in Heaven is, a choice. “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

“If you ever made a mistake in your life, don’t judge someone else who falls.” – Ell

To The End

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

At the end of every race is, a finish line. Whether there are cars, people, or even horses aligned at the starting point, races typically produce only one victor. All who are participants in a race, train extensively, and strive relentlessly to overcome those who are placed against them, but to those who finish first, all their labor was proven effective.

The Bible teaches, the life we live on the earth, is comparable to a race. The writer of the book of Hebrews helps us understand the race of life this way: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” (Heb 12:1). According to this passage, there is a definite end to this life, but to those who endure unto the end (lay aside the weight of sin, while striving to live holy), the Savior will confirm or validate their hearts, and make them blameless before God. What better reward is there on earth, that can compare to an eternity with the Creator of all things?

The apostle Paul was well aware of the importance of living a holy life in the earth, and was pleased to hear that the people he left Timothy to watch over in Thessalonica, were indeed growing and maturing in the things of the Lord. Running the race of life according to God’s standard, involves affliction, distress, and persecution, but Paul and those who accompanied him, gained strength, simply from hearing that the church was prospering. Good news can do a lot to help motivate those who may be going through a hard season, and knowing someone you love has been blessed, can work wonders in your life, as well as theirs. Paul prayed earnestly, to return to those he loved, so that he could fine tune the areas of spirituality they needed help with.

Unlike conventional races, where one competes against the other, the race that the church has been given, involves every member supporting each other, all the way to the finish line.

Why does the living man complain?

Ell

The Day Of The Lord

Zephaniah 1:14-18

There are many areas of Scripture, people are hesitant to read, because they either bring fear, or confusion, when trying to understand them. In fact, the average Bible reader prefers to study more about the blessings of God, as opposed to learning about end-time events. Our lesson text details a very unique day, that will come, according to God’s schedule plan.

Every man, and woman, who refuses to accept Christ as their savior, will soon face a day, that will be like none anyone has ever experienced on the earth. Although many believers will unfortunately experience end-time tribulation, when the enemy amplifies his attacks against God’s people (which seems, at times, to already be in effect), and causes hurt and shame to many, the day of God’s wrath will come, after Christ has taken His people away from the plagued, and sin-sick world.

The prophet Zephaniah was very descriptive, as he mentioned the details of that sad, and terrible day. It’s mentioned that this day will be one of great wrath, trouble and distress, waste and desolation, darkness and gloominess, clouds and thick darkness, trumpet and alarm, bloodshed, and a day wicked men will not escape.

We serve a God of love and justice, and not one who desires that men perish in sin, but to willingly refuse His salvation, and liberty from eternal damnation, automatically sets one on the path to experience this tragic day. It’s the will of God that no one perish, but that all come to repentance, so they’ll have no fear of the great day of the Lord, when it comes.

Walk in love,

Ell

A New Home

Acts 1:6-11

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another exciting episode of, “A New Home”! Starring, Papa, and little Johnny! I’m your host, “holyell”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

Papa: Okay family, I called you all here to tell you that I’ll be going away for a while, on business, but I won’t be gone too long, so I expect everyone to be on their best behavior.

Children: Ohhh no pappa, where are you going, and how long will you be away, and why are you leaving?

Momma: It’s okay kids, papa’s going away to work a new job, and guess what? He’s building a new house for us as well!

Papa: Ahh honey, you spoiled the surprise!

Children: Yaaaaaaay! We’re getting a new house! We’re getting a new house! We’re getting a new house!

Little Johnny: Papa

Papa: Yes Johnny

Little Johnny: Umm… while you’re away, who will take care of momma and this house?

Papa: Johnny, I leave you in charge.

Little Johnny: Really papa?!

Papa: Yes. And, I expect you to always listen to momma, do your chores and homework consistently, and without complaining, protect your sister’s from those pesky Johnson boys across the street, and never forget, although I’m away, I’m always watching you.

Little Johnny: Okay papa! I promise I’ll do my best to protect our home while you’re away, and I’ll be nice to Cindy and Rachel (most of the time), and ummm I’ll beat up the Johnson boys if they mess with them, and I will always do my chores and homework, and listen to mommy everyday, and…

Papa: Okay okay little Johnny. I believe you’ll do great while I’m gone, but remember, I’ll be back soon to see whether you kept your word, or not. So, I leave you in charge of keeping things right while I’m away. You represent me, little man, so I expect you to behave the same, as if I’m still here.

Little Johnny: Scout’s honor papa. I will do my best!

This concludes another episode of, “A New Home”! Thanks for tuning in.

This story conveys a similar message Jesus left to His disciples before He ascended into the clouds. They were to carry on, where He left off; witnessing of His purpose to all the world. Knowing the journey wouldn’t be easy, Christ was also sure to leave them with a comforter, to assist them on their endeavors.

The power that ignites believers to boldly proclaim the message of the Gospel comes by way of the Holy Ghost, and absolutely NO OTHER SOURCE. In order to effectively preach God’s message, one must have God’s Spirit within them. When Christ returns, He’ll do as Papa did in our story, and check to see whether we obeyed His commands, or not, so live today, as if Jesus was still here, and allow His Spirit to empower you to be great until He returns.

Walk in love,

Ell

On the mountain with Jesus

Matthew 17:1-7

Throughout our lives, we’ll build a collection of memories that will be accumulated from various experiences we encounter. While some of those memories we’ll prefer to forget, others will bring joy that will last a lifetime! My face lights up everytime I see a star shooting through the midnight sky, or when I witness dolphins swimming in the ocean, while basking on the beach at sunrise. I’ve yet to experience beautiful mountains, or snow, but those, along with other things, are penciled on my bucket list. I’ve lived long enough to see a few of God’s amazing creations, but I would love to have experienced what Peter, James, and John saw on the mountain of transfiguration.

In our text, Jesus allowed a select few of His disciples to accompany Him, as He made His way atop a mountain, to meet some “old” friends. When the men finally reached their destination, one of the most amazing things in Scripture began to take place. Verse two reads, “And (Jesus) was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light”. Can you honestly imagine seeing that with your own eyes? I know Hollywood produces movies with amazing special effects, but with Jesus, nothing was altered with cameras or effects, and was as real as life itself.

Throughout the Bible, light is synonymous with knowledge, and being God in the flesh, Jesus’ transfiguration revealed who He truly was. Not only was His formed changed before the eyes of the disciples, but Jesus was also blessed to grace the presence of two men who had left the earth over a thousand years prior to this visit: Moses, and Elijah were seen talking with Jesus on the mountain. When I first read this passage of Scripture, I had developed so many questions I wanted answers to, but I eventually realized that my frail human mind need not understand all of God’s doings, because His ways are not like the ways of man, so I resulted to standing in awe of the awesome things He does, without trying to question everything. I had wondered how could men who haven’t been seen on the earth since they were taken up by God many years before, appear as if they never left. I also couldn’t understand how the disciples recognized two men whom they had never seen, yet called them by name. In any case, this experience was indeed breathtaking, and moved Peter to offer to make tabernacles for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. In the midst of him speaking, Peter looked up and saw a bright cloud began to overshadow the company of men. What happened next, literally struck fear in the disciples, and brought them to their knees. God’s voice began to speak from the cloud and said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear Him”. Real talk, I would have already been bugged out from seeing Jesus light up like the sun, along with witnessing two men appear out of thin air, but after hearing God speak from a bright cloud, I probably would have ran and hid behind a rock, or something as well. Jesus came and touched the disciples, then told them not to be afraid, because this was a moment few would see, but all would remember forever.

Do you get bubbly inside, and excited when you think on the goodness of Jesus, and all He’s done for you? How often do you thank God, and reverence Him for simply being who He is? There average person spends hundreds of dollars a year to be entertained by movies that offer intense and vivid visuals, yet none are real, and were created using visual effects. God has done, and can do things that Hollywood can only copy, so take more pleasure in appreciating the great things He does daily, rather than glorifying man’s futile efforts.

Walk in love,

Ell